Norwegian Encore vs. Epic for the Caribbean

[latebuyer]

I'm interested in a 7 day cruise to the caribbean that goes on either of these ships. I imagine for caribbean pool is important. I'm also interested in quiet spots for reading. I'm not sure what else is important. I guess free dining venues as i'd prefer not to pay for specialties. There is only 2 sea days so not a lot.

[JandC_Cruising]

5 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

I'm interested in a 7 day cruise to the caribbean that goes on either of these ships. I imagine for caribbean pool is important. I'm also interested in quiet spots for reading. I'm not sure what else is important. I guess free dining venues as i'd prefer not to pay for specialties. There is only 2 sea days so not a lot.

The Encore is a far more 'modern" ship than the Epic.  If you are looking for quiet spot's to read then I would certainly pick the Encore for the Waterfront on deck 8 for outdoor couches and chairs and the Observation lounge on deck 15 for indoor relaxation.  Both are great and neither exist on the Epic.  

Both have Thermal Spas if that is of interest to you and you cannot go wrong with either of those.

The Epic has a "different" bathroom design in the standard cabins....(lookup video's online to best understand the configuration)  Many, including ourselves do not like it.  But other's don't care either way.

For "free dining" the Epic has Shanghai (Asian) which is not on the Encore, but other than that the other "free" dining locations are similar (main dining rooms, buffet, Osheehans/Local pub)

[latebuyer]

Thanks! It does talk in the cruise critic review that the pool is very small.

[latebuyer]

Is Norwegian Breakaway a good ship? I'm also looking at a caribbean cruise that goes on the breakaway.

[RocketMan275]

5 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Is Norwegian Breakaway a good ship? I'm also looking at a caribbean cruise that goes on the breakaway.

Breakaway is a fine ship.  We've done her twice but not again.  NOLA is a terrible port for embarkation.  

[lepidoptera]

19 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Is Norwegian Breakaway a good ship? I'm also looking at a caribbean cruise that goes on the breakaway.

I like the Breakaway. I will be sailing on her my second time this fall for her NY to NOLA reposition.  She has some a waterfront but no observation lounge. She also doesn’t have the laser tag/ go cart stuff-up to you if that is a plus or minus. 

[IsanTom]

On 6/19/2023 at 12:21 PM, latebuyer said:

I'm interested in a 7 day cruise to the caribbean that goes on either of these ships. I imagine for caribbean pool is important. I'm also interested in quiet spots for reading. I'm not sure what else is important. I guess free dining venues as i'd prefer not to pay for specialties. There is only 2 sea days so not a lot.

ENCORE 

[laudergayle]

A lot depends on what islands in the Caribbean you want to visit, and which ship goes to them.  Look at the CC forum for ports—Caribbean and get a feel for what others are sharing.  Also, consider which embarkation port is most convenient. 

 

We did Epic in the southern Caribbean and really enjoyed the outdoor pools and slides.  But the bathroom setup is not our favorite but wouldn’t stop us from sailing Epic again.

[reeinaz]

On 6/19/2023 at 2:06 PM, latebuyer said:

Is Norwegian Breakaway a good ship? I'm also looking at a caribbean cruise that goes on the breakaway.

I think Breakaway is an awesome ship for the Caribbean, mostly because it has the free Spice H2O sundeck section if you want an adult only area.

[reeinaz]

@latebuyer Compare the deck plans. I remember when Encore was build, the lack of free deck space was a complaint. I don't know how Epic compares, but that's something I'd look for on a Caribbean cruise.

[ready2cruzagain]

On 6/19/2023 at 2:06 PM, latebuyer said:

Is Norwegian Breakaway a good ship? I'm also looking at a caribbean cruise that goes on the breakaway.

We have sailed 5 weeks on the Epic and 3  weeks on the Breakaway. We liked the Epic much more than the Breakaway even though the ships are similar. The bathrooms on the Epic is weird but did not bother us. We have 6 more cruises booked on the Epic and can't wait.  The prices on the Epic out of PC is great right now.

[phillygwm]

On 6/19/2023 at 12:21 PM, latebuyer said:

I'm interested in a 7 day cruise to the caribbean that goes on either of these ships. I imagine for caribbean pool is important. I'm also interested in quiet spots for reading. I'm not sure what else is important. I guess free dining venues as i'd prefer not to pay for specialties. There is only 2 sea days so not a lot.

I think most of us would probably choose Encore.  I've not been on it, just Bliss and Joy, which are pretty similar.  I've been on Epic twice, including once to the Caribbean.  I prefer the restaurants on Epic (Moderno specifically) but everything else favors Encore.  I wouldn't refuse an Epic cruise, though 🙂

On 6/19/2023 at 2:06 PM, latebuyer said:

Is Norwegian Breakaway a good ship? I'm also looking at a caribbean cruise that goes on the breakaway.

I've been on this one twice as well.  Enjoyed it a great deal.  The only downside here is it's smoky if you're anywhere near the casino (including the multi-level atrium.)  

[latebuyer]

I’m wondering if there is anything specifically wrong with the epc. I thought there was no single supplement but its just a cheap cruise (cheaper than encore). Cruise critic reviews are bad. Some of the complaints seem to be crowding in restaurants etc. I’m not sure if all these big ships feel crowded.

 

 

Edited July 7, 2023 by latebuyer

[BirdTravels]

24 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

I’m wondering if there is anything specifically wrong with the epc. I thought there was no single supplement but its just a cheap cruise (cheaper than encore). Cruise critic reviews are bad. Some of the complaints seem to be crowding in restaurants etc. I’m not sure if all these big ships feel crowded.

 

 

There is nothing specifically wrong with the Epic. Nothing. She is [a lot] older than the Encore, so does not have all of the newer marketed features of the Encore. We have sailed on the Epic many times and would book on her again. 

[omahabob]

On 6/22/2023 at 2:53 PM, phillygwm said:

...I've been on this one twice as well.  Enjoyed it a great deal.  The only downside here is it's smoky if you're anywhere near the casino (including the multi-level atrium.)  

We just avoided deck 7, and it wasn't too bad.

Edited July 7, 2023 by omahabob

[laudergayle]

9 hours ago, latebuyer said:

I’m wondering if there is anything specifically wrong with the epc. I thought there was no single supplement but its just a cheap cruise (cheaper than encore). Cruise critic reviews are bad. Some of the complaints seem to be crowding in restaurants etc. I’m not sure if all these big ships feel crowded.

 

 

If Epic is sailing where you want to go and the price is right…don’t hesitate.  Epic is perfectly fine, especially in warm weather.  There are three pools,  6-7 hot tubs, three slides.  The specialty restaurants and MDRs are all similar enough to every other NCL ship.  Epic entertainment is meh…but that’s becoming more of the norm across NCL fleet.  Epic casino is large with a nice variety of slots and tables.  We’d choose Epic again if the itinerary/timing was right.  Enjoy.

[rnfulk]

Epic has a great Spice H2O and Encore lacks sun deck space and is missing the adult only pool deck. I love both ships and would let price/itinerary be the deciding factor. 

[graphicguy]

Sailed the Bliss, Encore, Escape, both “Away” ships and the Epic.  I’ve also sailed other ships on different cruise lines.  

 

Away and Away + are more “up-to-date” ships.  But, I liked the Epic….a lot.  I’m finally going to sail her again this Fall.

 

Epic bathroom is a configuration where there’s a compartment for the toilet, a separate one for the shower and the sink is actually in the room.  I liked it as I could brush my teeth over the sink while someone else could use the toilet or take a shower without disturbing the other.

 

IN all frankness, there isn’t a pool area on ANY cruise ship I’ve sailed in the last 10 years that was conducive to just “go swimming”.  I’d got to Spice H20 to hang out if I were looking for a lounger near some water features.  It’s over 16 (IIRC).  But, it doesn’t have a pool per se.  

 

Epic is a fun ship, though.  I like her.  NCL does a great job of keeping her ships in good order.

[Red-Sol]

One big plus for the Epic... IMHO the pool deck and Spice H2O setup on Epic is far better than on any other ship.

[latebuyer]

Thanks for all this information! I’ve bookmarked this thread.  As someone said, the cruises out of port canaveral are cheap and i don’t think i’ll get cheaper. May i ask what people think of st. Thomas? One cruise dates has san juan which i’d really like to go to but the cruise with st. Thomas has better dates.

[latebuyer]

I still haven't pulled the trigger on the cruise and have one more question. Is there a quiet indoor place where you can read on the epic? I mean during the day.

Edited July 13, 2023 by latebuyer

[lepidoptera]

I love St. Thomas. There are some really beautiful beaches. I recommend Magen’s bay. Different vibe than San Juan though-more islandy and food etc. is different. 

[omahabob]

Funny how perspective changes things. My wife hated St Thomas, but that had a lot to do with the excursion we took there. I imagine her perspective would have been different had we gone elsewhere.

[laudergayle]

Love St. Thomas.  It’s a nice cruise stop.  Magen’s Bay is a great recommendation.  The town near the cruise port is full of shopping, both high end luxury and table top market bargaining.  I would prefer St. Thomas to San Juan any day.

Edited July 13, 2023 by laudergayle

[omahabob]

We enjoyed the history in San Juan. But beaches? Nah. It lacked in that regard. Again, it's a matter of perspective, and personal taste.