Semi-Live NCL Epic: February 25 - March 3, 2024

[Sailing12Away]

First world problem complaint - the TV. Not counting the NCL promo channels, there's 1 sports channel, 1 kids channel, 1 "prime TV" channel, and 4-5 news channels.

 

In Haven we get the movies and such for free, but there used to be a channel for comedy movies, action movies, etc on the normal tellie. We're just lounging waiting to sail away and it's nice to have background noise. But without resorting to the on demand stuff the choices are really limited.

[cruiseny4life]

15 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

First world problem complaint - the TV. Not counting the NCL promo channels, there's 1 sports channel, 1 kids channel, 1 "prime TV" channel, and 4-5 news channels.

 

In Haven we get the movies and such for free, but there used to be a channel for comedy movies, action movies, etc on the normal tellie. We're just lounging waiting to sail away and it's nice to have background noise. But without resorting to the on demand stuff the choices are really limited.

They did away with the TV show station and movie stations that just repeat movies over and over? Yikes! Maybe an Epic thing...I hope! 

[Sailing12Away]

[PatJim]

9 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

 

I wanted to order the buratta, but it's no longer on the menu. Just "mozzarella" now. And they don't even drizzle balsamic on it. I picked two from the left side, the boys just wanted one and it was fine somehow but hubby would have got the calamari if he knew for sure he could have it as part of the package.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Am really enjoying your review.  Thank you for letting me join you vicariously, while waiting for our next cruise in May.
 

Re the burrata salad, sounds like NCL has returned to serving Caprese salad, which consists of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.  In Amalfi, it’s traditionally dressed only with olive oil, not balsamic.  At least that’s how we had it in Italy.  That’s also how La Cucina served it several years ago, before they changed to burrata.  Looks like it’s come full circle.  Jim will be disappointed not to have the burrata, but I prefer mozzarella, so now I’m looking forward to that!

[Sailing12Away]

Some more photos as we pulled away from San Juan.

[Sailing12Away]

Hubby was taking a nap while Lando & I were on the balcony for sail away. He came running to us and said we needed to call the Ghostbusters. I thought he had too much sun out too much drink. But he kept going on about Zuul coming to get us from the tub.

 

I go back inside and the bathtub is making gurgling sounds and filling up with bubbles from the drain. We haven't used the tub once yet. I want to, we just haven't had time yet really for me to have a nice soak.

 

Called the cabin steward just to see his thoughts and he said several rooms share the same drain. So the bubbles we were seeing were coming from another cabin that used too many.

 

He said he would sanitize the tub when we went to dinner, but ick. Especially when I know the kids in the room next to us had stomach bugs the other day.

 

 

[Sailing12Away]

We ate at Osheehans last night. Used to be one of our favorite spots on the ships. Not because it's amazing, but because it was simple comfort food. Sadly I don't think we'll be back.

 

For the wings they confirmed they now marinate them overnight in a brine to season them. Lando doesn't tolerate any spice so prefers them naked and has been able to get them that way on other ships. We asked, they said no.

 

They sent over the manager who explained what we already knew and said we would need to pre order to have them defrosted and saved outside the brine. No thanks, skipping the mushy wings.

 

I got the sausage sliders. I knew it was considered an app, but they took have changed and downsized since last time. One sausage link cut into 6 thin slices across 2 tiny buns.

 

And I challenge you guys to count the number of fries with hubbies hot dog. The fact that we could count them and after I stole one it looked like he had none was just sad.

 

With all the snacks in the room we weren't starving by any stretch, just disappointed in all the constant changes and cuts. Would have asked for a separate plate of fries for the group to share, but they never came back around.

[Sailing12Away]

With the luck we had at the crane game winning ducks someone said we should try the one in the casino with rolls of cash. Didn't know it was there, but found it and won on the third try.

 

Whole casino was cheering and a worker sweeping the floor couldn't pick his chin up. I'm guessing no one ever wins.

 

20 on the outside and a wad of 1s inside. Counted it back in the room and in total was about $100. Yeah!

[Sailing12Away]

Headed up to the Haven bar for a nightcap and dessert in alcohol form. Others have said that the bartender Putu is great, he's not. Nice guy, don't get me wrong. Maybe because he's newer he's afraid to go off script, but then he shouldn't be in the Haven. Haven should have your best staff, not just be another regular assignment.

 

I asked for an orange creamsicle. They had no idea what I was talking about. So I suggested a mudslide ice cream base but with grand Marnier and something orange. Grand Marnier was supposed to be a $2 upcharge, receipt said $2.75 plus more for the grats. And no orange taste at all, tasted like cough syrup. It's the plain vanilla looking one in the photo.

 

He's constantly switching drinks and not telling us until confronted about it. The other night our friend asked for Kahlua and Coke. Well they ran out of Kahlua and literally gave her a cup of coffee mixed with coke.

 

Last night she asked for Bailey's on the rocks, they swapped it with salted caramel instead because he ran out. I get it, you don't want to run downstairs at closing time for one drink, but tell us and let us pick something else instead. Don't surprise us with things we didn't ask for.

 

She's got the PPlus plan and only drinks those two things, so we keep telling them they better keep it stocked. They don't, and it's a constant struggle each night.

 

Lots of little issues this trip but we're still having fun because it was about being with our friends. I'm just really surprised at some of the things we're seeing.

[Sailing12Away]

For breakfast we've been hanging the cards out at night for room service in the morning. They apparently don't look at them until 5 mins before you say you want your food.

 

I had written down chocolate chip pancakes because I saw them on some other menu and I'm a glutton. Butler just called 10 to 8am and said I would have to preorder those. Um, didn't I do that last night with the card? I said forget it, just make them plain. They came sopping in syrup and bananas.

 

I hate bananas and don't put syrup on my cakes, just butter. So when hubby wakes up he has surprise banana pancakes as I'm eating the potatoes, bacon and sausage instead. 

 

When she brought the food she offered to order them today for tomorrow but I said no. I get it, but I don't want to preplan what I'll be in the mood for tomorrow today.

 

Also confirms they're not cooking any food fresh. It's pancakes. It takes two minutes literally to fry up. I can understand if I was asking for something complex and funky. But pancakes? Come on.

 

St Thomas looks lovely though. We got here at 6am - no one understands why. Leaving early at 2pm, so barely any time to walk and wander. But we shall see if we even get off the ship.

[HBCcruiser]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

We ate at Osheehans last night. Used to be one of our favorite spots on the ships. Not because it's amazing, but because it was simple comfort food. Sadly I don't think we'll be back.

 

For the wings they confirmed they now marinate them overnight in a brine to season them. Lando doesn't tolerate any spice so prefers them naked and has been able to get them that way on other ships. We asked, they said no.

 

They sent over the manager who explained what we already knew and said we would need to pre order to have them defrosted and saved outside the brine. No thanks, skipping the mushy wings.

 

I got the sausage sliders. I knew it was considered an app, but they took have changed and downsized since last time. One sausage link cut into 6 thin slices across 2 tiny buns.

 

And I challenge you guys to count the number of fries with hubbies hot dog. The fact that we could count them and after I stole one it looked like he had none was just sad.

 

With all the snacks in the room we weren't starving by any stretch, just disappointed in all the constant changes and cuts. Would have asked for a separate plate of fries for the group to share, but they never came back around.

SMH. 

[HBCcruiser]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

I asked for an orange creamsicle. They had no idea what I was talking about

I wonder what they’ll do when I ask for a strawberry cheesecake 😂?

 

[Sailing12Away]

We were supposed to dock in Havensight. We're docked in crown Bay, completely opposite side. So our plan to walk off and go to the cable cars is now out.

 

Thinking of going to a brewery but they don't open until 11 and all aboard is 1:30. Plus it would be a 10min drive to get there.

 

Grumble grumble.

[GALSews]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

We were supposed to dock in Havensight. We're docked in crown Bay, completely opposite side. So our plan to walk off and go to the cable cars is now out.

 

Sorry to hear that your plans got messed up. When I looked at the pictures, the pier did not look familiar. I was waiting to see if you'd docked at the other port. Now I know. Again sorry to hear. 

[Sailing12Away]

Taxi open air bus was $6/pp to downtown, $8 if you wanted to go to havensight. Got lucky as it dropped us a block away from the brewery at the downtown stop. Having a taste then will figure out how to get back.

[Sailing12Away]

Lunch at the Haven restaurant. I asked for chocolate ice cream, they said "no problem, we'll get it". Whereas at dinner when I asked I was told the options were vanilla, vanilla or vanilla. So again, inconsistent.

[Sailing12Away]

Leaving St Thomas, next stop DR. Not going to make a guess as to where we'll be pulling in as NCL pre cruise team has been wrong so far on every stop.

 

No excursion planned, will wing it when we get there like we did today.

 

I love that view from the shower though.

[cruiseny4life]

Oh, those pretzel rolls! SOOOO goood!! No more McDonald's style fries, eh? I've had the style you were served and, well...I'll decrease my carb intake again by not eating those. 

[Sailing12Away]

Food overload.... Only need one a day, not 4. Geeze.

[HBCcruiser]

LOVE those brownies!! 😍

[cincicruisers]

Enjoying your review.  Strange how you keep getting told no.  

[tsahall01]

5 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Taxi open air bus was $6/pp to downtown, $8 if you wanted to go to havensight. Got lucky as it dropped us a block away from the brewery at the downtown stop. Having a taste then will figure out how to get back.

Great Brewery!  But if you continue just down the street you are on, there is the Tap Haus!!  An even better brewery!!  BTW did you try the Mango Beer?  My all time favorite!  As I was taking some friends to the Airport today, I saw the Epic pulling out of Crown Bay.  I will be on the Epic TA in April--looking forward to some good times with my sister!

Edited February 29 by tsahall01

[Yesimapirate]

Call me Karen if you want.   Hell, I'll even wear a dress if you want so no one gets confused that you're calling a man a woman's name but I'm not going to tolerate poor service in the Haven.  Maybe all the negative posts recently is getting to me?  Maybe I now have a chip on my shoulder?  Possibly I'm being reminded of my horrendous Jade cruise 18 months ago?  I now feel far more trepidation for my cruise in 9 days than excitement.   And I'm not thrilled about that.

 

I'm happy to see you're more tolerant than I am and glad you're enjoying your cruise. 

Edited March 1 by Yesimapirate

[dexddd]

Unless you are requesting and have a butler who is good, you, other than the Bird, are really scoring great and many treats.  If we get two plates of any variety that is the norm.

[Sailing12Away]

15 hours ago, tsahall01 said:

Great Brewery!  But if you continue just down the street you are on, there is the Tap Haus!!  An even better brewery!!  BTW did you try the Mango Beer?  My all time favorite!  As I was taking some friends to the Airport today, I saw the Epic pulling out of Crown Bay.  I will be on the Epic TA in April--looking forward to some good times with my sister!

If we had more time we certainly would have. There were a few breweries we wanted to check out, but all aboard was 1:30. Still not sure why we got there at 6am when there was nothing to do at that time. Crew were running safety drills, so maybe something with that?

 

The boys liked the mango more than I did, wasn't mango enough for me. But the pale ale was crushable and the shandy hit the spot.