NCL EPIC take 2!! July 2nd-9th 2017 NCL EPIC review

[Clarea]

Enjoying the excellent review so far.:)

[Gr123]

Do they include the new all inclusive package for those that are on the old free at sea. Having the water in the room would be great especially if it is free?

Edited July 13, 2017 by Gr123
change wording

[aliciawag]

Do they include the new all inclusive package for those that are on the old free at sea. Having the water in the room would be great especially if it is free?

 

As far as I'm aware they dont! The premium all inclusive includes paid service charges, bottled water in the stateroom, UBP and speciality coffees at mealtimes. Im pretty sure the water isnt given to those with the free at sea package!

[CazV]

Really No hair straighteners allowed. ?! Can anyone tell me when they were banned? I have read previously on the boards they were ok to take.

Thanks

I was on board the week before the OP and had a set of mini straighteners with me with no questions asked.

[aliciawag]

Enjoying the excellent review so far.:)

 

Thanks Clarea!:)

[Gr123]

As far as I'm aware they dont! The premium all inclusive includes paid service charges, bottled water in the stateroom, UBP and speciality coffees at mealtimes. Im pretty sure the water isnt given to those with the free at sea package!

 

 

Sorry i mis-understood i thought you were on the free at sea. My fault. :) Have a great trip. Loving this. Next year we are going on this same route so I am looking to steal ideas :D

[CazV]

Do they include the new all inclusive package for those that are on the old free at sea. Having the water in the room would be great especially if it is free?

The thing to bear in mind is that nothing is free... the price of the water package is merely included in the price paid for the All Inclusive booking. ;)

[pe4all]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We will be on Epic at the end of August, for our first trip to Italy, and are so looking forward to it. Just a quick question: you mentioned you had to book tickets for Christian Miro the magician. Did you do that beforehand, or once on the ship? They are not showing any way to reserve online - though I was able to reserve for "Priscilla." (maybe he will not be on our sailing...)

[sarlin]

Thanks so much for writing this review-We are on he October 15th sailing on the Epic-I appreciate your review-I am soaking up all of your info!

[aliciawag]

Thanks so much for writing this review-We are on he October 15th sailing on the Epic-I appreciate your review-I am soaking up all of your info!

 

I'm very jealous-You'll have the trip of a lifetime! I'm being told I can't do the same itinerary a third year in a row ,although I gladly would! (guess I'll have to start looking at the caribbean!) ;)

 

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We will be on Epic at the end of August, for our first trip to Italy, and are so looking forward to it. Just a quick question: you mentioned you had to book tickets for Christian Miro the magician. Did you do that beforehand, or once on the ship? They are not showing any way to reserve online - though I was able to reserve for "Priscilla." (maybe he will not be on our sailing...)

 

Hi pe4all- Christian Miro is one that you book when onboard! I'd advise you to book on your first day or two as he does sell out! Also look at the venue for each show- while most are in Headliners, there is one main show in the epic theatre. We saw and enjoyed both! :)

[zafi]

Loving your review so far! We're doing this itinerary from October 1st to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary, and it'll be our first ever cruise!

 

I'm a bit nervous about excursions. The NCL ones seem extortionately expensive, but I'm terrified about getting stranded somewhere along the way if we go it alone...

 

Thanks for sharing x

[aliciawag]

Day 4: Port of Civitavecchia (Rome)

 

 

Prior to sailing, one of the ports we had looked forward to visiting was Civitavecchia. We had planned to return to Rome to see the Colosseum.The previous year our trip to Rome had been less than ideal...blazing sun, miles of walking, one strapped knee, one missed train and the mother of all nosebleeds was the perfect recipe for disaster. However, a year had passed and we had decided to brave the journey once more...that was until we visited Sorrento the previous day. Despite the sea breeze, it was hot...in fact it was roasting! Remembering quite how hot and sticky Rome gets (being inland), and having been there twice before, we decided to sit this one out and take the opportunity to enjoy an empty Ship!

 

 

The early part of the day was much the same as previous days- a buffet breakfast followed by poolside lounging. On this day (and all other port days), the ship was like a ghost town! We had our choice of loungers at both the main pool deck and Spice H2o (there were approximately 10 people in Spice h2O!). We selected ones right by the pool.

 

 

Our afternoon was one of pure relaxation, however, come evening time we were feeling the effects of the sun (ie. Gary was scorched!) and decided it best to head back inside for a siesta!

 

En route to the cabin we were side-tracked when we heard one of the Cruise staff looking for volunteers to play a game called ''55 to stay alive''. This activity was set up in the atrium. Laid out and waiting was a strange ensemble of items including a toilet roll on a stand, a hula hoop, a pair of tights fitted with 2 tennis balls and a plastic cup pyramid, amongst other items. Our curiosity got the better of us and before we knew it we had each scribbled our names on a piece of paper and thrown them into the contestant bucket.

 

Over the next 30 minutes we watched individuals take to the stage to complete various tasks within a 55 second period…the prize…a pack of NCL playing cards! Surprise surprise, both Gary and I were called up, he to keep two balloons from touching the floor and I, to move a cracker from my forehead to mouth using using only my face! Surprisingly, I managed it and am now the proud owner of a deck of NCL cards…

 

That evening we attended Christian Miro's main show which was held in the Epic Theatre. It was very enjoyable with a mix of magic, a small bit of ventriloquism and a surprise act at the end! While this show had originally been advertised as ''standby only'' ( ie. Sold out), we had asked at the box office that afternoon and been told they'd get us in. In my experience it's always worth asking or showing up for standby seats as they never seem to be filled (correct me if I'm wrong!)

 

 

Prior to dinner we went up to deck 7 for a look around the shops. I was in search for something in particular which I was delighted to find! Everywhere I go I love to pick up a Christmas ornament for the tree. I had hoped there would be something suitable and I wasn't disappointed! I found a gorgeous little epic ornament ( complete with accurately placed features). I've since decided that I want a tree full of ships and will therefore have to book a lot more cruises..a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

 

 

 

That evening we ate in...you got it...the Manhattan room! I ordered a Caesar salad to start and the spaghetti Bolognese as my main. Gary went for beef teriyaki. This year I found the variety of meals in the main dining rooms to be better than the previous year, with incorporation of some basics which were not previously available eg. Spaghetti Bolognese and lasagne. Another new addition is the incorporation of an asian dish which alternated each day. My choice of drink each night was Malibu and cranberry while Gary stuck to gin and tonics!

 

After our meal we headed to the casino where we spent an hour or two at the blackjack table before having a few more drinks and watching the big betters play roulette.

 

En route to bed we stopped by O Sheehan's where Gary got his long awaited chicken wings. I was too stuffed after my three course meal to even think of more food despite the waitresses encouragement to try their nachos(Gosh I love the crew!). In fact, one of my favourite things about ncl are their staff-nobody could do enough for us. Despite the fact that drinks were included, we were continually offered refills. Similarly, in the restaurants we were nearly encouraged to order extra food (one waiter in Cagney's acctually tried me to convince me to get a starter ''on him''- when I declined he gave us our desserts on the house!) Whether your staying in the haven, or in an inside guarantee (like us!), you leave having spent the week feeling like a VIP!

 

Anywho..we headed to bed thoroughly relaxed and excited for the day to come!

 

 

Edited July 15, 2017 by aliciawag

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[chloemonkey]

Day 4: Port of Civitavecchia (Rome)

 

 

Prior to sailing, one of the ports we had looked forward to visiting was Civitavecchia. We had planned to return to Rome to see the Colosseum.The previous year our trip to Rome had been less than ideal...blazing sun, miles of walking, one strapped knee, one missed train and the mother of all nosebleeds was the perfect recipe for disaster. However, a year had passed and we had decided to brave the journey once more...that was until we visited Sorrento the previous day. Despite the sea breeze, it was hot...in fact it was roasting! Remembering quite how hot and sticky Rome gets (being inland), and having been there twice before, we decided to sit this one out and take the opportunity to enjoy an empty Ship!

 

 

The early part of the day was much the same as previous days- a buffet breakfast followed by poolside lounging. On this day (and all other port days), the ship was like a ghost town! We had our choice of loungers at both the main pool deck and Spice H2o (there were approximately 10 people in Spice h2O!). We selected ones right by the pool.

 

 

Our afternoon was one of pure relaxation, however, come evening time we were feeling the effects of the sun (ie. Gary was scorched!) and decided it best to head back inside for a siesta!

 

En route to the cabin we were side-tracked when we heard one of the Cruise staff looking for volunteers to play a game called ''55 to stay alive''. This activity was set up in the atrium. Laid out and waiting was a strange ensemble of items including a toilet roll on a stand, a hula hoop, a pair of tights fitted with 2 tennis balls and a plastic cup pyramid, amongst other items. Our curiosity got the better of us and before we knew it we had each scribbled our names on a piece of paper and thrown them into the contestant bucket.

 

Over the next 30 minutes we watched individuals take to the stage to complete various tasks within a 55 second period…the prize…a pack of NCL playing cards! Surprise surprise, both Gary and I were called up, he to keep two balloons from touching the floor and I, to move a cracker from my forehead to mouth using using only my face! Surprisingly, I managed it and am now the proud owner of a deck of NCL cards…

 

That evening we attended Christian Miro's main show which was held in the Epic Theatre. It was very enjoyable with a mix of magic, a small bit of ventriloquism and a surprise act at the end! While this show had originally been advertised as ''standby only'' ( ie. Sold out), we had asked at the box office that afternoon and been told they'd get us in. In my experience it's always worth asking or showing up for standby seats as they never seem to be filled (correct me if I'm wrong!)

 

 

Prior to dinner we went up to deck 7 for a look around the shops. I was in search for something in particular which I was delighted to find! Everywhere I go I love to pick up a Christmas ornament for the tree. I had hoped there would be something suitable and I wasn't disappointed! I found a gorgeous little epic ornament ( complete with accurately placed features). I've since decided that I want a tree full of ships and will therefore have to book a lot more cruises..a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

 

 

 

That evening we ate in...you got it...the Manhattan room! I ordered a Caesar salad to start and the spaghetti Bolognese as my main. Gary went for beef teriyaki. This year I found the variety of meals in the main dining rooms to be better than the previous year, with incorporation of some basics which were not previously available eg. Spaghetti Bolognese and lasagne. Another new addition is the incorporation of an asian dish which alternated each day. My choice of drink each night was Malibu and cranberry while Gary stuck to gin and tonics!

 

After our meal we headed to the casino where we spent an hour or two at the blackjack table before having a few more drinks and watching the big betters play roulette.

 

En route to bed we stopped by O Sheehan's where Gary got his long awaited chicken wings. I was too stuffed after my three course meal to even think of more food despite the waitresses encouragement to try their nachos(Gosh I love the crew!). In fact, one of my favourite things about ncl are their staff-nobody could do enough for us. Despite the fact that drinks were included, we were continually offered refills. Similarly, in the restaurants we were nearly encouraged to order extra food (one waiter in Cagney's acctually tried me to convince me to get a starter ''on him''- when I declined he gave us our desserts on the house!) Whether your staying in the haven, or in an inside guarantee (like us!), you leave having spent the week feeling like a VIP!

 

Anywho..we headed to bed thoroughly relaxed and excited for the day to come!

 

 

We were on a B2B which started with a 10 day Canary Island and ended with YOUR itinerary! We wished that they would have been reversed as the 7 day Western Med IS indeed port intensive! We DID make Rome.....BUT skipped Florence! My husband was tired of early morning tours and it was drizzling that day....BEST decision ever! Sometimes you just have to take a break....as it IS vacation!

[nimiq]

Love it and you guys are a cute couple that seems to know how to enjoy life.

Sea ya

Eric

 

 

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[ollienbertsmum]

I love the review. I have just done my final payment for the same trip in October so this review made me extra excited.

 

Three comments - next time wear your bikini on board so you don't have to wait for your bags before enjoying the first day.

 

Don't give up on Vueling - I have travelled multiple low-cost airlines and they are as good as any other. You were just unlucky that day.

 

GHD not allowed - whatttt!!! They are sure not expecting me to have any photos taken then!!

[jchristi]

Love the review! Do you have any idea what time disembarkation started in Civitavecchia?

[aliciawag]

Loving your review so far! We're doing this itinerary from October 1st to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary, and it'll be our first ever cruise!

 

I'm a bit nervous about excursions. The NCL ones seem extortionately expensive, but I'm terrified about getting stranded somewhere along the way if we go it alone...

 

Thanks for sharing x

You'll never want to take any other kind of holiday again! We have done all excursions ourselves both years as the prices of the NCL ones are indeed very high! Also we love the freedom to do as we want, when we want. The days are long and we had plenty of time in each place ( all 2/3 of them that we visited!).

 

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Edited July 16, 2017 by aliciawag

[aliciawag]

Love the review! Do you have any idea what time disembarkation started in Civitavecchia?

I'm afraid I can't tell you! We were sound asleep at that early hour! Perhaps someone following along knows??

 

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[aliciawag]

I love the review. I have just done my final payment for the same trip in October so this review made me extra excited.

 

Three comments - next time wear your bikini on board so you don't have to wait for your bags before enjoying the first day.

 

Don't give up on Vueling - I have travelled multiple low-cost airlines and they are as good as any other. You were just unlucky that day.

 

GHD not allowed - whatttt!!! They are sure not expecting me to have any photos taken then!!

Yes I 100% will have my bikini on me next time! The previous year our bags had arrived to our cabin by 13:30pm so I hadn't even considered this!

 

I'd say you should be ok re: the ghd! I seem to have been one of the only ones who has experienced this!

 

Regarding Vueling... The return flight was set to be a lot lot worse (not entirely their fault but more so Barcelona airport!). I have plenty of advice for anyone passing through el-prat but I'll save that for another day!!

 

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[aliciawag]

Love it and you guys are a cute couple that seems to know how to enjoy life.

Sea ya

Eric

 

 

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Thanks so much Eric! We really did have the best time!![emoji4]

 

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[aliciawag]

We were on a B2B which started with a 10 day Canary Island and ended with YOUR itinerary! We wished that they would have been reversed as the 7 day Western Med IS indeed port intensive! We DID make Rome.....BUT skipped Florence! My husband was tired of early morning tours and it was drizzling that day....BEST decision ever! Sometimes you just have to take a break....as it IS vacation!

Wow! How did you find the B2B?? I'm dreaming of a B2B Carribbean -eastern followed by western or vice versa!

 

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[Lisa86]

Love this review! We are also doing our second year in a row trip on the Epic in September and same routing!

I am, like everyone, annoyed about the straighteners thing! Did you get them back? Bad hair days = not good at all!

Did you find that in the evening with the new All Inclusive for everyone, that bars had long waits? Were cocktails all generally covered in the All Inclusive - I saw on another post that someone said they had increased all their prices so that many are now not included and would require additional charge?

Love your review :-)

[aliciawag]

Love this review! We are also doing our second year in a row trip on the Epic in September and same routing!

I am, like everyone, annoyed about the straighteners thing! Did you get them back? Bad hair days = not good at all!

Did you find that in the evening with the new All Inclusive for everyone, that bars had long waits? Were cocktails all generally covered in the All Inclusive - I saw on another post that someone said they had increased all their prices so that many are now not included and would require additional charge?

Love your review :-)

 

Thanks Lisa! We had originally planned to go in September but work commitments meant a last minute change!

 

I did get the ghd back thankfully- we were given a piece of paper with our room number on it which we brought to the guest services desk on the last night to retrieve it.

 

Regarding the new all inclusive...I was very skeptical pre-cruise. I had visions of long queues, no table service and very watered down drinks..in reality none of this was true! We never waited more than 2minutes at night time for drinks at any bar. There was table service at most bars and most importantly the drinks weren't weak at all! Most cocktails were included in the UBP- there were a few which weren't but these were the exception!

 

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[aliciawag]

I hope to continue this review tonight- night shift had me all over the place! 😴😴

 

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