EPIC REVIEW - Oct 2,1010(Western) Group Cruise ages 3-70 Extreme review with photos!

[#1TravelMom]

What great descriptions and pictures! Thank you for sharing your trip with us. We're leaving on the Epic next Saturday for 2 weeks, and now we're even more pumped about it! Taking an inside cabin for the first time and have been concerned we would regret it, but it seems now like we'll survive.

 

2 weeks - that is what I wish we had done. We really needed 2-3 days more to do everything we wanted to do and then several days to relax and just enjoy everything would have been great. We've been on 25+ cruises, and no matter what I say before we leave - I always try to do everything the ship has to offer- the EPIC has just too much. I just need to let a little more time to relax.

 

Are there just 2 of you in the inside? If so, you will be fine. We really were in our cabin so little, it just wasn't an issue for us. So many people go on and on and on about the cabins, sinks, bathrooms, etc. - we were too busy having fun to let anything bother us.

[shimmy80]

What a great review and great pics too. I am so excited I can not wait to go.

[happy cruzer]

Can you share more about the dancing in Manhattan?

 

I am thinking of booking the Epic just for this feature.

 

What times do they have the dancing? Do the dancers seem to just dance during their meals, afterwards (i.e. hold a table for their seating during the evening?)

 

Is there a bar area that the dancers can sit at between dances not use up a dining room table?

 

Music played? Typical ballroom? Latin?

 

Any little detail is helpful.. I asked on many threads and usally get no info other that there is dancing.....

 

Manhattan Room - Manhattan Band

Days 1 & 3 5:30pm-7:30pm 8pm-9pm

Day 2 5:30pm-7:30pm 8pm-9pm Big Band Tribute

Day 4 5:30pm-6:30pm 7:30pm-8:30pm

9pm-11pm Bernie Martini and the Band (Sinatra to Buble)

Days 5, 6, & 7 5:30pm-6:30pm 7:30pm-8:30pm 9pm-11pm

 

It appeared that people would just get up and dance between courses and after dinner. They kept their tables. The dining room never seemed too crowded for this to be a problem. There is no bar for in between dances - people would just sit back down at their table and get back up when a song interested them. Holding a table never seemed to be an issue.

 

There were all types of music and a great variety of dancing. I was amazed at the dancers and their level of coordination with each other. They were all great and seemed to be having a very good time.

 

It will be likely that you will really enjoy this aspect of the cruise. Everyone seemed to like the dancing - even those of us who just watched. There were all levels of ability - from the style of my husband and I - we don't have a clue how to dance formally and just sway back and forth. There were several couples each night enjoying this type of dancing. Then, there were others who appeared to be fresh off a world professional dance tour - really very good!

 

Thanks for the details, sounds like what we would love!

[Paramour007]

How many bags did you give out in Roatan to the children. If we do 25, is that enough, I'm afraid that if we stop in a neighborhood and the kids come running, we'll run out without being able to give each child one. Did you just ask your guide when you saw him to take you to a neighborhood and did you set it up with the tour company ahead of time? We leave in 3 weeks and plan of doing this. You did such a wonderful thing, and it already is making us hooked and we haven't even gotten there yet!

[#1TravelMom]

So sorry I didn't get back to you more quickly - family illnesses! We took 40-50 bags, but even if you take 2 - it will help. That will mean 2 children have more than they did before you came. If you tour with Ronystours.com - the guides are very helpful in giving suggestions for where to hand things out, based on what you have with you. It's wonderful that you are thinking of others.

[cruiseman111111]

Nice review, photos.

[jdvmd]

Just came across your great review, #1TravelMom. We were on the same sailing and virtually did the same activities as you - booked with Rony for Roatan (had his dad as our driver) and went to infinity Bay (stayed undercover at the bar for the entire time). Had a great time on the Epic. We didn't get to everything either. Would love to spend another week on her.

[mrandmrsc10210]

Wow! This is probably the most comprehensive and detailed review of the Epic yet! We leave for our honeymoon cruise on the Epic in just a few short weeks and after seeing your picture review I would have to say that I'm more excited than ever!

 

Thank you for taking the time to do this!

[myboo]

First of all, you are a wonderful writer!! Thank you. I have been reading such 'debbie downer' reviews lately, yours really perked me up - I am now looking forward to our trip!

[The Klev]

Okay - here is my commercial. When we cruise-we want our children to understand how blessed we are to do so.

 

For months before we leave, we buy things each time we are at Walmart, etc. For example: pencils, toothbrushes, washcloths, bandaids, little toys, crayons, coloring books, and so on. Each time, I remind my little one that we are buying these for the upcoming cruise-to give to children who don’t have these things. I buy an old suitcase at a yard sale and fill it with gift bags. While visiting a port, we load everything into duffel bags and carry the empty suitcase. We give the suitcase to the first person who wants it-which is always the first person we offer it to. Then, while touring the island, we just choose an area to hand things out.other way.

 

First off, what a wonderful review.

 

Second, you are a woman of my own heart! When we went to Roatan in April, we stuffed 6 backpacks with school supplies and sporting goods (deflated and we brought a pump) and asked our guide to stop at a school and we gave all the supplies to the school. What appreciation we received!!!

 

I strongly urge to do what Travelmom and I did - while we are blessed to be able to go on these wonderful vacations, it is so enlightening to truly go to where there are those not as fortunate and to be able to spread a little cheer for them.

 

Thanks for posting your shots of Roatan and bringing back the fondest of memories...

 

Alan

[littlecruizer]

WOW...thank you. I have been on this site for years, post or reply rarely but felt compelled after reading your review. It was fantastic. I am booked on the EPIC sailing to Eastern Caribbean on January 15th and like most other readers, have read so many negative reviews that I was scared to go...but after reading your review, I am more excited than ever. I have cruised with NCL 5 previous times and loved it each time but always on the SKY and never on EPIC....I just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed your review and the pictures to go along with your descriptions were fantastic, please post more pictures, I live for them!!!!

Thanks again!

[cmdchiefthom]

This is what I call a review!!:D Your words, as well as some gorgeous pictures are simply wonderful. Thanks so much for posting.:)

[cosleygirl]

I am new to Cruise Critic, so I am not sure I am doing this right. I love your review of the Epic. We are going with 17 people over Thanksgiving. Did you make advance reservations for your dining and entertainment for your group?

[Sauer-kraut]

I am new to Cruise Critic, so I am not sure I am doing this right. I love your review of the Epic. We are going with 17 people over Thanksgiving. Did you make advance reservations for your dining and entertainment for your group?

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic, cosley!! You did just fine. :D

 

(Sorry I can't answer your questions, though :o)

[redskyy1]

We're going on the Epic in Dec for the first time and will be in a inside Cabin, (Casino comp) I read this board fully but didn't see answers to my questions. Is there a hairdryer in the cabin or should I bring one....and do you HAVE to make advance reservations for the speciality restaurants or can you do it the same day?

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Loved this review & pictures, helped me relive my 11 nights on Epic in May & got me more excited for my 7 days coming up in Nov.:D

 

cosleygirl ~ welcome to Cruise Critic. Now if you want to chat with others going on the Nov 19th cruise follow this link.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1332691&page=27

 

we're a mixed bag of fun people!;)

 

BTW forget those downer reviews, have you noticed how many people are taking their 2nd cruise? It can't be that bad!

 

redskyy1 ~ the studio cabin had a hairdryer so I imagine an inside would too. I suggest making reservations in advance if you don't want to be disappointed.

 

Ciao

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[redskyy1]

Thanks so much! We've been booked since July. Starting to really get excited. First time on Epic but have been on lots of NCL. Our fav since we don't HAVE to dress up if we don't want!! We are btb on the Pearl . That should make us latitude Platium.

[15stars]

#1TravelMom, I just loved your review! Thank you so much for spending the time to give so much information and especially all the pictures. I am thinking of taking the Epic for a week long cruise with 4 of us in an inside cabin. I say thinking b/c the ONE thing holding me back is the SF of the room seems SOOOO small. I wonder where does the luggage go? That is the only thing I didn't see in your review or photos. I called Norweign and was told the luggage would not fit under the beds....that is where I was thinking I could stick it. :( So what did you do?

[farmgirl63]

#1TravelMom, I just loved your review! Thank you so much for spending the time to give so much information and especially all the pictures. I am thinking of taking the Epic for a week long cruise with 4 of us in an inside cabin. I say thinking b/c the ONE thing holding me back is the SF of the room seems SOOOO small. I wonder where does the luggage go? That is the only thing I didn't see in your review or photos. I called Norweign and was told the luggage would not fit under the beds....that is where I was thinking I could stick it. :( So what did you do?

 

We sailed in March and had 4 in a cabin. The luggage fit just fine under the bed for us!

Enjoy your cruise because you will love it!

[canuckgal33]

Thank you for the wonderful review!! We will be going on the Epic in one week and I can't wait!!