NJ Fred

I make fragrance and cosmetic (mostly for my bride) purchases via reputable online sites.

The poster mentioning Johnnie Blue - - I concur; being a Scotch drinker myself. Prices on the ship and in some ports are far, far below stateside liquor stores.

Given the shops aboard most vessels, what do you feel comfortable buying?

I rarely go further than a logo item, t-shirts, etc. I have found that I can usually beat the prices either on land or online. And should the need for service after the sale arise, I find those "magnificent" guarantees to be unenforceable.

Fragrances are cheaper online. So far as liquor goes, I just don't enjoy the hassle of carrying the bottles into airports, onto planes, etc; all to save a few dollars.

High ticket items like jewelry and cameras I would never consider purchasing on a cruise. Cameras sold on ships often are "gray market" ("international warranty") meaning you might have a problem with warranty claims stateside.

Curious as to your thoughts . . .

This assault on regularity must not be tolerated!

Your review???

Superb!

Thank you!

Endless apologies if this has been previously addressed.

We are two couples boarding Reflection this coming March. Does "X" offer any type of Renewal of Wedding Vows ceremony on that vessel?

Any details, etc. will be sincerely appreciated.

Smooth Sailing!

Fred

We sailed this voyage in 2014. Hopefully, Steve Gayda will be your CD - he does excellent work.

Be sure and see Yokohama before the vessel sails.

And if you make port in Petropovlosk , those innocent Russian trawlers - aren't so innocent. In fact, Mille was held (actually surrounded by those "trawlers") for 9 hours on our sailing as the Russian authorities alleged not all passengers were accounted for.

In the long run, the Russians were wrong and Celebrity was right. Did they say "I'm sorry"?

You know the answer - Dial 1-800-PUTIN.

I abhor the "Upsell" when it becomes obnoxious. And while I understand that a crew member is following orders when they do it, I confess to having told two: "what part of NO don't you understand?"

Candidly, I have purchased once or twice when an option is presnted via Upsell. But the constant hawking by Centrum photographers, art auctioneers, wine stewards, et al., is the surest way to close my wallet tight.

We brought our business to Celebrity years ago because we no longer fancied the Upsell epidemic of other cruise lines. Hell, it really intruded on the peace and tranquility of the voyage.

Notwithstanding, prices for many items (especially perfumes, jewelry and clothing) can be had far, far cheaper back at home or online. If I want street peddlers, all I have to do is walk outside New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminaland I will be surrounded.

I make a conscious choice when I spend my money. When it comes to cruising (we sail at least three per year), I know what "packages" meet my needs and I don't climb the gangway to get a massage, acupuncture or have my teeth whitened.

If Celebrity wants to mimic the intrusiveness of MSC, Carnival and others, it sounds like they are sailing the right course.

And choices in cruise lines abound. My loyalty to a brand revolves around more than a token onboard credit, a free bag of laundry, etc.

Bon Voyage and Smooth Sailing!

Wife and I booked on Regal for 1/2017. Will be eager to read your opinions.

Enjoy yourselves!

Fred

Yes, those were the days. Simple and pure.

I well-recall the days when you either paid each bar tab, etc. in cash or signed the check and settled your bill before disembarking.

Dining was more structured. Formal nights meant - - formal nights. The elegance added to the overall majesty of the voyage.

Bouillon, afternoon tea, daily midnight buffets and music from live orchestras/bands; none of the canned stuff. Plus, mainstream comedians, singers that were somewhat accomplished, etc.

Madison Avenue sells us "the better way of life." We are classically conditioned to think that buffets and informal dining on food that would have made the chefs at Home Lines, Sitmar, et al., revolt.

Of course, there's no going back. Cutbacks abound. But for those who never sailed during the "golden days," it matters not. For-to-them a cruise is one big vociferous ferryboat ride with giant screen movies replacing talented entertainers, cruise directors that are aloof and often invisible, pizza pie that is an insult to tomato sauce and tons more - - or is that tons less???

We still sail. Because the one thing they can't change is the sea!

Just returned from an 11-day that docked in Naples, Florence & Rome.

Stefano Rome Cabs - - none better, I assure you!

Thanks you all for your comments.

It might interest you to know that I emailed this same review to NCL. This past Friday I received a call from the Line. I was asked several meaningful questions about the noise that invades LeBistro from The Atrium.

I was businesslike in my reply. The staffer with whom I spoke told me several other guests had offered the same opinion. She said the matter is on-the-table for discussion by senior NCL managers.

It is good that all who sail Epic or any other vessel speak their piece; albeit it calmly and with details.

I wish all who will board this great vessel an outstanding voyage!

Fred

DISCLAIMER: The following critique is my personal opinion based solely on experiences accrued during our voyage aboard Epic from January 13 through January 24 in and out of Barcelona. My wife and I are both 67 years of age and this was our 71st cruise - - the last NCL cruise being in 1985 on the now-gone Southward. That cruise left us with a very bad opinion of what was then known as Norwegian Caribbean Line.

We boarded at approximately 11:30 am on 1/13. When first arriving at the Barcelona Cruise Terminal via taxi (we flew in a day before - as we always do) we saw a hefty throng of passengers lined up around the side of the building.

The security checks went like lightening. And the personnel working the check-in desks were smooth and efficient. Total time from getting on line to walking up the gangway was 25 minutes. Yes, you find your own way to your stateroom; signage is plentiful and locating our Spa Mini Suite (14167) was a breeze.

Our stateroom steward Ricky proved to be "good people." I have but two requests outside of normal, fastidious housekeeping - - extra towels and extra ice. No problem!

Sidebar: If one of Frank Del Rios's declared goals is cleanliness, then he has only to inspect Epic. We found it spotless. From specialty dining to public rooms to anywhere - - this vessel was clean and a credit to her crew.

Jill Tasker was the CD. I had read some negative assessments of her skills and abilities. Any doubt as to the legitimacy of those remarks is now gone. She rarely, if ever, mingled with passengers and her emcee presentations were as effervescent as flat ginger ale.

Ms. Tasker's staff was mediocre. One of her assistants had a thick French accent. It was difficult to understand him when he was hosting trivia, etc. and, oftentimes, he was asked by the audience to repeat his words. Nice chap, though.

Our Captain referred to himself as "The Old Man." A helluva nice fellow whose daily announcements were along the line of those made by former Celebrity Cruises legendary Captain Nick Pagonis.

We had both the UBP and UDP. No problems, Johnnie Walker, fine wines and Bailey's Irish Cream flowed like Niagara Falls. To confirm, UBP does not cover in-room mini bar. Sodas are served in either plastic cups or glasses - no cans.

We ate in each of Epic's specialty dining venues. Not once did we wait past our reservation time. Service was attentive and we really felt special. Our favorite was Cagney's. Hell, I've paid more than $60.00 in Manhattan for the cuts of steak they offer. Also, Teppanyaki is not to be missed. The at-table Chef puts on a show that is grand.

The Garden Cafe - a/k/a Buffet is stereotypical of most. Crowds were often overwhelming and a search for a table often a treasure hunt. That aside, the food was diverse, plentiful and tasty. We adjudged the venue to have an adequate number of stewards to take beverage orders and bus the tables.

MAJOR GRIPE: The Atrium! Whoever designated this as the center of activity needs to rethink their decision. Seating is extremely limited and the acoustics stink. Holding the senior officer's q&a there was just plain dumb.

Furthermore, the specialty dining venue LeBistro is adjacent to The Atrium. The omnipresent noise disrupts the ambiance. Again, poor design here. A doored-entrance to Le Bistro would shut out much of the racket.

Also, the Epic theater is small - - no balcony. And paying for Cirque was quite objectionable to us. Whether you opt for the premium (with dinner) or standard seating, there is an admission fee. Never, in all of our cruises, has on board entertainment carried a fee to view the performance.

While we are on the entertainment subject, we found the offerings lacking. A comic/magician, a soul group, Cirque and a few other minor options. The catch here is that you must make reservations for a performance - - and they sell-out fast. Again I say, if the Epic theater had a seating capacity relative to the passenger capacity, that would be the ideal place to hold the shows and there would be ample room for all - - I do acknowledge that with unstructured dining times this is a logistical challenge for NCL - - but it's their boat and their task.

Finally, to address the design of the staterooms. I stand 6'1". My feet hung off the beds. The frosted sliding glass doors to the shower and commode areas should cull a booby prize for the designer. It is insensitive and moronic - - exceed in lunacy/negligent omission only by the shallow, inconvenient sink. Water pressure at both the sink and the shower/tub was constant and temperatures stable.

Debarkation on 1/24 in Barcelona was the easiest we have ever enjoyed. You choose your own times and pickup your chosen color baggage tags at Guest Services (where the staff proved to be the most courteous and affable group of young people). You can stay in your stateroom till you debark - -no traffic jams in the lounges. Luggage came out on a conveyor belt. None of those abominable squeeze plays like in Baltimore, Ft. Lauderdale or Manhattan, et al. Maybe NCL took lessons from the crew at Disney - - but they sure have it down to a science.

I reiterate, the women and men who crew Epic are a credit to their brand. Upbeat, personable and eager to please. Pass a stateroom steward and they say "hello." Pass by an idle dealer in the casino and they greet you without trying to solicit gambling. Dining and bar stewards know their jobs and are eager to please. We found ourselves tipping above and beyond our prepaid gratuities - -and it came from our hearts. These kids bust their buns. And not all guests are personable. Some are "loads" who find fault with everything.

Would we sail Epic again? Yes, indeed. We cruise for the ports and savor the days at sea. We'd like to see a tad more culture via guest lecturers, etc. But we knew going in that such is not NCL's strong suit.

It's a good ship. The design is the subject of many jokes. NCL was wise to abandon is and make Epic an only child.

I close by repeating that these opinions are mine. Yours might differ and I respect that.

And so you know, We were stranded in Barcelona due to the airline delays/cancellations along the northeast corridor ( we are flying to Newark, NJ). Our air carrier has made us comfortable in a 5-star hotel and is covering all expenses. A bit disconcerting but that's the way of it sometimes.

Happy Cruising to All!

Fred

Academy Bus Lines is a reputable company owned by Francis Tedesco, Esq. and his brother Mark. Started, decades back, by their dad the late Frank Tedesco, the company is headquartered in Hoboken, NJ. They currently have a fleet of 600+ buses across the USA.

History aside, I would think NCL has either found a more affordable motorcoach carrier or something occurred to end any contract between the parties.

Whatever the facts, it is unfortunate that some will be inconvenienced. Academy is well respected in the industry.

Many thanks to all who took the time to reply!

Fred

Forgive me if this has been covered before.

We will leave Epic on Sunday, 24 January when she touches Barcelona. We have a tour booked for that day with a private, non-NCL company.

The tour operator recommends we meet outside the terminal at 8:30am.

My question is will NCL accommodate us with the necessary debarkation slot - - we are not flying out that day.

Also, if we are to timely clear Immigration, Customs, etc., what time slot should we ask NCL for?

Thank you for any and all guidance.

Fred

We sail on Epic 13 January. Your review and photos were well-received by our travelling companions - - endless appreciation!

Like you, we do not climb a gangway only to be subjected to social/political hoopla; deal with enough of that rubbish in everyday life.

Again, thank you for taking the time to author this extraordinary and intellectually honest review.

Happy 2016!

International law governing free use of the seas mandates vessels come to the rescue of those stranded in any ocean, sea, etc.

While I do not know with certainty, I would think any fee for food and accommodation(s) would either be waived or billed to the rescued party(s), their government or paid by any existing international fund established for this purpose.

While if might sound callous, there is, most assuredly, a business element to such a rescue. Fuel, medical, provisions and any charges the vessel incurs based on lost time, altered itinerary et al.

This is an interesting topic. I am hoping that anybody who might have definitive information will share it.

Ugh! Had my fill of lame CD's.

Guess I bring a few more DVD's than originally planned.

We board Epic on 13 January.

Sail on Epic 13 January.

Have not made any show reservations. Nonetheless, 16 and 20 January dates do not come up if I attempt to make online dinner reservations in any restaurant or dining room.

Just don't have the patience to "make that call." We will deal with it once we board.

We board Epic for the sane itinerary on 13 January. Our last NCL voyage was in 1985 aboard the line's old Southward - it was the deplorable service, cuisine and customer sensitivity that kept us away from the brand all these years.

Trusted friends just left Epic two weeks ago. They gave the ship and crew an outstanding review - and they are fussy.

We eagerly look forward to our cruise.

Thank you for your comments.

Happy 2016.

Your experience was regrettable and unfortunate.

Nonetheless, I cannot fault NCL. We live in troubled times. Security protocols are necessarily rigid and often mandate absolute confidentiality. They are in place for the safety and welfare of everyone; passengers crew and ancillary staff.

NCL leases terminal space. Just like any other cruise line, they do not own the port facility. I cannot think of any terminal that has seating, etc., sufficient to comfortably accommodate the entire passenger compliment of any vessel.

The issue of the UDP, etc., is a routine-but-annoying snafu left to your commissioned travel agent to clear. I hope it was timely resolved.

I fly frequently. And while it does not happen often, I have had to vacate fully loaded aircraft for undisclosed security reasons. I take it in stride and try to focus on the fact that due diligence is being exercised for the protection of all concerned.

I do not expect the airline to compensate me for any alleged inconvenience. If anything, I applaud them for their alertness and performance. I'd rather be slightly inconvenienced than have a potentially dangerous issue swept under the rug.

Please know I do not fault you for being out-of-sorts when this happened. In your shoes, I would feel no different. I simply underscore that effective security often involves a need-to-know protocol versus a right-to-know; that might trigger a panic and increase any possible peril.

I hope the balance of your voyage was enjoyable.

I am a frequent UBER patron in NYC. And while I also use medallioned yellow cabs via a hail, I find UBER to be far superior.

In fact, I recently booked a UBER car from east midtown to meet someone coming off Breakaway at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal located at West 49th Street and 12th Avenue.

The service was superb. Clean car, friendly/knowledgeable driver and all paid for seamlessly online.

You need to weigh your options. It can be most burdensome juggling luggage on/off mass transit rail or bus. And then you need to get to the cruise terminal at W. 49th and 12th Ave from either Penn Station or the Port Authority Bus Terminal; walking most impractical.

Could be the worst money you ever save and a sour start/ending to your cruise.

Is there a fee for tomato juice on Epic? I ask because some lines charge for it and others do not.

FYI, we will have the UBP.

Many thanks,

Fred

Thank you for the response.

I just purchased 250 minutes.