sdmike's review & daily diary of Epic's inaugural western Caribbean cruise

[sdmike]

me on right, my brother on the left

 

 

We opened the balconies between our rooms.

 

 

 

 

[sdmike]

[sdmike]

[sdmike]

Day 2 - First Sea Day (Sunday)

 

 

Linked balconies

 

 

 

[Mysschevous]

Can't you upload them faster??? I'm dying here looking at the pictures! :) Thanks for feeding our NESS! and great review. 13 more days until I sail!!!

[sdmike]

huge shade area under the sports deck, starboard side.

 

 

 

As crowded as the pool got, except for when the "hot legs" contest was going on. lol

 

 

The extra overhang for the 14th deck rooms in front under the "hat". We loved this in both sun and rain!

 

 

[arpster]

hats off to you Mike...just about the most complete cruise review Ive ever read ...and one of the best sets of cruise pics I've seen. excellent work fella

[sdmike]

A few Cirque pics from the top deck (standard seating)

 

 

 

 

Later in the evening, weather starts getting worse

 

 

[sdmike]

Day 3 - Our aborted attempt at Costa Maya (and second sea day)

 

Here you can see the fly-by we did. Got close and aborted, then did loops all day before heading south.

 

 

Here is why

 

 

 

 

Another hidden cabinet in the room

 

 

See why we like the extra overhang?

 

 

but, since we were going to be wet anyway, a perfect crowd-free day to play in the slides (once they opened in the PM)

 

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

Many thanks for such a thorough account of your trip.

Surprised you managed to fit so much in whilst blogging too.

Very informative and entertaining

[sdmike]

 

 

Projecting images onto mist in Bliss

 

 

blogging before bed :)

 

[sdmike]

Day 4 - Roatan! (best day ever!)

 

 

 

 

Victor Bodden's place

 

 

My 15yo son. First off the first platform!

 

 

70yo grandma with two titanium knees. Yes, anyone can do these.

 

[micheleg]

Great review and pics Mike! Thanks so much for posting. We can't wait...less than 3 weeks and it's our turn to go Westbound! Hopefully the weather will cooperate, but since we're Miamian's, we know how that goes...lol! We love the sea days anyway! Thanks again!

[sdmike]

my daughter, 9. Yep, anyone can do it!

 

 

yours truly

 

 

My son, just before he flipped. After a while we got comfortable enough to hang upside down. lol

 

 

Me and a new friend. By the way, check out the hair. Yes it was hot and humid in Roatan. The helmets didn't make it any better.

 

 

One little guy pulling stuff out of my daughter's pocket. lol

 

 

This is what happens when one gets a hold of your water bottle.

 

[DrD]

Thanks for the great review!

 

I was surprised to hear that you can't take liquids through security at the port, I've always been able to do so previously. (at other ports anyway.)

 

Is this new?

[sdmike]

monkey mind meld

 

 

This one took to my father right away. awwwwwww

 

 

My wife with some babies (well, 5 months old)

 

 

 

 

[sdmike]

Off to Infinity Bay

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sdmike]

 

Chillin...

 

 

The wifey and I.

 

 

The pool at the resort. It costs an extra $15 to use the pool and their beach chairs. We didn't do it, but bought lunch and beer in payment for use of their beach.

 

 

 

 

A visitor

[RandomFigment]

SDMike,

 

Thank you for you thorough coverage and GREAT pictures of the Epic. My wife and I are sailing the same cruise in January.

We live in Miami. I love the 2 pictures of South Beach from the what seems to be the top deck of the ship. It's a great image of our city. Any chance you could email me high resolution versions? I'd like to print them out and hang them up in my new office, with all credit going to you, of course!

Let me know at "c a r l o s @ d e y a r z a . c o m" , no quotes, no spaces.

Thank you!

Edited August 1, 2010 by RandomFigment

[sdmike]

 

 

 

 

 

[lovestocruise325]

Fantastic...can't wait until it is our turn. Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to do this. It is obvious that you are a big hit!

[sdmike]

Day 5 - Second Official Sea Day

 

Four people and 3 full suitcases and it all fits. The clutter on the counter are the daily things, like cards, cameras, etc.

 

 

Shelf that spans the connecting door if the occupant doesn't need the door.

 

 

Commemorative book we all received

 

 

Sailed through a pretty big thunderstorm at one point.

 

 

We're dry under our extended balcony cover

 

 

Plenty of covered bar stools when the weather isn't perfect

 

[miniwheat]

HELP I NEED MORE!!!LOL:D:o

[sdmike]

My favorite cook at the noodle bar

 

 

view down the aft from the spa balcony

 

The spa

 

 

Saunas with full windows

 

 

 

[sdmike]