amspinner

This is our (David and Peter) fourth or fifth crossing on the Epic. Does anyone remember when that computer company cancelled 800+ rooms and the ship was quite comfortable....remember the nude sundeck....remember the Miss Epic pageant.....remember Terry, or Jay and Rod?

We have done Transatlantic Crossings on HAL and NCL. Lunches are equal but HAL has better dinners and NCL has the better breakfast. NCL was definitely more gay friendly and the Epic had a nude sundeck. There was more energy in the NCL gym and their entertainment was head and shoulders above HAL. The cabins were equal as were the excursions. HAL was a 60+ crowd on the Transatlantic. Young children were absent on both crossings. NCL allowed us to bring cola aboard and had a wonderful alcohol sale about 3 days before disembarking. I think they wanted to get rid of the US products and restock with brands more familiar to Europeans. Boarding was smoother with NCL. Maybe the older folks just moved slower. The NCL Epic had some great bars , many were tucked away waiting to be discovered. It is a large ship. The spa was better on NCL than HAL, although on HAL there was free access to a sauna. In 20215 we are doing a Celebrity crossing from FTL to Amsterdam. It will be good to get a third opinion to broaden our view. Pack light and go with a positive attitude. You will have a great time.

Coming from this Amsterdammer, most Dutch don't feel the need for a gay cruise. Here Gay Pride only began in the late 90's. We had nothing to be unproud of. There are no gay ghettos in Amsterdam. We live and are welcomed all around the city. Partner and I did the Transatlantic on the Epic in spring 2012 and were overwhelmed with the 200+ gays on board.

If you are anti-Speedo don't even think about venturing to the Freestyle deck on the Pearl or Jewel! You'll be saying, "I wish he would put on a Speedo or at least a thong".