We had a fine cruise on the Epic, but it did not live up to our expectations. Sometimes bigger just isn't better. We booked the trip with friends after hearing so much about the Epic on our previous Norwegian cruise. Once on board, the ship didn't seem any grander than most other cruise ships. The extra space seemed to be taken up with cabins and specialty restaurants rather than roomy elegant spaces. The cabins were just as compact as usual. Instead of feeling pampered, we generally had a feeling of being nickel and dimed throughout the cruise.

On the positive side: service was excellent throughout the ship. The staff was efficient and accommodating. The ship and the rooms were kept impeccably clean. The ship layout was easy to navigate. The color coded carpet for port and starboard really helped, as did the clear labeling of floors and the maps available at frequent intervals. The interactive computer boards didn't always respond.

The entertainment was also great. We really enjoyed the Blue Man Group, Second City, and Howl at the Moon. We appreciated that you could make free reservations for the first two, since on a ship that large, there could have been long lines. I thought the movies in the Atrium were neat, but they made our fellow travelers seasick. We never did watch a complete movie, but the playoff football games were fun, and the free popcorn was a nice touch. Read more