Solo/Epic 1/19-1/26

[kollegekreed]

I was on the NCL Epic January 19th-January 26th 2013. This was the second time I was on the Epic, and my sixth cruise overall. My first review of the Epic can be found here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/archive/index.php/t-1607256.html

I am not going to write this as the traditional day by day review, as I didn’t keep track of activities, photo diary, or anything similar. I plan on discussing the various different aspects of the itinerary, activities, ports, and fun, just not in any chronological order! Also, my dear (new) friend lara_lox DID keep a diary, so check out her review for a more in depth look! We’ll get started below J

[kollegekreed]

Arrival/Embarkation:

Like my previous sailing out of Miami on the Epic, I flew into Fort Lauderdale and utilized SAS Transportation for a transfer to the cruise ship. $15/pp flat rate each way.( Stupid here only had $16 left for the return trip, so had to pay a $25 minimum to use a credit card and adequately tip in cash.) Once at the port, there was a very long line to get through security. It went pretty smoothly. The real impressive part was, once I got through security, I was checked in and on the ship less than five minutes later. The Latitudes only line wasn’t even open as they were doing such a great job of shuffling people through. I know that first day I went to Spice H2O for some lunch, having no desire to fight 4,000 people for a roll from the buffet. My best friend of many years was traveling separately, so I explored alone for awhile and got reacquainted with the ship. BTW, we both booked solo rooms as we had Cruise Rewards Certificates from prior years and also booked on $100 room credit day. In all, it was $350 less each that we had to shell out for this trip!

Solo Room/Studio Lounge

The studio rooms were just great. Lots of storage and shelving and plenty of room for one person. I’ve always loved NCL’s beds and bedding, and nothing has changed. The track lighting is of course very cool as well. The real perk of the solo rooms is of course the Lounge. Free cappuccino, Tea, Cocoa, etc. Snacks and sandwiches at times. Every day during the solo meeting times, a dedicated bartender is in the lounge for two hours as well. We had Joyce who was SO attentive, learned our names right away, and knew what we wanted to drink.

I think the interesting thing about the solo concept is it could go any number of ways. Perhaps you meet a new friend, perhaps not. In this case, I hit the lottery. Along with my best friend, many of the solos hung out in a large cohesive group for most of the cruise. There was a core group of us that actually couldn’t tear away from each other the night before disembarking and many of us were packing at 3am! These people made the cruise for me, and I know many of my new friends felt the same way.

We did have a dedicated NCL Cruise Director staffperson, Vianey. If was her first time in this role in a long time, and it showed a bit. She was intent on getting everyone involved in games, activities, etc. At one point some of us just decided that she might need a re-education on “Freestyle” but she really did grow on me throughout the week. She was very friendly and funny and just needs some adjustment time in her role.

Food/Dining/Drinks

Generally on these cruises I spend most of my time in the buffet. This was the first time I didn’t eat a single dinner in the buffet, though most lunches were up there. Most nights I ended up in Taste (sometimes with solos, sometimes with other new friends…Hi Attilla!) and the meals were mostly satisfactory. I did notice that the same meal (IE grilled chicken) could be really good one night, and really not so great another night. Chocolate Decadence dessert was to die for! 14 solos went to La Cucina one night and thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. They have recently updated the menu and the Bruschetta was to die for! My companions also tried out Cagneys, Wasabi, and Le Bistro at various times, though I did not. Everyone seemed to like all the dining options they tried out.

I did try the $5 pizza room service once, and the pizza is rather large. Enough for three people easy. Never tried room service itself, so can’t comment on that food, but the menu has definitely shrunk in that regard.

One of the things that I noticed last time on the Epic and this time is there is no food “Event”. The other NCL ships have the chocoholic buffet, but is conspicuously absent onboard the Epic. Im guessing its due to the amount of passengers on board and the stampede it would create…

As for drinks, I got the unlimited soda package as soon as I was on board. $50.31 with gratuity for the duration of this trip. I also had (I counted) 26 alcoholic drinks and 2 coffee drinks from the atrium shop. The Epic did have the unlimited alcohol package and it appeared many took advantage of the $400 (approx) deal and used every penny of it. I actually thought most drink prices were very reasonable. Even long island iced teas were around $6.50 with gratuity.

[kollegekreed]

Activities:

Unlike my first trip on the Epic, I really had no urgency to “do” and “see” anything on this cruise except Howl At The Moon.

I did not see Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams, or really ever sit long enough to hear any piano bar performer or band.

I did see parts of Howl at the Moon three out of four nights, and did go to see Legends one night. Michael Jackson was pretty impressive, but the rest of the show was pretty yawn worthy, particularly the Jimmy Buffet guy. I also went and saw the Comedy Magician, and let me tell you…it was dreadful. Last March, we were treated to Jeff Hobson who was hilarious. I don’t even remember this fellows name, but his jokes were older than me and it was just really poorly executed. Someone said Jeff was supposed to be on this cruise so perhaps an emergency came up.

Howl was again a highlight of the trip…please don’t miss this dueling pianos performance!

Second City is always hit or miss for me. The first adult show, consisting of improve, was hilarious. The second show, featuring mostly sketch comedy, was simply awful. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

The only other “show” was the Epic Talent Show which is always fun. I was slightly disappointed to see they have reverted once again to the “new” farewell song. I much prefer the old farewell/we are the world combo. The captain didn’t even show up for this farewell…I didn’t see him once the whole trip.

Game shows were, as always, a real hoot. I saw Perfect Couple, Newlywed Game, 55 to win it, Majority Rules, Dancing with the Epic Stars, and the Quest. All were well executed (though with a lot of recycled material) and a fun diversion. One of our solo companions took part in the Dating Game and ACD Simon called it the most memorable segment they’d had in a long time!

We solo loungers also kind of made our own fun. My best friend spearheaded “Adult Pictionary” a couple nights (don’t ask) and the whole group spent a few nights dancing well into the night in Bliss. (It didn’t go unnoticed that the DJ seemed to have the same 20 songs on repeat for the whole week, but we made the best of it). We also all took in Shippenmales the last night which was good clean fun!

The White Hot Party, as it often is, was a definite highlight. Any NCL cruiser should devote some time to letting loose and having some fun outside for this event. I dont think ill ever forget the group of us dancing to Top 40, slight chill in the air, moderately windy - just a great time.

Casino was there as always. Took a couple hundred of my money but, cest la vie.

I also got at least one drink at Shakers for the friends of Dorothy meeting each night. This was an odd cruise in that the gay population was way up due to a large group of guys from Minnesota cruising together, so there was a bigger presence on board. Most people probably didn’t give it a second though, but I had never seen or participated in a group of guys dancing together on a ship before. It was a nice experience.

Ports

As I pointed out above, I have done this ship and itinerary before. I definitely didn’t come back for the ports, and definitely wouldn’t seek them out. This was my second time each in St Maarten and St Thomas, and third time in Nassau. The only thing I really “did” was a brief ride up Paradise Point in St Thomas with really beautiful views and photo opportunities. St Maarten involved finding wireless internet and also finding a doctor to prescribe me a ZPack before I got quarantined in my room. Nassau was even more limited to just the Wireless internet search. I did take a cab over to Atlantis but was in and out in less than a half hour. I am definitely the epitome of “I go for the ship, not for the islands”. I can find plenty to do without ever stepping foot on land for seven days.

Pools/Slides/Decks/Outside/Etc

Usual complaints about loungers were abound on this trip. People were up at dawn saving chairs next to the pool. If you wanted them, it was a problem. However, on Deck 18/19 there were ALWAYS empty loungers to be found, and even more comfortable ones all the way 18 Forward. I spent very little time in any of them; I brought an 800 page book and didn’t even get past page 1 as I was just too busy doing other things with friends.

I did use the three waterslides and pool once when coming back from St Thomas. They were fun just like last time and I know the kids love them even more. There is also the spider web/climbing wall/epic bounce etc, but I didn’t get around to any of those.

Staff

One of the things that flabbergasts me in a lot of Epic reviews is complaints about the staff. Once again, they were absolutely great. As I said already our bartender Jocelyn was a great person to be around. Additionally, Cruise Director Ken was entertaining and much better than his predecessor Richard. Assistant Cruise Director Simon was really the person I would have thought was in charge. He was EVERYWHERE from trivia to game shows to playing drums in Howl At The Moon. He should be a cruise director himself ASAP.

There were of course some people that weren’t 100%. The event checkin people were downright rude most of the time and clearly not equipped with any customer service skills (the exception being Nancy from Canada who was great). Additionally the buffet workers really seemed to be kind of dour and not too happy to be on board, but it was barely noticeable unless you looked.

I was greeted constantly in the halls by stewards, officers, etc. Dining room staff was good (although as others have said in other reviews, don’t be surprised if you’re dinner is 2+ hours long).

Only other funny story to me is my room steward, Michael. I sleep late, always have. I was never awake for a morning room refresh. One night, I forgot the Do Not Disturb sign and he knocked and started to come in and politely left when I told him I was all set. When I did eventually leave, I turned the door sign to “make up room” as I always do when leaving for the day. Upon my return, I found the knob had been turned back to Do Not Disturb and a note to call Housekeeping for service had been placed there! I don’t know if it was just pure laziness or what but it was very bizarre.

[kollegekreed]

Tips and Tricks:

- Take the lefthand elevator up to 18 and check out the quiet areas/deck chairs. Everyone sees that the righthand side elevator is keycard access only, and assume the left one is as well. It keeps things quieter up there and always chairs available!

- OSheehans has a limited overnight menu, which I believe is new since last March. I made the mistake of trying to get mozzarella sticks one night at 1am only to be told it was pretty much burgers and dogs only.

- For me, using the reservation system ahead of time just doesn’t work. Trying to guess what I will want to eat or watch ahead of time will just end up in missed reservations once on board. There was almost never an opportunity where the standby people couldn’t get into shows, etc. I suggest waiting until you are on board personally, but to each his own.

- Buy the soda package! 15 sodas pays for the package…that’s less than 3 a day. You’ll more than make up for it unless youre drinking just alcohol.

- Wait until Port days to use the pool deck. Everyone is off the ship, so you have free reign!

- Don’t forget when they have raffles, you have to be present to win. The Spa Raffle on day 1 has little pieces of paper that say “you will be contacted if you win”. Notsomuch – They throw it out and pick a new name. They had some great prizes for the spa one, so its worth being there for the 10 minutes of the raffle.

- Bring a power strip for a solo room. Theres 3 outlets in all, but one strip would be much easier.

Im sure im forgetting stuff, but that’s all my brain is putting out for now. This was easily the best cruise I have ever been on, because of the company and activities and the ship itself. I have never been so depressed to have seen a week end! We’re already planning future vacations and almost all of us once again purchased NCL cruise rewards for the next trip. Im happy to answer questions on anything I forgot, and might post some more tomorrow if anything important strikes me!

[xenagurl]

Thanks for the review!

[lambchoplady]

Fun review! Thanks!

[SMSACE6]

Thanks for your review! I will be on the Epic in a studio this November! Lots of great tips, thanks for sharing.:)

[ColinIllinois]

Thanks for the review. Epic is a great choice for solo travellers. Just to clarify something........

 

- Take the lefthand elevator up to 18 and check out the quiet areas/deck chairs. Everyone sees that the righthand side elevator is keycard access only, and assume the left one is as well. It keeps things quieter up there and always chairs available

 

That would be left if you are looking aft, not facing forward.

[msmarvel]

Can I ask if Asst CD Simon is from Australia and has glasses and kind of spiky light borwn hair? If so, he was on the Pearl in 2008, and I thought he was head CD there. We LOVED him! He was so funny, and he was at so many events.

[Demonyte]

Can I ask if Asst CD Simon is from Australia and has glasses and kind of spiky light borwn hair? If so, he was on the Pearl in 2008, and I thought he was head CD there. We LOVED him! He was so funny, and he was at so many events.

 

The Simon (Murray) you are talking about was the first CD on the Epic and is now the Entertainment Director at NCL HQ in charge of the new ships, their promotion, planning etc.

 

We loved him too. While I was sad to hear him leave the ships, I'm happy for him (IIRC they had a child few years ago) as the life on the landside is much easier with a family.

 

Link to his Linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmurray1

[ColinIllinois]

I actually saw the gentleman you are talking about on a CNBC special last night about cruise lines that was filmed on board the Pearl. It was quite interesting. The special was a few years old.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[msmarvel]

I actually saw the gentleman you are talking about on a CNBC special last night about cruise lines that was filmed on board the Pearl. It was quite interesting. The special was a few years old.

 

I was actually on that cruise, but we never saw ourselves on the TV show though. They filmed us all getting on the ship, and I made a big deal about the Phillies winning the World Series (cruise was early November 2008), and had a Phils shirt on, but no luck. :D

[Sarasa]

Thanks for the review. Epic is a great choice for solo travellers. Just to clarify something........

 

 

That would be left if you are looking aft, not facing forward.

 

Hmm, multi-quote's not working for me... anyway, thanks for the review kollegekreed and the clarification ColinIllinois! Just to confirm, the "quiet area" is starboard, yes? Does this area have shade or are the chairs/loungers open to the sun?

[AttilaTheFun]

Heyyy kollegekreed! Was great meeting you and your friend! Definitely agree with you review and had a blast on this cruise!

[evandbob]

kollegekreed, thx for your studio review. I'm solo on the Epic in a deck 12 studio 3/9 for my 1st NCL adventure. I'm hoping it will surpass earlier experiences on CCL. Judging from your review, I have some high hopes that it will.

[DGP1111]

. . . Every day during the solo meeting times, a dedicated bartender is in the lounge for two hours as well. We had Joyce who was SO attentive, learned our names right away, and knew what we wanted to drink.

 

 

We did have a dedicated NCL Cruise Director staffperson, Vianey. It was her first time in this role in a long time, and it showed a bit. She was intent on getting everyone involved in games, activities, etc. At one point some of us just decided that she might need a re-education on “Freestyle” but she really did grow on me throughout the week. She was very friendly and funny and just needs some adjustment time in her role.

 

Thanks SO much for the confirmation that Joyce is still onboard EPIC. She was in the Living Room for my November sailing, and several of us got to realize just how fantastic she was/is. At that time, she said her contract was set to end at the conclusion of the next EPIC sailing I have booked which leaves in a few weeks. I hope that scheduling hasn't changed and she'll still be onboard. I know bartender Armando has already gone on vacation so that he can be onboard for the launch of Breakaway.

 

I had Fernando as solos director on my last sailing, and he did a really nice job of connecting with the passengers. Thanks for the heads-up about the current staff. Perhaps a work-in-progress. :)

 

Glad to read you had an enjoyable cruise vacation. :)

 

.

[kollegekreed]

I knew I forgot one topic...disembarkation. I was so ticked off....

 

Listening to other people as they got off the ship! I've never heard so much complaining in my life! People were getting off the ship at 730 and lined up from the wrong end of the ship, etc, etc. and it was just heresy that they had to stand in line for 15 minutes. Never mind that they didn't even make an announcement saying people could get off until 805...people took it upon themselves to totally disregard instructions and then complain about it. Kills me every time!

 

(End of rant...great cruise :-))

[punkincc]

Can you clarify about your comment on the more comfy loungers all the way forward on 18? We'll be on the Epic this year, so I looked at deck plan for 18. I see Courtyard Sundeck all the way forward and Public Sundecks port and starboard just before the Couryard Sundeck.

 

Is this the area you are referring to or did you somehow get into the private Courtyard Sundeck? Oops!

[kollegekreed]

That's the secret...it's not private :-) the haven posh area is, but the whole area all the wa forward on 18 is public

[camz]

Thank you for your nicely detailed review. With regard to your Do Not Disturb issue. On other cruises, we had heard of problems with children in the hallways turning the dials. Maybe that is what happened to you on that particular day. It was nice to read you met nice new friends and had an excellent time. These solo cabins seem to be a hit with NCL.