Portia!

Hi,

You can definitely walk on the Waterfront on Deck 8 early in the morning. It isn't usually very busy except for a few others trying to get their steps in. You cannot run, however, just walk. 

The track is shorter and is in direct sunlight for most of the day. It can be quite busy. On some ships it passes by a smoking area, which isn't an issue on Deck 8.

Deck 8 is also a good place to walk in the evening - nice for catching a sunset or watching the stars.

Pasta can also be requested as your main/entree, and portion size will be upsized.

I think you'll find Latitude voucher course count (3 vs 4) varies by ship and sometimes by restaurant. Over the last year on the Escape, 4 courses has been normal--even encouraged by waitstaff. Same time period, on the Bliss and Prima some restaurants were three and some were four courses.

It is a good idea to check with the waiter before ordering. 

Hi. I requested my Diamond upgrade for a December 2023 cruise on the Epic on June 5, using the phone number provided on the website 1-866-625-6086. They said I should hear in a week. On July 17, I hadn't heard anything so emailed latitudesupport@ncl.com and was given a case number. I received my upgrade on July 27. No email - I noticed it when checking my reservation online.

The upgrade was from an inside to a 'privasea' balcony (as Ken mentioned, there are no outside cabins on the Epic, so you get to skip a level). FAS choices were retained. Current pricing for the balcony is about $1300 more than I paid for the inside. So, while not the best balcony on the ship, this was a pretty good way to score an upgrade.

Just a head's up: I have done a dozen B2Bs in the last two years (Escape, Epic, Bliss) and have found that quite often my Latitudes amenities - water cartons, chocolate strawberries, and dinner/laundry vouchers do not show up in my cabin for the second week. So I go to the CruiseNext/Latitudes desk to report the issue. They give me a set of vouchers. I usually get the water the following day and never receive the strawberries. I also have found almost as often that my dinner and entertainment reservations for the second week disappear and have to be rebooked. The Latitudes manager will usually unfairly blame people rather than acknowledging that it's a system-wide problem with the B2B process. So, check everything on the first day so it can be fixed and you can enjoy that second week on the ship! 

Prima is the most different larger ship. Observation lounge, Indulge Food Hall, quite different approach to Waterfront. More eclectic layout. Lots of stuff for kids.

I found solo gatherings listed in the dailies that are attached above as Solo Travelers Meet & Greet (self-led) at 5.30 in Maltings.

Yes you are allowed to buy alcohol to take home with OBC. I've done it several times. One of my favorite souvenirs!

I thought there was a promenade on the bliss as well?

It's called the Waterfront, on deck 8, and has outdoor couches, chairs, bars, restaurant - goes port, aft, starboard (about 1/4 mile total). Generally one side of the Waterfront is shady, the other side in the sun, depending on position of the ship. Terrific place to watch sunrise, sunset, stars and get some steps in, and except for sea days a fairly quiet place to read. On the Epic, the closest thing is the lifeboat deck, which is port and starboard. It's outdoors but minimal view of the water, due to the lifeboats. No seating.

I've been in studios on both the Bliss and the Epic. The cabins are nearly identical. The studio lounges have similar amenities (cappuccino machine, urns of iced water/juice/lemonade, snacks throughout the day) but shape/layout is different. Both are comfortable. The studio lounges are generally quiet except for first day and solo gatherings. The solo group on both ships has a facilitator to help set up dinner and theatre reservations for people who want to be part of a social group. Last time I was on the Epic, all solo gatherings were held in a bar rather than the studio lounge. On the Bliss it was in a bar on deck the first night, but in the studio lounge the remaining nights. The Epic has a bar/bartender, with limited hours, in the studio lounge. No bar in the studio lounge on Bliss, just a wine vending machine that is not included in the drinks package. The studio lounge a great place to read or play cards - take a break from the crowds, and also nice place to meet other studio guests over morning coffee etc. A good alternative to the solo gathering.  

As for the ships, biggest differences are Bliss has the observation lounge, the waterfront (a gamechanger to be able to be outdoors and see the water all around the ship) on deck 8, and a  seafood specialty restaurant (Ocean Blue), and Brewhouse. Epic has a free Chinese restaurant and noodle bar. Both have Cavern Clubs (Beatles shows) and good entertainment. 

The Escape has a Supper Club. The Illusionarium on the Getaway is sometime used in the same way.

As of early 2023, they allow you to see the supper club show without having dinner. There are seats at the back of the venue. Still a good view and excellent sound. You can get drinks and watch the show.

Still a good idea to reserve if possible, however, most in the standby line usually get a non-dinner seat and sometimes a dinner seat if preferred and available. I also know people who were in standby and did not get in at all. There are also shows without dinner, just drinks, which may or may not require reservations.

NCL sometimes puts shuffleboard courts on the lifeboat deck. I've seen people play.

6 hours ago, latebuyer said:

I still haven't pulled the trigger on the cruise and have one more question. Is there a quiet indoor place where you can read on the epic? I mean during the day.

There's a library on Deck 5. Studio Lounge is usually quiet assuming you book a studio.

I have been on both ships many times. Both are great and terrific for solos.

Escape pluses for me are: The Waterfront, Ocean Blue, Choir of Man, Supper Club shows, three MDRs rather than two. Also, Sid Norman's, District Brewhouse, Food Republic, Pincho's. 

Epic pluses for me are: Current pricing, Beatles shows/Cavern Club, Burn the Floor. Shanghai's restaurant and noodle bar (both are complimentary).

I have cruises booked on both ships and will do so again! I hate giving up the Waterfront, but price wins when it is double. I will find a way to get my steps in and to look at the ocean now and then.

Also viewable on the NCL App.

Planning is part of the fun of cruising, so happy to have an early arm chair for viewing your process. Besides, you can perhaps get some tips on some of those ports from people who have been - as in, do you need a shore excursion for that port, how are NCLs offerings etc.

10 minutes ago, Dorhead1230 said:

Does anyone know if they’ll let you take the bottle of wine with you unopened? We will likely use the vouchers at the places where we don’t care if they don’t allow 4 courses (specifically Q and FR). Those aren’t places where I’d want wine with my meal, though. DH and I will both have vouchers as there’s a cabin in each name. Can we get our bottles in those restaurants and take them unopened for other nights in other restaurants?

I have taken an unopened bottle of wine with me. Just tell them when they bring the bottle.

I have also taken an opened and partially consumed bottle with me. They offer to store it for you, and maybe they will find it again, but I generally just grab and go.

LOL. Yep, I think so. There were requests for documentation earlier in this chat. So I provided an example.

Here is a recent sample (proof!) of NCL applying $50 credit and then applying a loyalty discount (15%) to the remaining balance (42.94) leaving a final payment of $36.50. All of this booked before the cruise.

Yep. I suppose that is a reason to stock up on both CF and CN. NCL's master plan! 

Not booked at all, there are no NCL ships in Canaveral this summer.

NCL does not usually sail in the summer out of Canaveral.

Usually the Canaveral ship is repositioned to Europe for the summer. However, this year, the Escape is in Miami for the summer and New York in the fall, returning to Canaveral in November. She will be joined by the Epic for the winter 2023-2024 season. 

The Getaway sailed from Canaveral in the summer of 2022 which was an exception due to the NCL  decision not to sail previously planned Baltic cruises because of the war in Ukraine.

In 2024 the Jade will be running out of Canaveral in the summer. 

Hope that helps!

Well calculated. Always good when the math supports the policy.

Ummm, if you apply it to a booking at 120 days applying it to a future sailing, the sail date will automatically be 120 or more days out.

I suppose you could try to apply to an earlier sailing, which I believe would be against the policy.

Policy, as quoted above, from CF T&C:

"Your CruiseFirst certificate(s) may be redeemed as a deposit or as a payment towards your new reservation’s grand total with a sail date greater than 120 days from purchase date."

https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions#cruisenext

Yep. For Cruise First, the sail date needs to be 120 days from when you purchased the certificate. So if you buy it today, it is 120 days from today. That's what the Ts and Cs say.