Epic cabins???

[Mommabear5]

I have only been on one cruise and that was the CCL Inspiration back in 2003 before any upgrades were made. It was a fun time because we never have done anything like that before so we enjoyed most of that trip.

The cabin we had was an oceanview and it was roomy.

My family, friends, and I are looking into taken a cruise on the Epic next year but I am reading so much about the cabins being small.

Our group would be a mixture of inside cabins and a few balconys. We are all couples in our early to late 40's so the ship seems like a very active and fun time but now I am concerned about the cabins and how small they appear, even the balconys and mini suites seem pretty tight.

I did experience some seasickness the last time we cruised but I am planning to be better prepared this time around and I am thinking being the Epic is so much larger then the Inspiration, I should be fine but those tight quaters are causing me to rethink cruising on her if in fact I do get seasick again I would be spending some time alone in those cabins.

For those of you that have sailed her, would you go again?

If not why? If so why?

and anything else you think we should know about her?

[david_sobe]

Yes, one short coming of the Epic is the small size of the cabins. I was in a penthouse and it was very small and half the size of the penthouse on the NCL Sky. The cabins are very modren with flat panel TVs, funky lighting, new phones, curved walls, etc.

 

As you can see from my signature line, I am booked and sailing again. Every ship has pros and cons. Many dont like the bathroom concept with the sinks in the cabin and frosted glass shower doors. Heck, in the penthouse the phone is in the bathroom ;)

The curved walls were actually constructed to obtain more cabins and the interior space suffered this fate.

 

However, what the Epic has to offer is alot to consider. The restaurants and entertainment got us to come back a second time. The spa and gym are the biggest at sea. The waterpark has the best slides at sea.

[jdvmd]

The Epic is a great ship. Would definitely go back on her.

 

Our first cruise ever was on the Inspiration, then they changed the itinerary and we found ourselves back on her again and finally a third time. Not that we loved her, just because the itineraries were changed each time.

That said, Carnival is known for having the largest non-suite cabins around. Personally, I would jump at the Epic even if you are losing a little bit of square footage. There is no comparing the two ships.

[debnjoe1438]

I'd sail her again. Yea, the cabin is small, however big enough for 2. DH and I had plenty of room.

[kerrytens]

Add another yes vote to sailing on the Epic again. The cabins are quite functional (we had 3 in a mini suite).

 

If you are at all thinking about it, this ship offers too much to not book her!

 

Enjoy:D

[willysgrandma]

I also recommend going. Cabin us ok for 2 but I would never put more than 2 in a cabin. You will really only be in the cabin to sleep as there is so much to do.

[TEACRUISER]

2 of us in a spa deluxe balcony. Was smaller than some rooms but they are streamlined, clean and tons of storage. Managed no problem. We are set to sail again on her next month.

[Annieban50]

We were on the Epic in January, 2012. 3 couples had minisuites and one had an inside room. For reasons too long to explain, my daughter slept in my mom's minisuite and just one person was in the inside cabin. It was a bit crowded, but doable. Lots of storage helped.

 

The person in the inside room is a bit fussy by nature, but even she said it was not too small.

 

We'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[ColinIllinois]

As far as seasickness on the Epic I have sailed on her three times and the ship is so big that you barely feel it moving.

[bhm10101]

I sailed the Epic two weeks ago. My DW and DD (3) shared an aft balcony. The cabin was small but not too small to be enjoyable. Frankly, there is so much to do we were rarely in the cabin unless we were sleeping.

[2BSailin]

We are also going to have an aft cabin in May.

I have a rather different question. Are the cabin doors metal?

The past two NCL cruises that we have gone on we were able to put things (messages, etcl) on our doors with magnetic strips on the back. It was fun to decorate for a holiday on one of the cruises - quite a few people did that.

 

Thanks!

[sdmike]

We are also going to have an aft cabin in May.

I have a rather different question. Are the cabin doors metal?

The past two NCL cruises that we have gone on we were able to put things (messages' date=' etcl) on our doors with magnetic strips on the back. It was fun to decorate for a holiday on one of the cruises - quite a few people did that.

 

Thanks![/size']

 

Unlike Disney, I believe NCL frowns on this and may actually take them down. I didn't see a single door decoration on my Epic cruise.

[sdmike]

To the OP - We had 11 people in 3 balcony rooms and none of us had any problems with space. There is a ton of storage in the rooms, and while smaller than some spaces I've been in, the room was completely fine even with 4.

[LynneL]

We sailed on Carnival many times & sailed on the Epic 4 months ago. While Carnival cabins were larger, we didn't hesitate to book the Epic again for next year.

[ggcruiser]

Just got off our 3rd Epic cruise. Love that ship and feel like I've finally "done" that ship. She is a wonder - great food, great entertainment and I love the design of the cabins (we had 2 balconies for 4) - very cozy, not cramped. Pack light & have fun!!

[Burchrod]

We just got off the Epic this morning. We had four in our balcony cabin and it was tight.

 

Yes, the cabin is way too small for four people, but it's all about attitude. We had a blast and are planning to sail her again - with four people in the cabin again.

 

For two people, the room should be fine.

 

One word of advice for those sailing with four in the cabin - don't put anything you will need in the evening (like the kid's pajamas - just saying') in the overhead storage above the couch. When the upper bed is lowered the cabinets are completely blocked! LOL.

[em-sk]

Unlike Disney, I believe NCL frowns on this and may actually take them down. I didn't see a single door decoration on my Epic cruise.

 

I was on the EPIC recently and a few people had the fridge magnet decorations on their doors. They were there the entire cruise.

 

Inside and balcony cabins are small, but ok for two people sharing.

[2BSailin]

Thanks sdmike and em-sk.

The small magnets or small items with the magnet strips on the back is what I was talking about.

[Mommabear5]

Thanks everyone for you replies. I watched a few videos about the cabins and I think for just the 2 of us it would be ok but really wanted some feed back from people who actually did it.

 

I do have more questions if you all would be so kind.....

What exactly is not included in your fare?

I mean I know the speicality resturants are extra but what else?

Are all the shows included? Even the dinner shows or are they extra too?

Rock Climbing wall, water park, and bowling?

 

Can you stay in an inside cabin or regular balcony and still enjoy yourself without the private retreat areas included as well as the spa treatment that is included for guest staying in a suite?

[Burchrod]

I do have more questions if you all would be so kind.....

What exactly is not included in your fare?

I mean I know the speicality resturants are extra but what else?

Are all the shows included? Even the dinner shows or are they extra too?

Rock Climbing wall, water park, and bowling?

 

Can you stay in an inside cabin or regular balcony and still enjoy yourself without the private retreat areas included as well as the spa treatment that is included for guest staying in a suite?

 

 

Not included: Photos, drinks (other than tea, water and morning juices), Cirque Dreams, bingo, bowling ($3?), video games, casino games.

Basically, you can get along just fine without spending an additional penny.

 

Included: rock climbing wall and rappelling, water park, all other shows including Blue Man Group.

 

We had a regular balcony and never missed the more exclusive areas. We are not sun-worshippers, though. The balcony would not be good for laying out and the pool decks do get crowded. We found a great shady area with oversized really comfortable chairs on deck 15 near the video arcade. It was rarely used.

 

One other tip: Teppenyaki is open for lunch on sea days for 1/2 price. It doesn't include seafood, other than salmon, but it was the best meal we had on the ship, hands down.

[zephyrgirl]

The cabins are small but like others said they are also adequate. I sailed with my mother who has some health issues so she had to spend more time in the cabin than you might normally and she was fine. And we had an inside- doesn't get much cozier than that.

 

I think you can enjoy the ship just fine without having access to the other areas. When we sailed I went ahead and paid for the POSH pass (since I am a sunworshiper :cool:). It was worth the roughly 60 bucks for me. And there were other extra cost things I didn't do like the Ice Bar which just looked gimicky to me.

[ggcruiser]

Bowling is $5 per person per game. Wine is extra ;-) Blue Man is included. Cirque Dreams is extra and includes a special dinner. Noodle Bar is a la carte & excellent. Ice Bar is extra and is a GREAT photo op and drinks are yummy. Photos are extra. Fat Cats, Howl at the Moon, Legends, Second City, Magic Show, all included. Not sure about rock climbing... Water slides included. Casino $$$. Have a blast!!

[sdmike]

rocking climbing and rappelling are both included, as is the bungee bounce, spider web, sporting events, etc.