Norwegian Epic Review
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When I was researching and preparing for our trip, I pored over CruiseCritic for hours and hours, and searched by topics – and I don’t believe there was a review I didn’t read multiple times – both good and bad. I kept a running list of “secrets” and “Must do’s” – and printed everything and brought it with me – including the slot play coupon. I would love to pass that love along to all of you – and share with you our “Epic Adventure”! (Until this point, we had been LOYAL Royal Caribbean cruisers – we love everything about Royal Caribbean, and we took the Carnival Dream when it was brand new about 3 years ago and HATED it). Our traveling companions had never cruised before, and since I planned the whole thing, I was praying that they would love it! Special shout out to Ismay and Alan for posting so much fun and anticipation on the Roll Calls – such wonderful people! Thank you to EVERYONE on Cruise Critic who helped me prepare with your reviews – both good and bad.
Let me begin by saying that our cruise was AMAZING – absolutely everything – from start to finish. We were a party of 11. Our family consists of my husband and I (45 and 47) and our 10 year old twins. We booked 2 adjoining balcony cabins (13026 and 13028). Our dear friends and their 10 year old daughter had the next cabin (13030). We also were traveling with friends who had two daughters – 10 and 8 – and were in the Haven in 17012. I will break the trip down for you in segments. We did the Western Caribbean departing on 4/20 (Easter Sunday).
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Cabin Review
CabinsOur adjoining cabins – 13026 and 13028 – were everything everyone had said. They ARE small – how someone puts more than 2 people in them is beyond me (our friends in 13030 had their daughter with them and my friend was going nuts having to find space to stow stuff, and tiptoe around her daughter in the morning). There is TONS of organizational space, hangars, etc. - plenty of room to store luggage and clothes. But knowing now what I know about this cruise, I would have packed less and put away clothes differently. I used lots of tips from CC – I brought magnets and put the dailies up on the wall. I decorated the outside of our cabin with cute Flip Flop signs (I brought hooks) – and Easter bunny magnets. We got lots of comments on our doorways (and easy to find at night – haha!) I bought a shoe organizer for $1 and stowed sunscreen, lotion, makeup in it, etc. I hung up my makeup bag on the shower door – and, another CC tip – brought my own bar of soap, toilet paper and conditioner. I brought clothespins to hang up my wet suits/ recently washed underwear, etc. The one critique I have is that the beds are HORRIBLY uncomfortable. I had our steward (whom I only caught a glimpse of one time – unlike Royal Caribbean and Carnival, we never connected – which was disappointing, as that connection is something I enjoy on a cruise) bring me an egg crate to make the bed softer. It isn’t long enough, my feet hung off and I rarely slept more than 4 hours a night. HOWEVER, I’m not a good sleeper to begin with, and it certainly wasn’t enough to put the slightest damper on my cruise – I’m just warning you – if you are a poor sleeper, bring your own pillow, or something to make you more comfortable. Also - ours 13028 - had the bed near the balcony, which I prefer - the twins were opposite.