We found our one week experience on the Epic to be mostly positive. We are a couple aged 55 and 60 who hadn't cruised in about ten years. We thought we would try a cruise again, with another couple this time. Our previous cruises were both on Royal Caribbean, and we enjoyed them both.
We flew into Miami on Friday night, stayed at the Hyatt Place at the airport and had a liesurely dinner at a chain Italian restaurant nearby. It was a nice relaxing way to start our vacation, and was better than flying in on Saturday with the hope that your airline doesn't delay you so you miss the ship's departure at 4:00PM. We arranged with the hotel for van transportation to the cruise port on Saturday morning, which was about 30 minutes away.
Simply stated, the Epic is huge. We found the ship to be in spectacular condition, with no stains on carpets or scrapes in the paint or furniture. The newness of Epic is apparent. Getting around is not so easy, but by the end of the week, we at least had a handle on which way was forward; which way was aft. There is a lack of elevators on this ship that is apparent on embarkation, port and debarkation days. Sometimes it is simply easier to use the stairs.
We really liked the new cabin style, but can understand how people wouldn't be comfortable with the translucent glass between the room and the commode. But we were fine with it. I like the shower, but someone who weighs over 250 pounds probably can't wash below the knees. The only complaint we had is that the mirror needs a light. I was looking around the mirror on our last day when I discovered that it opens into a medicine cabinet. I wish I knew that on Day-1, so maybe NCL should put a sticker in the corner to say "open me".