Norwegian Epic Review

4.5 / 5.0
4,409 reviews

Size DOES matter!

Review for Transatlantic Cruise on Norwegian Epic
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Vancscribbler
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Apr 2014
Cabin: Balcony

I have been fortunate enough to have sailed on 33 cruises ...more on NCL than any other line ... but this was my first time on a BIG ship ...more than 4,000 passengers. Ugh! It failed in so many ways, I came away believing BIG may benefit the cruise line, by cramming an extra 1,000 to 2,000 aboard ...but the passengers pay for that ...in many ways, at least on the Epic.

The SHIP:

From a distance, it looks awkward ...like a combo cruise ship, cargo carrier .... because of the First Class Haven suites perched atop the bow... like cargo containers added as an afterthought. Quite ugly in my view. Inside though the ship is beautiful ... spacious guest services atrium, luxurious designed/appointed public areas, artwork, lounges, theater and restaurants, upper pool, sun and aft decks ... until you add 4,000 passengers. The noise level inside is constant once everyone is up and about .... partly because there are 340 slot machines, plus gaming tables etc running THE LENGTH of the sixth floor from the aft elevators through to the central atrium ..where the noise of ringing bells... losing as well as winning...spreads up and down with ease. On top of loud indoor activities in the atrium like trivia, Sudoku, Nintendo, cruise promotions, etc. Outside up top there's the daily fight for deck chairs (they can add two or three stateroom decks to pack in 2,000 more beds,, but there will ALWAYS be only one top deck!) so ALL pool area etc lounging chairs are "reserved" with towels and books etc by 7 a.m. .... WOE to any passenger who dares to sleep in beyond then and wants to sun near the front or aft pools. There were MANY complaints about this and the Captain/Officers said empty chairs were monitored for this and towels removed if left over an hour. If that was dome I NEVER saw it...just complaining passengers. Similarly the buffet was quite large and well provisioned, but as soon as it opened, every time, a horde descended , grabbing every table...one guarding while the other went to gather eats: with 4,000 aboard, the problems here were DOUBLE those of ships half this size...never enough room unless you like to pick over leftovers before the buffet closes. Dining rooms were also packed...unless you went as soon as they opened...so be prepared to wait with a beeper if you prefer to dine at 6 or 7 etc. To see most of the theatre shows, even free ones, you need to reserve a seat in advance...even days in advance ... not mention "premium" entertainment, you must reserve/pay to see.

Cabin Review

Balcony

The CABIN:I had been looking forward to trying NCL's new wavy wall cabin. Our balcony cabin was ridiculous! The best thing was the shower...NCL gets it perfect...ample size, easy controls with sliding glass door instead of that flimsy curtain that soaks the floor. But you'd better be close to whoever you share ...because the toilet is also glass enclosed and not even a draw curtain will hide ANY of the variety of sounds you will hear...and I'm not talking about the flushing! And the sink is right in the sleeping area...so washing, brushing and any water slopping is a public activity.The rest of cabin layout itself was also weird: the sofa, near the balcony, faced the wardrobe cabinet ...like sitting facing the bulkhead of a plane ... great for legroom, but not something to look forward to for weeks. The tv was well over to the left, in front of the bed, but did not swivel, so to watch you could either look sideways, get into bed ..or sit on the end with the screen 18 inches from you face. The balcony was great ...but had the tiniest table at sea...about a foot squared...how I envied the Oasis of the Seas balconies when it docked beside us with full size tables on their balconies.

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