Never Judge A Book By Its Cover: Epic Review 3/3/18

[DarthGrady]

This was my second NCL cruise, and the first on Epic. I've seen it a few times at ports and always poked fun at its flat aft and giant forehead. I was pleased to discover that the inside of the ship was actually very nice. Osheehans is a great concept, the 24/7 pub food is something that lost other cruise lines don't offer.

 

We were onboard with a large crowd of spring breakers, so bar service was slow to say the least. The nightclub was also packed with annoying frat bros doing annoying frat bro routines. But all in all it was a really fun cruise, and I'll be happy to go on Epic again. I'll post up some pics, please feel free to ask questions about anything I miss.

 

We ended up in a mini suite on Deck 8. Its an accessible room, which has a regular sofa instead of the weird curved version found in most of Epic's rooms.

[DarthGrady]

The main lobby and atrium. "Taste" is one of the main restaurants, but we didn't get a chance to eat there as we had the specialty dining package.

[DarthGrady]

The excellent O'Sheehans bar with 24/7 pub grub, arcade games, pool and bowling!

 

I'll never figure out how other cruise lines haven't copied this. Being able to get decent food, especially late at night, was great.

[riclop]

Thanks for starting.

[Two Wheels Only]

...always poked fun at its flat aft and giant forehead.

 

:')

You aren't the only one.

[DarthGrady]

The main pool deck, before and after the invasion off spring breakers.

 

Also, I was able to snap a pic of the secret pool area set aside for the rich. Apparently the egalitarian nature of cruising is going by the wayside. We'll soon have first class pools, tourist class pools and a garden hose for steerage.

[DarthGrady]

Maltings was my favorite bar onboard. They had a decent beer selection and the frat bros didn't seem interested in it. The live guitar music was a nice touch in the evenings.

[DarthGrady]

The nightlife is excellent on Epic. They had two nights of Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, which way the best piano bar experience I've had on a cruise.

 

The 80s and Glow parties at the aft pool "H20 Spice" area were fun. The pool itself becomes a dance floor. I can only assume it's either a cover they put over it or the bottom raises up like on the Oasis class ships.

 

The dance club was also packed each night, mostly with the college kids.

[DarthGrady]

The Spiegel cirque tent, we didn't see the show in there.

[DarthGrady]

It's almost as if they just got tired of building the ship and said "that'll do".

[DarthGrady]

That's about all I have worth sharing, I'll be happy to help with any questions.

[Two Wheels Only]

I was able to snap a pic of the secret pool area set aside for the rich.

The "ship within a ship" concept (the Haven on NCL) is actually a good thing and is growing in popularity. MSC has the Yacht Club and Celebrity now has The Retreat on their newest ship, Edge.

 

You might like it. (y)

[Clarea]

Gorgeous photos Grady.:)

[Keith1010]

Following this.

 

Love the photos.

 

Keith

[hannibal54]

Another great job Grady, thanks.

[TeresaJ]

Glad you had a good cruise! We sailed Epic last March and loved it! I agree that OSheehan's is great. We ate there several times during the week. Very popular hangout for many.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Forums mobile app

[BirdTravels]

Great Pictures! Thank you very much.

[Oakman58]

Great photos of the Epic, thanks for sharing.

[EllieinNJ]

We will also be on deck 8 in a regular balcony. Did you find that the lifeboats below obstruct your view and being in an uncovered balcony bother you? Or maybe this didn't affect you because you were in a mini suite?

[PH8]

Thanks Grady........for the pics and the warnings!! Why,did I agree to go next week with your cruising buddy??

 

I should had remembered about spring break cruises in the past.:eek::eek:

 

Maltings looks like a nice place to hide.....ummmmmm,hang out..

[molly361]

Thanks Grady........for the pics and the warnings!! Why,did I agree to go next week with your cruising buddy??

 

I should had remembered about spring break cruises in the past.:eek::eek:

 

Maltings looks like a nice place to hide.....ummmmmm,hang out..

 

Just stay drunk then you'll blend right in:halo::eek::eek:

 

Great pics Grady

[DarthGrady]

The "ship within a ship" concept (the Haven on NCL) is actually a good thing and is growing in popularity. MSC has the Yacht Club and Celebrity now has The Retreat on their newest ship, Edge.

 

You might like it. (y)

I'm more of a low cost, high volume cruiser, but maybe someday. :D

[DarthGrady]

Gorgeous photos Grady.:)

Another great job Grady, thanks.

Thanks guys!

[DarthGrady]

We will also be on deck 8 in a regular balcony. Did you find that the lifeboats below obstruct your view and being in an uncovered balcony bother you? Or maybe this didn't affect you because you were in a mini suite?

 

It didn't bother me. You can't see straight down to the water, but you still have a nice panorama. And Deck 8 is nice because it's only one flight of stairs down to the bars and restaurants on Deck 7.

[DarthGrady]

Just stay drunk then you'll blend right in:halo::eek::eek:

 

Great pics Grady

Excellent idea! I'll try it on my next dozen or so cruises.

Thanks Grady........for the pics and the warnings!! Why,did I agree to go next week with your cruising buddy??

 

I should had remembered about spring break cruises in the past.:eek::eek:

 

Maltings looks like a nice place to hide.....ummmmmm,hang out..

I think you'll like it, classy bar and it caters to a more mature crowd. I really think you'll enjoy the Epic, even with a spring break crowd. The ship was surprisingly nice, and on par with RCI as far as the modern decor.