Epic = yes or no ?

[plittle210]

I have cruised on the Epic the past 2 years  and again in April.  I love the Epic, no everything but I enjoyed the entertainment not crazy about the casino  but its ok    food was excellent   room service excellent steward was excellent  pub great   alittle crowed   but booked dinner times when we wanted and the shows.   I remember going on the Getaway   my first time on NCL AND THIS TYPE OF SHIP AND I WAS NO IMPRESSED BUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR  THE ePIC AND NOW THAT I KNOW THE QERKS OF NCL   I LOVE IT!   LOOKING FOWARD TO APRIL THE 6TH 2019 WITH BFF'S

[TruckerDave]

I did the Epic from Barcelona a couple summers ago and thought it was fine.  I was in a studio cabin and it was just right for me.  I'm not one to turn every little issue into a long winded cruise critic rant, so take that for what it is worth.  

[chesswiththedevil]

+1 with Trucker Dave. My cruise on the Epic was good but not perfect. I enjoyed myself mostly because I understand that I won't be happy with all elements of a cruise and NCL hit enough of the solid points that the failures they had didn't matter much. That's more a life philosophy, really. Also, accidents can and will happen - that's why they are called "accidents" and not "on purposes".

[newmexicoNita]

23 hours ago, luvsboozecruises said:

Just got off the Dawns New years cruise..It  was a really great trip , and have family who were on the Epic and said it was horrible and the worst cruise they were ever on.. My wife and i are booked on the Epic for 2019  new years trip out of P.R. and Need some help on from past epic cruisers if we should  change to another ship ??

No idea how many times your family members have cruised or on what ships? Did they tell you why they hated it so much? I say this because, we are not lovers of mega ships and certainly the Epic isn't our favorite ship, but certainly has a lot of pros going for it. The food is good and the selection outstanding; there is a lot of entertainment. Anyone can be a busy as they want. A lot of people don't like the bathroom set up: we found it rather nice if it is only a couple cruising together. Our biggest complaints and we hit bad weather which added insult to injury: was the ship just seemed so crowded. You wouldn't think that would be the case on a ship that large. I will have to add, we didn't find the service up to NCL standards, not like the Dawn. 

[Barb Nahoumi]

23 hours ago, Run14 said:

 

I'd have to agree with this comment - sometimes people just don't want to enjoy the experience. 

 

I've been on the Epic a couple of times.  One in the Haven and one in a mini-suite.  I really enjoyed both cruises and although my DW and I are now firmly Haven devotees, I loved my mini-suite vacation.  If you're transitioning from the Dawn (and don't already know), be prepared for a much larger ship with many, many more people on-board.  Planning things out in advance helps a lot with the megaships.  Research your room so that you're confident it will fit your needs and wants.  Like quiet? Search for the best places to read a great book.  Party person (just a hunch, from your name)?  Check out the poolside competitions and map out all the bars you'd like to try.  I loved the Epic, even the medical bay...okay maybe not there but they totally took care of me! 

The reason that I stay clear of mega ships, is I don't want to plan ahead and make reservations for meals and shows.   DH, our friends whom we cruise with, and I just show up at the MDR and are seated within minutes.  Afterward, we go to a show or some other entertainment.

 

The Dawn is one of our favorite ships.

[Phaedrus78]

2 hours ago, JP4GA said:

 

 

Never mind, off topic and probably deserving of a separate thread.  

Edited January 9, 2019 by Phaedrus78

[lostone65]

We have sailed the Epic twice, not a fan of the ship and will not sail her again. We all disliked the layout and the staff on both cruises we not the friendliest for the most part.  That said did we enjoy both cruises? Yes we did.  Did we enjoy the other NCL ships we have been on more? Yes we did. Everyone has their individual preference on the ships they like the most.  Give the Epic a try, you may love her.  if you don't I bet you still have a great cruise.

[Oakman58]

     I’m not a fan of the Epic at all but even so I’ve booked a cruise in 2020 on her.  The only reason I booked a cruise on her again was because it’s a port intensive cruise and I’ve never been to most of the ports she will visit.  Also at the time I booked, NCL was offering all 4 perks for balcony and above and also the perks of a distinctive voyage cruise.  That and I only had to put down a one dollar deposit to book it.  At least this time I know what to expect this time.
 

     My wife and I were OK with the bathroom setup but the wave wall in our balcony room made the cabin feel very small.  Where the wave curved into our cabin at the couch I could stand by the couch with my arms outstretched and I could touch the wall on one side and the mirror on the other side.  I think one of the cruise critic members posted a picture actually doing this.
 

     I think you need to learn to adapt to the quirky design of the Epic.  I know I learned to sleep with my feet hanging off the bottom of the bed.

Edited January 10, 2019 by Oakman58

[luvsboozecruises]

18 hours ago, Barb Nahoumi said:

The reason that I stay clear of mega ships, is I don't want to plan ahead and make reservations for meals and shows.   DH, our friends whom we cruise with, and I just show up at the MDR and are seated within minutes.  Afterward, we go to a show or some other entertainment.

 

The Dawn is one of our favorite ships.

 

[luvsboozecruises]

Thanks for all the help, our plans are still up in the air......

[rtkenmore]

Twice on Epic and thoroughly enjoyed both times.  To me, Epic has the best Thermal Suite in the fleet as well.  The only downside is the bathroom set up but if you know what to expect before hand, it's really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

[CruisinHarvey]

The Epic was NCL's first attempt at a mega ship. Lots of good came out of it. But, lots of mistakes were made. They learned, and the newer mega ships are much improved.  As for service,  it varies ship to ship, knowing that newest ships get a higher percentage of top performing crew members.  Anytime there's a repositioning there's usually a fare amount of crew changes. It take time for the new members to work as team. As a result, service generally suffers for a while.  You can bank on the fact that there will NEVER EVER be cabins designed like the ones on the Epic.  NCL took nothing from them when they designed the next class of ships. Even though some people like them, there are enough that hate them to stop using them. We've been a lot of NCL ships multiple times. We'll be on the Epic for the 3rd time in February. Not our favorite ship. But this time, it's convenient to family. She's not bad enough to never cruise on her.  There are just so many other better choices on NCL.

[StampedersFans]

We are sailing on the Epic for the first time this Saturday.  We have only sailed on Royal before.  We loved the Oasis and loved everything a big ship had to offer.  We are looking forward to discovering everything on the Epic.  We camp a lot and our rv bathroom is basically the same set up so that won't be a problem.

[plittle210]

this year will be my 3 year on the Epic  and I love it!  as soon as you get on ship go to the station to book I think its on the 7th floor and book your show like comedy howl at the moon and escape  oh   and your tender tickets  and you will be fine    enjoy !

[Cruise4me2]

On ‎1‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 2:04 PM, calmpets said:

I'm in the category of people unlikely to sail the Epic ever again. I think the ship itself is sort of a love it or hate it proposition, and I was just not happy with most aspects. JP4GA covered all of my issues, and then some, but my biggest gripe was the room layout. Despite having done my research and knowing what to expect, it was harder to work around than I was prepared for.

The cabin layout is what will keep me from ever sailing this ship again, not just for the privacy issue but if you have rough seas like we did the doors keep slamming back and forth. Other than that we still enjoyed ourselves!

[BirdTravels]

We have sailed on the Epic 6 times and loved every cruise. Enjoy your NYE cruise. The complainers will complain about any cruise ship name you insert from any cruise line.  

[Sailing12Away]

Sailed the Epic in May last year, and we're returning to her next January. Big ship, but we never felt crowded. It was too chilly during our cruise to use the pools, but they seemed very small. Lines were long at some of the bars, but we would just go find a different one. Lines for the elevator were long, but we would just walk it and meet my MIL at the floor when she eventually made it up. Meh, everyone has opinions, there's nothing wrong with the ship itself. 

[Visigoth]

We sailed on the Epic 2 years ago.  As you have, no doubt, read most of the negative reviews are due to the unique cabin layout.  I can only respond to our experience in a balcony room.  Besides a really stupid location for the "facilities" the couch next to the bed is convex.  It's cute, but it is basically unusable because you can't comfortably lean back.  It is also unusable as a second bed unless you assume a prenatal position.  These may not be deal breakers but they have caused many passengers to opt for other ships.  That unpopularity is probably the reason that there was only one NCL ship built in the "Epic" class.

[david_sobe]

I have said this many times but Epic reminds me of a ship NCL executives sat around the board room inventing a ship that would be so different and funky that it would shake up the industry.  Some of those ideas are executed very well while others not so well.  Some like the curved walls while others not so much.  The circular beds look amazing in some of the suites but some people don't like them. The ship is like a floating Las Vegas.  Some people like that while others do not.  Dinner incorporated with a show...some people like that while others do not.  Some cant handle the split bathroom design while others have no issues with it.  Epic definitely pushed the envelope in the cruise industry.  Its been 10 years and I believe Epic still has the largest spa and gym of any cruise ship.  That shows how ahead of its time the ship was at its debut.  Epic in many ways put design over function and IMHO that is why so many freaked out.  Epic was ground breaking and dared to be different.  I embrace that philosophy and love the quirks.  The phone in the penthouse suite is in the bathroom.  Odd no doubt but definitely different. In fact the entire bathroom is incorporated into the cabin.  Epic has an incredible casino, spa, gym, huge nightclub, Haven complex, Studio complex, water park complex, and garden café.  Epic sacrificed prime real estate and put the buffet forward with amazing views.  Personally I like the quirks and  prefer them over a very traditional and sterile cruise ship.

[Oakman58]

15 hours ago, Visigoth said:

We sailed on the Epic 2 years ago.  As you have, no doubt, read most of the negative reviews are due to the unique cabin layout.  I can only respond to our experience in a balcony room.  Besides a really stupid location for the "facilities" the couch next to the bed is convex.  It's cute, but it is basically unusable because you can't comfortably lean back.  It is also unusable as a second bed unless you assume a prenatal position.  These may not be deal breakers but they have caused many passengers to opt for other ships.  That unpopularity is probably the reason that there was only one NCL ship built in the "Epic" class.

 

I completely agree about the couch being next to useless for sitting.  The only good thing about the couch is the extra storage behind the seat back.

[david_sobe]

LOL that is one definite plus to the Epic cabins; Storage!  OMG there are endless places to store all of your items.  We sailed with 5 people and putting all the suitcases, clothes and personal belongings away was no problem.  All that stuff and we still had more cabinets and drawers to store things, let alone the cubby holes like under this bench.  Some of the strangest things open and can store stuff almost like secret hiding places.

[Vyhanek]

I think to experienced NCL cruisers, the Epic would never come up as anyone's favorite ship.

 

It's like the first Mega ship NCL has built and it is designed exclusively to pack people on.   It is designed exclusively to squeeze in more cabins all to pack the ship with more cruisers.    That comes at the expense of the entire rest of the ship......, it's space, it's deck space, it's lounge space, it's public area space is limited and inferior.   Pretty much in every way.     People will say that you can't ever see the blue ocean water when you're on the Epic because there is no public space with an ocean view.....again, they've made cabins out of almost every possible space with an ocean view leaving the interior of the ship as the public space.   

 

I've been on the Epic twice but only in the Haven. If it wasn't for  the Haven I would never cruise on the Epic in a standard cabin.

 

The pool deck is ridiculously small for a Mega ship.   I don't know what the ratio is for lounge chair to passenger but if the Dawn is say 3:1  (three passengers per lounger) then the Epic is more like 6:1.    Then the deck space,  its so ridiculously crowded with lounger pushed up to lounger with not even a centimeter in-between.   

 

They've cut out part of the dining area for the buffet and they've set tables up out on the pool deck to make up for the lack of places to sit in the buffet dining space.   All public areas are undersized.   I think NCL has learned from this ship design, you can't just pack people in and ignore the design of the ship.

 

There is a reason you can cruise on the Epic for a really reduced price.  Unfortunately this also attracts the lowest price point cruisers too.   As a long time NCL cruiser, I look around at the passengers on the Epic and wonder what happened to the customer base......it's because this is the lowest, cheapest cruise fare and you get what you pay for here!    We felt like we are on the cheapest thing at sea, packed in, cheaped out.    I didn't want to leave the Haven.    

 

NCL's other larger ships are better designed in every way.   

Edited January 12, 2019 by Vyhanek
spelling/grammer/what not stuff.

[david_sobe]

1 hour ago, Vyhanek said:

I think to experienced NCL cruisers, the Epic would never come up as anyone's favorite ship.

 

It's like the first Mega ship NCL has built and it is designed exclusively to pack people on.   It is designed exclusively to squeeze in more cabins all to pack the ship with more cruisers.    That comes at the expense of the entire rest of the ship......, it's space, it's deck space, it's lounge space, it's public area space is limited and inferior.   Pretty much in every way.     People will say that you can't ever see the blue ocean water when you're on the Epic because there is no public space with an ocean view.....again, they've made cabins out of almost every possible space with an ocean view leaving the interior of the ship as the public space.   

 

I've been on the Epic twice but only in the Haven. If it wasn't for  the Haven I would never cruise on the Epic in a standard cabin.

 

The pool deck is ridiculously small for a Mega ship.   I don't know what the ratio is for lounge chair to passenger but if the Dawn is say 3:1  (three passengers per lounger) then the Epic is more like 6:1.    Then the deck space,  its so ridiculously crowded with lounger pushed up to lounger with not even a centimeter in-between.   

 

They've cut out part of the dining area for the buffet and they've set tables up out on the pool deck to make up for the lack of places to sit in the buffet dining space.   All public areas are undersized.   I think NCL has learned from this ship design, you can't just pack people in and ignore the design of the ship.

 

There is a reason you can cruise on the Epic for a really reduced price.  Unfortunately this also attracts the lowest price point cruisers too.   As a long time NCL cruiser, I look around at the passengers on the Epic and wonder what happened to the customer base......it's because this is the lowest, cheapest cruise fare and you get what you pay for here!    We felt like we are on the cheapest thing at sea, packed in, cheaped out.    I didn't want to leave the Haven.    

 

NCL's other larger ships are better designed in every way.   

 

I disagree with your premise especially after sailing the Breakaway class ships.  On Epic, there are real restaurants like Shanghais and La Cucina that are actual restaurants with 4 walls with picture windows to the sea. On Getaway/Breakaway, those restaurants are open to the halls and not enclosed.  Cagneys and Le Bistro have tables so close (inches apart) that a table for 2 is actually dining with another table for 2.   Epic's venues are much more spaced out compared to the Breakaway class ships.  The Haven, spa, gym, Studio lounge,  nightclub, etc are all larger than the Breakaway class ships.  So if you talk about cramming and lack of space, then you would be even more miserable on the Breakaway class ships.  On Epic, Spice H20 has tiered seating to prevent crowding and a real swimming pool (even though its small).  No pools on any NCL ship in Spice after Epic.  Clearly there are reasons not to like the Epic but use of space or cramming is not one of them when you see the designs of the ships that came after Epic.

Edited January 12, 2019 by david_sobe

[maja651]

On 1/8/2019 at 3:29 PM, david_sobe said:

Been on Epic twice and loved it each time.  I prefer Epic over the Getaway.  I have yet to sail the Breakaway-Plus models so I cant compare them. I have always said that if you could slap a waterfront on the Epic, she still would be the best ship at sea.

I agree with this 100 %! I’ve been on  the Getaway and the Epic and much preferred the Epic. It is my favorite ship!

[Crzy4my2]

On 1/8/2019 at 5:29 PM, david_sobe said:

Been on Epic twice and loved it each time.  I prefer Epic over the Getaway.  I have yet to sail the Breakaway-Plus models so I cant compare them. I have always said that if you could slap a waterfront on the Epic, she still would be the best ship at sea.

 

I also prefer the Epic over the Getaway! My 1st cruise with NCL was on the Epic. The bathrooms work for my family. Someone can shower and someone else can use the toilet.. Just coordinate when you get out 😉 We went on the Getaway last Feb and I kept thinking "I wish I booked the Epic again" So we sail on the Epic again thins summer 🙂