Norwegian Epic vs. Norwegian Bliss

[latebuyer]

Thanks to everyone who answered my questions about norwegian epic. It seems that a lot of people like it but it seems to be a very divisive ship with some saying it is very inward focused. I am used to smaller ships with lots of windows.

 

Is the Norwegian Bliss that different? Thinking of taking my cruise in a different direction and going to mexico. I like the sound of the observatory lounge. Is that indoors? Are there enough pools? Does it feel less like a floating hotel then the epic might? Any other differences and reasons i might cruise on the Bliss instead of the Epic. If they are similar i'd probably choose the caribbean.

[schmoopie17]

Never been on the Epic (came close once, but then came to our senses 😀).

 

Did a Panama Canal crossing from Miami to L.A.on the Bliss and it is our favorite ship. The Observation Lounge is huge, comfortable and inside. They occasionally have food and they have a good bar.

 

The Bliss also has the District (beer place with over 20 beers on tap, if you're into that sort of thing...we are).

[latebuyer]

It seems like not many people have been on both cruise ships, so i'd appreciate if you speak to what you like and dislike about the norwegian bliss. 

[schmoopie17]

4 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

It seems like not many people have been on both cruise ships, so i'd appreciate if you speak to what you like and dislike about the norwegian bliss. 

I thought I did...

[latebuyer]

Thanks! Yes, i appreciated that.

[latebuyer]

Curious, does the observation lounge have music in it or is it quiet? Thanks, sorry to not acknowledge.

[The Traveling Man]

1 hour ago, latebuyer said:

It seems like not many people have been on both cruise ships, so i'd appreciate if you speak to what you like and dislike about the norwegian bliss. 

I have been on both.  Five cruises on the Epic.  One on the Bliss plus more than a half-dozen on other Breakaway class ships.  I usually choose a cruise for the itinerary, with the choice of ship being a secondary consideration.  On a head-to-head basis, though, the Bliss wins hands down.  It's my favorite NCL ship. 

[latebuyer]

Thanks! That's great to hear.

[jamon]

The Traveling Man: I see that you have been on the Epic five times. Can you comment on the menus in the main dining room. I have heard that the menu is the  same each night...Do you have any info about this?

[latebuyer]

51 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

I have been on both.  Five cruises on the Epic.  One on the Bliss plus more than a half-dozen on other Breakaway class ships.  I usually choose a cruise for the itinerary, with the choice of ship being a secondary consideration.  On a head-to-head basis, though, the Bliss wins hands down.  It's my favorite NCL ship. 

HI Traveling Man, I agree i usually sail for the itinerary. But i am feeling more now that the ship is part of the trip. You are on it for all your dinners and sometimes there are sea days. My last cruise we weren't into port until the afternoon so i was on the ship all morning. In any event, i am not 100% sold on the epic itinerary anyways. I am feeling like i should wait until i go on a longer trip to the caribbean as i am on the west coast and airfare expensive.

[libtrek]

OK. You wanted someone who has been on both the Epic and Bliss. We did Epic once and did not care for the room layout with the sink practically at the foot of the bed. We also found the interior navigation difficult. We had someone in our party with a wheelchair and spent a lot of time trying to find elevators to get to places like the casino. We have been on the Bliss three times. It is a large ship so be prepared to walk. We do like the observation lounge but I’m not sure you would use it as much in a warm weather climate. The Bliss spends a lot of deck space on race cars, slides, and laser tag. If you are not going to partake of those events you won’t be using that part of the ship. We did like the district brewhouse, particularly sitting outside. I think the restaurants are all similar. I do know that Bliss does not have Onda which is way better than LaCucina. It does have Ocean Blue, I loved their halibut. I did find Bliss crowded and now that we just did Jewell I might be leaning to the older, smaller ships.

[latebuyer]

Thanks libtrek, so far i’ve been on 2 small ships and i’m not sure how i’ll like the bigger ship. I am interested in the studio cabins and lounge.

[latebuyer]

Are the pools and spice2O areas nice on the bliss?

Edited July 19, 2023 by latebuyer

[ggTexasGal]

9 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Are the pools and spice2O areas nice on the bliss?

Here is a site where you can view some pics of Spice H2O (on the Bliss).

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?r=9356

[Portia!]

I've been in studios on both the Bliss and the Epic. The cabins are nearly identical. The studio lounges have similar amenities (cappuccino machine, urns of iced water/juice/lemonade, snacks throughout the day) but shape/layout is different. Both are comfortable. The studio lounges are generally quiet except for first day and solo gatherings. The solo group on both ships has a facilitator to help set up dinner and theatre reservations for people who want to be part of a social group. Last time I was on the Epic, all solo gatherings were held in a bar rather than the studio lounge. On the Bliss it was in a bar on deck the first night, but in the studio lounge the remaining nights. The Epic has a bar/bartender, with limited hours, in the studio lounge. No bar in the studio lounge on Bliss, just a wine vending machine that is not included in the drinks package. The studio lounge a great place to read or play cards - take a break from the crowds, and also nice place to meet other studio guests over morning coffee etc. A good alternative to the solo gathering.  

As for the ships, biggest differences are Bliss has the observation lounge, the waterfront (a gamechanger to be able to be outdoors and see the water all around the ship) on deck 8, and a  seafood specialty restaurant (Ocean Blue), and Brewhouse. Epic has a free Chinese restaurant and noodle bar. Both have Cavern Clubs (Beatles shows) and good entertainment. 

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Curious, does the observation lounge have music in it or is it quiet? Thanks, sorry to not acknowledge.

They have entertainers regularly in the OL.  The draw is the 270º views from just about anywhere you look.

 

Been on both.  If there’s one ship that is unique in the NCL stable, it’s the Epic.  I loved it.  I loved having the different parts of the cabin separated.  One person could be showering or brushing their teeth in the sink while another could be using the toilet.  

 

Lots of firsts NCL implemented with the EPIC.  Large entertainment venues along with smaller ones (e.g. Cavern Club vs Main Theater).  24 hour food and drink venue at O’Sheehans.

 

Love the Bliss, too.  You have the Observation Lounge, which is my hangout most times I’m on her.  District Brew House, which is a nice little craft beer hangout.  Syd Norman’s, while crowded, is a bar type entertainment venue that hosts the best band on any ship I’ve ever sailed….on any cruise line.

 

Bliss also has the WaterFront, which is a great way to enjoy a drink or Specialty Restaurant meal while being outside taking in the beautiful scenery.

 

Both good…both different.

Edited July 19, 2023 by graphicguy

[laudergayle]

We’ve sailed both Epic and Bliss. Although we enjoyed Epic and would sail her again, the Bliss is a beautiful ship.  The Bliss balcony cabins are definitely nicer than the Epic.  The Bliss OL is amazing on sea days and late night wind down.  Bliss still has good theater entertainment…Jersey Boys and SIX (until Feb ‘24).  Both have The Cavern Club featuring The Beatles which is a smaller space, but they do offer at least one Beatles show in the main theater.
 

If you really want the Caribbean, then choose the Epic.  It’s a fun ship in warm weather…several pools, hot tubs, water slides.  Plenty of outdoor loungers and the buffet offers an outdoor station with seating.  In fact, we ate breakfast there outside each morning…much of the same offerings as the main buffet, but not very crowded.  
 

if itinerary doesn’t matter, I would choose Bliss.

Edited July 19, 2023 by laudergayle

[The Traveling Man]

15 hours ago, jamon said:

The Traveling Man: I see that you have been on the Epic five times. Can you comment on the menus in the main dining room. I have heard that the menu is the  same each night...Do you have any info about this?

Recently NCL ran the idea of never-changing menus up the flag pole on the Prima.  Not enough passengers saluted, so NCL quietly retired their plans to expand that concept to the rest of the fleet.  NCL ships all serve the same menu items.  They have more than a dozen daily menus, each with several different appetizers and several different main courses.  They rotate through the panoply of menus, so you won't see the same menu twice on any cruise unless you stay on board for more than a couple of consecutive weeks.  There are, of course, a few old favorite items that are on the menu every day, but about half the menu changes each day.  That's true for all the MDRs on all NCL ships.  The specialty restaurants generally have menus that only change once in a blue moon, or whenever NCL strikes a deal with a different celebrity chef to be the godfather of NCL cuisine.

[pc_load_letter]

Wife and I loved Bliss.

 

About the only two sort-of negatives I had with the ship was the smoking section was in the aft very near to the aft hot tubs. While this alone is not an issue, the area gets crowded and many times people venture out from the designated area. There is a bar there too so if you go to get a drink there, you may be exposed to smoke. Again, not a big deal as one could go to the hot tub on the other side but when we were on it, it was out of order, (and my wife and I like the aft to stay away from main pool area crowds).

 

The other thing to be aware of if you decide to sail Bliss is that they will hold lots of entertainment in the main atrium and while the atrium itself is big, seating is a premium so if you want to attend a show, get there early.

 

But we loved the ship as well.

[latebuyer]

Thanks everyone for the responses! This thread has picked up steam. Looks like the edge is still going to the bliss. I know the assumption appears to be i'll spend all my time outside as its a warm climate. But if there is no shade i think i'd be likely to be indoors some of the time. On the epic, the only place indoors i got the sense i could be was in the library which didn't look that nice. I thought there was a promenade on the bliss as well? Good to hear the studio lounge is close to the same on both ships. I'm not a big drinker so bar doesn't matter. As for smoking, on the brilliance it was on one side of the promenade deck. It was grouse and i don't know where they can put these people where non smokers aren't affected. The caribbean still has a pull. . .

[laudergayle]

3 hours ago, latebuyer said:

On the epic, the only place indoors i got the sense i could be was in the library which didn't look that nice.

On the Epic there are a few places indoors you might enjoy.  Very quiet during the day is the Bliss Lounge with seating by windows looking outside.  Bar doesn’t open there until early evening, thus few people.  The atrium will often have things to do or watch.  There is also seating in O’Sheehans that overlooks the atrium, as well as  other seating near windows on the starboard side.  Outside of Prime breakfast and lunch hours, the very back of the Garden Cafe (which is the front of the ship) has excellent views and is relatively quiet.  
 

Also, there are shaded areas outdoors around the pool.
 

if you’re leaning towards the Caribbean, l don’t think you would be disappointed with the Epic.  

Edited July 19, 2023 by laudergayle

[latebuyer]

Thanks for those tips, laudergayle. Good to know there is some indoor space on the epic as well. I am having a hard trouble deciding. Mexican would be cheaper due to airfare but it would be fun to go to kennedy space center or epcot centre before the caribbean cruise. And i do feel the caribbean is more a bucket list item. I am seeing what quotes my travel agent provides. Epic is cheaper then bliss right now by 200.00

[laudergayle]

 

40 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

Thanks for those tips, laudergayle. Good to know there is some indoor space on the epic as well. I am having a hard trouble deciding. Mexican would be cheaper due to airfare but it would be fun to go to kennedy space center or epcot centre before the caribbean cruise. And i do feel the caribbean is more a bucket list item. I am seeing what quotes my travel agent provides. Epic is cheaper then bliss right now by 200.00

That’s funny…we have taken a lot of Caribbean cruises but in November we are taking the Bliss to the Mexican Riviera—one of my bucket list trips. I don’t know which islands you and your TA are looking at, but if it were me I’d stay away from Jamaica, Grand Cayman itinerary.  IMO it just doesn’t have the same appeal as the other islands. Whatever you decide I’m sure you will enjoy the adventure.  

 

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by laudergayle

[Portia!]

I thought there was a promenade on the bliss as well?

 

It's called the Waterfront, on deck 8, and has outdoor couches, chairs, bars, restaurant - goes port, aft, starboard (about 1/4 mile total). Generally one side of the Waterfront is shady, the other side in the sun, depending on position of the ship. Terrific place to watch sunrise, sunset, stars and get some steps in, and except for sea days a fairly quiet place to read. On the Epic, the closest thing is the lifeboat deck, which is port and starboard. It's outdoors but minimal view of the water, due to the lifeboats. No seating.

[latebuyer]

Thanks. That sounds like a nice space. Good to know there is shade.