mabones

Pzazzz, were you booked in a Guarantee? If you had already chosen your stateroom, why would they change it?

That's good to know about the balconies. Do you know if they have come out with any photo's of the forward port or starboard obstructed-view balconies on the Lido Deck, either L110, L114 or L109, L115. I'm curious to see what that Balcony looks like, also.

Has anyone ever felt this way? My husband suffered a fatal heart attack 15 days ago. We already have airfare, and we were booked on the Legend. I'm just afraid I will be too lonesome, missing my husband. My kids will probably enjoy the kids club. Anyone experience a situation like this?

I say "Go for it!" This could be a real bonding time with your kids, especially at their age. Maybe you could do some of the Excursions that you did previously with your DH.

I can't imagine losing my DH so suddenly. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your kids.

I'm probably the next town over from you!

We sailed on the Norwegian Epic from September 2nd through 9th on a Western Mediterranean itinerary. We stayed in the forward facing "Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa" # 16001 (category S4). We have sailed in Haven/Courtyard suites on the Jewel-class ships before and did some research (thank you fellow CCers) ahead of this sailing so we had a pretty good idea of what to expect. We had a great time and really enjoyed the Haven and this cabin/suite on the Epic. :D

 

Here a a few quick observations:

 

Size: As others have reported, 16001 -and, as I understand it, its counterpart above, 17001 - are wider than the standard Category S4 2-Bedroom Family Villas. We looked in a few standard S4s when disembarking and estimate that 16001 (and 17001) are about 3 feet or so wider (noticeable in the living room and the 2nd/smaller bedroom). We also think they are slightly deeper too. There was plenty of room in this suite to accommodate 2 couples comfortably. My younger brother and his wife stayed in the smaller bedroom and said they slept great in there.

 

Location: 16001 is all the way front and it's a big ship, which means, if you're going to the back of the ship (Manhattan Room, Mandara Spa, Spice H2O), it's a long hike (but good exercise). The Garden Cafe is located right below you though, so that's convenient (especially when you get a craving for crepes). Views are incredible.

 

Elevators: Seemed to be more crowded and take longer than we remember from our last trip on the Epic. We take the stairs a lot so this wasn't that big of a deal. On disembarkation day, the concierge takes you down the freight elevator and you walk right off the ship, which was awesome and a huge time-saver.

 

Movement: Seas were rather rough the first night heading east from Barcelona and the ship was rocking. Being high and forward, you could definitely feel the movement in the cabin (but to be honest, you could feel it a lot throughout the ship, including midship on lower decks). We take Bonine once a day when we cruise, so the rocking wasn't a problem. And after the first night, it was pretty calm for the rest of the trip.

 

Storage: Plentiful storage almost everywhere. The only place it was a little tight was in the smaller bedroom/bathroom (and it wasn't that there wasn't enough space; there just wasn't as much extra space as there was in the master bedroom, master bathroom, and living/dining areas).

 

Noise: Quiet for 22 hours a day. The family above us had young kids and most evenings (around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.), they would discharge their excess energy by doing what kids do: running, jumping, shrieking, and - what really sounded like - horseback riding (though we never saw a horse :rolleyes:). It was annoying while it was going on, but fortunately it only lasted for an hour or two. We "had" this same cabin booked for next Thanksgiving, but have now switched to 17001 to avoid kids above us (it will be Thanksgiving, so we thought the chances of kids being in there was pretty high). I think if it were just adults up there, the noise wouldn't be that bad.

 

Temperature: The air-conditioning was not working when we first got to the room. We were told that they were working on it. It was very warm the first day. By that night, the air-conditioning was working better. After that, it was always comfortable, but we could never get it to be really cool (like we have in/on other cabins/ships).

 

Solarium: Being forward facing, these suites have solariums instead of balconies. We weren't sure how we would like it - but as it turns out, it was fantastic. It's a good size (wider and a little deeper than the standard S4 balconies), there are two windows that open easily (even while underway), it has its own thermostat, and it's just freaking cool to be front and center. The views, as I said, were amazing.

 

Service: Very good in the Haven and basically everywhere on the ship. Smiles all around. :)

 

And now for some photos (there's a bunch, so it will take me a few posts to get them all on here):

 

That sounds awesome! Maybe I can change my Suite before my cruise in April, if there are any available.

Was wondering is the infamous "Mr Don", or anyone else for that matter, can enlighten us with any "visual" information in reference to the 2 Bedroom Villa's on the 17th Deck. I have read where the Balcony is smaller than desired, but I was wondering about that "other bedroom."

Two of us are already booked into one of these Haven Suites for a future sailing, but we were wondering how comfortable that other bedroom may be.

We have another person (sister) who always goes on vacation with us. She is usually in a room (single) down the hall from our Penthouse. Unfortunately, "down the hall" isn't an option on Epic this time, unless she wins the lottery, because as you already know, no "balcony" staterooms are located in the Haven.

I certainly don't have an issue with having my sister stay in the same suite as us, but I would certainly want her to be comfortable in that extra bedroom, and hope that it isn't something like a pull out couch.

If anyone has any guidance in reference to this, or actually experienced one of these suites, we would certainly appreciate the insight.

 

 

 

Hope all is well with everyone....

 

 

 

Ismay.:D

Try this out: It's one floor down, but an absolutely great Video. It's 13 minutes long!

Good video tour of S4 stateroom #16009 and Haven tour:

Was on Brilliance of the Seas in Aruba about 2006. We weren't leaving until 11pm. After dinner my DH & I went to our room to change and I was on Balcony & saw small speedboat stop were anchor was. We watched as 4 teenagers climbed the ropes to the ship. I called Security, and you could see them running down the gangway as well as the Port Authority speeding onto the Dock. It was quite the site. One of the kids actually got onto the ship. They were all rounded up and handcuffed and made to sit under a streetlamp until they decided what to do with them. Meanwhile, our group was waiting for us in the Casino and didn't believe us until I showed them pic's.

Thanks, Nalagh!

How/Where are the outlets situated in the Main Bedroom in the Haven 2-bedroom Suite on the Epic? My DH uses a CPAP machine which he will be bringing along. The last time we cruised, (Carnival) we had the Room Steward bring us an extension cord. We had to plug it in at the Vanity, so it stretched across the floor to the bedside table. I had to be careful not to trip over this ugly yellow cord if I got up in the middle of the night.

Also, you say you leave from Plattsburgh, NY. Brrrrrrrrrrr! My daughter went to school at Plattsburgh State and it took us 5 1/2 Hrs to get there. We used to tease her that she was in the frozen tundra. She loved it there & made some great friends.

I could do all of that for less than $ 5,000 on the Epic in shoulder season.

 

Here is how;

 

I booked the Epic 10 months out with Amex $500 OBC and Latitudes $ 150 OBC and the Aft suite was $ 4100 total. Then, I booked early bird flights from Plattsburgh NY to Miami with taxes and fees with allegiant air for 124x4 = 496. Then I bid on a hotel in Miami for a 4 star for $175. Total $4,771.

 

Then I transfer the booking to a TA, and get another $300 OBC, so it is $950 of OBC, making the cruise in a suite and a haven cost the same as a balcony.:D

 

Try to book a mock cruise in shoulder season, and I am sure you can do it too!

Ok.. You have me stumped. What is a Shoulder Season?

I want to know how you did that for only $6000 including air/hotel. BTW did you leave from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. I'll be leaving from Miami on the Epic next year and may go down the day b4.

VideoTech, what is the difference in boarding for Suite guests?

Thanks Don for an entertaining & informative review of the Epic. My cruise is scheduled for April 2013, to celebrate my 35th Wedding Anniversary. I have been taking notes of your Review so that I don't forget all the Important places to frequent. Like the Martini Bar. Can't wait to set sail. I still have a year to go though!