This is my first CC review. I am new to cruising with only a Royal Caribbean Cruise, Mariner, in the Mediterranean; Princess to Alaska, NCL Jade Western Mediterranean and now the Epic in the Caribbean. If I had to take a cruse again, I doubt it would be NCL. Certainly, all of the cruises I have experienced I would rate a 10 or better...even the Epic...and each has it's unique pluses and minuses, but I have to say I was disappointed with the Epic from a service basis.

The ports, Jamaica, Costa Maya and Cozumel...were fine. I primarily wanted to go somewhere warm and this seem to fit the bill with lots of sun and warmth! The waters were smooth most of the way. It was really beautiful.

The food on NCL always seems to be just OK. Certainly there is plenty for everyone, but for whatever reason it is just a bit blah. The Garden Cafe, buffet, always had plenty of food and a mixed variety as it should, but it just seemed to be lacking in taste. Then again, I am not a buffet type of guy. Bowls seemed to go quickly and for whatever reason the staff was slow to replace them. I finally had to ask a staff member to go get some bowls. Why in the world would all four or five locations for bowls be empty and a passenger have to request they go to the kitchen and get some bowls? Isn't this the job of the staff? This is the level of services I came to expect on the ship. Certainly all the staff members were friendly, they just seem to lack that sense of urgency found on other ships, including the NCL Jade. Read more