Epic review Feb.5-FEB.12 THE GOOD AND BAD!

[rckymtair]

I would like to start this out by saying that we are very picky people (just to give you a idea how picky we are when we stay in hotels we usually book Hilton Hotels because of how picky we are we like higher class rooms) We have been on 2 cruises before so we have not cruised as much as alot of you on this forum.

 

Before we left for the Epic I was concerend (like alot of people) about all the bad reviews about the Epic such as the shower/toilet combo, sink in cabin overflowing, smoking in cabin and on ship (which we are non smokers), and many other bad and negative reviews on the Epic.

 

Well I have to tell you alot of those bad reviews that I read after being on the Epic for a week I am suprised they were even writen.

 

Here is my review:

 

1. Cabin: we had a deluxe balcony cabin on deck 9 (9095) the cabin was very nice a little cramped with 2 people in the room, the bed was fine I am 6 feet in height and just pulled the bed away from the wall to give more room the bed was perfect. The shower/ toilet did not bother us at all and cannot see it be a problem unless you are staying with someone who you do not want to see your privates (if you know what I mean) their is a curtain you can pull to make it more private, the cabin for 2 people is plenty big enough I think any more than 2 people it may be kind of cramped but we were very hapy with the cabin it was very clean modern and had plenty of space. on the sink I think why so many people have wrote reviews on the sink overflowing is because when they clean the room the push down the stopper on the sink to fill the sink to clean the room it took us a couple of days to figure out you have to push the stopper not pull it so the water will drain down the sink.

 

2. Food: We tried to keep a budget on our trip and only ate at the restraunts that are included in the cruise. The manhattan was very good and we liked their food, the taste was very good and had good food also. The Garden Cafe was average I am not a big person for buffet food but I have to say it was very good for a buffet we usually ate their in the morning since it was quick. over all the food was great and we had no complaints about the food or the service.

 

3. Entertainment: The blue man group was very good we have seen them in vegas and we think their show in vegas was better but you have to understand you are on a cruise ship and it is not going to be as good as vegas so we have no complaints, Second city was very good we liked it so much that we went to it twice. The magician was very good as well. The other thing that we liked is all the game shows that they had almost every night, I think the entertainment is the best you will find on a cruise ship we could not have asked for any better.

 

Here are the negative and the only bads parts of our cruise:

 

1. we purchase a soda card for both me and my wife and sometimes when you asked some crew members to fill soda (and I should state only some crew members) they did not like to fill it the would rather sell you a drink, I think this is because they get commission on selling bar drinks and would rather fill them then a free soda drink I should state that this was with some of the crew members not all of them.

 

2. We purchased a transfer from the fort Lauderdale airport to the cruise, I called NCL about 3 times a few days before we went to the airport and asked when we could take the first shuttle to the cruise they told me that the first shuttle goes out at 9:00 am both people I talked to at Ncl told me that so we went to the airport at 9:00 am hoping we could get a shuttle right away, well when we got to the airport the first shuttle does not leave until 10:30 also we found at the airport their is many less price Group people shuttles that will take you to the cruise we paid $50.00 a person and their is alot of them that will take you for $15.00-$25.00 a person.

 

3. We did a western carribean cruise and did excursion on Costa Maya and also Roatan we purchased these through NCL, The costa Maya ruin tour we really enjoyed, the Roatan sightseeing/ beach tour we have a complaint and I would not recommened at all the tour was great until we got to the beach, at the beach we were dropped off for about a hour we sat on the beach for about a hour their were not enough chairs for everyone so some people had to sit on the beach, after everyone got off the beach and went back to the bus, anyone whom went on the beach had red bug bites all over them (that has been about 4 days ago and I still have them all over me) we asked the tour guide and she said it was no big deal it happens all the time they take people their that they are sand flea bites well I believe she should have warned people before they went on the beach about them

 

Overall we are very satisfied with the cruise and would go agian on the Epic as a matter a fact we are thinking about doing the eastern Carribean cruise soon.

 

Anyone that is concerened about bad reviews that they read ask us about them I think alot of them are false do not worry about the Epic ! We were very pleased and would go agian in a minute !

[shmoopea]

Thanks for your insightful review. We are slated to go on the Epic next week. In regards to the sand fleas, did they tell you how to avoid getting bitten, or is it inevitable. We're scheduled for a beach day in Roatan and sand flea bites just don't seem like a good time to me..lol

[newmexicoNita]

I would like to start this out by saying that we are very picky people (just to give you a idea how picky we are when we stay in hotels we usually book Hilton Hotels because of how picky we are we like higher class rooms) We have been on 2 cruises before so we have not cruised as much as alot of you on this forum.

 

Before we left for the Epic I was concerend (like alot of people) about all the bad reviews about the Epic such as the shower/toilet combo, sink in cabin overflowing, smoking in cabin and on ship (which we are non smokers), and many other bad and negative reviews on the Epic.

 

Well I have to tell you alot of those bad reviews that I read after being on the Epic for a week I am suprised they were even writen.

 

Here is my review:

 

1. Cabin: we had a deluxe balcony cabin on deck 9 (9095) the cabin was very nice a little cramped with 2 people in the room, the bed was fine I am 6 feet in height and just pulled the bed away from the wall to give more room the bed was perfect. The shower/ toilet did not bother us at all and cannot see it be a problem unless you are staying with someone who you do not want to see your privates (if you know what I mean) their is a curtain you can pull to make it more private, the cabin for 2 people is plenty big enough I think any more than 2 people it may be kind of cramped but we were very hapy with the cabin it was very clean modern and had plenty of space. on the sink I think why so many people have wrote reviews on the sink overflowing is because when they clean the room the push down the stopper on the sink to fill the sink to clean the room it took us a couple of days to figure out you have to push the stopper not pull it so the water will drain down the sink.

 

2. Food: We tried to keep a budget on our trip and only ate at the restraunts that are included in the cruise. The manhattan was very good and we liked their food, the taste was very good and had good food also. The Garden Cafe was average I am not a big person for buffet food but I have to say it was very good for a buffet we usually ate their in the morning since it was quick. over all the food was great and we had no complaints about the food or the service.

 

3. Entertainment: The blue man group was very good we have seen them in vegas and we think their show in vegas was better but you have to understand you are on a cruise ship and it is not going to be as good as vegas so we have no complaints, Second city was very good we liked it so much that we went to it twice. The magician was very good as well. The other thing that we liked is all the game shows that they had almost every night, I think the entertainment is the best you will find on a cruise ship we could not have asked for any better.

 

Here are the negative and the only bads parts of our cruise:

 

1. we purchase a soda card for both me and my wife and sometimes when you asked some crew members to fill soda (and I should state only some crew members) they did not like to fill it the would rather sell you a drink, I think this is because they get commission on selling bar drinks and would rather fill them then a free soda drink I should state that this was with some of the crew members not all of them.

 

2. We purchased a transfer from the fort Lauderdale airport to the cruise, I called NCL about 3 times a few days before we went to the airport and asked when we could take the first shuttle to the cruise they told me that the first shuttle goes out at 9:00 am both people I talked to at Ncl told me that so we went to the airport at 9:00 am hoping we could get a shuttle right away, well when we got to the airport the first shuttle does not leave until 10:30 also we found at the airport their is many less price Group people shuttles that will take you to the cruise we paid $50.00 a person and their is alot of them that will take you for $15.00-$25.00 a person.

 

3. We did a western carribean cruise and did excursion on Costa Maya and also Roatan we purchased these through NCL, The costa Maya ruin tour we really enjoyed, the Roatan sightseeing/ beach tour we have a complaint and I would not recommened at all the tour was great until we got to the beach, at the beach we were dropped off for about a hour we sat on the beach for about a hour their were not enough chairs for everyone so some people had to sit on the beach, after everyone got off the beach and went back to the bus, anyone whom went on the beach had red bug bites all over them (that has been about 4 days ago and I still have them all over me) we asked the tour guide and she said it was no big deal it happens all the time they take people their that they are sand flea bites well I believe she should have warned people before they went on the beach about them

 

Overall we are very satisfied with the cruise and would go agian on the Epic as a matter a fact we are thinking about doing the eastern Carribean cruise soon.

 

Anyone that is concerened about bad reviews that they read ask us about them I think alot of them are false do not worry about the Epic ! We were very pleased and would go agian in a minute !

 

now you know how to do an objective cruise. This is exactly what most people want to hear, your opinion but fair and balanced.

 

Nita

[sdmike]

Thanks for your insightful review. We are slated to go on the Epic next week. In regards to the sand fleas, did they tell you how to avoid getting bitten, or is it inevitable. We're scheduled for a beach day in Roatan and sand flea bites just don't seem like a good time to me..lol

 

insect repellent. We actually "set up shop" at tables at the tented outdoor restaurant at Infinity Bay so we were never laying on the beach.

[toomuchluggage]

Thanks for you review. Now you know that anything booked through ship ie excursions and transfers is always way more money than booking on your own.

[Zeno]

I would like to start this out by saying that we are very picky people (just to give you a idea how picky we are when we stay in hotels we usually book Hilton Hotels because of how picky we are we like higher class rooms) We have been on 2 cruises before so we have not cruised as much as alot of you on this forum.

 

Before we left for the Epic I was concerend (like alot of people) about all the bad reviews about the Epic such as the shower/toilet combo, sink in cabin overflowing, smoking in cabin and on ship (which we are non smokers), and many other bad and negative reviews on the Epic.

 

Well I have to tell you alot of those bad reviews that I read after being on the Epic for a week I am suprised they were even writen.

 

Here is my review:

 

1. Cabin: we had a deluxe balcony cabin on deck 9 (9095) the cabin was very nice a little cramped with 2 people in the room, the bed was fine I am 6 feet in height and just pulled the bed away from the wall to give more room the bed was perfect. The shower/ toilet did not bother us at all and cannot see it be a problem unless you are staying with someone who you do not want to see your privates (if you know what I mean) their is a curtain you can pull to make it more private, the cabin for 2 people is plenty big enough I think any more than 2 people it may be kind of cramped but we were very hapy with the cabin it was very clean modern and had plenty of space. on the sink I think why so many people have wrote reviews on the sink overflowing is because when they clean the room the push down the stopper on the sink to fill the sink to clean the room it took us a couple of days to figure out you have to push the stopper not pull it so the water will drain down the sink.

 

2. Food: We tried to keep a budget on our trip and only ate at the restraunts that are included in the cruise. The manhattan was very good and we liked their food, the taste was very good and had good food also. The Garden Cafe was average I am not a big person for buffet food but I have to say it was very good for a buffet we usually ate their in the morning since it was quick. over all the food was great and we had no complaints about the food or the service.

 

3. Entertainment: The blue man group was very good we have seen them in vegas and we think their show in vegas was better but you have to understand you are on a cruise ship and it is not going to be as good as vegas so we have no complaints, Second city was very good we liked it so much that we went to it twice. The magician was very good as well. The other thing that we liked is all the game shows that they had almost every night, I think the entertainment is the best you will find on a cruise ship we could not have asked for any better.

 

Here are the negative and the only bads parts of our cruise:

 

1. we purchase a soda card for both me and my wife and sometimes when you asked some crew members to fill soda (and I should state only some crew members) they did not like to fill it the would rather sell you a drink, I think this is because they get commission on selling bar drinks and would rather fill them then a free soda drink I should state that this was with some of the crew members not all of them.

 

2. We purchased a transfer from the fort Lauderdale airport to the cruise, I called NCL about 3 times a few days before we went to the airport and asked when we could take the first shuttle to the cruise they told me that the first shuttle goes out at 9:00 am both people I talked to at Ncl told me that so we went to the airport at 9:00 am hoping we could get a shuttle right away, well when we got to the airport the first shuttle does not leave until 10:30 also we found at the airport their is many less price Group people shuttles that will take you to the cruise we paid $50.00 a person and their is alot of them that will take you for $15.00-$25.00 a person.

 

3. We did a western carribean cruise and did excursion on Costa Maya and also Roatan we purchased these through NCL, The costa Maya ruin tour we really enjoyed, the Roatan sightseeing/ beach tour we have a complaint and I would not recommened at all the tour was great until we got to the beach, at the beach we were dropped off for about a hour we sat on the beach for about a hour their were not enough chairs for everyone so some people had to sit on the beach, after everyone got off the beach and went back to the bus, anyone whom went on the beach had red bug bites all over them (that has been about 4 days ago and I still have them all over me) we asked the tour guide and she said it was no big deal it happens all the time they take people their that they are sand flea bites well I believe she should have warned people before they went on the beach about them

 

Overall we are very satisfied with the cruise and would go agian on the Epic as a matter a fact we are thinking about doing the eastern Carribean cruise soon.

 

Anyone that is concerened about bad reviews that they read ask us about them I think alot of them are false do not worry about the Epic ! We were very pleased and would go agian in a minute !

 

Nice review! Did you complain at the tour desk about the lack of chairs on your beach tour? I think you should have - NCL should know that the tour provider is not doing a very good job.

[shmoopea]

insect repellent. We actually "set up shop" at tables at the tented outdoor restaurant at Infinity Bay so we were never laying on the beach.

Thanks for the tip Mike!

[rckymtair]

On the beach excursion in Roatan we never complained but I thought I would call Ncl on Monday and let them know what I think of the beach/ sightseeing touring in Roatan I put the tour company(even though we paid for it through NCL) at fault they should have more chairs for the beach and they should pre warn people of the sand fleas, I think either insect spray would help !

 

One other thing that I forgot to put on my review is I read alot of reviews about the Epic being smoky and the rooms smelling like smoke ! We do not smoke and the only time I ever smelled smoke was when you went through the casino.

 

The ship was very crowed on sea days but you could always find a chair to be outside !

 

I really think for anyone who is thinking about a Epic cruies do not be scared about the bad reviews we were a little scared but after being on the Epic we would do the Epic agian in a heart beat !!

 

If anyone has any questions regarding the Epic please let me know.

[allexcited]

I really think for anyone who is thinking about a Epic cruise do not be scared about the bad reviews we were a little scared but after being on the Epic we would do the Epic again in a heart beat !!

 

If anyone has any questions regarding the Epic please let me know.

 

Thank you for a very honest and objective review. We are first time cruisers going on the Epic Western Med in October and also feel a bit apprehensive after reading some of the reviews.

Grateful if you could answer a few questions :-

1) Did you use the spa and if so what treatments did you try/recommend and what were the prices.

2) Can you take wine on board and if so how much and what is the corkage fee (different posts on this subject seem very confusing- yes= $15 a bottle, no =confiscated)

Glad you had a lovely trip!:)

[cruise4chris]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review. We are going on our first cruise ever next month on the Epic and I appreciate the information. We are trying to decide on excursions, so the Roatan info was good to know.

[rckymtair]

Allexcited... we never did any spa packages but I heard the best deals you can get on them is the first day you board. I think you can bring wine on board not sure how much though I would Call Ncl but the offer wine for sell with every meal and it is very reasonable.

 

On Roatan.... even with our bad excursion we still loved Roatan I would say out of all the ports Roatan was our favorite although we have been to Cozumel many times.

[cantw8togo]

Regarding the wine; you can order a bottle and save it for another meal in another restaurant or you an take it back to your cabin. They asked that you not bring drinks purchased elsewhere into the Epic Theatre (Blue Man Group and other shows), but you could order drinks in there. Wine started at about $26 a bottle.

 

I have read that you can bring your own wine on board, but they do charge a $15 corkage fee...sometimes. We didn't end up doing this, but ordered several bottles over the course of the week. They also have the bucket of beer special, 6 for the price of 5 for $28 and you can take the remainder back to the cabin and store it in the fridge.

[donaldsc]

Yours is an example of what a review should look like - short, no personal information, no photographs. In a review of a play or musical, we do not get details about the personal life of the actors and we also do not get pictures of them out of costume. A review of a cruise should be the same.

 

Just the facts - stated briefly.

 

DON

[housepeepers]

We were there also and agree with your assessment of the Epic, a lovely ship. We took a private tour in Roatan with a wonderful driver ( I am not sure I am allowed to mention his company/name) and ate at Half Moon Bay overlooking the water ( while it rained). The Chacchoben Mayan Ruins tour we took thru NCL was great, our guide was phenomenal and we were happy that we paid the price for that excursion.

 

Looking forward to the Western Med on the Epic in late spring 2012.

[Zeno]

On the beach excursion in Roatan we never complained but I thought I would call Ncl on Monday and let them know what I think of the beach/ sightseeing touring in Roatan I put the tour company(even though we paid for it through NCL) at fault they should have more chairs for the beach and they should pre warn people of the sand fleas, I think either insect spray would help !

 

 

While I do think that you should have complained while on board the ship - I agree that you should let NCL know about this tour company. A beach tour should absolutely include enough chairs for the people booked. I am glad that overall your cruise was good.

[Warmer Climes]

3. We did a western carribean cruise and did excursion on Costa Maya and also Roatan we purchased these through NCL, The costa Maya ruin tour we really enjoyed, the Roatan sightseeing/ beach tour we have a complaint and I would not recommened at all the tour was great until we got to the beach, at the beach we were dropped off for about a hour we sat on the beach for about a hour their were not enough chairs for everyone so some people had to sit on the beach, after everyone got off the beach and went back to the bus, anyone whom went on the beach had red bug bites all over them (that has been about 4 days ago and I still have them all over me) we asked the tour guide and she said it was no big deal it happens all the time they take people their that they are sand flea bites well I believe she should have warned people before they went on the beach about them

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. I'm packing today for our Epic cruise and I would have forgotten the insect repellant if it wasn't for your review!

[jdvmd]

Thanks for your insightful review. We are slated to go on the Epic next week. In regards to the sand fleas, did they tell you how to avoid getting bitten, or is it inevitable. We're scheduled for a beach day in Roatan and sand flea bites just don't seem like a good time to me..lol

 

There is no way to avoid the sand fleas but using insect repellent is not good. I had read on the CC boards to use repellent. I was the only one in our group of 17 who did and I was the only one to get bit. The bites were all over me and didn't show up until the next morning. Finally went away after several days. This happened when we were at West Bay in April. The second time, we went was in October and nothing happened.

 

You cannot see them or feel the bites so unfortunately you don't know it is happening.

[Susie51]

Thank you for your balanced review. Since you paid for a beach excursion with NCL, I would definitely expect a beach chair, especially since they know about the sand flee problem. Ask for OBC for your next cruise. Many private beaches charge for the use of a chair. OBC for the cost of the chair seems reasonable.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks for the short and balanced review. We plan to have a good time and take the pros over the cons as for me it is better to be on the Epic than being at work! We will be prepared for the fleas and other biting insects/bugs.

[cmdchiefthom]

rckymtair,

 

Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you enjoyed the Epic.:) The Sand Fleas on Roatan's beaches are sort of well known, and we bring Deep Woods Off toweletts, and that seems to take care of them.;) We're headed out aboard the Epic in about 6 weeks, and reading your review certainly makes me feel like we're really going to enjoy this trip.:D

[heygirlie76]

bug spray will not work with fleas, think of animals you can't just spray them with bug spray. Try taking garlic pills everyday from now until after you get back. It gets in your bloodstream and turns the fleas off. Also its not a chemical that will go through your skin and get absorbed into your system