Lusitanica's EPIC REVIEW with pics, videos, comments, etc.

[sdmike]

My 13 year old son shared a cabin with his grandparents. It was pretty easy for them to manage privacy, especially since we had the luxury of "stepping next door" if needed.

[lusitanica]

Hey, This Is my first post. I have seen the picture of 8190 on deck 8, and we are wondering If Its covered. We heard that It wasn't but now seeing the picture It looks as though It Is. By the way we are going in that cabin next year, I wasn't just wondering!!

 

Thanks :)

 

 

 

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

Lusitanica-

I think it's awesome of you to come back and show everyone the cabin locations. I know that in the past, I've scoured for a good photo of the cabin that I was going to occupy. You're photo's are fantastic. Very generous and helpful of you to do this for others.

Well done!

[cruiser willy]

Beating up on the OP is such a bad idea. He or she provided the most thorough review I've ever seen. We all love NCL, but I'm certainly willing to read negative commentary about even my most favorite ship (the Spirit). The review was entertaining, creative and informative. Ganging up on him or her is such a bully tactic. Knock it off.

I get that you're all excited about your upcoming voyages on the beautiful new Epic, but the O.P.'s diagrams showing why they "enhanced" the cabins with curved walls was pretty amazing. What a rip off! They build one of the largest ships in the world and subdivided it into some of the smallest cabins afloat! The shower and sink being part of the cabin's living space is FARGING INSANE!!!!!!! Please tell me you're all kidding by saying that's OK. JEEZ!!!!! I'm not claustrophobic, but I think I'd lose my mind in that cabin. What was NCL thinking? I have not been on the EPIC, so it's not fair post an opinion, but I'd have to get a pretty amazing deal to even CONSIDER a voyage on her. She's one of the biggest ships in the world and her suites appear to be put to shame by the Jewel class vessels. The Dawn has the most impressive suites afloat! Why would a newer, supposedly more amazing ship have less impressive accomodations than her oldest sister? The posted photos of the atrium remind me of an airport terminal. GROSS!!!!! I can't wait to read my detractors writing: "HEY WE LIKE AIRPORT TERMINALS!!!!" Yeah right. Sure you do. These newer vessels are being built this way to collect more money per voyage. PERIOD. They're brainwashing us into wanting to "experience" this crap! Give me the 40,000 to 80,000 ton ships any day. Wasn't it great when ships could actually fit into the best harbors? Who's been to St. George's in Bermuda recently? It's a ghost town with boarded up store fronts now that the newer massive ships can't pull in to their harbor. It's going to be very sad when the last of the small and mid-size ships is retired from main stream service.

I thank the O.P. for alot of time spent on his/her review. It was certainly slanted and the pics appeared to show the worst of the worst, but they were enough to turn ME off. Would I send my college kids on the Epic? Sure!!! They don't care as much about privacy and relaxation as I do. I'm just surprised that NCL is going in that direction. Even Carnival has re-thought that market and is creating more family friendly ships....with roomier cabins and more intimate feels.

I'll bet the courtyard accomodations are sweet....but I'd never want to leave that v.i.p. area. The rest of the ship looks so vast and crowded!!!!

That's all. I just felt the need to stick up for our friend Lusitanica. We want to read negative thoughts too!....not just harmonious cheering!

[sdmike]

willy -

I'm glad there are plenty of options for you and others that don't find the Epic to be your cup of tea. Happy cruising!

[cruiser willy]

I'm actually pretty devoted to NCL, but if I DID find that size ship to be my "cup of tea", I'd likely switch over to my other favorite RCI and try the Oasis....based on the majority of the reviews. My real point is for folks to stop beating up on other folks' negative reviews. It really makes people hesitate to write about their bad experiences. I used to write reviews all the time on here, but with all the bashing, I just tend to read other's reviews and try to defend the bullied!

Happy Cruising Yourself!

[*Wink*]

I'm actually pretty devoted to NCL, but...

 

really?

[intrepid_guy]

Please check your measurements before posting.

They are wrong.

A technical drawing is posted in the review. It can help you.

 

I don't need the help. Thank you very kindly.

I have checked the measurements, because I want to make sure I am not guestimating or mis-stating facts. Now, you need to check your measurements as obviously you guessed. In your own words

The passage between the bed and the sink is ~ 16”.

#1 the symbol "~" means by definition "roughly similar; poorly approximates", so you admit you "poorly approximated" the distance as "around" 16 inches. #2 as I already said I took a tape measure and measured every dimension of my room just to show you (and some of your cheerleaders) that you were wrong. I can read a tape measure... a child can do it. So... to reiterate... I am not wrong Now, I will state that my room was a Deluxe Balcony, but in your own words, they are the same... just a little longer. I did not measure a standard balcony, but since you know the facts, I am going to assume you are right and they are the same width. So... there is no way that your walkway was 14 inches narrower. You and I have seen both types of rooms and know they are the same width.

 

It’s essentially the same narrow standard cabin but a little longer (extra 3-4 feet). Extra feet come in the form of a longer (not wider) shower cubicle and a bit more storage space. The sink has been moved from the opposite wall.

 

 

Following this logic, a theatre for 500 guests would be even better?

14x500 = 7000, that is 149% capacity. :)

 

Please, check your math.

1. 681x7days = 4767

2. 681x7days = 4767

 

It means that the theatre can accomodate only 2 shows for all passengers for entire 7nt cruise.

That's why the theatre is too small for this ship.

Thank you.

 

Since when is 500 better than 681? Perhaps you should read more carefully. I said that BMG performs 8 shows a week... 8 shows times the number of seats equals 5448. Check your math and then stop being so snarky. I am just using your facts. Aaaaaaannnnnndddd, NCL's position is that you see each show only once, so yes, two shows per person per cruise.

 

And back to another one of your points, or was it a fact?... What ships are you seeing 7 shows a week? On traditional cruise lines, you see up to 3 shows depending on your dining restriction. You are assigned a time to go, as is everyone else. There is no possibility for everyone to see 7 shows in one week.

 

~Intrepid <-- can read and measure

[lusitanica]

I don't need the help. Thank you very kindly.

I have checked the measurements, because I want to make sure I am not guestimating or mis-stating facts. Now, you need to check your measurements as obviously you guessed. In your own words

#1 the symbol "~" means by definition "roughly similar; poorly approximates", so you admit you "poorly approximated" the distance as "around" 16 inches. #2 as I already said I took a tape measure and measured every dimension of my room just to show you (and some of your cheerleaders) that you were wrong. I can read a tape measure... a child can do it. So... to reiterate... I am not wrong Now, I will state that my room was a Deluxe Balcony, but in your own words, they are the same... just a little longer. I did not measure a standard balcony, but since you know the facts, I am going to assume you are right and they are the same width. So... there is no way that your walkway was 14 inches narrower. You and I have seen both types of rooms and know they are the same width.

 

There is no possibility for everyone to see 7 shows in one week.

 

~Intrepid <-- can read and measure

 

intrepid_guy, numbers require accuracy.

You interfere with unnecessary "corrections" (related to a different cabin) in my measuments (The passage between the bed and the sink is ~ 16”. ) which are correct and related to a standard balcony cabin layout as stated in the review.

For the subject you interfere with - your numbers are absolutely irrelevant and wrong.

Please keep your facts straight.

As you might know from the review, some cabins differ in layout from standard cabins.

What the review says about "delux" cabins ("essentially the same narrow standard cabin but a little longer (extra 3-4 feet). Extra feet come in the form of a longer (not wider) shower cubicle and a bit more storage space. The sink has been moved from the opposite wall") obviously cannot and does not mean same inches between objects that have been moved or altered.

It would be interesting to see your cabin plan with measurements. :)

 

There is no possibility for everyone to see 7 shows in one week.

Being stuck to the only cruise line limits possibilities for cruisers.

[maja]

We sail on Oasis this weekend, and on Epic in a couple of months. We watched your YouTube videos and it appears you would be happier on Carnival for your next cruise. Hope you find a ship and Cruise Line you enjoy more. We like NCL and are lookinzg forward to the Epic. We were on the Sky a few weeks ago, and we read so many negative reviews that just turned out to be wrong. So we take all of these negatives with a grain of salt. After 40 cruises on multiple cruise lines we have seen the best and the worst, and at the end of the day they all turned out to be great vacations.

 

 

Would love to hear your comparison of the Oasis/Epic when you're back in Nov. With so many cruises under your belt, I'd be interested in your opinion.

[megan803]

I thought the review was fascinating, and appreciated the time and effort that went into producing it. The fact is a megaship such as Epic will not please everyone. There are clearly some design issues (I am a bit freaked out about the see-through door for the toilet). Some people will be really bothered, some won't notice.

 

But what really concerned me was the sense that NCL is trying to get even deeper into my pocket. A much more limited number of shows? Charging extra for the Cirque show? (I hear they are raising the price of the show.) Charging for some of the Second City shows? Movies available in cabins for an extra charge? There seems to be less and less "free" in "freestyle."

 

I realize most of the cruise ship companies make a lot of their money from the upselling -- bingo, art auctions, photographs, spa, shore excursions, soda cards, specialty restaurants, etc. But at some point they will cross the line from cruising as a great vacation for value-conscious consumers (and by that I don't mean cheap, but people who recognize a value at any level) to one where you start to feel you are being nickled-and-dimed to death. Maybe those bills at the end of the cruise are going to be bigger than the one you paid to get on the boat. And I realize you can "opt out" of many of these activities. But seeing the "creep" of some of these new and/or higher charges is disturbing.

[PokerDave]

. A much more limited number of shows? Charging extra for the Cirque show? (I hear they are raising the price of the show.) Charging for some of the Second City shows? Movies available in cabins for an extra charge? There seems to be less and less "free" in "freestyle."

 

I can only speak for me and I haven't sailed yet, but one of the biggest positives for the Epic to me is the entertainment ( shows ).

 

I've been on 6 cruises and have not been thrilled with many of the cruise ship shows. The broadway style reviews in particular just are usually weak and get old... So my experience has been I only go to some of the shows and only enjoy some of those.

 

On Epic there are many interesting free shows:

 

Blue Man Group

Legends in concert

Howl at the Moon

Fat Cats blues ( Slam Allen getting rave reviews )

Second City Comedy

There's been a magician that's been getting good reviews

 

And I'll pay to go see Cirque.

 

I plan to do all of the above and it will be the most entertainment I've done on a ship. Seems to me to be a much broader choice of free entertainment options than I usually get on a ship and I'll have more ability to do them when I want to because it's freestyle.

[lusitanica]

Thank you all for your attention to this review!

 

Comments are so many.

Let me summarize a bit to answer you all.

 

Again, the Foreword part is important for understanding of what this review is about.

 

Regarding how much time I spent (some say "a week".) on filming the ship

Wow!

There is nothing to worry about.

 

I can tell you that the filming on board the ship took LESS time than uploading the finished video on YouTube.

 

 

The editing is indeed a longer process.

 

Regarding my “deliberately looking for something”.

That was a real life.

Photos and videos of the cabin – this is not “the worst” cabin. It’s a standard cabin.

Same about bathroom and sink. I did not bring them from home.

Same about jogging track and public decks. Just walked with a camcorder.

This is Epic.

No pictures of performers? Sorry, it was not allowed.

No pictures of food? Sorry, food is subjective. Did not see anything like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding how much time I spent editing the video.

Wow!

Friends, editing home video is my hobby. It's a pleasure to put vacation pictures together.

This is vacation after vacation!

 

A special thanks to those posters who “read” humor in the review and video.

 

Regarding my "hating" this ship.

Wow!

I went to see Epic at 5 AM (the homeless were still sleeping in the streets (sorry, Miami).

I spent 24/7 as an Epic volunteer answering questions about cabin locations with pictures. It has been a pleasure to help CC members.

At the same time (ask any marketing specialist) - this is a form of promoting the ship!

 

 

Now about reviews.

 

There are neither positive, nor negative reviews.

There are informative, factual and not informative, not factual reviews.

That is the key point I invite you to focus on.

 

Pay attention to facts.

 

"My cruise was wonderful/awful" says little to nothing to a reader.

"We had a blast" – no review can be less helpful because by definition a vacation on ANY cruise ship is a blast.

So what?

A blast for Mr. Green may be not a blast for Mr. Smith.

That’s why facts are important.

That’s why we read reviews on Cruise Critic.

Get facts about the ship. Then everyone will decide for himself if there will be a blast, half blast or no blast at all.

 

This review is full of facts.

A “living” video is the most comprehensive source of information.

You have been invited to take a tour “looking for a quiet place” on inner decks (as was requested once by a CC member), but at the same time you can see the décor, configuration of the main “avenues”, the whole atmosphere, listen to languages spoken, anything else important to you, etc., etc.

Same about the “jogging track”.

This is not a decoration. This is the real Norwegian Epic.

 

Don’t like conclusions?

Skip them!

I posted subjective notes about food and performers.

Don’t like it?

Save facts and skip the rest of it.

 

By no means I want to persuade anyone to take/not to take a cruise on Epic.

 

Take facts from the review, photos, videos, select what is important to you and get benefit from knowing that.

 

Please note that I am trying to keep distance between the facts about the ship and my personal ”blasts” during the cruise.

A ship is a ship.

Someone’s pleasure is someone’s pleasure.

I am a technical person. I grew up with books about ships.

Now I can travel.

Exploring the ship is a huge part of my cruise “blast” along with a list of other sea travel and vacation activities.

A ship can be good or bad. It does not matter. There has to be something worth attention - either good or bad.

Scientists study food, flowers, cancer…

Do they like cancer?

No, they like the process of study.

That’s why Epic was so interesting for both of us (answering “why did you go after criticizing the concept?”).

Epic has unusual abnormalities (sold under various euphemisms like “unique”, “so different”…) as “whatever concept is called” has deeply affected the whole structure of the ship.

It’s not my property, not my business to decide what is good for their business (I wish them a success BTW).

But it was interesting to see what they did and how it works.

As I underlined in the Foreword section, thas is what this review is about.

 

Again, it is entirely up to you whether to have fun (blast) here, there or elsewhere.

Your comments and facts about the Epic are very welcome.

Concerning Concerning

[PokerDave]

I realize most of the cruise ship companies make a lot of their money from the upselling -- bingo, art auctions, photographs, spa, shore excursions, soda cards, specialty restaurants, etc. But at some point they will cross the line from cruising as a great vacation for value-conscious consumers (and by that I don't mean cheap, but people who recognize a value at any level) to one where you start to feel you are being nickled-and-dimed to death. Maybe those bills at the end of the cruise are going to be bigger than the one you paid to get on the boat. And I realize you can "opt out" of many of these activities. But seeing the "creep" of some of these new and/or higher charges is disturbing.

 

So what you propose then? Not offering bingo, art auctions, photographs, spa, shore excursions, soda cards and specialty restaurants? Or including ALL of them in the price?

 

You either don't offer much or instead of nickel and diming for what you want, you pay in bulk for stuff may not want. I really just don't get the nickel and diming whining. I guess if you went on to a ship naive enough to think what you paid for the cruise was all-inclusive and then blew out your budget because you bought optional stuff then you could feel that way. But any kind of planning up front just lets you plan for what the cost of the cruise experience YOU want is.

[PokerDave]

However, one every other ship I know of, it is a door that separates the shower and bath area from the stateroom, not some curtain. You quite apparently like its' functionality. Others do not.

 

Don't know that I like it per se. It just is completely misleading to have the frosted glass discussion when if you pull the curtain the glass could be clear even. Still have the noise/smell issues. And if you pull the curtain you can't multi-task ( shower and toilet simultaneously ). I think for DW and I we would love the bathroom set-up for just the two of us. We'll be on Epic with our 19 and 15 year olds, so we will certainly put the bathroom situation to the test. But 4 people in a room with a door bathroom is a challenge too.

[sdmike]

Hi Dave -

We had 4 in our room too, and we actually liked the layout because we could multi-task to some degree. We're definitely not a modest/shy family, but it worked out well for us with a little courtesy. Usually when someone was in the shower they drew the curtains and we stayed out of the area...unless, of course, someone had to "go" and we just went it with diverted eyes and announcing our presence. It was very nice having the sink and medicine cabinet outside that area as we used that often. We also didn't have smell or steam issues due to the always-running fans in the toilet and shower areas. I didn't notice any sound issues either (other than the loud toilet flush), but it could happen simply because the glass door transmits more sound than a solid wooden one. I'd be curious to hear your observations when you get back. I consider you to be one of the "cautious but optimistic" guys on the board, without a overly critical or positive expectation for the ship.

[sdmike]

Is that you and Johnny Chan? Did you peek at his cards? lol

[PokerDave]

Is that you and Johnny Chan? Did you peek at his cards? lol

 

It is. I played in the Main Event of the WSOP in 2006. That picture is prettty much my $10,000 souvenir... :cool:

 

Made it 10 hours until after the dinner break on Day 1. Got all my money in pre-flop with AA against a guy with 66. Survived the flop and the turn, but the river brought the 3rd 6... put out by the number of the beast...

[coffeebean]

Don't know that I like it per se. It just is completely misleading to have the frosted glass discussion when if you pull the curtain the glass could be clear even. Still have the noise/smell issues. And if you pull the curtain you can't multi-task ( shower and toilet simultaneously ). I think for DW and I we would love the bathroom set-up for just the two of us. We'll be on Epic with our 19 and 15 year olds, so we will certainly put the bathroom situation to the test. But 4 people in a room with a door bathroom is a challenge too.

I'm bringing a small can of Ozium which I purchased in an auto parts store. The stuff is very effective for odors so we will have no odor issues. The noise....I'm very used to that anyway so no worries about that.

[cruiser willy]

Yeah REALLY!

[justcake]

Personally I love the time and effort that lusitanica put into the review and the amazing video. I read every word of the review and think that it is one person's experience. If the OP was trying to point out only the bad things I don't think time would have been taken to state positive points about the staff, certain restaurants etc. The one pic of the ping pong table does seem to be trying to make a statement that isn't true but it didn't take long to figure that out.

 

When I saw the original brochure for the Epic I couldn't wait to get onboard. The cabins looked amazing, well appointed and LARGE! I guess I'm extremely naive because from all of the pictures I have seen the balcony cabins (that at times are going for up to $2000 for a 7 day cruise) are actually the size of a closet and I agree 100% with the OP that they are actually studio cabins. The pictures show that there is not a lot of room to navigate. I'm going to reserve judgement completely until my December cruise but if the room is larger than shown in all the pictures I will be shocked. We have connecting aft balcony and AC. Will definitely report back.

 

As for freestyle, I was such a cheerleader for NCL and thought I would never cruise another line. We took a Princess cruise this May because of the itinerary and it was last minute. We had anytime dining and were free to show up whenever we wanted. We were also free to show up at any of the shows whenever we wanted. There were plenty of pools on board that could be used at anytime and no area was crowded. There were at least 3 or 4 free restaurants plus the buffet that you could go to at anytime. Freestyle doesn't mean what it used to with NCL IMHO. They are not the only line with this concept. They may have been the first but aren't the only now.

 

I'm looking forward most to the vacation in December. The kids will have a blast no matter where they are sleeping! So will my DH and I. I love cruising and have never had a bad one (except for Disney but that's another story) Just because someone has a complaint does not mean that they aren't enjoying themselves. I will honestly state what is good and bad about the EPIC when I return. Just the facts! And who knows, maybe there will be nothing bad to say!

[sdmike]

It is. I played in the Main Event of the WSOP in 2006. That picture is prettty much my $10,000 souvenir... :cool:

 

Made it 10 hours until after the dinner break on Day 1. Got all my money in pre-flop with AA against a guy with 66. Survived the flop and the turn, but the river brought the 3rd 6... put out by the number of the beast...

 

Oh man. Bad beat. That AA is a dangerous. It's like beer muscles. Were you short-stacked at that point? I play a lot of home games and the occasional casino tourny. I tighten up when it's real money. I'd probably fold nuts at the WSOP. :p

[PokerDave]

Oh man. Bad beat. That AA is a dangerous. It's like beer muscles. Were you short-stacked at that point? I play a lot of home games and the occasional casino tourny. I tighten up when it's real money. I'd probably fold nuts at the WSOP. :p

 

Had I won that hand I would have had about 50% more than the average... But that's poker...

[david_sobe]

The sinks may be small but has anyone ever seen a large sink in a standard cabin on any cruise ship? The showers are usually like a capsule and the sink tiny. It is funny how no one mentions the Epic showers are larger than most standard cabins on most ships.

Just something to think about. That point gets lost in the sink and shower door debate.

[lusitanica]

The sinks may be small but has anyone ever seen a large sink in a standard cabin on any cruise ship?

 

 

This is a normal bathroom.

A reasonably large sink, convenient faucet (you don't have to hit a cabinet with your forehead like on Epic), a large mirror, plenty of space, plenty of light, total privacy.