Recap of first-time-ever NCLer going on EPIC . . .

[DGP1111]

I'm just gonna let the pictures do the talking on this one . . .

 

 

 

 

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So, was it good??

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Most definitely! :D

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[gouch3]

Definitely not - - or at least not on this sailing. :)

 

There are SO many locations to find lounge chairs throughout the day. These were just those perceived 'prime' spots along pool perimeters, etc., that had the very early risers claiming their turf.

 

Sure there were a few people disaapointed to realize they, too, couldn't grab that premium real estate, but I never heard a single unkind word being said about the situation. I've been on a few ships where it came close to a hair-pullin', but that was nowhere near the case here. Thank goodness.

 

 

thanks! keep posting your reviews and pictures! it helps me imagine my upcoming cruise, my first ever!

[debt]

I'm just gonna let the pictures do the talking on this one . . .

 

 

 

 

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So, was it good??

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Most definitely! :D

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That's just plain mean, Don! :(

[DGP1111]

I can't remember if it was the first/embarkation night, or if it was Sunday, but they did do the Liquor Tasting for an hour or so. It was located in the Tradewinds Duty Free Shops area. I took one photo while passing through, but it didn't turn out so great.

 

 

Also a photo of Wasabi, the sushi bar area on Deck 7

I never tried it, but heard multiple people really bragging on the place.

 

[DGP1111]

I'm not a big onboard shopping person by any means, but I went into almost every one of the duty free locations, and I found each and every one of them to be nicely done, with enough space to move around that you weren't constantly saying, "Excuse me - Excuse me - Excuse me".

The ship has apparently developed a partnership with Effy Jewelers, which I found surprising (but in a good way).

 

 

And then quite often up top near the slides and climbing wall area, there are merchandise tables there as well. On the days it got too windy, they shut sales down completely, which was a smart move.

 

 

 

Also earlier snapped a couple of pictures (while we were in St. Maarten) of the marshalling barges for refueling this great big gas-guzzling baby. :)

 

[mrobstad]

I was on the Epic in February and missed the crepe station. Where was if [for next time]? Thanks.

[DGP1111]

If you go creepy-crawlin' around the ship late at night (and I highly recommend doing so at least once) you get to see some things on this wonderful ship in an entirely different light . . . or lack of light, as the case may be. :)

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And the really really cool illuminated stairway leading up to one of the youth activities areas.

 

[DGP1111]

I was on the Epic in February and missed the crepe station. Where was if [for next time]? Thanks.

 

Right in the absolute dead center of the Garden Cafe, very close to the welcome podium.

I doubt it was operational every day, but it was at least on two of them. :)

[jessemon]

Hello, all!! Yes, I'm still alive. :) Sorry for the unplanned pause in posting. It's been a wild last two days fer sure.

 

If you recently observed the national weather for Florida, you probably saw some central areas having two days of very severe thunderstorms with extremely high winds (some gusts of 80-100 mph), several areas losing power, and some also experiencing property damage.

That would be me, me, and me. :(

 

Luckily, when it was over - it was over. Whew!

Beautiful weather today for the roof/shingle people to do their magic getting everything back to normal.

 

So now back to attempting some more of my recap of the wonderful EPIC sailing.

Hey Don...We got our butts kicked here in Tampa too...

As always your pix are great. Going to do the Dawn out of Tampa in Nov 2012...Got any plans?

[DGP1111]

Thursday was a sea day. Good weather conditions in the morning, and progressively getting a bit rougher in the afternoon and evening.

 

Had breakfast in Garden Cafe with some others from the Studios, and really enjoyed that.

 

When I went to get my orange juice, I noticed (for the first time) the sign about bottle refills. I really liked that they'd posted that, and I hope most people honor the request, instead of putting a bottle they've been drinking from up against the nozzle for some lemonade, etc.

 

 

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Headed to Posh for some relaxation with a book and some tunes. Totally relaxing.

 

Late lunch in O'Sheehan's, which was quite enjoyable, and really quite funny :p (I'll explain that on in my next post), as a couple of servers hovered closeby until I chose my table, and then one basically 'attacked' to take my order the moment my butt hit the chair. :)

 

[DGP1111]

Hey Don...We got our butts kicked here in Tampa too...

As always your pix are great. Going to do the Dawn out of Tampa in Nov 2012...Got any plans?

 

Hiya, Jeffie!! :D

Mom & Dad took a beating in Lakeland as well. It was just plain nasty, and honestly frightening, for that period of time. I'm glad it's over.

Nothing yet booked for Nov '12, so I'll have to look at that.

Doing NCL Star out of Tampa in Feb '12 :)

[ringram]

Great job Don! This ship may have spoiled me for life. We haven't cruised as many time as you, but our Epic cruise was absolutely the best ever. Going back on the Carnival Valor, with family, in June and I'm worried it will be a let down after the Epic.

 

Have you been on the RCL Oasis or Allure? If so, how would you compare?

[DGP1111]

Well, here's a tale of something that certainly didn't go right during my time aboard Norwegian EPIC. It was just a big mistake, and I look at it as just that - - a mistake.

 

Went to have a late lunch at O'Sheehan's and found me a great location high-top with a perfect view of the big screen so I could eat some yummy wings and watch part of a flick.

Said, "Good afternoon" to the hostess at the podium.

 

Checked out the menu and rather quickly came to a decision about what I'd have. The place was not busy at all, and I figured that would result in a rapid in/out experience. One server walked by, but most of the others seemed much more interested in watching Will Smith's kid get his butt kicked in The Karate Kid (of course we all know that situation got turned around later). There was one person in white uniform along the railing also totally mesmerized with the movie. I was watching, too, but would have preferred to pair the action with some delicious wings and a shake. Five minutes more and still no one had figured out I'm alive . . . and hungry. Five minutes later I begin to 'dance' my menu around on the bottom corners around the table in hope that would indicate I might be ready to order. Nothing :(

 

I've seen a server interact with passenger on the other side, so I get up and move to one of the open tables right there were I know people are noticed. Five minutes later I start dancing my menu again and quietly singing Raffi's Bananaphone (yes, honestly). Even that got me no where, so I decided it was a lost cause, and I should just head to the Noodle Bar.

 

Put my dance partner away, grabbed my camera, and started my somewhat disappointed trek away from O'Sheehan's, but when I passed by the podium, the hostess looked my way, and offered a cheery, "Come back to see us".

 

What?? :confused:

 

I probably should have smiled and kept walking, but I didn't. I just replied, "But I came to see you this time. I've been sitting here for a half hour hoping to just be noticed and get some wings, so I'm going somewhere else to eat lunch." The look on her face went really wrong, and I'm not totally sure she was still breathing. I told her it was OK, that I wasn't mad, just disappointed. I went past the slot machine, and had just rounded the chandelier overlook railing, and was approaching my destination when I heard, "Sir, sir, sir!" A slightly winded male in uniform has apparently been chasing me down the hall. For missing chicken wings?? For real?? He was really quite bothered, and it showed in his face.

 

He was the person I'd seen at the railing watching the movie, and somehow he'd been advised of this minor situation, given the details of the conversation, and found me specifically amongst all the other passenger who were now in this area. That's pretty darn good sleuthing.

 

He begged that I return so he could personally assist me with my meal, and I said everything was totally OK, and that I would come back the next day for sure, but that I was now going to grab something to eat here. He said he wanted to send me a bottle of wine for dinner, and where would I be eating. I advised him that was totally not necessary, and that I was having one of the best cruises of my life, and I appreciated him taking the time to recognize the error and apologize. I said that was clearly more than I'd ever hear on some other cruise lines, and how wonderful the crew had been. I wanted him to know that missing some wings was really a non-issue, and not to worry about me. He offers something again, and I say No Thanks because I don't need anything whatsoever because I'm have a fabulous cruise. I'm then handed a business card with his name on it, and he writes in his mobile number.

 

Yes, an error had been made earlier, but WOW what a display of service recovery. Pretty darn amazing, I must say. I like to think I'm rather well versed in guest recovery skills, and defintely can recognize those that display excellence.

I took zero things that were offered, because they were not needed or necessary. But what I took away with me was something even more valuable . . . to both me and NCL.

 

Impressed I was!! (in my best Yoda-speak) :)

[DGP1111]

Great job Don! This ship may have spoiled me for life. We haven't cruised as many time as you, but our Epic cruise was absolutely the best ever. Going back on the Carnival Valor, with family, in June and I'm worried it will be a let down after the Epic.

 

Have you been on the RCL Oasis or Allure? If so, how would you compare?

 

I fully understand. It's spoiled me, too. :)

 

I've not yet been on either Oasis or Allure, but am strongly considering Allure in the future. One co-worker had done both, and enjoyed both.

 

I probably should let someone else tell this tale, because I'm really hoping the experience has gotten better, but . . . right during that horrific weather systen we were having here in Florida, my great friends T-n-C were boarding in Port Canaveral for a quick weekend get-away. They've clearly posted online how much they enjoyed EPIC, and how quickly they jumped to re-book. To say the least, they were not having that "warm and fuzzy" feeling when received a few text messages later. :(

 

If you happen to be checking back by here somehow . . . hang in there, my friends!!!!

:)

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[jessemon]

Hiya, Jeffie!! :D

 

Mom & Dad took a beating in Lakeland as well. It was just plain nasty, and honestly frightening, for that period of time. I'm glad it's over.

 

Nothing yet booked for Nov '12, so I'll have to look at that.

Doing NCL Star out of Tampa in Feb '12 :)

Hey Don, in my siggy is an e-mail addy I use for here. Send me a note...;)

Great reveiw so far of what I have read.....

[jessemon]

I'm really confident at this point that getting the group together is going to be doable. As long as they don't have two different fence gates to exit the Glory passengers. That would suck for sure.

So here I am still chatting with the soon-to-be Spa crew member, when I hear "Don, Hey, Don!". I look up to see Linda & husband waving from the still moving ship. Ta-da!! :D Now I know this is going to happen. It still took a while for their ship to get tied, and with as many many CCL sailings as they've been on, they knew how to navigate their way to the front of the debarking passengers.

 

Original thought was to meet at the base of the hill and actually hike to the top (yes, we were all totally aware of the cable car ride available), we hailed a nearby cab driver and arrived at the top, barely breaking a sweat. Much better plan. Lots of catching up to do, and some snacks and beverages.

Linda and her family are what I dubbed my "Cruise Heros" early in our friendship. They know how to do it right, no matter what potential challenges.

 

<< cheese >>

 

 

Soon after, T-n-C arrived up top via their taxi so that we all could enjoy the time together. A true highlight of my cruise week. :)

 

<< cheese, again >>

 

 

I'm sure it's been done before, and probably with even greater numbers, and success, but this was totally cool to me.

Three separate households, from different States, arriving outside the continental US on different ships, and all having met through Cruise Critic, and all having sailed together previously.

 

A huge Thank You to my four wonderful friends for making this happen. (and you, to, DJ, for giving Mom & Dad 'permission') :D

Hey...I know them....It's the Karaoke Queen.....

[MonaCD]

Thanks!! :)

 

Yep, it appears that the South got a wind/rain slamming, but the poor Northeast got that awful out-of-nowhere snow storm. Yowza!

 

I can only imagine the number of people who have loudly cursed the name of Punxsutawney Phil this week.

Dumb rodent.

 

We got hit with that storm yesterday afternoon/evening. Luckily we didn't get the snow but wind and slashing rain as we attempted to get to the restaurant where we were celebrating B's birthday with his daughters. Tonight he and I celebrate it on our own with Japanese Teppanyaki, some time at the casino and a night at the Sheraton. Sort of a one night cruise experience. We'll be on the harboufront if not on the harbour at least.

[DGP1111]

:) Happy Birthday, B!! :)

[DGP1111]

Don - What brand/model of camera did you use for your photos? I need something thin

and compact for my upcoming trips.

 

The camera I was using for this sailing was one I'd purchased less that 2 weeks prior to embarkation. It's the FujiFilm XP10, and it did pretty much all that I was tasking it to do, but there was a big (at least for me) issue with the reflection of the LCD screen. Quite annoying.

 

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After I got back home from the cruise, I returned it for refund, and purchased the much better replacement model online, since it's not yet in the retail stores. The new one is the FujiFilm XP30, and I love it. Sharper pictures, due to increased megapixels, an anti-reflective LCD screen that's easy to see, and also GPS tagging that's way neat. It saves when/where info on every single shot.

 

Edited April 2, 2011 by DGP1111

[DGP1111]

The 'future cruise' presentation given by Jen in Fat Cats was excellent and very informative. Some in the room who were much more NCL-savvy might not have been as impressed, but I was being the total sponge with all information. Thanks, Jen (and her team), for a super presentation! :)

 

She'd already been of great assistance with the earlier booking during the cruise, and I was strongly considering buying yet another certificate.

 

4:00 on Thursday brought about yet another Martini Tasting event presented by our bud, Armando. He had mentioned the previous evening that he'd be saving us our fave seats, and he did. :D Four somewhat unique offerings to be followed by a bonus fifth presentation. I didn't make any faces at all this time -- and finished each and every one. Yum!

 

As we'd already been advised earlier, the bonus round was our special 'Chocolate Love'.

 

This is what it looks like from above . . .

 

 

 

Thanks, again, Armando for total excellence in bar service!!

 

We left there and headed down to the lobby for T-n-C to purchase their own four Future Cruise certificates . . . and I choose to get another one myself. Jen was all smiles about us visiting her. :)

 

Tonight's dinner was Moderno Churrascaria, the wonderful Brazilian steakhouse. Meat, meat, and then some more . . . meat. Every single thing I requested was delicious. The ship had definitely started to react to the increased waves, and I'm fortunate that I hadn't lost my appetite for this excellent dining experience. The salad bar that separates Moderno & Cagney's is rather amazing, and it could be tempting to fill up too much on some of those offerings, so be careful.

 

The wine cabinet at Moderno was impressive.

 

Edited April 2, 2011 by DGP1111

[DGP1111]

Next to our plates in Moderno, there was a small tool very similar to ice tongs that I wasn't at all sure about, but later all was made clear. For the first items that the service gauchos brought to the table, you were issued a complete piece/portion, but for our final offering, it was shaved from a complete piece on the skewer, and you use the tongs to grab it for transfering to the plate

 

After hitting our fill of skewered meats, it was now time to head back to the EPIC Theatre to enjoy the anticipated Legends In Concert experience. Memories of the first evening arrived in my head.

I will stay awake. I will stay awake. :)

 

The ship was continuing it's own very of Rock-n-Roll show, even before the first performance, and numerous people on the ship were reacting in their own way. The stage sets were swinging back and forth, which didn't help visually to calm everyone's stomachs.

 

 

The show featured the performance talents of:

Janet Jackson

Neil Diamond

Aretha Franklin

I personally enjoyed all, but some were stronger than others. One dancer and one musician came very close to falling down due to the ship movement, but big kudos to all for making "the show must go on" happen. :)

[pabi]

 

Thank you so much for the absolutely great review and the gorgeous pictures. We are leaving on the Epic for the TA in May and really looking forward to it.

This is probably one of the best reviews ( if not the best ) I have ever read. Once again thanks for taking the time to tell us all about it :) I hope NCL reads it too !

[criscruise]

Don-I does warrant mention again, great review! We were on The Epic last August. We found her and crew to be fabulous, too. So glad you had such a great time and are sharing.

 

We loved teh crepe station. We found it to be open in the buffet most nights. It was our post show and dinner, wind down dessert and coffee time.

I must also say, I love the location of Epic's buffet. At first I thought I would prefer the space as on their Jewel class ships, but I love, loved sitting in those big windows each morning and seeing the beautiful Carribbean.

We are cruising, again, on the Gem next month, and I keep finding myself remember her more as The Epic than the Gem. I'll have to arrange my brain to be ready before we set sail. I could really get lost!

 

Glad you are safe and well, with a little tiny bit of selfishness on my part. Now we can continue with the great review.

Thanks!

[kerrytens]

Don, I loved (LOVED, LOVED) your O'Sheehans story. Wow, that is customer service like I've never read about before on these boards! Bravo NCL:D

 

I truly appreciate all of the time that you have spent doing this review. I really wish it wasn't going to end:(

[apmecruise]

Don,

This reply post will probably be long because I have just finished reading ALL of your MARVELOUS posts to date! It took me two days to read through everything so all my thoughts have collected as one! My husband and daughter have enjoyed some posts on their ways in and out this weekend. I have a nasty cold which is holding me on the couch and this is the best medicine I have taken yet!! I can't wait till you post more today (hopefully??) :p

 

You are obviously a positive person and it is so refreshing to read someone's experience that isn't chock-full of "what should have been-complaints" but instead full of "what was" in a thankful way. The way you handled your minor disturbance on board the Epic is testimony to your joy-de-vivre and positive attitude! I love love your towel animal!! I appreciate th effort the person put into it. I try to value what a person is trying to do as much as the result...it's all in the effort...don't you think?

 

I am not an avid cruiser, I LOVED my first cruise-10 years ago, but never found time to repeat it until now! My daughter, husband and self cruise out on the Epic on the April 16th sailing. We have been excited, but now due ....in large part, to your fabulous review, I am more than excited...I am THRILLED! :D

 

I really appreciate how you break each section of review up and post the pictures posted right along with it. As I read your review I am reminded that things will go wrong, after all we are just human! And we choose how to react to each situation. I believe I am a positive person, but I probably would have happily taken the bottle of wine from the server at the pub!! :eek: I would convice myself that my accepting his offer would make HIM feel better and heck, I love a nice glass of wine with dinner!!

 

There is so much about your posts that I appreciate and your detail is incredible. I am also amazed at how much you got done in a day!! Did you relax at all? You seem to go, go, go!!

 

My daughter loves crepes and playing basketball so she was so grateful to see your pictures of both. She sighed and rolled her eyes..."Oh yeah, under 2 weeks mom...under 2 weeks!!"

 

Thanks to you I am going to do a few things....I am going to stop reading the negative...it just breeds negative thoughts...then I am going to relax and believe that everyone will be happy on the cruise. My daughter and husband like to be go...go ...going all the time. I like to have a mix of doing things (like Martini...tasting...oh, my goodness that chocolate heaven looks like...ummm...heaven) and sitting on my tush with a good book.

 

Well this has gone on too long. One Giant Thank You from a new cruise from New York!! I will be checking in today to see how the rest of the cruise went! ;)