Epic vs Getaway

[ScratchTheRat]

I am currently booked on a 7 day Med cruise on the Epic but seeing as the Getaway is doing a 10 day med cruise from the same port on the same week is making me consider a switch.

 

Other than the cabins (I know people hate the Epic cabins!) what differences would I notice and which ship would you recommend? 

 

We're three young (ish) adults, no kids, not big drinkers/partiers.

 

Thanks! 🙂

[KeithJenner]

The biggest advantage for me of the Breakaway over the Epic is the Waterfront. My main complaint with the Epic is it is lacking space to relax and walk with a view of the sea. The bars on the waterfront are also a great place for a drink.

 

On the other hand, Spice H2O is better on the Epic and if you spend any time on a balcony then they are tiny on the Breakaway, so you would need to go for a large balcony or something similar to be comfortable there.

 

Other venues are a matter of choice. For example, I love the venue for Howl at the Moon on the Breakaway, but on the Epic there are obstacles that block the stage from some areas. I’m sure others prefer the Epic version.

 

A lot else is personal preference. I’m not big on water slides, but the Epic Plunge is really fun. However I also like the ropes course on the Breakaway.

 

Given the choice, I would go for the Breakaway, but get an aft or large balcony room.

[ScratchTheRat]

2 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

The biggest advantage for me of the Breakaway over the Epic is the Waterfront. My main complaint with the Epic is it is lacking space to relax and walk with a view of the sea. The bars on the waterfront are also a great place for a drink.

 

On the other hand, Spice H2O is better on the Epic and if you spend any time on a balcony then they are tiny on the Breakaway, so you would need to go for a large balcony or something similar to be comfortable there.

 

Other venues are a matter of choice. For example, I love the venue for Howl at the Moon on the Breakaway, but on the Epic there are obstacles that block the stage from some areas. I’m sure others prefer the Epic version.

 

A lot else is personal preference. I’m not big on water slides, but the Epic Plunge is really fun. However I also like the ropes course on the Breakaway.

 

Given the choice, I would go for the Breakaway, but get an aft or large balcony room.

I'm an "interior" cabin kinda guy. Would that change your assessment?

[KeithJenner]

4 minutes ago, ScratchTheRat said:

I'm an "interior" cabin kinda guy. Would that change your assessment?

That would push me even more towards the Breakaway, as the size of the balcony isn’t relevant and the Waterfront would appeal to me more then.

 

On the Epic, lack of space where you can see the sea is made slightly less of an issue if you can sit on your balcony at times. Without a balcony I think I would really miss it. On the Breakaway you can leave your inside room and wander out to the waterfront.

 

This is all, of course, assuming you like to be able to see the sea. For me it’s one of the main attractions of cruising.

[ScratchTheRat]

1 minute ago, KeithJenner said:

That would push me even more towards the Breakaway, as the size of the balcony isn’t relevant and the Waterfront would appeal to me more then.

 

On the Epic, lack of space where you can see the sea is made slightly less of an issue if you can sit on your balcony at times. Without a balcony I think I would really miss it. On the Breakaway you can leave your inside room and wander out to the waterfront.

 

This is all, of course, assuming you like to be able to see the sea. For me it’s one of the main attractions of cruising.

Oh yes!

 

Part of why we never bother booking a balcony is because we'd rather be up on deck admiring the views and saving our money. We have a balcony out to the water at home!

[KeithJenner]

I’ve just noticed that you actually asked about the Getaway, and I’ve been referring to the Breakaway for some reason.

 

It doesn’t change my answer, but just thought I’d better clarify that. 🙂

[ScratchTheRat]

Just now, KeithJenner said:

I’ve just noticed that you actually asked about the Getaway, and I’ve been referring to the Breakaway for some reason.

 

It doesn’t change my answer, but just thought I’d better clarify that. 🙂

Same class I think right? 🙂 

 

This may be a moot point as if Italy don't relax their rules next week, we won't be sailing on either lol - May have to switch to the Jade out of Piraeus or stick with the Epic but embark in Barcelona instead of Rome.

[Diane67B]

The Getaway is an awesome ship. The waterfront is amazing and we spent a lot of time there. 

[Diane67B]

Oh, and yes it's the same class. Happy cruising!!

[david_sobe]

I would go with the ship that has more nights (Getaway) even though I think Epic is a better ship overall.  As others pointed out the Waterfront on Getaway is really something.  It took the one major complaint about Epic and ran with it.  The Getaway standard cabins are more traditional than Epic.  I think I am in the minority but IMHO the Epic is a better ship.  I think because Epic pushed the envelope in some areas, NCL swung way too conservative in designing Getaway.  Having said that, the ships are pretty similar.  Both have the casino as their centerpiece with the Local/OSheehans over looking the atrium, etc.  There is a long laundry list of why I think Epic is a better ship:
Spa - The Epic spa is much larger and superior to Getaway

Venues - The Epic venues are much larger

Restaurants - Getaway started this open concept to save on space.  I prefer real restaurants with walls and window views.  Epic has better space for restaurants

Spice - Epic has a real pool not a water feature

Haven - this is the most dramatic difference.  The Epic Haven is not only much larger but better in every level

Posh- much better than any Haven sundeck on Getaway

Solo cabins lounge and space is bigger and better on Epic

Water park better on Epic.  The drop slides are ok on Getaway but its more fear and anticipation excitement than actual water slide fun IMHO.

 

Anyway, I could go on and on.  Getaway is a great ship but clearly after 2 ships NCL felt the need to change things to the Breakaway Plus model.

 

I sailed Getaway when she was brand new.  I just felt there were no wow factors and it was so conventional and traditional in the year she was launched compared to other ships launched about the same time.  It was NCL's Epic hangover era.

Edited July 23, 2021 by david_sobe

[Hadacareer]

I have sailed on both and prefer the getaway..mainly for the waterfront..we love al fresco dining and found the epic too enclosed (as not enough outside deck area).  We had a choice of the epic or getaway for our transatlantic this fall and booked the getaway, hands down.  Upped it to Haven this December as it is our 30th anniversary..mind you, we are sailing n the epic next fall out of Barcelona but that is only because it is the second part of a group tour..after our last epic tour we did say we would avoid it if possible!  We don’t do the slides or casino or spice h2o (posh or vibe instead)

[Seany527]

I would choose the Getaway 100% of the time. 
 

678 Ocean Place is beautiful. On the Epic, deck 8 is entirely staterooms. 
 

Spice H20 is larger on Epic but it has many levels of tier seating which for some reason, I don’t like at all. Getaway has a much nicer layout in my opinion. 
 

I also like the shows better on the Getaway. 

[ColeThornton]

As you can see from the input people have provided there is good things for each ship.  If I was in your shoes I would be picking it based on which one was the better deal.  Honestly, you can't go wrong with either ship.

[complawyer]

you mentioned the cabins, but that is definitely why we prefer the getaway. we booked a haven aft cabin, and hated it. the round bed took up most of the space, very little privacy in the bathroom (just a curtain, )and when taking a shower, the water always splashed out. there wasnt enough room for 2 people to pass each other without one of you stepping aside.

we recently found out that we have a free cruise certificate, and the epic had an itinerary in the south carribbean that i was really interested in. we booked the haven spa suite, but after seeing the cabin on you tube video, i'm definitely having 2nd thoughts

 

been on both epic and getaway twice, and getaway wins, hands down!!!

[mapleleaves]

I'd choose based on itinerary and price.

The Med cruise on the Epic is so port intensive (and exhausting), that the lack of "waterfront" was a non-issue for us.  ( on the one sea day we went to the sun deck on 18 )

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, ScratchTheRat said:

I am currently booked on a 7 day Med cruise on the Epic but seeing as the Getaway is doing a 10 day med cruise from the same port on the same week is making me consider a switch. Other than the cabins (I know people hate the Epic cabins!) what differences would I notice and which ship would you recommend? We're three young (ish) adults, no kids, not big drinkers/partiers. Thanks! 🙂

 

We've sailed on the Epic 7 times and Getaway 4 times. The Getaway is newer with features catering to the more contemporary cruiser. The Waterfront is lovely to sit on and enjoy the sea. 

 

We don't mind the Epic cabins. We like the very large Bliss lounge (vs. small Bliss lounge on the Getaway). The Epic has the best Thermal Suite in the fleet, if that is a consideration. 

 

My biggest consideration is the itinerary. Personally, we would pick the longer itinerary on the Getaway. 

 

Have fun! Enjoy!

[Crazy planning mom]

7 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

That would push me even more towards the Breakaway, as the size of the balcony isn’t relevant and the Waterfront would appeal to me more then.

 

On the Epic, lack of space where you can see the sea is made slightly less of an issue if you can sit on your balcony at times. Without a balcony I think I would really miss it. On the Breakaway you can leave your inside room and wander out to the waterfront.

 

This is all, of course, assuming you like to be able to see the sea. For me it’s one of the main attractions of cruising.

I agree with Keith.  We enjoyed our sailing on the Epic but we had a balcony.

I wouldnt want to sail on the Epic in an interior cabin.

[ScratchTheRat]

Well I did it! I've switched to the Getaway! Better room, better itinerary but what sold it was the Waterfront! We always book Interior rooms as we only use the room to sleep in, we like being out on deck and Waterfront means more of that! 😄

[4774Papa]

9 hours ago, ScratchTheRat said:

I am currently booked on a 7 day Med cruise on the Epic but seeing as the Getaway is doing a 10 day med cruise from the same port on the same week is making me consider a switch.

 

Other than the cabins (I know people hate the Epic cabins!) what differences would I notice and which ship would you recommend? 

 

We're three young (ish) adults, no kids, not big drinkers/partiers.

 

Thanks! 🙂

We don't pick cruises by the ship, but by cost and itinerary.

 

What are the costs for each and what ports?

 

Also, the Epic is our least favorite cruise ship ever.

[ScratchTheRat]

3 minutes ago, 4774Papa said:

We don't pick cruises by the ship, but by cost and itinerary.

 

What are the costs for each and what ports?

 

Also, the Epic is our least favorite cruise ship ever.

Cost me an extra £200 to switch and that gave us 3 more days

[kochleffel]

5 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

The Med cruise on the Epic is so port intensive (and exhausting), that the lack of "waterfront" was a non-issue for us.  ( on the one sea day we went to the sun deck on 18 )

 

That was my experience, too, except that it was raining on the one sea day.

 

[complawyer]

some folks just seem to have all the luck

[ScratchTheRat]

8 hours ago, complawyer said:

some folks just seem to have all the luck

What do you mean?

[Yinster]

17 hours ago, complawyer said:

you mentioned the cabins, but that is definitely why we prefer the getaway. we booked a haven aft cabin, and hated it. the round bed took up most of the space, very little privacy in the bathroom (just a curtain, )and when taking a shower, the water always splashed out. there wasnt enough room for 2 people to pass each other without one of you stepping aside.

we recently found out that we have a free cruise certificate, and the epic had an itinerary in the south carribbean that i was really interested in. we booked the haven spa suite, but after seeing the cabin on you tube video, i'm definitely having 2nd thoughts

 

been on both epic and getaway twice, and getaway wins, hands down!!!

The haven and haven cabins in the epic have been done up. One of the changes is no more circular bed and cabin is more like the other ships with the bed against the wall. 

 

The spa on the epic is the biggest one 

 

[Yinster]

14 hours ago, ScratchTheRat said:

Cost me an extra £200 to switch and that gave us 3 more days

I would go with the better deal. The simple fact that I get to cruise right now at this moment in time, personally I won't care too much about either ships as both are similar but minor differences. After 5 cancelled cruises I just want to be a ship