NCL Epic 3/31 Western - We're Done Here

So second NCL cruise but 33rd overall. Stayed in Haven both times ( Escape and Epic). Here's my take on the Good, Bad, and Ugly:

The Good:

Epic's Haven physically is superior to that of Escape. Well appointed and the addition of Posh is a plus. My Grandkids loved having the separate pool as you couldn't get near the main one.

Haven breakfasts were brilliant. All the choice you could want and REAL eggs, not the liquid stuff in the buffet. Haven lunch and dinner menus are always the same so that limits the number of times you may want to eat in the Epic Club but the food was generally better than any other dining venue on board. Epic's Concierge was a big asset. Guided us to tenders, off ship at ports, and best of all, expedited disembarkation. Captain and staff were friendly and efficient. Kids enjoyed the Rock Wall and Toilet Bowl of Death! I enjoyed the Martini Bar.

The Bad:

The Premium unlimited wifi is a joke. Experienced a lot of down time and the speed was no better than normal cruddy ship wifi. I would not waste my $$ again. It took 3 days for Bowen, the Concierge to get our free dinner at Le Bistro confirmed (AMEX benefit) despite having it posted on cruise record. He ended up having to call Miami to get it sorted. Venues outside Haven were a scrum. As others have noted, the lack of midship elevators definitely slowed down using the forward and aft ones. Dinner in Le Bistro was very good and worth going although the Dover Sole was a little overcooked. Cagney's also very good. Both times our waiter announced that we could only get 1 app and 1 entree. Both times I replied , "I know you have to say that but we will order extra apps". No problem and no charge. On Escape, there was fruited ice water and M&M's available poolside every day. On Epic, they apparently abandoned ship.

The Ugly:

I expected La Cucina, being a specialty restaurant, to be much better than it was. Wife and I had the Branzino and it was so overcooked it was inedible. Pasta was as far from al dente as you could get. Avoid the free Chinese venue, Shanghai, at all costs. Egg roll starters came out burnt -seriously, burned and hard as a rock. I would be embarrassed to serve such. Fried Rice was OK but the Chow Fun was a gloppy congealed mess that did not use Chow Fun noodles. Best thing about it was the Azuki Bean and Chestnut pastries with Green Tea ice cream. No lobster anywhere, not even for an upcharge?? And why, in this day and age, does NCL still allow smoking in the open air Casino? We sat down to lunch at Taste one afternoon and had to leave due to the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke. I'm a former smoker, and if someone wants to prematurely end their life, that's their business. Just don't try to take me with you.

So, overall, ship was well appointed, food needs some serious work, and Haven is the only way I would ever sail NCL but they need to step it up on their menus and provide different ones during the cruise as Princess and Celebrity now do. There are many other choices out there with better food such as Celebrity, Princess, and now MSC. As always, YMMV.

Thanks for your report.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your cruise with us. Totally agree that the Epic's Haven is the best in the fleet.

We were on the Epic, in the Haven, in January and agree with most of your review. We have stayed in the Haven on the Escape and Getaway as well, and found the food on the Epic to be sub-par compared to the other ships, both in the Haven and the specialty restaurants. I suspect it may be the fault of the food and beverage manager. I never had a problem with the Haven menu not changing. I thought they had enough of a variety for seven days, plus I had favorites that I ordered more than once.

Were you in the Haven area or an aft suite. I had no problem with the wifi in the forward Haven area, but have heard many complaints about the wifi at the rear of the ship.

Both my wife and I are ex smokers, and never had a problem with the smoke. Our next cruise is booked on the Bliss, where smoking in the casino will be in a confined area. A lot of people will be happy with that.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the rest of us, and I hope you don't mind my sharing where our experience differed.

I enjoyed reading your report.

Keith

sailed the Escape a couple years ago and LOVED the food.

booked the Epic in Nov and have 4 free specialty dinners included. here's hoping things will be sorted out in the kitchens by then.

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Falckon;

We were in a 2 bedroom Haven Suite forward. Wifi kept dropping in and out. Don't know if it was an equipment issue or whatever. As to Haven dinner, one can only eat scallops or steak so many nights in a row. The biggest problem with smoking in the casino is that it is not a separate area but rather open to other decks so the smoke permeates everywhere.

Thank you for your review. We were in DOS on Epic last year.

My wifi was great. Sorry for your frustrations.

I think we were some of the last ones to get the perk "unlimited dining special" which meant we could eat in any specialty, anytime. We found the Epic club to be better than anything else. Even with our variety in venues we still repeated favorites in the Epic club.

We skipped the Italian and Chinese restaurants on Epic because we had the same conclusion as you on the Jewel earlier.

As for food, breakfast is my favorite meal, so I was thrilled with my choices.

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We’re in the Haven now on Epic’s TA. So far it’s been a great cruise. Bowen’s our concierge and has been terrific. Premium wifi has worked continuously across the Atlantic. Good food and great service in the Haven Restaurant. Cagney’s and Le Bistro have been excellent, as well as Teppanyaki. La Cucina: great service but awful pasta. Their steak is excellent, however.

sailed the Escape a couple years ago and LOVED the food.

 

booked the Epic in Nov and have 4 free specialty dinners included. here's hoping things will be sorted out in the kitchens by then.

 

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We cruised on the Epic last summer, and after spending the summer in Paris eating amazing French (and other European) cuisine, my daughter (teenage food snob) and I (less of a food snob) thought the food on the Epic at the end our our summer abroad was some of the best cruise line food we have experienced. It was better than anything on Princess, RCCL, and Carnival. We paid for the four specialty dinners and we enjoyed our experience at every single one, my medium rare steak came out medium at Cagneys, our amazing server saw that it wasn't cooker properly as he walked by (I was going to eat it, I'm really not that much of a snob) and he asked if I'd like a new filet, and promptly brought me out a new one cooked properly. You have nothing to worry about, our food in every included and extra restaurant was enjoyable.

So second NCL cruise but 33rd overall. Stayed in Haven both times ( Escape and Epic). Here's my take on the Good, Bad, and Ugly:

 

The Good:

Epic's Haven physically is superior to that of Escape. Well appointed and the addition of Posh is a plus. My Grandkids loved having the separate pool as you couldn't get near the main one.

Haven breakfasts were brilliant. All the choice you could want and REAL eggs, not the liquid stuff in the buffet. Haven lunch and dinner menus are always the same so that limits the number of times you may want to eat in the Epic Club but the food was generally better than any other dining venue on board. Epic's Concierge was a big asset. Guided us to tenders, off ship at ports, and best of all, expedited disembarkation. Captain and staff were friendly and efficient. Kids enjoyed the Rock Wall and Toilet Bowl of Death! I enjoyed the Martini Bar.

 

The Bad:

The Premium unlimited wifi is a joke. Experienced a lot of down time and the speed was no better than normal cruddy ship wifi. I would not waste my $$ again. It took 3 days for Bowen, the Concierge to get our free dinner at Le Bistro confirmed (AMEX benefit) despite having it posted on cruise record. He ended up having to call Miami to get it sorted. Venues outside Haven were a scrum. As others have noted, the lack of midship elevators definitely slowed down using the forward and aft ones. Dinner in Le Bistro was very good and worth going although the Dover Sole was a little overcooked. Cagney's also very good. Both times our waiter announced that we could only get 1 app and 1 entree. Both times I replied , "I know you have to say that but we will order extra apps". No problem and no charge. On Escape, there was fruited ice water and M&M's available poolside every day. On Epic, they apparently abandoned ship.

 

The Ugly:

I expected La Cucina, being a specialty restaurant, to be much better than it was. Wife and I had the Branzino and it was so overcooked it was inedible. Pasta was as far from al dente as you could get. Avoid the free Chinese venue, Shanghai, at all costs. Egg roll starters came out burnt -seriously, burned and hard as a rock. I would be embarrassed to serve such. Fried Rice was OK but the Chow Fun was a gloppy congealed mess that did not use Chow Fun noodles. Best thing about it was the Azuki Bean and Chestnut pastries with Green Tea ice cream. No lobster anywhere, not even for an upcharge?? And why, in this day and age, does NCL still allow smoking in the open air Casino? We sat down to lunch at Taste one afternoon and had to leave due to the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke. I'm a former smoker, and if someone wants to prematurely end their life, that's their business. Just don't try to take me with you.

 

So, overall, ship was well appointed, food needs some serious work, and Haven is the only way I would ever sail NCL but they need to step it up on their menus and provide different ones during the cruise as Princess and Celebrity now do. There are many other choices out there with better food such as Celebrity, Princess, and now MSC. As always, YMMV.

Hi I think we were on the Escape with you February ‘16.

Enjoyed cocktails with you and your son most afternoons.

You got me hooked on blue cheese olives in my martinis.

Hope you and your family are well.

Fiona.

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I am liking the sound of a blue cheese olive Martini! Where would I get one of these from?

I am liking the sound of a blue cheese olive Martini! Where would I get one of these from?

It was a make it yourself affair !

Blue cheese and olives from the buffet and then a martini from the bar. Perfect combo.

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We ate in La Cucina on the Epic and th Getaway. Horrible both times. Hoping to avoid it on the Bliss but looks tough to find a specialty restaurant with a vegetarian menu.

Hi I think we were on the Escape with you February ‘16.

Enjoyed cocktails with you and your son most afternoons.

You got me hooked on blue cheese olives in my martinis.

Hope you and your family are well.

 

Fiona.

Yes! Remember you well, especially your comment about the "scrum" outside the Haven!:D We're off to Italy next on Oceania this August, Venice to Rome.

We’re in the Haven now on Epic’s TA. So far it’s been a great cruise. Bowen’s our concierge and has been terrific. Premium wifi has worked continuously across the Atlantic. Good food and great service in the Haven Restaurant. Cagney’s and Le Bistro have been excellent, as well as Teppanyaki. La Cucina: great service but awful pasta. Their steak is excellent, however.

Not sure if it was the fact that we were on the last Carib cruise of the season, staff turnover, or what. But the food on the Escape was MUCH better than what we had on Epic. DW wanted me to add "What happened to Del Rio's comment when he took over NCL that "people don't cruise for crappy food.?"

Yes! Remember you well, especially your comment about the "scrum" outside the Haven!:D We're off to Italy next on Oceania this August, Venice to Rome.

I think the ship was full to capacity, there were a lot of people out there.

If I remember rightly people were fighting over sun loungers around the pools.

Venice to Rome sounds amazing, enjoy.

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So second NCL cruise but 33rd overall. Stayed in Haven both times ( Escape and Epic). Here's my take on the Good, Bad, and Ugly:

 

The Good:

Epic's Haven physically is superior to that of Escape. Well appointed and the addition of Posh is a plus. My Grandkids loved having the separate pool as you couldn't get near the main one.

Haven breakfasts were brilliant. All the choice you could want and REAL eggs, not the liquid stuff in the buffet. Haven lunch and dinner menus are always the same so that limits the number of times you may want to eat in the Epic Club but the food was generally better than any other dining venue on board. Epic's Concierge was a big asset. Guided us to tenders, off ship at ports, and best of all, expedited disembarkation. Captain and staff were friendly and efficient. Kids enjoyed the Rock Wall and Toilet Bowl of Death! I enjoyed the Martini Bar.

 

The Bad:

The Premium unlimited wifi is a joke. Experienced a lot of down time and the speed was no better than normal cruddy ship wifi. I would not waste my $$ again. It took 3 days for Bowen, the Concierge to get our free dinner at Le Bistro confirmed (AMEX benefit) despite having it posted on cruise record. He ended up having to call Miami to get it sorted. Venues outside Haven were a scrum. As others have noted, the lack of midship elevators definitely slowed down using the forward and aft ones. Dinner in Le Bistro was very good and worth going although the Dover Sole was a little overcooked. Cagney's also very good. Both times our waiter announced that we could only get 1 app and 1 entree. Both times I replied , "I know you have to say that but we will order extra apps". No problem and no charge. On Escape, there was fruited ice water and M&M's available poolside every day. On Epic, they apparently abandoned ship.

 

The Ugly:

I expected La Cucina, being a specialty restaurant, to be much better than it was. Wife and I had the Branzino and it was so overcooked it was inedible. Pasta was as far from al dente as you could get. Avoid the free Chinese venue, Shanghai, at all costs. Egg roll starters came out burnt -seriously, burned and hard as a rock. I would be embarrassed to serve such. Fried Rice was OK but the Chow Fun was a gloppy congealed mess that did not use Chow Fun noodles. Best thing about it was the Azuki Bean and Chestnut pastries with Green Tea ice cream. No lobster anywhere, not even for an upcharge?? And why, in this day and age, does NCL still allow smoking in the open air Casino? We sat down to lunch at Taste one afternoon and had to leave due to the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke. I'm a former smoker, and if someone wants to prematurely end their life, that's their business. Just don't try to take me with you.

 

So, overall, ship was well appointed, food needs some serious work, and Haven is the only way I would ever sail NCL but they need to step it up on their menus and provide different ones during the cruise as Princess and Celebrity now do. There are many other choices out there with better food such as Celebrity, Princess, and now MSC. As always, YMMV.

Reading a review like this makes me think of the expression:

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

I mean I could just about feel the bitterness emanating from my laptop's screen.

I've read many good and bad reviews, but this is the first one I feel I need to provide a breakdown.

So second NCL cruise but 33rd overall. Stayed in Haven both times ( Escape and Epic). Here's my take on the Good, Bad, and Ugly:

The Good:

Epic's Haven physically is superior to that of Escape. Well appointed and the addition of Posh is a plus. My Grandkids loved having the separate pool as you couldn't get near the main one.

Haven breakfasts were brilliant. All the choice you could want and REAL eggs, not the liquid stuff in the buffet.

NCL buys liquid eggs which are REAL eggs that have been pasteurized for safety and do not have any fillers or extra ingredients .

Haven lunch and dinner menus are always the same so that limits the number of times you may want to eat in the Epic Club but the food was generally better than any other dining venue on board.

The variety found on The Haven Restaurant menu for lunch and dinner was enough for me to decide that on future cruises, I will pass up the specialty dining package, in favor of all of my meals in The Haven.

Epic's Concierge was a big asset. Guided us to tenders, off ship at ports, and best of all, expedited disembarkation. Captain and staff were friendly and efficient. Kids enjoyed the Rock Wall and Toilet Bowl of Death! I enjoyed the Martini Bar.

The Bad:

The Premium unlimited wifi is a joke. Experienced a lot of down time and the speed was no better than normal cruddy ship wifi. I would not waste my $$ again.

Premium wifi is NOT faster than the unlimited wifi. Premium wifi allows for streaming services such as Netflix and Pandora, which are blocked from the unlimited package. NONE of the ship's internet offerings are intended to match 4G speeds found on land, and NCL never makes that claim.

It took 3 days for Bowen, the Concierge to get our free dinner at Le Bistro confirmed (AMEX benefit) despite having it posted on cruise record. He ended up having to call Miami to get it sorted.

Sounds like it did get sorted out and you received your benefit. I'm sure you would have told us in your post if the 3 day delay caused you to completely re-arrange your dinner reservations.

Venues outside Haven were a scrum.

Scrum? Is that good, bad or ugly? That's a sports reference that I couldn't relate to the venues. Even a lookup in The Urban Dictionary --which has such entries as "dutch oven" and "sticky maple"-- pointed out the sports reference. Oh ... wait... there is another definition for scrum in the Urban Dictionary, but surely that couldn't be what you mean.

As others have noted, the lack of midship elevators definitely slowed down using the forward and aft ones.

It is what it is. Easily solved with a few cocktails after Muster Drill before attempting a ride to the room, or simply adding an extra 10 minutes to a point to point plan that requires an elevator.

Dinner in Le Bistro was very good and worth going although the Dover Sole was a little overcooked.

Did you send it back if it wasn't to your liking, or did you at least say something to the waitstaff? None of us here reading this can cook another one for you.

Cagney's also very good. Both times our waiter announced that we could only get 1 app and 1 entree. Both times I replied , "I know you have to say that but we will order extra apps". No problem and no charge.

Seems like the staff is trained to inform guests of this. That you were subjected to the back and forth you describe, did it spoil the meal or your evening?

On Escape, there was fruited ice water and M&M's available poolside every day. On Epic, they apparently abandoned ship.

Did you mention it to your butler or the concierge team? Possibly they could have offered the items, an alternative, or an explanation as to why not.

The Ugly:

I expected La Cucina, being a specialty restaurant, to be much better than it was.

I wouldn't characterize any of NCL's food outlets to be "fine dining" restaurants. I've had nice experiences in La Cucina with good food, but it's not high end. NCL caters to the mass market.

Wife and I had the Branzino and it was so overcooked it was inedible. Pasta was as far from al dente as you could get.

Again, did you send it back and ask for something that was edible, or did you just take notes to share this in your review? The dining room staff in specialty restaurants on NCL are RESPONSIVE. When I only ate about 15% of my crab cakes appetizer in Ocean Blue, the waiter probed to find is something was wrong. I told him they just were not good crab cakes. He offered to bring a different appetizer which I declined stating my entree would be enough. He still informed the dining room manager who also inquired with me. NCL does seem to take extra care and effort to ensure guests are satisfied.

Avoid the free Chinese venue, Shanghai, at all costs. Egg roll starters came out burnt -seriously, burned and hard as a rock. I would be embarrassed to serve such. Fried Rice was OK but the Chow Fun was a gloppy congealed mess that did not use Chow Fun noodles. Best thing about it was the Azuki Bean and Chestnut pastries with Green Tea ice cream.

More food fails. Poor thing! How much weight did you lose during the cruise, as it seems you were deprived of a good meal?

No lobster anywhere, not even for an upcharge??

Perhaps too many people complained their lobster was burnt or mushy or inedible.

And why, in this day and age, does NCL still allow smoking in the open air Casino?

Simply because NCL doesn't want to impede their most important revenue stream on the ship by shooing away players self-sedated with nicotine. I'm a non-smoker, and hate cigarette smoke, but I know they'll never ban smoking in the casino.

We sat down to lunch at Taste one afternoon and had to leave due to the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke.

Sounds like hyperbole to me!

I'm a former smoker, and if someone wants to prematurely end their life, that's their business. Just don't try to take me with you.

So, overall, ship was well appointed, food needs some serious work, and Haven is the only way I would ever sail NCL but they need to step it up on their menus and provide different ones during the cruise as Princess and Celebrity now do. There are many other choices out there with better food such as Celebrity, Princess, and now MSC. As always, YMMV.

Really.... it just doesn't sound like the NCL model is for you.

Reading a review like this makes me think of the expression:

 

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

 

I mean I could just about feel the bitterness emanating from my laptop's screen.

 

I've read many good and bad reviews, but this is the first one I feel I need to provide a breakdown.

 

So second NCL cruise but 33rd overall. Stayed in Haven both times ( Escape and Epic). Here's my take on the Good, Bad, and Ugly:

 

The Good:

Epic's Haven physically is superior to that of Escape. Well appointed and the addition of Posh is a plus. My Grandkids loved having the separate pool as you couldn't get near the main one.

Haven breakfasts were brilliant. All the choice you could want and REAL eggs, not the liquid stuff in the buffet.

NCL buys liquid eggs which are REAL eggs that have been pasteurized for safety and do not have any fillers or extra ingredients .

Haven lunch and dinner menus are always the same so that limits the number of times you may want to eat in the Epic Club but the food was generally better than any other dining venue on board.

The variety found on The Haven Restaurant menu for lunch and dinner was enough for me to decide that on future cruises, I will pass up the specialty dining package, in favor of all of my meals in The Haven.

Epic's Concierge was a big asset. Guided us to tenders, off ship at ports, and best of all, expedited disembarkation. Captain and staff were friendly and efficient. Kids enjoyed the Rock Wall and Toilet Bowl of Death! I enjoyed the Martini Bar.

 

The Bad:

The Premium unlimited wifi is a joke. Experienced a lot of down time and the speed was no better than normal cruddy ship wifi. I would not waste my $$ again.

Premium wifi is NOT faster than the unlimited wifi. Premium wifi allows for streaming services such as Netflix and Pandora, which are blocked from the unlimited package. NONE of the ship's internet offerings are intended to match 4G speeds found on land, and NCL never makes that claim.

It took 3 days for Bowen, the Concierge to get our free dinner at Le Bistro confirmed (AMEX benefit) despite having it posted on cruise record. He ended up having to call Miami to get it sorted.

Sounds like it did get sorted out and you received your benefit. I'm sure you would have told us in your post if the 3 day delay caused you to completely re-arrange your dinner reservations.

Venues outside Haven were a scrum.

Scrum? Is that good, bad or ugly? That's a sports reference that I couldn't relate to the venues. Even a lookup in The Urban Dictionary --which has such entries as "dutch oven" and "sticky maple"-- pointed out the sports reference. Oh ... wait... there is another definition for scrum in the Urban Dictionary, but surely that couldn't be what you mean.

As others have noted, the lack of midship elevators definitely slowed down using the forward and aft ones.

It is what it is. Easily solved with a few cocktails after Muster Drill before attempting a ride to the room, or simply adding an extra 10 minutes to a point to point plan that requires an elevator.

Dinner in Le Bistro was very good and worth going although the Dover Sole was a little overcooked.

Did you send it back if it wasn't to your liking, or did you at least say something to the waitstaff? None of us here reading this can cook another one for you.

Cagney's also very good. Both times our waiter announced that we could only get 1 app and 1 entree. Both times I replied , "I know you have to say that but we will order extra apps". No problem and no charge.

 

 

Seems like the staff is trained to inform guests of this. That you were subjected to the back and forth you describe, did it spoil the meal or your evening?

 

 

 

On Escape, there was fruited ice water and M&M's available poolside every day. On Epic, they apparently abandoned ship.

 

 

Did you mention it to your butler or the concierge team? Possibly they could have offered the items, an alternative, or an explanation as to why not.

The Ugly:

I expected La Cucina, being a specialty restaurant, to be much better than it was.

I wouldn't characterize any of NCL's food outlets to be "fine dining" restaurants. I've had nice experiences in La Cucina with good food, but it's not high end. NCL caters to the mass market.

Wife and I had the Branzino and it was so overcooked it was inedible. Pasta was as far from al dente as you could get.

Again, did you send it back and ask for something that was edible, or did you just take notes to share this in your review? The dining room staff in specialty restaurants on NCL are RESPONSIVE. When I only ate about 15% of my crab cakes appetizer in Ocean Blue, the waiter probed to find is something was wrong. I told him they just were not good crab cakes. He offered to bring a different appetizer which I declined stating my entree would be enough. He still informed the dining room manager who also inquired with me. NCL does seem to take extra care and effort to ensure guests are satisfied.

Avoid the free Chinese venue, Shanghai, at all costs. Egg roll starters came out burnt -seriously, burned and hard as a rock. I would be embarrassed to serve such. Fried Rice was OK but the Chow Fun was a gloppy congealed mess that did not use Chow Fun noodles. Best thing about it was the Azuki Bean and Chestnut pastries with Green Tea ice cream.

More food fails. Poor thing! How much weight did you lose during the cruise, as it seems you were deprived of a good meal?

No lobster anywhere, not even for an upcharge??

Perhaps too many people complained their lobster was burnt or mushy or inedible.

And why, in this day and age, does NCL still allow smoking in the open air Casino?

Simply because NCL doesn't want to impede their most important revenue stream on the ship by shooing away players self-sedated with nicotine. I'm a non-smoker, and hate cigarette smoke, but I know they'll never ban smoking in the casino.

We sat down to lunch at Taste one afternoon and had to leave due to the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke.

Sounds like hyperbole to me!

I'm a former smoker, and if someone wants to prematurely end their life, that's their business. Just don't try to take me with you.

 

So, overall, ship was well appointed, food needs some serious work, and Haven is the only way I would ever sail NCL but they need to step it up on their menus and provide different ones during the cruise as Princess and Celebrity now do. There are many other choices out there with better food such as Celebrity, Princess, and now MSC. As always, YMMV.

 

Really.... it just doesn't sound like the NCL model is for you.

I'm a former smoker too, the smoke doesn't bother me. I wonder if he/she who wrote the review worried when they smoked if they affected anyone else around them. I stay in the Haven when I cruise. If I have a problem I state to the appropriate person/persons, politely, that I am not satisfied and never had a problem having it corrected. Happy sailing!

Thank you for review. I totally understand not everything is perfect; but at least you had a good time with family

rbt001;

As I stated at the end of my post, YMMV. The objective was to write a concise but brief review as I saw it, not a novella. I'm a seasoned international traveller and my opinions are mine alone. I do know how to address improperly cooked food with management so no need for your lecture. Glad you're happy with the same limited menu in the Haven every night on your cruise. I prefer variety. Have a nice day.

Thank you for review. I totally understand not everything is perfect; but at least you had a good time with family

Thanks. We did this for the kids and they had a ball.

I need to book the HAVEN on Epic. Epic was my first foray with Norwegian since the cruise I took with them back on the SS Norway. We stayed in a balcony cabin. I've stayed in the HAVEN on the "Away" ships. But, given the Epic was the launch ship for innovative ideas like the HAVEN, I've heard their HAVEN and cabins are the best of the bunch.

This is just a reminder to start looking at EPIC + HAVEN cruises.

So second NCL cruise but 33rd overall. Stayed in Haven both times ( Escape and Epic). Here's my take on the Good, Bad, and Ugly:

 

The Good:

Epic's Haven physically is superior to that of Escape. Well appointed and the addition of Posh is a plus. My Grandkids loved having the separate pool as you couldn't get near the main one.

Haven breakfasts were brilliant. All the choice you could want and REAL eggs, not the liquid stuff in the buffet. Haven lunch and dinner menus are always the same so that limits the number of times you may want to eat in the Epic Club but the food was generally better than any other dining venue on board. Epic's Concierge was a big asset. Guided us to tenders, off ship at ports, and best of all, expedited disembarkation. Captain and staff were friendly and efficient. Kids enjoyed the Rock Wall and Toilet Bowl of Death! I enjoyed the Martini Bar.

 

The Bad:

The Premium unlimited wifi is a joke. Experienced a lot of down time and the speed was no better than normal cruddy ship wifi. I would not waste my $$ again. It took 3 days for Bowen, the Concierge to get our free dinner at Le Bistro confirmed (AMEX benefit) despite having it posted on cruise record. He ended up having to call Miami to get it sorted. Venues outside Haven were a scrum. As others have noted, the lack of midship elevators definitely slowed down using the forward and aft ones. Dinner in Le Bistro was very good and worth going although the Dover Sole was a little overcooked. Cagney's also very good. Both times our waiter announced that we could only get 1 app and 1 entree. Both times I replied , "I know you have to say that but we will order extra apps". No problem and no charge. On Escape, there was fruited ice water and M&M's available poolside every day. On Epic, they apparently abandoned ship.

 

The Ugly:

I expected La Cucina, being a specialty restaurant, to be much better than it was. Wife and I had the Branzino and it was so overcooked it was inedible. Pasta was as far from al dente as you could get. Avoid the free Chinese venue, Shanghai, at all costs. Egg roll starters came out burnt -seriously, burned and hard as a rock. I would be embarrassed to serve such. Fried Rice was OK but the Chow Fun was a gloppy congealed mess that did not use Chow Fun noodles. Best thing about it was the Azuki Bean and Chestnut pastries with Green Tea ice cream. No lobster anywhere, not even for an upcharge?? And why, in this day and age, does NCL still allow smoking in the open air Casino? We sat down to lunch at Taste one afternoon and had to leave due to the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke. I'm a former smoker, and if someone wants to prematurely end their life, that's their business. Just don't try to take me with you.

 

So, overall, ship was well appointed, food needs some serious work, and Haven is the only way I would ever sail NCL but they need to step it up on their menus and provide different ones during the cruise as Princess and Celebrity now do. There are many other choices out there with better food such as Celebrity, Princess, and now MSC. As always, YMMV.

well, well, well: it sounds like NCL isn't the line for you.That is why there are so many choices in cruise lines. Hope you enjoy your other lines better. as you know food as well as most other things are subjective: many will probably disagree with you: me for one. I don't like the idea of the same menu in the VIP dining room each day: I agree with you there. And I agree the elevator experience isn't a fun one.

As for the smoking, ok, others have complained about the smoking in the casino. I am an X smoker, can't stand stale smoke but the casino on the Epic really didn't bother me or my husband much at all.

Dining rooms; I have rarely had a problem with the food on NCL, whether specialty or otherwise. We much prefer it NCL food over Princess. That was of our big complaints about Princess except they do offer more seafood. As for NCL and Lobsters, it has been ages since they have served it. I don't know about Princess as we haven't sailed her in about 4 years.I do know the quality of the Lobster served on any ship doesn't make it worth being concerned that it is gone.

As for La Cucina no it isn't that great, but it is certainly not awful. The same with the Asian restaurant; it is not great but it is part of the free dining experience. I would be upset if there was a charge, free, it is a nice option to the MDRs. I would think when food is not to your liking you would simply tell the wait staff you either want it corrected if it can be or ask for something else, explaining you don't like whatever it is. Just so you are polite about it and not demanding. attitude is everything.

As for your comments about MSC and their food, I will let that go for another time, but again, remember food is very subjective.

rbt001;

As I stated at the end of my post, YMMV. The objective was to write a concise but brief review as I saw it, not a novella. I'm a seasoned international traveller and my opinions are mine alone. I do know how to address improperly cooked food with management so no need for your lecture. Glad you're happy with the same limited menu in the Haven every night on your cruise. I prefer variety. Have a nice day.

Aloha 1, it never was my intention to "lecture" you-- especially since you are a "seasoned international traveller [sic]"!

You are, however, new to NCL, and it appears that you may have been misinformed regarding the premium internet offering. I've sailed on other lines that explicitly state that the ship's internet is slower than what passengers are accustomed to at home. I do not recall NCL making this warning-- and maybe they should. When I asked to upgrade my "free minutes" on NCL to the premium service, I was discouraged by a staff member who stated that premium service is no faster than the unlimited service. The difference simply relates to streaming services such as Netflix and Pandora being available with premium service while those sites are blocked from use with the unlimited non-premium service.

Aloha 1, I regularly read reviews both good and bad on these forums, yet very rarely post responses. However, on occasion I will read a review that strikes me as particularly slanted with a negative bias and I feel inclined to post.

Take for example a post on another line's forum that started with

"From the moment we stepped on the gangway the staff was unfriendly and unhelpful..."

No joke: the reviewer posted a litany of negative experiences that persisted the entire cruise! Come on: when was the last time that anyone saw anything but a smiling, welcoming face as their first impression when embarking on a cruise!

And no, Aloha 1, I am not implying your review was that negative, as you did state one --or was it two-- nice things... yes... something about the wallpaper ... and the eggs being real.

However, after I read your review twice, I saw vivid images in my mind of other CC members --who otherwise were excited about their upcoming NCL cruise-- reading your review and reaching for another Xanax or Zoloft as they began calculating the cancellation penalties if they were to back out now.

For those readers, I prepared my breakdown response to perhaps provide a different perspective. Yes, my approach is different.

I mean it's too easy to respond to...

I like to be a little more "thorough" in my replies.

To make my point we need look no further than your recent comment:

Glad you're happy with the same limited menu in the Haven every night on your cruise. I prefer variety.

So let me break it down in a a reply:

Now when I say I could eat every meal in The Haven Restaurant it's because between the static lunch and dinner menus, there are:

9 appetizers including:

• shrimp
  
• ahi tuna
  
• beef tartar
  
• pork belly
  
• short ribs
  
• risotto
  
• seafood plate
  
• sliced meat & cheese plate
  

4 soups including a daily rotating chilled soup.

4 entree portioned salads

3 side salads featuring different greens including: butter lettuce, romaine, and arugula

Entrees include:

• sea bass
  
• salmon
  
• shrimp
  
• scallops
  
• clams
  
• rack of lamb
  
• duck
  
• chicken
  
• pork
  
• veal
  
• filet mignon
  
• prime rib
  
• cheese tart
  
• mushroom ravioli
  

Also available were burgers and sandwiches.

In fact, when I asked if I could order sliced avocado and onion with olive oil as a salad, the response was: "Sure, if they have the ingredients, they will make it."

So... I really didn't find the menu to be limited or lacking variety.

And perhaps a few other readers may be so inclined to side with "variety" when they think of The Haven Restaurant-- and maybe even limitless.

Maybe it's just those few that also feel and stated, as did I, that "NCL just might not be the line for you."

Happy sailing!