March 9 EPIC sailing with a Ball & Chain (or how to enjoy the aft half of the ship)

[Sauer-kraut]

Just a teaser for all of us who are seemingly stuck in eternal winter. :eek:

 

This will be a short, scattered semi-review with quirky pictures. A caveat: I am not a photographer and as such rarely take photos. This is a departure for me as I actually remembered to try and get some shots of the ship.

 

The half I didn't visit very much....:p

 

[Sauer-kraut]

And on to the review

Being attached to a ball and chain is not fun while on a cruise, but it did give me the chance to book a last minute sailing on the Epic. I went into this cruise with the knowledge that I wouldn’t really be getting off at any of the ports, and I thought I could manage with limited walking.

My ball and chain

 

I was able to snag the last available solo studio cabin on deck 11 for a good price, it seems that even though this was a spring break sailing many cabins were open even less than a week before sail date. Cabin 11561 was at the end of the studio hallway at the aft elevators, it did make for a long trek to the studio lounge known as the Living Room. There is also another hallway of studio even more aft of the elevator area.

 

Embarkation is on deck 6, we were to board at terminal B and that was forward entering by the Theater, the Spiegel Tent and Headliners. I found the escalators down (thorough the casino) to deck 5 for Taste MDR and the Service Desk. I was unfortunately one person too late to get a Posh Pass. Since I was basically confined to sitting/reclining the thought of plush seats shaded by big umbrellas was really appealing. Oh well. Lunch at taste was fine; I offered to share a table and met Betty who was doing a back to back and her son Rudy, who was joining her on the 2nd leg.

 

While at lunch Ken the Cruise Director announced the cabins were ready, so I went up to explore. I got a lounge at Spice and enjoyed a bit of sun after the winter storm that had lingered all week in Chicago. From there I watched sail away and then back to my cabin. On the way to check out the Living Room my suitcase was in the hall by a different cabin. Unfortunately the porter had transposed my cabin number, so after dragging back to my cabin I decided it was enough walking for the time being.

 

 

 

STORAGE IN THE SMALL SINK AREA

 

MAIN CLOSET WITH 2 SHELVES

[SMSACE6]

Thanks for your review! Im going to be in one of those studios in November. Sorry about your ball and chain!:)

[Sauer-kraut]

OUTLETS --located in the towel shelf cabinet and by the small desk under the TV

 

 

 

 

A tip to those who have access to the Living Room: there is a fancy coffee machine in there. The exact same machine that is at the Atrium Café coffee bar which serves specialty coffees for a fee!! The solos DON’T HAVE TO PAY TO GET COFFEE!! I used the hot chocolate packets and finished off the top with hot steamed milk. So nice! There is also a bar there, with limited hours, I think John was there from 5 p.m. till about 9 p.m. but I’m not positive on that. So a nice friendly atmosphere to hang and have a drink. Those who are solo but not in the studios can access the lounge everyday, just look at the Freestyle Daily for solo gathering times (usually around 5:30 p.m.) It is then that the group will decide where to dine together. Join in and don’t feel like you aren’t one of the group.

 

As the salon treatment finished I asked to see what the spa was like, and Christine gave me a tour. The thing that clinched the deal for the spa pass was the lounge area in the pool where the bubbles massage your entire body, this is something I’ve enjoyed in European pools and was really excited to see it on the ship. The spa pass was $146 dollars for the week, as we had already left Miami and were in open water there was no additional tax added. To me that was the price of swimming with the dolphins shore excursion I had been contemplating for the St. Maarten port of call. I spent a few hours every day in the spa so it was money well spent since I was basically ship bound for the 7 days.

 

 

Views from the pedicure chair in the Salon

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Small line to hang -- basically held a one piece swimsuit.

 

Shampoo and Soap dispenser

 

Encapsulated head

 

I'm sorry I thought there was a shot of the outside of the shower. I had no problems getting in and out of it, and I'm a larger round. :D

[Sauer-kraut]

I only have 2 pictures from the spa, there were too many people in the pool and I was trying to make them anonymous. Also didn't get one of the balcony where I spent 90% of my time.

 

THE 'BUBBLE LOUNGER' IS ALONG THE BACK WALL TO THE LEFT OF PICTURE

 

HEATED TILE LOUNGERS -- SOME HOTTER THAN OTHERS

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Since the elevators I used were the aft ones, it was the perfect situation to reach any of the restaurants. I did not eat at any up charge venues. Manhattan, Taste and O’Sheehan’s are all located in that area. The Noodle Bar and the Sushi place were also basically aft. The downside was that to access everything but Manhattan you had to walk through the casino. Was it smoky? It all depended on the time of day. More so during late nights about 1 a.m. because the black jack and poker tables are right at the opening to the casino. There are no smoking slot machines towards the elevator end of the floor so of course it wasn’t so bad back there.

 

I didn’t pre-book any shows, I saw all that I wanted. It seemed like a Chicago themed cultural event ship. I saw Second City and Blue Man Group by walking up 15 minutes before show time and got a seat. Charlie Love and the Silky Smooth Band (from Chicago) were playing in Fat Cats. He was really good and didn’t sing only blues, but switched it up with Lou Rawls, The Temptations, and other groups. I saw him 3 nights. Late nights I was at the Atrium screen watching the movie. So, there is plenty to do even if you are somewhat mobility challenged.

 

For those of you who miss the Scottish bangers that were served at breakfast a few years ago at breakfast on NCL, they have not disappeared completely! O’Sheehan’s offered Bangers & Mash served with brown gravy on the blackboard special. Needless to say lunch that day was eaten there. Service was generally good. One day I had breakfast there and on the last night I was going to have a very late dinner. I was seated right away, but no one ever came to set down silverware, nor glass of water and the table next to me who was seated after I was got service quickly. I walked out, disappointed as I was looking forward to dinner there. That was the only ‘bad’ experience on board.

 

As to sound levels – seriously I had wished I’d had earplugs in my pocket. ALL of the shows and the movies were loud, even though I’d tried to sit away from speakers and at the back of the venue. Memo to NCL loud does not make something sound better…..

For example the solo cruisers had dinner in Manhattan one night and the floorshow was the Manhattan Singers. (Seemed like a show choir show). Our table was right there on the dance floor where they were performing and the sound levels were terrible! There was no way to have a conversation during dinner. The jazz combo was better; at least they had volume down a bit. Charlie Love was loud; the lounge has really low ceilings and amplified music blasted from the speakers. I sat in the back every time I went hoping that it would be a bit better.

 

Tim Hobson the magician (who completed his contract on this cruise) was phenomenal! His up close show was just amazing and I’m still wondering how his he did his slight of hand tricks. I saw all his shows. Second City was good, sometimes they were just doing the improv skits to the basest level and got pretty disgusting. The skits on the other hand were really good. As I said before Charlie Love was great, as well as Blue Man Group. It seemed to me it is either Love or Hate it and I'm not sure if that is a generational divide or not. I was surprised to hear so many people say they didn't like it or that they didn't 'get it'. Most if not all of the 'younger' demographic I overheard were praising the show. (I'm in the mid-century club so I guess I'm straddling generations here). Since BMG has been running in Chicago for several years and I have been to their show and knew what it was all about, I thought they did a great job and cut pieces from several of their shows. It was entertaining.

[Sauer-kraut]

In summary:

 

There is music all over the ship! I just didn’t walk around enough to enjoy it all. Unless you are a group of people there is no need to schedule the shows ahead of time, especially the last night of Blue Man Group, there were so many empty seats in the theater. I felt the food was fine in all the free venues, although ordering medium rare steak was touch and go. One night it was almost medium well, so the next time I ordered rare which was truly rare (cold red center), the time after that went back to medium rare and it was just medium. Soups, salads and most main dishes were great.

 

I had a good time, I would like to try that ship again when both feet were working, just to see what was missed by my limited ambulatory abilities. I will say you have to work really hard to get sea views. The spa was best for that. 3 saunas had floor to ceiling window looking out to sea (too bad I don’t care for the heat or I would have sat in there for hours reading!). On deck 7 between the life boats you have a wonderful space to enjoy the wind and water, but nowhere to sit and enjoy it. It would be great if there were upright chairs in the bump out bit of railing near midships. Deck 15 is the pool deck and it is surrounded by high glass wind breakers, so there isn’t any open area of railing you can stand or sit by to get the feeling of the speed.

 

I also want to point out that I had 'issues' with something in the cabin and went up to Kaj the Hotel Director after the Meet & Greet to let him know about them. Right then and there he took out a notebook and wrote down my cabin number and my name. Later I had a message on the telephone from Customer Service acknowledging they were working on the issue. I then had a visit from my great room steward Kenneth from Nicaragua and his boss Eduardo. They were trying to make something work and it was better. I saw Kaj again welcoming people back onto the ship at St. Maarten and went up to thank him and he said it was all due to the work of the Head of Housekeeping, Mama Tek. She was there and she said, "Oh, cabin ______. How is it working?" The assistant Housekeeping staff also saw me on a nearly daily basis and continued to ask if the problem was resolved. SO, the moral of the story is if you have ANY ISSUE please let the staff know and let them make it right!

 

 

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Since my flight didn't leave MIA until 7 p.m. I signed up for a post cruise excursion. I chose the Everglades Safari Park Air Boat tour. Well I was so happy to have done this!! The guide on the bus, Mark, was so knowledgeable about all things Florida; history, flora, fauna, language derivatives/word evolution and anything else we had a question about. He made the trip truly informative as well as bringing visual aids to illustrate what he was talking about.

 

The air boat ride was fun, I've been to the Everglades several times and have always wanted to do this. The boat pilot was great too, she stopped and talked about the water levels problems, how the Indians lived off what was growing in the river, and gave us an overview of what we were looking at.

 

 

 

There is then a presentation of the alligators! The interpreter, Jeff, gave a little talk about the 'gators in the stage area. Got them to respond to their names and answered questions. He gave the opportunity to hold a baby alligator for a small fee (which goes towards the upkeep of the park). It was a quick visit, and we covered everything in an hour but it was well worth the cost of the tour with the included transfer to the airport.

 

[Sauer-kraut]

I hope this wasn't too scatter-brained for you. This is the first review I've done, and I tried to be concise and informative. Please ask any questions, I'll be happy to answer them! :)

[youngestof9]

awesome!!! Those alligators are cool. I found Kaj to be sooooo accommodating. Liked him a lot. Did you get to Howl at the Moon?

 

I'm wearing a very similar boot on my left foot. Skipped it when I was on Epic in February because my foot was healing. Big mistake. Back in the boot for another month. Ugh.

 

Welcome back - glad you had a nice cruise :)

[Sauer-kraut]

awesome!!! Those alligators are cool. I found Kaj to be sooooo accommodating. Liked him a lot. Did you get to Howl at the Moon?

 

I'm wearing a very similar boot on my left foot. Skipped it when I was on Epic in February because my foot was healing. Big mistake. Back in the boot for another month. Ugh.

 

Welcome back - glad you had a nice cruise :)

 

Thanks! Yes Kaj was really quite funny, he was all over all the time. Even when we were embarking he was in the gangway welcoming us!

 

Yes, I went to Howl at the Moon several times. I even saw one of the guys in the buffet one night.

 

As to the left foot, I've been away from work for a month now, I'm thinking that the Doc will release me on Thursday when I go back for a check up.

[meltingmoments]

Welcome home! Enjoyed your review, thanks for posting! :)

 

Hope your foot is healing. Take care.:)

[jdvmd]

What wonderful pictures!

[Sauer-kraut]

What wonderful pictures!

Thank you :)

 

Welcome home! Enjoyed your review, thanks for posting! :)

 

Hope your foot is healing. Take care.:)

Yes it is...I'll be back at work before I want to be! :D

[The P]

Thanks for all the studio photos. Gives me a good idea of what to expect on the BREAKAWAY. There's more storage than I thought there would be.

[kerrytens]

Welcome back. It's great to relive not only the Epic through someone else's eyes but also to know that there is another soul on this earth that loved the Everglades tour as much as I did. Favourite excursion ever! And those guides really do know a lot and want to impart their knowledge about a true American treasure. The glades need to be preserved!

 

Thanks for posting.

 

Oh and I certainly hope that foot heals too:D

[cabincop]

Ummm am I the only one who thought ball and chain meant wife or husband? lol I think I have a bad opinions of marriage. BTW great review

[sdmike]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Seems like you made the best out of a bum deal. :)

[DGP1111]

Since my flight didn't leave MIA until 7 p.m. I signed up for a post cruise excursion. I chose the Everglades Safari Park Air Boat tour. Well I was so happy to have done this!! The guide on the bus, Mark, was so knowledgeable about all things Florida; history, flora, fauna, language derivatives/word evolution and anything else we had a question about. He made the trip truly informative as well as bringing visual aids to illustrate what he was talking about.

 

Wait - Whoa - You got to see alligators on the alligator tour?? :D

I say that because I did that same excursion on 3/2 after my EPIC sailing, and the temps were in the low 50s, meaning way too cold for gators and snakes (boo!), but also too cold for most bugs (yea!).

Had Mark as the onboard bus guide and he was quite amazing with his info and dialogue.

 

.

[Sue Do'nym]

before going on the Epic my favorite thing was reading cruise reviews...turns out reading reviews is my favorite thing after getting back from the Epic. Great review-thanks for posting and hope the ball and chain comes off soon!:)

[Xchoppers]

see next post

[Xchoppers]

:)I recognize that home! - Nassau!

 

 

[Sauer-kraut]

Yes, taken from the balcony in the Spa.