We are avid cruisers. Sailing on NCL several times a year. If you are traveling with the kids and staying in one cabin, good luck! There are no shelves, two cubby holes and one very very small closet. The family cabin was anything but. It was a queen bed with a half sofa and a bunk bed that pulls from the ceiling leaving no room to walk or unpack clothing. The sink is in the middle of the room so every time you wash up the carpet is soaking and you are bound to wake up the kids if you come in late. The a/c in the rooms did not work well and apparently this is in several rooms. We were a party of 18 and everyone was complaining. The rooms are designed to get you out of the room as quick as possible. The entertainment is marginal at best although creative. Everything and I mean everything has a up-charge. Eating at the specialty restaurants adds up quickly but they are worth it since the main dining room does not change their menu. How many times can you eat the same thing. The buffet is large and plentiful, no complaints there. Always plenty to eat but if you want variety it will be at a price. The ice bar is always locked down and is by reservation only and only serves vodka. I am a scotch drinker therefore did not go. But it is expensive to get in and your time is limited and must be reserved. Not very conducive to a fun time!. The cirque was good and the costumes were wonderful. Blue man was great for kids, enough said. The water slide lines... well remember the word lines and be prepared for lines. We had several birthdays on the ship including mine on the first night. Unlike most cruise lines that pay particular attention to this, NCL could care less and in fact charges an up-charge to put balloons or a happy birthday sign on your cabin where this is free with all other cruise lines. The staff is not the friendliest and they are definitely unorganized. Port was missed on first day due to bad weather which was indicated three days prior to sailing. They never had any intention on going to Costa Maya or re routing the ship to another port like most cruise lines have done which I have sailed. In the end, we were stuck at sea for 5 of 7 days which is not what i signed up for with a party of 18, ten of which were kids. I will not travel the epic again or recommend to anyone. I still am a fan of NCL, however, and will give one of their smaller ships another chance.

Bon voyage!