On Epic in the Med - COVID Observations

[kalypso333]

 Currently on the Epic. 
 

Others may have different observations, but here are some COVID surprises:

 

• No barstools open at the bars - big bummer if you like back and forth with bartender.
• No saunas or steam rooms - yet in the Haven they still pointed them out.
• Masks indoors and out.
• Haven is full - rest of ship is 1/2 full. Told 2000ish onboard.
• Told not fully staffed - and ratio seems normal

Overall COVID has dampened the experience. Thrilled to be here, but very sedate experience.

 

We are not scheduled to cruise again until 2023 - and that is okay with me…for now. 

[Momo6000]

Thank you for your post. I am planning the Mediterranean cruise next Spring on the Epic.

I’m interested to see the current cruise experience.  This will help me to determine if I will make my final payment and move forward with this cruise. 

[erikb923]

How is the WiFi on board? 

[hawkeyetlse]

As soon as you leave Europe (last stop in Funchal), the ship is supposed to switch over to US Covid rules (no masks, you can sit at the bar, etc.) unless they have changed their plans about that. Also the saunas and steam rooms in the Thermal Suite were open last week. No idea about the Haven.

[nina_930]

5 hours ago, kalypso333 said:

• Masks indoors and out.

I though we didn't have to wear masks??  Is this fleet wide?

[Yinster]

31 minutes ago, nina_930 said:

I though we didn't have to wear masks??  Is this fleet wide?

This was due to following restrictions in Italy when the Epic was there before the TA

[EllieinNJ]

Please give us updates.  Thanks.

[milolii]

Thank you for the updates.  European sailings are different.

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, nina_930 said:

I though we didn't have to wear masks??  Is this fleet wide?

European rules. Not NCL. 

 

No surprises here. That’s been the rules from the start. 

Edited November 22, 2021 by BirdTravels

[tinkr2]

14 hours ago, Momo6000 said:

Thank you for your post. I am planning the Mediterranean cruise next Spring on the Epic.

I’m interested to see the current cruise experience.  This will help me to determine if I will make my final payment and move forward with this cruise. 

We had a great time and saw no masks being worn outside, on either jade or epic. The masks were such a non issue. Only on inside and not while eating or drinking. Everything was open, including the sauna on our sailing. 

13 hours ago, erikb923 said:

How is the WiFi on board? 

I had a few issues with wifi but it was not terrible on epic. It never worked on Jade in our cabin.

[Trimone]

Take advantage of a cruise now in Europe, things are getting worse with Covid

[tinkr2]

5 hours ago, Trimone said:

Take advantage of a cruise now in Europe, things are getting worse with Covid

Agreed. Wanted to a German river cruise and now Austria is a no go and case numbers are very high.

[Momo6000]

3 minutes ago, tinkr2 said:

Agreed. Wanted to a German river cruise and now Austria is a no go and case numbers are very high.

 

My trip is planned for next April and unfortunately can’t cruise until Spring 2022.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed things will look better before my final payment is due.

I have a friend leaving on a European cruise next week and hoping the best for her vacation. 

[tinkr2]

22 minutes ago, Momo6000 said:

 

My trip is planned for next April and unfortunately can’t cruise until Spring 2022.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed things will look better before my final payment is due.

I have a friend leaving on a European cruise next week and hoping the best for her vacation. 

Im sure it will be fine.If not, another itinerary or date will come. I was supposed to be in China in March, planned for years That is not happening🤷‍♀️ And most of Europe is fine currently for your friends cruise.

[Trimone]

15 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

Im sure it will be fine.If not, another itinerary or date will come. I was supposed to be in China in March, planned for years That is not happening🤷‍♀️ And most of Europe is fine currently for your friends cruise.

I don’t know what news channels you get but all the Christmas markets are closing down? Remember Covid spreads throughout the scheenan area very fast 

[PATRLR]

22 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

Im sure it will be fine.If not, another itinerary or date will come. I was supposed to be in China in March, planned for years That is not happening🤷‍♀️ And most of Europe is fine currently for your friends cruise.

You may want to check the news coming out of Europe - things are not fine.  Numbers are getting high again, new mandates being placed and now civil unrest in the streets. 

[ontheweb]

20 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

You may want to check the news coming out of Europe - things are not fine.  Numbers are getting high again, new mandates being placed and now civil unrest in the streets. 

I was going to put a like, but that might imply that I liked the news you posted. I would have meant  it as good someone is posting what is really happening. I guess I should give you a thank you, so I will.

[PTC DAWG]

Good info, I'm not sailing with a mask mandate...I tried it with Royal for a Family Cruise....it was awful having to worry about it....even though it was inside only..

[milolii]

7 hours ago, Trimone said:

I don’t know what news channels you get but all the Christmas markets are closing down? Remember Covid spreads throughout the scheenan area very fast 

It’s so sad about the Christmas Markets.  They are so beautiful.  Cruise Critic members are reporting canceled and revised River cruises.  Some finding out as they prepare to fly out.  One poster is reporting sailing through Austria.  

 

 

[Momo6000]

Thank you for all the news on the Xmas markets and cruises. Going to call my friend now and see what the situation is currently for her trip.

[milolii]

Here is a Cruise Critic article that was just updated.   

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6611/

 

[kalypso333]

On 11/21/2021 at 3:29 PM, kalypso333 said:

 Currently on the Epic. 
 

Others may have different observations, but here are some COVID surprises:

 

• No barstools open at the bars - big bummer if you like back and forth with bartender.
• No saunas or steam rooms - yet in the Haven they still pointed them out.
• Masks indoors and out.
• Haven is full - rest of ship is 1/2 full. Told 2000ish onboard.
• Told not fully staffed - and ratio seems normal

Overall COVID has dampened the experience. Thrilled to be here, but very sedate experience.

 

We are not scheduled to cruise again until 2023 - and that is okay with me…for now. 

 

On 11/21/2021 at 3:29 PM, kalypso333 said:

 Currently on the Epic. 
 

Others may have different observations, but here are some COVID surprises:

 

• No barstools open at the bars - big bummer if you like back and forth with bartender.
• No saunas or steam rooms - yet in the Haven they still pointed them out.
• Masks indoors and out.
• Haven is full - rest of ship is 1/2 full. Told 2000ish onboard.
• Told not fully staffed - and ratio seems normal

Overall COVID has dampened the experience. Thrilled to be here, but very sedate experience.

 

We are not scheduled to cruise again until 2023 - and that is okay with me…for now. 

Corrections from first impressions and a new one. 
 

Sauna and steam rooms are open in Haven - just not being used.

Masks may not be required outdoors, I was told they were and most are wearing them.  Others told me they were required. 
Wifi was a hassle. Had to deal with not having my prepaid upswell from 500 min. Wifi is okay. 
Food has been better than previous experiences. Everything is being served hot and pretty tasty. 
 

[BennyBrun]

I was on the EPIC in September and had about 500 people onboard.  You had to really look around to find other cruisers during off peak hours like after 9PM.  No sitting at the bars, mask must be worn indoors and bubble excursion in Italy.  It was a great experience and the food was better on the EPIC than any other NCL ships.  Played at the Casino a few times and every time the moment I sat down the server rushed over and asked if I needed a drink.  It was  incredible and I would never expect that again.  I also had to be tested before I can leave the ship but found that the process was very very smooth as long as you show up during you scheduled time.  The mask thing is Spain not NCL and since I choose to sail I can’t complain about it plus at the time I needed a negative test to come back to USA so I was glad that about the mask wearing.

[cruiseanon32]

I was on the Epic from Nov 11-20th. Overall I enjoyed the cruise although the entertainment left much to be desired with the exception of mock Beatles, who were good. Most nights the Shakers bar was rocking with people dancing the night away. Missing the ports was a nuisance but that was okay. The masks were not a big deal and most people were tolerant of the rules. No smoking in the Casino was a mixed blessing, I do smoke but certainly smoked less because of the ban

[kalypso333]

More thoughts:

 

Wifi sucks! Kicked off after signing on regularly. Don’t buy multiple devices if not necessary. Seems most are offline because of poor service. 

 

Christmas in Malaga SP looks alive and well. In fact everywhere we have been looks like they are getting ready.

 

Having left Italy, the ship seems less worried about masks. 
 

Bar.service is everywhere, even though the bar stools are unavailable.

 

Thanksgiving dinner crowded the Haven restaurant - seems they brought in reinforcements. Turkey dinner was great!

Black Friday seems to mean 20% off. Be sure to ask for VAT exemption. Stores seem well stocked. 
 

That’s