Where to start.... being our first cruise I was so excited from all the great things I have heard from friends about their experiences on cruises. The amazing service, freestyle atmosphere, relaxation, incredible food. The Epic did not offer any of those. Norwegian should offer full refunds to anyone getting sucked into this disaster/and false advertising of an experience. We have been saving money for quite a while and for the 6 of us (mom, dad, four kids ages 7-19) the cruise including flights exceeded $12k of hard earned money we were hoping to spend and have the ultimate experience. We pushed the cruise up a year because our son is leaving for the military in February and it was our likely last vacation as a family ever, and the worst one ever.
Check In - Took 2 Plus hours, no organization outside of 2 extremely long lines joining into one, and little signage or assistance on where to go for check in. Getting off was easier because we did the walk off option and were packed and ready to go at 6:30 to Escape the Epic.
Pool Deck - Slides/pools kept kids happy when open which changed by day, same entertainment every day (DJ, Band) outside of a few one offs which were boring, music was so loud you couldn't hear yourself talking. We are fairly young and own a bar, so we don't mind music, but this was absurd. If you don't get a chair early then you are out of luck for the day. The ship itself simply had too many people, and not enough help. I understand they are renovating again in the next couple years, hopefully they gut it from top down.
Small is an understatement, terrible design and not functional at all.
Day at the beach, food was good at Taco Bar.
Hours in line and disorganized.