Thoughts about our second cruise on EPIC

[coffeebean]

Just off our second Epic cruise, February 26 to March 5th. We cruised on Epic in October 2010 and in just four months, I saw some amazing improvements. NCL must be listening to their passengers and must certainly have a good pulse on Cruise Critic. DH and I cruised this time on Epic with my sister and BIL.

Dining

I have been an advocate of dining in the specialty restaurants on NCL for better food and service. We didn’t dine in Epic’s MDR in October but gave it a try this time. DH and I dined in Taste one night and I was very pleasantly surprised that the food was delicious and the service was quite good. We ordered from the “always” available side as the offerings for that evening were not appealing to either of us. DH had the salmon which was superb…cooked to perfection and very tasty. I had the Rosemary Chicken which was so tender and juicy, it fell away from the bone and had a delicious flavored sauce. The vegetables were fresh and I must give a mention to the wonderful peas and carrots. I had no idea the main dining rooms were serving such freshly prepared vegetables. DH and I loved the peas and carrots so much, we asked for just a plate of them and our waiter delivered them in under two minutes. Our water glasses never were empty and our meals were served piping hot.

My sister and her husband went to Taste on another night and told us that their food was also delicious and they ordered different items from the left side of the menu. The Epic certainly is doing a great job with the food preparation in the main dining rooms.

O’Sheehan’s no longer has “Warm Apple Crumble” on their menu. I was told it was taken off the menu in December 2010. That’s too bad. That was a great desert.

Casino Smoke

The smoke in the casino walk through area is greatly improved from our October cruise. Most of the main walk through area has been deemed “No Smoking”, including the bar which is just outside of The Manhattan Room across from the aft elevator banks. In October, that bar always seemed to be in a cloud of smoke and when the elevator doors would open, the smoke would infiltrate the elevators. Now that is not an issue at all. We were told by one of the senior officers that additional vents in the ceiling of the casino have been added to filter the air. The casino is very smoky where smoking is designated, however. You just can’t get away from that. Having said that...we did not smell any smoke in O’Sheehan’s as another reviewer had reported a couple of weeks ago. There is no smoking a good part of the way leading to O’Sheehans. Thank goodness for that!!!

My sister is EXTREMELY sensitive to cigarette smoke. She was actually able to walk through the casino several times during the cruise and did not end the week with a sore throat and laryngitis. That is a very good sign that the new filtration system is doing its job, especially in the walk through area.

Music volume

I found the music on the pool deck extremely loud during our October cruise…so loud that sitting in The Great Outdoors was actually painful. We could not carry on a conversation when the band was playing or when the music was piped over the PA system. I am very happy to report that someone has listened to all of us who complained about the loud music. The music is still loud but lower and much more tolerable.

Entertainment

Legends in Concert has three new impersonators since we saw the show in October. I could have done without Janet Jackson. As another reviewer has already said…I would not have enjoyed the real Janet Jackson. Neil Diamond was spot on with his singing voice but not as much with his appearance. Aretha Franklin stole the show, IMHO. She is an exceptional performer with a very powerful soulful voice. The way she prances around that stage was very “Aretha”. She even looked like her. Just fantastic!!!

Finally got to see Slam Allen on this cruise as he was on vacation in October when we were on our first Epic cruise. After reading all the rave reviews about Slam, I was expecting a lot from him. He delivered everything I was expecting and more. This guy is not only an exceptional guitarist but has a great personality and a wonderful stage presence. He draws everyone in….he is a real showman.

Conclusion

NCL must be listening to their passengers. My sister was approached on the pool deck by someone conducting a survey on behalf of NCL who asked her if she would like to participate in a “Focus Group”. The incentive for her participation was dinner for two in La Cuccina or Shanghais. Another choice was dinner for one in Cagney’s. The purpose of the Focus Group was to hone in on what passengers want and expect from their cruise experience, specifically in the dining rooms. My sister was in a group with four other passengers and they were interviewed and video taped. The participants were told the video would be sent to management in Miami and their responses to all the questions will be reviewed. I’m very impressed with NCL to have taken this initiative to improve their product.

DH and I had another great cruise on board Epic and my sister and BIL really enjoyed their first cruise on this ship.

[Minoushka]

I hope to have as great an experience as you ....NEXT WEEK ...ie this Saturday ...yEAH!!!

[cruisin07family]

Did you do Eastern vs Western? Which ports did you like better? What type of cabin did you have - was it the same deck, forward or aft? Sorry, I didn't see your original review as I wasn't really considering the Epic until very recently. I am intrigued at this point.

[Journey11]

Thanks for this good review. I was also on the Epic last year and look forward to another sailing on her.

[youngestof9]

Coffeebean - I was looking forward to hearing about your 2nd trip! It's nice to hear from someone who has a good basis of comparison. Glad you had such a nice time. A week just isn't long enough :)

[floinnc]

Thanks for your review-I had been a little concerned about the reports of all that smoke!

We'll be sailing soon on the Epic and thinking about what to pack. We've been on several other Caribbean cruises and wonder how formal is "formal". Can my husband get away with just a dress shirt and tie? He'd rather not bring his sports jacket and surely doesn't want to wear a suit. We're pretty casual seniors. Thanks!

[Tideone]

Glad you hear your second cruise on the Epic was even better than your first.

My dw and I sailed on the Epic last December and enjoyed it so much that we will be sailing again next month.

We tried the two (free) dining rooms and found we liked Taste a lot more than the Manhattan. The service was very slow and it was hard to hold a conversation with the band music. Much too loud for me when I am trying to eat.

While we had started to dread our trip on the Epic because of many bad reviews that I read, our cruise turned out to be one of the best ever on NCL.

If this cruise is anywhere near as good as the first, I will be very happy.

[patseacruiser]

Thanks for your review-I had been a little concerned about the reports of all that smoke!

We'll be sailing soon on the Epic and thinking about what to pack. We've been on several other Caribbean cruises and wonder how formal is "formal". Can my husband get away with just a dress shirt and tie? He'd rather not bring his sports jacket and surely doesn't want to wear a suit. We're pretty casual seniors. Thanks!

 

Their formal night is just an 'if you want to' formal night. Your husband can wear whatever he wants. I don't bring any 'formal' wear on NCL and love it.

[jdvmd]

Coffeebean, thanks for sharing your observations from your second Epic cruise. We also sailed in October and noted the same things you did, i.e. smokiness around the casino and loud music. So glad that things have changed for the better! It does seem that NCL is trying to change those problem areas. Think it is great that your sister got to participate in the survey. Glad that you had a wonderful cruise!

[housepeepers]

Thanks Coffeebean. My husband and I were on the Epic/Western cruise on 2/5. We weren't sure what to expect after all the reviews, but we absolutely loved the ship and the cruise. We ate most nights at Taste and were very impressed. The food and the service aboard Epic were the best we have experienced on any of our NCL cruises. Kudos to NCL :)

[coffeebean]

Did you do Eastern vs Western? Which ports did you like better? What type of cabin did you have - was it the same deck, forward or aft? Sorry, I didn't see your original review as I wasn't really considering the Epic until very recently. I am intrigued at this point.

We did Western in October and Eastern last week. DH and I are veteran cruisers so we have been to all the ports many times. Many times, we don't get off the ship or just stay near the port to find an internet cafe. This trip, we did do an NCL excursion, "The Best of St. Thomas". It was a very nice way to see the island and spend three hours. I recommend it.

 

We had a standard balcony aft cabin, facing the wake. I find the cabin to be just about perfect. The closets space and all the storage can not be beat for this category of cabin. The walking space is a bit tight but it was just DH and myself. This cabin would be too tight for more than two people I think. I love the separate components of the bathroom. The shower is roomy enough and the shower head, water pressure and temperature of the water is really wonderful. The toilet room was plenty large enough and very comfortable.

 

Here is a link to my original review (warning...it's a long one)...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=74161

[sparks1093]

Although I'll probably never sail on Epic I am glad to hear that NCL is addressing the concerns expressed by the passengers. Thanks for the review!

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

Thanks for the update COFFEEBEAN!

 

Looking forward to our cruise on the EPIC this Fall!

 

I can't wait to see what - if anything - will continue to change for the European cruises?

 

:D

[will773]

Great to hear that NCL has made improvements. Hopefully EPIC will get some better reviews now.

[K&M2009]

Good review. We can't wait for our trip on the EPIC!

[battweb]

Great to see a follow-up review. Thank you!

[cruisecrazyk]

I hope to go on the Epic someday and I am glad to see so many positive improvements. I love NCL and they will be my company of choice the next time I cruise. I have cruised Carnival lately but really miss being on NCL. :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just off our second Epic cruise, February 26 to March 5th. We cruised on Epic in October 2010 and in just four months, I saw some amazing improvements. NCL must be listening to their passengers and must certainly have a good pulse on Cruise Critic. DH and I cruised this time on Epic with my sister and BIL.

 

...

 

Conclusion

NCL must be listening to their passengers. My sister was approached on the pool deck by someone conducting a survey on behalf of NCL who asked her if she would like to participate in a “Focus Group”. The incentive for her participation was dinner for two in La Cuccina or Shanghais. Another choice was dinner for one in Cagney’s. The purpose of the Focus Group was to hone in on what passengers want and expect from their cruise experience, specifically in the dining rooms. My sister was in a group with four other passengers and they were interviewed and video taped. The participants were told the video would be sent to management in Miami and their responses to all the questions will be reviewed. I’m very impressed with NCL to have taken this initiative to improve their product.

 

DH and I had another great cruise on board Epic and my sister and BIL really enjoyed their first cruise on this ship.

 

 

 

HI THERE!

 

We loved our cruise that week as well. I am pleased that NCL has been tweaking - they seem A WHOLE LOT MORE interested in feedback (and actually making changes) than Carnival does - and we have a lot of experience with Carnival!

 

We enjoyed our week SO much that yesterday we booked a return! We'll be in the same cabin beginning the Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. My guess is that it will be similar to the guest demographics for our sailing: the week prior to ours had 1200 kids on board (Presidents Day week), whereas our sailing had more like 300. Thanksgiving week will undoubtedly be loaded with kids!

 

CAN'T WAIT!!

 

Tom

[kerrytens]

HI THERE!

 

We loved our cruise that week as well. I am pleased that NCL has been tweaking - they seem A WHOLE LOT MORE interested in feedback (and actually making changes) than Carnival does - and we have a lot of experience with Carnival!

 

We enjoyed our week SO much that yesterday we booked a return! We'll be in the same cabin beginning the Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. My guess is that it will be similar to the guest demographics for our sailing: the week prior to ours had 1200 kids on board (Presidents Day week), whereas our sailing had more like 300. Thanksgiving week will undoubtedly be loaded with kids!

 

CAN'T WAIT!!

 

Tom

Tom, I'm just wondering if you will be adding Epic photos to your smugmug account??

 

Coffeebean, thanks so much for the returnee feedback. It is so nice to read that NCL listens to its clients:D

[Tropical Daze]

This post is in reply to Coffebean's post--- I am Coffebean's sister.....

My husband and I both loved the EPIC, and will most definately cruise on her again. I am almost glad we had to miss the October sailing with my sister and brother-in-law, considering the amount of cigarette smoke and too loud music in the pool area. I would have not been happy with that, and we are so glad to hear there were improvements made in those areas.

 

As Coffebean stated, I am HIGHLY sensitive to cigarette smoke, and, NO, I will not stay in a casino and gamble!! The half hour I spent in the casino while my husband gambled made me miserable and I ended up with a nasty cough for the rest of that day and evening. BUT, walking through the casino area was NOT an issue for me, and we walked through deck 5 and the casino upteem times throughout the cruise, and I had NO issues with the cigarette smoke. So, NCL is doing something right with the purifying of the air.

 

I have to say we were MOST impressed with the food. Yes, we love the specialty restaurants, and we mostly eat in them, but I agree with my husband about Moderno.... the meat aroma got to be too much for us towards the end of the meal, (my husband is a retired butcher no less!!!).... and he could not wait to leave the restaurant for that reason. We loved La Cucuia, Le Bistro, O'Sheehans, with it's wonderful Salmon salad, and we ate at Taste one evening, and were very impressed with the food and service.

 

BUT.... as far as the food goes, the buffet was just glorious, with lots of delicious food to tempt our taste buds. I will admit I was very concerned about the quantity and types of food offered on the EPIC, as I had just started Weight Watchers in January..... what a way to torpedo my weight loss efforts so far from January until February when we sailed.... I actually LOST weight on the ship due to the WONDERFUL choices offered..... lots of meats and grilled vegetables, lovely fruits and the MOST GLORIOUS chilled fruit soups I have ever tasted..... Every day at lunch, after my chicken and grilled vegetables, I had my bowl of chopped fruit with 2 scoops of chilled soup on top, and I was just as happy if as if I had a piece of chocolate cake. I did not have a salad once!!! YEAH!!!! No need to, with all of the other choices available, and I walked off the ship not feeling deprived at all. I have never been a big drinker, so I was happy with my one Pina Colada, and I drank lots of iced tea....

 

On Wednesday I was approched at the pool and asked if I wanted to participate in a Focus Group, which was very interesting, and the meeting lasted over an hour. The focus of the meeting was to get feedback for improvement and monitoring customer satisfaction on the two main dining venues, The Manhattan Room and Taste. The leader focused on the three portions of a dinner: The Greeting, The Dinner itself, and The Exit. They informed us the meeting was being monitored by personnel in the room next to us, and videotaped to be sent to to the NCL headquarters in Miami for review. Take-home message was customers want prompt, courteous service, good food, and just the right mix of attentiveness from the wait staff (there is a fine line between being attentive and cloying, and nobody wants to have to flag down the wait staff either!!) and I had a choice of any of the specialty restaurants for a dinner for one or two guests, depending on the cover charge of the restaurant.

 

We also found out the dress code had been modified since the last NCL cruise we were on..... my husband can were shorts to any of the restaurants for dinner, with the exception of The Manhattan Room and Le Bistro. So, nice shorts and a collared shirt is an acceptable dress code for dinners, making my husband one happy camper (er... cruiser!!)

 

A few other items on EPIC: I LOVE to read, especially at night, and they have the MOST wonderful goose-neck reading lamps attached to the most glorious padded headboard. Also, the sliding door curtains are magnetized to stay closed along the opening..... makes it wonderful to sleep in anytime of day or night!!

 

All in all, we loved EPIC, and we already purchased our future cruise deposit. My husband and I are dreaming of our next cruise, and NCL is our cruise line of choice.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom, I'm just wondering if you will be adding Epic photos to your smugmug account??

...

 

I will - but probably not until this weekend at the earliest. I was using my new camera and I was forcing myself to use the manual settings --- so there is some "fixing" (exposure levels, white balance) to do. I shoot in both Jpeg and RAW formats, so once I learn how to (also) use Adobe Lightroom, we should be all set! :)

 

Tom

[coffeebean]

HI THERE!

 

We loved our cruise that week as well. I am pleased that NCL has been tweaking - they seem A WHOLE LOT MORE interested in feedback (and actually making changes) than Carnival does - and we have a lot of experience with Carnival!

 

We enjoyed our week SO much that yesterday we booked a return! We'll be in the same cabin beginning the Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. My guess is that it will be similar to the guest demographics for our sailing: the week prior to ours had 1200 kids on board (Presidents Day week), whereas our sailing had more like 300. Thanksgiving week will undoubtedly be loaded with kids!

 

CAN'T WAIT!!

 

Tom

I didn't think we had that many children on board our cruise... seemed less than that to me. It was GREAT!!!

[DGP1111]

I didn't think we had that many children on board our cruise... seemed less than that to me. It was GREAT!!!

 

For the 2/26 sailing there were only 400 children, which was a dramatic drop from that 1200 the week prior. :eek:

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

For the 2/26 sailing there were only 400 children, which was a dramatic drop from that 1200 the week prior. :eek:

 

See, it's only been a few short days, and I have already morphed the KID COUNT to 300!

 

Yet, it only takes ONE wild young animal to HIT you on the elevator. I still can't believe that (not even waist high) little hellion hauled off and struck me! :eek:

 

Tom

[kerrytens]

See, it's only been a few short days, and I have already morphed the KID COUNT to 300!

 

Yet, it only takes ONE wild young animal to HIT you on the elevator. I still can't believe that (not even waist high) little hellion hauled off and struck me! :eek:

 

Tom

Whoa, what is this story? (sorry Coffeebean) A kid hit you? So not good.

 

Forgot - thanks for the photo update too!!! I'm patient, take your time.