Orangegrove’s Epic Adventure – Two Week Cruise from July 17-31, Eastern and Western C

[bucklind2]

Enjoyed your review..

I have a question...

Do you happen to know if robes were available for sale in the gift shop?

 

 

I bought one on the Dawn in June. The light weight ones are $45.00 and the heavy weight ones are $75.00. If you want one ask your room steward to get you a new one, they will come in a plastic bag. :)

[braxx20]

What a TREMENDOUS review you have done! Thanks so much!! I have a few questions:

 

Do they have a "captain's party with free drinks? Also we are Bronze, do they have a separate party for us?

 

Do we need to dress up formal any night?

 

How are you notified about the "meet and greet"? I've posted on the roll call but nobody answers any of my questions, probably because this is a new ship for them!

 

I don't see ANY mention of COFFEE. Is there free coffee throughout the day?

 

Thanks for your help in this regard.

[snorklinbarb]

orangegrove (and SDMike!) - No way could I come close to describing my 2 wks onboard like you guys have. Job well done! I love to hear how others spent their time.

 

Next time maybe just check out Slam Allen Blues Band (or whoever comes on) as it was utterly fantastic! One night DH insisted we stay for all 3 sets.

 

I know what you mean about the phone light but thanks to CC we were prepared as well to shut it off!

 

With your permission, I'll answer a couple of questions that came up along the way. Hope everyone has a great time onboard Epic!:D

[snorklinbarb]

Dan, yes we had to do the 2nd Muster drill. I asked several people because many people here (CC) said they didn't have to. New regulations maybe:confused:

 

I was not required to do the muster drill the 2nd wk. DH went without me, checked in and told them I was B2B. No problem. Asked a previous B2B'er as well and was told they didn't have to repeat either.

[snorklinbarb]

I'm confused, isn't there a place for the B2B passengers to meet up at onboard. When I made reservations we were told, you could stay on the ship. Our cruise consultant also told us cruise would count as 2, we originally had booked each week separately and changed to 14 day based on (NCL) cruise consultants advice. Advice Please. :confused:

 

When you get your letter for the B2B'ers towards the end of the 1st wk, it will tell you to meet up in the atrium after "Last Call" is announced. They were escorted off as a group wearing "In Transit" stickers and were asked to take their customs forms and key cards along.

 

Unlike another B2B I took (also out of Miami), the group had to wait quite awhile in the terminal until they actually started letting guests embark. They are supposedly the first group on.

 

I actually got off the ship so had to take my passport along, too. Boarded with everyone else in that case.

 

As for the two bookings vs. one, you get the 2 Latitudes "credits" if booked separately but there can be a wide price difference so check it out carefully.

[snorklinbarb]

Our Cabin Steward Marissa made a new one each of our 14 nights! Well, not the first night. They were incredible here are a few, the sea turtle was our favorite!

 

Puppy

 

Rabbit

 

Crab

 

 

Sea Turtle

 

Pig

 

Snail

 

Very talented steward and one who definitely went the extra mile - was told they are asked to do 3 animals per wk. First cabin steward did just that but 2nd cabin steward added an extra in the morning at the end of the wk - it always takes me aback to see the unexpected hanging monkey!

[snorklinbarb]

Great review! I understand that they are Not doing Lattitude Party's on Epic but wonder if they did the Platinum and Silver and if so when? Also did you notice if they offered the Behind the Scenes Tour?

 

Thanks!

 

For silver, gold and platinum they do a wine & cheese on Weds. night from 5:30 to 6:30.

 

They are not selling a Behind the Scenes tour for $55 like other NCL ships. They did do a very abbreviated tour for platinums. I'll cover that in my review.

[snorklinbarb]

Do you know if his show in the Speigel tent is suppose to be different than the theater?

 

Thanks for the great 2nd half review. You and sdMike really make me want to go on the western cruise. Especially to Roaton. That places sounds like heaven no matter what you decide to do. :D

 

Jeff's shows are supposedly identical - I saw the one in the Spiegel the first night. I did talk to a few people in the pool who saw the 11 pm one and it sounded pretty much the same. He's funny and talented.

 

It was very close-up in the Spiegel though as I was sitting very close. Second week we were too late to get in since it's a very small venue.

[orangegrove]

What a TREMENDOUS review you have done! Thanks so much!! I have a few questions:

 

Do they have a "captain's party with free drinks? Also we are Bronze, do they have a separate party for us? Not on this ship.

 

Do we need to dress up formal any night? Nope, nada, never! :)

 

How are you notified about the "meet and greet"? I've posted on the roll call but nobody answers any of my questions, probably because this is a new ship for them! Whomever is the host sets it up with NCL and they usually post in your roll call thread.

 

I don't see ANY mention of COFFEE. Is there free coffee throughout the day? Yes, there is free coffee and then there is a specialty coffee bar in the atrium where you can pay for special items. They have free cake there though! :)

 

Thanks for your help in this regard.

 

Hope that helps some, if you have anymore questions let me know! :)

[orangegrove]

When you get your letter for the B2B'ers towards the end of the 1st wk' date=' it will tell you to meet up in the atrium after "Last Call" is announced. They were escorted off as a group wearing "In Transit" stickers and were asked to take their customs forms and key cards along.

 

Unlike another B2B I took (also out of Miami), the group had to wait quite awhile in the terminal until they actually started letting guests embark. They are supposedly the first group on.

 

I actually got off the ship so had to take my passport along, too. Boarded with everyone else in that case.

 

As for the two bookings vs. one, you get the 2 Latitudes "credits" if booked separately but there can be a wide price difference so check it out carefully.[/quote']

 

I'm so glad they changed that procedure. They probably had a few complaints from our group. We didn't complain, but I was going to make it as a suggestion.

 

Thanks Barb for answering some of those questions for folks!:)

[sh0rty470]

Thank you for the wonderful review! I do have a "non-cruise" question for you. When your son did the Intro to Scuba course in Cozumel, did he have to have a signed medical release or any forms that needed completed by your doctor? TIA

[orangegrove]

Thank you for the wonderful review! I do have a "non-cruise" question for you. When your son did the Intro to Scuba course in Cozumel, did he have to have a signed medical release or any forms that needed completed by your doctor? TIA

 

Nothing from our doctor, but the ship makes you fill out some forms prior to giving you your excursion tickets. Basic info stuff. I was not as concerned because my husband who is certified was going with him. He absolutely loved it. They were in a very small group and I think that helped a lot.

[KatieMcG]

What a fabulously thorough review. Thanks for the time and effort it took to re-live your vacation. It is certainly helping me look forward to mine!

[maja]

Orangegrove,

You mentioned you made tee shirts for your family. I love your idea! What did you do? Any pics?

[orangegrove]

Orangegrove,

You mentioned you made tee shirts for your family. I love your idea! What did you do? Any pics?

 

Sorry for the late reply, I was looking through my photos and didn't have a good picture of the whole shirt. The photographers did a nice shot, but I don't have a working scanner. In any case, I took a picture of my husband's shirt (front and back). My shirt went through the laundry on the ship and it wore some of the transfer away. If I had time I would have had the shirts made instead of doing it myself.

 

I made one for myself, DH, and DS. We wore them on embarkation day and to the CC M&G. We received several comments on them. Many NCL employees wanted to know what a NESS was! :D I said get on CC! :p They did say they rarely get on the internet due to time and the slow response. No Kidding!

 

Front view:

 

Rear View:

[maja]

Sorry for the late reply, I was looking through my photos and didn't have a good picture of the whole shirt. The photographers did a nice shot, but I don't have a working scanner. In any case, I took a picture of my husband's shirt (front and back). My shirt went through the laundry on the ship and it wore some of the transfer away. If I had time I would have had the shirts made instead of doing it myself.

 

I made one for myself, DH, and DS. We wore them on embarkation day and to the CC M&G. We received several comments on them. Many NCL employees wanted to know what a NESS was! :D I said get on CC! :p They did say they rarely get on the internet due to time and the slow response. No Kidding!

 

Front view:

 

Rear View:

 

 

WOW! What a great job! I could never be so creative. I like that you included NESS! Thank you for taking the time to reply & include photos.

[mitsugirly]

 

Front view:

 

Rear View:

 

 

Those are awesome! I'm liking them!

[orangegrove]

WOW! What a great job! I could never be so creative. I like that you included NESS! Thank you for taking the time to reply & include photos.

 

Thank you for your kind words! I made them at the last minute and we certainly had a lot of comments...I had lots of 'splaining to do! ;) :D

[orangegrove]

Those are awesome! I'm liking them!

 

Thanks girl...now you need to make some for your awesome adventure! :D

[pcreek]

LOVE your shirts!!

 

We're making tee shirts as well. Going to put the "I am EPIC / i am ness " logo on it (just an iron on. But...we're doing it on green tee shirts - to wear for boarding photo! since the green will be transparent on the photo, I really will BE Epic!! The ship will be there in place of the green shirt.

ok...so I'm a goof. LOL

(I won one of the original I am Epic shirts...but it doesn't fit. :(

 

Got my luggage tags in the mail this week, booked BMG, Legends & Second City today....now, just waiting!:D

[maja]

LOVE your shirts!!

 

We're making tee shirts as well. Going to put the "I am EPIC / i am ness " logo on it (just an iron on. But...we're doing it on green tee shirts - to wear for boarding photo! since the green will be transparent on the photo, I really will BE Epic!! The ship will be there in place of the green shirt.

ok...so I'm a goof. LOL

(I won one of the original I am Epic shirts...but it doesn't fit. :(

 

Got my luggage tags in the mail this week, booked BMG, Legends & Second City today....now, just waiting!:D

 

I used to be creative, now I'm just busy all the time doing a lot less than my younger days!:o

How do you get iron ons? Can I make them up at something like a Kinko's?

I'd love to figure this out before I cruise in Oct.

[orangegrove]

I used to be creative, now I'm just busy all the time doing a lot less than my younger days!:o

How do you get iron ons? Can I make them up at something like a Kinko's?

I'd love to figure this out before I cruise in Oct.

 

Go to Michael's or AC Moore. Some transfer paper is for dark shirts, some are for any color, and some are for white or light shirts. Get what you need for the color you have. Sign up for their email and get 40% off of the transfer paper. I used MS Publisher, but you can even use word. You use ink jet printer and voila!

[maja]

Go to Michael's or AC Moore. Some transfer paper is for dark shirts, some are for any color, and some are for white or light shirts. Get what you need for the color you have. Sign up for their email and get 40% off of the transfer paper. I used MS Publisher, but you can even use word. You use ink jet printer and voila!

 

Okay, now I have a better idea.

I'm going to try & make them.

I'll let you know if I voila!or not!!

 

thanks everyone.

[Aldeya]

Have a quick question for you :)

 

Did you have the same room steward for both weeks or they rotate them after each leg?

 

Thanks

[orangegrove]

Have a quick question for you :)

 

Did you have the same room steward for both weeks or they rotate them after each leg?

 

Thanks

 

Yes we did and Marissa was fabulous! :) Now, depending on when you go, some may be leaving the ship. I can't remember when she was leaving, I want to say January, some crew were leaving in November. So it will depend on their schedule also.