sdmike's review & daily diary of Epic's inaugural western Caribbean cruise

[sdmike]

Hi SdMike...loved everything...May I ask what hotel u stayed @ before cruise? I love those views.:D:cool::)

 

That was the Downtown Hilton. We stayed there because we loved the huge Jr. Suite they had. The other hotels couldn't guarantee me a good room for the 5 of us.

[sdmike]

Awesome review & photos, Mike!!

 

Thanks again for taking the time to post & answer all of our questions!

I found many invaluablebits of information for my own cruise.

 

Oh yeah... I especially appreciate that many are taking your advice in Roatan and taking Bodden tours and going to Infinity Beach... :D

 

Leaving Tabyana Beach virtually empty! <--it's my fav beach ever!. LOL

 

Ahhh.. life is good ! LOL THANK YOU!

 

Careful, or I'll change my recommendation to Tabyana! lol. Actually, I'm sure all the beaches are awesome there. That water was body temperature and crystal clear!

[sdmike]

Hi there. See my comments below

 

I'm going on a b2b beginning Sept 25 (Eastern & Western) and was absolutely bowled over by your detailed review. I've written down a few of the things you noted. I'm actually surprised the ship does not provided conditioner or bar soaps. You'd think that's standard.

 

Luckily I had some bar soap in my travel kit that I picked up in hotels. I don't mind the shower gels, but I find soap easier to use. Both the soap and shampoo were in a dispenser. They did sell conditioner in the spa (expensive) and in the sundries shop.

Did you attend the Jeff Hobson Magic show more than once? Someone posted the Dailies of the Eastern itinerary and it shows up a few times so I'm wondering if his show changes throughout the cruise.

We only saw him once, but a couple of times he verified that the person he called on the audience had not been to a show earlier in the cruise. This tells me it's probably the same show. Not sure though.

 

I'm also booked on the Bodden Zip n Dip. Along with my confirmation was a voucher for a shuttle to their office/check in and van area. After reading your review, I'm wondering what the voucher is for if we can just walk to where we need to check in. Did everyone on your tour head to Infinity Bay for the "Dip" portion of the cruise or were there choices of beaches they would take you to?

 

Strange that they would include a voucher. It was literally a 3 minute walk from the ship to the van. I'm not sure what kind of transportation they're talking about. We had a "private" van because we had 11. We chose Infinity Bay but we had options. We just told him we wanted shade, food and beach in that order (had to keep my mom out of the sun). That's where he took us. I would imagine if you're a small group sharing the van with others you would have to decide as a group or go with some standard location....which might be Infinity Bay based on the number of Bodden drivers I saw.

 

Did you have breakfast in the main dining room at all? If you did, how were the selections?

 

Never did. My kids LOVED the buffet and being able to eat whatever they wanted. The variety was awesome.

 

We are also considering the Cirque Dreams with standard seating. Were you able to pick where you wanted to be seated or was availability (closer to the "stage") based on first come first serve?

 

There were two lines to get in, a preferred line and a standard line. When we walked up there was nobody waiting, and we were taken upstairs to seats overlooking the performance area. The way they greeted us and escorted us upstairs made me think that upstairs was standard, and downstairs was preferred. There were probably only 30-25 seats upstairs, and I think there were a quite a few more downstairs. I'm really not sure if the downstairs tables further away from the stage were standard or premium. We basically picked our 11 seats upstairs because we were the first ones there. I really don't know how it worked downstairs at the tables.

 

 

Thanks,

Katherine

[sdmike]

Thanks so much for the great review.

 

One question, do they have liquid soap dispenser by the sink or should I bring my own soap?

 

Thanks.

 

There is a liquid soap dispenser at the sink. There are hand sanitizers all over the ship too. Also, be prepared for them to spray your hands with sanitizer (a crew member does it) when you board.

[sdmike]

Thanks everyone for the kind words about the diary. I was really debating whether to try to write a ship review, or instead write about our experience and what we discovered, how we felt about it, etc... hoping that the "review" part would come through. I'm glad you guys enjoyed it and were able to discover tidbits of information you would find valuable.

 

I have a lot more pictures socked away, so if you have any questions or want to see certain things just ask. I'm still away from home (visiting family), but will scan any missing dailies, etc. when I get back to San Diego.

 

:)

 

Mike

[Dadmech]

Hi Mike, were massages included with your spa package? DW loved your review of the spa and would like a massage also during the week.

Thanks in advance!

Again, thank you for the terrific review! :D

[Sundae]

Hi there. See my comments below

 

 

Thanks for the quick response.

 

I took a look at my confirmation, I got the voucher email confused with Costa Maya's Native Choice tours. It wasn't Bodden Tours.

 

For the 5:30pm showing of Cirque Dreams, how early did you show up to line up?

 

I think you're right that downstairs is the preferred. I looked at the pictures posted on here of the "tent" and it seems your view of the stage area could be blocked by the second level overhead. If you happen to be sitting further from the stage area on the preferred level, that is.

 

Were there many seats back from the edge of the railings? How would people be able to see if the show's happening on the lower level and you happen to sit on the second level, further away from the railing?

 

I guess my confusion is stemming from not understanding how their performance will be done and with a bi-level set up of the seats.

[Sundae]

I am also booked for the dip & zip but I did not get the shuttle transfer that you spoke about. Did your confirmation come through the mail or on-line? Thanks for sharing.

 

I took a look at my confirmation, I got the voucher email confused with Costa Maya's Native Choice tours. It wasn't Bodden Tours.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

[mitsugirly]

I think you're right that downstairs is the preferred. I looked at the pictures posted on here of the "tent" and it seems your view of the stage area could be blocked by the second level overhead. If you happen to be sitting further from the stage area on the preferred level, that is.

 

Were there many seats back from the edge of the railings? How would people be able to see if the show's happening on the lower level and you happen to sit on the second level, further away from the railing?

 

I guess my confusion is stemming from not understanding how their performance will be done and with a bi-level set up of the seats.

 

I have not cruised yet (37 more days) but everything that I have read and the same questions I've ask others that have, the seating upstairs is fabulous. You can see everything and there is nothing in your way during the show. People have stated you get a "front row seat" up there. There is only 1 row of seats along the edges, so everyone can see. However, I've heard a lot of complaints about people being downstairs (not within the first 2 areas closest to the stage) that was not able to see or was in an awkward position to turn their heads or their entire body around in order to see the show while eating.

[pupskie]

OMG. December 4th is not soon enough!

 

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!

[Sundae]

I have not cruised yet (37 more days) but everything that I have read and the same questions I've ask others that have, the seating upstairs is fabulous. You can see everything and there is nothing in your way during the show. People have stated you get a "front row seat" up there. There is only 1 row of seats along the edges, so everyone can see. However, I've heard a lot of complaints about people being downstairs (not within the first 2 areas closest to the stage) that was not able to see or was in an awkward position to turn their heads or their entire body around in order to see the show while eating.

 

That makes more sense then if it's one row around the railing upstairs. I'd imagine the show happens on the lower level and we would be looking down. And assumed correctly those sitting on the lower level further from the stage might not have such a great view.

 

I cruise in 51 days.

[mitsugirly]

That makes more sense then if it's one row around the railing upstairs. I'd imagine the show happens on the lower level and we would be looking down. And assumed correctly those sitting on the lower level further from the stage might not have such a great view.

 

I cruise in 51 days.

 

Also, from what I've read, there is a lot of it done up high and you are face to face with them as well. So, you won't be looking down all the time. :D Some of the best seats in the house have been recommended to be upstairs (unless you want the interaction with them in the show where they pull you from the audience. Then you'll need the higher priced seats).

[Bgem75]

Also, from what I've read, there is a lot of it done up high and you are face to face with them as well. So, you won't be looking down all the time. :D Some of the best seats in the house have been recommended to be upstairs (unless you want the interaction with them in the show where they pull you from the audience. Then you'll need the higher priced seats).

 

What did you end up booking? standard or premium?

We did standard.

[DMorris]

Hi there... since you had a large group of 11... were you able to pre-book your large group for the specialty dining before boarding? If so how did you do it?

[Sundae]

Also, from what I've read, there is a lot of it done up high and you are face to face with them as well. So, you won't be looking down all the time. :D Some of the best seats in the house have been recommended to be upstairs (unless you want the interaction with them in the show where they pull you from the audience. Then you'll need the higher priced seats).

 

I was initially considering the preferred seats downstairs thinking I would be able to see better. But if it's just the same on the second level for standard seating, I think I'm going with that.

[mitsugirly]

What did you end up booking? standard or premium?

We did standard.

 

I did standard and I'm going to fight anyone that tries to keep me off the 2nd floor. :eek: j/k

[Sundae]

Hi there... since you had a large group of 11... were you able to pre-book your large group for the specialty dining before boarding? If so how did you do it?

 

There was a pre-book option for all entertainment, dining and excursions under your account on www.ncl.com. Pre-booking was meant to start 45 days before your sailing.

 

Someone in my Sept 25 roll call posted that that option is gone now because NCL is not letting anymore pre-bookings take place over the internet. All bookings require you to be onboard to do. That was what the customer rep told him over the phone when he called.

[mitsugirly]

There was a pre-book option for all entertainment, dining and excursions under your account on www.ncl.com. Pre-booking was meant to start 45 days before your sailing.

 

Someone in my Sept 25 roll call posted that that option is gone now because NCL is not letting anymore pre-bookings take place over the internet. All bookings require you to be onboard to do. That was what the customer rep told him over the phone when he called.

 

You can still book the reservations online. Mine are still there and others are still booking. I just booked something else last week. So, you can still book online.

 

I hate that every person that calls NCL is getting different answers for everything. :eek: :(

[DMorris]

They have restricted pre-booking for both entertainment and dining to 45 days out... that I know.

 

My question was since Mike had a large group of 11... if he pre-booked or did it onboard the ship. :D

[sdmike]

Thanks for the quick response.

 

I took a look at my confirmation, I got the voucher email confused with Costa Maya's Native Choice tours. It wasn't Bodden Tours.

 

For the 5:30pm showing of Cirque Dreams, how early did you show up to line up?

 

I think you're right that downstairs is the preferred. I looked at the pictures posted on here of the "tent" and it seems your view of the stage area could be blocked by the second level overhead. If you happen to be sitting further from the stage area on the preferred level, that is.

 

Were there many seats back from the edge of the railings? How would people be able to see if the show's happening on the lower level and you happen to sit on the second level, further away from the railing?

 

I guess my confusion is stemming from not understanding how their performance will be done and with a bi-level set up of the seats.

 

We showed up around 5 - 5:10 for the 5:30 show and went right in. There were no seats further from the railing. All of the seats upstairs are right on the railing with a view down below through plexiglass.

[sdmike]

Hi there... since you had a large group of 11... were you able to pre-book your large group for the specialty dining before boarding? If so how did you do it?

 

We prebooked a group of 5 and a group of 6 online, then showed up at the restaurant together even if our times were not the same. We had no problem getting seated together. The groups were done on different accounts, as you can only reserve up to 6 seats per account.

Edited August 5, 2010 by sdmike

[bluesea777]

There was a pre-book option for all entertainment, dining and excursions under your account on www.ncl.com. Pre-booking was meant to start 45 days before your sailing.

 

Someone in my Sept 25 roll call posted that that option is gone now because NCL is not letting anymore pre-bookings take place over the internet. All bookings require you to be onboard to do. That was what the customer rep told him over the phone when he called.

 

It's not 45 days to Sept 25 yet!! He should wait until next week.

[JustUs3]

That was the Downtown Hilton. We stayed there because we loved the huge Jr. Suite they had. The other hotels couldn't guarantee me a good room for the 5 of us.

 

 

THANK you so much:D:):cool:

[tecknicole]

Someone posted the Freestyle Dailies.. here is the Western cruise on the Epic for the week of the 24th.

(I go on the Oct. 30th Halloween cruise.. woo hoo!)

http://cid-6129292327b28253.office.live.com/self.aspx/Epic%20Dailies/Epic%20Western%20Dailies.pdf#resId/6129292327B28253!111

[maja]

On my previous back to backs if we didnt have the same room we had to pack all our items and our room steward would take the luggage to the new room. We had to wait in a designated area that the reception told us to wait at and they escorted us off the ship and then we got our new cards and got right back on. We were on the ship for a while before they started boarding others.

 

 

Isn't so weird when you're doing a back to back & everyone gets off the ship & it's just you, and a few others? It's so quiet & unreal. Then suddenly, the new passengers start arriving & everything comes back to life.