Just back from great Epic cruise!

[luvdznee]

Just got home a couple hours ago and wanted to say my husband and I had a great time and are seriously considering booking another cruise on the Epic. We stayed in a spa balcony cabin on the 14th deck. We managed to eat at quite a few of the restaurants - Taste (lunch and dinner), Le Bistro, Moderno, La Cucina, Noodle Bar, Wasabi (sushi bar), and O'sheehan's. We ate most lunches at the Garden Cafe and many afternoon snacks at the Atrium Coffee bar. While we liked some things more than others, I can honestly say we did not have a bad meal. The food overall was fantastic. As far as entertainment is concerned, we saw the Blue Man Group and Legend shows. While very different, both were very enjoyable. Very talented performers and musicians. We also stopped by Howl at the Moon, played quite a bit of air hockey and pool at O'sheehans and danced our butts off at the White Hot Party and Bliss. I also would like to mention that the crew and staff were extremely friendly and helpful. So, while I am still a bit hungover from the mojitos at Bliss last night, I will be happy to try and answer any questions you all may have about the Epic.

[HokiePoq]

Glad you had a great time! We're going in May and I'd appreciate info on how to book the Blue Man Group and any other of the shows that require reservations. Do all the shows need reservations?

TIA

[luvdznee]

Glad you had a great time! We're going in May and I'd appreciate info on how to book the Blue Man Group and any other of the shows that require reservations. Do all the shows need reservations?

TIA

 

You can book your entertainment and dining right on the NCL site 45 days out from the date you sail. You can also make reservations at the box office on the ship, but I was glad I made ours online before we left. One less thing to worry about while onboard. And I do highly recommend reservations for Blue Man Group, Legends and Cirque. Those seemed to be very popular and I noticed several shows were sold out.

[RandomFigment]

I love you :)

[myboo]

We are on the 14th floor spa deluxe balcony at end of March. I saw someone saying in another review that the smokiness on the ship was awful and in the rooms (not sure the floor they were on) - how was it on 14? What about noise from above? What was your room number? (yes - we are a rather neurotic couple)

[luvdznee]

We are on the 14th floor spa deluxe balcony at end of March. I saw someone saying in another review that the smokiness on the ship was awful and in the rooms (not sure the floor they were on) - how was it on 14? What about noise from above? What was your room number? (yes - we are a rather neurotic couple)

 

 

Because of everything I had read on these boards regarding the smoke, we were bracing ourselves for it to be everywhere. And that was not the case at all. And let me tell you, my husband cannot stand cigarette smoke. I can deal with it, but he HATES it. And he never complained. Of course, there were people smoking in the casino, but that is to be expected. However, we didn't spend much time there so it was not an issue for us at all. We usually just walked right through. The cabin did not smell of smoke at all.

As far as the noise was concerned, again, we expected to hear some noise considering the pool deck was above us. But we were pleasantly surprised that did not happen. Noise was never an issue for us. Well, unless you count the occasional child running/stomping down the hallway outside our cabin. That noise did wake me up one morning. And we were in spa balcony cabin 14121.

[cruising ag]

Very enjoyable reading this it's so positive! I can't wait .... glad you had a good time!

[curleelocks]

We are on the 14th floor spa deluxe balcony at end of March. I saw someone saying in another review that the smokiness on the ship was awful and in the rooms (not sure the floor they were on) - how was it on 14? What about noise from above? What was your room number? (yes - we are a rather neurotic couple)

We found the ship to be too smoker friendly. We had smokers in the cabin next to us and we couldn't keep our balcony door open or sit on the balcony because of their "right" to smoke. So much for the fresh sea air.

On deck was no better. Because of the wind and lack of lounge chairs it was difficult to find a place to sit where you weren't inhaling someone else's second-hand smoke.

As far as the casino, I didn't find the smoke itself to be too bad but walking through the area was definitely smelly. They had portable air-purifiers all over the place so they are obviously trying to rectify the situation. My husband who usually likes to gamble when on vacation didn't step foot at a table.

[vacays]

We're booked for the same 'spa balcony' cabin in April. Glad to hear you liked it- wasn't sure that the package was worth the extra charge. Thanks for your review.

[cmdchiefthom]

Luvdnzee,

 

Your a real trooper thinking of us here on the board after the party last night. Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the food onboard, but you eat in the MDR, and what did you think?:)

[luvdznee]

We're booked for the same 'spa balcony' cabin in April. Glad to hear you liked it- wasn't sure that the package was worth the extra charge. Thanks for your review.

 

Well, to be honest with you, unless you plan to spend significant amount of time at the spa and/or gym, I don't really think it was worth the extra charge. We always purchase the spa pass and do use the gym often, so for us it was worth it. However, that being said, while I loved the gym on the Epic - the boot camp classes were great and the equipment was brand new and top of the line - I actually preferred the spa on the Pearl. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I think maybe it just didn't seem as cozy and serene. So really what you pay extra for is the access to the spa thermal area and the location with easy access to the spa and gym. Well, we also had robes and Elemis shampoo, conditioner etc. in our stateroom. Not sure if other balcony cabins have those. But if I am not mistaken, the size of the spa balconies are basically the same as the other regular balconies, just on the spa deck.

[luvdznee]

Luvdnzee,

 

Your a real trooper thinking of us here on the board after the party last night. Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the food onboard, but you eat in the MDR, and what did you think?:)

 

Actually, yes, we ate at Taste for lunch on embarkation day and dinner the following night. Both my husband and I enjoyed our meals. We did also dine at some of the specialty restaurants because we love to try different types of cuisine, but if need be, we would have been happy eating at the MDR every night. And yes, the right side of the menu was the same every night, however, there were several appetizer, entree and dessert specials on the left side of the menu - I think maybe 3 or 4, which did change every day. We never did try the Manhattan Room, because there was a wait there the couple times we tried, but we didn't really care as Taste has the same menu. So no big deal.

[HVLcruiser2]

Luvdnzee,

 

Your a real trooper thinking of us here on the board after the party last night. Thanks for your comments. :)

I agree! Thanks for coming here to give your comments.

 

We are thinking of booking the Epic, what were your favorite areas of the ship? Did your room have the separate shower/toilet area?

[HaliMakai]

Thanks, I booked the cruise without doing my usual homework on the ship. Last minute thing, anyway I was a little freaked out when I read the reviews with the OMG smokey, noisey, had a horrible time theme. We usually approch all cruises with an open mind, and have enjoyed every cruise we have been on. Thanks for posting so quick after your return!

[luvdznee]

I agree! Thanks for coming here to give your comments.

 

We are thinking of booking the Epic, what were your favorite areas of the ship? Did your room have the separate shower/toilet area?

 

You're welcome! I wanted to make sure and post while everything was still fresh in my memory. And since we were literally home in 20 minutes after disembarkation, it really was no trouble at all. Living in Miami is very convenient for cruising! Hmmm....I just asked my husband...and our favorite parts of the ship were Spice H20, the Atrium Coffee Bar, the gym, Bliss, and O'Sheehan's for air hockey and pool. And yes, our room did have the separate shower/toilet area. I guess it took a bit of getting used to at first, especially the shower part. Having the shower right next to the door of the cabin just seemed odd. But it wasn't a big deal really. And I liked being able to fix my hair and makeup while my husband showered etc. That was convenient.

[HVLcruiser2]

And I liked being able to fix my hair and makeup while my husband showered etc. That was convenient.

Great point!:)

 

I was just reading other reviews and I didn't see too much conversation on Dress Code. We like to pack 'light' especially with airline baggage charges. Do they have formal night, and if so, how many comply? (My apologies to those formal lovin' cruisers... I have a hard time getting DH in a tie and jacket on vacation)

 

Oh and how was the weather and the seas? I was reading about the ship's design makes it a little more rocky than usual. Any truth?

[HVLcruiser2]

sorry... another question. I'm trying to figure out the shower thing. Is it a shower curtain? And how is the ventilation for the shower steam in the cabin?

[DGP1111]

Just got home a couple hours ago and wanted to say my husband and I had a great time and are seriously considering booking another cruise on the Epic . . .

 

 

Welcome back, and Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm of this past week. :)

I still have six weeks to go before boarding this new ship, and I hope to return with that same excitement. :D

[victoriasmommy]

Great point!:)

 

I was just reading other reviews and I didn't see too much conversation on Dress Code. We like to pack 'light' especially with airline baggage charges. Do they have formal night, and if so, how many comply? (My apologies to those formal lovin' cruisers... I have a hard time getting DH in a tie and jacket on vacation)

 

Oh and how was the weather and the seas? I was reading about the ship's design makes it a little more rocky than usual. Any truth?

 

there are dress up or not nights. a few do dress up really formally. quite a few dress for a fancy restaurant and lots just keep to their usual 'resort casual attire.

and some nights that aren't 'dress up or not nights' you will see people dressed up because they are going to a speciality restaurant & plan to have their pics taken.

its entirely up to you, but my bf in his long jeans or khakis & polo shirt, never felt outta place. I wore a casual dress (to save on the bulkiness of jeans) & also never felt outta place.

[trollydolly]

are there any sauna /steamrooms not in the spa that you do not pay extra for such as connected to the gym. thanks

[Dspcentury]

I want to say that I also came back on the same cruise and everything that was said in the beginning was all true!! My wife and I had a great cruise!! What I thought was special coming on the cruise is when we enter the ship with a group greeting us with the maraccas and balloons!! I have never seen that on any of my cruises before on other lines. I will say that when we went to the Le Bistro..if you like swordfish steak..it was the best I ever had!! I will write a review and I must say that my wife and I want to rebook this cruise again!!

[theflyscotsman]

And we were in spa balcony cabin 14121.

 

I guess we were practically neighbors. The G/F and I were over in 14110. Out of curiosity, did you feel that you got value out of the spa balcony, as opposed to the alternative balconies? We loved the room but were so busy with the ship's activities that the spa bracelets never saw any action.

 

I'm hoping to do a full write-up in the next few days if I can, but I agree with you, deck 14 aft, at least, had no real smoke problems. Periodically, especially in the morning and evening, I could open the balcony door and smell someone's cigar, but not really the smoke nearly as much as the sweet tobacco smell.

[commission1]

Great that you enjoyed yourself, could you tell us about the areas that the common folk, value cruisers can enjoy? What did you think of the promenade deck, can anyone use the gym? Was the open outdoor buffet aft or bow? Was there great open areas to gaze and see the world go by? (what decks). So this deck 14 was not a deck for the common folk, the common folk had no access to it, right? thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Medtech2]

Well, to be honest with you, unless you plan to spend significant amount of time at the spa and/or gym, I don't really think it was worth the extra charge. We always purchase the spa pass and do use the gym often, so for us it was worth it. However, that being said, while I loved the gym on the Epic - the boot camp classes were great and the equipment was brand new and top of the line - I actually preferred the spa on the Pearl. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I think maybe it just didn't seem as cozy and serene. So really what you pay extra for is the access to the spa thermal area and the location with easy access to the spa and gym. Well, we also had robes and Elemis shampoo, conditioner etc. in our stateroom. Not sure if other balcony cabins have those. But if I am not mistaken, the size of the spa balconies are basically the same as the other regular balconies, just on the spa deck.

We had a regular balcony but bought spa passes. Yes, the spa balconies are right there but the extra money was not worth a bathrobe and conditioner, lol! Because the regular rooms just had shampoo and it smelled so good, I did buy a tube of conditioner from the spa. All in all, I would not spend the extra on the spa balcony as long as you get your passes before they sell out. THEY were definitely worth it!

[commission1]

Value cruisers should realize and comparison shop, here is regular rates for Las Vegas during the week of jan 24 monday, it is really important to realize what you are getting for your money, do you want a cruise or an entertainment ship and at what cost?

 

Vegas week of jan 24 luxor four night equal 280 total for two people

Cirque show equal 260 for two people

Legends in concert equal 150 for two people plus dinner

Blue man equals 225 for two people

total 915 bucks plus another 600 for food for a four night stay. thats about 1515 total, how much are you paying for this cruise? What are you getting for your money, please research the EPIC, it is not a regular cruise experience.