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NCL EPIC take 2!! July 2nd-9th 2017 NCL EPIC review


aliciawag
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So here it goes…I’ve decided to try my hand at my first ever cruise review! Having spent hours delving into others fantastic reviews(looking at you mitsugirly and thedougout!), I figured its time for me to giveback (Although having done minimal writing in the past year since leaving college you may need to be patient with me!).

 

 

To start…

 

 

I’m Alicia – 24 years old and from Ireland. I’m relatively new to cruising with only 3 previous cruises under my belt- one with RCCL and two with NCL! My travel partner was my boyfriend of 9 years Gary.

This cruise was a seven day western Mediterranean Itinerary aboard the Norwegian Epic. This was our second year in a row on this exact cruise but after the amazing time we had last year we couldn’t help ourselves returning! I will add that although this is a port heavy itinerary, this review will not be as we spent a lot of time on board the ship having visited all ports previously!

 

 

To kick off the review we’ll start at the very beginning. We had booked an afternoon flight to Barcelona on 1st July with our cruise departing the following day. Although the flight time from Dublin to Barcelona is only a mere two hours, we had decided to fly in a day early and spend the night in a hotel (A mistake on our part last year resulted in us almost missing our flight and thus the ship!) We arrived at the airport at 12:30 for a 15:00pm flight. After a quick bite to eat we hunted down our gate and fought the urge to wander back towards the duty free! Although I had only ever flown with Ryanair or Aer lingus (Ireland’s two most common airlines)fares for this weekend had skyrocketed and we had been forced to branch out of our comfort zone and try Vueling (Spain’s budget airline). As it turned out, I would be reluctant to fly with this airline again as both our outbound and inbound flights were delayed by more than an hour with no announcements made detailing why! (more about that later). After an hour delay we boarded our flight at 15:45pm and took off approximately thirty minutes after that!

 

 

On arrival to Barcelona El-Prat Airport we gathered our bags and made our way to the Aerobus pickup line just outside terminal 1. For anyone travelling to Barcelona centre I would highly recommend this service. Busses run approximately every 5-10 minutes from 5am until 1am. The coaches are well air conditioned with a journey time of approximately 40 minutes costing 5.90 euro per person.

 

 

On arrival to Placa de Catalunya in Central Barcelona we made our way to our hotel which was located a one minute walk from the bus stop. We had booked to stay at Hotel Denit-a small but ultra- modern hotel. Although we were surprised by the small size of the room all décor was spotless and nicely designed.

 

 

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By the time we settled into our hotel room it was after 8pm meaning we were both starving! We quickly changed and headed out for a bite to eat! Hunger meant that we didn’t spend too long browsing menus and settled at the first nice restaurant we saw. We were seated at a table on the pathway outside which was nice (it’s not often you can eat outside in the Irish weather were accustomed to!). Gary ordered a burger which was possibly the most enormous one I’ve ever seen. I on the other hand got a more modestly sized portion of spaghetti Bolognese. To wash our meals down I had a large glass of sangria and he, an ice-cold beer.



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After dinner we went into a bar which we had visited the previous year- La Taverna on Placa de Catalunya. The atmosphere was great with live music and a huge cocktail menu! After a few drinks we decided it was time to head back to the room as the sooner we went asleep, the sooner we would be stepping aboard the Epic! We headed to bed excited for what the following day would bring!

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Day 2: Embarkation Day

 

We woke up around 9 am in Hotel Denit after a somewhat restless night ( the bed came equipped with only a sheet and no duvet!). Breakfast was served on the lower ground floor and consisted of a small selection of croissants and pastries, a number of cooked items and a few whole fruits. While we had originally planned to spend a half day exploring Barcelona prior to boarding, we had now changed our minds and decided to get a taxi to the port at 12 pm. After a quick pitstop to pull and bear on Placa de Catalunya (Gary had forgotten to bring his sunglasses!) we checked out of our hotel and flagged down a taxi. The journey to the port took 10 minutes and cost 15.50 euros. Taxis in central barcelona were numerous and we had no problem getting one!

 

On arrival to the port we made our way to terminal A as we had done the previous year. Having forgotten to attach our pre-printed luggage tag to our large suitcase, I began to rummage through my handbag when a staff member came and provided us with a generic tag onto which she scrolled our cabin number. After hearing horror stories of missing luggage I found myself anxious that the tag would be misread and we would be left with no clothes, however my fears were soon forgotten as we were ushered inside the terminal!

 

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Once inside we were surprised at how small the queues were! Security took less than 2 minutes and we were surprised to find that there was nobody in the check-in queue! Although our boarding passes advised that boarding would not start until 12pm, it was apparent that this process was well underway. After checking in and having a quick embarkation photo taken, we proceeded towards the escalator that would bring us aboard.

 

Embarkation was done in typical NCL style with music playing, balloons lining the entrance and crew members warmly welcoming all embarking guests. Although our largest suitcase had been left in the terminal for delivery to our room, we had two large carry-ons and therefore decided that before all else we would drop them off in our room. We had booked an inside guarantee cabin and had been allocated cabin 11034- A forward cabin on deck 11. On arrival to our room we immediately noted some of the changes associated with the new ''Premium all-inclusive'' fare for European guests. On the counter top sat 15 bottles of still water and 1 bottle of sparkling water. We were also pleased to find a bottle of sparkling wine- a perk given to all guests returning to NCL on their second or subsequent trip! After leaving our bags we made our way up to the garden cafe on deck 15- a place we would end up spending a lot of time in!

 

As far as buffets go it doesn't get any better than the Garden Cafe! The selection of foods in phenomenal- there's pizza and pasta station where you can have your customized lunch made in front of you. Daily staples include a ginormous salad bar, burgers, chips, ht dogs and chili con carne. There are pre-made sandwiches and wraps with fillings alternated daily. Indian and Chinese meals are available with a multitude of European and American dishes! After stuffing ourselves to the point of bursting, we once again returned to our room in the hope that our bag would have arrived and we could change into our swimsuits! Alas...no such luck! The next few hours were spent up and down to the waves pool-bar where we got familiar with the range of available cocktails!

 

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By 19:30 pm we were eager to start preparing for dinner however this was proving difficult with no evening wear, all of which had all been packed away in our large suitcase. At this point I once again asked my room steward who directed us towards guest services on deck 5. On arrival to guest services we were led into a room packed with undelivered cases. My anxiety levels began to rise as our suitcase was nowhere to be seen. Visions of myself dining in pyjamas began to creep into my head however these were cut short when a crew member appeared with a large trolley on which my suitcase was sat. Attached to the front of the case was a large sticker which read '' extension cable''- I immediately realised that this was referring to the only electrical item I had brought-my hair straightener. I was advised by a crew-member that new regulations meant that straighteners were prohibited on board and that I would be handing over my GHD and succumbing to a week of frizz!

 

That evening we dined in the Manhattan Room- the more formal of the two dining rooms (While the menus are the same in both, the luxurious decor and live band meant the Manhattan room was the obvious choice for us). I ordered steak and chips with pepper sauce and Gary had the pork loin. The pepper sauce was delicious however the steak was a little tough (my own fault as I ordered it well-done!). For dessert we ordered Warm Chocolate Lava cake which was possibly the tastiest dessert I've ever had- I proceeded to get it on 5 out of 7 nights! The evening was finished off making good use of the ultimate beverage package and losing a modest 17 dollars in the casino (though that was set to go downhill throughout the week!)

 

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Following along. Since we've never been to Europe or sailed on this particular ship, all these reviews have been very helpful! :)

 

Thanks for reading! I'd highly recommend the Epic to anyone thinking of going!

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Really No hair straighteners allowed. ?! Can anyone tell me when they were banned? I have read previously on the boards they were ok to take.

Thanks

 

It was sometime earlier this year- I brought mine last summer with no problems! They also don't allow any water to be brought on - another recent change! I had an empty thermal flask in my suitcase and this was also highlighted with a tag when I retrieved my case! If bringing any empty bottles I'd advise to take in carry on so you can easily show its empty and avoid having your case held!

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OP - re your GHDs. I think this has been some over zealous inspection officer. There is absolutely NOTHING in the terms which state the prohibition of straighteners.

I'd have them for that when I come home! They owe you some gesture of goodwill - A "bad hair day" on vacation can mean a lot to many - You are stunning and although we all think you are gorgeous with or without them - You might not "feel dressed up" without your GHDs.

I'd have them for it! NOT acceptable! Kick up stink!

 

https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/faq#what-to-bring

 

What can't I bring onboard?

Passengers should not bring the following items onboard any Norwegian Cruise Line ship:

  • Drones (Game Flying Device)
    Guests are not permitted to bring drones onboard for safety of other guests, as well as the welfare of the vessel.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note7
    In light of recent safety issues with the Samsung Galaxy Note7, we are asking our guests who own this model to please avoid travelling with this mobile device. The Federal Aviation Administration has banned the Samsung Galaxy Note7 from all air travel, and until further notice, this device will be restricted from all Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Fire is one of the greatest threats at sea and due to the safety concerns these devices present, if one is found in a guest's possession or unattended in a stateroom onboard, our policy instructs the crew to confiscate the device for safekeeping. The device will remain in our possession, in a safe, monitored location, for the duration of the cruise. Guests can reclaim their device at the conclusion of the cruise from the reception desk.

  • Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of any kind including water, soda and juices*
    For more information read our FAQ about "Can I bring water or soda on board?".

  • Unsealed food items will not be allowed onboard.

  • Firearms, weapons of any kind, ammunition, explosive substances or any goods of a dangerous nature

  • Irons / Ironing Boards and Steamers
    Guests are not permitted to bring and use their own irons or steamers onboard. Norwegian Cruise Line carries a limited number of irons and ironing boards which can be loaned to guests for a few hours at a time. They can be requested through housekeeping or Guest Services Desk.
    Irons and steamers would both be taken from guests at embarkation and returned at the end of the sailing.

  • Animals of any kind, except service or guide animals, provided the passenger notifies Carrier prior to the cruise of his intention to bring such animal and agrees to take sole responsibility for any expense, damage, injuries or losses associated with or caused by such animal.

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Day 3: Our one and only sea day!

 

 

Despite good intentions of rising early, we ended up switching off our alarms the previous night and instead woke at 10:15 am having had a wonderful unbroken night’s sleep. For what the cabins lack in size they sure make up for in efficiency and quality! The queen sized bed was as comfy,if not more comfortable than any hotel bed I’ve slept on previously. In addition, we were relieved to have barely noticed the rocking of the ship overnight. We had been concerned prior to sailing that the extreme forward position of our cabin may have us feeling a bit green, however neither of us experienced any nausea throughout the week! On this particular itinerary, the night on which the boat leaves Barcelona is typically rockier than all other nights however we felt very little motion in our cabin-certainly no more than we had experienced the previous year while in a mid-ship room.

 

 

First stop of the day would be the garden café for breakfast…or so we thought! On arrival to deck 15 we were told that breakfast within the buffet was now closed and they were preparing for lunch (it was 11:30 after all).We however were redirected to the great outdoors, a small poolside buffet area with all the essentials. I went for my usual fruit salad and also had my first taste of French toast (the raisin French toast was delicious and became one of my daily staples!)

 

 

Bellies full, we headed off in search of sun loungers,however as suspected, all were occupied! Although the atmosphere at the main pool deck is lively and fun (live music, water-slides etc.) our preference is to relax in Spice H2o (As a paediatric nurse it’s always nice to have a bit of adult only time!). For those of you unfamiliar with the Epic, Spice H2o is an adult-only area located at the rear of the ship. It has its own pool bar with tables and chairs, a small swimming pool with plenty of sun loungers and two whirlpools overlooking the ocean. As it was a sea day, the crew were well prepared for the masses and had a small beer stall with ice water dispenser set up beside the pool to minimise queues at the bar.

 

 

We set up a lookout station at one of the bar tables to ensure we had a good view of the area and allow us to prance at the right time! Twenty minutes later as I patrolled the area for the 3rd time, I suddenly heard my name and glanced up to see Gary gesturing furiously towards the opposite side of the deck. I made a beeline in the general direction in which he was pointing and sure enough, came across an empty chair! As it happened, the lady beside was just leaving and we had secured two loungers in a prime location right next to the pool! BINGO!

 

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The afternoon was spent in and out of the pool (it was 30 degrees!) with cocktails aplenty. My drink of the day was the mango meltdown while Gary alternated between beer and Gin and Tonics. There was table service with 2-3 crew members taking and delivering drink orders. At one point a staff member came around with cold towels and ice-pops for everyone- what luxury!! Prior to sailing we had anticipated that service may be slower due to the new all-inclusive package however this was certainly not the case! We rarely queued for more than 1 minute at any bar and there was often table servers which meant we barely left our loungers!

 

 

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That evening we once again dined in the Manhattan room, both ordering the Szechuan Chicken which was nice but quite salty (All foods on board were a little saltier than I’d be used to but all very tasty!). A live band played while we ate each night and the service was fabulous. We finished off the night in the Cavern Club with the ‘Epic Beatles’- The show was great and I’d recommend getting there early to get seats as this really filled up as the show went on! We headed to bed around 2 am- but not before a quick stroll around the deck and a game or two of blackjack for me! Tomorrow would be a long day with a trip to Sorrento planned!

 

 

A quick note: In my excitement the first 3 days I forgot to take pictures as you can probably tell I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel! I got my act together from Day 4 so pictures will be plentiful from tomorrow!

 

 

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A quick selfie pre-dinner (As you can tell Gary loves pictures!)

 

 

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Snaps from our late-night stroll

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No straighteners.....not impressed if they take mine off me...worried now :/

 

I'd say you will be ok! From the responses it seems that this isn't normal and perhaps was a particularly strict inspection officer!

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app

 

OP - re your GHDs. I think this has been some over zealous inspection officer. There is absolutely NOTHING in the terms which state the prohibition of straighteners.

I'd have them for that when I come home! They owe you some gesture of goodwill - A "bad hair day" on vacation can mean a lot to many - You are stunning and although we all think you are gorgeous with or without them - You might not "feel dressed up" without your GHDs.

I'd have them for it! NOT acceptable! Kick up stink!

 

https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/faq#what-to-bring

 

What can't I bring onboard?

Passengers should not bring the following items onboard any Norwegian Cruise Line ship:

  • Drones (Game Flying Device)
    Guests are not permitted to bring drones onboard for safety of other guests, as well as the welfare of the vessel.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note7
    In light of recent safety issues with the Samsung Galaxy Note7, we are asking our guests who own this model to please avoid travelling with this mobile device. The Federal Aviation Administration has banned the Samsung Galaxy Note7 from all air travel, and until further notice, this device will be restricted from all Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Fire is one of the greatest threats at sea and due to the safety concerns these devices present, if one is found in a guest's possession or unattended in a stateroom onboard, our policy instructs the crew to confiscate the device for safekeeping. The device will remain in our possession, in a safe, monitored location, for the duration of the cruise. Guests can reclaim their device at the conclusion of the cruise from the reception desk.

  • Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of any kind including water, soda and juices*
    For more information read our FAQ about "Can I bring water or soda on board?".

  • Unsealed food items will not be allowed onboard.

  • Firearms, weapons of any kind, ammunition, explosive substances or any goods of a dangerous nature

  • Irons / Ironing Boards and Steamers
    Guests are not permitted to bring and use their own irons or steamers onboard. Norwegian Cruise Line carries a limited number of irons and ironing boards which can be loaned to guests for a few hours at a time. They can be requested through housekeeping or Guest Services Desk.
    Irons and steamers would both be taken from guests at embarkation and returned at the end of the sailing.

  • Animals of any kind, except service or guide animals, provided the passenger notifies Carrier prior to the cruise of his intention to bring such animal and agrees to take sole responsibility for any expense, damage, injuries or losses associated with or caused by such animal.

 

I'd say your right! The number of bags in the holding area was I'd imagine, far less than the number of straighteners onboard! Perhaps someone was taking their job to the extreme! I didn't mind too much though and I'd imagine Gary was secretly delighted as it meant less waiting time for him pre-dinner!

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You two are so cute! What a great review. I love the positivity. You can feel your joy. I feel sure that positivity contributes to an outstanding vacation. Thank you so much for taking us along and sharing your good time!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Day 4: Port of Naples

 

After a late night the previous evening, the sound of our alarm ringing at 8:15 am was certainly not music to our ears. However, we had a full day ahead of us and no time to waste. We had decided to take the train from Naples to Sorrento for lunch in the same stunning clifftop restaurant we had eaten in the previous year.

 

After a quick breakfast, we headed to the gangway and were disembarked in less than five minutes (there were no queues!). As we had traveled to both Pompeii and Sorrento last year, we were familiar with the route. We purchased our bus tickets from a small tobaconist just outside the port and crossed the road to wait for the number 151 bus which would take us the ten minute journey to Naples train station.

 

On arrival to the station we purchased our tickets- 5.90 euro each one way. In hindsight, I would avoid taking the train and if possible take the boat (The Alilauro Hydrofoil Ferry) which runs daily between Naples and Sorrento (This would require planning as departures are infrequent and can sell out!). We later used this boat to get back to Naples with the journey taking a mere 50 minutes vs the 1 hour 40 minute train journey. In addition, its air-conditioned unlike the train which was stifling!

 

By the time we arrived in Sorrento we were both starving (We had become accustomed to the constant eating that follows when given access to a buffet!). We made our way towards our chosen restaurant- La Pergola within the Bellevue Syrene, a stunning clifftop hotel overlooking the Gulf of Naples.The menu features standard Italian cuisine-pizza, pasta and sandwiches. As creatures of habit, we both ordered the club sandwich just as we had the previous year! In addition, a selection of breads and complimentary bruschetta was offered which went down a treat!

 

 

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Entrance to the Bellevue Syrene

 

 

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Gary enjoying the view

 

 

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A better view of La Pergola ( I have to be honest and admit this was last years photo!)

 

After lunch we headed down to the port area where we purchased tickets for the boat back to Naples (Gary is a nervous traveler and had himself convinced it would sell out and we’d be stranded!). The tickets cost 12.50 euro per person with the final ferry departing at 16:25 pm.

With 90 minutes until our Ferry was due to depart, I was determined to find somewhere to swim. Although the vast majority of beach is occupied by Hotels and private companies, we managed to find a small area in which we could swim without paying 30 euro for a sunbed! I changed into my swimsuit and plunged into the sea, totally oblivious to the fact that I’d forgotten a towel! Twenty minutes of drip drying ensued and we were left with just enough time to grab an ice-cream before boarding the ferry. On arrival back to the Ship,we were greeted with cold towels and flavored water- another nice touch!

 

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Our view of the Clifftops from the ferry departure area

 

 

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That evening we had booked tickets to see Christian Miro- a magician and ventriloquist who was performing multiple times throughout the week. The show was enjoyable with the ventriloquism being the highlight!Afterwards we booked tickets for his main performance which would be held in the Epic Theatre the following evening.

 

Dinner was once again in the Manhattan room. I ordered Sweet and sour pork while Gary tried the Spaghetti Carbonara. After eating we intended on visiting the Abba party in Spice H2o but got side-tracked on deck 6! One of my favourite aspects of a cruise on the Epic is the ship's transformation from day to night. By night, deck 6 comes alive with so much going on that it’s difficult to choose what to do next! Between the shows, casino, restaurants and bars it’s a wonder anyone goes to bed at all! Alas…we did! Exhaustion took over and we returned to the cabin at some stage during the early hours of the morning!

 

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You two are so cute! What a great review. I love the positivity. You can feel your joy. I feel sure that positivity contributes to an outstanding vacation. Thank you so much for taking us along and sharing your good time!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks so much for such a lovely comment! We really did have a wonderful time!

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