After 2 cruises to Alaska we were ready for a different climate and what better way to be introduced to the Caribbean than on the EPIC!!! It was great! We arrived a day early in Miami and stayed at the Intercontinental (thanks fellow CC members for the LMT tips). We had a bay view room on the 16th floor and were able to watch our ship come in and prepare to sail away with us in just a few hours. Saturday morning we walked over a few blocks to the drug store to pick up some items we needed for the trip, enjoyed sitting by the bay watching the gulls while the ship was being readied for our trip. We checked out of the hotel about noon and after a very short ride across the bridge we were in line at the pier. There was a little bit of a line waiting but it moved along very well. We were onboard within 30 minutes. Probably the easiest embarkation we have had. After the usual 'welcome aboard' photo and a greeting by a member of the cruise staff (who remembered us from a prior cruise...really??) we headed to Taste to sit down for lunch. Then it was time to do some exploring. We walked around a little to kind of get our bearings and then headed up to the Spa to check on the couples Spa Pass. After our tour of the spa and info from prior reviews, we decided to opt for some pampering instead of the Spa Pass. Yeah, we spent more than the $199 for the week, but we were on vacation and can't think of a better way to relax than having a massage while sailing on a cruise ship. Our rooms were ready by 2:00 so we went to 'check it out'. Previously we had mini-suites and this room layout is about the same but not quite as much "wiggle" room. We had a balcony so there are no complaints. There was plenty of closet/storage space. The bathroom set up was not a problem at all for us. The curtain that closes that area off at night helped darken the room; in addition to the magnets on the drape at the balcony. The only issue we had at night was the little blue light from the reading lights by the bed. But, just put a towel, rag or a band-aid over it and sleep on. Muster drill was at 3:30...easy, easy. Show up with your key card and NO life vest, out of there in 10-15 minutes. After the drill our luggage was at the room, so unpacked and went out to make pictures as we sailed away. We are really, really on vacation now!!!

Most of our meals we ate at the buffet. This is such a large area we never had a problem with a place to sit and did not have to wait in long lines to be served. The longest wait was during breakfast at the omelet stations, but it moved pretty fast. Always plenty of variety and everything we had was very good!!! We did eat at Manhatten one night and the food there was good as well. Did not use room service or eat at any of the Specialty Restaurants.

Entertainment: We saw Blue Man Group on Monday night. Was a great show and well worth the 'trip'. On Thursday night we saw Legends In Concert...Rod Stewart, Brittney Spears & Michael Jackson. This is not really our style of music, but it was a great show and we enjoyed all three performers AND the band. The same band plays for all three and they do a fantastic job!!! We did drop in to Fat Cats for a few tunes on night and the band playing was good. There is a lot of different venues with bands and during the day they are playing around the pool. We are not 'party animals' so we did not hang out in a lot of these areas. Read more