camper49

We just completed our first NCL cruise. I heard all the complaints about Epic, but the cruise fit our schedule so we gave it try.

 

I went in with a very open mind having read all the complaints about the size and layout of the ship, the configuration of the cabins and bathrooms, the service and the food. I did not let that effect me as I wanted to form my own opinion. I find that some people overly complain.

 

My wife and I cruise about 2 times a year mostly on RCCL, both 60 something professionals. Here is my review. Just my opinion, of course others will differ. Take it for what it is worth..lol.

 

 

Let me say out the outset that I will not comment or complain about the spring break thing (except for one mention below). That is on me for not doing more research. Plus I heard the immediately preceding cruise was worse off in that regard (at least no one on our cruise fell overboard!)

 

THE GOOD:

 

Embarkation was a breeze. We were group #3 and on board 20 mins after embarkation started.

 

Like everyone else, we got a drink and headed for lunch. We grazed at most of the available lunch spots. We found the food to be very very good and hot. A shout out goes to the hamburgers—they were grilled and not steaming in their own juices. Access to the buffets was easy and quick. I do however think that they put out less of a variety of foods than other ships I have been on. Service at the food stations as well as the bars was excellent all trip long. I do tip a bit at the bars so that may have helped. Maltings and Shakers were particularly good. We also settled in at the bar in Cagney’s a few times—a true find. It was never crowded and they make great cocktails.

 

The appearance of the ship was exceptional. It was clean, bright and had nice décor.

 

Entrainment was also very good, but subjective. You either liked or hated Priscilla. The live music was also top notch. We especially liked the duo that played at various times and locations.

 

The private island was nice. Lunch there was fair. The clam shell lounger was a good get. Bacardi’s Bar was a lot of fun.

 

The Japanese/sushi restaurant was very good. We did both the table seating and the sushi bar.

 

Walk-off disembarkation was also a breeze. Left our room at 7:30 was at the sidewalk before 8 am.

 

THE BAD:

 

The ship layout was as bad as the reviews say. Difficult to navigate, lack of sufficient elevators, bad signage. The casino smoking was a minor annoyance but an annoyance just the same. We heard from smokers that while at the bars that they would use the casino as an adjacent smoking lounge and just sit at the slots and smoke.

 

The cabin ( 10081) layout is awful. While the sq. footage is comparable to other ships, the long narrow room is a problem. My wife and I couldn’t pass one another. It was so narrow there is no table in the room. We had to put our breakfast tray on the bed. The bed is short. The curved headboard makes it seem even shorter. There is only ONE duplex outlet in the entire room and it is near the balcony end of the room. In this day and age a couple may travel with one or more laptops, two phones, hair drier, curling iron…. This is totally unacceptable in a relatively newer ship. The bathroom arrangement is horrible. You have probably read all the bad reviews on it. They are not wrong!

 

We saw our room steward only once, which is ok as we don’t require much...we are way past towel animals.

 

The usual crowds were at the pool and loungers. To be expected. Even on a port day (Nassau) the pool was crowded. I guess the free beverage package kept a lot of us on the ship…me included.

 

THE UGLY:

 

Lastly there were two things the drove me nuts!

 

The Pool Towel Situation.. you have two blue pool towels in your room that you must bring to the pool. The towel station is only for exchange. In my opinion this is crazy. I like to walk around the ship without having to carry towels (or reserving deck chairs if I’m not at the pool). If I wind up at the pool and care to take a dip or hit the hot tub, I have to go back to my room first. I much prefer to get towels at the towel station, even if you have to secure it with your key card.

 

The Lime Fiasco… by the end of the Day 1 most bars and I mean most, had no limes left.. you think that doesn’t sound like a big deal? Try having a Gin & Tonic, Margarita, Corona, Caipirinha, Mojito, Mule or any tequila or rum cocktail without one. Now back to the spring break thing. We were told by at least two bartenders that the previous cruise used up all the limes and they only restock every 7 days. The spring breakers had two sea days due to rough water and no tendering. They finished they off all the limes. It seems like they didn’t cut them off from drinks at least they could have rationed their lime access, lol. I know it sounds petty, but all of the drinks I listed are my favorites and what I look forward to on my vacation. This little ‘thing’ made my vacation much less enjoyable. ( I did find that Cagney’s still had some limes, I guess the spring breakers didn’t make it there).

 

Taking everything into consideration, I will not cruise with NCL again. I know others said you shouldn’t judge NCL by the Epic, but I see no reason to give NCL another shot.

 

Like I said just my opinion. We all put different values on different things.

Was your cabin a balcony?

If you're going and will spend the entire time comparing to Carnival, forget it. You won't like it because they are different animals. If, however, you forget all your biases you may find you like Norwegian much better. I do.

Going with an open mind! I am sure we will love the Epic....

Just crossed over myself. 9 time CCL . Just got off the Epic Saturday. Despite so many negative reviews on the Epic we went in with an open mind and grateful to be there. We had a fantastic time. So much, we did purchased 1000.00 in next cruise certificates. The 2 lines are very similar. We enjoyed the food, only ate 1 upcharge restaurant (Maderno) , only seen 1 show (burn the floor). Did not see any comedy. Which is always a must for us on carnival. We just had so much to do we didn't miss or or have time for it.

 

We dressed cruise casual for everything. We did notice a lot of people dressed "up" but never felt out of place.

 

Staff was accommodating and friendly for the most part.

 

I'm thinking of booking the Breakaway for Nov 2019. Hope you have great time!

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

You just helped me make a decision! Have cruised Carnival 27 times. Have been tossing around CCL Breeze or NCL Epic...think we will jump ship!

Seeing as though your at in ATL, I would assume you are cruising out of Florida and driving? Spring break 2019 I am assuming since we are almost to Spring Break now?

 

Are you looking at 3-4 day cruises or 7 night? That would make a huge difference. The Bahamas cruises IMO are the same really on any cruise line - Nassau and a private island.

 

I cannot comment on MSC as I have not sailed but I have sailed equally on Royal and NCL. I used to be loyal to Royal but have since cruised mostly NCL for the Free and Sea perks plus the Freestyle less structured aspect. As a mom to 6 kids ages 9-20 I totally get your dilemma.

 

NCL has the Free at Sea which would make it beneficial for the adults who like to drink. However since there will be teens involved, maybe that isn't the route that wants to be taken? We do drink but on my daughter's Spring Break cruise I drank very little because I was chaperoning other people's children. Royal is very structured to where NCL is not. You eat when you want and it is a lot more laid back.

 

Your options......

NCL

2019 Spring Break 7 nighters you have Epic out of Port Canaveral, Getaway out of Miami, Bliss out of Miami and Pearl out of Tampa.

 

I have sailed Getaway twice, one with 4 teens and they loved it. I have also sailed Epic and loved the onboard entertainment. What I did not love was the fact you cannot see water from a public deck besides the pool decks. Bliss is new so that would be awesome and has a lot to offer. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these ships for your demographic. Pearl is old, so that would be out for me.

 

Royal

Ft Lauderdale has Adventure of the Seas, Miami has Allure and Empress.

Empress and Adventure are smaller older ships. Allure as the Oasis class would have most to offer the teen group.

 

With Royal you have a more structured sailing with dining and shows. Again, depending on your groups needs, this could be a factor.

I am curious as to what is meant by you can't see water from public places......thinking of booking the Epic...have not yet cruised NCL...going to jump ship after 27 Carnival cruises.

Now that Carnival has tacked on the 15% "delivery fee" to these orders, it is not worth it... as a matter of principle.

15% if you pre order or 15% if you order on the ship?

Specifically what cabin number? With the promenade right below there could be some noisy cabins with the main theater, night club, piano bar, and casino all on deck 5.

 

Use this link to line up your cabin # with what will be directly below you

https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/Ships/DR/DeckPlans/carnival-dream-Deck-Plan-pdf.ashx

 

If you are a night owl and will be out and about while these places are open then no worries, but if you like to call it an early night being in a cabin above the nightclub could be problematic.

We are considering cabin 6493 aft ...above limelight lounge. It's the only available "L" shaped cabin left for our sailing. We really like these cabins but was on deck 7. Opinions?

Anyone ever have a cabin above a lounge? Looking at the Breeze cabin 6493.aft above the Limelight lounge.

Has anyone had cabin 6493 on the Breeze? Wondering about noise. We prefer to be on deck seven with cabins above and below ..but it appears that the only L shaped cabin available on our available date is deck 6. Above one of the theaters.

I am so sorry to hear that you had to cancel the cruise.

 

Sometimes on a full reimbursement it can take a little longer to get the refund but you can check from time to time on the status.

 

Keith

We have received our reimbursement . Now to book another cruise in 2019.

I usually book under the casino rate which is a little cheaper than early saver and offers some casino cash. If that is not available I book under early saver. I have never seen any of the VIFP offers that are decent.

 

I actually did book one cruise under the state rate. This was about 10 years ago and when I put Illinois into the state field, it came up cheaper than all the other options. That was the only time I ever saw the state make a difference.

If both of us have the casino offer will we both get the casino cash?

New to ncl....what is the "waterfront"? Considering booking Epic.

The major problem with Epic, as well as the breakaway and Breakaway plus class, is the crowding on the pool deck. It’s the one thing that really tends to turn people off. The pool deck is the only place I’ve ever felt crowded on any of those ships. For me, the pool deck isn’t really that big a deal, so it doesn’t effect my cruise at all. Epic also has the added misfortune of the terrible room layout. Like anything else, some people don’t mind it. Some people HATE it. Personally, I’m not really a fan, but it’s not a deal breaker. My least favorite thing about Epic is that it feels very “closed in” compar d to NCL’s other mega ships. I prefer the Breakaway ships mostly because of the Waterfront. I’ve been on Epic twice and they were both great cruises, it just wouldn’t be my first choice when put agains the Breakaway ships. But you can’t compare ANY of NCL’s mega ships to Oasis class. NCL’s ships are very big, but Oasis class are much bigger, and I do think they feel more open just due to the sheer size.

What do u mean by the Waterfront?

Is there much of a difference ? On the Dawn? Looking @ $300 more pp...for mini suite .

I meant to say total of $300.

Sorry

Minisuites typically have a few extra feet in length and a slightly larger bathroom, often with a tub or large shower. Otherwise, no additional perks or benefits over a balcony.

Sofa in the balcony cabin?

Is there much of a difference ? On the Dawn? Looking @ $300 more pp...for mini suite .

We have cruised 30 times. First 15 never had insurance..really not a good idea. Three weeks ago ...five days before our cruise DH came down with a nasty case of shingles. Of course had to cancel....hopefully our claim will be paid.

Hint: The title of this thread is Ocean Medallion comments

Yeah I figured that. And Ocean Medallion is ?

Hint: The title of this thread is Ocean Medallion comments

Yeah I figured that. And Ocean Medallion is ?

We were a little disappointed, too. We thought trying it out would be an interesting experiment..hoping someday soon we will get to give it a whirl...

We r not experienced princess cruisers ...(2)

What is ***** 🤔?

The major Bermuda players are Celebrity, RCCL, and NCL. You could also do HAL, which docks in Hamilton. A cruise to Bermuda is different than a cruise to the Caribbean.

We are thinking of a September Bermuda cruise....have cruised the Caribbean many times! How different will Bermuda be? What about September weather? Looking at ncl although we have never done that line.

Are there any casinos in Bermuda ?

We cruised to Alaska in June on Star Princess and the AIB package was included. Does Princess offer this often? Probably a random thing?

Anyone know if the bars might have a low sodium mix for Bloody Marys? Or an alternative for a Bloody Mary?

Whoo Hoo, Double Whoo Hoo. I too had Nationwide Choice and less than a week after filing paperwork I received two checks for $750 each. Many thanks to the posters on Cruise Critic that made me aware that the Nationwide Choice plan had the provision for changed ports. I purchased that particular plan because of the pre-existing condition waiver and would never have known that I had a valid claim due to the ports being changed because of the storms.

Our ports were changed on our upcoming January cruise...we had nationwide on our last cruise that I had booked myself. This time I booked through AAA ... they use Allianz. Any one else get port change benefits from any insurance other than nationwide?

Your experience is an anomaly. The standard policy is no use of refundable OBC at the casino. That would defeat the entire purpose of non-refundable.

 

 

Unless you did not spend a single cent elsewhere while on your cruise, you cannot verify that you used non-refundable at the casino. The OBC is not specifically matched against specific expenses other than being applied to either refundable or non-refundable expenses.

Is the obc that you purchase refundable?