Sudio cabin and Free at Sea

[JennJ99738]

So, I just booked the NCL Epic out of Civitavecchia on August 7th.  Studio cabin.  I had the option to choose one bonus, the drinks package, the specialty dining package, $50 shore excursion credit/port, or the Internet.  I chose the shore excursion credit but am now not certain if it's $50 per cabin or was it $25 per passenger which would turn my credit into $25 instead of $50.  Anyone have any ideas?  

 

Also, I know the drinks package is worth more but I don't drink very much so I thought the shore excursion (which i think is $200 for a max of 4 ports) was better.  The specialty dining doesn't seem to be worth it either since I'm only one person.

 

Does anyone have any information or advice?  I have only sailed NCL once before I think 16 years ago on the NCL star so this will be new for me.  

 

Thanks!

 

Jennifer

[FLAHAM]

Per cabin.

[smplybcause]

You'll get the full $50 per port.

 

I always get the drink package though. If you drink 2 or more a day you come out ahead. And, uh, I drink way more than 2. 

Edited June 13, 2019 by smplybcause

[graphicguy]

$50 per excursion/per cabin.  

 

The food in the free restaurants are quite good.  So, unless you see something that really strikes you in the Specialty Restaurants, I think the Garden Cafe, MDRs. O'Sheehans, Shanghai will be just fine.

 

Just a note....EPIC is much larger than the Star.  Also, the solo cabins have their own lounge.  Make it a point to meet there and get to know your other solo cabin travelers.

 

Have fun!

[Sauer-kraut]

For Europe I personally would do my own tours and NOT the ships, there might be people on your roll call who

want to fill a private tour to make it actually cheaper than what you'd spend for a huge bus tour. 

The drinks package might work out for you because you can get pop and virgin drinks with it.  Also the studio lounge will have a bar tender there in the evenings for a couple of hours.

 

 

Edited June 13, 2019 by Sauer-kraut

[JennJ99738]

Thanks for everyone's advice!  I'll look further into the drinks package.  I did think about the fact that the ship's tours will be packed and more expensive than independent tours.  

[snirpville]

I prefer the ship's tours when I am alone and it's one of the only nice things about traveling solo when you get the whole $50 applied at each port. It made all my tours in the Caribbean less than $20 which was a bonus. Have fun choosing!

[AK Dreaming]

I did that cruise last August in the Solo cabins.  It was amazing.  Of the 3 times I did that cruise only one time were we able to make it to every port.  That changes your benefit from a $200.00 credit to a $150.00 or $100.00 credit.  Just something to keep in mind.  Also, Palma the last stop really does not require an excursion.  It is beautiful though.  

[JennJ99738]

16 minutes ago, AK Dreaming said:

I did that cruise last August in the Solo cabins.  It was amazing.  Of the 3 times I did that cruise only one time were we able to make it to every port.  That changes your benefit from a $200.00 credit to a $150.00 or $100.00 credit.  Just something to keep in mind.  Also, Palma the last stop really does not require an excursion.  It is beautiful though.  

May I ask what issues the ship ran into that you weren't able to make to all the ports?  That's very strange to happen 2 out of 3 times. 

 

[AK Dreaming]

3 minutes ago, JennJ99738 said:

May I ask what issues the ship ran into that you weren't able to make to all the ports?  That's very strange to happen 2 out of 3 times. 

 

The first time we missed Florence because they said the water was to rough to port.  That was in June of 2017.  August of 2018 we made all the ports.  October/November of 2018 we missed Naples.  Hit a really bad storm and we heard the dock in Naples was damaged.  We actually ported in Rome late afternoon of the Naples day and stayed there overnight.  The ship arranged an evening tour of Rome, which was wonderful.  Side note, we did not get the $50 credit for the extra Rome tour as it was per port and not per tour.  I had thought that since we missed a whole port and were still buying a tour we would be given the perk but they said no.  Still way worth it to see Rome at night!

[JennJ99738]

Yeah, they still should have given you the $50 for Rome.  That's too bad.  Thank you for the information, though! I hope my August sailing goes as smooth as yours did.  I would hate to miss Florence above all other ports.  

[snirpville]

8 minutes ago, JennJ99738 said:

Yeah, they still should have given you the $50 for Rome.  That's too bad.  Thank you for the information, though! I hope my August sailing goes as smooth as yours did.  I would hate to miss Florence above all other ports.  

 

Florence was lovely. We did it on a bus tour years and years ago and I loved it. I hope you don't miss it either.

[suron]

 

I was on Epic 15th May from Rome in a studio cabin.  I have written a review of the cruise which can be found at:

www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=658594

 

which will, I hope, give you some tips.  

 

Suzanne

[CazV]

I did this cruise as my first cruise two years ago (also solo). I recommend you do the maths to figure out which of the perks will benefit you most. Drinks are expensive on board so most people find that to be the best choice. Excursion credit can work out very well for us solos though. When I did this cruise I booked NCL excursions, but I explored both Cannes and Palma on my own. I missed out on Livorno... as mentioned above missing Livorno seems to happen from time to time, but I think it's rare. AK Dreaming were we on the same sailing? I also sailed in June of 2017. 

I wrote a review of my sailing too if you're interested the link is in my signature. 

Edited June 13, 2019 by CazV

[dbrown84]

as a solo traveler, I choose the excursion perk.  Since it's $50 for one person, the ship excursions end of being cheaper than booking your own excursions.  My next cruise is 11 days, with 8 ports so it will be worth $400.  I travel on casino comps, so I get a free drink card from the casino and I have no problem with the free dining options

[snirpville]

1 hour ago, CazV said:

I did this cruise as my first cruise two years ago (also solo). I recommend you do the maths to figure out which of the perks will benefit you most. Drinks are expensive on board so most people find that to be the best choice. Excursion credit can work out very well for us solos though. When I did this cruise I booked NCL excursions, but I explored both Cannes and Palma on my own. I missed out on Livorno... as mentioned above missing Livorno seems to happen from time to time, but I think it's rare. AK Dreaming were we on the same sailing? I also sailed in June of 2017. 

I wrote a review of my sailing too if you're interested the link is in my signature. 

Agreed. I don't drink and I like the free dining so I mostly choose Wifi. This upcoming cruise is 12 days with 8 ports so very much worth it (since the Wifi is $125). 

[JennJ99738]

1 hour ago, CazV said:

I did this cruise as my first cruise two years ago (also solo). I recommend you do the maths to figure out which of the perks will benefit you most. Drinks are expensive on board so most people find that to be the best choice. Excursion credit can work out very well for us solos though. When I did this cruise I booked NCL excursions, but I explored both Cannes and Palma on my own. I missed out on Livorno... as mentioned above missing Livorno seems to happen from time to time, but I think it's rare. AK Dreaming were we on the same sailing? I also sailed in June of 2017. 

I wrote a review of my sailing too if you're interested the link is in my signature. 

 

Hi, CazV, 

 

Thanks for the information!  I don't see your signature, though, so if you have a link to your review I would love to read it!

 

[JennJ99738]

1 hour ago, suron said:

 

I was on Epic 15th May from Rome in a studio cabin.  I have written a review of the cruise which can be found at:

www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=658594

 

which will, I hope, give you some tips.  

 

Suzanne

Thank you, Suzanne!  Your review was great. I had no idea about the Posh Club!  I will definitely try to take advantage of that.  It sounds like you had a great time! I'm getting excited now!  

[CazV]

1 hour ago, JennJ99738 said:

 

Hi, CazV, 

 

Thanks for the information!  I don't see your signature, though, so if you have a link to your review I would love to read it!

 

Just remembered you can only see signatures on a PC... 

 

[CazV]

The link to the video in my review is broken so here it is again: 

https://youtu.be/90n4fidLTRk

 

Also thought of a couple of tips to add... 

Go to whichever dining room is open for lunch if you're on board on time. I think it's usually Taste that's open. Much more civilised than fighting your way through the buffet! 

If you don't get a pass for Posh and you're looking for a quiet spot there's a large free sundeck space on deck 18... go right to the front of the ship and there were comfy loungers there. Spice H20 is really nice on Epic too.