Royal Caribbean crusted couple did NCL EPIC (Sep 22)

[Aquahound]

You read it as the most points are the other on board, I don't...

 

No need to explain yourself. NCL's way of doing busines, what they call "Freestyle," is not for everyone. Some folks don't have an issue with it, and minimize the wait times by laying blame on the other passengers rather than the system. I, however, do not. The wait times are a product of the system. Like me, it seems you did not favor this system and will take your money elsewhere. That's our choice. :)

[SeaShark]

No need to explain yourself. NCL's way of doing busines, what they call "Freestyle," is not for everyone. Some folks don't have an issue with it, and minimize the wait times by laying blame on the other passengers rather than the system. I, however, do not. The wait times are a product of the system. Like me, it seems you did not favor this system and will take your money elsewhere. That's our choice. :)

 

You are quite correct...eating on a cruise ship in the same manner that you eat each and every day is NOT for everyone. Some people love it. Others NEED to be told where and when to eat, as well as who to sit with. Freestyle is NOT for those people. (Makes you wonder how they ever manage to eat at a land based restaurant, though.)

 

It is totally unrealistic to expect an available table at the exact moment you choose to dine...unless each and every person onboard has a private reserved table. It just isn't physically possible for everyone to eat at the same time. If you choose to show up at the time when many others do, then somebody has to wait...we can't all sit first. However, there is nothing to stop you from choosing that time...it IS your choice afterall.

[Aquahound]

You are quite correct...eating on a cruise ship in the same manner that you eat each and every day is NOT for everyone. Some people love it. Others NEED to be told where and when to eat, as well as who to sit with. Freestyle is NOT for those people. (Makes you wonder how they ever manage to eat at a land based restaurant, though.)

 

It is totally unrealistic to expect an available table at the exact moment you choose to dine...unless each and every person onboard has a private reserved table. It just isn't physically possible for everyone to eat at the same time. If you choose to show up at the time when many others do, then somebody has to wait...we can't all sit first. However, there is nothing to stop you from choosing that time...it IS your choice afterall.

 

Are you somehow offended by my comment? :confused: I would assume so since you can't write an objective opinion without insulting those who feel different.

 

But ref your suggestion that I "NEED" to be told where and when to eat, you are waaaaay off base, as I don't recall ever having said that. Ever since the major cruise lines started implementing Anytime dining options, I have partaken. I haven't eaten a set dining time in years, across 4 different cruise lines. Yet, only on NCL have I been handed a pager and made to wait 30 minutes for a table. That was my expereince and like the OP, I was not fond of it.

 

And back to my opinion, if the system allows for everyone to show up at one time, creating long waits, then as I said, I blame that on the system, not the passengers.

[tiffygirl]

You are quite correct...eating on a cruise ship in the same manner that you eat each and every day is NOT for everyone. Some people love it. Others NEED to be told where and when to eat, as well as who to sit with. Freestyle is NOT for those people. (Makes you wonder how they ever manage to eat at a land based restaurant, though.)

 

It is totally unrealistic to expect an available table at the exact moment you choose to dine...unless each and every person onboard has a private reserved table. It just isn't physically possible for everyone to eat at the same time. If you choose to show up at the time when many others do, then somebody has to wait...we can't all sit first. However, there is nothing to stop you from choosing that time...it IS your choice afterall.

 

ha! Good points....

 

I go to cheesecake factory on a friday night at 5 oclock guess what??? I got to wait.they give me a pager and say i have a 45 min to an hour wait...is that cheecake factory's fault that they cant accomadate me INSTANTLY because everyone else decided they also wanted to eat at 5 oclock?No, we understand and we sit and wait and dont complain...or we could leave and go another resturant in the same area.... but guess what?? ...the next resturant at 5 pm on a Friday...same wait time!!! LOL But for some reason when we cruise (NCL) we are so insulted that we have to wait...somehow its NCL's fault that that they cant accomodate us when we decide we are ready to eat...It's nowhere in the fine print where they said "Freestyle we will sit you in less than 5 minutes or its free!! jusayin....

 

 

then again, maybe NCL is at fault by calling it' freestyle'. Maybe they should call it "non traditional seating".

[punkincc]

No, you just show up and ask if they have room for your party, than they check and tell you how long you have to wait, or tell you that the wait at the other dining room is better.

 

Or, the more likely scenario is that you are seated immediately with no wait. From most of the reviews and comments I have read and based on my own experience, there is usually a minimal wait, if any. I have had a pager once in four cruises. Savvy cruisers will take a look at the electronic boards and direct themselves to a venue which is less busy, choose a less busy dining time, or just relax, have a drink, listen to some entertainment and eat in a little while.

 

No dining system is perfect whether it be Freestyle or Traditional. There are trade offs to each. With traditional, my table is always ready. But I have to be there on their schedule, not mine, and sit with people they choose, not me.

 

With Freestyle, I make the choice of where and when and with whom I eat. It does not mean instant gratification. If I have to wait 5 minutes for a table, I think I'll survive the ordeal.

[SeaShark]

Are you somehow offended by my comment? :confused: I would assume so since you can't write an objective opinion without insulting those who feel different.

 

But ref your suggestion that I "NEED" to be told where and when to eat, you are waaaaay off base, as I don't recall ever having said that. Ever since the major cruise lines started implementing Anytime dining options, I have partaken. I haven't eaten a set dining time in years, across 4 different cruise lines. Yet, only on NCL have I been handed a pager and made to wait 30 minutes for a table. That was my expereince and like the OP, I was not fond of it.

 

And back to my opinion, if the system allows for everyone to show up at one time, creating long waits, then as I said, I blame that on the system, not the passengers.

 

"IF" I were offended you would know it because I would simply state that I was...that should save you from further instances of mistakenly assuming. I am not here to write objective opinions...objective opinions are for reviews and news stories. What I write here is MY SUBJECTIVE OPINION. Please see the 2nd quote in my signature for further clarification.

 

To your statement: "But ref your suggestion that I "NEED" to be told where and when to eat, you are waaaaay off base, as I don't recall ever having said that." I think I see your confusion. Of course you don't recall ever having said that...in much the same way that I never said it either. I said "some" need to be told where and when to eat. I never said "YOU" need to be told where and when. Perhaps if you don't read things into what others say when they are clearly not there, you might not take it wrong.

 

And maybe you can explain why you blame the system. The system doesn't ALLOW everyone to show at the same time, the people choose to do so. Do you suggest that they system somehow magically PREVENT people from eating at a time of their choosing? I'd love to know how THAT would work!

[Aquahound]

I said "some" need to be told where and when to eat.

 

No, that is not what you said.

 

Some people love it. Others NEED to be told where and when to eat, as well as who to sit with. Freestyle is NOT for those people. (Makes you wonder how they ever manage to eat at a land based restaurant, though.)

 

But ok, I can see what I'm up against here, and these sort of internet conversations aren't for me. Cheers.

[SeaShark]

 

But ok, I can see what I'm up against here, and these sort of internet conversations aren't for me. Cheers.

 

I can understand...its hard to claim things that were not said isn't it?

[krewzin]

No, that is not what you said.

 

 

 

But ok, I can see what I'm up against here, and these sort of internet conversations aren't for me. Cheers.

 

 

 

Especially when rather then being a conversation it becomes tantamount to banging your head on the wall.

[molole]

With Freestyle, I make the choice of where and when and with whom I eat. It does not mean instant gratification. If I have to wait 5 minutes for a table, I think I'll survive the ordeal.

 

It it were 5 minutes I wouldn't have a problem. But my wait was around 5 minutes times 10.

 

Overall I also had similar experience on Epic as the OP. while I loved the ship and the entertainment, the Freestyle experience was largely a hit and miss. Actually more miss than hit for me.

[lesliejayne]

Frankly, I have done a lot of cruises on various lines; I had my first experience with

freestyle this past summer on the BA. For me, it was more miss than hit.

 

The entertainment was great; the staff was great; freestyle was meh.

 

I'm just glad we had reservations in the up-charge restaurants for three of those nights. And in a land based restaurant, if somebody tells me there's a 45 minute wait, I just go somewhere else. Vacation time is too valuable to waste waiting for dinner.

[punkincc]

Frankly, I have done a lot of cruises on various lines; I had my first experience with

freestyle this past summer on the BA. For me, it was more miss than hit.

 

The entertainment was great; the staff was great; freestyle was meh.

 

I'm just glad we had reservations in the up-charge restaurants for three of those nights. And in a land based restaurant, if somebody tells me there's a 45 minute wait, I just go somewhere else. Vacation time is too valuable to waste waiting for dinner.

 

And that is what mystifies me! Why on earth, if someone chooses not to entertain themselves elsewhere on the ship with a pager for 40 min or so while they wait, would they simply not walk away and dine at any number of other places. It sometimes sounds like martyrdom to me. If you Really want to dine in that venue that night, a quick trip to the casino, a stop in the bar for a pre dinner drink and some entertainment, a little window shopping or any number of other things while I wait does not sound like much of a hardship to me.;).

[Starry Eyes]

Freestyle suits some people, and does not suit others. Same with MTD on Royal Caribbean. As you disliked MTD, I am not surprised you disliked freestyle.

 

If you elect to sail Princess, do try to book early to be sure you get traditional dining; on my Princess sailings, many people were "forced" into anytime dining as traditional dining slots were limited. DH and I were fine with anytime dining, but we also are fine with MTD and freestyle. If you disliked freestyle and MTD, you likely would not wish to be forced into anytime dining.

 

Epic and Allure are big ships. I enjoyed them both and never got lost on either. As companies keep building big ships, obviously there are plenty of people like me who love big ships. Smaller ships suit others. Are you a fan of Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class? Those are lovely, smaller ships adored by many.

[Powriv]

Thanks Verfai for your review of your Epic adventure

 

Appreciate the time and effort to write the review. Too bad you didn't enjoy the freestyle aspect of the cruise when it comes to meal times.

 

I have only been on one NCL cruise and a couple each of RCL and CCL and all are easily adapted to whether traditional or freestyle dining.

 

Always chose late seating on traditional but tended towards earlier seating times on freestyle. On traditional always felt that we should be early for seating times so wait staff could organize their tables properly..nothing was said but when people showed up late to dinner, the wait staff sure got behind. Freestyle dining certainly had the wait staff just as frenzied with each table at different stages of dining. It all seem to work out in the end.

 

Worries me to go on Epic next year and get cold food but would just send it back if that is the case

 

Hope you find the cruise line more to your liking which looks like RCI which is also a great cruise line going to lots of different ports

[ksimpso3]

I personally love freestyle as I hate sitting at a set time with strangers. I also hate formal dressing on vacation. I have been on several NCL cruises and don't ever remember being given a beeper for dinner. I sailed on Carnival Glory this July and chose my time dining. We received a beeper every night...and had a wait of at least 15 minutes each time (this was after waiting in line for 15-30 minutes just to get the beeper!!!) It didn't matter what time we went, we had to wait. And don't get me going on singing/dancing waiters!!! Hate that !!

I will stick with NCL and freestyle :)

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Forums mobile app

[LPYRCRUISER]

Although this isn't our first NCL cruise, it will be our first in over 30 years. There is no particular reason we haven't, just hasn't worked out. We have sailed several different lines through the years and have found Carnival seems to suit us.

 

We are planning a 40th anniversary Med cruise and lo and behold, CCL is not sailing there next year. After doing a lot of research and reading many reviews we've decided to give NCL another try.

 

I am a fan of set dining. I like the idea that at 6PM there will be a table ready, sitting, waiting for me. I also don't like debating where and when we will eat dinner. That being said, I am willing to give free style a shot, particularly since we're going on a very port intensive cruise. I understand that from day to day our dinner times will vary according to what excursions we have for that day.

 

I always try to keep an open mind and not dismiss something new and different. Some of these posts are making me a little nervous about our dining experience. I'm hoping for a decent, hot meal with good, friendly service.

 

I won't share those poor opinions with DH. He's having a few issues with such a 'big ship' and I don't want him to be sour on NCL before we even leave! This is a trip of a lifetime and wouldn't want anything to make it not.

[BAHIAPRINCIPE]

Sorry guys you get what you pay for in this life, once you have done the classy formal cruise there is just no going back.

NCL Epic is great for the kids, get it cheap and you've got a good deal, a bit like a cruise, but rough round the edges.

We paid £700 each with flights for this cruise for a balcony cabin, yes it would have been a lot more for RCI cruise, did it matter, well yes, we compared it all week.

Would we go again, yes, for the price we paid above, not a penny more, does this ship have class, hell no.

Sorry to be brutally honest, free style dining, with a pager that beeps you within 45 mins to 1 hour to be seated, i think not, how very odd.

The ship is 3 yrs old, looks over 10, tatty in places, if your going to say i'm too harsh then you aint ever done RCI.

Start off with the EPIC and work your way up

[Us2inFL]

Con,

 

Pro,

 

Con,

 

Pro,

Con,

Pro,

Con,

Pro,

 

Con,

 

Pro,

 

Con,

Pro,

Con,

 

Pro,

Con,

Pro,

Con,

Pro,

 

Con,

 

Pro,

Con,

Pro,

 

Con,

 

Pro,

 

Con,

 

Pro,

I’ve run out of things to say now...

 

UGH~! My eyes!

[dalgirl]

Very balanced review - but I have to say, we ate around 6-6:30 every night on our Med cruise a few weeks ago and there was no cold food and no wait. I have never had cold food on any NCL cruise unless it was supposed to be cold;)

 

But Mother agreed that the drinks were weak - being a "cheap drunk" I thought they were fine.

 

Everything is subjective. We will be on RCL in Jan. 2015 and I am already worried about adapting even though it was our first cruise brand. It is all what you get used to I guess.

 

Glad you still had a good time - that is what it is all about. NCL now has tee shirts that say any day on a cruise ship is better than a day at work - I think they stole this from me:D

[Sooner61]

The whole appeal is about flexibility. I have done the "oldstyle" and found myself at a table with 2 couples from different parts of the world. Which is great, until they both mentioned that they each served in WWII and on opposite sides. They refused to speak to each other and eventually one couple disappeared from the table all together. It was just very awkward.

 

On another ship, my cabin mate missed the ship and I was alone for the first 3 days. I spent those 3 days dodging a man cruising solo. He happened to be at my table. Once he found out I was alone, he appeared everywhere, even in port. Creepy.

 

I relish the thought of dining when and with whom I wish.

 

I hope to meet new friends on the Epic in January. I have joined the roll call, maybe we can even have a meal together. Can't wait for all of it.

[halos]

It’s not all bad, you will need to read on to know :D, but we mainly hated the freestyle concept.

Here we go!

 

Con, the look of the ship…I think she looks like a World War II dreadnaught ship rather than a cruise ship.

 

 

 

 

 

Con, for some reason the higher ranking supervisors (not even officers I guess) that have the hard knock life of watching staff clear & clean tables, our not even allowed to touch or help apparently…They have a to hard job of looking at people, looking for place to sit…Rather than picking up a cloth and clearing the table for them…Yes there is a need for supervisors, but in my opinion when over busy, you help out instead of shooting root in the floor.

 

.

 

 

...

 

Hating the Freestyle Concept:

I have to admit, our first experience with Freestyle didn't impress us either. It is vastly different that Traditional Dining but when we took our second NCL cruise, we suddenly decided we loved it. I think sometimes (although it may not be this way in your case) you are just thrown off by something so different. It is in a way, more 'work' to have to think about what time you want to dine, and where...so it does take a cruise or two to get used to. Traditional dining is very routine oriented, therefore mindless and when you vacation, sometimes it's nice to shut your brain down.

Once you do adjust however, you'd wonder why you ever disliked it. The best part of freestyle for us is the freedom to dine with WHO you want, moreso than when you want. We're pretty sociable, so we usually cruise with a group and it's nice to make plans with people in the group for dinner...or even when we meet new people on the ship and all of us decide to sit down together for a meal. That flexibility to us is priceless and we have never, ever had to wait longer than 10 to 15 minutes.

BUTT UGLY:

I find RCI ships to be stunning and no other cruise line that I have sailed has ships that pretty. I do agree that the Epic is quite ugly (exterior anyway) and I am pretty sure NCL knows they kinda blew it with that weird design but that does in NO way impact my cruise and I would hope it didn't yours.

:eek:

This last comment of yours that I quoted ASTOUNDED and disappointed me. I have never seen this on any NCL ship. In fact, on our last NCL cruise, the hotel director himself was out on the deck, dishing out food during the sea days BBQ they had on Lido. One of my favorite things about NCL is the fact that the senior staff are always present and not above doing anything for passengers. Your comments really shocked me. I want you to know that this isn't typical.

 

Sorry guys you get what you pay for in this life, once you have done the classy formal cruise there is just no going back.

 

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but mine is nowhere near yours.

 

I did sail Explorer of The Seas back in (2008 maybe??..I have to check my sig)

 

anyway..we haven't been back.

 

 

 

Posts such as yours created an expectation SO darn high in me, that when I sailed RCI, I was let down. I found (at that time) RCI to be under Carnival in quality, and wernt BACk to Carnival after that cruise.

 

We aren't foolish enough however, to write off any line forever. We are giving RCI another go this coming summer. Things change...Carnival went down the tubes for us and NCL is now our preferred line. I hope that I am going to feel about RCI the way you do after my Med cruise....but I sincerely think you give it too much credit.