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

[DMorris]

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.

 

Thank you so much for the info... was trying to figure out how to do our group of 8 and now I know... thanks for the great review.

[maja]

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.

 

Another good feature of upstairs is that if you have to leave, there's no one behind you to disturb. I had read they ask that you stay seated for safety reasons but upstairs you would not be in anyone's way. The couple seated next to me had to leave early & just got up & left.

[Arubamoose]

You just made all of us NESSers VERY HAPPY.

 

Just downloaded them and making up a spread sheet for all the events and entertainment so we can preplan.

 

Thanks again!!

[maja]

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

 

Thanks soooo much for the link!

[Sundae]

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: :(

 

I just checked. The only thing I can book are excursions.

[Sundae]

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

 

Up until a few weeks ago, all the dining was available to book online as it was available 90 days prior to sailing. So a few of the members on the roll call started booking their specialty dining.

 

Then the option to book the dining disappeared and those people who pre-booked called NCL and was told their reservations stands. Just subsequent reservations (dining, entertainment, everything) would need to be booked once onboard.

 

Aug 11 is our 45 days, so we'll see if they bring those options back online for advance booking.

[Sundae]

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.

 

I'm on a b2b and I have the same room. I was told I would have to get off the ship to a special room to clear customs and then come back to the ship. I didn't realize I could stay on the ship...?!

[mitsugirly]

I just checked. The only thing I can book are excursions.

 

When I booked my reservations for dinning, it was 90 days out. I got everything booked. Then 45 days out is when the entertainment could be booked. About 60 days out, I think, they decided to make everything 45 days out. Since I had already booked my dinner, they remained, but the tab to click on to book it went away. Once we hit 45 days out, they all showed up and I was able to continue to book.

 

To this day, I still have ALL the tabs (entertainment, dinning, and excursions). I'm 36 days out. So, if they changed it to no longer being able to book online at all, then that's hard to believe. Otherwise all my tabs wouldn't be still there in order for me to continue to book. :eek:

 

Just make sure you are 45 days out and try again. Keep us posted.

[Sundae]

When I booked my reservations for dinning, it was 90 days out. I got everything booked. Then 45 days out is when the entertainment could be booked. About 60 days out, I think, they decided to make everything 45 days out. Since I had already booked my dinner, they remained, but the tab to click on to book it went away. Once we hit 45 days out, they all showed up and I was able to continue to book.

 

To this day, I still have ALL the tabs (entertainment, dinning, and excursions). I'm 36 days out. So, if they changed it to no longer being able to book online at all, then that's hard to believe. Otherwise all my tabs wouldn't be still there in order for me to continue to book. :eek:

 

Just make sure you are 45 days out and try again. Keep us posted.

 

I'll find out August 11, that's my 45 days out. I've put a reminder on my calendar to do that.

[mitsugirly]

I'll find out August 11, that's my 45 days out. I've put a reminder on my calendar to do that.

 

Just to let you know. Everyone was telling us that when they say 45 days out...it means EXACTLY 45 days out (meaning you leave on the ship at 4pm, that's when it will become available). A lot of people said this and said that on the 45th day out, it wasn't showing up (then later discovered that once it hit 4pm, it did).

 

However, everyone on my cruise started checking first thing in the morning and they were available. We did not have to wait until 4pm.

 

I just wanted to let you know that if you did hear 4pm, still check in the morning and see because it just may be available for you the way it was for all of us. :)

[orangegrove]

I'm on a b2b and I have the same room. I was told I would have to get off the ship to a special room to clear customs and then come back to the ship. I didn't realize I could stay on the ship...?!

 

You have to get off the ship...you will get a letter in your stateroom that has the procedure. You only need your key card, passport, and customs info. You will wait in the terminal until they open up the ship again.

[Mysschevous]

Hi Mike,

 

Any idea on when you might be able to post the teen daily?

 

Thanks. :)

[sdmike]

Hi Mike,

 

Any idea on when you might be able to post the teen daily?

 

Thanks. :)

 

It won't until next week when I get home. Sorry! :(

[Mysschevous]

Thanks for the update. The good news for me, is that I sail the week after that! Still gives my teens a while to salivate.

lol

[jusgorjus]

I'm sailing on my first cruise in October and I'm very excited. Thanks so much sdmike for really giving me an idea of what to expect. My fam and me will be sharing a villa (16000), and thanks to your pix I have an idea of where it is on the ship. Again, loved the pix and really appreciate your efforts on the daily log.:o:o:o

[Sundae]

You have to get off the ship...you will get a letter in your stateroom that has the procedure. You only need your key card, passport, and customs info. You will wait in the terminal until they open up the ship again.

 

That's what I thought.

[Sundae]

Just to let you know. Everyone was telling us that when they say 45 days out...it means EXACTLY 45 days out (meaning you leave on the ship at 4pm, that's when it will become available). A lot of people said this and said that on the 45th day out, it wasn't showing up (then later discovered that once it hit 4pm, it did).

 

However, everyone on my cruise started checking first thing in the morning and they were available. We did not have to wait until 4pm.

 

I just wanted to let you know that if you did hear 4pm, still check in the morning and see because it just may be available for you the way it was for all of us. :)

 

I would've thought at midnight, 45 days out is when you can start checking. Not after 4pm. LOL

[sdmike]

I would've thought at midnight, 45 days out is when you can start checking. Not after 4pm. LOL

 

They might have a better handle on this now, but when I hit 45 days out it didn't show up at midnight of day 45. I was actually hoping midnight EST, which would have been 9am where I live. It showed up for my account the next morning. When I checked at 8am I was able to make reservations.

[dnl_in_Illinois]

I'm sailing on my first cruise in October and I'm very excited. Thanks so much sdmike for really giving me an idea of what to expect. My fam and me will be sharing a villa (16000), and thanks to your pix I have an idea of where it is on the ship. Again, loved the pix and really appreciate your efforts on the daily log.:o:o:o

 

Hello jusgorjus. We're sailing next week and will be in 16010 Villa. We're obvously looking forward to it. Just wanted to give you a heads up as others have been surprised about this. Some view it as a positive, others are disappointed. The 16000 Villa is in the front of the ship. It *does not* have a balcony/veranda. It has windows that open. The positive is that it gives you a little more room. The negative (to some) is that you do not have the balcony. Somewhere there if a photo of your suite, but I am sorry I can not say where it is on the boards. Have fun!

[cruizer2d]

Hi, thanks so much for a great review. I have to admit I scanned some of it ( have to be at work by 3 pm), but when I have time ,I'll read it all. I just booked a BA for 12/11 Western Carib. We are really interested in the casino, and I'm not sure if you covered it, except for the smoking issue. Could you touch on it, or direct me to the day you were there? Again, thanks--this review has made me even more excited!!!:)

[cavmom]

for all of the information you have shared with us! I'll be sure to look for your posts on any cruises we may book!

 

My question:

1. Does the Epic have a special commemorative cup for the soda card or just a generic cup?

2. Did you see an ornament that looks like the ship? You know, the typical NCL oval ornament for around $10. I would hate to think that our "collection" will be incomplete.

 

Have a great day!

Marianne

[Sundae]

They might have a better handle on this now, but when I hit 45 days out it didn't show up at midnight of day 45. I was actually hoping midnight EST, which would have been 9am where I live. It showed up for my account the next morning. When I checked at 8am I was able to make reservations.

 

So it's the day after the 45 day mark?

[sdmike]

Hi, thanks so much for a great review. I have to admit I scanned some of it ( have to be at work by 3 pm), but when I have time ,I'll read it all. I just booked a BA for 12/11 Western Carib. We are really interested in the casino, and I'm not sure if you covered it, except for the smoking issue. Could you touch on it, or direct me to the day you were there? Again, thanks--this review has made me even more excited!!!:)

 

I'm not a "casino person", so I don't much to share about it. They had about a billion slot machines of every game known to man, and the basic card tables as well. 3-card poker was the only game I wasn't familiar with. They also had roulette and craps, plus slot tournaments and poker tournaments as well. There will be a coupon when you receive your paperwork that entitles you to $20 worth of play for $10.

[sdmike]

for all of the information you have shared with us! I'll be sure to look for your posts on any cruises we may book!

 

My question:

1. Does the Epic have a special commemorative cup for the soda card or just a generic cup?

2. Did you see an ornament that looks like the ship? You know, the typical NCL oval ornament for around $10. I would hate to think that our "collection" will be incomplete.

 

Have a great day!

Marianne

 

Didn't see the cup, but unfortunately no ornament when I was there. :(

[sdmike]

So it's the day after the 45 day mark?

 

No, it's the 45th day mark. Just don't expect it, for example, you have 45 days and 6 hours. :) It will be 45 days or under.