Free or Cheap things to do on NCL EPIC?

[candycaramel]

It seems that you have to pay to play on the EPIC. :rolleyes: I've already booked and am very excited. Hubby likes to eat, sightsee in port and we are both excited about the shows. He is frugal though. Neither of us gamble or drink. I like to sleep and read books. I am not interested in purchasing anything to clutter up my small house.

 

We would love to know what is free and cheap to do on the EPIC.

 

I have $125 OBC. Any recommendations on how to spend it?

 

Candy

[April7901]

There are a ton of threads on the NCL board about Epic activities. Lots to do that's free, and lots that's cheap.

[Keith1010]

I agree. I would post this on the NCL board.

 

Keith

[cb at sea]

You can do almost everything without added costs. Since you don't drink or gamble, you won't have those expenses. Shows are included in your fare! If you have no desire to pay additionally for "specialty" restaurants, you can avoid that expense. Your OBC can be used for anything you purchase onboard, including paying the gratuities.

 

As far as excursions, get a guidebook on your ports. That way, you can determine if what interests you is doable WITHOUT paying for "excursions"....many things are easy to do on your own. If you find something does need a guide, then the guidebook will usually have tour companies listed, and they may be cheaper than going through the ship. Google is your friend, too, so use it to aid in your research!

 

Research is key to getting the most out of your shore time!

Edited October 13, 2012 by cb at sea

[afn10305]

It seems that you have to pay to play on the EPIC. :rolleyes: I've already booked and am very excited. Hubby likes to eat, sightsee in port and we are both excited about the shows. He is frugal though. Neither of us gamble or drink. I like to sleep and read books. I am not interested in purchasing anything to clutter up my small house.

 

We would love to know what is free and cheap to do on the EPIC.

 

I have $125 OBC. Any recommendations on how to spend it?

 

Candy

 

 

I agree with others here about going to the NCL threads for EPIC.

 

That being said, DH and I have been on the EPIC twice so far and even though we do spend time in the casino, and drink a little-- we had the most fun in "Howl at the Moon" (the late night piano bar) and "Fat Cats" (the jazz club) which are both free. If you like the atmosphere of an Irish pub, O'Sheehan's has the best fish and chips I have ever eaten, and their breakfast was good too. I believe O'Sheehans is open 24 hours. We saw Blue Man Group twice and the Legends in Concert was fun too!

 

For $125 OBC you could get a spa treatment, or two (if you wait for their specials,) otherwise I would recommend using it for one of the "specialty" restaurants which cost extra, but are worth trying IMHO. There are boards about that too.

 

Enjoy! It's a large ship, so there are plenty of places to sit and relax.

[candycaramel]

Thanks for the feedback. I have been looking around the Norwegian boards and will continue to research. I am not opposed to paying for stuff I was just wondering if the saving money on cruises board had any ideas for saving money on the EPIC.

[nascargalinfla]

Sailed on the EPIC when she was new, took my MIL for her first cruise. MY bill at the end of the cruise was for $50, that was one drink each; a keychain, two waterbottles, and two tshirts. We waited until the end of the cruise for them to put out the $5 table for tshirts.

 

We ate very well on that sailing, saw all the shows we wanted to see; neither one of us were interested in Cirque, and she is not very adventurous when it comes to food.

 

We did take time and play one game of bowling on the last sea day, she is a bowler in two different women's leagues so thought that would be different.

 

Just because extra's are offered, doesn't mean you have to do it. The only spa treatments I have ever had on a cruise was on Celebrity while in port one day and they were doing free sample sessions, 20 minute hot rock session and 20 minute massage therapy worked for me. Only time I eat at one of the specialties is if it is a special occasion, then we will eat at Cagney's. Heck meals are already paid for why pay more?

[Twelvevman]

Your OBC can be used for anything you purchase onboard, including paying the gratuities.

 

 

Just to clarify, most OBC's cannot be used towards the Daily Service Charge. It can be used towards additional gratuities towards specific people.

[voyager89]

Going on the Epic also, first time with NCL.

 

I do think that there are way too many speciality restaurants. As a matter of fact all of them are! We will be on board for 2 weeks so I expect not to get bored of the complimentary venues and end up paying more than one. I am not a fan of paid restaurants on board. I will only do one, and that is because they look good and I think we can splurge ourselves at least one night out of those 14. We will choose between cagneys, moderno or that circus dinner. Stil a while to go though, I actually never planned vacation with this much anticipation.

Edited November 21, 2013 by voyager89