My Love/Hate Relationship with the Epic

[jmcdon7230]

We just returned from the Jan 15th sailing of the Epic.

 

Overall it was a good cruise and there were several things that we really enjoyed on the Epic. We thought that the Epic Theater was terrific. It's just the right size and has comfortable seats. Blue Man Group and Legends were outstanding. We liked the reservation system and the ability to reserve a show on the cabin TV.

 

We enjoyed having a martini in Shakers (thanks Armando) then going to a 7PM show. After the show we would usually go to the Manhattan dining room for the ambiance of dancing and music. The prime rib on the last night was the best meal of the cruise. From there we would go to the Blues Club for Slam Allen or to Headliners for Howl at the Moon. Overall the best entertainment of any cruise we've been on.

 

The hate part? We hated having to go through the smoke of deck 6 in order to get to the Blues Club or Shanghai's restaurant. Who's idea was it to extend the casino into the hallways? The casino should be a defined separate area with designated entrances and exits. The sixth deck design is a mistake. Incidentally, I had read on these boards where the smoke issue often depends on the passenger mix. On these particular cruise I noticed an abundance of Europeans. Many were smokers. the air purifiers did not seem to make an impact.

 

Our standard balcony cabin on deck twelve, was clean, well lighted and modern. Our cabin steward, Venson, was excellent. The interactive TV was great. I enjoyed having sink access outside of the bathroom. Storage was ample and convenient. The bed was very comfortable.

 

The hate part? I really HATED the design of this cabin. I would not book it again. The couch was worthless. We used it as a catch all. I did not like stepping out of the shower, not completely dry, into the cooler air of the cabin. The toilet was completely unacceptable and obviously designed by the same dodo who put the casino in the hallway. Evidently he thought it would be cute to place the toilet out in the cabin. I foresee a drydock where a portion of the cabins have retrofitted encapsulated toilets.

 

We enjoyed our cruise and will be back on NCL. The crew, entertainment, dining and general overall vibe were great.

 

As always, this is MHO and YMMV.

[roger001]

Thanks. Interesting. I love NCL, the crews and staff of the 4 ships we've been on. But I just don't think I'm ready for the Epic.

[HokiePoq]

Toilet in the cabin??? Is this all cabins? What type of cabin and what deck was this?

Glad to learn about the reservation system, thanks. So if I don't get it done online before we go, all is not lost?

[jmcdon7230]

Toilet in the cabin??? Is this all cabins? What type of cabin and what deck was this?

Glad to learn about the reservation system, thanks. So if I don't get it done online before we go, all is not lost?

 

I'm not sure about all cabins but it is the case with standard balcony cabins. Our cabin was on deck twelve cabin number 12177.

 

You can reserve shows via the TV if space is available.

 

Also the TV offers video slots and poker for real money, if you are so inclined.

[coffeebean]

Toilet in the cabin??? Is this all cabins? What type of cabin and what deck was this?

Glad to learn about the reservation system, thanks. So if I don't get it done online before we go, all is not lost?

I'm a bit surprised you aren't aware of all the controversy about the standard balcony cabin bathrooms. There are countless threads and posts about these "bathrooms".

 

OK...I'll clue you in....The standard balcony cabins are equipped with three separate areas to make up the components of a bathroom.

 

1) The toilet room is a compartment just inside the entry door to the cabin. The door to the toilet compartment is translucent heavy plexy glass and it is curved. This door goes nearly up to the ceiling, leaving a gap approximately 1/2 to 3/4". Folks have been complaining that this toilet area does not offer enough privacy. Odors infiltrate the main cabin and noises are easily heard from occupants in the main cabin. Having said that...DH and I had no problem at all with this toilet room. In fact, I LOVED it. I brought a small can of Ozium spray for the odors and that worked like a charm. I loved the fact that during the day, natural light from the main cabin came into the toilet room as if there were a window. At night, light from the main cabin came into the toilet room and I didn't put on the bright light in the bathroom.

 

2) The shower is a separate compartment, opposite the toilet room. When you finish your shower, to dry off, you enter into the main cabin, close to the main entry door in the cabin. DH and I had no problem with this at all. In fact, I never remain in the bathroom to dry off...too much heat and steam. Just make sure the extra lock is on the door so your cabin attendant doesn't enter the cabin when you are drying off. Oh... forgot to mention the door...it's the same type of door as the toilet room but not curved. You really can't see what is behind the door but again, folks seem to feel, they are on display when showering. I loved the door on the shower compartment as it lets in natural light just like the toilet room door. The shower compartment was quite roomy too and the shower head was great with great pressure and steady, even water temperature with plenty of hot water.

 

3) Now for the sink...the infamous itty bitty tiny little sink. Yes, it is very small...only about 2" in height and not very large around. Oh, well, two out of three isn't too bad. The sink is located in the main cabin area. Some folks don't like to brush their teeth in front of their cabin mates. DH and I had no problem with that either.

 

There is a curtain which blocks the toilet area and the shower from the main cabin if you choose to have more privacy from your cabin mates. The sink is not included in this private area created by the curtain.

 

I really liked the hamper for the wet towels that is located very close to the sink. What a great idea not to have to put wet towels on the floor and to keep the cabin looking neat.

 

In conclusion...I love the separate compartment bathroom set up and especially the translucent doors on the toilet room and shower compartment. DH thinks the set up is weird but he got used to it. Many folks have said the separate compartmental bathroom worked out great for their families because it allowed multiple people to do multiple things at the same time.

[sjbdtz]

Toilet in the cabin??? Is this all cabins? What type of cabin and what deck was this?

Glad to learn about the reservation system, thanks. So if I don't get it done online before we go, all is not lost?

 

 

The toilet is in the toilet room, behind a sliding door.

 

The shower is in the shower room, behind a sliding door.

 

 

The sink however is in the cabin, next to the curtain which closes off the shower & toilet from the rest of the cabin.

 

 

.

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

I'm a bit surprised you aren't aware of all the controversy about the standard balcony cabin bathrooms. There are countless threads and posts about these "bathrooms".

 

OK...I'll clue you in....The standard balcony cabins are equipped with three separate areas to make up the components of a bathroom.

 

1) The toilet room is a compartment just inside the entry door to the cabin. The door to the toilet compartment is translucent heavy plexy glass and it is curved. This door goes nearly up to the ceiling, leaving a gap approximately 1/2 to 3/4". Folks have been complaining that this toilet area does not offer enough privacy. Odors infiltrate the main cabin and noises are easily heard from occupants in the main cabin. Having said that...DH and I had no problem at all with this toilet room. In fact, I LOVED it. I brought a small can of Ozium spray for the odors and that worked like a charm. I loved the fact that during the day, natural light from the main cabin came into the toilet room as if there were a window. At night, light from the main cabin came into the toilet room and I didn't put on the bright light in the bathroom.

 

2) The shower is a separate compartment, opposite the toilet room. When you finish your shower, to dry off, you enter into the main cabin, close to the main entry door in the cabin. DH and I had no problem with this at all. In fact, I never remain in the bathroom to dry off...too much heat and steam. Just make sure the extra lock is on the door so your cabin attendant doesn't enter the cabin when you are drying off. Oh... forgot to mention the door...it's the same type of door as the toilet room but not curved. You really can't see what is behind the door but again, folks seem to feel, they are on display when showering. I loved the door on the shower compartment as it lets in natural light just like the toilet room door. The shower compartment was quite roomy too and the shower head was great with great pressure and steady, even water temperature with plenty of hot water.

 

3) Now for the sink...the infamous itty bitty tiny little sink. Yes, it is very small...only about 2" in height and not very large around. Oh, well, two out of three isn't too bad. The sink is located in the main cabin area. Some folks don't like to brush their teeth in front of their cabin mates. DH and I had no problem with that either.

 

There is a curtain which blocks the toilet area and the shower from the main cabin if you choose to have more privacy from your cabin mates. The sink is not included in this private area created by the curtain.

 

I really liked the hamper for the wet towels that is located very close to the sink. What a great idea not to have to put wet towels on the floor and to keep the cabin looking neat.

 

In conclusion...I love the separate compartment bathroom set up and especially the translucent doors on the toilet room and shower compartment. DH thinks the set up is weird but he got used to it. Many folks have said the separate compartmental bathroom worked out great for their families because it allowed multiple people to do multiple things at the same time.

 

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Best I've read here on CC.

[coffeebean]

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Best I've read here on CC.

You are very welcome. I enjoyed typing that up simply because I really do love the bathroom set up. I travel with my DH of 34 years and there is nothing sacred between the two of us.

[JimInBuffalo]

We were on the Epic for two weeks last year and had no problems with the room. We agree that the sink could have been thought out better. It is really for form and not function.

 

We found it necessary to keep a small towel wrapped around the base of the sink bowl while in use to catch the water that always sloshed out when using it.

 

-Jim

-6 degrees F today in Buffalo

[MiamiSpartan]

Was on that same trip, but I have to say the bathroom situation was not an issue with us at all...

I agree with the casino part, tho....

Overall, I loved the ship, but the Freedom OTS casino design is better IMO, since you can go the entire trip without walking through it....

I would definately book the Epic again....

[MiamiSpartan]

Toilet in the cabin??? Is this all cabins? What type of cabin and what deck was this?

Glad to learn about the reservation system, thanks. So if I don't get it done online before we go, all is not lost?

 

The toilet is not IN the cabin...It's behind a smoky glass partition....

[Mary Ellen]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[brady19]

I was on that crusie, and I must agree with the room design. It is terrible. It looks nice, but it is not very practical. I was in a Deluxe balcony so the issue is not isolated to just balcony's

[jmcdon7230]

The toilet is not IN the cabin...It's behind a smoky glass partition....

 

To me the glass partition of the toilet seemed worthless. While in the toilet I could hear the TV audio plainly. It didn't feel private. Before the cruise I didn't think the design of the bathrooms would have a negative impact on our experience but it turned out to be worse than I expected.

[brady19]

Even worse than hearing the tv from the toilet, everyone in the cabin can hear whats going on in the toilet