Any Royal Loyals tried the NCL Epic?

[Jtd724]

Thanks for the links. My observations: Don't like it. Don't like it at all. Curved couch really WOULD make it hard to sit and relax not having a traditional flat back. Seems like good storage space except for the closet (no place to hang long items) Shower IN the cabin? No thanks but at least the cabin in the video had a real door (privacy panel) for the "toilet room" to close. They just needed to make it soundproof :rolleyes:

 

After being stuck at home with temps in the teens, everything covered in ice I can't imagine enjoying that ice bar but that's me and likes and dislikes are always subjective. I'm just sayin....

 

I know the Epic is a brand new ship but I sure am looking forward to my Mariner cruise next year. After "only" 4 cruises RCI has become my home away from home vacation. Not a bad place to be at all :D

 

Ice bar in the caribbean is genius. Great idea to cool down after being in 90 degree heat all day. I think it will be a winner for NCL.

[youngestof9]

I'm certainly no cruise expert, but I really enjoyed Epic. Very different from the 2 RC ships I'd been on. Was a more casual atmosphere with the lack of formal nights and assigned dining times. However, I liked it. I enjoy the more structured ways of RC, but I did enjoy the freestyle aspect. I didn't have any problems with smoke on our sailing. The food was very good both in specialty restaurants and the buffet (which I'll admit I only ate in once). The MDR's are nice, but didn't choose to eat in them because we had access to the Epic Club which is a restaurant for suite passengers. I did sail in a villa which leaves me out of the small cabin/privacy debate. However, I did enjoy the pool area, the water slides, the entertainment and the food. The crew was very accommodating throughout the ship. The kids club was excellent.

 

I think you need to research Epic before you consider it because it is different than everything else out there. But you also need to take all of the reviews and read between the lines on most of them because everyone's expectations are different. I'm more a glass half full gal so there are things I can look past if I don't like them but they would ruin others cruises (such as jeans in the dining room - I don't care about things like that at all - doesn't ruin my cruise if someone else is in jeans).

 

Don't be afraid to try it - just know it's not Royal. It's just not.

[mafig]

Would love to try the Epic. In a suite so we could have access to the Courtyard.;)

[hansolosmom]

We are trying the Epic in a month! We are Diamond + on RCI, and Elite on Celebrity, Gold(I think)on Carnival and have one cruise on Holland and one on Princess.. The first and last Norwegian cruise was on the old Star out of Houston. We are cruising with friends we met on a Royal Caribbean ship, and we WILL have fun.......may be different from RCI, but we are willing to try. I'll post back here when we get back.

 

I LOVE your attitude about this! It's all what you make it!

[cruising grandma]

I LOVE your attitude about this! It's all what you make it!

 

 

Thanks! After 47 fun filled cruises, I just can't see us having anything but fun! A lot of times cruises are made more fun by the people you meet and hang out with. We met the other couple on Enchantment in 2009, cruised with them again in 2010 and have this one booked for March. We have also preplanned and booked a cruise last March with a couple we met from Holland. We all four had a fabulous time, and if timing is right would love to cruise with them again, too. We also met many NY and NJ cruisers and met up with them at St. Maarten the following year. We were on different ships that time! Life is short.......make the best of it!

[Sandinmycrack]

We did the Epic in November and then got on the Oasis. We are Diamond Plus now on Royal and our next 4 cruises are on Royal so obviously we like Royal but we also have the Epic booked again. I enjoyed the entertainment on the Epic as it has more of a Las Vegas feel to it. If you can try both ships that is your best bet to see what you like and dislike about both. Personally I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

I'm in agreement here. Been on the Oasis, Allure and the Epic. We are D+ on RCI and 5 cruises on NCL, and it is always fun to try something else. The Oasis and Allure are great ships, but when I can get 3 cruises for the price of 2 on another line or another ship, I would much rather take the extra week.(That's what life is all about).... Found the food on NCL to be very welcome change, and the drinks were just as cold, but don't take my word for it. Try it your self.

[BonTXNY]

Ice bar in the caribbean is genius. Great idea to cool down after being in 90 degree heat all day. I think it will be a winner for NCL.

 

Oh, I'm sure it will be a success. I just hate being cold outdoors or indoors. Sometimes AC is too cold for me. :p I was cold throughtout our recent Voyager cruise. I had to wear a sweater all over the ship and it wasn't only me. Our friends/tablemates said next cruise they bring more long sleeve tops and sweaters. Of course we only had 2 sunny days the whole cruise :(

 

Don't get me wrong. I would keep an open mind and cruise ANY ship if the price/itinerary was right.

[Beanie01]

Sailed on Epic last Sept., also because Oasis was too expensive. Sailing on Oasis later this year. Loved the Epic and would definitely sail her again. I was with my sister, so we didn't worry about bathroom set-up. We just had to laugh about the flushing noise, and I even joked about having my toilet redone in my master bath at home to sound like the one on Epic! Smoking in the casino seems to have become less of a problem than what was posted during Epic's early sailings. Only found it to be a problem if you stood next to a smoker.

 

The food was excellent, the service was excellent, and loved the Manhattan Room with live big band music, and dancing if you like. Very sophisticated, elegant atmosphere for dinner dining. The second restaurant which is included, Taste, was also excellent. Tried breakfast, lunch and dinner there and really enjoyed it, both the service and the food, as well as the atmosphere. Buffet was fine as well, and O'Sheehans for brunch one morning was good (also included). No reason to eat at specialty restaurants unless you choose to. We dined at the French place one night, Le Bistro, only because we got such a great rate ($599 for inside) for the sailing, and $150 OBC.

 

I spread out the show reservations throughout the week, and fortunately picked well so we were open for all of the deck parties (Welcome Aboard, Fabba, and White Hot Party). Spice H20 at the back of the ship is an AWESOME venue for deck parties. We enjoyed those the most. Spent time at Fat Cats jazz club and Howl At The Moon. Went to the ice bar, saw Cirque Dreams, Blue Man, Legends in Concert, went on the water slides, and saw the funniest commedian/magician ever (twice). We never had a dull moment and were out until 1:30-2:00 every night (we're in our very early 50's, by the way!). Great fitness center too.

 

Really looking forward to Oasis, after having sailed on Liberty, which I also loved. We tried to decide which we liked better, Epic or Liberty, and really couldn't. They were each such different experiences, and we loved them both.

 

Evening attire was very mixed. There was one "dress up or not" night, and we chose to dress and have dinner in the Manhattan Room (a guy in casual shorts, flip flops and t-shirt was turned away). Just happened to be there for a preview show of Legends in Concert at 9:30 that evening. I like to dress nice every night, like dress slacks, cute dresses, heels, etc. Like I said, many others did as well, and many did not, so you fit in either way.

[cruising grandma]

Sailed on Epic last Sept., also because Oasis was too expensive. Sailing on Oasis later this year. Loved the Epic and would definitely sail her again. I was with my sister, so we didn't worry about bathroom set-up. We just had to laugh about the flushing noise, and I even joked about having my toilet redone in my master bath at home to sound like the one on Epic! Smoking in the casino seems to have become less of a problem than what was posted during Epic's early sailings. Only found it to be a problem if you stood next to a smoker.

 

The food was excellent, the service was excellent, and loved the Manhattan Room with live big band music, and dancing if you like. Very sophisticated, elegant atmosphere for dinner dining. The second restaurant which is included, Taste, was also excellent. Tried breakfast, lunch and dinner there and really enjoyed it, both the service and the food, as well as the atmosphere. Buffet was fine as well, and O'Sheehans for brunch one morning was good (also included). No reason to eat at specialty restaurants unless you choose to. We dined at the French place one night, Le Bistro, only because we got such a great rate ($599 for inside) for the sailing, and $150 OBC.

 

I spread out the show reservations throughout the week, and fortunately picked well so we were open for all of the deck parties (Welcome Aboard, Fabba, and White Hot Party). Spice H20 at the back of the ship is an AWESOME venue for deck parties. We enjoyed those the most. Spent time at Fat Cats jazz club and Howl At The Moon. Went to the ice bar, saw Cirque Dreams, Blue Man, Legends in Concert, went on the water slides, and saw the funniest commedian/magician ever (twice). We never had a dull moment and were out until 1:30-2:00 every night (we're in our very early 50's, by the way!). Great fitness center too.

 

Really looking forward to Oasis, after having sailed on Liberty, which I also loved. We tried to decide which we liked better, Epic or Liberty, and really couldn't. They were each such different experiences, and we loved them both.

 

Evening attire was very mixed. There was one "dress up or not" night, and we chose to dress and have dinner in the Manhattan Room (a guy in casual shorts, flip flops and t-shirt was turned away). Just happened to be there for a preview show of Legends in Concert at 9:30 that evening. I like to dress nice every night, like dress slacks, cute dresses, heels, etc. Like I said, many others did as well, and many did not, so you fit in either way.

 

 

Vicki,

Thanks for the wonderful review! We have reserved the shows and specialty dining, so hope we don't have conflicts. I guess if we miss something, we'll just have to cruise on Epic again!:D

[Beanie01]

Vicki,

Thanks for the wonderful review! We have reserved the shows and specialty dining, so hope we don't have conflicts. I guess if we miss something, we'll just have to cruise on Epic again!:D

 

Make sure you get to the deck parties. The White Hot was so energetic, even if you just sit watch everyone else. We happened to have been there when they were filming the tv show Undercover Boss. I took a pic of the CEO without even knowing it was him!

 

When you board, go to the Customer Service desk and see if they can tell you when the deck parties are. That way you can then go to the Box Office and probably be able to make changes without any problems. Also, as soon as you board, ask where to reserve the Ice Bar if you plan to do that. You couldn't book it online, as of last Sept. anyway. We booked as soon as we got on the ship, and got our first choice. The comedy/magic show does not require pre-booking.

 

One more note; best service ever offered on a cruise ship - checking your carry-on bags until your cabin is ready!

[Tapi]

OMG, the whole "less than private" bathroom experience worries me! My wife and I are very private when it comes to using the bathroom (we've been together for ten years, but still prefer to keep a certain level of privacy when it comes to using the bathroom. We will even use the bathroom downstairs at home for more "serious" business :o). I know it may be "retarded" but I learned this privacy level from my parents, who in turn learned it from my grandparents! :eek:

 

I would have "stage fright" all week aboard the Epic if I know someone can hear and smell everything on the other side of a frosted glass partition! Norwegian definitely didn't consult me when they designed these cabins!

[ChevyCruiser]

OMG, the whole "less than private" bathroom experience worries me! My wife and I are very private when it comes to using the bathroom (we've been together for ten years, but still prefer to keep a certain level of privacy when it comes to using the bathroom. We will even use the bathroom downstairs at home for more "serious" business :o). I know it may be "retarded" but I learned this privacy level from my parents, who in turn learned it from my grandparents! :eek:

 

I would have "stage fright" all week aboard the Epic if I know someone can hear and smell everything on the other side of a frosted glass partition! Norwegian definitely didn't consult me when they designed these cabins!

 

We are the same way. After the first night, when in the middle if the night my DW flushed and I sat straight up out of a sound sleep thinking something had exploded, we adopted an "If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down" policy. :D

 

What's next? An RV-style all-in-one toilet/shower/sink combination?

[bajathree]

Sailed on Epic last Sept., also because Oasis was too expensive.

 

Once again...other than the 2 ships both being new, comparing Oasis to Epic is like comparing apples to oranges....they are nowhere near the same class ship. Epic is much more comparable/similar to Freedom class.....so if you are comparing price that would be the fair comparison. Oasis class is in a league of it's own.

I had this same discussion with long time CC member recently......they were on Epic before trying Oasis and were having this same conversation that Epic was a better choice price wise...they had never sailed Oasis class. Well I sailed with them on Oasis just this past Dec and ran into them on the ship....I asked what they thought....his wife looked at me and said "hands down Oasis":)

[Cruzaholic41]

Been on Freedom and Adventure but Oasis and Allure just too expensive now.

 

The fact you have not been on Oasis/Allure is a benefit for you cruising the Epic. Had you cruised Oasis, Epic would likely be a big let down for you.

[cruising grandma]

One more note; best service ever offered on a cruise ship - checking your carry-on bags until your cabin is ready!

 

Vicki, where do you store your carryons? I had not heard of this, but it would be much better than stumbling over them in the lunch buffet until 1:00.

 

Also, just noticed your from Ft. Lauderdale. Lucky you; so close to so many cruise ports. We have enjoyed your city's hotels, restaurants, water taxis, and beach many times.

[awatt]

thanks for posting this. we were JUST looking at the Epic and we were flabbergasted at the price differences. for the less than what we are paying for a GS on the Allure (next week), we could have gotten a 2 bed, 2 bath VILLA on Epic. Seemed to good to be true, and I guess it is. My husband commented on how it seemed as though the rooms are all about form, not function. Sounds like he hit the nail on the head.

 

I have not siled on Epic, so can't comment on it particularly but have sailed a number of their other ships, and always in a suite.

 

The suite experience on NCL is EXCELLENT.They really pamper their suite guests and IMHO it makes a HUGE difference in the cruise experience.

 

If you can get an Epic suite for less than a similar RCL ship, I would recommend giving it a try. Just understand that it's a different line than RCL so there are some differences. Not necessarily worse, just different.

[swmichigan cruiser]

I have been on the Liberty 4 times, Freedom two times and Oasis twice and the Epic once. I didn't consider the Epic a let down. Its a different experience in my eyes but not a let down to me. They were all good cruises and for different reasons.

[patseacruiser]

You can store your carryon I believe it is at the Headliners venue. They will give you a ticket and when the cabins are ready you can go back and claim them. Remember, if you're storing your electronic equipment realize nothing is perfect and something can always go missing.

[cruising grandma]

You can store your carryon I believe it is at the Headliners venue. They will give you a ticket and when the cabins are ready you can go back and claim them. Remember, if you're storing your electronic equipment realize nothing is perfect and something can always go missing.

 

Thanks, and we would lock the carryon.:(

[gkbiiii]

I was on Epic's first voyage, Southhampton to New York and based on that experience, I will not travel any NCL ship again. The Epic is a flawed ship and not in anyway equil to RCCL ship like the Adventure of the Seas or RCCL's new ship grades. Also bring lots of extra cash, you will need it.

[setsail]

No sink in the toilet room?? So you have to put your hands on everything to get out of the TR to the sink out in the room. NO thanks.

 

Thanks for post the vid.

[megacruisa]

A lot of hotels now have the sink area outside in the room area and not with the shower and toilet. And when using a public restroom you have to come out of the "stall" to use the sink. I may be in the minority, but I am really looking forward to sailing on the Epic partly due to it's bathroom setup because my DH will not be able to "lock me out" of the bathroom.

Samantha.

[dutchess43]

OMG after viewing the bathroom set up I would be constipated the entire week.

[dirtgirl]

After getting violently ill from ingesting stagnant water on a shore excursion in Cozumel last year (X-Rails Excursion - drenched head to toe in mud - hated it, lol), having a sink with the toilet was a virtual necessity.:o 'Nuff said.

 

I would wake up my roomie trying to get washed in the wee hours, too.

The only way I would sail on the Epic is if I did not have a roomie. I have no desire to come out of the shower into the hallway - what a stupid set-up!

 

They won't have the same configuration on their new builds, I'm sure. :rolleyes: They should do what Disney does - toilet and sink in one room; shower and sink in another.

[BonTXNY]

OMG after viewing the bathroom set up I would be constipated the entire week.

 

That made me almost choke on my diet coke :D Think about having the ummm other situation like dirtgirl.

 

Off topic. Are you in Dutchess County,NY? I lived in Rockland County for many years before moving to TX.