Norwegian Epic Review
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A word of warning before I extol the virtues of this terrific cruise.
This is a very downbeat and serious warning. Pickpockets are at the excursion locations waiting for you there in numbers. I was so lucky to feel their attempt on my wallet, we were actually inside the Cathedral to Santa Maria del Flore in Florence, others not so lucky. One thing to be alert for is if you find that your personal space is being unnecessarily closed in, break away. Hold your bag in front of you, do not put your phone, wallet etc in you hip or back pocket. Men get a small bag that you can carry over your shoulder, where you hold it in front of you. Do not rely on on the neck lanyard for your camera. Pickpockets can detach them without you knowing. This applies in Pompeii, Rome and Florence and Pisa. Stay safe. And enjoy the visit.
Our cruise was the start in Barcelona, and in Barcelona and two nights there before flying home. Others had a Rome start. Each has benefits. Check in and embarkation was quick, and we were on board and in our stateroom inside 15 minutes. So Norwegian Epic. a beautiful ship with a happy crew and an awful lot of space to explore. This is a big ship, with 4000+ passengers. But we never felt crowded, and certainly never had to queue for any amount of time.We read several reports from people who had sailed with the Epic and a few were very downbeat. So lets put your mind at rest. If you have booked this cruise, you will find it an excellent journey. Some critics do not like the layout of the staterooms, well guess what? NCL aren't going to change it. The stateroom we had was 13050, and the amount of storage, cupboard and wardrobe space is amazing. The toilet and shower are seperate, and both have sliding occluded glass doors. The washbasin is seperate from both. We did not find this to be awkward. The bed was large and comfortable, the sofa was as well. The balcony was large enough for two chairs and tables so again, exctly what is needed.There is a TV in the room, and caters for English, German, and Spanish speakers. News for English is on two channels, there is a sport channel, plus a film channel. We never used the pay to view channels. Room service is on time and very efficient. The staterooms are made up twice a day, clean towels whenever you want them, and entertaining towel modelling by the steward.
Cabin Review
Mini-Suite with Balcony
Very comfortable and clean. Good views from being so high up. Especially when the seagulls showed off their hang gliding skills, hovering just outside the stateroom.
The stateroom has a curve shape, has lots and lots of cupboard, wardrobe space. Yes I hear other complaing about the occluded glass doors on the toilet and shower. Never caused us a problem.
The staterooms are made up twice aday, clean towels whenever you want them, and funny little towel animals every evening.
TV has two English news channels, and film channel, and some Spanish and German channels. But who goes cruising to watch TV?
The heating unit works. Cool, or warm it delivered. The balcony is big enough for two chairs and small tables. Very comfortable.
Port Reviews
Cannes
Cannes film festival gave it an added buzz
Palma de Mallorca (Majorca)
Just mooched around. Lovely to just walk around the port and see the boats I would buy if I won the lottery.
Barcelona
Went off on our own Very good service from the tourist buses. But if you want to visit anywhere that needs tickets, buy them online before you go. Sagrada Familia was blockesd out as was Camp Nou.