MSC girl jumps ship: A B2B solo trip review of the NCL Epic!

I almost can't believe this because we had the exact situation (including the visits to GS) on our b2b in Barcelona 2 yrs ago. They eventually changed the locks, but security was very stubborn about doing so.

Those badges they gave us for re-embarking got us back on board very quickly.

 

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Really? Wow!

They kept telling me at GS that it was indeed security related as I changed rooms.

I will make sure to book the same room for both legs next time!

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Here I am with the almost last part of the review!

(Unless I think about something else later on, lol)

ENTERTAINMENT

Priscila - Queen of the desert

Besides having the most beautiful name in the world (ha!), I thought the show was very loyal to the movie and my favourite scenes were there, same lines being spoke by the actors and all.

I am absolutely in love with the movie, I saw it at the cinema right after it was released in 1994 for my birthday and, to this day, it remains one of my favourite films.

I managed to sneak in some flash-less pictures:

Yes, the story is not for small children. Having said that, nothing I saw on that stage was even half as erotic as the bathtub act on Cirque dreams, lol

Be warned that it lasts 1,5h, which is very long for a cruise ship show, but it was more then worth to sit through. I watched it twice!!!

BURN THE FLOOR

It was okay. If you enjoy 'Dancing with the stars' or 'strictly come dancing', you will enjoy Burn the floor.

It starts a bit slow and the most impressive dances are more towards the end, so it didn't excite me as much as I thought it would. It is worth to go and watch but not a 'must' like Priscila is!

THE EPIC BEATLES

The first night of the second week, I decided to go to the theatre to watch the Beatles show. It was awesome, even the accents were on point.

At the end of the show, the cruise director took the stage and introduced the main senior officers, which was a pleasant surprise. I did not see it announced on the Freestyle daily that it was part of the show, so don't miss it if you like the Beatles.

I also enjoyed that the weather had a bar and cup holders on the sits. I enjoyed a nice Pain Killer while watching The Beatles:

ENTERTAINMENT (cont.)

Stage set up for the Epic Beatles

Now, I must admit that MSC's theatre was way bigger and nicer. And I did miss having one different show every night, I like shows :)

However, none of the MSC show are Broadway quality like Priscila, which brings the questions: Is it better to have ONE excellent show then SEVEN very good ones? I don't know. Still struggling with that.

What a beautiful review 😍

And i will always remember that i watched Priscilla with Priscila 😊🍸

What a beautiful review [emoji7]

 

And i will always remember that i watched Priscilla with Priscila [emoji4][emoji483]

Thank you [emoji8]

Missing our cruise, our fun and the cocktails terribly!

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Enjoying your review! Especially the food pics! Do you remember what time disembarkation began in Civitavecchia? Thanks!

Enjoying your review! Especially the food pics! Do you remember what time disembarkation began in Civitavecchia? Thanks!

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was around 7 AM.

I didn't get out of the ship but, hopefully someone who knows will jump in!

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Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was around 7 AM.

 

I didn't get out of the ship but, hopefully someone who knows will jump in!

 

 

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Got a question about the Cirque show... is it magic based? I'm not fond on magic shows... just curious if that's in the show and if so... to what extent and what kind as that may put me off going...

Got a question about the Cirque show... is it magic based? I'm not fond on magic shows... just curious if that's in the show and if so... to what extent and what kind as that may put me off going...

I just saw this show on the Epic in May. It is acrobatics, juggling

, etc.

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Thanks for your wonderful review and comparison to MSC. MSC is on my radar because I have heard great things about the Yacht Club. Trying to decide if I should give it a whirl. And I am a big spa person, so it sounds like that would be right up my alley!

So glad that you had a good experience with the solo area of NCL!

Got a question about the Cirque show... is it magic based? I'm not fond on magic shows... just curious if that's in the show and if so... to what extent and what kind as that may put me off going...

Hi, Cirque show was awesome and I really felt like I was at the Circus!

No magicians [emoji6]

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Thanks for your wonderful review and comparison to MSC. MSC is on my radar because I have heard great things about the Yacht Club. Trying to decide if I should give it a whirl. And I am a big spa person, so it sounds like that would be right up my alley!

So glad that you had a good experience with the solo area of NCL!

I'll be on YC on Sept. 30 and will for sure write a review!

Its my first time ever in YC so I'm very excited!

I'm so glad you liked the review, NCL was great and I'll for sure cruise it again.

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Oooops, just realised I said I would make a post about the parties and didn't, sorry [emoji12]

I will wrap up this review over the weekend.

Cheers,

Priscila

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Good morning everyone!

It's a beautiful Saturday morning here in Belgium, so I'm inspired to continue the review :cool:

PARTIES

FABBA - 70's party

The parties were set up to follow up the decades, starting with the 70's. The parties took place at Spice H2O but and usually went from 10:30 until around 00:00. Our party group would sometimes continue on to bliss night club, where there were always a DJ playing. It was a nice place, but the songs tended to be a bit repetitive, in my opinion. Except for Latin night, it was might favourite on on bliss, obviously, lol

80's and 90's parties were okay, but not incredibly memorable. Best part was when they dressed part people from the audience in costumes to resemble Tina Turner, Bon Jovi and Madonna, that was fun!

Everybody's favourite was GLOW party!

It was, without a doubt, the one that attracted the biggest crowd!

Getting ready to glow!

WEATHER SHENANIGANS - have fun with the unexpected

The first week, we had impeccable weather.

The second week, however, we encountered a storm on the way to Livorno, and the high winds didn't allow us to dock. Lots of people were disappointed, rightfully so, but the show must go on. The weather continued to be unstable to the point the Glow party had to be held on bliss. A pity, but we still had fun.

ICE BAR - unexpected fun

Okay, so I wasn't expecting to even consider going to the Ice Bar.

However, our solo host proposed it on the board as a group activity and a few of us decided to go. There is a EUR 25 charge, tax included, which gives you 30 min inside plus 2 (very strong) Vodka based drinks.

OMG, it was unbelievably fun, we had a blast posing, taking pictures, and jumping up and down to keep warm. It was worth every cent!

Thank you [emoji8]

Missing our cruise, our fun and the cocktails terribly!

 

 

 

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Hmmmmm I recognize those hands.... and coctails 😉

Fab review! I really should get mine started before i forget everything!

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Hmmmmm I recognize those hands.... and coctails 😉

Fab review! I really should get mine started before i forget everything!

 

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You really should write a review, you're so good at it!

I miss the fun we had riding the slides and drinking cocktails! 323 until round 2, lol :*

Thank you for your review!

I've just been on Meraviglia & the spa is wonderful although the Epic has that lovely Thalassotherapy pool & your food pics made me have NCL envy as I very nearly went back to the Epic but was swayed on price to MSC.

And oh that cheese bread in Moderno! [emoji15]

I have to say I missed all the choice of speciality restaurants on board Meraviglia compared to NCL.

We are watching our pennies so couldn't justify trying Butcher's Cut which did look amazing for food.

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Thank you for your review!

I've just been on Meraviglia & the spa is wonderful although the Epic has that lovely Thalassotherapy pool & your food pics made me have NCL envy as I very nearly went back to the Epic but was swayed on price to MSC.

And oh that cheese bread in Moderno! [emoji15]

I have to say I missed all the choice of speciality restaurants on board Meraviglia compared to NCL.

We are watching our pennies so couldn't justify trying Butcher's Cut which did look amazing for food.

 

 

 

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Hi Kikki,

I loved your Meraviglia review, so informative!

I hope to have a good time on her in October even though I'm sure MSC will not be as solo friendly as NCL.

We'll see [emoji4]

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Hi Kikki,

I loved your Meraviglia review, so informative!

I hope to have a good time on her in October even though I'm sure MSC will not be as solo friendly as NCL.

We'll see [emoji4]

 

 

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Lol oh yes we got the detail down on the review!

I still liked the Meraviglia but my heart is probably split between NCL & Celebrity at the moment.

Just love being lucky enough to cruise [emoji4]

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Lol oh yes we got the detail down on the review!

I still liked the Meraviglia but my heart is probably split between NCL & Celebrity at the moment.

Just love being lucky enough to cruise [emoji4]

 

 

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I never tried Celebrity, maybe I should!

As you say, I just feel greatful I get to cruise [emoji12]

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I second your good impression about the Quatro Naciones Hotel in Las Ramblas. We were there for two nights following our Mediteranian cruise on Crystal Symphony, and we are very happy with the location. Most of all, we are happy with the very helpful owners /staff!

 

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Quatro Naciones is indeed very good - so much so that it is fully booked for June 2018 :eek:

I'd love to try Crystal cruises one day, but it is a bit too expensive for me at the moment.

Thank you for the wonderful review. I sail on Epic next month and my first time sailing as a solo. I was abit nervous, but your review has eased my worries! Can't wait.

Thank you for the wonderful review. I sail on Epic next month and my first time sailing as a solo. I was abit nervous, but your review has eased my worries! Can't wait.

That's great to read, I'm so happy it was useful to you!

I highly recommend attending the solo meetings at the lounge on the first and second nights to meet up everyone if you are willing to socialise. If you prefer me time, there are plenty of spots to chill by yourself.

Happy cruising!