Cubechick

I personally love the size of the Pearl. Plenty big, with plenty to do. She is a favorite of ours.

We sailed her last year and she is in great shape.

Hi everyone! Thanks for the feedback. Cubechick, the photos are amazing! You are right, the bathroom is to die for! Thanks for taking the time to send.

 

My takeaways: The point about the Haven on Epic being a ship within a ship does put my mind at ease about the crowds of a mega ship. And also, the quality of the Haven restaurant is another point in the Epic's favor. Another thing to mention is whatever suite I decided on, we were going to book two for a surprise anniversary cruise for my parents. They deserve it. I just had another idea...what about booking the Garden Villa on the Dawn for the four of us? Wouldn't that be about the same cost as two Owner's Suites? Thanks again for all the help, CC fans are the best!

When contemplating the GV I would consider what you want from the cruise experience. The four of you would love the GV. They are utterly fantastic and if you are looking for that "private compound" feel it is perfect.

But if you want a more complete ship experience with more restaurants and entertainment options, I would lean back toward the Epic.

It really depends on what you are looking for as far as your ship experience goes and where the bang for your buck is.

Hey Cubechick,

 

Not to hijack the thread, but my fiancé and I will be in the same cabin on Epic for our honeymoon in a couple of weeks! Thanks so much for the pics...they were what made us choose the cabin when we booked last year. Couple of questions...how big is the shower? I can't tell from the pics. Also, what about the balcony vs a regular balcony? Did you eat any small meals out there? Also, any hints or tips about the room before we embark? Can't wait!!

 

 

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Glad you liked my pictures!

The shower is big. I think 5 feet by 5 feet or so? (It has been 4 years...).

You could definitely dine on the balcony. It is a double balcony so plenty large.

This will sound strange, but take advantage of those floor to ceiling windows in the bathroom. We watched as we sailed between Corsica and Sardinia from there. Fantastic view!

The powder room comes in very handy!

Unlike another poster, we loved the privacy of the foward DOS. We wouldn't have been happy overlooking the pool deck at all.

Congratulations and enjoy!

Does anyone know what the cost is for 2 to go to the new Mexican restaurant on Dawn? We have plans for the western caribbean in March, 2017, so I was just wondering.

 

Maryellen

Post #5 above has the menu and the prices (they are ala carte unless you purchase a dining package).

The cabins that are all the way forward are probably the least obstructed IIRC.

8562, 8566, 8568, 8062, 8066, 8068

Does the owner's suite on the Epic have the strange bathroom arrangement with the toilet and shower in separate areas? On the Dawn, the bathrooms are enclosed units. For that reason, I would choose the Dawn. Just saying.

The bathroom in the DOS on the Epic is spectacular!!!! We sailed in 17004 on the Epic and is bar far one of our favorite suites. Here are my photos:

If you can get 17004 or its counterpart on the starboard side, I would book this in a heartbeat over the Dawn OS.

Not only is the suite gorgeous, but the Dawn doesn't have a Haven and the Haven on the Epic is excellent.

They probably won't be willing to let you downgrade from mini-suite to balcony without paying the cancellation fee, if nothing becomes available until after final payment.

Correct! After final payment, they only let you move up without paying the cancellation fee.

As others have stated, a room assignment can happen at any time.

There is no entertainment in the Haven Lounge in the evenings.

I only tip at meals if the service is above average.

I toss out a dollar when ordering drinks pretty regularly (but not necessarily each time). If I find a bartender that I really like I will tip larger amount that seems appropriate to me, especially toward the end of the cruise.

If you run out of smaller bills you can get change at the reception desk.

Yes, the drinks you order in the courtyard are covered under the UBP.

They used to have tables set up to have meals in the courtyard and we had breakfast and lunch there...not sure if this is still the case on the BA.

Of course you can!

How can you reserve specific restaurants with a purchased 5 Dining Package..? The website just gives the pay per restaurant option, not taking in account that you've a package?

I guess we will have to wait till we board? :) Thanks in advance!

Yes, we just made reservations on board after we purchased the dining package. Never had an issue getting times we wanted.

Thanks for the info. The Escape sounds like a fun and lively ship which is what we're after. I am concerned though with the very mixed reviews mentioning nickel-and-diming and poor service.

I am definitely not a fan of recent changes on NCL regarding the nickel and diming. As mentioned by others they charge 18% gratuity on their "free" beverage package, and it is not nearly as inclusive as Celebrity`s package.

Special dining is ala carte (unless you purchase a dining package). BUT I did find the specialty dining on Celebrity to cost much more. The food on Celebrity was better than on NCL, but not by a margin that supported the cost difference IMO.

I too have read about poor service on NCL, but in 30+ cruises that has not been our experience (less an exception here and there). For me the service on NCL was friendlier than on Celebrity. Not that the service on Celebrity wasn't great, but I realized we were on board for a week before we were greeted by name. Not a big deal, but it reminded my that our room stewards on NCL have always greeted us by name and the waitstaff as well. It just makes for a friendlier vibe.

Sailing with a 21 year old I would choose NCL and the Escape hands down. I have only sailed Celebrity once, but it was on the Silhouette.

The Silhouette is lovely but subdued.

The Escape is just a great ship. The ropes course is twice as large as on the Breakaway and even has you zip lining over the side of the ship. The water slides are impressive. There is also mini golf.

Their ala carte restaurant Food Republic is simply the best food we have ever had at sea. Pinchot Tapas bar runs a close second.

If you are a beer drinker the District Brew House is great.

Just so many things to do on the Escape.

In addition to borrowing an iron (or instead of!) I recommend Downy Wrinkle Release spray. It works very well removing wrinkles and has a pleasant scent as well.

There was an evacuation on the transatlantic sailing as well. Same thing. Copter hovered near the front of the ship while the patient was winched aboard.

19! :d:d:d

Please fill in the blanks for the latest info on Dawn. Cruising in 24 days!:D

 

Captain

Hotel Director

Cruise Director

Food & Beverage Director

Restaurant Manager

Executive Chef

Concierge

Group Events Coordinator

Butlers

+1. :D Enquiring minds want to know. ;)

No formal night exactly. A dress up night though.

For $1,000 I would absolutely do it. Your kids are young enough that the small second bedroom should be fine. They might even get a kick out of having their own room. ;)

Having a nice-sized livingroom for all of you to enjoy would be so nice, not to mention the snazzy master bath!

Then you get into the Haven perks. Access to the Haven restaurant, pool area, hot tubs, the butler bringing snacks for you and your kids, etc. I think all of those would be well enjoyed by your family.

Hmm. Too bad. It does look like they got rid of the chicken parm, which was one of the more consistent dishes. They also got rid of the pizzas too. :(

They do have a rigatoni and meatballs, and a couple of lasagnas for more basic fare.

So it looks right now like the ship will be fine getting into NYC sat night, getting out looks to be the problem. Would they embark the cruise if they do not plan on shipping out that day?

 

Bummer about the storm but we will still have fun!

Yes, they would still embark. They may not leave the port though.

If you've booked through a TA you must contact them regarding any changes to your reservation.

Keith am intrigued by the concept of sparking wine-fireworks coming out of the bottle;)?

 

but to add

 

Champagne is French sparkling wine with a high price tag

Cava is Spanish sparking wine with less cost

Prosecco is Italian sparkling wine similar less cost

 

the sparkling wine provided as the platinum perk is really cheap stuff but drinkable with orange juice or to make packing on last day of cruise bit more bearable that the cruise is almost over:D

This!! Especially the packing part! :D

Is it one bottle of sparkling wine per cabin or per platinum member?

One per cabin.