genealogyfan

That's annoying. I had an excursion canceled on my most recent cruise about 2 days ahead of time. .I got a notice in my room stating because of not enough participation they canceled it. I booked another on the tv/account. They should have left you a notice.

I was on the previous Epic sailing and took the paid Behind the Scenes tour. It was over two hours long. We were allowed to take photos at specific areas. Our first stop was in the Epic theater and had a nice conversation with the stage manager.We saw the galley, laundry, engineering room, and went on the bridge. We also got a group photo. I prefer the individual ones they used to take though. I agree, the free one should be longer.

Thanks for the info. That’s why I’m avoiding deck 9.

This is for your potential future stay in Aruba. There are so many good restaurants in Aruba, I would suggest not staying at an all inclusive hotel. Many good hotels like the Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, etc that aren't non inclusive.

I was at Orient Bay Beach on the Apr 14 NCL Epic cruise. Yes there was seawood in the ocean. It was a little annoying, not not a major issue though.

Thanks for the photos - Exactly what I was looking for. I'm looking at a cabin more towards the forward area where there is just a walkway.

I know on the Prima there is an outdoor area on Deck 8 where people can walk around. In that specific area the chairs, small pools, etc.. aren't located. I was just wondering about the noise from the public area.

For the Prima ship, does anyone have what the view looks like from the balcony cabins in the forward area (close to the forward elevators/stairs) down to the ocean/Deck 8 . I'm trying to see if a cabin on Deck 10 in that area is high enough away from any possible noise from Deck 8 or what the view below will look like. Thanks in advance.

Was your travel insurance through NCL or a 3rd party? I'm surprised if it's a 3rd party insurance, they wouldn't cover the extra flight you had to book.

I took the NCL beach excursion to Orient Bay beach. It was a great large beach. Nice facilities, nice restaurant with really good food. I'm sure it's easy to get to on your own. I would suggest to see if you go on your own, the option of renting lounge chairs and umbrellas.

I just took the Antiguan Experience on the Apr 14 sailing of the Epic. I was really disappointed in it. The guide was interesting and personable and friendly but the places we stopped at were not what I expected. We stopped at a private home from a woman who's a descendant of settlers from the 15th century. Just looked like a small home filled with way too many knick knacks. Then we stopped at a pineapple farm, which looked like an abandoned place. I think a couple rows of pineapples. They said they were affected by the pandemic and didn’t have places to sell their pineapples. Never saw the Fryes estate, whatever that was supposed to be. The last stop was the beach with lunch. The food was mediocre to bad (compared with two beach excursions I took at other ports where the food was amazingly good). Beach was nice. I wouldn't recommend this excursion.

I was on the Epic cruise from San Juan Puerto Rico to NYC (Apr 14-22). I arrived at the San Juan port about 9am. I wanted to arrive early to try and get a posh pass (luckily I did). San Juan Cruise Port: The San Juan cruise port terminal is a disorganized mess once you go inside. They don't have boarding groups, they don't have a separate priority access line, and I heard there was a separate Haven entrance but I didn't see it. I already had my luggage tag on, so I skipped the first tent and dropped off my luggage. I stood in line and about 50 people were in front of me. Luckily we were under an awning. They didn't open the building until 10am. Then they let people in and we sat in chairs until about 11:30am. They didn't have boarding groups, they didn't have any real order of those who arrived first, tenth, etc.. just the group inside who mostly were sitting in chairs. They did bring those who needed physical assistance or were in wheelchairs first to check in. Then about 11:30am they just announced everyone could proceed. So whoever walked fast enough got to the wide open area to check in made it first. No organized lining up, just went up to the first open line. I even asked where the priority access line was, and I was told at the ship. There wasn't a priority access line or anything similar. Check In, Boarding Ship: Luckily, I could check in fairly quickly and then we proceeded and walked on the ship about 1145am or so. I walked directly to guest services (same deck) and I swear I think I was the first to ask for a posh pass access. When I walked up, there was nobody else in line. I heard several others ask for one after I was at the desk. All of us who asked for one had been quoted about $69/$79 for the week. The guest services crew told us it was $219 for the week. The posh pass was totally worth it though, but I might call NCL back and ask about being quoted the wrong price. I was told by guest services they only had 15 to sell, someone else told me they were told 20. Had lunch at the Taste restaurant. I highly recommend eating at one of the free sit down restaurants on embarkation day. While eating, they announced something about the cabins or some cabins being ready. I couldn't exactly figure how what they said. I went up to my cabin to check and some were ready and some weren't. Mine was. Observations about the Epic: Despite having about 4000 people on it, the ship never seemed crowded. Majority of the times, when I was walking up/down the stairs they were empty. The only issue I noticed, was walking from one end of the ship to the other on the main decks 5,6, and 7 that had most of the public spaces - restaurants, venues, etc... It's not designed very well, slot machines and other casino tables right in the middle of walking. One area, you had to walk through O'Sheehans. Another deck, you could only walk around one side. **If you go to deck 7, they have an outer walkway deck that was always virtually empty. You can walk from one end to the other.** In the middle between the lifeboats you can see out. All the crew seemed friendly. Dining venues never seemed crazy crowded. There were lines for the free sit down restaurants and no separate lines for those with reservations. I was in one line for Taste and asked, and was told there was one line. Someone came up to the desk and asked if they had reservations what line do they go to, and they told the same one line. The lines seemed to move fast. The specialty restaurants never had lines, at the most one or two people. Quiet locations: A quiet place to sit underneath a roof is all the way in the back of the ship near the ping pong tables. Even walking on the pool deck wasn't very easy to just get some exercise and walk around. Balcony Cabin I wish the light switches at the door were marked. There are 3 of them, one for the toilet, one for the shower and/or tub and one for some of the lights in the room. I never did learn which was which, just turned them all on/off. Room seemed dark, they need more overhead lighting. Light switch for above sink, is just below the mirror. Light switch over desk area is easy to find. Two power plugs under desk (marked), so bring a multi plug adapter if you have multiple electronics. Lots of storage, behind the sofa, above the bed and the opposite side of the bed/wall, I knew about the bathroom setup ahead of time, so that didn't bother me. I did notice the toilet slider door would rattle if you didn't close it all the way. I had a 12th deck regular balcony room. Dining Options: Taste was always good and large and quiet. One time (not sure what happened) it was extremely slow getting my drink (which was just an iced tea). I had to ask several times and finally got it when I was almost finished dinner. Not a major deal, I had water. All other times, the service was fine, wait staff was attentive and food was decent. Manhattan Room =- avoid if you want to talk to others or hear yourself think. I had a reservation at the same time as the dancing of the performers. Too loud music and just wasn't the right venue to have such a loud performance. I canceled my other reservation after that and went to Taste instead. The one time I ate there and had a reservation, the crew member came out to the long line of people and announced something which most people couldn't hear. When I asked him about those who had reservations, he sent me to the closer check in table inside and they seemed confused about what to do about those with reservations. Moderno - good food but too much food. The red meat wasn't cooked enough, each piece was too red for me. I didn't eat any of the red meat. The salad bar always has enough variety. Cagney's Steakhouse was also good food. Le Bistro was my favorite, good food, especially the dessert. Buffet - only ate there twice, and took my food up to the Posh deck. Entertainment: Epic Beatles - held in the Epic theater. Corny chatting in between performing. Instead of just singing the Beatles songs, they were pretending they were the actual Beatles during their chats. Corny. They were ok, but I walked out half way through. Burn the Floor- Good dancers, but didn't make any sense. I walked out half way through. Ebony and Ivory: Two excellent singers, I wish they had them perform more. Highly recommend. They sang in the Epic theater one night and another venue another night. Comedian: Dylan Mandlsohn in Headliners. He was funny and was very good at improv. I stayed the whole time and the Headliners club seemed full Excursions: Normally, if I'm going on a cruise with a friend, I would try and do private excursions, but I was solo on this cruise and felt more comfortable booking cruise ship excursions. With the $50 credit for each port and the latitude rewards discount, the prices were reasonable too. St. Kitts: I took the Scenic Rail and Sail excursion. It was good, got to see the countryside and pretty views on the train. Our train was stuck for over 30 minutes, as the lead car (car that drives on the rail ahead of the train to make sure it's clear), got hit by another car. When we arrived at the end, the other passengers were waiting for us. The boat ride back didn't seem crowded and was nice, a bit bouncy but we rode around the other side of the Epic to see it, and then to the dock where they let us off. Some excursions had the sail first and then the rail. Antigua: Took the Antiguan experience excursion. It was disappointing. The guide was interesting and personable and friendly but the places we stopped, not what I expected. We stopped at a private home from a woman who's a descendant of settlers from the 15th century. Just looked like a small home filled with knick knacks. Then we stopped at a pineapple farm, which looked like an abandoned place. I think a couple rows of pineapples. They said they were affected by the pandemic and didn’t have places to sell their pineapples. Never saw the Fryes estate, whatever that was supposed to be. The last stop was the beach with lunch. The food was mediocre. Beach was nice. I wouldn't recommend this excursion. St. Maarten: I took the "Beach Rendezvous" beach excursion which was one of my favorites. We were driven to Orient Bay beach and a lounge chair was included. An umbrella was only $6 more and I shared it with another single person. Beach was very nice, in front of a hotel. The lunch was included and was surprisingly really good. It was at the local restaurant on the beach, and we sat at tables and ordered from a specific menu. Bathrooms were also available. Very nice and relaxing excursion. I would definitely recommend it. St. Thomas: Our Champagne Sail and snorkel cruise was canceled after arriving at the pier where the boat was supposed to be. About 4 shuttle trams had taken about 100 passengers to this pier, We arrived to the other trams stating the boat was broken and was canceled. We were all taken back to the ship (although our guide offered for a fee to take us to a beach). Since we were only in port for half a day, I stayed on the ship and sat on the Posh Deck. Amber Cove: My original excursion (Take a Selfie in Puerto Plata) was canceled, so I signed up for the Coconut Cove Beach excursion. Another fun and relaxing beach day. Everything included, drinks, lunch, a lounge chair and umbrellas. I was in the first group that arrived, so we had good choice for chairs. Nice beach. Food was also really good. Nice facilities, staff was helpful and friendly. It was announced on the ship, you weren't allowed to bring any liquids or food off at the Dominican Republic. When I got off the ship, I saw many people who had brought water bottles. There was a local store (El Cibao) where we met for the excursion that sold bottles of water for $2 each. The port was very well marked about where to meet for specific excursions. Sea Days; The weather was nice enough to spend time out on the pool deck on both days back up to NYC, on the Posh Deck. It was so nice up there, and definitely worth it. The 2nd day was even more amazing, the ocean was so smooth and calm and the weather was sunny and hot. Behind the Scenes Tour: I took a behind the scenes tour. It was really interesting. We had a nice visit with the stage manager of the Epic theater and saw behind the scenes of the theater, saw the food galley area, saw the laundry facilities and the bridge. Talked with crew members at each stop. We were told that only 50% of reservations are taken ahead of time at the Epic theater, so if you can't get a reservation try the waiting list. Other observations: I talked with my cabin steward and I asked her if she liked cleaning rooms once a day or twice. She and another steward said they have so many rooms now, they don't have time to get off the ship during the day and see the ports. They prefer the old way. I didn't miss the turn down evening cleaning, but wish they would have less rooms so they can get some time off and see the ports. Cabins 13001 and about 4 next to them: If you have booked them, double check the size of the balconies. From what I could see from the bridge, it looks like they don't have much room, just a "juliet" type balcony.

There isn't anything wrong with the Epic, People just have different opinions of what they like and dislike. One person may love it, one person may hate it, but neither opinion is wrong. I've sailed on it twice (just recently got off on Apr 22) and I thought it was a good ship. Make sure you research the bathroom setup. I just got off the Epic and I was amazed the number of people I talked with who had no idea that the bathroom setup was totally different then any other ship. It was not a problem when I sailed with my friend, in fact we thought we had more room when we pulled the curtain close to change, get ready, etc. Our cruise was sold out and it didn't feel crowded at all. I was surprised. The only issue I had was on the main decks of 5,6 and 7 where the venues and restaurants are located. It's tight to walk through from one end of the ship to the other. One deck you are walking through the casino with machines and tables in the middle, other decks you have to walk through O'Sheehan's and other areas. If you want to avoid this go to deck 7 and go outside - there is an outside deck on both sides and a walking area (doesn't connect to each other outside). You can walk from one end of the ship to the other and it was always pretty empty. There also wasn't an easy way to walk around the ship, even on the pool deck.

Jean are allowed in all the restaurants. There are certain specialty restaurants where they don't allow shorts. I was at Le Bistro the first night of embarkation and some people behind me said they hadn't gotten their luggage yet, so they were allowed to go into Le Bistro with shorts. One main change, is there is only one cleaning of your cabin per day. There is no turn down service. I talked with my cabin steward and they don't like it. They have alot more cabins to clean and they don't have time to even leave the ship and see the ports anymore.

Just an FYI- at least in San Juan there is no separate line for priority access. It’s a waste of money. I specifically asked too. This is for embarkation.

I was told NCL only releases 20% of their available restaurant reservations ahead of sailing. Just make sure you go to wherever they take restaurant reservations when you first board.

Interesting, I didn’t realize that. They are pricing people from not using it. As someone else said the Haven people will be happy but on this cruise they only had 15 available anyway.

Just wanted to let everyone know that despite what is being told on the phone by NCL reps, the posh pass on the Epic is now $219 for the week. I wasn’t the only one that was told on the phone it was $69 or $79. When I was at guest services everyone person who came up questioned the price and was shocked at the price. I felt bad for the crew as it wasn’t their fault the price went up, but they had to deal with the complaints. They told me they only had 15 available so at least after that they can tell people it’s sold out. if other ships sell passes to a Haven only type deck, don’t be surprised if the price is different then what’s quoted on the phone.

Not sure how long you are in Seward, but I know a great local fishing/sightseeing charter boat company. The local charter boat company is called "Gone Again Charters". http://www.goneagaincharters.com/ If you rent a car and go up the Seward Highway, be careful. If there is a major accident, it might shut down the road. It's only a 2 lane road and only one way in/out of Seward. It's beautiful in the Kenai peninsula, in and around Seward.

I think on almost every cruise ship you are not allowed to smoke on your balcony, just designated areas, so good for everyone reporting it. So dangerous and selfish for those people for smoking on their balcony or other places they aren't allowed on cruise ships.

The club balcony cabins I've been on, only had the regular sized balcony. The cabin is slightly bigger, and to get a larger balcony you have to choose the large balcony option. Just be aware, most cabins with large balconies stick out enough so everyone above you can see down on you. Most of the balcony isn't covered either.

This is from the NCL page, it lists the amenities that come with a Club Balcony room. https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/minisuites-and-balconies

When you log into your NCL account there should be a section that says "my coupons and credits"

Did you check under "my coupons and credits" in your account? That's where I see my cruisenext, but then future cruise credit might be something else.

The fun time change was last Nov - we were sailing from Canada to NYC. First night after leaving Canada it changed back one hour to East Coast time and then the next night was the end of Daylight savings time, so it it went back another hour. Two nights in a row we got reminders in our cabins the time was going back an hour. It was a sea day, so we didn't stop at a port. That was really confusing and crazy