N.E.S.S-Sign in here Epic Stalkers!

[sdmike]

Hey guys! You're right...just no time to post (and no desire to pay $55 for 100 minutes of internet. My ship bill is already up over $1k with no ceiling in sight. lol! I will email some of my fellow stalkers the picture link once I get them posted. I will also post hundreds of pictures on a new thread when I can. Right now the sea is like glass, and there's a party going on!! :)

We never made it into Costa Maya due to high seas and an unprotected port, but Mark at Maya Chan has already refunded our money. The day in Roatan was MY BEST DAY ON A CRUISE EVER! Wait until you hear about it and see the pictures. You guys will freak out. :)

It's the general consensus from our group that this is our best cruise ever. My folks have been on over a dozen cruises on 5 different lines, and they're having a BLAST. You guys have a real treat in store for you. As NESS members I know you are being optimists when you read any negatives, but take it from me...IGNORE THE NEGATIVITY! It's just not true. We have not found one thing wrong with this trip so far.

Here is some random info that I'll post in my review of the cruise (I'm up to 15 pages). Sorry, no pictures yet, but I will try to post a few from the airport tomorrow. They will blow you away!

[B]Misc Notes[/B]

Ok, I posted all kinds of info about the ship during the logs, but a few things stuck out that were either persistent questions, incorrect, or interesting. Here are some observations.

[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]The bathroom and showers have fans that run all the time
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]The doors between balconies open using a tool that your room steward has. Any balcony, not just for connecting rooms.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]We LOVE the bathroom layout, never once had any of the noise, smell, intrusion, etc. issues that people feared
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Cigarette smoke was not an issue for us at any time on the cruise. Yes, people smoke in the casino, but we were never bothered by it when walking through. We were also not bothered by it on the pool deck. Quite frankly, it seemed that not that many people smoked on our cruise.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Nothing is crowded. Even on sunny days the pools and pool deck were not jammed. Busy, but very tolerable. We always saw empty loungers around the ship. The only exception to crowds is on deck 6 by the theater when BMG lets out as people are waiting in line for Cirque. Then you get congestion for about 15 minutes.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]The rooms are well insulated for sound. You can hear neighbors occasionally, but we were surprised how quiet everything was
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]We did not see any Keno in the casino. There were craps, poker, blackjack, roulette, and several other table games, and lots and lots of slot machines.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Food was plentiful and good. We never ordered room service or pizza because of all the other choices (Noodle bar is my favorite), but we hear it was top notch.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Not everything goes on sale the last day. The watches and jewelry are “on sale” all week. The main gift shops don’t have sales the last day. There were 3-4 days where they would “introduce” new sales either at the Marketplace on 15 or in an island sales desk on 7 among the Tradewinds shops. Items included $10 items, such as watches and other things, perfect for teens that needed to be reminded what time to check in. [FONT=Wingdings]J[/FONT] On the last day they had Epic T-shirts 2 for $20, and other items 50% off, up at the Marketplace. At the same time they introduced the typical $19.95 watch sets that also included a keychain or calculator in a gift box. I’m sure it’s all junk, but might make nice gifts for people watching your pets.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Pastries in the Atrium coffee shop are free, coffee is free, but specialty coffees cost money. It’s good stuff though
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]There is an ATM on the ship in the Casino where you can get cash before going ashore. The information desk will also change this into small bills for you. The ATM is pretty steep. The one time I used it I paid $5 to withdraw $200. Yikes.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Having elevators only at the ends has not been an issue for us. There are 8 on each end and they are fast and efficient. The ends of the ship are where you will do the most travelling, as the entertainment venues and Garden Café are at the ends. It’s also easy to travel between decks 5, 6 and 7 (the public areas) at mid-ship using escalators and stairs. Maybe if your room was mid-ship it would be a little bit of a hassle, but since we were right below the Garden Café it was very easy for us to get around.
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]Red elevator signage and even numbers are port size. Blue elevator signage and odd numbers on starboard
[FONT=Symbol]· [/FONT]There are only a couple of power plugs in each room. One is in the medicine cabinet (multiple voltages) and one two plug outlet next to the stool. We brought a power strip so we could charge multiple things, like my ipad, laptop and phone, as well as the kid’s Nintendo games.

[sdmike]

[quote name='14ersco']Wow, I wander off to the desert for a couple weeks and the stalkers go crazy on this thread. Now after reading a dozen plus pages I'm caught up. :rolleyes:

Mike - Thanks for the posts from the Epic this week. Looking forward to your review since we are on the 2nd Western cruise.


Earlier there was discussion on booking flights and baggage fees. For us we booked our flights the first week of January for our flight next week. It was a good thing we booked then since bag fees increased another $5 per bag for all new bookings in early February. Also many of the airlines charge a higher baggage fee (additional $2-5 per bag) if you check in at the airport and not on-line. Since we will not be on-line during the cruise for our flight home I located the libraries of Broward County closest to FLL that are open on Saturdays (free internet) to check in on-line and save a few dollars. :D[/quote]

I have some advice for your excursions. Let me know if you have any questions. I HIGHLY recommend using Victor Bodden for a "zip and dip" tour on Roatan. OMG did we have fun! We did zip lines, played with monkeys, and spent the afternoon on one of the most gorgeous beaches I've ever seen. You're in for a treat!!

[sdmike]

Bye again folks! Will check in later!

[14ersco]

[quote name='sdmike']I have some advice for your excursions. Let me know if you have any questions. I HIGHLY recommend using Victor Bodden for a "zip and dip" tour on Roatan. OMG did we have fun! We did zip lines, played with monkeys, and spent the afternoon on one of the most gorgeous beaches I've ever seen. You're in for a treat!![/quote]

Great to hear about Victor! We are booked for the Zip n Dip. :cool: Was going to do the private tour, but once I showed DS (7) Victor's web site with the zip lines & monkeys we asked Victor to switch. Which beach did you go to after Victor's house? Sorry to hear you missed Costa Maya. Your review in the previous post sounds great.
Thanks, Dave

[samnewbie]

[quote name='sdmike']Bye again folks! Will check in later![/quote]

Glad you are all having a blast Mike , loved your snippets - brilliant, especially pleased about the smoke 'non' isssue .
Looking forward to reading more and seeing some pics, many thanks, i'm grinning away and i still have over a year to wait!!! :eek:

Sam :)

[mitsugirly]

[quote name='sdmike']hi guys! Just checking in between Cozumel and Miami! If you have any questions, please post them while I am still here. I'm paying $.75 per minute so I'll check in briefly later. I have a huge write-up and over 1400 pictures (don't worry, I won't post all of them. lol) to share.

Our group of 11 have unanimously decided this is our best cruise vacation EVER! My parents have been on more than a dozen cruises from NCL, RCI, Carnival, Princess and Celebrity, and they LOVE the Epic. I have lots of info to share tomorrow, so stay tuned! Again, I'll check in here later. Time to go play!![/quote]

This is so good to hear. I can't wait for your review...even at 15 pages! :eek: I'll have to devote a non-school night to reading that one. Hopefully you'll have it up this weekend.

[quote name='azfirsttime']Tease!!![/quote]

AGREED!!! :D

[quote name='hazeleyes']So glad you posted! I hope you will share a link with us to all your pictures. I can never see enough. This is like watching a soap opera. Stay tuned for his next post lol..[/quote]

I would definitely like that link and would LOVE to see all the pictures. Queen stalker here=can't get enough....(even though I only have 42 days to go). :p

[Adkmom]

Sad to hear about Costa Maya but thanks for taking a positive attitude and using it to have a great time. Just what I needed to hear after my stressfull week cant wait till oct. so excited. Looking forward to full review.

Just have to share my Irish Festival Feet then I promise no more feet photos.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Mike---you are the ultimate hero! Thanks for the info for Roatan --DH and I plan to do some type of SNUBA thing since we did zip lines in Mexico and wanted something different but...hmmm maybe this will be a rethink. I can't wait to see all of the pictures and read the review. :D

[miniwheat]

Thanks for all the positive feedback, I knew you wouldn't let us down.:D I can't wait for the pictures and more review, enjoy yourself!!:D

[kerrytens]

Thanks Mike for whetting our appetites for the big review:D I can't wait to read more and see those photos - I'm up for seeing over 1000, post 'em all!

[sdmike]

Well guys, one glitch today. Someone took my son's cruise card out of the teen room (they put it in a binder to check out video games) and before we discovered it missing some little felon had run up over $150 in game room charges on all the video games. I was unhappy with how the attendant handled the issue and called the head of kids programs directly. It's also becoming a bit of a headache getting these fees getting taken off my account, but I will persevere. :) Of course now nobody is allowed to play the PS3 games in the teen club (jeez) until they come up with a new procedure for handling the cards. Oh well. We're not letting it rain on our parade.

Today we had dinner at O'Sheehans and had a meet and greet with the Blue Man performers. Still thinking buying a nice watch, but wife keeps giving me a dirty look. lol

Ok..check in with you all tomorrow!

[samnewbie]

[quote name='sdmike']Well guys, one glitch today. Someone took my son's cruise card out of the teen room (they put it in a binder to check out video games) and before we discovered it missing some little felon had run up over $150 in game room charges on all the video games. I was unhappy with how the attendant handled the issue and called the head of kids programs directly. It's also becoming a bit of a headache getting these fees getting taken off my account, but I will persevere. :) Of course now nobody is allowed to play the PS3 games in the teen club (jeez) until they come up with a new procedure for handling the cards. Oh well. We're not letting it rain on our parade.

Today we had dinner at O'Sheehans and had a meet and greet with the Blue Man performers. Still thinking buying a nice watch, but wife keeps giving me a dirty look. lol

Ok..check in with you all tomorrow![/quote]


Hi Mike,

Thats awful about the card, hope NCL do the right thing and take the charges off your account, it really shouldnt be a headache, they should remove them without question in my opinion.

Buy the watch Mike, just buy your wife something equally as nice (or nicer of course) that she would like :D - That is what i would [I]suggest[/I] to my husband anyway! lol :D

Enjoy the remainder of your cruise and hope they sort those charges out!

Sam :)

[lovestocruise325]

I am glad to hear about the zip & dip, we also booked that tour. I was wondering if the lines are adequate for teenagers. I also hope they fix your problem and find away to be sure that cannot happen again. Glad you had a great trip and can't wait for ALL the comments and suggestions. Thank you for all your time and effort.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Yikes...sorry about the card issue. I agree handle the main issue taking care of the customer and than worry about procedure change. I hope it all works out. As a DW if the DH buys a little trinket for himself what always works for moi is some new techno gadget and spa treatments:) I'm sooo easy..but don't tell him! LOL

[mitsugirly]

You now have me thinking about where I want to go on my next cruise!!! Western! :D Even though I've been western before, where you went are different ports than where I've been. Hmmm

[sdmike]

I am sorry to say we are back in Miami. It is 6am and I woke up as we turned around in the basin. We got a $140 credit for the card issue, and I did not buy the Tissot watch...even though the shops were open until 11 last night.just another reason to cruise again. Think if i hide under the bed I can back-to-back? :)

[Adkmom]

The worst moment on a cruise is when you realize it is over. Then you start planing for another one!!! Travel home safe and post those photos and reviews. Hope you have dailies that would be awesome. Glad you had a great time.

[coastalcarolinakid]

We are considering the zip & dip in roatan. You may have just convinced us to change our excursion of the glass bottom kayaks. We sail in the next Western in a week. Any comments you want to add will be appreciated.

Glad to hear you had a great time.

[kerrytens]

Wow Mike, sorry about the card and the hassles you have having (most of) the charges removed. Glad the rest of the cruise could easily overshadow this event.

Welcome home! I can't wait to read more about your time onboard.

[sdmike]

[quote name='Adkmom']The worst moment on a cruise is when you realize it is over. Then you start planing for another one!!! Travel home safe and post those photos and reviews. Hope you have dailies that would be awesome. Glad you had a great time.[/QUOTE]

I have every daily. I will post them when I get home in another 10 days and get them scanned.

[sdmike]

We are considering the zip & dip in roatan. You may have just convinced us to change our excursion of the glass bottom kayaks. We sail in the next Western in a week. Any comments you want to add will be appreciated.

 

Glad to hear you had a great time.

 

If you looking for one of those huge nail biter zip canopy tours this might disappoint, but our group ranging from 9 to 73 thought it was perfect. There are a dozen lines you go down with longest a couple hundred yards. We were tired and happy when done, then moved on to visit the monkey cages (yes, I have pics of monkeys onme). The driver ten took us to the infinity bay resort where theyhadthe most beautiful beach, food and drink, and snorkeling. I will post pics in the next couple of days. Right now I am at the airport :(

[youngestof9]

welcome back Mike. I'm an obsessive lurker/stalker on this thread and really enjoyed your comments. Sorry you're back, but that only means one week closer for me!

 

I had to laugh at the "my wife gave me a dirty look" comment about the watch. LOL!!!

 

Sorry about the teen club thing - I'll have to watch that with my daughter when we go.

 

Thanks for your feedback and welcome home!

[coastalcarolinakid]

If you looking for one of those huge nail biter zip canopy tours this might disappoint, but our group ranging from 9 to 73 thought it was perfect. There are a dozen lines you go down with longest a couple hundred yards. We were tired and happy when done, then moved on to visit the monkey cages (yes, I have pics of monkeys onme). The driver ten took us to the infinity bay resort where theyhadthe most beautiful beach, food and drink, and snorkeling. I will post pics in the next couple of days. Right now I am at the airport :(

 

Sounds perfect for us. Myself, wife, son - 17, and daughter - 12. I think my wife is going to cancel the glass bottom kayaks and book this one on Monday. Thanks again.

[miniwheat]

I'm so glad the Epic handled the card problem the right way, I can't wait to here more about your trip. Did the monkeys get to carried away, I work with animals for a living but I have a fear of monkeys.:(

[Bgem75]

Mike,

Keep it coming!! SO GLAD YOU HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!! Waiting to hear the rest of your review!! Now I am getting even more excited!!! Sometimes these negative people get in your head but i only have 41 days left and so far your review is making me get more and more excited!!

ps enjoy the rest of your vacation!