In Search of Info Regarding Recent 2022 Epic Cruises in the Med

[jemz1949]

Looking for info from those of you who have recently sailed on the Epic in the Med over the past couple of weeks in 2022.  Entertainment Options in the Theater?  Dining Recommendations?  Experiences with Boarding Process for Barcelona?  And of course, posting copies of the Dailies would be much appreciated.  TIA.

[Rusty Shacklefjord]

I’m assuming everyone is exhausted from all the fun. I would also love hear some reviews of dining, entertainment and port experiences from this early batch of cruisers on Epic. 

[kby1216]

I am also interested in the answers. We will be sailing on Epic Jun 5.

[Nikoladoig88]

I’m currently on board the Epic, although boarded in Rome not Barcelona. The whole boarding process was seamless, much better than expected- we weren’t tested for covid, they just relied on your test results from 1-3 days prior. The boat is maybe around 60% capacity, it seems quiet, but equally isn’t lacking atmosphere. Everything seems to be fairly normal, other than wearing masks on board. 
 

In terms of shows, I last sailed in 2019 and the shows are largely the same- Priscilla, Burn the floor, a juggler/comedian, acrobatics. All the pools/water slides are open, as is the casino, bowling etc. All the restaurants are open too, it’s only our second night so no recommendations as yet, but all were lovely in 2019, particularly Cagneys! Hope this helps!

[jls pebbles]

Currently on the Epic. Boarding in Barcelona was a breeze. They have health check desks outside the terminal and ask for passport covid test certificate and Vaccination certificate. They also take your luggage. If tested within 3 days no requirement to test through Eurofins.

Entertainment is Burn the Floor  Prescilla Queen of the Desert Howl at the Moon Juggeler and Ariel Duo. I asked how many was on board and was advised 1500 so approx 33% capacity. Will try and take photos of dailies and upload over the next day or 2

Happy to answer any other questions.

[lovetoholiday]

1 hour ago, jls pebbles said:

Currently on the Epic. Boarding in Barcelona was a breeze. They have health check desks outside the terminal and ask for passport covid test certificate and Vaccination certificate. They also take your luggage. If tested within 3 days no requirement to test through Eurofins.

Entertainment is Burn the Floor  Prescilla Queen of the Desert Howl at the Moon Juggeler and Ariel Duo. I asked how many was on board and was advised 1500 so approx 33% capacity. Will try and take photos of dailies and upload over the next day or 2

Happy to answer any other questions.

Can I just ask to clarify,  if you have not tested are you then able to do it at the port?  Thanks.

[jls pebbles]

28 minutes ago, lovetoholiday said:

Can I just ask to clarify,  if you have not tested are you then able to do it at the port?  Thanks.

Sorry lovetoholiday I can't confirm as no experience. I understand ncl policy mentions testing at port will be at your cost in your situation. But policy can change frequently and I'm not following any changes.

[lovetoholiday]

2 hours ago, jls pebbles said:

Sorry lovetoholiday I can't confirm as no experience. I understand ncl policy mentions testing at port will be at your cost in your situation. But policy can change frequently and I'm not following any changes.

Thanks anyway. I don't mind paying, it would just be easier for us to get done at the port as we are returning to Heathrow late the night before from another cruise and then flying out early for the NCL one.  We obviously didn't think this through when booking 😂 it seemed like a good idea then.

[FlatFooted Freda]

On 4/28/2022 at 7:03 AM, jls pebbles said:

Entertainment is Burn the Floor  Prescilla Queen of the Desert Howl at the Moon Juggeler and Ariel Duo.

Thanks for the info!

Were you able to reserve a show prior to embarkation? If not, any trouble getting a reservation? 

Also, please comment on excursions. Easy-peasy or any sticking points? Did you do any NCL Excursions, and what did you think?

[jls pebbles]

On 4/29/2022 at 11:40 PM, FlatFooted Freda said:

Thanks for the info!

Were you able to reserve a show prior to embarkation? If not, any trouble getting a reservation? 

Also, please comment on excursions. Easy-peasy or any sticking points? Did you do any NCL Excursions, and what did you think?

Shows we're first come first served. No reservation prior to embarkation or once on ship. Face masks 😷 mandatory inside when walking around N95 for Italy ports they leave 2 in your cabin but you can ask your steward or reception for more. On my way to airport disembarking was easy. I did 3 ncl tours and organised own segway in Palma which was so much fun. Will feedback on these if I have time after checkin 

[jls pebbles]

1 minute ago, jls pebbles said:

Shows we're first come first served. No reservation prior to embarkation or once on ship. Face masks 😷 mandatory inside when walking around N95 for Italy ports they leave 2 in your cabin but you can ask your steward or reception for more. On my way to airport disembarking was easy. I did 3 ncl tours and organised own segway in Palma which was so much fun. Will feedback on these if I have time after checkin 

No issues turning up for shows due to low capacity

[jls pebbles]

Ncl Tours on Epic

Corsica - Imperial walking tour

Cheep and cheerful tour if you have the $50 credit. Informative tour guide.

Naples - Sorrento and Amalfi Coast. Unfortunately 3 visits to factories reduced the time you had on your own. Only 40 mins in Amalfi and 45 mins in Sorrento. We have done sorrento on our own many times so really took this tour to see amalfi. Was disappointed and provided feedback to shore excursions desk.

Florence - David and Florence. The best tour out great guide called Sam and driver Maximus. Fab walking tour and 3hrs own time in Florence was absolutely worth the money.

All Ncl tours requires masks while on their buses and guides do enforse this for everyone's safely

Palma we organised our own 1hr tour with Segway Palma located a 5 min walk where the shuttle drops you off. You have to pay $15 for shuttle if you have $50 credit it will be added to you bill and deducted.

Segway was amazing 1st time we experienced also got to see alot more than on foot.

I have the dailies and will scan and upload at home.

 

[Cobra1365]

If I may ask.  How early did you get to the port in Barcelona?  We’re on the 15 May sailing and we fly in a day ahead of time and I signed up for a 1030 AM embarkation time the next day.  But, someone in our group heard from somewhere that they won’t let you start boarding until 3:00 PM! (sounds very odd).

 

Also, I heard the Pompeii and Amalfi coast excursion might cancel due to closures at Pompeii.  Though we have no heard anything official from NCL and it’s still showing on our paperwork.  Did you hear anything?

 

Thanks!

Edited May 1, 2022 by Cobra1365

[kby1216]

56 minutes ago, Cobra1365 said:

If I may ask.  How early did you get to the port in Barcelona?  We’re on the 15 May sailing and we fly in a day ahead of time and I signed up for a 1030 AM embarkation time the next day.  But, someone in our group heard from somewhere that they won’t let you start boarding until 3:00 PM! (sounds very odd).

 

Also, I heard the Pompeii and Amalfi coast excursion might cancel due to closures at Pompeii.  Though we have no heard anything official from NCL and it’s still showing on our paperwork.  Did you hear anything?

 

Thanks!

I just looked at the Pompeii website and they say as of May 1, 2022 all sites are open to the public.

[jls pebbles]

2 hours ago, Cobra1365 said:

If I may ask.  How early did you get to the port in Barcelona?  We’re on the 15 May sailing and we fly in a day ahead of time and I signed up for a 1030 AM embarkation time the next day.  But, someone in our group heard from somewhere that they won’t let you start boarding until 3:00 PM! (sounds very odd).

 

Also, I heard the Pompeii and Amalfi coast excursion might cancel due to closures at Pompeii.  Though we have no heard anything official from NCL and it’s still showing on our paperwork.  Did you hear anything?

 

Thanks!

We arrived at 1230 and boarding was well under way. Ship departs at 5pm so everyone has to be checked in and on-board by 3pm so maybe misunderstanding. Didn't hear anything about Pompeii excursion cancellation 

[Ssmiff]

Hi guys. Great to see Epic is sailing the seas. We are in Rome on the 11th May and we are planning to get our pre boarding tests next week. Does anyone know if you don’t get a test  before you travel and get a Eurofins one at the Pier is there a charge/how much

Thanks 

[Cobra1365]

15 hours ago, jls pebbles said:

We arrived at 1230 and boarding was well under way. Ship departs at 5pm so everyone has to be checked in and on-board by 3pm so maybe misunderstanding. Didn't hear anything about Pompeii excursion cancellation 

That’s what I thought.  Thanks!

[Schlinger]

15 hours ago, Ssmiff said:

Hi guys. Great to see Epic is sailing the seas. We are in Rome on the 11th May and we are planning to get our pre boarding tests next week. Does anyone know if you don’t get a test  before you travel and get a Eurofins one at the Pier is there a charge/how much

Thanks 

Yes, there is. It's $65pp, so better get it done in Rome a day or 2 prior.  Price is 22€.

[Valentin53]

On 5/1/2022 at 9:38 AM, jls pebbles said:

Shows we're first come first served. No reservation prior to embarkation or once on ship. Face masks 😷 mandatory inside when walking around N95 for Italy ports they leave 2 in your cabin but you can ask your steward or reception for more. On my way to airport disembarking was easy. I did 3 ncl tours and organised own segway in Palma which was so much fun. Will feedback on these if I have time after checkin 

Do I understand correctly that during the cruise wearing masks is mandatory inside the ship. What happens if someone is not wearing a mask.

 

[jls pebbles]

1 hour ago, Valentin53 said:

Do I understand correctly that during the cruise wearing masks is mandatory inside the ship. What happens if someone is not wearing a mask.

 

I didn't see anyone being challenged for not wearing masks. Majority of cruisers wore masks 😷 

[Schlinger]

1 hour ago, Valentin53 said:

Do I understand correctly that during the cruise wearing masks is mandatory inside the ship. What happens if someone is not wearing a mask.

 

Masks are mandatory on NCL s European cruises. People who didn't wear masks were asked by staff to wear it. I even saw a gentleman being refused entry into the MDR for not wearing one. As he pointed out to the girl, the whole MDR was full of people not wearing masks, but she insisted he must put one on to enter.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Schlinger

[Schlinger]

11 minutes ago, jls pebbles said:

I didn't see anyone being challenged for not wearing masks. Majority of cruisers wore masks 😷 

I saw plenty of people getting challenged by staff in all kind of places. Most often at the places were you'd take it off immediately after being asked to wear it (MDR, Starbucks, Chinese restaurant...). At the Chinese restaurant, I even overheard a staff member mutter "masky masky"  to a couple that just came in and had almost reached their table. 

[jls pebbles]

3 minutes ago, Schlinger said:

I saw plenty of people getting challenged by staff in all kind of places. Most often at the places were you'd take it off immediately after being asked to wear it (MDR, Starbucks, Chinese restaurant...). At the Chinese restaurant, I even overheard a staff member mutter "masky masky"  to a couple that just came in and had almost reached their table. 

Good feedback. Hope you enjoyed the cruise!

[Valentin53]

34 minutes ago, Schlinger said:

Masks are mandatory on NCL s European cruises. People who didn't wear masks were asked by staff to wear it. I even saw a gentleman being refused entry into the MDR for not wearing one. As he pointed out to the girl, the whole MDR was full of people not wearing masks, but she insisted he must put one on to enter.

I intended to make a reservation, but the condition of wearing a mask refused me. Is it mandatory to wear masks when getting off the ship.

[mapleleaves]

32 minutes ago, Valentin53 said:

I intended to make a reservation, but the condition of wearing a mask refused me. Is it mandatory to wear masks when getting off the ship.

I guess it depends on what you plan to do after you get off the ship.  

The Health Minister published new rules effective today ..... masks will be required for trains, buses, etc thru May 31.  

Covid-19, Minister Speranza signs ordinances on masks and foreign travel (salute.gov.it)

 

Lots of good info on this site.  If you're traveling beyond May 30, watch it for updates.