peteukmcr

Hi folks, apologies for the delay in responding and adding more to my review, but internet access has been nearly non existent since the last time I posted. 

 

We’re now docked at Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas and have to complete mandatory US immigration before we can go ashore. 

 

We we have been given a time slot of 10:45 am so still have a while to wait. US, Canadian and ASC guests go to the Bliss Lounge, all non-US like us have to go to the Manhattan Room. 

 

Since my last post we had a change in itinerary due to a tropical storm. 

 

So, yesterday instead of visiting St Maarten we were diverted to Antigua. Better safe than sorry. Great day, although we have also been there, last time in 2016 as port stop, but we have also spent time there on a land based vacation years ago. 

 

Although it was raining when we arrived, it cleared to be a great day, then rained when we left. The Epic staff did a great job on organising new shore excursions at short notice and we did a great one booked via the ship with Heavenly Tours. Well recommended. 

 

I doubt I’ll have time or connection to post more sections of my review before we get back to Florida but at least I can post some photos now. 

Thanks for your feedback. I would like to add some photos but internet access onboard isn’t good enough so it’ll have to wait until later I’m afraid. Taken 4 mins for this 1 photo!

Accommodation 

 

At 2pm after it was announced that staterooms were available, we made our way to our cabin on deck 10 which was a category BB mid ship balcony – 10189. 

 

Upon entry we had the toilet to our left, with the master electric socket below the master light switches, that required you to slot your key card in to operate the power for the cabin, and the shower to the right (with a curtain that could be pulled across to aid privacy). 

 

A bow shaped sofa to the left with the air conditioning control next to a wall hung magazine rack (you needed to stretch over to reach it) with the wash hand basin and vanity unit to the right.

 

Next there was the mirrored wardrobe which is connected to the desk area leading to another small wardrobe and set of drawers and cupboard underneath next to the sliding balcony door. 

 

The life vests (x3) where in the main wardrobe as the sofa could obviously be pulled out to be made up as a 3rd bed. In my opinion, 3 people in that cabin would be challenging. 

 

There was a large rounded cupboard above the desk that contained shelving providing more storage and the in-room safe with the mini bar underneath the counter.  There was a flat screen tv with the coffee maker, tea, coffee and milk cartons below, together with glasses and an ice bucket which was filled daily (without the need to request it) by our room steward. 

 

There was a round stool under the desk and a hairdryer could be found hooked under there too. 

 

The available electrical outlets are hidden behind a door below the desk, not above the counter and comprise of 2 x 110 volt US type and 2 x 220 volt European 2 pin type sockets, one of which the coffee maker was plugged into.

 

Strange set up meaning you have to open a door, reach inside to the back to connect any gadgets for charging such as your tablets, phones or cameras etc. These were the only outlets we could find, none on the other side of the cabin by the beds. There was a electrical shaver socket behind the glass door above the basin. 

 

Opposite were the two beds, which although made up separately, were extremely close together with no room to move them apart. Two pool towels had been provided and placed on one of the beds. There were no bedside cabinets, just a couple of narrow shelves moulded into the bed head. 

 

Flexible reading lights were provided on top of the shelves with individual switches. Above the bed nearest the balcony were 2 cupboards for more storage, but could be a little challenging for those who are not too tall and not really obvious as there are no handles, they just press shut. 

 

The telephone was located on the shelf above the sofa of which the back rest opened to reveal more storage, if somewhat narrow. There were 2 more sliding metal drawers below the sofa for even more storage. 

 

The shower cubicle was a good size, accessed by a rounded sliding door made of obscure glass with a large shower head which provided a good spray. On the wall were 2 dispensers, 1 for body wash and the other containing conditioning shampoo. There were a couple of shelves for your own storage of cleaning products. 

 

Opposite is another rounded sliding obscured glass door which gave access to the toilet.

 

This is the unusual bathroom set up, specific solely to Epic and not repeated on any of their other ships. It is slightly strange getting out of the shower with the cabin door immediately behind you, but you get used to it. 

 

The wash hand basin though is far too small and the lighting is abysmal (when you eventually find the light switch, which for some strange reason is located underneath the glass cabinet towards the back and you have to feel for it!). 

 

The cabinet itself provides a good deal of storage with glasses for when you brush your teeth (but don’t leave the door ajar otherwise you’ll crack your head when using the basin!). A complimentary soap bar, liquid hand wash dispenser and a tube of body lotion were provided. 

 

There was also a large sliding drawer that reached to the floor below the basin together with an other drawer and a tissue dispenser. 

 

Whilst we awaited the delivery of our bags, a steward delivered our complimentary 2 litres of water per day which were included in our cruise fare, all 28 bottles at once!

 

They took up all the available space on the desk which already had 2 bottles of Pellegrino (for purchase) and our complimentary bottle of ‘Duc de Valmer’ sparkling wine provided as returning NCL guests. 

 

So the sliding drawer under the sink became the home for the majority of those bottles!

 

Floor to ceiling windows at the end of the cabin, one of which was the sliding door to the balcony. The furniture comprised of 2 upright chairs and a small table on what was a really good sized balcony compared to those on the Breakaway class of ships which are tiny. We found on Breakaway (and acknowledged by the Epic hotel director) that if you did not sit sideways onto the balcony, your knees touched the glass! Not on Epic, plenty of room to stretch out. 

That’s all for today folks, it’s taking ages to upload, so I’ll write up the next section and post later. 

Embarkation 

 

We arrived in Spain 2 days before sailing staying in Sitges (a beach resort approximately 40 minutes drive south of Barcelona El Prat airport) for 1 night at the hotel El Xalet, and the next night, pre cruise in the city at the H10 Metropolitan hotel, next to Plaça Catalunya which is a large popular square at the northern end of the famous La Rambla. 

 

We checked out of our hotel just before 11am on Sunday, 4th November and took a taxi for the 15 minute ride to the port (Moll Adossat) where NCL Epic was awaiting us at terminal A. The cost was around €15.  

 

Upon arrival we lined up to leave ours bags with the porters loading cart after cart of numerous pieces of luggage to be taken onboard and delivered to people’s staterooms over the next few hours. 

 

We then joined the long line that wound around the side of the terminal building and shuffled continuously forward to the terminal entrance where our documents were checked, we, and our carry on were security scanned and then we completed the health questionnaire. As we were neither suite or Haven guests, nor higher level Latitudes members, we just joined a regular line for check in. 

 

Once we reached an agent, our passports and most importantly the paper copies of our ESTAs were checked, our key cards provided and we were on our way to boarding Epic. 

 

As in all terminals in Barcelona we passed the various shops selling souvenirs, wine, spirits etc before having our boarding photo taken with a backdrop of Epic. 

 

The whole process took around 50 minutes from our taxi drop off to stepping foot onboard the ship. Painless. 

 

Once onboard with our map of Epic and the Freestyle daily provided by the check in agent, we started to explore the ship as our cabins wouldn’t be available until 2pm. 

 

Of course, by now it was time for a spot of lunch for which I tried a burger from the outdoor grill of the Garden Café washed down with a beer (Peroni) from the Waves pool bar whilst sat at a table in the outside section. Good complimentary burger, superior to some other lines we’ve sailed on.

EPIC review - westbound transatlantic crossing 4th – 17th November 2018

 

Background 

 

We’re Peter & Patrick from Manchester U.K. who began cruising back in 2004. We sailed exclusively with Royal Caribbean for 11 years and then started to widen our choices to include Celebrity, MSC, Cunard, P&O and NCL. This was our 4th Transatlantic crossing (or TA for short), our 3rd westbound with another 2 eastbound booked for 2019 & 2020!

 

As we booked in the U.K. we had what is known as the “Ultimate All Inclusive” package which provided the Ultimate beverage package, gratuities (both daily service charge and beverage package gratuity) and 2 litres of water per person per day. 

 

Itinerary 

 

This is a 14 day, 13 night crossing from Barcelona, Spain with stops in Funchal Madeira, Philipsburg St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas ending in Port Canaveral Florida USA. We’re still 1 full day at sea (after today) before we reach St Maarten on 13th November. 

 

A total of 9 sea days are split as follows:- 

Barcelona 
2 days at sea
Funchal, Madeira
5 days at sea
Philipsburg, St Maarten 
Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 
2 days at sea
Port Canaveral Florida, USA 

 

I’ll be splitting this review into sections dealing with embarkation, accommodation, dining, entertainment, activities, disembarkation with a summary and conclusions at the end. Due to limited and very slow internet connection, I doubt this review will be completed until we get home to the U.K. on 19th November at the earliest, so please bear with me. If it appears I’ve disappeared, it will be that I can’t load CC as it is very hit and miss. 

Having sailed exclusively RCI for 11 years (until we tried their sister line Celebrity and others including Cunard, Carnival, NCL, MSC) and sailed the Freedom class ships on numerous occasions, the main differences with this line over Cunard will be the casual nature of the fellow passengers as there is no strict dress code, as it is a 'suggested' code.

 

There are more casual dining options (Cafe Promenade, Sorrentos on the Royal Promenade - The Windjammer Marketplace being the main buffet). There are numerous 'speciality' restaurants available for a supplement (steak house - Chops Grille, Mexican - Sabor, Italian - Giovanni's Table, Johnny Rocket's 50's style diner).

 

There are more sporting options, Ice Skating, Mini Golf, Surf Simulator, Rock Climbing etc.

 

Various themed bars such as the 'British pub', Wine Bar, Piano Bar, show lounge.

 

A huge casino in comparison to Cunard and many activities and opportunities to part with your money over and above your cruise fare!

 

I'm considering this package too, so am interested in what specific apps over and above those listed by NCL work.

We’re on this TA and are looking forward to our first sailing on Epic. Although not in our mid thirties (more’s the pity) we’re still working so we picked this as it’s only 13 days and so we can pack it into a 2 week vacation from work. 

As for flights, please take care with Norwegian, the prices might be low but they are doing a lot of rescheduling and cancelling of transatlantic services. 

For reasonable low cost direct services check out people like Aer Lingus (via Dublin where you can do preclearance for US immigration which means you don’t have do it when arriving into the US). There are many airlines that offer one way flights direct to Orlando from the U.K. such as Thomas Cook (who we’re using to get back from Orlando after this sailing and next year to get to Orlando for our next eastbound TA in April 2019). 

There are several reasonably priced hotels in Southampton. Just book as soon as possible because prices do definitely increase due to demand when there are several ships in port.

 

Here's a suggested list of standard chain hotels.

 

Jurys Inn

Premier Inn West Quay

Premier Inn Cumberland Place (new)

Premier Inn City Centre

Holiday Inn

Novotel

Ibis

 

Individual unique hotels

 

Ennios at Town Quay (boutique hotel & restaurant)

Southampton Harbour Hotel (new property part of Harbour Hotels group)

Cargo

The Pig - in the wall (a boutique hotel located in the medieval city walls)

I would suggest Southampton Harbour Hotel not to be confused with the Grand Harbour Hotel

 

https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/hotels/southampton/

 

A vey new hotel with cinema, offering chauffeur service

What with luggage on board? Doesn’t happen any luggage in hold must have passenger on board... all luggage belonging to passengers that fail to turn up is removed from any aircraft

It does happen, happened to me and others when due to delay on incoming sector, we couldn’t make a connection and had to take a later flight, but the bags carried on the original flight and were waiting for us at the destination which was not a domestic airport.

I agree. I had a package on Celebrity shortly after it was introduced. I was constantly at reception getting charges removed. Despite there being a sticker on the card and my refusal to sign slips. Also had issues with a wine waiter in MDR avoiding my table. Moved tables (for various reasons) got much better service.

Well I can assure you Celebrity now have the service down to a fine art for those on a package. We’ve never had an issue with service, especially in the MDR. Never had incorrect charges on our account, although I’m quite happy to sign a slip, because I can then see that there is no charge.

 

The same applies to RCI and MSC with whom we have sailed and enjoyed the freedom of drinks packages.

Regarding the wine at meals, I suspect if those on the package were to get the service they required then those not on the package should be up in arms about their lack of service.

 

I know from other lines there have been comments that the waiters were so busy with the package people, that those not on the package found the service poor.

 

It may work better on club dining when the drinks waiter got to know you over the cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Which lines have reported poor service for those not on a package?

 

Why should those on a package not get the service they’ve paid for and how would those without it suffer if the cruise line has sufficient trained staff.

 

If there is an issue on P&O then it shows they don’t have adequately trained staff. Seems strange because from our experience they have enough staff in bars because they are constantly badgering you to order more drinks. Perhaps they need to move some of these into the MDR during dinner times.

you can usually do it either way.. It is best to request prior to sailing but you can ask your cabin steward when you meet him or her. They will gladly make the adjustment when they do the turn down service that night. It is just better and easier for them if you handle it before sailing

First timers with NCL but I can't see anywhere on our reservation to request a 2 bed configuration.

As a newbie to NCL, and with regards to the UBP, are mixers included in the price e.g. G&T? From the link kindly provided in an earlier reply it lists Bombay Sapphire as $9.95, does that include tonic?

 

On the topic of tonic water, does NCL stock low calorie (slim line as we call here in the U.K.) tonic?

Peteukmcr,

Welcome to NCL, hope you have a great cruise. I’m not positive about the procedure for non US residents, but for us when one starts filling out their EDocs it will give you a choice of times to arrive for check in(not boarding), and I think the earlier you fill them out the more choices one has.

Happy Cruising

Many thanks. I've completed online check in but there was no option there for a check in time, so I assume it'll be specified when the e-docs turn up.

As a newbie to NCL, when do the check in times appear? Are they just specified in your edocs? Or do you get to choose?

It's great fun on Celebrity. As you change channels, the headset displays a different colour so you get to see what song/channel is the most popular. Don't knock it until you've tried it!

Doesn't johnny rockets charge on rccl?

 

Buffet Obama for president concert? No comment.

Yes, for lunch or dinner, cover charge varies ship to ship, but $9.95 pp on Oasis

 

:confused:Hello cafe du monde,

 

Makes me hungry just to think about that.

 

When we went on Oasis and Mariner, Johnny Rockets was NC.

 

Now it is ala carte, so you are very correct. Very reasonable prices tho.

Johnny Rockets is only complimentary for breakfast on Oasis class ships. It’s never been complimentary for us for lunch or dinner on either Mariner or Oasis (and we sailed on Mariner on her inaugural season in 2004). It is only al a carte on Quantum class ships, a set cover charge still applies to all other ships with a Johnny Rockets.

Just been notified that Virgin are operating 6 charters from Manchester to Dubai during this upcoming winter season.

You're right we land into Dubai at 07:20 - hopefully by the time be get to the ship the cabin will be nearly ready but may not be.

The overnight flight is a bit of a bummer, didn't give that a thought we we booked, somehow thought we would arrive in the evening, At least the flight is the evening before the start date of the cruise so we don't lose a day, but overnight is not a good way to start a cruise, doesn't seem so bad at the end of a cruise somehow.

Our return flight was very early morning so we left the ship around 4 am! That wasn’t a good start to the day, but at least Emirates had a completely separate check in area for groups booked by the cruise line.

As Virgin do not operate a Manchester - Dubai service (not from London either from April 2019) then it must be a special charter.

 

Only Emirates offer a three times daily direct service to Dubai from Manchester. We have traveled with Emirates and found them excellent, but the only thing is that cruise companies appear to use flights that arrive really early in the morning into Dubai so if you are taken straight to the ship at Port Rashid, your cabin may not be available, but that depends on the cruise line.

I apparently was not searching correctly. I saw a lot of posts about the money end of things but nothing about what was and was not included. I did see the information on NCL about the Lavazza not being included but I wasn’t sure exactly what that was. It’s been a couple yrs since I have been on a NCL cruise.

What is happening on CRUISE CRITIC? What is with the snarky remarks. If it is too much of a bother because you have seen the post before the move on and don’t remark.

I have been on these boards since 2011 and I’m really getting tired of the nasty remarks from some of the new members. That is not what these boards are about. The last 2 meet n greets I attended this was a common complaint. We have helped cruisers for years without these nasty attitudes. It needs to stop.

So glad you posted this, that’s my experience too and I could name the cruise line boards which are the worst for it too.

 

In my experience, if a question is asked, then either a) reply with the answer if you can, b) offer a suggestion as to where the question maybe answered or c) refrain from replying with no information, if all you can post are just sarcastic comments to appear smug.

 

As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as a stupid question, but there are many stupid remarks.

Although Cunard do offer wine packages on every cruise/voyage, it's only occasionally that you'll find a full drinks package, and these are usually available on certain promotions that only come up from time to time.

 

These drinks packages that we hear about on other cruise companies are not all what they are made out to be . For example, on Celebrity the spirits, wine and cocktails that are available in these drinks packages are not premium quality . eg; their cocktails are poles apart from those that are available in the Commodore bar. More often than not they are 'ready made from a carton' with a splash of poor quality spirits ! No wonder some folk on Celebrity are knocking them back ( one after another) like lemonade.

I have to disagree with your description of the beverage packages on Celebrity. The World Class bar offers top range liquor in the bespoke cocktails offered that are covered by the package, the Martini and Crush bars serve martinis and cocktails using specific branded liquor and I’ve never had an issue ordering my favourite gin, no different than what I paid dearly for in the Commodore bar.