We're on Epic! What do you want to know?

[Keeper420]

Hi Roger,

 

From the reviews I have read and even the CC video posted that Carolyn made it certainly seems that this is the case. No closed off area and restaurants and bars all leading off the casino - certainly Shanghais does and Taste is just below and open to the above deck where the casino is.

 

I also feel the same, if it were non smoking we would certainly have a flutter a number of times, it is actually something we had looked forward to doing as it's not a thing we do at home.

 

Sam :)

 

 

Okay check this out

http://epicmadhatters.blogspot.com/

Seems as if this blogger doesn't think that smoke will be a problem.

And by the way he confirms the ICE RINK!

[samnewbie]

Okay check this out

http://epicmadhatters.blogspot.com/

Seems as if this blogger doesn't think that smoke will be a problem.

And by the way he confirms the ICE RINK!

 

 

Hi there,

 

Thanks for the link, will go and have a read now.

 

I did see a thread about the ice rink the other day, I believe it is one of those 'plastic' ones and is on the sports deck? (or will be)

 

Sam :)

[kelly@]

2 questions - Is there a TV in the studio cabins? From all of the ads I am assuming that there aren't any. They are in the Living Room instead. Second question - Where can one go to gather and watch the sailaway? In looking at the model of the ship, I don't see anyplace to go. Love to have a drink and watch Miami disappear in the background. Take lots of pics and/or videos. Thanks

 

 

There are flat-screen televisions in the studio cabins, so I hope that helps!

 

As for the second question... hmm... I think the Spice H20 bar -- at the aft of the ship -- would be a good place to have a sailaway drink. It's high up, and has plenty of seats as well as standing areas. Not sure what others would suggest?

[samnewbie]

Originally Posted by Keeper420

Okay check this out

http://epicmadhatters.blogspot.com/

Seems as if this blogger doesn't think that smoke will be a problem.

And by the way he confirms the ICE RINK!

 

 

 

Hi there,

 

Thanks for the link, will go and have a read now.

 

I did see a thread about the ice rink the other day, I believe it is one of those 'plastic' ones and is on the sports deck? (or will be)

 

Sam :)

 

 

Just read the blog, it is really good! So thanks again for the link.

 

The part about the casino having a non smoking area and only part being smoking that one would have to pass through is interesting and different to other blogs/reviews that I have read.

 

As previously mentioned it is ages until we sail on her so I have plenty more reading time of reviews etc yet to see what other impressions are :D

 

I did also notice that the blogger purchased cigarettes which would make me think they are a smoker which perhaps may possibly give them a different view over the smoke situation than perhaps one from a non smokers perspective. The cigarettes may of course been for someone else in which case I will happily stand corrected :)

 

Thanks again for the link, much appreciated and I will be reading more of their blog, it's entertaining!

 

Sam :)

[Keeper420]

Here are few unanswered questions that I have:

 

1) are there batting cages? Is it possible that the sports court, since its enclosed (netting) will just be repurposed for times on the cruise for the batting cage? (like the ice rink)

 

2) Is there going to be a webcam for us N.E.S.S.'ers?

 

3) It seems that NCL is committed to fixing any mistakes that they may have made, is it possible that there may be minor changes ( like bigger tables on balconies, trays in rooms for eating) after hearing feedback from cruisers after first few cruises?

 

4) What were your overall feelings once you were off and had time for everything to sink in?

 

5) How does Epic compare to other big ships (i.e. freedom of the seas, Oasis of the Seas).

 

6) What would you change?

 

Thanks Kelly for your helpful information. :)

[hat776]

I think modern ships have very effective filter systems. On MSC Splendida there was an open stair case leading to a bar. We avoided it as one of our group suffers from asthma. However, on the last day we passed through it and there was no smell of smoke.

I'm sure NCL aren't mad and expect folk to eat in restaurants while being plagued with smoke.

[debt]

just a few questions to those already haves from a will be soon. can you get the sushi at the sushi bar to go? do they (or will they) have the sunday brunch and chocolate buffet? one last thing, since i will be on the transatlantic to miami in 2011, would love to see the daily schedules from this trip. thanks!

[dnl_in_Illinois]

We're attempting to decide whether to do the "all day" soft drink purchase plan which we understand is $6.25 a day or $43.75 pp per week. Can anyone provide me with the price of a single can (or serving) of a soft drink so we can do an analysis of the best way to go please?

[Uniall]

We're attempting to decide whether to do the "all day" soft drink purchase plan which we understand is $6.25 a day or $43.75 pp per week. Can anyone provide me with the price of a single can (or serving) of a soft drink so we can do an analysis of the best way to go please?

 

It's $2.50 plus 18%. But what the hey, your a Barrington guy, no problem. :p

 

Fruit juices are free. That's why we go for bloody Marys and screw drivers and pop for $60 for a liter of vodka. (Must be purchased 2 weeks before sailing)

 

 

Your poor Riverside (poor man's Barrington) cousin. :D

John

[dnl_in_Illinois]

It's $2.50 plus 18%. But what the hey, your a Barrington guy, no problem. :p

 

Your poor Riverside (poor man's Barrington) cousin. :D

 

John

 

Hey John, thanks so much!! I might suggest that Riverside is not so shoddy!! Besides we live on the poor side of town (actually in Cuba Township, Lake County) not any of the Villages. I have to pump my own water! (Of course we do have an electric pump to do that.) That's my feeble attempt at a smart A$$ comment.

 

Seriously, thanks so much. And so fast too.

 

Dave K.

[samnewbie]

I think modern ships have very effective filter systems. On MSC Splendida there was an open stair case leading to a bar. We avoided it as one of our group suffers from asthma. However, on the last day we passed through it and there was no smell of smoke.

I'm sure NCL aren't mad and expect folk to eat in restaurants while being plagued with smoke.

 

 

Hiya,

 

I agree with you, NCL can't be mad, which is why i'm just biding my time and reading all the reviews as they come in .

I'm sure the filter system must be good??? and the blog i read earlier definately implies a fairly large non smoking area of the casino but then i also read about smoke drifting into other areas so we shall see. Fingers crossed :)

 

BTW, you live in a beautiful country might i say, loved our holiday on Malta a few years ago and intend to cruise to Malta in the future as I think sailing into/out of Valetta must be magical!!

 

Sam :)

[editor@cruisecritic]

I didn't notice excessive smoke in the casino -- though yes, you really do have to plow through it to get from one end of the ship to another on that deck -- but it wasn't all that busy on our series of short cruises. May be busier in the Caribbean.

 

Carolyn

 

Hi Roger,

 

From the reviews I have read and even the CC video posted that Carolyn made it certainly seems that this is the case. No closed off area and restaurants and bars all leading off the casino - certainly Shanghais does and Taste is just below and open to the above deck where the casino is.

 

I also feel the same, if it were non smoking we would certainly have a flutter a number of times, it is actually something we had looked forward to doing as it's not a thing we do at home.

 

Sam :)

[editor@cruisecritic]

I did buy a few onboard and I think a can of Coke ran about $2.

 

Carolyn

 

We're attempting to decide whether to do the "all day" soft drink purchase plan which we understand is $6.25 a day or $43.75 pp per week. Can anyone provide me with the price of a single can (or serving) of a soft drink so we can do an analysis of the best way to go please?

[samnewbie]

I didn't notice excessive smoke in the casino -- though yes, you really do have to plow through it to get from one end of the ship to another on that deck -- but it wasn't all that busy on our series of short cruises. May be busier in the Caribbean.

 

Carolyn

 

 

Hi Carolyn,

 

Thanks , I must admit I didnt expect to have to walk through a casino so much to get to other areas, gambling being illegal to teens here in the UK (I expect it is in the US) I hadnt thought of my teen having to wander through a casino (she wouldnt be allowed through the door of one here).

 

I just thought you would have to actually 'want' to go to a casino and enter through a door. I said it earlier, clearly i'm naive about that! ...I can see why it is designed to make you walk through it now i think about it, that is not to say i agree with that marketing ploy.

 

Yes I expect it will be much busier for the Caribbean sailings and likewise on the Med ones (we sail Med Aug 2011) so plenty of time for more 'smoke' reports :D

 

Thanks again Carolyn, all your info is much appreciated.

 

You don't by any chance know the answer to my question about the Spa being ok for teens to use and what the cost would be for teens do you?

I'm wondering if it is adults only, though I know my 15yr old daughter can have treatments, we are planning a lovely relaxing mother / daughter pamper :)

 

Sam :)

[Endaar]

I had a couple of questions about menus from the main dining venues (Manhattan and Taste), so here is a sample for you:

 

Starters:

 

*Spinach, pear, blue cheese & pine nut salad with pesto dressing

*Vegetable samosa with cucumber mint sauce

*Roasted tomato soup with herb focaccia

 

Main Course:

 

*Chicken & shrimp curry with basmati rice & mango chutney

*Grilled pork chop with stone ground grits and Swiss chard

*Linguini & sun dried tomatoes with basil cream

 

 

Desserts (this is from memory as they didn't have menus to take away!)

*Key lime pie

*Cheesecake

*Cheese & biscuits

 

Was that the entire menu for a given night, or are there some 'standard' dishes that are always available?

 

Thanks,

Endaar

[orangegrove]

Hi Carolyn,

You don't by any chance know the answer to my question about the Spa being ok for teens to use and what the cost would be for teens do you?

I'm wondering if it is adults only, though I know my 15yr old daughter can have treatments, we are planning a lovely relaxing mother / daughter pamper :)

 

Sam :)

 

Spa is adult only, I can't remember if over 18 or 21.

[CaptData]

They mentioned a teen spa treatment but what exactly it is I do not know. They also mentioned that they do have a mother daughter one. It can only be booked on board.

[samnewbie]

Spa is adult only, I can't remember if over 18 or 21.

 

 

Hiya!

 

Thanks for that, shame as my daughter would of loved 'chilling' in the Spa with us

 

Sam :)

[samnewbie]

They mentioned a teen spa treatment but what exactly it is I do not know. They also mentioned that they do have a mother daughter one. It can only be booked on board.

 

Hiya!

 

Yes i seem to remember reading that they would be offering teens skin treatments etc and definately a mother/daughter thing, also a father/son thing i think, though what the 'things' were I cannot remember exactly!

 

Yes I think you are correct about the treatments only being bookable onboard.

 

Thanks,

 

Sam :)

[lantzwr]

It's $2.50 plus 18%. But what the hey, your a Barrington guy, no problem. :p

 

Fruit juices are free. That's why we go for bloody Marys and screw drivers and pop for $60 for a liter of vodka. (Must be purchased 2 weeks before sailing)

 

 

Your poor Riverside (poor man's Barrington) cousin. :D

John

 

Hey John,

 

We have never sailed NCL before, but based on your Vodka comment, it suggests that you can buy liquor ahead of time from NCL for your room. Is that true? We are sailing the EPIC over Halloween, and would love to be able to purchase some. Thanks for any info on this.

[paul8]

Kelly,

 

On an upcomming cruise I have 12518 which is in the middle of 12516 & 12520. Can you tell is this has a window and if so is it thru the door?

 

Thanks,

[fi'fi]

Hiya!

 

Thanks for that, shame as my daughter would of loved 'chilling' in the Spa with us

 

Sam :)

I found this.

 

Manis, pedis and more for kids ... Young cruisers get their own roster of treatments created around the ME! Bath line of ice-cream themed products (although ice cream itself isn't expected to be dished up at the spa, NCL spokeswoman Courtney Recht says it's a possibility). Treatments include the ME! Bath Ice Cream Manicure and Pedicure and a ME! Bath Ice Cream Social, an opportunity for a group of kids to get together and test out the products. There are also mother-daughter and father-son massage options for family bonding.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Okay check this out

http://epicmadhatters.blogspot.com/

Seems as if this blogger doesn't think that smoke will be a problem.

And by the way he confirms the ICE RINK!

 

Thanks for the blogspot I kept laughing and reading to my DH. The perfect after work relax time--oh yes and the glass of wine. I will have to try the martini clinic!

[Uniall]

Hey John,

 

We have never sailed NCL before, but based on your Vodka comment, it suggests that you can buy liquor ahead of time from NCL for your room. Is that true? We are sailing the EPIC over Halloween, and would love to be able to purchase some. Thanks for any info on this.

 

Yes but it must be purchased at least two weeks before sailing. Place your order through a NCL persoanl cruise consultant.

[BruinsFan08]

Hey John,

 

We have never sailed NCL before, but based on your Vodka comment, it suggests that you can buy liquor ahead of time from NCL for your room. Is that true? We are sailing the EPIC over Halloween, and would love to be able to purchase some. Thanks for any info on this.

 

Hey Rob,

 

I ordered the bar setup through groupeventepic@ncl.com

 

She said that they didn't have a menu, but she could answer any questions about specific alcohol. I asked about bourbon and vodka and here were the offerings and prices (yes, I know that none of the whiskeys are bourbon...)

 

"For bourbon we offer Seagram’s 7 Crown for $63.00, Jack Daniel’s Black for $83.00 and Crown Royal for $103.00.

For vodka we offer Smirnoff Red Label for $63.00, Absolute for $83.00 and Grey Goose for $103.00."

 

I then ordered, paid for it and saved the confirmation email.

 

Jamie