Norwegian Epic Review
Rating by category
Additional details
As veterans of 20+ cruises, we did not start out with high expectations of NCL, which is a good thing. We hadn't cruised NCL since 2003 but decided we wanted to see the Epic. Booked a "mini-suite" (haha, smaller than a regular balcony cabin on other ships). It did have plenty of storage space.
Things started off pretty well with lobster and filet the first night, and good service. The next morning we went to the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet in Bliss and met the CEO of NCL, who gave a nice presentation and answered most questions (but avoided a few). He disembarked in Ocho Rios and the food and service went rapidly downhill.
We tried the "prime rib" on 3 different occasions in 3 different restaurants. Not once did it even begin to look or taste like real prime rib. The fish and chips in O'Sheehan's Pub was under-cooked and mushy (yuck)though their chicken wings were pretty good. You could not get a "steak" done more rare than medium anywhere other than the specialty restaurants. The main restaurants had steaks cut so thin they couldn't be cooked medium rare.
Cabin Review
Lots of storage. Hated the "bathroom" arrangement. Tub edge is too high for anyone less than 6' tall to climb into comfortably. I thought I was going to fall every time I wanted to shower. Insufficient light anywhere in the cabin to apply makeup or comb your hair. Very small balcony. Attractive curvy design but the so-called sofa is useless. I would call this a small balcony cabin, not a mini-suite.