Epic Review 9/4 - 9/11/10. The good, the bad and the ugly....Part 1

[bluesea777]

On Epic shorts are not allowed in Le Bistro and Manhatten only. They are allowed in all others.

 

Jeans are now acceptable in all on rhe Epic.

 

Not sure about other ships nowadays.

 

Great review - keep them coming!! We loved Tabyana in Roatan.

[jdvmd]

Thanks so much for your concise review, Laura.

[cherylroslyn]

Great job with the review...it may have taken a little while...but you are doing an extraordinary job......

[EverdayShouldBeVacation]

My first CC post ....

 

I was on that same Blue Man Group Show with the drunk lady in the audience. I saw her again, this time sober, on the last night of the cruise. I think she was thinking of going to the 10 PM BMG show that night with a company this time. It was my first BMG show and it was kinda different in an interesting way but I enjoyed it especially the drums. :D

[LWcalif]

Oops, forgot to mention the Noodle Bar.

 

Enjoyed watching the cooks prepare the food in front of us. All fresh ingredients. IMHO this place is the hidden gem on the Epic. I passed by it many times throughout the cruise, and there were always seats available.

 

You've probably all seen the menu. What I didn't realize was how large the portions are. After we placed our order, the waitress asked "are you sure you want to order all that"? So we scaled down our original order to: Steamed pot stickers, combo fried rice, BBQ pork noodles in broth and chicken & vege noodles in broth.

 

I thought this was like the tappas places in SF, that only give you a bite or two for each portion. Not. The noodle bowls alone were a meal itself.

 

We couldn't eat everything. And our final bill was only $14. Good.

[kate_2010]

That's one thing I like with the Epic, although you have to pay extra on the other restaurants they were really not too expensive. We tried the Sushi and we had plenty of food for an $11 bill (including tip). I wish the circus was just a show, not with dinner.

[LSauls7537]

If you stay the night, we paid $119, paid for a room, they upgraded us to a huge suite, free breakfast, free shuttle to the port AND FREE PARKING FOR THE WEEK. We were there last Saturday for the Epic. FANTASTIC hotel, the staff treated us like we were VIP'S, called twice to make sure we were happy and ask if we had any questions etc. We've stayed at the Marriott, Hilton and other properties in Miami and this by far was hands above the rest the best. 20 min from port, 5 min from airport

 

Linda

[erdoran]

Which hotel was this?

[love2relax]

I believe they are talking about the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon, since that is the hotel that Laura said she stayed at in her first post.

[maja]

Enjoying your review! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[UK_Cruiser]

I'm switching the format of my review to categories instead of days, as I didn't write anything down while cruising - just going by memory. (and as I said earlier, it's not that good)

 

I brought copies of the dailies that were posted on CC so I would know what might be happening each day. Didn't even look at them. Bad.

 

The one thing I really wanted to see was the comedian/magician. He was there every night up until the last few. So by the time we got around to fitting it in to our schedule he was gone. Bad.

 

Second City

I know there were mixed reviews, but since it's improv, they can only do so much with what is shouted at them. We hit it on a good night, because we really enjoyed this show. Good.

 

Blue Man Group

I saw BMG many years ago in Vegas and didn't like it. So when I saw they would be on the Epic there was no way I was sitting through that show again. But after reading all the positive reviews, we decided to see it. Much, much better than the other one. Really enjoyed this show. Good.

 

Unfortunately, there was a very drunk woman in the theatre. She was shouting out loud to the BMG through the entire show. Kept standing and waving her arms trying to get picked. There appeared to be an empty seat next to her, so I think she was by herself. Everybody around her kept saying shhhhh over and over. Then at one point she yelled "I know what's going to happen next". Then the shhhh changed to "BE QUIET". I don't know why NCL didn't remove her from the theatre. She could have hurt herself or someone else stumbling through the aisle and up the stairs. She left towards the end of the show, but was unable to walk up the stairs on her own, so two gentlemen got up and each took an arm and got her up the stairs. NCL staff met them half way up and took over. Bad.

 

Murder Mystery

This one had mixed reviews, too. But we really enjoyed this show. I think it helped seeing Second City first, since they were all the same people, so, I felt like I knew the players. The food wasn't that great, but we weren't really there for the food. So this one rates a Good.

 

Cirque Dreams

Another one with mixed reviews. This one we didn't really care for. After reading all the reviews, we decided to do premium seating and hoped we could sit up front. I sent DD down over an hour before the show started to get in line. We were first in line, but the concierge brought down a bunch of suite room keys, so we weren't the first ones in. But there were still tons of good seats. I told the gal at the door who was assigning tables that we wanted to sit up front. So we were seated at the front of a table for 7. Great location. If we hadn't had this prime spot, I don't think I would have enjoyed the show as much. I really liked the acrobatics, but the acting part was just too drawn out. I noticed a bunch of people in the upper level get up and leave early. There were a lot of people in the lower section that had their backs to the show, so they had sit turned around to see it. Food was just OK. I can't really rate this one, as it wasn't good or bad.

 

Didn't get to see Slam Allen or Howl at the Moon. I'm sailing on the Epic again in December, so I've started a list of everything I didn't get to see and do this time......now if I can only remember to bring it with me. Good.

 

Slam is leaving in October but hopes to possibly be back in the new year.

[Firebuff66]

I believe the term is drink server, or waiter.

 

I'm sure the cruiseline does have a policy for cutting off people who have had too much, but for all YOU know, this might have been the first & only drink she BOUGHT onboard.....they'd have no way of knowing she was inebriated, or whether she had mental challenges, or whether she inadvertently mixed pharmaceuticals which shouldn't have been mixed.... PLUS, you don't know whether they even noticed her behave erratically AT ALL. (or at least you have not indicated that they knew).

 

You say "he could tell she was drunk". How do you know what HE could tell?

 

And you have no idea what desires would override good sense. Seems like you have a chip on your shoulder to do with tips & drink quotas....

 

I hear nothing that suggests those were the motivating factors behind the server accepting this lady's order.

 

 

Oh boy here we go, the Cruise Critic police have you now.

Is their any way we can put bullies like this guy on an ignore list?

 

Keep going like you are, Bullies like this are just looking for attention

[LWcalif]

Oh boy here we go, the Cruise Critic police have you now.

Is their any way we can put bullies like this guy on an ignore list?

 

Keep going like you are, Bullies like this are just looking for attention

 

I didn't go into this much detail about the drunk woman, he's quoting someone else who was at the same show.

 

Next report will be up shortly.

[LWcalif]

Pool towels - We each got an extra pool towel. We like two towels, especially on beach days. We filled out a form on the pool deck & when you return them on the last day, they tear up the form. They keep all the forms organized by cabin number. Otherwise you are charged $25 per towel. Good.

 

Casino - I mentioned in my previous post that I lost on the first night. Didn't go back until Thurs. night. Won $1k. Good.

 

Trivia Game - Attended a trivia game for the first time. We joined in with others, who thankfully knew most of the answers. It was fun. Good.

 

This is where I learned about the "signatures". Throughout the game people kept referring to signatures. We had no idea what they were talking about. So at the end, I went up to the line of those awaiting theirs. Apparantly, they give you a small credit card sized paper, that has squares around the edges for initials. Then, each time you attend an event, they give you a certain number of initials. Then, on day 7, they posted in the Daily from 4:00 - 6:00 pm was prize redemption in Bliss Lounge. Not sure what the prizes were, as we didn't think we had enough sigs to get anything. Maybe someone else can elaborate.

 

Internet - Not sure if it was everyday, but the couple of times I went to use their computers, there was a sign posted that said from 4:00 - 6:00 pm you could get 20 min. for the price of 10. Good.

 

Fitness Center - Really nice equipt. Good.

 

Each had their own TV, but the TV portion didn't work yet. All you could see was a picture of how far you went around a track. So bring your I-pods if you want entertainment while exercising. Bad.

 

Jogging Track - My 1st thought when I saw it was they must have finished the ship and then someone said "Oh crap, we forgot to put in a jogging track. Let's just stick it out on that walkway to nowhere on deck 7". If you want a good laugh for the day, go over and check out the track. I wish I'd taken a picture. If there are only a couple of people on it, it's OK. But, as it got more crowded, you couldn't pass anyone without going into the lane of the other side in some places. So serious runners or joggers, be prepared for lots of slowing and maneuvering around others. There's about a 50 ft. stretch where you can see the ocean, otherwise, you are running back and forth along the lifeboats. Bad.

 

Elevators - Not enough of them. The few times I used them, they were slow. Used the stairs almost every time. By the end of the trip I was actually able to walk up 6 - 8 flights without stopping, or giving in to take an elevator. There's a secret set of elevators at the spa/gym. Took it down one day, but it's not in an area where you would normally see it to go up. On the day we disembarked, we carried off our luggage. The first 6 elevators were packed with people and none of us could get on. So we ended up hitting the up button and riding up, then riding back down.

 

Side note about the elevators - The up and down buttons are slightly illuminated all the time. When you push them, they illuminate brighter. I noticed on many occasions people waiting for the elevators, watching them pass by their deck and not stopping because they thought the buttons were pushed.

 

Meet the Blue Man Group - On day 7 at 2 pm in the Atrium, NCL introduced the BMG and they talked about themselves and the show. Then it opened up for questions from the audience. Good.

 

Tip - show up early if you want to sit down, not too many chairs in this area. And ask them how they pick the "twinkie girl".

 

Bingo - I didn't get to play bingo for the free cruise, as it conflicted with something else. But we played one for I think a $1,500 top prize in Headliners. Didn't win anything. Bad. Had fun. Good.

 

Pools - Just got in for a quick dip twice to cool off. We also sat by the water sprayers around the outside of the pool area a couple of times. You definitely have to get there early for chairs near the water. But there are tons of chairs on the other decks open at all times. Good.

 

Deck 18 Loungers - Others had posted pics for an area on Deck 18, that was open to the public, that had padded loungers. The only loungers we found on Deck 18 were like all the others. The padded ones were behind a door that was open on sail away day, but locked every other day. So, I'm guessing they were for the courtyard guests only? Was there more than one way up there? If so, we couldn't find one.

 

Thanks, everyone, for taking time to read my review. Overall, we had a great cruise on the Epic, and I'm looking forward to sailing on her again in December.........And, I just booked a Med. cruise on her for next June!

 

Oh, and for the ugly......that would be the looks on our faces as we left our cabin for the last time.

[kjquilts]

"Oh, and for the ugly......that would be the looks on our faces as we left our cabin for the last time"

 

lol, loved your multi-part review and loved your last line :)

[jdl71115]

Thank you for posting your review. I'm only upset that it's over, I was always on the look-out for a new installment!!!

[lderosa920]

What a great review! Thank you so much!

[pcreek]

Thank you, Laura for a terrific review!

Can't wait for our trip coming up on 10/16!!

Also - was very glad to hear that Tabyana hasn't changed much since the last time I was there. Taking DH there for 1st time and I copied your review of the beach for him to read & find out exactly why this is my most favorite beach! :D

 

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

[coffeebean]

Oops, forgot to mention the Noodle Bar.

 

Is the Noodle Bar open for lunch?

[bluesea777]

Is the Noodle Bar open for lunch?

 

Yes, on sea days.

[texascat]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Yes, I think I will see the ugly on Oct 23 when I am leaving my cabin as well! :(

 

I am looking forward to your next review and I hope that I can do half the wonderful job on my review!

[suzieqmia]

Since this was our 1st NCL cruise, we were new to freestyle cruising. Loved my previous RCI & Carnival cruises, where we ate with the same people each night. And have met cruisers, who are now friends, due to our wonderful dinners each night. So, this was a new experience for us. Everyone kept telling us NCL is "different". So I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I loved it!

 

Other than Cirque and Murder Mystery, we didn't have any other meals booked in advance. Thought I would "keep my costs down" by only eating at the free places, as we've mostly eaten at only the MDR's in past cruises.

 

I've never hit the buffet so many times ever on a cruise (but many times it was for ice cream only). I'm not a buffet gal. Those who know me, know that I can fill my plate at a buffet and only eat one bit of each thing. However, I really liked this buffet. And as I said on an earlier post, the ice cream/sherbert selections are great.

 

We did all breakfasts (other than one at O'Sheehans) at the buffet. Something for everyone here. Most everything I had was good. And if it was too crowded, we went downstairs to La Cucina for tables. Much quieter down there. Good.

 

Didn't eat in Taste, but ate one night in Manhattan (lobster night). Said it was a 20 - 30 min. wait. Only waited 5 min. Others posters have said it was bad service, but our servers were great. And food was good. Didn't get a chance to eat here again, too many other options. Good.

 

Thursday morning we decided we wanted to eat at LeBistro that night. Fully booked. No ressies available for Thurs. or Fri. Thanks to previous CC posters, we decided to show up and see if we could get a table. Yep, scored! Walked into a half empty restaurant and got a table right away at 6:45 pm. I told my DD that there were no shorts allowed in the specialty restaurants, but she wore her dressy shorts anyway, elegant top, and dressy shoes. They sent her away. No shorts allowed. I told her so. She changed into a dress and came back. Funny, that they let the table next to us wear jeans and T-Shirts. No biggie. Food was good.

 

Same with Moderno. We could only get a ressie at 8:30 pm. Showed up at 6:30 and were able to get seated right away. I'm guessing that they leave a block of tables at the specialty restaurants for walk-ins. This was our favorite restaurant of the whole trip. Servers were probably the best of the whole trip, too. Very attentive. By the end of the night, they knew what we had/didn't have for our meat selections, and promptly brought out what we were missing. Glad we didn't eat here until the last night. We ate way too much. Good.

 

Other than the time we at in O'Sheehans on Day 1, we ate breakfast there one other day. Breakfast food Bad. And there were 2 different servers for our table. Both took our order, neither brought it. All seemed very unorganized. Bad.

 

To sum up this "no longer freestyle" dining others have stated, with having to book stuff in advance - we booked the minimum, and were still able to dine at the specialty places we wanted at the last minute. I'm definitely a "new" NCL fan. IMHO this ship had something for everyone.

 

Next up - Final report - Misc. ship stuff.

I didn't eat breakfast at O'Sheehan's but we had snacks there a few times. Service was not good at all unless of course you ordered drinks!!!! Twice they brought out the hot wings with no blue cheese as shown on the menu. I asked for it 3 times then finally saw the hotel manager I met at the M&G and told him...He said he would make sure that the wings came out correctly!

[suzieqmia]

That female drunk was sitting directly behind me, I was in the 2nd row, she was in the 3rd row. Prior to the show, it was very obvious to all that she was totally wasted. Yet the drink hustler sold her more booze. He could tell she was drunk, he should have refused, NCL and other cruise lines should have a policy of cutting off people who have had way too much. It appears the desire for a tip and need to fill a drink quote override good sense.

 

This women totally disrupted the show and was a danger to herself and others, she was so drunk, she left her purse behind. The next day, I saw her gyrating by herself on the stage on the 15th deck while the reggae band was trying to play.

I wonder if she was the same drunk that went on the stage in Howl at the Moon and made a complete fool of herself!

[suzieqmia]

Laura, between Maya Chan and Nachi Cocum, which did you prefer? And did you have a look at the Costa Maya port area with beach & pool, was that decent looking? I'm trying to figure out what, if anything, DH and I are going to do at each port. thanks!

We canceled Maya Chan and hung out in port. There is no beach there but it looked like they were building something. For now if you want to go in the water, you have to naviagate the rocks (I cut my foot) so be careful. The pool was DISCUSTING!!!!! It was soooo cloudy you couldn't see the peoples bodies underneth and there was goop floating in it....It's too bad because it looked like a really nice pool! I think the Carnival peeps poluted it! LOL Maybe when you go there won't be 2 ships in port! Oh and the beers are $5.00 a piece!!!! I hear if you go to the little town the beers are a buck or 2.

[LWcalif]

We canceled Maya Chan and hung out in port. There is no beach there but it looked like they were building something. For now if you want to go in the water, you have to naviagate the rocks (I cut my foot) so be careful. The pool was DISCUSTING!!!!! It was soooo cloudy you couldn't see the peoples bodies underneth and there was goop floating in it....It's too bad because it looked like a really nice pool! I think the Carnival peeps poluted it! LOL Maybe when you go there won't be 2 ships in port! Oh and the beers are $5.00 a piece!!!! I hear if you go to the little town the beers are a buck or 2.

 

You missed a great day at Maya Chan. IMHO they went out of their way to accomodate us, at the last minute, due to our port changes.

 

When we passed by the "free" pool at the pier, we were glad we weren't spending the day there. Pool looked nice, but way too crowded.