NCL first timer

[voyager89]

Hello,

 

You might not know me since I used to post only on the RCI forum. I just booked an inside cabin for the October 26 Epic transatlantic, Barcelona to Miami. Will be on board for 2 weeks, so I was looking for an advise you could give me on the ship. My partner and I are pretty much new to cruising, we have only done RCI´s Oasis in April. The Epic will be our 3rd cruise, since I have booked RCI´s Jewel of the Seas for January. This is our first transatlantic also.

 

We only stop at St Maarten and St Thomas (where we have been to before) and Madeira. Pretty much this trip is to see Barcelona, spend some time in Miami that we love and of course the ship itself. We had a blast on the Oasis so A am hoping to do the same.

 

The only thing that I didnt love about the Epic is that most venues are paid... I had a hard time finding more than 3 other free restaurants other than the buffet and MDR.

 

Will I like NCL after RCL? I know this is a question that pretty much only me could answer once I have tried it but I am looking for cruisers that have been to both lines and might like or dislike one over the other.

 

Thanks!

[sdmike]

I've not been on a RCCL "mega ship", but I loved the Epic. I found there to be more to do than on any other cruise I've taken. There are LOTS of threads on "new to NCL" or "how does NCL compare to RCCL" (or any other line). Try the search function. Just putting in "RCCL" gave me these results:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1874497&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1794881&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1945023&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1930390&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923818&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1915113&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1835876&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1826097&highlight=rccl

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1812067&highlight=rccl

 

You can find a lot more. This was just on my first results page. You can also find tons of information on the Epic as well, including some links in my signature area

[SteveH2508]

Re free dining venues - this document shows the lot.

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/DiningGuide_06242013.pdf

 

We have sailed both NCL and RCCL (see my sig block) - we prefer NCL (but might do RCCL again if the price/itinerary was right). We found the atmosphere on NCL much better than RCCL - YMMV.

Edited November 18, 2013 by SteveH2508

[voyager89]

That helps a lot. Thank you very much both of you :o