Norwegian Epic Review

4.5 / 5.0
4,409 reviews

Epic is a Safe Bet

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Epic
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Denisekv
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Feb 2013
Cabin: Mid-Ship Inside

The NCL Epic is very new and clean--nothing is tired or needs updating. There are lots of options for dining and activities but most of them were not really memorable. Most things were just okay and sometimes "good" so first-time cruisers might not even notice. Here is my review:

Getting on board the ship was very quick and easy and room was ready at 1 pm. In-cabin sink did not bother us at all- we liked the access and splashing was not a problem at all. Didn't mind the frosted doors on the bathroom and shower although the thin glass door opening directly to the toilet did provide a little "too much information" for my liking. The rooms were nice, the refrigerator we emptied and utilized right away with the alcohol we brought on board. (Yes we brought alcohol- a bag in the box wine, and a bottle of scotch and rum both distributed between bladders we bought and small water bottles.) They totally saw my bag in the box (box removed) and didn't care. They are looking for other things I guess. A guy on the cruise was asked to throw away 2 60 oz. bottles of liquor from his luggage but his wife managed to get her 2 60 oz bottles on so there is a lot of smuggling going on. I highly recommend bringing extra rum to doctor up the ones you buy. People were using the all you can drink plan (700 a couple?) and liked it. 2 couples said they would room the men together next time (on paper only) so that they could qualify as the 2 drinkers for 700 a week (because their wives weren't drinking and both people and the room have to commit to the plan). Our room had a towel stuffed animal about 4 times - other than that nothing extra from our room steward. There are not enough elevators on this ship so keep that in mind when you choose your room.

The freestyle dining was nice- if you like the pomp and circumstance of the formal dinners you wont like it. We only went to the main dining room twice. We ate at taste the other nights and we did not pay for any restaurants because of the review that said it wasn't worth it. A couple we met said the Cirque de Soleil food wasn't good. The staff on board the Epic was definitely the most unhappy that I have met. Another reason we didn't go to the main dining room. Not only did you not have a personal relationship with your own waiter but the ones you got 80% of the time were just stressed and miserable. It was like, "So what do you want to eat?" like we were putting them out. They were not smiling let alone happy. The food also just was average to good. Nothing was particularly bad, but each thing seemed to just be shy of being really good. I guess it was a little boring to us. The Irish Bar was good because it was 24/7 but where was the Irish beer??????

Cabin Review

Mid-Ship Inside

Cabin IB

11122 Quiet, close to elevators, lots of closet space. The rooms are a little dark on this ship. The blow-dryer is great. The refrigerator is great to have.

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