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

[Alatraveler1]

Thank you for the indepth review.  Hope your trip home is uneventful and according to plan.  I know you've given me some things to both pay attention to and look forward to.  Hopefully our first foray into a new cabin class will improve even more on what have been enjoyable and worthwhile cruises in the past.

[Sailing12Away]

Tried to add on the post cruise excursion to the Kennedy center with airport transfer - no go, sold out. So in the morning will try to call JetBlue to see if we can get on the earlier flight without egregious fees, otherwise need something to kill quite a bit of time tomorrow.

 

Shore excursion was selling behind the scenes tours, but said our tour was different for the freebie and we had to wait on line at cruise next. Tried talking to the person with an ipad to skip the 20 people deep line, and she was useless. Eventually after 5-10 mins we gave up as we already knew the answer and it wasn't worth my time to wait there just to complain when nothing would come of it. But for those with platinum status, go to cruise next yourself on day 1 to sort out your things - do not rely on the concierge to do it for you.

 

Walked through the shops briefly, nothing stood out. So went to Cagneys to sign up for the wine & chocolate pairing. It was similar to ones we had done before, but for $20/pp it was worth it to us. In chatting with the sommelier we told her the cab was pretty weak and not as full bodied as we would like, she said "I know what cabin you're in, and know you're still looking for a good temperanillo.... I'll send something to the room."

 

Nothing yet, but we shall see. Was going to mention the decanter issue to her more as an education opportunity for her staff than anything else, but ended up just leaving when we were done as she was tied up with other guests.

 

Used our last FAS dining credit at the sushi place. Huge portions (8-10 piece sushi rolls) for hubby, and enough non-fishy stuff for me to get by. They even let us get our free bottle of wine, and yes, those selections have improved at least. We like 19 crimes, and there's a few on there from them to pick from for a freebie bottle.

 

Ended up buying a bottle of liquor, cologne for hubby, and a bottle of CK one for mom as it's her favorite and her bday is coming up this month anyway. Won another jumbo glitter duck and think we're about even on the folio so went to the room to veg. 

 

Oooh, tried to upgrade internet to unlimited for the last day so I can sort out flight stuff.... nope. They won't let me. Lando can buy a 1 day pass for unlimited because he doesn't have the FAS internet (he's guest 3) but I can't. They said I had to buy a minimum of 5 days. But there's <24hrs left. Sorry ma'am, but that's the rule, you can't just buy a day pass. But he can.....

 

Sure, he could have bought it and I gave him the $30, but that's not the point. Grumble grumble.

[Sailing12Away]

Photos from the days prior

[Sailing12Away]

Menu of the free wine choices with latitude voucher meal. Lunch at the sushi place.

[Sailing12Away]

Took a photo of the ice bar menu to recreate the drinks at the Haven bar and forgot to try. Didn't do it on this trip, but we've done it on others and it was fun.

 

After lunch won another jumbo glitter duck on the first try, some more smaller ducks for a friend, then bank to lounging.

 

Zuul returned for another visit, so maybe keep the tub drain closed when not in use.

[Sailing12Away]

For dinner I ate off the kids menu at the Haven restaurant. Decent choices for a lighter meal.

 

When we got to the room there was a bottle of wine from the somollier waiting for us. Would have been nice to have it a bit earlier, but we're beginning it home now and was a nice thought at least.

[Sailing12Away]

Long queue for the private Haven elevator to get off the ship, but we're not in a rush. Our flight doesn't leave until nearly 7pm.

 

Spent 30 mins chatting with JetBlue this morning but the 2pm flight I wanted is now sold out. Day of you can change fights for $75/pp, but I'm not paying that for a 1pm flight that has a 4hr layover in Boston. There's a 5pm into LGA, but again not really worth it for saving 2hrs.

 

They said I should have reached out last night, I said I was in the middle of the ocean with no Internet. Grumble grumble.

 

Plan for now is to mosey off and get an Uber to the Plant Street market. Hide out there for a bit, and make our way to the airport around 5ish.

[Sailing12Away]

For those with little children.... Please for the love of God, do not encourage them to play tag, hide & go seek, or running screaming games in the lounge while waiting to get off the ship.

 

Some of us are trying to enjoy the last bits of peace and quiet, or trying to make last minute arrangements for transportation and can't hear themselves think because of your precious monsters.

 

Playing the game of do we stay where we have a seat or get off now to avoid the headache that is brewing from the screaming. Screaming. Yes, children are loud, but come on parents, at least pretend to be trying to contain them.

[Sailing12Away]

If you can pre book transportation from the port, do it. Surge pricing in effect.

 

Lines to get out were long. Grabbed our bags and flagged down an NCL crew to figure out where to go. They had us cut the line a bit. Birth certificate people went to the left for full processing, passports to the right for facial recognition. Super quick despite the lines.

 

Just got in the Uber now, prices for Lyft were $110+.

[tcmagnum]

On 3/2/2024 at 9:34 AM, Sailing12Away said:photos

 

 

 

 

I have to admit, I am very intrigued by these drinks.

Could you (would you), tell me more?

Name?  Ingredients?
 

Very much enjoyed you ‘live’ report.

Thank you for taking the time to do so.

[Sailing12Away]

25 minutes ago, tcmagnum said:

On 3/2/2024 at 9:34 AM, Sailing12Away said:

 

 

 

 

I have to admit, I am very intrigued by these drinks.

Could you (would you), tell me more?

Name?  Ingredients?
 

Very much enjoyed you ‘live’ report.

Thank you for taking the time to do so.

The green one is a frozen grasshopper. Creme de menthe (mint), creme de cacao (chocolate), and ice cream base.

 

White with chocolate one is a mudslide, mix of chocolate and Kahlua.

 

Plain white one is a BBC, banana, Bailey's and coconut.

[tcmagnum]

8 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

The green one is a frozen grasshopper. Creme de menthe (mint), creme de cacao (chocolate), and ice cream base.

 

White with chocolate one is a mudslide, mix of chocolate and Kahlua.

 

Plain white one is a BBC, banana, Bailey's and coconut.

Thank you so much.

I’ve took a quick screen shot and have saved it in my ‘cruise info file’.

Safe trip home…

[Sailing12Away]

Made it to the market for some beers and food. https://crookedcan.com/plant-st-market/

 

[PatJim]

On 3/1/2024 at 7:21 AM, Sailing12Away said:

Still rolling with the punches, but more weirdness at Cagney's last night. We had spoken to the head sommelier the other day to preorder a bottle for dinner. Have done this on the joy and even prima without issue. Get to the restaurant and there's a note on our reservation and the already decanted wine is brought over with the empty bottle.

 

Last night we mentioned the wine when checking in and the hostess asked for our dining coupon. No, we're using a credit not the coupon. This wine isn't included, we're paying extra for it. She looked confused and brought us to the table.

 

Sit down and within 2 mins the restaurant somollier comes over and says he's been waiting for us. Great, at least someone knows what we're talking about.

 

Then he shows us the full unopened bottle to confirm it's the right one. Ugggg. It was supposed to already be open and airing out. It was just a $60 so we rolled with it and did we'd start drinking when the steaks came out. But if it was a fancier bottle I would have been pissed.

 

What was the point of telling you ahead of time? Not because we wanted an aerator at the table, we wanted it aerated ahead of time so it was drinkable when we sat.

 

Wedge salad has shrunk and barely had bacon which was sad, but still fine. Steaks were cooked well, mine was medium his was med rare. Shared just the one dessert because too much food overall.

 

But service was great (outside of the wine incident) and fixings for the baked potato cake faster than our wait in the Haven restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting a photo of your wine.  This is a new vineyard to me, but looks like a very good choice for the price.  We bring our own wine, but when sailing with friends, are always on lookout to buy a bottle or two from the ship.  I’m thinking it would also go well with lamb….

Sorry for the misunderstanding re decanting.  Jim has been known to request a decanter for the cabin, and do it himself.  But he’s also requested that service in advance from the sommelier, without any problems.  Seems like there are a lot of untrained/inexperienced crew on the Epic.

[Sailing12Away]

This place is popping now, glad we got here early. Food portions are huge.

[Sailing12Away]

Way to suck JetBlue. Not sure how a direct flight to NY will take 23hrs.

 

Probably headed to the airport soon ish just in case we need to find another carrier.

 

Dog sitter is dropping the baby off at home while we should be in the air, so if that changes we have an issue as hubby's sister has lost her spare key to our house and would be the one to take care of the dog if we're truly delayed that much.

[Sailing12Away]

Ok, I apologize vacation gods. Please restore my good karma. Uber to the airport broke down on the highway. He was able to drop us off at an abandoned mall.

 

Couldn't find another Uber to pick us up so had to switch to Lyft. Driver just got here, hopefully in the airport in the next 30 mins.

 

Can't make this stuff up.

[tsahall01]

10 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Ok, I apologize vacation gods. Please restore my good karma. Uber to the airport broke down on the highway. He was able to drop us off at an abandoned mall.

 

Couldn't find another Uber to pick us up so had to switch to Lyft. Driver just got here, hopefully in the airport in the next 30 mins.

 

Can't make this stuff up.

Not really like, but more like oh no!  You need a hug!!  Hope the rest of the travels go well--at least you are returning from a cruise and not trying to race to board a cruise!!

[HBCcruiser]

54 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Ok, I apologize vacation gods. Please restore my good karma. Uber to the airport broke down on the highway. He was able to drop us off at an abandoned mall.

 

Couldn't find another Uber to pick us up so had to switch to Lyft. Driver just got here, hopefully in the airport in the next 30 mins.

 

Can't make this stuff up.

Oh no!! 🙏🙏 

[Sailing12Away]

Oh it got better. Traffic getting into MCO was backed up to the entrance of the road area. For whatever reason terminal B was the issue, so when the driver finally made it all the way to the right we were ok getting passed them.

 

But then our bad mojo continued. He missed the turnoff for departures and had to leave the airport and come back around again. When we finally got inside it was smooth, no lines really for TSA.

 

Flight is currently delayed 1.5 hrs, hoping it doesn't get much worse than that. Stick a fork in us, we're done.

[HBCcruiser]

3 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Oh it got better. Traffic getting into MCO was backed up to the entrance of the road area. For whatever reason terminal B was the issue, so when the driver finally made it all the way to the right we were ok getting passed them.

 

But then our bad mojo continued. He missed the turnoff for departures and had to leave the airport and come back around again. When we finally got inside it was smooth, no lines really for TSA.

 

Flight is currently delayed 1.5 hrs, hoping it doesn't get much worse than that. Stick a fork in us, we're done.

🤦🏼‍♀️

[Sailing12Away]

Finally home.... what an adventure. Original flight was supposed to board at 6:20, depart at 6:56 and get us home in NY around 9pm.

 

We didn't start boarding until 8:40, didn't get up in the air until 9:30, and landed at 11:45. Took over 30 mins for bags to come out on the carousel, and terminal 5 is a mess at JFK for ride pickups. For a yellow taxi you have to find your way over to the terminal 5 parking lot. For Uber/Lyft you have to take the air train to terminal 7.

 

We started walking in that direction, then saw the signs to get to the TWA hotel. Went that way instead with 3-4 other people to try and get an Uber/Lyft from over there. Took over 15 mins for a driver to take the ride, but he was nice and got us home in ~15 mins (thank you traffic gods, this was my one freebie on the Belt Pkwy for the year). Was able to walk in the door and get puppy kisses just before 1am.

 

Decompressing a bit, getting caught up on emails and such, then headed to bed. Thanks for tagging along through the good and bad.

[HBCcruiser]

@Sailing12Away I am glad you both made it home safely but what an ordeal! Flying is definitely not the fun it used to be. Thanks for taking us along on your cruise - great LIVE as always. 😎 I'm sending positive thoughts regarding the job situation - something good will pop soon. 🙏 All my 🐀 best.

[rbxlady]

@Sailing12Away some questions, as we'll be sailing on the Epic in the Haven in 2.5 weeks:

 

Is it obvious when you get to the port terminal at Port Canaveral where Haven guests are supposed to go? Is that an enclosed Haven lounge? If it's not obvious, where is it when you enter the port?

 

What time did you arrive at the port terminal?

 

Thanks! (I'm gonna go scroll back and read!)

[Sailing12Away]

Uber dropped us off on the bottom floor of the parking garage where everyone gets dropped off/picked up. Then you have to walk to the part I circled in red to take the escalator up to the check in area. Once you get inside you'll see the Haven check in area to the left, I think I took a photo of it when we got there. We left out of terminal 3.

 

They'll check you in on their ipads, retake photos if necessary, confirm you're not pregnant or walking on with the poops or cooties, then you go through security scanners. After that, there's someone waiting to escort you to the Haven lounge area. It was a decent size, lots of places to sit and relax if you wanted. No one there when we got there around 2pm I think. So we just looked around then walked on board with an escort that took us to our muster station for a scan of the card and then up to the Haven area. They'll give you a quick tour if you need it, it was our 3rd time on Epic so no need for us. We hit the bar and then off to find our friends.

 

On embarkation day there's NCL crew with an elevator reserved for Haven guests. So once you're on the ship you can go right up to the Haven areas without waiting for an elevator. You have access to Posh, so that's a nice spot to watch sail away from. We got lucky with a launch from SpaceX that day as we were waiting to pull away, so everyone was up there to see the rocket take off.