aliciawag

Hi guys,

Just a a quick question to find out whether anyone knows/ suspects what promotion may be released next?

We have booked the past few years in January and gotten the “all inclusive offer” ..ie a free deluxe drinks package when purchasing a balcony cabin or above. We wouldn’t buy a drinks package as don’t drink enough to make it worthwhile however love the ease of it when included!

This year unfortunately the same offer is not available..tempted to hold out until March for Royal but may not be wise to do so as all other cruise lines are offering this deal at the minute! Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Just read your amazing review. We will be on this cruise this time next year! Couple of questions for anyone that knows:

1. Loved looking at the Dailies. Any idea what Slide Spider Mountain is? I see the Aqua Park is open all day (which I assume includes the water slides?) but as there is a time slot for sliding Spider Mountain I wondered if this is in fact the water slides and they are open reduced times?

2. At the airport you mentioned going to your gate as soon as your gate was announced, then hitting the passport control queue. Can you go through before your gate is anniunced?

 

Thanks!

Hi Bucket List Ticked- I'd definitely head through passport control well before your gate is called once you know what area it will be in!

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Enjoyed reading your review. I'm back on Epic for the 3rd time in October and can't wait. Reading this has made me even more excited!!!! Hoping the weather is still nice beginning of October so I can chill by the pool. I've done some of the ports before so fingers crossed I'll spend a lot of time by the pool. I'll remember to pack my swim wear in carry on!

Lucky you Misself- have a fabulous time!

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Amazing review. Makes me want to go on the Epic. Alas I'm on the Navigator of the seas from Southampton next week. Was thinking of doing a review, but wouldn't be able to live up to your's.

Really enjoyed reading it. Well Done.

Thanks for such a nice comment IrishComet! Have a wonderful time on the navigator and I'd love to read a review if you get the chance!!

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Great review, also from Ireland and have sailed the Epic twice in the Med. Once with family and second time with friends and going back same ports for the third time July 2018 with the same friends.

 

Looking forward to spending more time on board this time and a quite ship especially Rome day.

 

If you do get a chance id highly recommend the Caribbean, found it way better port wise and cheaper to get around than Europe . We did sail in the Haven in the Caribbean , but still found it cheaper than the Med.

Thanks Keith- glad to hear of someone else as in love with the epic as we are! We're looking at doing the Caribbean next year so delighted to hear you recommend!

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Thanks guys! We're pretty sure we will go ahead with the oasis to try something new! Now to get planning! Thanks all!

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Many thanks everyone for all your help!! We're thinking we'll give the oasis a go despite our obsession with the epic! Great tips from everybody-thanks!

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Hi there

I'm having a major dilemma in picking an itinerary for our March 2018 cruise and have come in search of expert advice . We have cruised the Mediterranean the past 2 years on the NCL Epic and have decided to try the Caribbean next spring. We're thinking of the Western Caribbean however can't decide between Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas or NCL's Epic (3rd time I know). Both trips cost roughly the same. On one hand we really would love to try a RCCL Mega-ship and would love seeing new shows etc. however I'm unsure about the itinerary. RCCL travels from Port Canaveral to Labadee (Private island in Haiti), Falmouth (Jamaica), and Cozumel (Mexico). NCL on the other hand has an extra port day, travelling from Port Canaveral to Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Great Stirrup Cay (Private Island in the Bahamas), Georgetown (Grand Cayman) and Cozumel (Mexico).

Does anyone have any advice regarding the itineraries? How is Falmouth vs Ocho Rios? Will we be missing much in Georgetown??

I'm posting this in both the NCL and RCCL subforums but if it could be better located just let me know!

Many thanks!

Hi there

I'm having a major dilemma in picking an itinerary for our March 2018 cruise and have come in search of expert advice ;). We have cruised the Mediterranean the past 2 years on the NCL Epic and have decided to try the Caribbean next spring. We're thinking of the Western Caribbean however can't decide between Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas or NCL's Epic (3rd time I know). Both trips cost roughly the same. On one hand we really would love to try a RCCL Mega-ship and would love seeing new shows etc. however I'm unsure about the itinerary. RCCL travels from Port Canaveral to Labadee (Private island in Haiti), Falmouth (Jamaica), and Cozumel (Mexico). NCL on the other hand has an extra port day, travelling from Port Canaveral to Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Great Stirrup Cay (Private Island in the Bahamas), Georgetown (Grand Cayman) and Cozumel (Mexico).

Does anyone have any advice regarding the itineraries? How is Falmouth vs Ocho Rios? Will we be missing much in Georgetown??

I'm posting this in both the NCL and RCCL subforums but if it could be better located just let me know!

Many thanks!

Why cant hair straighteners be brought on board??

I'm not too sure JAWalsh...mine was taken off me but I seem to be one of the only ones-perhaps the inspection officer that saw my case was confused! She told me it was a new rule as I had no problem last year. I'd bring yours in your carry on if u are taking one so your case isn't held up and you can easily take it out if asked!

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This was a killer review! Glad you both had such a great time. We're doing this cruise, but not until next July. Thank you also for posting the dailies.

Thank you NickinNY!! Your going to have a wonderful time!

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aliciawag -

There is mention of Siglo performing Rock etc at various times.

Is this an individual/band?

Any good?

Thanks

Blues

P.S. I've placed a link to your report onto our Roll Call. Very informative. Thank you.

Thanks for posting the link blues! I'm afraid I don't know anything about siglo- I was probably too consumed by the blackjack table at the times he was playing! Maybe someone else on here can give any insight!?

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Yes, that should be plenty of time, although you can always give yourself more time by arranging the car for earlier. You would be able to get off of the Epic quite a bit earlier than that. Even at 9am, you should be at the airport by about 9.30 which is loads of time.

 

The thing to remember about Barcelona is that, if you are are getting there at the suggested check in times (a couple of hours before departure) then there is plenty of time to board etc. However, just make sure that you get past those passport checks earlier rather than later. There are food options after them.

 

The issues reported above may not even apply to you anyway. I notice that the OP is from the UK, and I'm pretty sure that their gate was in the same area that we usually go from. Other areas may not be as bad. Just be aware and if you aren't sure then get through any passport control early. If you are flying from Terminal 2 then I can't comment on whether it's a problem.

 

We have always flown out of Barcelona at about 11.30-12.00 after leaving the ship and have never had any problem getting those flights. The only time it was even tight was when there were a load of ships in port and the taxi queue was huge. From memory, we arrived at the airport at around 10.30, dropped our bags and went straight through to the gates. We still had time to grab a snack before getting our flight at 11.45

 

As I say, it isn't the time it takes as such. The problem is if you don't realise there will be a delay at passport control and do what the OP did and eat etc before going through.

yes- We're from Ireland however many flights going to outside the EU were also boarding in this area. I'd 100% agree with you- get through both security and passport control ASAP! Had we realised we would need to do this prior to boarding we could have been there in plenty of time!

Thanks everyone for your responses- feeling more confident now!

Because most islands have higher elevations, clouds DO form. They are usually fleeting and pass quickly. It's simply a weather phenomenon. Moist hot air rises over the mountains, and condenses, forming clouds...and sometimes, rain showers. Unless there is an actual storm, any clouds or rain is short-lived.

This info is great- I had noticed this from pictures! Blazing sun in some photos with heavy cloud in others taken only hours apart..thanks for clearing the confusion up!

That happened to us in May it was a nightmare and i thought it may have been a one off but it seems not it was awful

It's the most badly organised airport I've been in! 3 kiosks for 500 ish people and each person taking a few minutes- No wonder the flights with Vueling seem to always be late!

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Day 9:Disembarkation and the nightmare before flying!

We awoke at 7:00 am on the morning of disembarkation. Our flight home was booked for 12:40 pm and Gary was on high alert from the get-go (he was starting his new job the following morning and would have swam home rather than miss his first day!). We had decided to aim to disembark at around 8:00 am giving us a whopping 2 hours 40 minutes to get a taxi and make the 20 minute journey to the airport.

After a buffet breakfast (tinged with sadness) we gathered our luggage, thanked our room steward and headed down the corridor to disembark the ship. We had decided to take our own bags off- this suited us best as we could leave whenever suited us and would not have to wait at the luggage carousel in the port. Additionally, being on deck 11 we only had 4 floors to walk and could therefore take the stairs and avoid waiting on an elevator(finding space in one is no easy task on disembarkation day!).

Disembarkation took no time at all- there were no queues and we walked straight off! Crew members lined the exit, all waving goodbye and wishing departing guests well (again wonderful customer service from NCL and the crew!).A taxi rank is located in the port and we waited a maximum of 2 minutes before piling our bags into the boot of a cab (I don’t know whether we were just lucky as I recall seeing a much longer queue last year!). The journey to the airport took 20 minutes and cost a flat fare of 39 euros.

On arrival to the airport, we realised that we had a full 4 hours to wait before boarding (eeek)! After checking with the information desk,we were told that the airline (Vueling) would check us in and take our bags and we could head off to the duty free and grab something to eat- EXCELLENT! We joined the queue and waited the 15 minutes or so, before leaving our bags and heading off (I was very impressed as generally airlines in Dublin will not check you in until 2 hours prior to your flight time!).

After checking in, we passed through security with no delays.With 4 hours to go until our flight, we headed downstairs to the duty free where we spent an hour or so playing ‘’blackjack’’ on a bench (Gary entertained this only because he felt guilty that we were quite so early!). Afterwards, we checked out the shops (some of the best I’ve come across in an airport!). I got 3 new dresses in ‘Massimo Dutti’ along with a coat from ‘Zara’. Gary picked up 2 shirts and a new pair of trousers! While it had been plain sailing (excuse the pun) until now, things were set to get rocky…

By the time we had cleared out the duty free it was 11 O’clock and we were starting to get peckish. With our tummies rumbling, we settled on the first café we saw- a place named ‘’Breadway’’. I grabbed a table while Gary got in line and paid 17.50 euros for 2 sandwiches, a coke and a bottle of water (expensive I know but airports always are!).

About 3 quarters of the way through my ‘’grilled’’ chicken sandwich, I happened to glance downwards only to discover that my chicken was completely…….RAW (I don’t know how I hadn’t realised!). I was nearly sick and immediately brought it to the attention of the cashier who casually acknowledged that it was indeed raw and told me I could grab another (as if I’d touch, let alone eat anything there after that!). 20 minutes of arguing with the cashier ensued in order to get a refund, with me eventually asking for him to ring the manager. On arrival to the café, the manager was very apologetic and reimbursed the 17.50 euros as well as assuring me that a report would be filed. Despite getting the refund, I am naming and shaming this place as I absolutely HATE to think that somebody could have their holiday ruined due to a bout of food poisoning (luckily I wasn’t sick but I spent a week on edge waiting for it to happen!). In addition, introduction of any food-borne illness on a ship could be very dangerous! My number one tip for Barcelona El-Prat- AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!

After all that drama, we had only a half hour until our gate closed. The gate number had just appeared on the information board and we began to make our way to area ‘D’, when before our eyes appeared the longest queue I have ever seen. There was easily 500 people crammed into a small area awaiting passport control. We began to panic….nobody had alerted us (or anyone else evidently!) to the fact that passport control would be done prior to boarding our flight (I have never seen this done in Europe before). We, alongside everyone else, were very flustered as our gate was soon due to close. The line was just not moving, with groups of people comparing boarding times in order to decide who would be allowed to skip forward in the queue.

After what seemed like forever, we made it through the line and RAN towards area D. There was one final person crossing the boarding gate and we let out a sigh of relief as we realised that we had made it. After having our passports checked we boarded a bus which was packed to the gills and sweltering!After a 5 minute wait, the bus took off and deposited us at the aircraft. We boarded and took our seats....

In order to cut a long story short…boarding of passengers continued for a further hour, with an additional half hour delay in order to remove passenger suitcases from the aircraft (11 people had checked in but not boarded, likely due to the unexpected queues at passport control). We took off 1 hour 45 minutes behind schedule but thankfully the flight went smoothly and we arrived home safely.

Despite our nightmare airport experience, our holiday was possibly one of the best we’ve ever had! The food, entertainment, and most importantly the staff onboard the EPIC were phenomenaI and could not be faulted! I would (and do!) highly recommend the EPIC to everyone and am already having withdrawls. Could 2018 be year number three onboard the EPIC? Quite likely!

Thanks for following! x

thanks for the replies- generally is cloudy weather to be expected or would a full day/week of minimal sun be rare??:cool:

Hi all!

I have a question regarding Carribean itineraries. I am currently in cruise withdrawl and looking at booking my next ASAP! I've been researching carribean itineraries with two in particular in mind.

1. Eastern Carribean travelling from Port Canaveral to Tortola,St Thomas and Great Stirrup Cay.

2. Western Carribean travelling from Port Canaveral to Great Stirrup Cay, George Town, Ocho Rios and Cozumel.

We would be looking at travelling between February and April/May..most likely end of March or early April.

However.......We have done 3 previous mediterranean cruises and love to spend a lot of time sunbathing. Various Photos/Videos I have seen/watched of Carribean itineraries seem to show cloudy skies which has me nervous to take the plunge and book! Is it often the case that a full day/week would be cloudy?? I know that it should still be hot but I'm a big sun worshiper and it may be a dealbreaker for me!

Thanks in advance!:cool:

Thank you so much for the reply -much appreciated! Have to say you are very similar to us and so loved the review :cool:

Thanks so much Lisa! Have a brilliant time this September! You never know we may bump into you guys next year if we all happen to decide to go for year number 3 onboard :')

Fantastic review..we're doing the same cruise in a month

1st cruise ever so your review has been a helpful insight although I don't think we'll be relaxing as much as you as we want to see as much as possible onshore

 

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You'll have an amazing trip- If your anything like me you'll have no interest in doing a land-based holiday afterwards!:cool:

Thanks for the review. Enjoying.....

We are on the Epic from 17 September.

Do you have copies of the 'Dailies'?

Blues

Hi Bluesmania- we do have copies of the Dailes (the page outlining the onboard events anyway!). I'll post them later tonight!:)

Port Information for those doing the Western Mediterranean Itinerary (Those not doing set tours)

I said I would post some information I gathered and collaborated last year to hopefully assist anyone heading off on a western med. itinerary . I cannot guarantee that all information is still correct and up to date but it would give you somewhere to start your research! :) A lot of the info was gotten from Shore-Bee where more up to date details (and info on other ports) may be available

Naples to Pompeii and Sorrento

NB: There is one piece of information that I am aware is no longer correct! When travelling to Naples train station from the port, the notes say to buy a ticket for the tram in a tobacconist beside the tram-line. This tram is no longer in operation, however, you can buy a ticket for the bus (number 151) from the same tobacconist. The 151 bus stops just across the street!

Civitavecchia to Rome

Cannes:

Day 8: Palma

Our final full day on board the Epic had arrived. We were due to arrive in Palma at 13:00 pm and had treated ourselves to a lie-in,meaning we missed the early morning casino opening (I had spent a few too many hours in the casino after leaving the glow party the previous night and my bank balance was not the better of it!).

Our alarms were set for 10 am as we had intended on purchasing tickets for the ''win a cruise raffle'' which takes place on each sailing. The raffle was taking place in Headliners comedy club during the 11 am bingo session. On arrival to headliners we learned that it would not be possible to buy raffle tickets (you had to partake in ''deal or no deal'' or ''bingo'' throughout the week in order to get tickets free with your purchased cards). As I was determined to enter that raffle, we forked out the 50 dollars for the cheapest bingo package (which is still outrageously expensive given the prize jackpots!).

I could barely contain my excitement throughout the first bingo game while waiting for the raffle…I could already see myself sipping Bahama mamas in St. John or swimming with turtles in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, my dreams were cut short by the realisation that we, in fact, had not won!

Nonetheless, we spent the next hour playing bingo which was a bit of fun if nothing else! The bingo session on the last day is called the''5000 dollar jackpot bingo'', however, I'm not entirely convinced anyone ever claims this jackpot! The catch is that the 5000 dollars is given to any person who can claim bingo (ie. get all 20 numbers on their card called) within...47 numbers! As the cards are printed, and the game played on an interactive screen,I'd imagine the hosts know exactly what numbers are going to come up and whether or not they correspond with any of the bingo cards sold! After the first 47 numbers are called, the jackpot closes and the consolation prize of 200 dollars is up for grabs (we had won this the previous year!). Overall, I’d say that bingo onboard is a fun way to pass an hour, but I certainly wouldn’t be going in the hope of winning big bucks!

Our afternoon was spent as most of our previous ones had been….in Spice h2o! We soaked up the final bit of sun and guzzled on a final few frozen cocktails. We agreed that neither one of us wanted to tear ourselves away from the pool and decided that we would skip Palma (we had been there 2 years previously).

Photo taken from Spice h2o

That evening we packed our suitcases as much as we could to ensure we could enjoy our night and avoid having to return to the cabin early.We had contemplated going to the ‘Cirque Dreams’ dinner show, however, the menu hadn’t overly appealed to us and we had decided that we would return to the much loved Manhattan Room!

Prior to eating we went to see the International Crew Talent show in the atrium. I’d advise anyone who wants to see this show to arrive early as all latecomers were left standing! The performances were great with fabulous singing, dancing and piano playing from multiple members of staff! At the end of the show the cruise director Scott welcomed to the stage various crew members who worked behind the scenes to make our holiday as amazing as it was (I found myself almost welling up, though I’m not entirely sure why!).

Dinner was later than usual this evening -it was approximately 21:15 pm by the time we were seated. I ordered the spaghetti Bolognese and Gary got the Prime Rib. We both got Caesar salad to start and I ordered coconut sherbet for dessert (much to our disappointment we were too stuffed to order our beloved lava cake!). Afterwards we spent some time in the casino where I won back some of my previous losses! On return to the cabin, we finished our packing and settled to sleep knowing we would have an early start the following day.

Loving your review.

 

 

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Thanks for the feedback Tiggertastic-glad you're enjoying it!