Just off the Epic 1/23-2/2

[davidpariani]

Before I start my review I'll give you some background on my DW and myself. This was our 7th cruise, 2 with Royal, 3 Carnival, and this was our 2nd with Norwegian. Our longest had been an 8 day so because or the price and itinerary we couldn't pass it up. Now it will be hard to go back to anything less than a 10 day. The Epic was the biggest ship we have been on so we didn't know what to expect.

 

We arrived at the port between 12 -12:30 and the line was huge but it seemed to go quickly for the amount of people. It took 45 minutes by the time we got on board so not as bad as the other review of 2 hours they had said it took them. Our room was ready and clean. We then went to get some lunch in the buffet and had a hard time finding a seat anywhere but went outside and found a table that was half wet from some rain that came at some point. We were already thinking oh boy is this what we signed up for as we read many negative reviews on the Epic but some good ones and others coming to her defense.

All in all  we had a really good time.  Our room steward was very friendly and kept our room clean. We never felt that the ship was to crowded and the bathroom situation didn't bother us. Many we heard didn't like the ship and would never go on it again. I would go on the Epic again but with so many choices we will choose another ship on our next cruise.

   Just a few knit picky things that many people had issues with, Many nights If you didn't make reservations in the MDR'S you had to wait 20-30 minutes. This wasn't a huge issue but others that had been on the away class ships said they never had these issues. Also making reservations for the main shows was an issue for some but we made them ahead of time. The Beatles show was really good but the Cavern club is so small we had to be in there 3 hours just to get a seat. The good thing was they had an amazing coverband.(4 Blue) The Cirque show was really good but buy the premium seats as part of the show is obstructed with standard seats. The service in both MDR'S was good but a few nights it seemed like the waiters didn't care as much and it took a long time for refills on water. I realize they work very hard and I would have down days as well. Food was good but thought it was just as good as Royal and Carnival. So all in all we had a very nice time and can't wait to cruise again.

 

 

 

 

[SeaTheW0rld]

Did you have priority boarding? Pics don't lie. 

[FLAHAM]

Along with many others, I find the MDR far preferable to the buffet on embarkation day. 

[PollyMurg]

Yes the queue for boarding was long but as soon as we got on the ship that was long forgotten.

We enjoyed everything the ship had to offer - the configuration of the cabin not so much but hey, there is so much to do that we spent little time in our cabin.

I agree that 4 Blue in The Cavern Club were amazing! I would pay good money to see them.

If anyone has a good recording of Eye in the Sky please PM me 😉

[kochleffel]

33 minutes ago, davidpariani said:

We then went to get some lunch in the buffet and had a hard time finding a seat anywhere

 

One of the things I like about NCL (compared with, for example, RCI) is that one of the MDRs serves lunch on embarkation day. There seems to be a degree of secrecy about this, with the crew trying to herd everyone to the buffet. O'Sheehan's was also open when I was on the Epic last year and was almost empty.

[kochleffel]

25 minutes ago, SeaTheW0rld said:

Pics don't lie.

 

The OP didn't say that you were lying. It is possible, even probably, that another passenger's experience on another embarkation day would be different from yours.

[SeaTheW0rld]

58 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

The OP didn't say that you were lying. It is possible, even probably, that another passenger's experience on another embarkation day would be different from yours.

Actually, he was saying just that. Repeatedly and on multiple threads.

[PTC DAWG]

See World is in another world...carry on. 

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

Thanks for your review, glad you had a nice trip.