Norwegian Epic Review
Rating by category
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This was a last minute decision and I couldn't refuse the last minute pricing as I was going to be going solo and Epic's solo Studio cabins fit the bill perfectly. I also took advantage of the Bar Package which I was unaware of until I was in the embarkation area and read the brochure. Being as I was going single I figured it would feel more like an all inclusive if I just paid once and didn't worry about the drinks, since I'm normally only drinking beer and the odd highball anyway. Since everyone in the room has to partake, this may not be for everyone but I certainly enjoyed it. Not over doing it either, I think I certainly came out on top and saved at least $100.
As for the Internet that is another story. As I'm a tech, it is one thing to be taking a cruise but being out of touch for the week was just impossible so I purchased the $100 plan which provided 250 minutes but an additional 20 minutes if you booked on the first day, which I did. The problem came when you would sign in and then get disconnected and/or could not disconnect as the sign out window would disappear as I learned with my ipad. After 2 days I had only 45 minutes left and had only signed in 4 times so I was off to the internet guy to find out what was going on. He was good enough to explain that Chrome just doesn't work well with their ship and to use Safari browser for sign in and out. Then proceeded to give me an additional 30 minutes. That was nice but it still didn't help much since the sign out was find after that but I was still getting disconnected all the time so would spend 5 minutes signing back in. This was never a problem on Carnival or Holland America ships so I think they better look in to this.
The embarkation process was painless, although I didn't get a numbered card so after they had called group 1, I just walked up and told the guy I didn't get a card and because I was by myself he said to go ahead and voila I was on my way to the ship, in the second group so I would say it was about 30 minute wait as I arrived right at 11am and walked right up to the counter to get my keycard.
Cabin Review
Studio
The Studio room I was in 12569, I initially thought this would be a great room as it was the most AFT that was available, as well as being right at the entrance to the studio area so no long walk down the corridor, unless you wanted to go to the Lounge/Living room in which case it was a long walk, but that wasn't the problem.. the problem was the moment people would come through the studio corridor entrance the door would slam shut.. each and every time!!! Do yourself a favor and unless you can sleep through anything, do NOT get one of these rooms close to the exit. Since I was staying up late, I opted to sleep in most days until at least 10 and that was just impossible pretty much an hour before we hit the ports people were heading for breakfast and so it was non stop slam, slam, slam