Epic- Canary Islands- december

[hlsess]

looking at this Christmas Cruise- not done a cruise in a long time- how is weather over Christmas- is water warm enough to swim?

What is food like- salad bar- any American food like burgers etc?

is entertainment decent? taking a 20 &23 year old

[Cloudyrain]

It's an American ship and therefore loads of American food, as well as a good salad selection in the buffet. There is pretty much every food you can think of on the ship due to the number of restaurants and the size of the buffets.

 

December in the Canaries can be a bit hit and miss: it can be sunny, clear, still and 25c, or it can be windy, rainy, cloudy, and 16c. The sea can be very rough or lovely and still. We have had just under 20 days on the canaries in November/December over the last two years and it's been mostly lovely, with a few very rough sea days where pools were closed. I think we probably had one or two days sunbathing each time, but then I'm not really a sun worshipper, other people did more I'm sure.

 

The entertainment is great in the Epic - especially now they have bumped the Blue Men off :D

[hlsess]

Great. Thanks for this info!!

[kirsty_r]

It's an American ship and therefore loads of American food, as well as a good salad selection in the buffet. There is pretty much every food you can think of on the ship due to the number of restaurants and the size of the buffets.

 

December in the Canaries can be a bit hit and miss: it can be sunny, clear, still and 25c, or it can be windy, rainy, cloudy, and 16c. The sea can be very rough or lovely and still. We have had just under 20 days on the canaries in November/December over the last two years and it's been mostly lovely, with a few very rough sea days where pools were closed. I think we probably had one or two days sunbathing each time, but then I'm not really a sun worshipper, other people did more I'm sure.

 

The entertainment is great in the Epic - especially now they have bumped the Blue Men off :D

 

Totally agree - especially about Blue Man! I'm off to the canaries in January and this is exactly the forecast we are expecting. :)

[hlsess]

Any tips on what to do at each place. This is a last minute trip. Daughter living in Spain and just decided to go over Christmas

[kirsty_r]

Any tips on what to do at each place. This is a last minute trip. Daughter living in Spain and just decided to go over Christmas

 

If its like our cruise:

- morocco: Said tours, costing us 50 euros per person including meal

- gran canaria - private tour with handmade tours, 130 euros per person including meal

- Tenerife - oditen tours 80 euros per person, including meal

- madeira - madeira island tours 80 euros for a car of 4, no meal

- Granada - ncls own tour to Gibraltar

[Mac15]

Hi we did this cruise last Christmas on the Spirit - similar itinerary. Very lucky with the weather. We just wandered in Madeira as lots to see in town, Christmas displays, festival. etc. Christmas Eve carols were really special so don't miss!

[Cloudyrain]

I agree with Madeira just have a wander about - you don't need to do a tour, just go on one of the HOHO buses and the cable car, it's very reasonably priced and loads to see.

 

Malaga is lovely and often overlooked as people go to Granada and Gibralta. We just walked the Malaga hill and wandered around the town and really enjoyed it, but I know other people prefer the further away places :)

 

Tenerife - the town is ok but I wouldn't recommend the HOHO bus here as you can see it all in an hour or so. There is a big water park and animal place nearby.

 

There is an amazing beach 10minute walk from Gran Canaria dock, but if the weather isn't good it might be worth doing one of the tours.

 

Have fun!

[hlsess]

thanks- can you tell me the boarding and deboarding times- starting to try and figure out flights! did you get bored on the "at sea" days?

[Cloudyrain]

The times are all on the NCL website - you need to arrive 2 hours before on your first day and half hour before on port days (all the times you have to be back will be clearly noted in the daily and at a sign at the dock)

 

Never get bored on a sea day, there is too much to do and there are still too many books that I haven't read for me to ever get bored on holiday :)

 

The gym is free, there will be films and activities, the casino is open with tournaments, games rooms, bowling, port presentations, bingo, shops, food, drinks, hot tubs - plenty to keep you occupied :)

[hlsess]

Thanks again- TA booked us a triple balcony room midship BC category- just wondering how cramped this will be? Know that we won't be in room much and 3rd person is FREE!! how is that? assuming 3rd bed is a twin?

[14ersco]

looking at this Christmas Cruise- not done a cruise in a long time- how is weather over Christmas- is water warm enough to swim?

What is food like- salad bar- any American food like burgers etc?

is entertainment decent? taking a 20 &23 year old

 

 

There is a roll call for the 19th December cruise for the Epic. There is a Meet & Greet planned. Also some of us have gotten private tour operators for shore excursions and have space available. Roll Call:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2099194

[Lobbylin]

Thanks again- TA booked us a triple balcony room midship BC category- just wondering how cramped this will be? Know that we won't be in room much and 3rd person is FREE!! how is that? assuming 3rd bed is a twin?

 

Normally this means a double bed plus a sofa bed that is made up each evening by your room steward. Check out your cabin on the deck plans and look to see if there is an icon that indicates a sofa bed:)

 

If no sofa bed is indicated, then it is a single bed that drops down from the ceiling, on a spring loaded system

Edited October 17, 2015 by Lobbylin

[hlsess]

Thx. Think we decided to get an extra room it is for a large boy. 6'3". Unless a suite would work...

[Lobbylin]

Good idea on the second room. I find cabins cramped enough for 2 people let alone 3 or 4!:)