6 in the Epic Family Villa--logistics and cost?

[twintravelingmama]

My husband, my parents, and I are looking into a possible European cruise next summer with our then-2.5 y/o twins. Does anyone have any insight into the Family Villa setup? I am concerned about both space (would there be a reasonable way to configure 2 couples plus 2 toddlers?) and pricing (is every person a full fare, or is there a discount after so many passengers in the cabin?). NCL's pricing function is down on their site at the moment, or I would see what "the source" has to say. Has anyone looked into or done something like this? Just wondering if it would be a feasible plan or way out of our budgets.

 

Also, if the family villa is an option, how far in advance would someone need to book it for July 2013? Do they sell out pretty quickly?

 

Thanks so much?

[CroNich]

I havnt stayed in one of these suites yet so I'm not the most reliable source, however after looking at them I think you should be able to fit 6 people easy, it would just mean giving up your living room, the second "bedroom" features a sofa and a pull-down bed i believe and so this would be out of the way from the rest of your room, and yes you do get discounted after the second passenger, hope this helps

[computerworks]

Looks like a tight squeeze for six people

 

[computerworks]

"Alternate" sites show pricing for 7-day W. Med on Epic in July 2013 as $4099 each for first two pax and $699 each for add'l 4 pax.

YMMV :p

[NJfoodie]

We were in the 2 bdrm family suite on the Star w/ 4 adults, a 3 yr old and an infant and I believe the set up is similar. We had the master bdrm and our friends were in the 2nd bdrm. Forewarning, while the bed in there was actually big enough for 2 adults, the room is small - pretty much bed and a nightstand. The livingroom couch folded out similarly to the bed in the 2nd bedroom. We opted to put the baby's PnP in the livingroom and then realized that our original plan of having our DS (3 yr old) use the livingroom couch might not work w/ the baby who still would wake during the night. The master bdrm area has a wide open space in front of the closet between the bed and the bathroom so we actually had him use a sleeping bag on the floor in that area so that he wouldn't be disturbed by the baby, and so that we could use the livingroom after he went to bed. Depending on what you're comfortable with for your children in terms of whether anyone is prone to falling out of bed, or wakes and whether you want supervision as soon as awake, etc, you can certainly switch around where they or grandparents sleep to figure out what makes the best use of the private and open areas of the suite. The room would have been tight w/ 6 adults but w/ 4 adults and 2 little ones, it wasn't bad.

 

As for pricing, the first 2 pax are full fare, the remainder are whatever is the going rate for 3rd pax and up, usually less. I would recommend booking as soon as you can since these rooms are usually limited.

[insidecabin]

The second room is very cosy but fine for sleeping as long as one of you does not mind sleeping against a wall if you use the sofa bed

 

The bathroom is great for such a tiny size but one at a time. the master bath is so big you have options there , shower,tub, two sinks.

 

We have the bed made up(get two toppers) and left as a bed, not a lot of closet space so plan to share the main ones.

 

Never tried the sofa in the living room so that may be an option for one adult other adult on the bunk and top/tail the todlers in the sofa.

 

if you get a room near the spa area there are extra showers etc there which can spread the load on the room.

[twintravelingmama]

Thanks for the helpful responses. For those of you who have used The Haven/The Courtyard before, are any of the extra-cost restaurants or shows included in the cost? How does the exclusive dining room compare to other food on the ship? Is it included also? Thank you all again!

[computerworks]

are any of the extra-cost restaurants or shows included in the cost?

 

...No

[Fishbait17]

Thanks for the helpful responses. For those of you who have used The Haven/The Courtyard before, are any of the extra-cost restaurants or shows included in the cost? How does the exclusive dining room compare to other food on the ship? Is it included also? Thank you all again!

 

Posh (adults only outdoor deck) is included, which for other non-suite guests requires purchasing a "pass" if they are available on your sailing. Other than that, nothing of "extra cost" is included. The Epic Club (restaurant, poolside grill, and bar) and the Haven pool, hot tubs, sundeck, and gym ARE included at no cost (but not available to non-suite guests). The food in the Epic Club is very good, only had one dinner from there (room service) and a few breakfasts.

 

Your party could be a bit tight in the suite, but it's definitely doable if you are comfortable in close quarters and are not expecting a palace. The suite is more set up for a family of two adults and children, but is possible for more adults. We have used the same suite on other ships for myself, hubby, and mother-in-law, and another time with myself, and two older adult-sized teens in the second bedroom. We have said in the past that we wouldn't sail with the four of us in the two-bedroom suite (two adult daughters) as it would be tight, but have changed our minds since sailing the Epic, as the Haven offers so much more on that ship (and there is no Garden Villa available). If you are prepared, and the couple sleeping in the second bedroom knows exactly what to expect, there should be no problem.

 

Good luck!

 

Robin

[david_sobe]

The NCL site says these suites can fit up to 6 guests. But I agree 6 would be very tight with people sleeping in the living room. Ideally for 4 or possible 5 (with 3 being children).

[Sparkygirl]

My husband, my parents, and I are looking into a possible European cruise next summer with our then-2.5 y/o twins. Does anyone have any insight into the Family Villa setup? I am concerned about both space (would there be a reasonable way to configure 2 couples plus 2 toddlers?) and pricing (is every person a full fare, or is there a discount after so many passengers in the cabin?). NCL's pricing function is down on their site at the moment, or I would see what "the source" has to say. Has anyone looked into or done something like this? Just wondering if it would be a feasible plan or way out of our budgets.

 

Also, if the family villa is an option, how far in advance would someone need to book it for July 2013? Do they sell out pretty quickly?

 

Thanks so much?

 

We are a family of 5 or 6 when we cruise so I am constantly doing the calculations for our family.

 

what are your goals with this cruise? Are you limited to summer due to schedules or can you cruise the shoulders (late spring or early fall)?

 

I did a quick calculation on the epic for a 7 day med cruise from Rome...for all 6 of you in the family suite will be 8,554. Passenger 1 and 2 at 3,179 and then Passengers 3,4, 5 and 6 at 549.00. This suite is in the Haven and has its own pool which is a perk but based on the twins ages at 2.5 they will not be old enough for the kids club if that appeals to you, there is no babysitting and if they are not potty trained there is no pool.

 

You could book 2 balcony staterooms for all 6 of you for $6,076 on the exact same cruise. You wouldn't have the suite perks but the sleeping arrangements wouldn't have an adult or a toddler sleeping in bunk beds.

[youngestof9]

lots of good info from others, but just wanted to offer my pictures of one of the villas. Link in my signature - shows how the 2nd bedroom looks when the beds are set up.

[Mom.to.2]

Does the Epic have balcony staterooms that connect on both sides? Meaning all 3 would be connected?

 

With 6 people in one 2 bedroom villa, you'd pay close to the same price for 3 balcony staterooms which would off you more space, bathrooms, closets and privacy. Of course you'd lose the Haven and perks....

[twintravelingmama]

@Sparkygirl,

 

Unfortunately, we are limited to the summer since I am a teacher. I wish we could travel in the less hectic spring and fall!

 

@youngestof9,

 

Thanks for the pics. I also appreciated the sample Kids Club schedule for ages 2-5.

[BecT]

We just got off the Epic and stayed in the 2 bedroom suite in the Haven. There were 5 adults (30s-50s) in the room and we were fine. The 2nd bedroom is very small and has a futon-like sofa that slept 2 along with its own bathroom. There was also a bed that folded down from the ceiling in that room. Our 5th person slept on the couch which was twin size and he said it was very comfortable. There was plenty of storage space for all of us. We had suite 16003 which faced forward (16001 and 17001 are slightly wider than the others allowing for extra room too). You may want to consider one of the forward facing suites because they do not have an open balcony but a solarium with windows that open high enough that toddlers could not easily get at them. The area is also air-conditioned when the windows are closed. My brother was considering using it as his "bedroom" but then decided to just stay on the couch. The solarium allowed us a space to put the "extra" furniture we didn't want to use and that gave us even more space to walk around.

 

The perks offered in the Haven were outstanding. It does not cost more to use the private dining room or pool area. Our Concierge, Adrien, was phenomenal. We ate in the private dining room for 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners. For our meals, the breakfast menu stayed the same as did the dinner menu, but daily specials were offered in addition to the set menu. We found the food and service to be great.

 

The pay restaurants cost the same for suite guests as they do for other passengers, no discounts. However, the Concierge will let you know that if you want priority seating for your show reservations he will escort you down to the showroom before it opens to everyone and you get the pick of the seats! That includes the Cirque Dreams dinner also. The night we had reservations for Modernos, Adrien came down to the restaurant to check on us to make sure everything was OK.

 

If you can afford to stay in the Haven I stongly recommend you do, even if it might be a little crowded. The Haven suites also offer priority tendering and debarking which would be wonderful of you're travelling with toddlers...no long lines!

 

What ever you choose to do, enjoy the Epic. She's a great ship!

[david_sobe]

I am booked in an Epic 2 bedroom and have some questions.

The bed in the 2nd bedroom looks like a wide sofa that can be used as a bed. Does it also unfold to a larger bed?

The sofa in the living room is a very wide sofa and could sleep one the way that it is. Does it also unfold to a larger bed?

 

THANKS

 

If both beds unfold, I can see how they say the suite can sleep 6

[Fishbait17]

I am booked in an Epic 2 bedroom and have some questions.

The bed in the 2nd bedroom looks like a wide sofa that can be used as a bed. Does it also unfold to a larger bed?

The sofa in the living room is a very wide sofa and could sleep one the way that it is. Does it also unfold to a larger bed?

 

THANKS

 

If both beds unfold, I can see how they say the suite can sleep 6

 

The sofa in bedroom two is about the size of a double/full size bed. I don't think it unfolds any more than that but can sleep two, the same way a full size bed would sleep two - snuggly. Also in bedroom two there is an upper bunk that pulls out from the wall. The living room sofa opens futon-style I think, and is supposed to sleep one. Didn't see it opened up so not exactly sure - it might just be a bed as-is with the back cushions removed as it is a very deep sofa. So the sleeping for six is technically two in bedroom one, three in bedroom two, and one in the living room. With small children, you might be able to switch things up a bit (perhaps two on the living room sofa if they are very small, like toddlers).

 

Robin

 

 

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[BecT]

I am booked in an Epic 2 bedroom and have some questions.

The bed in the 2nd bedroom looks like a wide sofa that can be used as a bed. Does it also unfold to a larger bed?

The sofa in the living room is a very wide sofa and could sleep one the way that it is. Does it also unfold to a larger bed?

 

THANKS

 

If both beds unfold, I can see how they say the suite can sleep 6

 

The sofa in the children's bedroom does fold down to make the larger fullsize bed. There is also an upper berth in the room that comes out of the ceiling. The sofa in the living room does not fold out like a futon. The bottom cushion of the sofa will pull out a little ways from the wall to form a twin size bed but it will only hold one adult. Fishbait17 is correct, sleeping arrangements would be 2 in the master bedroom, 3 in the children's bedroom, and 1 person on the sofa in the living room. As I mentioned earlier we were 5 adults in the room and no one felt over crowded or that their bed was uncomfortable. If there are 6 adults in the room, then the three sleeping in the children's bedroom may find the space a little cramped, but kids will probably love it. We are actually considering another cruise on the EPIC and there would be 6 of us from our original cruise. We have already decided that if we do go again we will undoubtedly squeeze the 6 of us in the room even if it means one couple sleeps apart...the Haven experience is that nice!

[SeaHunt]

OP when planning also remember that there will be a $12 per person, per day service charge for everyone over 3 years old ($12 x 7 days x 4 adults/you and your husband and your parents) = $336.

 

Plus the concierge, butler and kids counselor (if used) will not be included in that DSC and will need to be tipped $$$ separately. Some people add a little extra for the room steward too.

 

Figuring these in you'll see why you should consider these when budgeting. :)