orangegrove

I would not recommend that. Although you may do it without getting caught, if you get caught you may be forced to keep him in your room, or worse. Since only one card could be programed for the studio cabin, they would absolutely know what you were trying to do at guest relations, and even if they didn't figure it out, you would be granting your under aged son to an area that you can not get to and in effect are locked out of.

 

I would not put my 18 year old in a section of the ship that I don't have access to, whether it be the studios or the Haven...... The studios are set up like a Haven situation and you will not be able to just walk down the hall and knock on your son's door.

 

Also, although I am sure your son is excellent, we all know that children do things on ships that they are not supposed to whether it is drinking or anything else, if he drank too much, or passed out on the couch in the lounge or argued with the someone in the studio lounge (even if the other passenger is at fault), if the ship figures out that you took it upon yourself to put him in a room by himself in a restricted area and not adjacent to your room that is grounds for being disembarked.

 

I would recommend an inside right near mom and dad:)

I'm not trying to circumvent things. I know kids have been in separate rooms without parents. I saw several on my last cruise. I'm sure not all those parents were circumventing the system. I just thought the Studio area was unlocked but only the lounge area of the Studio area was locked up. I just can't remember how the layout was. I looked at the map and the rooms that are available are only a few feet from the balcony rooms that we would be in. What's the difference if he is allowed in an inside by himself vs. a studio except the cost. The studio is half the cost of the inside and only 10 feet more away.

I will give NCL a call and see what their suggestion is.

We were looking at how low the Epic prices have gotten and have gotten the urge to book a cruise leaving in a couple of weeks. After our last cruise over Christmas we decided that the next cruise we have we would allow our teenage son to have his own room. He is over 6'2" now and he is no longer comfortable sleeping on the sofa bed. I am now the shortest in our family at 5'9" and believe you me I am not sleeping on the sofa! :D

Is it possible to book a studio room and we would take a room across the hall from the studio area? I know I would have to book the cabin because he is not 18 yet. I have read people switch cabins once on board. I was just curious. We were on the Epic's maiden Caribbean voyage in 2010 and we did a b2b so we all are familiar with the ship.

His friend and his cousin are not able to join us this trip so he would be by himself. As a teenager my sister and I would be in an inside cabin across the hall from my parents and we never had any problems. Thanks for any insight.

I agree with S'WELL, avoid President's Week. Many schools in the north have that week off. If you want less little people go 2-1 or 2-8. Probably cheaper also!

This is what I pulled directly from NCL website re: taxes

A 15% gratuity plus any applicable taxes will be added to all package purchases

It is very clear that taxes could be charged depending on where you purchase the package. Here is the link: http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Ultimate-Beverage-Package01032014.pdf

All NCL ships I have cruised (I have been on 7 NCL ships) on kept local time at each port. I did do the Mexican Riviera on the Star in 2008 and we did change times. Maybe someone who has gone more recently can verify that is still the case.

Definitely book the Teppanyaki if possible. That area on the Sun is very small. Maybe 10 -12 people at a time. Very few people can be accommodated during the evening. I want to say there is only one grill!

We did not do this one on our Christmas cruise on the Sun but it was always full. Due to the holidays I pre-booked Christmas and New Years Eve and that was smart. (East meets West and LeBistro) Those evenings were full and many wanted in and were not able to get in. However, on the other evenings we walked up and had no problems getting in. I think it depends on the cruise.

Long time no see Orangegrove ;)

 

yes the spa prices have really went up but they STILL sell out

Yes, no posting but still lurking! :p

No more couples discount. In 2010 a couple could both get passes for $199. Now a single pass costs $199.

I'm so mad that it has gotten this high. :mad: We were just on the Sun over Christmas and they really have no Spa to speak of. (Not like the Pearl or Epic) They had this relaxation area but not the same thing. In any case we came to realize we really enjoy having the spa pass. Since we have traveled so many times we don't always get off at the ports and we really use the spa. $200 for two of us was a reasonable price. $400 is not. Not sure how this will affect which cruise I book next. I really enjoy the NCL ships. (I have cruised several other brands). Uggghh. Decisions, Decisions.

We just came off the Sun (Holiday cruise) and we ate at Il Adagio, East Meets West (2X), and Le Bistro. No dinner specials at all during the week. We pre purchased the meals and were given a bottle of house wine on the first night. I think you get it free if you book Il Adagio on your first evening and prepay your meals. I can't remember but it tells you when you book the specialty dining. Our favorite on this cruise was the East Meets West.

We have been on 6 previous NCL cruises and have tried many specialty restaurants. We weren't as impressed with Le Bistro as on other ships. Part of it had to do with the bread that was served. I know it seems petty but it was the same bread that they had in the MDR and the buffet and usually they have this great French bread that my husband drools for, but alas, no special bread here. I ate the duck for dinner and that was fantastic! It was a breast and a leg quarter and it was out of this world!

We ate at the steakhouse twice and the meal was outstanding both nights. Bread here was awesome! The Italian was okay, I was just hoping for other meal choices. I ended up eating Salmon, which tasted great but not very Italian. I wanted something like a Chicken or Veal Piccata or Marsala with some vegetables but they didn't have anything like that.

We always had good service wherever we ate, MDR, buffet, or specialty. I will say I do not like the buffet layout on the SUN. It is too crowded and not open enough. (meaning I felt claustrophobic, not the hours!) We mostly ate breakfast in the 7 Seas MDR. We had some lunches in the buffet but here is a tip: Go eat on the Moderno side (Port) there is a small buffet with a pasta and pizza station, salad bar, and sandwiches, and it is much more quiet on that side of the ship. If the Great Outdoors is open this is also a great spot if you've got good weather. There is a buffet back there also.

Well, hope you have a great trip. Wishing I was back in the Caribbean. Currently waiting for the arctic cold to hit us here in NC. Have a great time!

OMG, I'm so glad you guys made it on the ship! Are you really going to leave us hanging til tomorrow? :( It's ok, you have us hanging by a thread, just like a great writer...buy the second book to see what happens next! :p

Bwahhhh ha ha...you have me rolling, I need to fix dinner but I am waiting for the next part! :p Well at least I do speak 2 languages fluently and can muddle by in Spanish if they slow down!

Ok, I'm not liking the commercials in between. :D I should have DVR'd this! :p

What an awesome review and your pictures are fantastic! :) We have been debating about cruising in Europe for many years now. I have been to several places in Europe but not Italy and Spain. Your review confirmed it for me...next year... Barcelona, Florence, Rome, here we come! :p

Thank you for posting such a nice review! Glad you had a great trip. I wish I thought of grabbing that little table for the shower. I had a difficult time shaving my legs!:p I will know for next time though.

I've been anxiously awaiting your review. It was simply mahvelous! LOL :D I finally had time to sit and read and look through your photos. They are fantastic. Every time I read a review I remember our cruise. I want to go back. I want someone else to make the beds and clean the bathrooms and throw in a few towel animals also! :p

I'm glad you had a great time and thanks again for taking the time to post! :)

They absolutely do not let ages cross. This was a big issue on the last cruise I was on with a fellow cruiser. We were on the Epic. Their child was 12 and would be 13 in 5 days after the cruise sailed. They wanted to be in the teen group. No dice. NCL already has the ages when you board. It is on the passport. The camps are very strict. There also was an 18yo who wanted to hang out with their 17yo cousin in the teen group, also no way.

I am not talking about a kid !! my lad will be 18 his sister 15, they want to spend time together, but my son cant go in the teen club and my daughter cant go in the Adult areas - are there any discos etc they can go together ?

They can stay together in the Bliss Lounge until 10pm. After that time it becomes "Adult" only. They can also go to "Howl at the Moon" until 10pm or 11pm and then it becomes "Adult" only. I believe. This may also be the same with Slam Allen. Spice H2O is always adult, but on embarkation day they allow everyone in to take a peek.

It is amazing how much things have changed. When I was a kid, a family vacation meant spending vacation time WITH my family.

 

It would have sucked to have gone somewhere with Mom & Dad only to have been shuttled off to Day Care (ie Kids Club) so my parents could enjoy themselves without us.

 

I'll bet that if NCL didn't force parents to take the kids to dinner that some would leave them in the kids club 24/7.

NCL hours have changed and kids club is open pretty much all day until 10:30pm and then after that there is a cost.

My husband and I did have 1 dinner without my son. He's 11 and we don't see any reason for one night (out of our 14 day b2b cruise) that we could have a dinner without him. We sat with him for his dinner in O'Sheehan's, 'cause that is where he wanted to eat and then he went to the kids club for 2 hours. He had a great time with friends and we had a nice dinner in LeBistro.

for all of the information you have shared with us! I'll be sure to look for your posts on any cruises we may book!

 

My question:

1. Does the Epic have a special commemorative cup for the soda card or just a generic cup?

2. Did you see an ornament that looks like the ship? You know, the typical NCL oval ornament for around $10. I would hate to think that our "collection" will be incomplete.

 

Have a great day!

Marianne

There is no special cup. Here is photo and no ornament! :mad: I collect them also!

I'm on a b2b and I have the same room. I was told I would have to get off the ship to a special room to clear customs and then come back to the ship. I didn't realize I could stay on the ship...?!

You have to get off the ship...you will get a letter in your stateroom that has the procedure. You only need your key card, passport, and customs info. You will wait in the terminal until they open up the ship again.

Mike,

Did you notice if they had any EPIC christmas ornaments? We love to collect these bcs every year we put the tree up we are reminded of our travels.

Meg

I collect christmas ornaments also, and they did not have them! :mad: Maybe on future sailings. I ended up buying christmas ornaments at the ports. I guess you could buy the keychain and hang it on the tree. :D

orangegrove

Thanks for the b2b info. We are b2b 11/6. Do you have to pack up anything at all between the two weeks if you are staying in the same room??? We are also thinking about upgrading to a better room the second week. I wonder if we would have to take all our stuff through customs if we do that???

Thanks

No, you do not have to pack your bags! It's a wonderful thing! :) All you need is your passport, key card, and customs form.

Orangegrove

 

Please tell me how B2B worked at the end of week one.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

I sure will. I am currently writing a long review. But the B2B was easy, but you still had to get off the ship, go through customs, and then go to waiting area. Took about an hour and 15 minutes or so.

Last Day - Departure (sniff, sniff)

 

 

 

Leaving Miami

 

 

 

 

Maybe the highest Epic pictures that exist. She's 25 miles off the coast and heading for the Eastern Caribbean.

 

 

Fantastic shots Mike! We're already talking about our next cruise, my husband wants to move to Florida so we have easy access! LOL !

Hey Mike, thanks for posting your great review. It was great re-living the cruise again! :) We ended up driving straight home last night arrived about 11:15pm. Took about 13 1/2 hours, but we got to sleep in our own beds! Now I was getting ready to post a review and lo and behold, your's is fantastic! I became to lazy to keep a daily blog current and we were always too busy having fun! :D

Looking forward to more pics and so sorry about your son's card, my son found a key card at the bottom of the pool and turned it in. I'm so glad he chose to do the right thing.

I also am glad to have sailed on her!