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Carnival Glory or NCL Epic -- Same Price

jetexpress

By jetexpress,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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SandyAtSea

SandyAtSea

Posted
Posted
I really appreciate everyone's input!! My heart wants to go with the Epic, however after doing a little research it seems that almost everyone who books a guarantee balcony on Epic will receive an "in-hull" balcony. (Similar to cove balconies on CCL). I really do not think I would be a fan of being surrounded by steel especially since these in-hull balconies are all on higher decks. I have not seen many positive reviews of this category either. I know I could pay a little more for an assigned room but would have to go up a few categories to not be on a deck 8 balcony which are completely exposed to higher decks. So at that point the cost is not as close at it first appears to the Glory. quote]

 

I am booked on the Epic but have not sailed her yet. But if you look at the deck plans or even just pictures of the Epic, you will see that only the first few staterooms on each deck are enclosed. Those all have large (extended) balconies and are actually priced higher than some other balconies. Some people reserve these just for the large balcony and others like the added protection from sun, wind and rain. But the main thing is that an extremely high percentage of balconies are NOT enclosed. The entire length of the rest of each deck is open balconies.

 

BTW I was in a cove balcony on the Breeze and the only difference I saw between that and a regular balcony was it was closer to the water. There was still glass below the rail. I even happened to be in a spot where there was no lifeboat above so I had sun and everything.

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mikel24m

mikel24m

Posted
Posted
We pretty much don't sail for ports any longer (in the Caribbean), but that's just because we've "been there, done that". I personally like the extra SEA DAY which the Epic provides!

 

Tom

 

Don't you mean an extra gambling day ;)

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Tapi Great Review Rare

Tapi

Posted
Posted (edited)

Jetexpress:

 

Did you get your Epic pricing through NCL? Keep in mind that NCL does allow travel agents to discount prices as well as provide OBC, prepaid gratuities, and other goodies. You can save some money by shopping around.

 

Also, don't know if your screen name is an indication, but if you are in the airline industry, there are also very good interline discounts.

Edited by Tapi
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Lerin

Lerin

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'd pick Epic, but only because I've never been on it.

 

However in looking at the figures you posted it seems you would lose $100 obc, $50 fttf, as well as any cost for canceling? Also you may have to pay more to upgrade to a different cabin on Epic? Depending on your financial situation, it could be a bit pricier to change.

 

Just go and enjoy your cruise. When you return, you and your friends can have a photo viewing, story swapping party. Then plan another cruise together!

Edited by Lerin
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  • 3 months later...
jules71

jules71

Posted
Posted

I even happened to be in a spot where there was no lifeboat above so I had sun and everything.

 

Sandy at Sea, would you mind sharing your cabin number? I was interested in these until I saw a picture with the lifeboats overhead. Would be great if there are some without. Thanks!

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evandbob

evandbob

Posted
Posted

I sailed the Epic for the 1st time last March, had a great cruise. Food and entertainment and décor was much better with more choices on the Epic.

Epic is much newer than the Glory too. At the Epic's elevator banks there were interactive maps to assist you getting about in the ship. The cabin might be a bit smaller, and I didn't win at the slots, but I found the Epic to be a much better experience overall.

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soccersharon

soccersharon

Posted
Posted (edited)
... and if you had been on it, you'd probably be even more "pro-Epic". Not everyone is, but most are.

 

Tom

 

Well...all I can say is I'm glad we tried the Epic. I may be in the minority, but we would likely not sail the Epic again, for a few reasons. At the end of the day, we had a great time, and met some wonderful people - but, Epic did not "wow" us like I'd hoped. I'm working

on a review, and hope to post it soon :)

 

Sent from my GT-S5830D using Forums mobile app

Edited by soccersharon
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tootsiescurly

tootsiescurly

Posted
Posted
We have been booked on Glory for 2/2/14 for a while now and we just found out our friends booked a sailing on NCL Epic for the same date. Both sailings are leaving from Miami the same day. They are trying to convince us to switch and give NCL a try. Right now we are in an 8F balcony on Glory for $749 p/p with $100 OBC for the cabin. We could book a guarantee balcony on the Epic for $749 and essentially just lose the OBC. For what it's worth, we do have FTTF booked on the glory as well so I am essentially only figuring it as $50 OBC. Does anyone have thoughts or opinions? Should we make the switch?

We were on the Epic in the Haven. Although, the Haven was very nice because of the privacy, we were for the most part unimpressed with the Epic. The upsell restaurants were not worth the money. Will admit we are foodies but must admit the steakhouse on Carnival eclipses any restaurant on NCL. Quite frankly, the one ship we saw in port which was impressive was the Disney ship. Unfortunately, Disney is not a cruise we would consider because we have no children.

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Tom-n-Cheryl "Live from...." Rare

Tom-n-Cheryl

Posted
Posted
We were on the Epic in the Haven. Although, the Haven was very nice because of the privacy, we were for the most part unimpressed with the Epic. The upsell restaurants were not worth the money. Will admit we are foodies but must admit the steakhouse on Carnival eclipses any restaurant on NCL. Quite frankly, the one ship we saw in port which was impressive was the Disney ship. Unfortunately, Disney is not a cruise we would consider because we have no children.

 

Out of the dozens of times we've dined in the specialty restaurants on NCL, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean - I definitely feel that what one gets for $35 in Carnival's steakhouse is tops !!

 

Tom

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mikel24m

mikel24m

Posted
Posted
Out of the dozens of times we've dined in the specialty restaurants on NCL, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean - I definitely feel that what one gets for $35 in Carnival's steakhouse is tops !!

 

Tom

 

Not to thread highjack but how did you make out this trip

 

We got online gambling this week. Could be a good or bad thing :)

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Ilovesailaway

Ilovesailaway

Posted
Posted

Another vote for the Epic. My family and I loved that ship. The blues band at night was the best live band I have seen on any ship. Loved the freestyle. Loved the outdoor spaces. Not a big fan of the huge casino or the profile of the ship, it looks like it has a huge forehead lol. The ship is awesome though and we would love to sail her again some day.

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