Norwegian Epic Review
Rating by category
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So, after being somewhat disappointed with the Norwegian Sun last year (did not write a review) my wife and I decided to give NCL another shot to impress, and they did. Although our rating is 4 out of 5, there were a few negatives that kept it from a 5, so let's begin there.
1. Our experience on the NCL Sun in the main dining room was not very good so we decided we would take the Ultimate Dining package. These dining venues begin at 5:30pm BUT, one cannot book a 5:30pm dining time prior to sailing. 6pm is the earliest on-line time available. In-and-of itself this does not seem to be a big deal until you find out that ALL the early shows start at 7pm. There is little chance to eat a meal comfortably and get to the theater ( opposite end of a 1092ft. long ship) in time to make the show. And because we have access to a discounted fare for the cruise we cannot get the online offers most people get so we paid for the dining package so it would have been a huge waste of money for us to give up the package in lieu of the shows. Also, by the time we found out about the show times, most of the 5:30pm dining times had been filled. NCL needs to give it's passengers access to the earlier dining times prior to boarding.
2. We did make it to one show, Burn the Floor which was quite good. Downside was the casino is on the same floor as the theater and not far from it's entrance so there was a heavy small of smoke.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Our cabin while a bit small was adequate for the two of us. Again, Renato was excellent and we thank him. Interestingly, we have been back for 1 week and yet to receive a survey??? HMMM!
Two hanging closets, one for dress-length cloths and one shirt length. Enough drawers and cabinets for storing your personal things, a safe (naturally) and of all things, two of the three backrests on the sofa can be opened for additional storage! There is also some storage space above the bed.
We had some reservations about the shower and toilet being part of the room and not in a separate space like other cruise ships but this actually proved to be a benefit. There was a curtain that could be drawn for privacy when using the toilet and an opaque glass sliding door that could be closed for privacy as well. The shower was bigger than most cruise ships (see RCCL and Carnival) and bathing was much easier than we had previously experienced.
Room temperature control was a bit spotty but overall comfortable.
Port Reviews
Barcelona
Love the city. Stayed one day prior and 2 days post cruise. Don't miss Sagrada Familia. Bizarre but awesome at the same time.
Cartagena (Spain)
Much to see. Too little time.
Sardinia
Cagliari is a great place to visit as are all the ports in the Mediterranean.
Palermo (Sicily)
Birth place of my grandfather. Nostalgic, if you get my drift.
Naples
Birth place of my grandmother and where I lived for a year when I was 4y/o. Was a wonderful visit to the neighborhood I lived in.
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Our visit to Rome coincided with the Easter weekend vigil. Disappointed that we didn't get to see the Sistine Chapel but a great excuse to return soon.
Palma de Mallorca (Majorca)
Very good stop as well. Would love to go back.
Florence (Livorno)
What's not to love. Only drawback was 2 hour trip from the port to Firenze (Florence).