AWESOME Epic cruise (Jan. 5th through 12th)

[TSUmom]

Loved the review and the pictures - can't wait until it is my turn!!!! Also, you are one totally awesome sister!!!

[meggie711]

Great review, loved it! Quick question.. you mentioned your shellfish allergy and I also have the same. Did you find a lot of options that didn't include shellfish, and did you also have an easy time communicating with staff about it? I get frustrated in town when I go out to eat and find basically baked chicken or chicken tenders as my option because everything has some sort of shellfish. That, or I get staff members that don't understand when I'm asking if shellfish is included. I get really freaked out at buffets. lol

[cruisin07family]

Thanks.

 

My question is about the Meet and Greet. Did you receive anything special gifts or treatment from NCL besides the snacks?

 

Which, if any, officers were in attendance?

 

Not the OP but also on this cruise. I'm not aware of any special gifts or treats but perhaps the organizer got something. The officers in attendance included Cruise Director, Hotel Director, Head Chef, Food & Beverage Supervisor, Housekeeping Supervisor, Head Bartender, and I cannot remember who else. They did hand out little cards with all of the Dept heads numbers in case there were any problems. The HD did all of the talking and intros but on previous cruises, we've always had the Captain attend. I was surprised and disappointed how little contact there was between the Captain and cruisers. If not for his picture being posted, I would not have even recognized him when I passed him in the hall once. We couldn't really hear announcements in our room and never heard the Captain speak at all. We did hear Ken, the CD, quite a bit.

[lowroller]

Thanks for the report and the pictures! Epic is a favorite ship of mine too. Also, I could not agree more, I just don't know how people can have such a terrible on vacation.

12 days....... just 12 and it's my turn!!

[dlynn0366]

Love your review & pics. The horse's heads were to funny...I can just imagine the passenger's on the other cruise ships yelling "come & look at this !!" :D

[dolita22]

Great review and pictures! Thank you for posting. I am sailing on the Epic in just a few (hopefully) short days and reading your review has me even more excited!! You and your sister sound like a lot of fun. The horsehead and entertaining fellow cruisers had me laughing. :)

 

As a side note, was just in Chicago this weekend and had a blast!

[meltingmoments]

Super review and great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Glad you had a great time......although with your positive attitude....I'm not surprised!! :)

And I agree with previous comments about you being a super sister! :)

[Gr101997]

Good review. The ship really is alot of fun and just has so much for you to do. I thought that Simon was much better then the actual Cruise Director. The CD kinda bugged me whenever I saw him on TV or at the events. Simon seemed more natural at being a laid back fun kind of guy. The Newlywed game was one of the funniest one of those wacky contests I have ever seen on a cruise. I wish they would make a channel where they just showed those types of things from all cruise lines. People make such fools out of themselves that its non stop laughing. Youre going to tell me people would rather watch that vapid dumb Kardashian family over things like that?

 

 

We came down the elevators to deck 6 (I think) and it was pretty crowded. The line wrapped around but again, moved quickly. People were bitching and moaning about that too of course. My sister and I just don't get all worked up over stuff. Maybe it's because we're young, I don't know. Some things just really seem to get people all up in arms and I just don't think it's worth it. Go with the flow, people. Once we were in the line to go through customs was when we encountered Mr. Bitter Betty who complained very loudly about how horrible his week was. He's the one that instead of ignoring as I usually do, asked him if there was one good thing about his entire week. I just don't get it. I know people who can't afford to go on a vacation who would do anything to switch places with him. I feel bad for people like that who can't adapt and get so upset over things that, in the grand scheme of things, are so insignificant.

 

I heard plenty of people bitching on that line and while I was annoyed, I kept it to myself. Thankfully we had some wiggle room with our flight time so it wasnt a big deal but there was this one guy who was on the line @ the Speigal tent going towards the casino as were passing him going out (the line snaked that far). He had a 10am flight and it was already close to 8. I can see his frustation there. They told people not to line up and people clearly lined up (I left my room when they gave the all clear and the line already went from the front to the middle back to the Irish pub when I got down 10 mins later). Plus, they had told everyone in the freestyle the night before that Midship casino would be the disembarkation point for 7:15 walkoffs and then changed it. So people went there and found out they were in the wrong spot. IMO, the first wave of walk offs should be people with early flights. I dont see why you would want to rush getting off the ship if you dont have to. I would have gladly stayed til 930 to eat and enjoy myself instead of rushing to catch a plane back to 30 degree weather and fog.

As for the guy complaining, I dont get it either. There was plenty I didnt like but I would never let that outweigh having a good time. You brush off the annoying things and then bitch about it when you get home.

[SuperTrooper00]

I thought our cabin was in an awesome location. Close to the elevators, near the dining rooms and Spice H20. It was great. I remember people complaining about the lack of elevators midship but I thought it was fine the way it was. And honestly, again, it didn't feel like that big a ship. We could walk from one end to the other very quickly.

 

Great review, thanks. I might have just missed this in your review, but since you stayed near the aft elevators, did you notice the "vibration" that people often complain about? Was it an issue for you?

[ClaireAndMike]

On my lunch break at work and just saw this. I meant to mention it. I didn't feel much of anything at all and I'm a very light sleeper. According to the deck plans, we were pretty aft but I think our luggage tags said mid but we were definitely more aft than forward. I wonder if anyone further back noticed it. We certainly didn't.

 

Great review, thanks. I might have just missed this in your review, but since you stayed near the aft elevators, did you notice the "vibration" that people often complain about? Was it an issue for you?

[david_sobe]

Loved the pictures, especially of the horse head on the balcony. I wish you had a zoom lens to capture the looks on the faces of the Celebrity ship.

Too funny :)

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report.

[chicail16]

Not the OP but also on this cruise. I'm not aware of any special gifts or treats but perhaps the organizer got something. The officers in attendance included Cruise Director, Hotel Director, Head Chef, Food & Beverage Supervisor, Housekeeping Supervisor, Head Bartender, and I cannot remember who else. They did hand out little cards with all of the Dept heads numbers in case there were any problems. The HD did all of the talking and intros but on previous cruises, we've always had the Captain attend. I was surprised and disappointed how little contact there was between the Captain and cruisers. If not for his picture being posted, I would not have even recognized him when I passed him in the hall once. We couldn't really hear announcements in our room and never heard the Captain speak at all. We did hear Ken, the CD, quite a bit.

 

Thanks for the reply

[Bunnynme]

Thanks so much for your review, always like to read good things. Can't wait for our Epic cruise in April.

[hydrarkt]

Good review! I was on that cruise too! This was my first cruise ever and I stayed in the solo cabins. I travel a lot for both work and pleasure and have been around the world. And I have to say that my week on the Epic was fantastic! I had one of the best vacations of my life and will definitely go back for more. I met some great people, had tons of fun and found a friend for life. I didn't want it to end and I wish that I was still onboard. Were there some issues? Yes. But there always are. I can't say enough about the service, the food, the people and the overall experience.

 

On day 1, I got asked to be in the Dating Game. I agreed and had a great time. For those wondering, I was bachelor #1 :) Everything from the shows to the shore excursions, fitness center and spa were excellent.

 

My biggest gripe was that there was confusion about the "alcohol package" and what was included in it and what was not. The bartenders weren't always sure. That cost me some extra money. And the internet packages are very expensive. If NCL fixed those, I don't think that I'd have anything to complain about.

[ClaireAndMike]

I didn't have a problem. I travelled for the first time with an Epi pen - just in case. I've only had a reaction three times in my life but the most recent was a month or so before the cruise and I was pretty paranoid about it. They seem to get a little worse each time and the feeling I got from that most recent one really freaked me out.

 

I'd say most of the items on the menu were shellfish-free and even though my original intent was to mention it to the waitperson, I always forgot to. I did double check on the summer rolls and bisque soup because I often hear that associated with seafood. I didn't think I'd have a problem eating it and I was right. I always cross my fingers that the waitperson is correct. I work at a police station and also just before our trip, a woman ended up in the ER after she ate something a waiter told her had no shellfish and it turned out that it did. Yikes.

 

We didn't eat anything in the buffet, mostly for that purpose but then again, we ate in the buffet a fair amount on the Hawaiian cruise and I was fine.

 

Any reaction I've had was caused by contamination, I know not to eat it, and that's what scares me because you have no idea it's contaminated until you have the reaction.

 

Great review, loved it! Quick question.. you mentioned your shellfish allergy and I also have the same. Did you find a lot of options that didn't include shellfish, and did you also have an easy time communicating with staff about it? I get frustrated in town when I go out to eat and find basically baked chicken or chicken tenders as my option because everything has some sort of shellfish. That, or I get staff members that don't understand when I'm asking if shellfish is included. I get really freaked out at buffets. lol

[coka]

What an awesome review! I really enjoyed reading it and looking at the photos. For the last half hour my husband kept asking from the other room what was so funny. I was laughing out loud at the horse's head...and then more so when I actually saw the pictures with you and sis wearing it. Then, I laughed more thinking the photo after the Bliss horse was going to have one of you on Bliss horse whiling wearing it...! What a memorable cruise with your sis! I went on the Epic once and I said if I ever go back, it will be with my sisters. Thank you for taking the time to write about your trip and for reminding me that I love my sisters.

 

coka

[ClaireAndMike]

Are you the pilot???? I thought for sure you'd be the winner! The dude she picked was the one I figured would be the first one to get the ole heave ho.

 

We didn't do the alcohol package, partly because we were confused by it as well, but mostly because I knew we wouldn't have ever consumed enough to make it worth it for us. We did drink a bit more on this one compared to our last one but that isn't saying much considering on the last one, I only had one drink and my sister had none.

 

Good review! I was on that cruise too! This was my first cruise ever and I stayed in the solo cabins. I travel a lot for both work and pleasure and have been around the world. And I have to say that my week on the Epic was fantastic! I had one of the best vacations of my life and will definitely go back for more. I met some great people, had tons of fun and found a friend for life. I didn't want it to end and I wish that I was still onboard. Were there some issues? Yes. But there always are. I can't say enough about the service, the food, the people and the overall experience.

 

On day 1, I got asked to be in the Dating Game. I agreed and had a great time. For those wondering, I was bachelor #1 :) Everything from the shows to the shore excursions, fitness center and spa were excellent.

 

My biggest gripe was that there was confusion about the "alcohol package" and what was included in it and what was not. The bartenders weren't always sure. That cost me some extra money. And the internet packages are very expensive. If NCL fixed those, I don't think that I'd have anything to complain about.

[hydrarkt]

Yes, that was me :) I chatted with her later. She told me that her aunt was in the audience and told her to pick that guy. She didn't choose me because I'm a lot older than she is.. which is true. However, she did say that if she had gone by the answers, she would have picked me. I knew it was rigged!! :) Doesn't matter... I had a blast. That was my first cruise night ever... so of course I had to take off my shirt on stage!.. great fun.

Fernando, the solo cruiser host was great. He facilitated meetings, conversation, events and more. He should get promoted.

[Medtech2]

So glad you had a great time! Age does not matter as I was 50 when we did 2 weeks on the Epic and it was hands down the most perfect fun vacation I have ever been on!

 

I was grinning for weeks after, so much so that my coworkers kept making comments, lol.

 

So nice that you have a sister to share such trips with!

[love2relax]

Great review, thanks. I might have just missed this in your review, but since you stayed near the aft elevators, did you notice the "vibration" that people often complain about? Was it an issue for you?

 

We were in cabin 10315 on the same cruise, which is the very last cabin before you turn completely backwards to the aft. I kept waiting to feel the terrible vibration everyone complained so much about. It was so minimal that it isn't even worth mentioning. I didn't notice anything worse than any other ship that is leaving or entering port. Actually it seemed like it was less of an issue. I was taking a nap one afternoon when we were leaving port, and it did wake me up...but I am a light sleeper.

[IndyKat]

Love your review and pics, the horses head is just TOO funny!! :D

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, we loved the EPIC so much we booked it again!

[NJLVW]

Great review. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. We leave in 11 days on the EPIC and can hardly wait. I have been a sponge to all the info & all the reviews.

[jdvmd]

So glad you had a great time! Can't wait to read more!

[ClaireAndMike]

Oh and I forgot to mention, when I was on the Epic plunge I got stuck. My ass must've been too far down in the inner tube. I had to use my arms and hands to scoot around. I wonder if I'm the only lucky person that has happened to.