jemz1949 Posted April 25, 2022 #1 Share Posted April 25, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Shacklefjord Posted April 27, 2022 #2 Share Posted April 27, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kby1216 Posted April 28, 2022 #3 Share Posted April 28, 2022 I am also interested in the answers. We will be sailing on Epic Jun 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikoladoig88 Posted April 28, 2022 #4 Share Posted April 28, 2022 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! 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted April 28, 2022 #5 Share Posted April 28, 2022 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. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetoholiday Posted April 28, 2022 #6 Share Posted April 28, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted April 28, 2022 #7 Share Posted April 28, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetoholiday Posted April 28, 2022 #8 Share Posted April 28, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlatFooted Freda Posted April 29, 2022 #9 Share Posted April 29, 2022 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted May 1, 2022 #10 Share Posted May 1, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted May 1, 2022 #11 Share Posted May 1, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted May 1, 2022 #12 Share Posted May 1, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra1365 Posted May 1, 2022 #13 Share Posted May 1, 2022 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kby1216 Posted May 1, 2022 #14 Share Posted May 1, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted May 1, 2022 #15 Share Posted May 1, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssmiff Posted May 1, 2022 #16 Share Posted May 1, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra1365 Posted May 2, 2022 #17 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schlinger Posted May 2, 2022 #18 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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€. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin53 Posted May 2, 2022 #19 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted May 2, 2022 #20 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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 😷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schlinger Posted May 2, 2022 #21 Share Posted May 2, 2022 (edited) 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schlinger Posted May 2, 2022 #22 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jls pebbles Posted May 2, 2022 #23 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin53 Posted May 2, 2022 #24 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapleleaves Posted May 2, 2022 #25 Share Posted May 2, 2022 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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