The 12/23/22 sailing is round trip from San Juan. The 12/16/23 leaves from NYC and repositions to San Juan. (You scared me b/c I am on the 12/23/22 sailing) The sunset in mid December is in the 4:30 range, but the NYC skyline is beautiful at night and the statue will be lit up. It starts warming up around VA. Have not been on Epic yet so can't comment on that except Haven is always great imho.