Norwegian Epic Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We were a group of 7 friends and family. My recommendation is to spend time in Spain 1 week before cruise. Drop off luggage at cruise terminal around 12pm. Have to check-in on ship by 4pm. If arriving early morning same day as cruise departure do the hop on hop off city tour (4 hours for 2 routes if you don't get off to walk around). Take cab to Columbus Monument at foot of Las Ramblas to catch the tour bus. Pay for tour bus on the bus 21€ for 1 day, 2 routes or book online before trip. There are 2 hop on hop off bus companies, Bus touristica (blue bus) and Bacelona City Tour (red bus). We did bus Touristica in Barcelona and Madrid City tour (red bus) in Madrid. Both were good. If you have time have lunch on Las Ramblas. Buy souvenirs and art work on Las Ramblas. Or stay an extra day after the cruise and do the above tour.
Ok back to the cruise: I was worried about free style cruising but prices were the same for services and eateries my husband and I frequent at home.
Spa-Sign up for the spa raffle on the first day. Everyone in our group got a spa coupon. Get the spa packages- it's worth it at the end of the day, especially excursion days. Go to free seminars but don't buy the products. I had hair, cut, and style with a coupon-- had a little makeover done. Stylist are hesitant to do anything dramatic to your hair. Facial was so relaxing I fell asleep.
Cabin Review
Mid-Ship Balcony
Balcony Cabin 11157 midship starboard side. It had plenty of storage. My husband and I are not very big people so we fit fine in it, but I could see that larger or obese people would be uncomfortable. Bathroom and shower were separate and compact. The balcony was a decent size. We didn't have much time to relax on it but it was good enough to check the weather and see the sun rise. We had equal access to both sets of stairs/elevators.
My mom and a female friend stayed across the hall in inside cabin 11155. You need to be really good friends or patient with each other to stay in inside cabin. The beds didn't separate so they shared a king size bed. There's not much privacy for the bathroom, so they would use the public toilets when needed. There is a curtain that covers the shower stall for privacy. There was enough storage for 2 women to fit all their stuff.
My other friend and her brother stayed in balcony cabin 11161 midship starboard side next to ours, again the beds were not separated and brother/sister shared king size bed. They also worked out their small bathroom/toilet area in shifts.