An Epic Cruise & Aft Balcony Review (with pics) - W. Caribbean - Feb. 8-15, 2015

[CruiserRob]

Didn't know until later that Teppanyaki would be open for lunch so we could pick that up too (which we did on two afternoons).

 

Thanks for posting this as I would have missed it :D

Robert

[marciemi]

Thanks for posting this as I would have missed it :D

Robert

 

It was in the Daily for the first sea day but not for the other two. We were told that there was only one seating at Teppanyaki right at noon. Both days we went that seemed to be the case as we had a full table then and then never saw anyone else seated. We were able to book for a later sea day using the TV in our cabin but I was a bit leery since it didn't show anywhere else. We checked in and they insisted we were all set and we were fine when we showed up but it's definitely not advertised. It is the regular meal/menu/$25 cost but free with the UDP, even if you have a different dinner that evening. I also saw Cagneys showing lunch on the TV (which I thought was just for suites) but it may have been something special for Valentine's Day (which was our last sea day). Worth checking though!

[marciemi]

Sorry to hear she wasn't feeling well in GC but really nice of you guys to pass the opportunity on to someone else!

 

We had the same issue with the wifi - had no issues using it at the coffee shop early in the morning but we did go back (and stood right outside) after returning from the beach and it was also packed. I got enough service to check emails again quickly but couldn't load up FB (we were in touch with our kids via messenger) or much else.

 

The pics of us in the water were in GC and it was absolutely beautiful - water and air were both a nice temperature. It was sunny and calm that day as opposed to the next day in Cozumel when it seemed so windy. Not sure if the beach would have been okay then or not.

 

I was also cold much of the week but that's my normal status so didn't think much of it. I'd brought one black sweater that I ended up wearing over pretty much every single outfit for dinner. Also had a sweatshirt that I ended up sleeping in - probably more comfortable than a coat! ;)

 

And unfortunately, despite our preference, we aren't able to get an aft for the Getaway. All aft balconies (other than the corner Haven wraps at 3x the cost) only allow a max of 3. Told our son to be awfully certain that the GF was coming since I'm going to be really annoyed if she cancels and we end up on the side of the ship and unable to switch to an aft at that point! I did reserve one of the "Large Balcony" categories on deck 9 forward. So after all my complaining about the buffet being way forward on this ship with us aft we're going to have the opposite next time. :rolleyes:

 

I'll check out your flickr pics soon - looking forward to it!

 

Our Grand Cayman story.... we had booked a Capt. Marvin excursion out to Stingray City but Kathy wasn't feeling up to being on a boat for 3 hours so we didn't go. I gave our seats to a couple I met on the gangway. Anyway, after getting things squared away at Capt. Marvin's, I went off to the coffee shop, bought a cup of coffee, got the password, logged in, and checked some messages. Probably a dozen people there doing the same thing. The next couple hours was spent browsing at watches. Here's the funny part, before heading back to the ship I stopped by the coffee shop and was amazed at the crowd! You couldn't get near the place with all of the crew sitting around AND I couldn't get connected either.

 

Cozumel.... We booked Nachi Cocum. Really beautiful weather but only got our big toes in the water.... much to cold for us. Your pictures make me shiver just thinking about it....

 

I mentioned how Kathy wasn't feeling up to the excursion in Grand Cayman. In spite of the generally beautiful weather, Kathy was cold all week especially aboard ship. The breeze was cool. You mentioned earlier in your review about having trouble regulating the temperature in the cabin. We had the same problem. It would be comfortable and the next thing you knew, it would be cold. A couple times I even saw her sleeping with her coat on. Missed the photo op....

 

Thanks for the review. Enjoy that Getaway cruise next January. I'm assuming you booked an aft cabin to get the 3rd/4th free. Life with four in a cabin should make for an interesting review. Looking forward to reading it.....

 

..........................................

I'm really behind in editing my pictures and putting them onto a webpage but I did get some ship images and videos uploaded to flickr. FWIW, here is a link... NCL Epic Cruise.

[keishashadow]

great pics of u & the hubby, love that porthole frame!

 

ur food porn;) has convinced me that we should give NCL another shot if we can get the specialty dining deal. Curious,d id you eat any meals in the MDR?

 

will say the drink selections included in your 'free' options looked far more extensive than what we were 'permitted' with the basic plan on Celebrity this January. Several times were refused frozen drinks even in smaller cup sizes:rolleyes: before finding our favorite bartender. Drink service was very slow too, we took to going directly to bar to order when on pool deck. Did you notice same on this sailing?

Edited March 14, 2015 by keishashadow

[Mac4YYZ]

I have been on two Celebrity cruises in the past year with the beverage package and they were both excellent. Unlike NCL the bev package included freshly squeezed juices, cappuccino and espresso, bottled water, smoothies and beer, wine etc.

[gracett1]

Do you know what is included in the NCL Alcohol Beverage package? We booked a cruise for next year and we choose the Bev package.

[Mac4YYZ]

Much more basic than Celebrity. Check the NCL website.

[keishashadow]

I have been on two Celebrity cruises in the past year with the beverage package and they were both excellent. Unlike NCL the bev package included freshly squeezed juices, cappuccino and espresso, bottled water, smoothies and beer, wine etc.

 

must depend on the bartender & ship. On Jan Summit Sailing they were refusing us frozen drinks and martinis, many unhappy campers on the pool deck the first day. we found a bartender who was happy to make them in smaller glasses and we followed him on his rotation thru the ship, yes we tipped him well.;)

 

DH not thrilled stella wasn't included.

 

no complaint with the brands of liquor in the basic pkg & we did appreciate how they would hand us a big bottle of water when we headed into port, the fresh-squeezed OJ and excellent barista service.

[marciemi]

The only meals we ate in the (Taste) DR were a couple breakfasts and lunch on embarkation day. Both were fine and we had no issues with slow service or cold food or anything like that. But we did love the UDP!

 

We never found anything we would want on the UBP that we wanted that we couldn't get, with the obvious exception of bottles of wine. But we didn't have an issue getting a glass at a time and frequent refills during meals - may be different in the regular DR's but they were very prompt about it in the specialty restaurants.

 

We rarely sit out on the pool deck and the few times we did we ordered a drink if someone stopped by to ask us if we wanted one but I don't think we ever were looking for someone to. It was just easier for us to stop at a bar on our way to or from activities or to bring one back from a bar on our way back to our cabin/balcony where we were more apt to sit out.

 

great pics of u & the hubby, love that porthole frame!

 

ur food porn;) has convinced me that we should give NCL another shot if we can get the specialty dining deal. Curious,d id you eat any meals in the MDR?

 

will say the drink selections included in your 'free' options looked far more extensive than what we were 'permitted' with the basic plan on Celebrity this January. Several times were refused frozen drinks even in smaller cup sizes:rolleyes: before finding our favorite bartender. Drink service was very slow too, we took to going directly to bar to order when on pool deck. Did you notice same on this sailing?