Escape vs Epic: Which is better?

My wife and I are looking to cruise one of these ships on Dec 16th-23rd. The price difference only comes to about $200 after you upgrade your room to get the drink package. We want to hear which one is the better ship and what activities you enjoyed.

The escape was nice, a beautiful new ship, but felt crowded everywhere. We did the water slides, ropes course, played in the casino, and dined at most of the specialty restaurants. Again, the common areas felt crowded and there were waits for everything when we went.

Haven’t been on the Epic yet, currently booked for January, but given the option DH and I wouldn’t sail Escape again (and we loved the Getaway, so it must be the extra passenger capacity that we didn’t care for on Escape).

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I much prefer the architecture of the Escape to the Epic. The Epic is too inward focused. It's like being in a mall. The Escape gives a much better sense of being at sea.

Both have pretty much the same features and activities, just to differing degrees.

Not to mention the weird bathroom set-up on the Epic...

I much prefer the architecture of the Escape to the Epic. The Epic is too inward focused. It's like being in a mall. The Escape gives a much better sense of being at sea.

 

Both have pretty much the same features and activities, just to differing degrees.

 

Not to mention the weird bathroom set-up on the Epic...

Thanks for the input. What is the weird bathroom set up?

What is the weird bathroom set up?

For most Epic staterooms....(jump to 1:30)

[YOUTUBE]tzIeViOWTqI[/YOUTUBE]

For most Epic staterooms....(jump to 1:30)

 

 

tzIeViOWTqI

Wow... that is a really weird layout. Shouldn't be an issue for my wife and I, but I can definitely see why it'd be an issue for people traveling with friends, or kids.

Great video! :')

Cruised on both, would take Escape over Epic without any doubt.

Escape for sure! We tried to experience everything on The Escape but sit seems like a week was not enough. Sailing in a few weeks again, maybe this time. The bathrooms on Epic are horrible!

No coincidence that neither NCL nor any other line has replicated that odd bathroom layout LOL. NCL has a split layout in Studio cabins (with a normal enclosed toilet compartment), but that’s just for one person. Love that video though, made me lol.

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We have been on Epic 3 times (total 44 nights), and then went on Escape, Breakaway and most recently Getaway, and we now say we will not return to Epic.

The Epic was nice but we loved the waterfront and being able to see the sea while on the other 3.

Go on the Escape!

I've been on both, and would easily choose the Escape over the Epic any day...

The bathroom set-up on the Epic is why I won't cruise on her. Just my opinion.

that bathroom situation on epic is ridiculous...never sailed epic but very glad I did--to make sure I will NOT book it...with escape, my only complaint was same as someone else noted: it seemed very crowded most of the time, especially in the atrium and around the MDRs

Escape!

Having sailed both I can definitely say Escape is better. Escape is our favorite ship to date.

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I much prefer the architecture of the Escape to the Epic. The Epic is too inward focused. It's like being in a mall. The Escape gives a much better sense of being at sea.

...

That was exactly how I felt when we took our first, and only Epic cruise.

However, if you're not in the Haven on the Escape, crowding is a serious problem. Who ever designed their public pool decks should have their Marine Architecture degree taken away.

On the whole, pick Escape over Epic if you're looking for a larger ship experience on NCL.

Escape wins for me, despite currently being on the Epic TA!

Have to say the bathroom situation is no issue for us whatsoever, and the curtain gives you extra privacy if you want it...

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Tough one. I've been on epic six times and love it for entertainment etc but love the waterfront on escape and the fact that most bars have their own space or room and are not just a long line like the epic. But I can't stand the layout of the escape pool area, it's jam packed and epic pool bar with the large outdoor seating area is better. Epic balconies are bigger than escape but escape has the extras like food republic, Tough choice.

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The two ships are nearly the same - Escape's layout was based on Breakaway/Getaway, which were designed based on Epic. I prefer Escape, but each have their positives. We enjoyed our cruises on both and wouldn't hesitate to go on either again. My take on each.....

Epic - Spice H2O has a small pool and stadium seating, which is nice for the parties there. Epic has the ice bar. Epic has the Cirque-du-Soliel style show. Epic has the Noodle Bar, which is a cool spot for a quick bite (hours were a little wonky), and the Chinese restaurant. Epic is probably the ugliest ship to look at at sea - The Haven looks like an afterthought. Taste dining room is a little tricky to find at first and there are only 2 dining rooms vs 3 on Escape. Aft balcony in the Thermal Spa is really cool, especially if you have an inside or ocean view room.

Escape - Spice H2O has the grotto (some people see this as a positive over Epic, some a negative). Escape has Bayamo, Pinchos, and Food Republic specialty restaurants. Escape has The District, which is a really cool pub. If you have kids, the splash area is awesome. 3 dining rooms vs 2 on Epic.

Both great ships but the Escape "crowds" loses it many points, especially regarding entertainment! The epic cabin designs were never an issue for us nor the bathrooms a lot of fuss made over nothing as far as we were concerned! Back on Epic next year and cant wait!

That video was great! What a weird bathroom layout.

Been on both, but prefer the Escape. Although the entertainment was better on the Epic, I didn't like the weird bathroom layout. The Thermal Spa was much nicer on the Escape, plus the specialty dining was much better. The icing on the cake for me on the Escape was the Waterfront, which surrounds the perimeter of Deck 8. This was my quiet place to go to every day to relax.

The bathroom setup is weird. I dont want to smell anyone pop.

Re: Epic bathroom

I LOVED the bathroom set up on Epic. Ever hear of Ozium? Great stuff. Can purchase it at a car wash or auto parts stores in a very small aerosol can. It is awesome for eliminating odors.

Epic is the only ship we have ever been on that had natural light in the toilet and shower areas. LOVED that. Also...at night, lighting from the cabin was so nice in these areas and I didn't have to put on the bright lights in these areas.

Getting reading to go out, having the sink in the cabin (NCL did replace all the faucets so there is absolutely no splashing in the sink) and the shower and toilet in separate areas are fantastic.One person can shower while the other uses the toilet.

So smart in design and function.