I need to hear from some EPIC cheerleaders!

[Kova15]

My brother booked the Epic for our family vacation without knowing anything about cruising. (he really wanted to go to Grand Cayman) I've read a lot of reviews and I am still not 100% sold on the ship. Can some Epic cheerleaders tell me some positives about the ship. I am mainly concerned about too many crowds, no where to sit, hard to find a bar. Basically all the lines I may encounter, Floating hotel without much sea views. Is all this worry for nothing!? (please tell me it is!)

 

Things I am excited about:

Free cold breakfast room service

Stop at GSC

Cool waterslides (I have heard they are off a lot though is this true?)

Having the beverage package (I need this to survive a week with my crazy family)

Multiple options to have dinner at (totally different from Carnival)

[KeithJenner]

I'm not doing any cheerleading, as I'll happily admit that the Epic has a few flaws, but I'll try to answer your concerns.

 

Firstly, I don't find the Epic any more crowded than the smaller ships. More people onboard, but also more space for them. However, we spend very little time at the pool, which is one are that I think people do complain of crowds.

 

I can honestly say that I don't recall ever having trouble finding somewhere to sit. If there is something on in the atrium then i imagine it could be tricky there.

 

Bars are easy to find. There are loads of them.

 

We never have to queue for more than a few minutes, but we do try to avoid the general flow. Eat quite early, go on the water slides on port days etc. I find any queues that may exist so easy to avoid that we never even see them.

 

Sea views are a problem. We get them on our balcony.

 

I don't have any comments regarding the things you're looking forward to other than to say that the water slides seem to be almost permanently open, except at night. I don't recall ever seeing them closed during the day.

Edited December 27, 2016 by KeithJenner

[Kova15]

KeithJenner- thanks for your response! I will remind my husband to zig when people zag so that we avoid all the lines. I guess I am not terribly worried, as I am a pretty easy going person who finds sunshine everywhere, however my sweet DH is not that type of person... I need to find some positives to tell him so ease his mind about this cruise. Hes only ever cruised on Carnival and doesnt really care for change so I am trying to force feed him positivity... that and the sweet man is spending 7 days on a ship with my loud family!!!!

[billybob57]

NCL & Carnival

Chalk & cheese come to mind

I've sailed both

 

 

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[Eleteace]

Heya!

 

The only thing which I didn't like about the Epic was the lack of a proper promenade deck where you can walk all the way around. Apart from that I had no problems with the ship at all. There is loads to do onboard, especially if you have children they'll really enjoy it.

 

My photos of the ship are here if you fancy having a look: http://cruisingisntjustforoldpeople.co.uk/ncls-norwegian-epic/

 

Seriously don't worry though, I never experienced any problems with it being too busy, no more than any other any NCL cruise ship anyway! If you were somebody coming from a Cunard cruise to NCL then yes you may think it is busy, NCL ships generally always have things going on and people around. But that's why I love them :)

[Sauer-kraut]

You'll LOVE the adults only area "Spice H20" there is a bar there, you can get snacks and there is a small pool!! After 6 pm its all ages and here will be the dance parties in the evenings.

 

You'll LOVE the thermal spa!! Buy a week pass and sit up there an enjoy the padded loungers out on the aft balcony, the heated tile loungers just inside the balcony, the VIEWS from the all window sauna enclosure, and of course the Thalssotherapy pool in there!

 

You'll LOVE the freedom to choose a restaurant to eat in at anytime you choose, with no assigned tablemates. 24 food offerings at O'Sheehans and if you want to pay the xtra $20 for 2 frozen drinks you can at the ICE BAR.

 

I don't think the crowds are bad on EPIC as compared to the other big builds Getaway and Breakaway,

[ready2cruzagain]

OP, we just sailed 14 days on the Epic out off PC a couple of weeks ago and we fell in love with her!

 

I have to admit, the inside cabins, I do not care for how tiny or the bathroom set up but we dealt with that.

 

Crowds, never had a problem. We went to dinner in MDR at 8pm most nights with no reservations and no wait.

 

Pool, always was able to find a lounger in sun or shade. Chair Hogs were not a problem.

 

Shows, we had reservations to the shows, which were awesome, but our friends did not. They were always able to get into the theater and find a seat.

 

Bars, yes sometimes they would be crowded like right after the safety drill, when everyone wanted a drink at the same time but we usually did not have a problem getting a drink.

 

We never had a problem finding a seat at the buffet area.

 

The slides are neat and weren't closed on our cruises.

 

GSC was awesome and can't wait to go back because ours was the first week after it opened back up and a lot of it was still closed.

 

Oh, and we plan on sailing on the Epic again this next year for another 2 weeks!

[Kova15]

You guys are all fantastic! Thanks for the replies! I do feel better about it now. I expect people, we are on a ship with our 4,000 closest friends right? HA! I will tell my sweet DH about all your responses and hopefully it will put his mind at ease! Sounds like there is lots to do for my kids too (4 and 13- and my niece 2 and nephew 10).

[Tutontow]

You guys are all fantastic! Thanks for the replies! I do feel better about it now. I expect people, we are on a ship with our 4,000 closest friends right? HA! I will tell my sweet DH about all your responses and hopefully it will put his mind at ease! Sounds like there is lots to do for my kids too (4 and 13- and my niece 2 and nephew 10).

 

A cruise is what you make of it. Plan ahead, make reservation ahead of time online. Go in with an open mind and no there will be lines, crowds etc. Take it all in stride. Sometimes you have to make or find your own fun. I have been on some pretty busy ships and always manged to find a quiet place or a loud place. As stated above go in with an open mind and plan your day.

 

I have friends who have been on over 100 cruises and they said it best, "your are in the middle of the ocean with unlimited food and drinks. Somebody is waiting on you, no dishes and no cleaning. You can sleep in all day or stay busy for a week straight. How can you not have a good time."

[NCLfamily]

I've sailed The Epic 3 (4th booked) times. I love it. Never really had a problem getting a sun lounger. I've never had a long wait for restaurants. If you want a quiet area to sit and read you'll find it.

 

I think the Epic excels in the evenings. Great bars, lots of choices of shows.

 

 

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[fredflint]

Lines and crowds are driven more by the time of the year than anything else. Spring break, Christmas week etc.. will be crowded the week before Christmas, or the non peak times for the area you are visiting will be a little more relaxed. Dining times just comes down to being flexible and Epic has lots of options.

 

Ports can be really crowded with 3-4 large ships in port at the same time.

 

Biggest thing is to do your homework booking shows and dining ahead of time then just relax you are on vacation and have no place special to go.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

need to find some positives to tell him so ease his mind about this cruise. Hes only ever cruised on Carnival and doesnt really care for change so I am trying to force feed him positivity...

 

Sounds like you're married to my ex-husband! LOL. There are plenty of people who really don't like the Epic, but there are lots of us who do! I've xruise on her once and have my second booked. The only thing I didn't like was the lack of views of the ocean. The only mega ship I've ever been on is the Epic, and I was hesitant--thought it would be ridiculously crowded and just too much, but it was one of the best cruises I've ever gone on!

 

Not sure what you mean about not being able to find a place to sit...

 

As was pointed out, there are numerous bars--you'll have no trouble finding one! Like any ship, you'll find lines for things, but there are so many options that I didn't find it a big deal. If I didn't want to deal with crowds at the buffet for breakfast, then I went to O'Sheehan's. I never waited more than a couple minutes to be seated for dinner. Go with an open mind and you'll have a great time!

[fshagan]

You guys are all fantastic! Thanks for the replies! I do feel better about it now. I expect people, we are on a ship with our 4,000 closest friends right? HA! I will tell my sweet DH about all your responses and hopefully it will put his mind at ease! Sounds like there is lots to do for my kids too (4 and 13- and my niece 2 and nephew 10).

 

I assume the 4 year old and 13 year old are staying in your cabin, so I'll mention one of the negatives about the Epic ... the toilet and shower enclosure. I call it "Euro style" because only Americans seem upset by it, but a shy 13 year old (if yours is shy) might be put off, but with judicious planning you can bypass the embarrassment.

 

The toilet and shower are not in a separate room, but are part of the main cabin with frosted glass separating them from the cabin proper. In all cabins from inside up through balcony, the toilet will be on one side of the door, and the shower on the other. There is a curtain provided that separates this bathing area from the rest of the cabin, but someone entering from the hallway will necessarily walk through this area. Here's a pic of someone on the toilet:

 

 

The shower is a similar frosted glass enclosure, which I quite enjoyed when my DW was showering. Not a big deal for a couple or a family that is not shy about nudity, but if your 13 year old is sensitive to it you can take an inexpensive vinyl shower curtain and clothespins and pin it up around the glass itself to make it more private.

 

Otherwise, I agree with everyone else. The Epic is a great ship for space (except around the pool), and the number of places to eat makes it hard to decide sometimes! The entertainment is really top notch. I don't know what shows they have, but perhaps someone can chime in and let you know if the Broadway-style show is appropriate for your children.

 

I think you will love the cruise! Tell your SO to leave the dressy clothes at home ... it's all casual all the time.

[sverigecruiser]

I assume the 4 year old and 13 year old are staying in your cabin, so I'll mention one of the negatives about the Epic ... the toilet and shower enclosure. I call it "Euro style" because only Americans seem upset by it, but a shy 13 year old (if yours is shy) might be put off, but with judicious planning you can bypass the embarrassment.

 

.

 

I think that its more correct to call it US style because I have travelled a lot all over Europe and the US and the only time I have seen a hotelroom with a layout similar to the Epics cheaper/smaller cabins is in the US.

 

I dont say that that layout doesn't exist in Europe but it's not more common here than in the US.

[gadaboutgal]

The bathroom layout on Epic is like in the contemporary hotels in Europe. Two hotels two mention are the Citizen M hotels in Amsterdam and Wakeup Hotel in Copenhagen. Review their bathroom arrangements, very much like Epic's glass enclosed and of miniscule size.

[Minoushka]

I loved the Epic ......outdoor area to have meals

Great show ..Cirque, Priscilla and Burn the floor

Wonderful staff ...Pedro CD was awesome

Epic Beatles

Great comedians

Fun casino

Great restaurants ...try them all ..my favorite Cagneys

Big Atrium

Loved O Shehans ..go get wings ..the best

Go have a great time

 

Went on 5 diferent cruise on Epic ...yup love it that much

[4774Papa]

I'm not doing any cheerleading, as I'll happily admit that the Epic has a few flaws, but I'll try to answer your concerns.

 

Firstly, I don't find the Epic any more crowded than the smaller ships. More people onboard, but also more space for them. However, we spend very little time at the pool, which is one are that I think people do complain of crowds.

 

I can honestly say that I don't recall ever having trouble finding somewhere to sit. If there is something on in the atrium then i imagine it could be tricky there.

 

Bars are easy to find. There are loads of them.

 

We never have to queue for more than a few minutes, but we do try to avoid the general flow. Eat quite early, go on the water slides on port days etc. I find any queues that may exist so easy to avoid that we never even see them.

 

Sea views are a problem. We get them on our balcony.

 

I don't have any comments regarding the things you're looking forward to other than to say that the water slides seem to be almost permanently open, except at night. I don't recall ever seeing them closed during the day.

 

The Epic was our least favorite NCL ship. The main pool area was so small, crowded with very loud music it was unusable for the entire cruise. The small pool aft was also too crowded to use.

 

Everywhere we went it seemed more crowded than the Gem and Jade that we had done before. Now we have done the Star and Sun and liked those better than Epic.

 

The restaurants were good, but we like the food on the Sun better.

 

We are retired and don't do water slides or rock walls, so you may like it more than we did.

[sverigecruiser]

We loved the Epic but we were in the Haven and that really matters!

 

We planned to return to the Epic next summer but after checking the prices we decided to try something different so we will cruise on MSCs new ship Meraviglia instead. (A yacht club suite on Meraviglia cost almost 4000 USD less than a Havensuite on the Epic next summer.)

[fshagan]

I think that its more correct to call it US style because I have travelled a lot all over Europe and the US and the only time I have seen a hotelroom with a layout similar to the Epics cheaper/smaller cabins is in the US.

 

I dont say that that layout doesn't exist in Europe but it's not more common here than in the US.

 

I was talking about the reaction from the people ... Europeans usually don't complain about the bathroom set up on the Epic. Americans do. I think it's our Puritan roots.

[HeyYouKidsGetOffMyLawn]

I disliked my November Epic vacation pretty strongly. Never again, and probably never NCL again.

 

Having said that, here are the nice things about the ship:

 

O'Sheehans is a nice alternative to the buffet for a quick bite at random times. The bar 'half' has multiple TV screens for sports or whatever. The bar half also has a row of tall seats with a good view of the atrium below.

 

The free restaurant Taste was a short wait for a small group without reservations and I remember being satisfied with the food.

 

The tiered/stadium seating at Spice H2O was great for a view of the ocean from the back of the ship and perhaps a fruity drink in the afternoon.

 

"Burn the Floor" was surprisingly good. I do not dance. Still liked it.

 

You can barhop diagonally between floors 5, 6 and 7 at the rear of the ship via the stairs and escalator(s).

 

Howl at The Moon was uneven, but when it was good, it was very good.

[AandBmom]

I'm not an Epic fan but hey it wasn't terrible. Make the most of it and enjoy. Take pics of the weird bathrooms. enjoy the booze. Shows are good.

 

Eat lots of mozza sticks in the pub!

[JennyM75407]

I loved the Epic ......outdoor area to have meals

Great show ..Cirque, Priscilla and Burn the floor

Wonderful staff ...Pedro CD was awesome

Epic Beatles

Great comedians

Fun casino

Great restaurants ...try them all ..my favorite Cagneys

Big Atrium

Loved O Shehans ..go get wings ..the best

Go have a great time

 

Went on 5 diferent cruise on Epic ...yup love it that much

 

You seem so upbeat! Love it! So, I'm going to ask...

 

...yes...Karoake?! Anywhere?

[david_sobe]

I've been on Epic twice and loved it. Although it was a Haven experience both times. The Epic still has some of the best features of any of the newer ships.

 

Epic still has the largest and best gym at sea. Rows of treadmills all looking out at the water. Large fitness center with separate rooms with classes. Its like a real gym you would have on land with incredible views.

 

Epic I think still has the largest spa at sea. At least it is in the NCL fleet. Picture window direct ocean views from the saunas. Nice aft deck too.

 

Bliss lounge is the largest of any NCL ship.

 

Spice H20 is far superior to any of the newer NCL ships. Tier seating with a swimming pool instead of a waterfall feature.

 

A pretty good water park. Some of those slides still hold up to the newer ships today.

 

Huge selection of specialty restaurants.

 

Biggest and best Haven area of any NCL ship

 

Very good buffet area. Most buffets on ships are aft. Epic gives the buffet prime real estate forward with amazing forward views.

 

Huge casino and Ice Bar is something you have to try at least once in life.

 

Posh - private resort living on top of the ship

 

I thought Epic handled the crowds pretty good. I sailed a Christmas week too. But some of the reviews lately suggest the crowds are pretty bad. Epic is like a floating Vegas resort. Some say they feel detached from the ocean. These things did not impact me but I think are fair criticisms of the ship. Get a Posh pass if you can!

[david_sobe]

I'm not an Epic fan but hey it wasn't terrible. Make the most of it and enjoy. Take pics of the weird bathrooms. enjoy the booze. Shows are good.

 

Eat lots of mozza sticks in the pub!

I don't think they have the mozza sticks anymore. Sadly Del Rio replaced them along with the chicken pot pie with hot dogs :eek:

[BusyBlond]

Is there an additional charge to use Spice H20? Also, what is a " posh pass"?

 

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