Just back off Epic, Ask away...

[athena73]

Hi! Thanks for all the info. I was curious...is there an ATM on board that dispenses Euros?

Thanks,

[Quilting_Cruiser]

So glad you had a great time! I boarded the day you got off the ship. Looks like we had better weather than your sailing...not a drop of rain and really lovely weather in all the ports (keeping in mind that I'm from the Pacific Northwest and like cooler weather).

 

The Epic was my first sailing on a mega ship, and I was concerned about the crowds. On sea days I found refuge in the spa. :D I loved the studios--my first time--and would definitely sail in one again, but another mega ship wouldn't be my first choice. That said, if an itinerary I was interested in meant sailing again on a mega ship, I'd be game.

 

I loved O'Sheehan's. The thai chili wings were fantastic! :D I had breakfast there most mornings and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

To the person who asked about the smell of smoke around the casino: I didn't notice an significant amount of smoke smell. It was there, but I didn't feel the need to avoid that area to get away from it.

 

It was a great itinerary which I enjoyed more than I expected to, and my experience on the ship was better than I anticipated. It helped that we had a great CC roll call. :D

[back-at-it]

Red, I am so glad to hear about the ship. We will be on the Epic in Oct 2016 for the Transatlantic. This is our first with NCL, our first Europe trip and first Transatlantic. There are so many places it could go bad and good. This review makes me even more excited to get going. Thank you for your time.

[living at the beach]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I really appreciated the input from Quilting Cruiser as I am leaving next Thursday on my first solo cruise on th Epic and I will be in the studio and have also purchased the spa. Already started packing as I fly to Barcelona for a three night pre cruise stay this Sunday. Have been doing a lot of planning to enjoy and yet be safe in Barcelona. Any hints on this would be appreciated!

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I really appreciated the input from Quilting Cruiser as I am leaving next Thursday on my first solo cruise on th Epic and I will be in the studio and have also purchased the spa. Already started packing as I fly to Barcelona for a three night pre cruise stay this Sunday. Have been doing a lot of planning to enjoy and yet be safe in Barcelona. Any hints on this would be appreciated!

 

 

I was flooded with recent memories as I read your post! So, first, traveling solo on the Epic:

 

• Really easy!
  
• The studio lounge is a great place to get some of the best coffee on the ship!
  
• There are always pastries, cereal, cookies, etc. out as well as water and orange juice
  
• On my sailing, the meet-ups weren't well attended. No more than 20 in the evenings, but that's enough if you're wanting someone to have dinner with. :)
  
• The spa pass is the best investment you could make! I visited every day, especially after returning from port. There's a sizable balcony with half a dozen loungers and a couple of day beds. I spent a lot of time out there!
  
• O'Sheehan's is a quieter place for breakfast than the buffet
  
• If you like Thai chili, try the Thai chili wings in O'Sheehan's. Wonderful!
  

 

Barcelona:

 

• Don't be spooked by all the reports of pick pockets; just be smart. I wore a cross-body bag with the latch turned in. Pay attention, and you should be fine.
  
• Take the time to walk around and explore--the Gothic Quarter is a wonderful place to explore!
  
• People are friendly, but they don't always speak English or don't speak it well. Gestures are very helpful and a smile goes a long way. They speak Catalon more than Spanish.
  
• Placa Catalunya is a great place for people watching.
  

 

Have a great time!!

 

QC

Edited March 29, 2016 by Quilting_Cruiser

[peacocksandcocktails]

Quick question, I didn't realize that I booked an adjoining cabin. After watching a "video tour" on youtube, it appears as though we will lose closet/storage space due to the door between cabins. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I am traveling with a teenage daughter and she tends to over pack, as do I. :)

Thanks in advance!

[living at the beach]

I really appreciate all the tips that you gave me. I too think that the spa pass will be the best splurge for this upcoming cruise; it is very port intensive as we will be stopping in 6 Italian ports during our 10 days, and being able to soothe tired muscles and relax afterwards plus using the balcony loungers on sea days

seems like heaven to me!

[mw_1970]

Thanks,

We have a late flight, so was wondering how long we could loiter on board for.

Did you get much hassle when you walked into tangier?

 

 

Last time we were on EPIC and disembarked in Barcelona we didn't leave ship until about 10/10:15. We will be doing the same this time as staying in Barcelona for two nights after cruise.

 

If you carry off your own luggage you can leave it pretty late, alternatively just ask for latest check out tags from guest services.

[Ivola]

I was looking at booking a cruise on the Epic with 2 kids. Previously we had a mini suite. I like the pictures of the Epic but is concerned about the bathroom design. With 4 of us in the room, someone will need a bathroom break during the night, disturbing others. How did you find this aspect?

[red212fire212]

Hi! Thanks for all the info. I was curious...is there an ATM on board that dispenses Euros?

Thanks,

 

not as far as I am aware, It is all dollars on board. you can change money onboard but they chargeyou a lot to do so, if you find an atm in port in europe or change money before you travel you will get a much better rate

[red212fire212]

So glad you had a great time! I boarded the day you got off the ship. Looks like we had better weather than your sailing...not a drop of rain and really lovely weather in all the ports (keeping in mind that I'm from the Pacific Northwest and like cooler weather).

 

The Epic was my first sailing on a mega ship, and I was concerned about the crowds. On sea days I found refuge in the spa. :D I loved the studios--my first time--and would definitely sail in one again, but another mega ship wouldn't be my first choice. That said, if an itinerary I was interested in meant sailing again on a mega ship, I'd be game.

 

I loved O'Sheehan's. The thai chili wings were fantastic! :D I had breakfast there most mornings and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

To the person who asked about the smell of smoke around the casino: I didn't notice an significant amount of smoke smell. It was there, but I didn't feel the need to avoid that area to get away from it.

 

It was a great itinerary which I enjoyed more than I expected to, and my experience on the ship was better than I anticipated. It helped that we had a great CC roll call. :D

 

Glad you had good weather, We still had a great time though! Got to see a lot more of the inside of the ship lol

 

I had breakfast at O'sheehans a few times, my first time was after I actually slept in O'sheehans when we had a very rough night after leaving Tangier!

[red212fire212]

Red, I am so glad to hear about the ship. We will be on the Epic in Oct 2016 for the Transatlantic. This is our first with NCL, our first Europe trip and first Transatlantic. There are so many places it could go bad and good. This review makes me even more excited to get going. Thank you for your time.

 

How exciting!!!! I am sure it will be fab, It really is like a city on water! Plenty to keep you occupied on a transatlantic, I have so much envy for you right now!!

[red212fire212]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I really appreciated the input from Quilting Cruiser as I am leaving next Thursday on my first solo cruise on th Epic and I will be in the studio and have also purchased the spa. Already started packing as I fly to Barcelona for a three night pre cruise stay this Sunday. Have been doing a lot of planning to enjoy and yet be safe in Barcelona. Any hints on this would be appreciated!

 

sorry not checked this thread for a bit... You left today!!!!!

 

ENJOY!

[red212fire212]

Quick question, I didn't realize that I booked an adjoining cabin. After watching a "video tour" on youtube, it appears as though we will lose closet/storage space due to the door between cabins. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I am traveling with a teenage daughter and she tends to over pack, as do I. :)

Thanks in advance!

 

I can't help with this, sorry. Anyone?

[red212fire212]

I was looking at booking a cruise on the Epic with 2 kids. Previously we had a mini suite. I like the pictures of the Epic but is concerned about the bathroom design. With 4 of us in the room, someone will need a bathroom break during the night, disturbing others. How did you find this aspect?

 

What room type are you after booking on the epic? we were in an inside and 2 of us in the room didn't have a problem with the bathroom design

[J&G cruisers4652]

Hi Redbarb. thanks for arranging the tours to Rome and Florence. Could you please tell me the name of the tour company so I can give them a great review to trip advisor. I looked on my emails but the name was not there just Fabrizio's name. My opinion of the Epic is different than yours but glad you had a great time. Joyce

[Hen3hetvR]

Hi there!

 

We're off on an Epic Med Cruise in May 2016, our first ever... Could be an extremely silly question, but here goes.

 

We have an inside room ($$$), and I would really like to know if there are places where we can go and view the dock / ocean whilst leaving ports?

 

Thank you in advance!

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Hi there!

 

We're off on an Epic Med Cruise in May 2016, our first ever... Could be an extremely silly question, but here goes.

 

We have an inside room ($$$), and I would really like to know if there are places where we can go and view the dock / ocean whilst leaving ports?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Unfortunately, the Epic isn't designed well for seeing off the ship. Sometimes I went looking for the ocean just to remind myself that it's there! LOL. You can go to the buffet and get a lovely view off the ship. There are a number of places you can see out the windows in various venues. It's just not designed like most ships where you have several areas to view. But, you'll be able to find some. :)

[Hen3hetvR]

Thank you! That'll be our first mission after boarding! ;)

[GOODIES]

I am usually up as the ship arrive in ports so leaving I am always out

On the open decks,

[SaltwaterVal]

Thanks for the review, will be booking anytime now, just deciding on which Norwegian Ship

1st time Cruisers

This one is sounding good :)

[red212fire212]

Hi there!

 

We're off on an Epic Med Cruise in May 2016, our first ever... Could be an extremely silly question, but here goes.

 

We have an inside room ($$$), and I would really like to know if there are places where we can go and view the dock / ocean whilst leaving ports?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

We were in aft inside cabins deck 10 and we found the area in the back corners of the ship great for this, it is the stairwell each side at the back, on each level is a big area with 3 massive portholes/openings (if you look at a pic of the aft side view, those 3 openings on each floor right at the back)

 

When I woke up and knew we were docking i would go out to here to watch and would normally find someone else in my party there too and on our way back to the room at night was nice too, just to hear the sea and get fresh air without having to go up on deck...

 

When you go to very aft, you have the row of doors for the aft balcony rooms along the back of the ship, the 2 doors either end of this row open to this area

 

Have a fab cruise!!!!!

[Hen3hetvR]

Thank you so much!!

 

Can't wait now!

[Laura44]

We booked a balcony room on the Epic for the end of June. We are Starboard side - I was hoping based on the route, that means we will have a view of the ports as we are cruising up the coast of Italy and France. Is this right?

[BamaVol]

We booked a balcony room on the Epic for the end of June. We are Starboard side - I was hoping based on the route, that means we will have a view of the ports as we are cruising up the coast of Italy and France. Is this right?

 

We're on the port side, so I hope you're wrong, but I'm just as curious as you are. :D