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Just disembarked NCL Epic Sunday

Krydstosser

By Krydstosser,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Krydstosser

Krydstosser

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Posted (edited)

Just disembarked NCL Epic Sunday....12. sep. 

 

We had a wonderful cruise and almost everything was perfect!

 

Covid test:

 

Our time schedule to test was 10-10:30 It was in a tent at the pier, it took 40 minutes to get tested and was okay! My test got lost, but they found after a little confusion. Later on the ship we also got an email with the test result. The trust one app do not demand internet package just like the SpTH app (Spanish health aap)  You put the phone on flight mode and turn on WIFI. Then you can select the NCL app without a package. The other two work as well with this. 

 

Embarkation:

 

it was very very fast, show of passport and a short health questionnaire....

 

Mask is mandatory when you go around the ship also outside. Not when you eat or drink. You can go in the pool without masks. In the Theater the mask are mandatory at all time you can remove it shortly to sip your drink. 

 

There is social distancing all over, but it was not at problem. There was plenty of space. 

 

We asked in the Guest relation, new maximum capacity was 3000 guest. 

 

We think it work very well!

 

Muster drill:

 

When we got on the ship, was asked to go to the muster station. Our was in the Casino, they asked us "Have you watched the muster drill movie" We had and they told us when the muster alarm go off (Before sailing) we should disregard. That was it, very efficient and good. 

 

Cabin and cabin steward:

 

We was the first passenger in the cabin since covid shutdown so the cabin was ready when we arrived at 10:15, very clean and two NCL mask with 2 bottles of hand cleaning sprit. The masks smelled very chemical so we hang it on a hook one day, then it was fine. We used our own the first day. 

 

The Cabin steward was perfect, we are bronze latitude status so we got a bottle of "Champagne" it was not cold so we asked for a buckle of ice to put the bottle in. 10 minutes after our request we got it. Perfect!

 

The layout of the cabin is crazy (My opinion) Glass doors at the toilet and bath 😮 This I do not like at all!! Every sound and smell must you share with your companion or wife 😄 

But we have been together in 13 years so we managed but i prefer a normal cabin layout thats for sure 😄 

 

Main restaurants: 

 

The food was good and the waiters was good but very busy, we like to chat with them but there was not time for that. But all in all very good, the music in the Manhatten room was awesome. We just vent to the restaurant when we was hungry, the waiting was very short. Our maximum waiting time was 5 minutes. So no complain there. 

 

Speciality restaurants:

 

La Cucina: was perfect,  the food, the selection, the waiters.... all was perfect!!! Great experience!!

 

Cagneys: Big big disappointment, The waiters were running  around totally confused (Actually running), I got the wrong food. They was not enough waiters. I have been in Cagneys at other ships so I know they can do better. Maybe the reason was that it was the first cruise, so could go in the right direction. 

 

Buffet restaurant/Market place:

 

Mandatory cleaning hands with a dispenser! I like that very much! One entrance in the middle and you go out at the side at the buffet. (Both) 

 

Very very good food, I think the select was not so good as before Covid. But they serve you, point at the food and you get it. 

 

It worked very well not too many people and at the outside buffet worked also very well. Mandatory hand cleaning every time!

 

The Bars:

 

We used the Shakers Martini bar & and the Maltings bar most because of the music. The waiters in all bars was awesome, but the selection of cocktails is not good in those bars. The Pool bars was great, never waiting times and awesome bartenders and waiters.:

 

We discovered that in the Casino bar had a good selection of cocktails. 

 

Shows:

 

We was only two times in Epic Theater, We watch "Burn the floor" and a Violinist. Both shows was a blast! I was a little in doubt before the show with the violinist, but she was really really good. You should see her!!! 

 

Musicians at the bars and at the pool:

Maybe the best we have heard on our cruises!! 

 

Casino:

This is not our thing, we have never played (not religious reasons) But the Casino was beautiful and always well staffed, always free tables. We walked trough when we should have our cocktails 🙂

 

Pool and the layout:

 

We prefer the old kind of layouts, but it was okay. The sun chair regime was (as usual) not enforced so it was almost impossible to get one in the pool areas. Many occupied them for a whole day and left them for many hours. (I know its a problem on many ships) 

 

But the pools them selves was nice, the one in tha back was with warmer water. 

 

We embarked in Barcelona so the first couple of days there was a lot fewer people until we got more guest on in Civitavecchia.  

 

All in all:

 

We had a wonderful cruise, and it was great to be back and the crew was awesome.... Will we be back at Epic?? with the right price yes, but don't like the cabins so we prefer other NCL Ships for that reason. 

 

We have cruised with:

RCCL, NCL, P&O, Carnival, MSC, DFDS. 11 cruises total. 

 

I am danish so do not mind my spelling 😄 

 

Best regards from Krydstosser

(Means Cruise maniac in danish) 😄 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Krydstosser
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Krydstosser

Krydstosser

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Posted (edited)
8 minutes ago, Old & Retired said:

Very nice of NCL to allow you to briefly remove your  mask to sip your drink....

 

Yes maybe it sound stupid but all in all it is for our own safety, when that is said I hate the masks but I hate covid even more... and they managed to keep every one safe... As I know there was not any covid cases or very few if any. 

 

Look at this from MSC... https://www.cruiselawnews.com

Edited by Krydstosser
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Gen X Life

Gen X Life

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53 minutes ago, Krydstosser said:

I forgot one thing that I think NCL should make different and they should do it  FAST!!

 

Water in bottles is not included in the drink package!!! That is not good enough NCL!!! 

You can order a case of Water separately or upgrade to premium drink package... I do not drink Alcohol so  I always order a case or 2 of Waters for my Suite in advance.

 

I believe you can still do this on the ship.

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Krydstosser

Krydstosser

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1 minute ago, Gen X Life said:

You can order a case of Water separately or upgrade to premium drink package... I do not drink Alcohol so  I always order a case or 2 of Waters for my Suite in advance.

 

I believe you can still do this on the ship.

I know you can buy it and we did buy 6 bottles but I think that water should be included in the package, it is at many other cruise lines... just my opinion! 

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JezzaC

JezzaC

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Great to hear that you had a nice cruise! 

Were people wearing masks when they should have and if they weren't was it enforced by crew? 

What was their drinks situation, did they have stocks full in each bar or did you have to go to another bar if you wanted something? 

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Krydstosser

Krydstosser

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26 minutes ago, JezzaC said:

Great to hear that you had a nice cruise! 

Were people wearing masks when they should have and if they weren't was it enforced by crew? 

What was their drinks situation, did they have stocks full in each bar or did you have to go to another bar if you wanted something? 

The Guest behaved very responsible, of cause their was some who didn't wear them it was very few, but it was not a problem. I didn't saw any enforcement of it but with a few exceptions almost all wear mask when they should. 

One time in Maltings bar some was acted stupid but all in all very safe cruise in my eyes! 

 

And Spain demanded a negative test before leaving the ship, also good to know that you are covid free when you fly home. In my country are there no restriction or masks any more, so I would not be that guy that gave anyone covid.... 

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Krydstosser

Krydstosser

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3 minutes ago, rmandmm said:

Thanks for the review! Glad to hear that people were generally conscious of distancing etc.--sorry to hear the chair hogs were still at it! I'm sure you're glad to have gotten back out to sea! 🙂

Yes we missed it so much,  and I got misty eyes when we walk on the gangway and into the ship 😄

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Lisa353

Lisa353

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Thank you for the great review.  We don't go on our cruise until 10th October so it is nice to hear from people who have been on it so far.  I'm happy to know that most people are following the rules of wearing masks.  I'm from Scotland and we are still having to wear masks when you go inside anywhere.  Were they strict with the type of masks you can wear?

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washcruise13

washcruise13

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31 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said:

QUOTE: "Mask is mandatory when you go around the ship also outside."

 

I thought that you didn't have to wear a mask outside once you could maintain social distancing?

In EU.  Masks are mandatory at all times (except when eating or drinking) inside or out.  This includes the spa and thermal suite as well.

 

 

Edited by washcruise13
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SpainAlien "Live from...." Rare

SpainAlien

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15 minutes ago, washcruise13 said:

In EU.  Masks are mandatory at all times (except when eating or drinking) inside or out.  This includes the spa and thermal suite as well.

 

 

Not in Spain. We wear asks inside unless sitting and actively drinking or eating but outside you only have to wear a mask if you can't socially distance 

 

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JezzaC

JezzaC

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21 minutes ago, washcruise13 said:

In EU.  Masks are mandatory at all times (except when eating or drinking) inside or out.  This includes the spa and thermal suite as well.

 

 

 

There aren't any common rules related to masks in European Union. Each country has their own rules. NCL website states following:

 

"On Europe sailings only, local government regulations requires all guests to wear masks onboard whilst indoors except for when actively eating or drinking or when in their stateroom. Guests will be required to wear masks outdoors when social distancing is not possible." 

Based on that masks aren't needed outdoors with social distancing.

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podgeandrodge

podgeandrodge

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36 minutes ago, washcruise13 said:

In EU.  Masks are mandatory at all times (except when eating or drinking) inside or out.  This includes the spa and thermal suite as well.

 

 

Where are you getting this rule from?  Not where I'm from either. 

If you mean that NCL is applying this rule, rather than it being "an EU rule", it seems to contradict their own documentation on this.

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podgeandrodge

podgeandrodge

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19 minutes ago, JezzaC said:

 

There aren't any common rules related to masks in European Union. Each country has their own rules. NCL website states following:

 

"On Europe sailings only, local government regulations requires all guests to wear masks onboard whilst indoors except for when actively eating or drinking or when in their stateroom. Guests will be required to wear masks outdoors when social distancing is not possible." 

Based on that masks aren't needed outdoors with social distancing.

And in the EPIC specific letter emailed to me a few days ago, which quotes Europe specifically as well, it says "Guests will be required to wear masks outdoors when social distancing is not possible."

 

Having said that, the original poster on this thread seemed to suggest it was mandated outdoors.  That would seem absolutely crazy.

 

Strongly suggest people print this off (dated 9th September) and have to hand if any enthusiastic NCL personnel tell you to wear a mask while in a corner enjoying the breeze!

Norwegian Epic Embarkation Information.pdf

Edited by podgeandrodge
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