OMG does anyone have anything good to say about Epic!

[killarneylady]

Booked Epic for June out of Barcelona. M/S deck 10. Normally cruise Celebrity and like it , but this time booking for 7 people so price for CCL was prohibitive. Friend s who have cruised a lot and whose judgement I trust said we'd like Epic. BUT looking at reviews and message boards , almost every review is bad...

I am really worried. I can now picture us queuing for food, entertainment . Not being able to find a waiter interested in serving us drinks, fighting for loungers.. Is it my imagination or are All reviews bad recently? I know some people can have 'the odd' bad experience but there is definitely a pattern of bad/mediocre experiences with this ship.

Am I mistaken? I really hope so. When cruising I look forward to the feeling of being a welcome ( and a slightly pampered) guest. I'm not hopeful !

 

 

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[gwsster]

The Epic had by far the best entertainment venues of the ships we have been on. The Blue Man Group was amazing! There was a musical with celebrity impersonators that were really good. Howl the Moon was a blast and the Karaoke was well monitored to allow many people to participate. The food was fine. We weren't crazy about the room configuration and the smoke that drifted up through the Atrium from the Casino. That being said, it the price and itinerary was what we were looking for I would sail her.

[KeithJenner]

I've got lots of good things to say about the Epic. I wouldn't have been on it 4 times otherwise.

 

No Blue Men any more though.

[rhentze]

Had the same feeling after I booked the Escape. We hate crowds, smoking, bingo, art auctions, lazy crew members, chair hogs, mediocre food and all the things we saw many complain about. And all of those things could be found on our cruise. But we also found many caring and hard working associates. Many wonderful dishes in the free and speciality restaurants. Peace and solitutude on the Waterfront promenade. Great entertainment and a new experience in the Thermal Spa. Our favorite cruise line is Windstar and this wasn't that. But we had an open mind and looked for ways to get the most out of our week and found them. I would do it again.

 

 

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[SuiteCruiser]

I LOVE the Epic. It's my favourite ship. Crew is outstanding.

 

I'm heading off on my ninth Epic cruise in November :)

[Linda the Book Lover]

Sailing second time on Epic out of Barcelona in July. No ship is perfect and since I am not perfect either I am going to plan on a great time, enjoy the fantastic shows, eat until I almost burst and drink with joy.

[samiam0403]

I had the same concerns before my January sailing in a studio cabin on Epic. Those fears were completely unfounded as I fell in love with the ship and crew. So much so, that I've booked an Owner's Suite for the Transatlantic from Barcelona next year. :D My positive impression may have been helped by my booking the Thermal Suite pass - that was heaven! :)

[terri910]

It is all such a subjective thing.....there is no way to predict that your cruise will be like anyone else's, or that the things that others do not like won't be what you absolutely love.

 

Any cruise is a good cruise, IMO.

 

Having said that, my husband and I have sailed twice on the Epic and had pretty much the same experience both times, which was not the best for us. Unless it is the only ship with the price/itinerary we want, we have no plans to ever cruise on the Epic again.

[donsuej]

Cruised her once a few years ago and we are going back on her in February. I love the large ships. While I will miss the waterfront that is on the BA, GA, and Escape I know we'll still have a good time. Spice H20 is a nice area on the Epic with a small (tiny) adult pool instead of a water feature like the other 3 have.

[DarkJedi]

Booked Epic for June out of Barcelona. M/S deck 10. Normally cruise Celebrity and like it , but this time booking for 7 people so price for CCL was prohibitive. Friend s who have cruised a lot and whose judgement I trust said we'd like Epic. BUT looking at reviews and message boards , almost every review is bad...

I am really worried. I can now picture us queuing for food, entertainment . Not being able to find a waiter interested in serving us drinks, fighting for loungers.. Is it my imagination or are All reviews bad recently? I know some people can have 'the odd' bad experience but there is definitely a pattern of bad/mediocre experiences with this ship.

Am I mistaken? I really hope so. When cruising I look forward to the feeling of being a welcome ( and a slightly pampered) guest. I'm not hopeful !

 

We were booked on deck 12. Downside, normally we use the stairs almost exclusively on ship, with the layout of the Epic this proved difficult as things tended to be on decks 5,6,7 or on decks 15 and up. The forward starboard elevators are terribly slow. Otherwise the elevators suck, but no more than on any other cruise we have been on.

 

 

You can make reservations for many times and many places to eat. if you just show up, yes you have to que and wait, but as long as you are not showing up when everyone else is it is not that bad. For main dining they give you a beeper thing and you can roam about or go to one of the nearby bars. For entertainment, book early, what you can not book online book as soon as you are on the ship.

 

Didn't have any issue with loungers, but we also went to the freestyle deck instead of the pool. Can't say I saw many open loungers around the pools, but with a second deck overlooking I don't think it was too bad.

 

 

I have never seen an issue with getting drinks on any ship, Epic included.

 

Food, this is a place that Epic really shined. DW has a food allergy and it is always a hassle for us on ships. NCL really impressed us with how they handled her. Aside from the food being excellent the care they took with her was truly top notch. BTW, get a steak from Cagney's, seriously. We live in steak country so we have tons of great steak places, but Cagney's was the best steak we have ever had on a ship, bar none.

 

I have to say that of the 4 lines we have been on NCL was definitely the oddity, but if you prefer your own group and your own thing, I do believe freestyle cruising works. If you need someone else to tell you what to do and when to do it, you may find that it is not so enjoyable.

[DMH15]

I was on Epic 2/25. But being in an Owners suite meant I had lots of ocean views and was somewhat saved from crowds - two things many complain about.

 

But I have to say it is my 2nd favorite cruise to date. And that is much to my own surprise.

 

Great crew

Great entertainment

Great time

 

 

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[Quilting_Cruiser]

I sailed the Epic for the first time last year. I was in a studio and it was my first time on a ship that size so I didn't know if I'd like it. But, I loved it! I have her booked for Sept this year. Can't wait!

 

While there are some bad reviews of the Epic, you'll also find good ones. A lot of people love her!:D

[buchman67]

Sailed her the first time a month ago and loved it! Bartenders were great at the ones we went to, food was great too.

 

As to shows book yours when you think you want to go, but I never had a problem just walking in, there were 3 to 5 us depending on show. Now if you want to see the Beatles in the Cavern, yes be there over an hour early, small small venue. But a great place to have a drink and chat while you wait for the show. Or see them in the Epic theater.

 

Howling at the moon - be in line at least 30 minutes prior but definitely worth the wait. I chatted with fellow line waiters and had a great time. Or show up after 11 pm. It will all be in how you look at things.

 

Go, enjoy and have a great trip!

 

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[Crzy4my2]

I saw all of the reviews on here. Some good, some bad. I liked reading both, but decided that I was going to go on with a positive attitude. I'm glad I did. We are a "go with the flow" kind of family. We sailed Feb 18th. There were a couple of times things were busy. There was an "at sea day" where it was raining so it was pretty crowded inside but nothing unbearable. I mean, I know lines suck but your on vacation, on a ship in the middle of the ocean..where would we be in a rush to get to?(I guess maybe a show?) Never had a problem with bartenders(I got non alcoholic drinks) we were on floor 14, close to the stairs that went up to the Garden Cafe. So sometimes we would go get our food and eat back in the room just because we wanted to, but we never had an issue finding a place to sit. The bath room worked for the 3 of us. It was me, DS15 and DD13. My parents went too but were in their own room. My DH was supposed to come but something came up with family and he stayed back. I loved the ship. I told DH that I would like to go back on it again so he could enjoy it. I took all of the comments with a grain of salt..I wouldn't worry about it. It's what you make of it... enjoy your trip.. I wish it was me.

[dd likes to cruise]

I am going on her tomorrow. Sure hope it's great. First NCL, first TA. Maybe in 14 days I can let you know what I think.

[Love.II.Cruise]

We sailed the Epic for the first time last year and are going back this year!

[kathybelcher2433]

Lowered expectations can be a good thing. The Epic is awesome. We found much to love about her.

 

 

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[Blondie008]

I cruise and love both lines:

Epic V Solstice Class:

 

Cabins in Epic have by far better closet space than on S-class. Celebrity's cabins might look pretty but that overhead cupboard over the bed literally does my head in. You need to stand on the bed, balance the cupboard front on your head, hold it open, then try to pile clothes/take clothes in/out. :eek:

Martini Bar on X - wins hands down for bar space however sometimes it can be hard to get served as there is too much show going on - NCL's Martini Bar although not iced - is still a great place to be. If you miss the ICE there is always the ice bar on Epic :)

The aft lawn club V Spice H20. Think This is an age thing. Both are great spaces. Sunset bar on X and the lovely comfy sofas are hard to beat - but - we love H20 for its upbeat ambience. Food served at H20 - no food served at sunset bar.

Thermal suites V Persian Gardens - absolutely outright winner here is Epic. Celebrity's biggest let down is the Persian Gardens. The spa pass on Epic is worth every penny! If you want to find some "down quiet time" get a Spa pass for Epic. Available at 100 days in for suites, 90 days in for regular cabins.

 

Food and service. I don't know about Celebrity's MDR as we only cruised in Aquaclass and loved BLU - its the one reason we have for booking AQ.

Norwegian's packages are super deals offering fine speciality dining at great prices. Asian restaurant on Norwegian is free as opposed to being charged on X.

Le Bistro V Murano = Murano wins. Cagneys V Tuscan Grille - Cagneys wins :)

 

Depending on where you live UBP is either much the same on both lines, or - if you are in USA you will have grats to pay on Norwegians "free" UBP. For UK cruisers there is no extra grats to pay on UBP.

Entertainment - very subjective. Celebrity does it well - but Epic and Norwegian as a whole I feel offer more choices, better live music - and then there are extras such as The Cavern CLub, Comedy Club etc etc.

 

Some of course loathe the bathroom set up on Epic - we loved it - Married for 21 years we couldn't care less about a shadow - we are both pretty courteous anyway to one another and find better things to do than stare at one another's vague outline through a hazy wc glass screen ;p

 

It is what you make of it. I love both lines - cannot wait to one day try out Celebrity Edge - looks amazing. But Epic - we have three further cruises booked on Epic - You did ask did anyone have anything good to say about her? Love this big boy - I always think of Epic as a male ship lol -

It WILL be chaos in Barcelona embarkation - be prepared. Its the port authority handling vast amounts of people - there are water stations dotted around - be patient - but forewarning you that have always found Barcelona boarding chaotic. Although last time as Gold members we found the line for gold and it was only three deep :) loving it - managed to get through the throng and on in record time.

Hope you have a great cruise - don't compare it to Celebrity - just enjoy it and look for the positives. Bon Voyage!

[NCLfamily]

Epic is awesome. 4th time this October.

 

 

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[ready2cruzagain]

We sailed the Epic this past Nov. First time on NCL in over 10 years. We fell in love with the ship and decided to book another b2b on her next year. We never felt like it was crowded. The food was great. Never had a problem getting a lounger. Even if you did not book the shows in advance, never had a problem getting in. Never had a wait for dinner. I guess you can see where I am going here LOL.

[soloadventurer]

Been on the Epic twice - only slight complaint is the busy buffet

shows very good - spa brilliant - food good - staff helpful friendly

[pe4all]

We will be sailing on the Epic out of Barcelona in August. We did a Caribbean cruise on her, and decided that she had the itinerary we really wanted in the Med., and so booked her- even though she was kind of "big" for us. We are very easy-going on a cruise. We are doing things a bit differently on this cruise due to the long days in port: we will not try to get Posh passes, we are not booking specialty dinners (did not even take the dining package as a perk for the first time on an NCL cruise). We will spend our "down" time at Spice H20, or find a quiet spot on deck. First and formost we will try to get the most out of our port days in Italy, France and Spain. What the ship has to offer will definitely be secondary this time. I do want to see "Priscilla" but after that it will be early to bed, early to rise!

[Suzy69]

Did my first cruise on Epic from Barcelona last September. Came home and re-booked the next day for same cruise this September. I loved it.

 

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[xcell]

Love the water slides -- hate the compartment type rooms with separate toilet/shower and in room sink -- going to have to bid high to get into the Haven suites if I ever go back

[spidybabe]

We did the Epic in January and loved it. 20 NCL cruises, and it was one of our best. The room/bathroom set up was fine - no complaints there, staff, crew, Food, entertainment wonderful. The show Priscilla was fantastic (we went twice) as well as burn the floor. Make some reservations prior to sailing '- they can always be changed once on board, and use the large touchscreens screens around to plan other events. We loved the Epic, beautiful ship

Safe sailing