Epic Upkeep

[steilkurve]

Hello all. I've got an Owner's Suite on hold for an Epic Holiday cruise. I see that the ship is scheduled for refurbishment in 2015 which I believe will be its first since it's inaugural in 2010. My questions:

 

1) How would people qualify the condition of the ship? Do its 4 years start to show?

 

2) Ditto on the cabins. Still in good shape or wear showing like in the mattresses for instance. And if anyone has been in The Haven / Owner's Suite recently, a POV would be appreciate on their upkeep.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Love my butler]

The ship is showing normal wear and tear but it's not falling apart. The Epic has so many other negatives that worn carpets or mattresses are the least of your worries. It is by far the worst NCL ship I have ever sailed on. Just say no.

[KeithJenner]

We've been on the Epic for the past three years. We all have our own opinions on what makes a decent ship, and I'll save you mine and just answer your question.

 

I'm not the most observant when it comes to decor etc, but my wife is and she didn't notice anything particularly on the Epic.

 

We did think that the bed felt less comfortable than previously, but it was still fine.

 

I've read comments on here about signs of wear in cabins and damaged chairs, but I'm not aware of massive problems. Remember they do lots of maintenance all the time.

[rics321]

The ship is showing normal wear and tear but it's not falling apart. The Epic has so many other negatives that worn carpets or mattresses are the least of your worries. It is by far the worst NCL ship I have ever sailed on. Just say no.

 

I sailed on Epic's second and third sailing .... I think. Those two back to back cruises were the only cruises that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I assumed since it was the 2nd and 3rd sailing ... maybe the staff wasn't well trained.

[steilkurve]

The ship is showing normal wear and tear but it's not falling apart. The Epic has so many other negatives that worn carpets or mattresses are the least of your worries. It is by far the worst NCL ship I have ever sailed on. Just say no.

 

Thanks for the reply. Aware of the controversy around Epic whether it be the smoke smell from the casino or the infamous bathrooms. Want to book really just for The Haven. Stayed there on Getaway in March and loved it. Now, I am curious though. What are the other negatives you refer to?

[Meanee]

Thanks for the reply. Aware of the controversy around Epic whether it be the smoke smell from the casino or the infamous bathrooms. Want to book really just for The Haven. Stayed there on Getaway in March and loved it. Now, I am curious though. What are the other negatives you refer to?

 

Casino is setup in a way that you just can't avoid it. You will have to go through it every now and then. I preferred Oasis ship for that, where casino has it's own deck and you are not forced through it. That being said, I did not notice a smoke smell there. And I am very good and picking it out, since both of my parents smoke.

[david_sobe]

The Haven on Epic is larger than Breakaway and Getaway. So while it may be a few years older than the newer ships but I have not heard ONE person say Breakaway or Getaway has a better Haven area. It appears the Haven restaurant and lounge is much smaller than Epic. Posh seems to be a larger better private sundeck too (although it does not have hot tubs).

[Single Cruiser]

I've sailed on her every year and will be twice more this year :)

 

All the public lounge areas were fine, normal wear and tear.

 

The only thing I noticed was some of the sun beds were in need of replacement.

 

Some people do seem to have personal vendetta against the ship and post the same negative comment at every opportunity..

[steilkurve]

The Haven on Epic is larger than Breakaway and Getaway. So while it may be a few years older than the newer ships but I have not heard ONE person say Breakaway or Getaway has a better Haven area. It appears the Haven restaurant and lounge is much smaller than Epic. Posh seems to be a larger better private sundeck too (although it does not have hot tubs).

 

 

Indeed. I've watched quite a few Epic Haven videos on YouTube and the area does seem larger. While it is one of the controversial features of the ship, the 'blocky' design of the Haven superstructure likely contributes to the extra space. All this to say, I want to try it!

[steilkurve]

I've sailed on her every year and will be twice more this year :)

 

 

 

All the public lounge areas were fine, normal wear and tear.

 

 

 

The only thing I noticed was some of the sun beds were in need of replacement.

 

 

 

Some people do seem to have personal vendetta against the ship and post the same negative comment at every opportunity..

 

 

You seem to be right. It is a love or hate ship it appears. After having sailed Getaway, I have to give NCL props for breaking the typical cruise ship mold.

[Britisher in New York]

Do you know when in 2015 the refurbishment is scheduled for? I am sailing on her 24th May. Thanks

[KeithJenner]

It's after that. September or October, I can't remember exactly.

[Quincella]

Thanks for the reply. Aware of the controversy around Epic whether it be the smoke smell from the casino or the infamous bathrooms. Want to book really just for The Haven. Stayed there on Getaway in March and loved it. Now, I am curious though. What are the other negatives you refer to?

 

Do not lend much credence to this particular poster's responses. He makes a sport of trolling the NCL boards and dropping negativity all over the place. There is serious doubt as to whether he's ever even sailed on any NCL ship.

 

That said, not everyone loves the ship, for sure, so do read what others have to say.

 

I for one, adore the ship. I sailed her in the Haven in 2010, and again in a regular balcony room (my kids had an inside) just last year. I did not notice any particular wear and tear, although certainly there is the norm as she is not brand new.

 

The bed even last year was very comfortable to me. I was not in the Owner's Suite, but mattress wear would be about the same everywhere, assuming they sail near capacity. If it was showing its age, it was unremarkable.

 

I would sail the Epic again any day of the week, and it's the only ship I've ever repeated.

 

The Haven experience is outstanding.

[steilkurve]

Do not lend much credence to this particular poster's responses. He makes a sport of trolling the NCL boards and dropping negativity all over the place. There is serious doubt as to whether he's ever even sailed on any NCL ship.

 

 

 

That said, not everyone loves the ship, for sure, so do read what others have to say.

 

 

 

I for one, adore the ship. I sailed her in the Haven in 2010, and again in a regular balcony room (my kids had an inside) just last year. I did not notice any particular wear and tear, although certainly there is the norm as she is not brand new.

 

 

 

The bed even last year was very comfortable to me. I was not in the Owner's Suite, but mattress wear would be about the same everywhere, assuming they sail near capacity. If it was showing its age, it was unremarkable.

 

 

 

I would sail the Epic again any day of the week, and it's the only ship I've ever repeated.

 

 

 

The Haven experience is outstanding.

 

 

Thanks Quincella. Helpful background! Question, when you stayed in The Haven on Epic, were you on deck 16? It so, did you notice noise from the Garden Cafe below? Thanks again.

[Quincella]

Thanks Quincella. Helpful background! Question, when you stayed in The Haven on Epic, were you on deck 16? It so, did you notice noise from the Garden Cafe below? Thanks again.

 

Yes, we were on 16, and I don't recall hearing a thing. This coming from someone who spends a ton of time on the balcony.

 

If noise had been a problem at all, it's definitely something I would remember.

[Sparky38]

I've sailed on her every year and will be twice more this year :)

 

All the public lounge areas were fine, normal wear and tear.

 

The only thing I noticed was some of the sun beds were in need of replacement.

 

Some people do seem to have personal vendetta against the ship and post the same negative comment at every opportunity..

 

I'm with you Craig so maybe it is a Brit thing. 5 weeks under my belt and another booked for February - I love this ship.

 

Re wear and tear I think she has held up well and my only observation was the decor in the cabins - in particular drawers, cupboards etc which will have been heavily used.....

[steilkurve]

Encouraging. Thanks all for the feedback. We shall put down the deposit on that Owner's Suite!

[Single Cruiser]

Do you know when in 2015 the refurbishment is scheduled for? I am sailing on her 24th May. Thanks

 

It's end of September.

 

I'm bringing her back from Barcelona to Southampton 20-26th September, then she pops over to France for 2wk dry dock.

[judipa]

The ship is showing normal wear and tear but it's not falling apart. The Epic has so many other negatives that worn carpets or mattresses are the least of your worries. It is by far the worst NCL ship I have ever sailed on. Just say no.

 

every post i look at i see a negative comment from you. Perhaps you should go haunt another lines board. it is obvious that you hate NCL so sail another line and get off the NCL boards.

 

As for advising people that they can adjust the daily service charge for no reason i find that CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!!!!!

[jonbgd]

During our TA last year, we had maintenance to our cabin a couple times, to fix a few things.

 

He said the Epic was built in a French shipyard and they used the cheapest materials.

He has had to do a lot more repairs, than he experienced, on other NCL ships he has worked on

[GUEST080219]

I try to not look for maintenance issues as it just ruins the impression. But there were some I could not overlook in the family suite I had on the April TA. Water temperature and pressure were not okay, not working drawers, hole in the wood paneling, stained carpet, badly done painting job in the secondary bathroom, loose clothes hooks. What could be done was fixed but only after I mentioned it. Nothing to ruin a cruise but for the price tag they normally charge I was not impressed.

[Powriv]

Epic is not the most beautiful ship I have seen from the outside, but I must have rose coloured glasses as I don't recall any issues that required maintenance once on board.

[em-sk]

I like the EPIC. Nice ship. Hopefully after dry dock they redo the entertainment and get something else other than the Blue Man Group. They are a group that I find you want to experience once in your life and then avoid.

 

After Dry Dock the ship will permanently stay in Europe. If as part of that they adjust the entertainment that would be good. I wonder what other changes they will make.

[Love my butler]

every post i look at i see a negative comment from you. Perhaps you should go haunt another lines board. it is obvious that you hate NCL so sail another line and get off the NCL boards.

 

As for advising people that they can adjust the daily service charge for no reason i find that CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!!!!!

 

Perhaps I should, but choose not to. But I do appreciate your warm and friendly suggestions. Keep'em coming. :D

 

I simply let them know NCL gives them a choice. An informed consumer is a smart consumer. :)

 

P.S. NCL refers to it as a DISCRETIONARY service charge.