This ship will challenge you in so many ways. The food and entertainment on board were very good indeed and this explains the Rating overall. However, there is nothing relaxing, sophisticated nor memorable except for the congested, noisy, package holiday atmosphere that cannot be avoided. We are not cruise snobs and appreciate that our niece had a fantastic holiday in the Kids Club. But the design of the ship prevents walks on open decks, a sense of being at sea and a chance to unwind away from the stresses of everyday life. Many of the staff looked totally dejected as the ratio of waiting staff in the buffet for example was considerably less than on any other of the 25 ships we have been on. We really felt sorry for them. Epic has amazingly low prices especially out of season but be warned you will get what you pay for.