Norwegian Epic Review
4.5 / 5.0
Best NCL cruise yet - our first in the Haven
Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Epic
tombli
10+ Cruises • Age 60s
Rating by category
Cabin
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Additional details
Sail Date: Sep 2021
Cabin: Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony
We took the same ship and intinerary in fall 2017 and had a bad medical experience (unrelated to anything on the cruise). So this was a redo. Due to pandemic, prices were crazy low so we booked a two bedroom suite in the Haven. I'm sure that colored our experience quite a bit, but still I found things on the Epic better than the previous time.
Start with Covid testing, which was done by the cruise line. Took about 30 minutes total, no big deal. Got short Haven lines in the terminal, and a special waiting area. Were welcomed and escorted to the Haven. Room was amazing, the refurb was nicely done. The two bedroom suite was spacious, and had a great bathroom with separate shower and tub, both with windows. Nice when cruising, but far as I could tell NOT one way glass so keep the shade drawn when in port!
We had a butler who kept us supplied with snacks each day, and would handle our room service meals. The Haven Concierge knew everything about everything, including Covid testing and procedures. Nice benefit of Haven was him meeting us at shows to accompany us to Haven reserved seating.
Cabin Review
Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony
We would not normally be able to afford the two bedroom suite, but pandemic pricing made it doable. And it was amazing. The suite was spacious, and had a great bathroom with separate shower and tub, both with windows. Nice when cruising, but far as I could tell NOT one way glass so keep the shade drawn when in port!
We had a butler who kept us supplied with snacks each day, and would handle our room service meals. The Haven Concierge knew everything about everything, including Covid testing and procedures. Nice benefit of Haven was him meeting us at shows to accompany us to Haven reserved seating.
Port Reviews
Florence (Livorno)
Took a nice tour with a stop at a winery that included lunch, and a stop at Pisa for the tower and other sights. That also included a stop and the end at a lovely restaurant with a garden where we had a drink and cooled off.
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Had a "highlights" bus tour that included several stops for an external look - the Colloseum, St. Peters, and a lunch stop with box lunch (Covid limitation). Our trip back to port was made more "exciting" due to a truck crash that blocked the highway and necessitated a long detour that got us back to ship several hours late. Ship was held for us, and NCL refunded the cost of our excursion!
5 Helpful Votes
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