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Epic Review - May 6th Med Cruise (Honey Moon)

falkensmaze

By falkensmaze,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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falkensmaze

falkensmaze

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HI all! Epic Review! May 6th – 13th Med Cruise

 

Background:- This was our first cruise ever so bear that in mind when reading also it was our honeymoon! Stayed three nights in Barcelona (which was a blast) then Taxi to Ship from hotel @ Las Ramblas (€25)

Note, I have never cruised on any ship b4 let alone Epic but I got the feeling the ship was not full, indeed was l8r told that it was at about 80%.

At Port, (11.30 am) as soon as we got out of taxi luggage was taken straight off us and whisked away and we were through port security and in our cabin for Noon! Super smooth! ( oh and took four bottles of wine on no prob and they seen on the xray scanners it but simply didn’t care!)

As we got on board early it was nice to be able to explore the ship whilst it was fairly quiet, spent about 2 hours doing this ( gr8 1st impression) and had lunch at O’Sheenans which was fine.

 

I’ll try not to do day by day, more like activity by activity!

 

Dinning

We ate at Cagney’s (Pre booked) on the first night Fantastic service and great food although Presentation was little lacklustre. Time given between courses was spot on after a 10 ounce fillet I need a rest b4 dessert but not too long. Probably not worth the $25 each but not that far away either.

 

Ate at Manhattan twice first night was so-so, was disappointed to be so far away from the dance floor couldn’t really hear the band (the place is massive) but on the last night we were put right beside the dance floor so much more enjoyable. Food on both visits was fine. (second visit was right after legends so had to wait about 5 minutes but got 2 free glasses of bubbly to boot)

 

Le Bistro- (Pre booked) we were seated at a pillar which we did not like but asked to be moved and were quickly given a sea view, food was fantastic with overly generous portions. Would recommend and again great service.

 

At La cucina we got one cover waived using a voucher from ncl.com so only $5 each very nice restaurant and when I asked from something not on menu the sorted it no probs!

 

Cirque Dinner and dreams (Pre booked) was probably best value of the week. Paid $35 each for premier seating and sat on the balcony. Would not have enjoyed the show nearly as much if we were seated at show level, much easier to watch a show eating whilst looking down, missed nothing. Balcony only holds about 60 The circus was FANTASTIC!! 1 hr. 20min long and we both loved every minute Set menu, Surf an Turf I don’t really do surf so got double beef!

 

Taste:- Food was fine but found venue little “atmosphereless” and ambient noise ( a problem all over the ship) was annoying.

Entertainment

 

Blue man Group (Pre booked) top notch stuff, if at times a little silly and aimed at kids but there good at what they do!

Legends, we both loved this Rod Stewart, Madonna and Elvis all got the place cheering, very entertaining. No bar service during this show although it’s only an hour, a tad short really.

 

Howl at the moon, went a couple of times great stuff although it’s not as impromptu as they make you believe same jokes same songs but very good all the same and usually very busy and at times the “sing-alongs” were brilliant. Three performers taking turns through the night.

 

Bliss ultra-lounge is beautifully designed but we didn’t spend much time here.

 

Ice bar probably not worth the $20 each but a good laugh all the same 3 drinks would have made it better value other people were trying to buy more but two is your bat! It,s not that cold but cold enough to make it fun and something different.

 

Martine Shakers bar, now this is a mixed bag, as the week went on and we had done a lot of the “lively shows” we found ourselves wanting to relax a bit more and shakers was the place for that excellent piano player (we seen the ships pianist play one night too and I’m afraid he was not not so excellent) named Carlo Nuschi. The problem with this place was again the noise. The open plan does not work with this type of venue when a show comes out from epic etc. droves of people are coming and going and if you’re not sitting on the piano u struggle to hear! Total disaster in layout! And terrible seating layout, really bad in fact! As mentioned earlier noise is a problem all over this ship restaurants bars and as you probably guessed the casino has a lot to blame for this it’s humongous! But if you like casinos then this is good! We had some fun there but not too much!

 

Sun Deck- Loooooved it up here on 15!!:cool: Pool smallish but fine, Slides were Awesome!! Especially if you got back from shore early and the ship was quiet. No lines to wait on! We had a week of glorious weather so I spent loads of time up here drinking frozen cocktails! (I recommend the yellow bird, not on the menu!) The Latin singing duet seemed to play all day and set a great feel about the deck. Plenty of sunbeds and 7! Jacuzzis!

 

The Cabin!

We had 12071 which I handpicked from layout due to the fact its starboard so you see the lights at night sailing up the Italian and French coasts, also as it’s at the end of the ships (bump) it has a huge balcony, its front facing and the bed is at balcony side, also its right beside the lift and stair wells so no corridor treks! All pluses! The toilet shower was no problem the sink is a bit useless washing face and shaving always resulted in a mopping up exercise! No biggie but useless all the same. The bed was fine big enough for me and I’m 5’10’’ Gr8 storage more than enough Sofa was far too big, and when DW was at mirror getting ready the room was blocked off this got more of an issue as week went on and this alone may stop me cruising epic again!! The wave rooms are lovely just stupid!:confused: Spent plenty of time on balcony b4 dinner and l8 at night, first cruise but would never do inside now!

 

Done Naples, Rome (train from Civitavecchia for €9 each, so easy) Pisa( Bus-Train-Bus) and Cannes (our favourite) all on our own steam. The day I pay $100 for a bus to Rome is the day they come to take me away to the funny farm!! Never got off at Marseilles £20 they wanted for bus in to town (3miles) but wanted to relax last day all the same,did I mention the sundeck? :D

 

All in all a great Honey Moon and wish I was back on, I see the breakaway announced this month I can’t help but think it will be another Epic with all the problems fixed let’s hope so and we’ll be there! None of them were major problems but it did really feel a little experimental at times. But fair play to NCL for trying. 8-10

 

Oh we met a couple from at shakers who were staying at 16002 DOS and they invited us up for drinks the following night. WOW now that’s a suite!! Bigger than my house lol:p

 

Oh and thanks to all at CC for the tips in advance!

See you at the sea!

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Ilikebigboats Great Review Rare

Ilikebigboats

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Love your review, very entertaining!

Congrats on your wedding!

I have just a couple questions, I'm torn between Cagneys and Le bistro but it sounds like you enjoyed Le Bistro more?

Darn, I'm on port side on my upcoming cruise, wish I could have read your review before booking!

You said Cannes was your favorite, interesting,what did you do there?

Thanks for the fun review and I'm so glad you had a great time! :)

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falkensmaze

falkensmaze

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Love your review, very entertaining!

Congrats on your wedding!

I have just a couple questions, I'm torn between Cagneys and Le bistro but it sounds like you enjoyed Le Bistro more?

Darn, I'm on port side on my upcoming cruise, wish I could have read your review before booking!

You said Cannes was your favorite, interesting,what did you do there?

Thanks for the fun review and I'm so glad you had a great time! :)

 

Hi and thanks both meals were lovely only the Bistro is a much nicer environment and $5 cheaper to boot! Like all of our off shore trips we just "sight seen" didn't do any NCL excursions, in Cannes we toured the old town which was lovely then walked the full length of the beach then came back thought the main shopping street and had a coffee about three hours in total nothing exciting but relaxing day, there is a mini train which alot of people used but were not really into that, beautiful town and immaculate, makes me want to do the whole cote d'azur now!

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falkensmaze

falkensmaze

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Please tell me more about Marseilles. Is the ONLY option really a $20 pp NCL shuttle?

 

No, was l8r told by some fellow cruisers that a 10-15 minute walk to the edge of the port and you can hop on a local bus for about €2 but for sight seeing i was told I didn't miss much and being the last day was not fussed on getting off board and got the feeling plenty others didn't get off that day. Although another day I'd might have, its always nice to visit new places but for me Marseilles will have to wait!

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thebooler

thebooler

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Hi and thanks both meals were lovely only the Bistro is a much nicer environment and $5 cheaper to boot! Like all of our off shore trips we just "sight seen" didn't do any NCL excursions, in Cannes we toured the old town which was lovely then walked the full length of the beach then came back thought the main shopping street and had a coffee about three hours in total nothing exciting but relaxing day, there is a mini train which alot of people used but were not really into that, beautiful town and immaculate, makes me want to do the whole cote d'azur now!

 

I've booked NCL to Rome! I never realised there was such a difference in price from doing it by train. Is it possible to cancel pre-booked excursions?

If so, I'll take the train.

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falkensmaze

falkensmaze

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I've booked NCL to Rome! I never realised there was such a difference in price from doing it by train. Is it possible to cancel pre-booked excursions?

If so, I'll take the train.

 

I'm not sure but someone will know. The train was easier than we thot and for the €9 u get all your metro paid for too although I nearly lost my new wife on it! Been in plenty of metros but wow was the Rome one busy. Literally had to pull her off it whilst standing in the door to stop it from closing. I thought I was only getting her arm but thankfully the whole lot came out! We done saint peters (not inside) Spanish steps trevi and coloseo in about 3-4 hours at a very relaxed pace and had lunch. Was back on board for about 3-30 ish.

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falkensmaze

falkensmaze

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In Rome, what time was " all aboard".

 

Half 6. Note if u do it your self u need to be on the ball. Plan every move and get up early. We got brekie delivered to cabin that morning to save time. Was off ship by 8-20 ish and caught 9-00 train in Rome for 10 and left about 2-30. Enough time to see what we wanted but still feel relaxed even though we were a fair distance from our ship.

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