We chose this cruise/ship for the itinerary: Barcelona, Marseille, Cannes, Florence/Pisa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Palma Majorca. We sail with NCL almost exclusively because of the Freestyle dining and all of the restaurant options. The Epic was great when we were sailing with other families and had lots of kids with us - for just adults on the Mediterranean it was a lot of wasted space. I feel that the Epic put in more rooms for passengers without the equivalent increase in common areas and dining areas. Each of the ports were delightful. Spending a few extra days in Barcelona was wonderful. Our room steward was excellent. The shows were great. I don't like the curved headboards on the beds as I sit up to read at night. We were in a mid-ship balcony cabin and loved the balcony. The process for getting on and off the ship at each port was very well organized and quick.