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

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Ok...ok....ok.....we just booked the Epic ;). But - just for the record - I am blaming Don, Tom AND Cheryl :eek:

 

LOL....THAT'S my story and I am stickin' to it!! :D ;)

 

 

OK... I will take some of the blame (but you'll THANK me later)! :D

 

Tom

[happy cruzin]

OK... I will take some of the blame (but you'll THANK me later)! :D

 

Tom

 

LOL....I am sure we will!! ;) :D

[DGP1111]

Ok...ok....ok.....we just booked the Epic ;). But - just for the record - I am blaming Don, Tom AND Cheryl :eek:

 

Excellent news!!! :D

And may yours, also, be one of those fantastic cruise vacations that finds itself near (if not At) the top of your cruise list. :) :)

Edited April 16, 2011 by DGP1111

[happy cruzin]

Excellent news!!! :D

And may yours, also, be one of those fantastic cruise vacations that finds itself near (if not At) the top of your cruise list. :) :)

 

It sure sounds like it will be :D

 

THANK YOU......for all of the great information - that made the decision easy !! ;)

[DGP1111]

There absolutely are some things about a cruise vacation that passengers (self definitely included) don't want to even think about as being a real event, with one of those being evacuation procedures.

 

The embarkation day muster drill was totally painless and very well organized. :) My personal gathering location was the Spiegel Tent (Cirque show venue), and they were definitely taking everyone's name and checking them off a clipboard list. Didn't last too long, either.

 

But it was right after the Cruise Critic meet-n-greet on Sunday, when T-n-C and I headed out the doors from Bliss Lounge to check our the life boat area, which also includes the walking/jogging track.

 

It was as we were passing by one of the signs on the large beams, that we did a little "Huh?" and a back step. All around us there were these rather hefty lifeboats, and the process of using those is pretty much the same no matter cruise line you choose, but we noticed something that was more than a wee bit foreign. The sign showed the evacuation method that is (apparently) also used in tandem with the lifeboats.

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Obviously, the twisting slides are not exclusive to the pool deck. These big inflatable honeycomb units are deployed, and you (sans shoes) swirl your way down to the floating evacuation thingamajig.

 

This company (RFD Marin Ark) also equips the largest Celebrity ships, and I found this web site, that has a better picture of the whole process and some interesting info about the system.

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http://www.rfdbeaufortmarine.com/news/item/61/us-navy-select-new-generation-marine-evacuation-system-marin-ark-for-their-sisler-vessel

 

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And here's yet another one:

 

http://www.elcome.com/?page_id=1959

 

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Kinda cool to see how the whole thing operates, but I NEVER want to see it in action for real!!!!

 

Of course the question still flies around my brain . . . who gets the boats . . . and who gets the honeycombs. :confused:

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Edited April 16, 2011 by DGP1111

[DGP1111]

<< Random Picture Alert >> :)

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In case you enjoyed your flavored frozen beverages around the ship throughout the week, and later wondered what brand they used . . .

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[DGP1111]

It may be the casino process throughout the NCL fleet, but it was new to me.

 

You can cash-out your winnings via a printed voucher directly at the machine you are playing. These can either be taken to the cashier to be turned into cash, or re-inserted into other machines to use whatever value of the voucher.

 

I was playing a $1 limit slot and (after multiple fast losses) ended up with an amount less than required for one more spin of the wheels. I chose to save it in case I decided to do an online recap, and could post the scan of the voucher.

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I can now officially say that this review does, indeed, have 'value'. :p

 

True, it's not much, but all these pages now add up to a whopping seventy cents. :D

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[msheda]

Of course the question still flies around my brain . . . who gets the boats . . . and who gets the honeycombs. :confused:

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Did you book a villa? No? Down the chute you go!

 

Although the real answer might be the crew and slower guests.

I know on the sun they had the boats for the guests, but the crew (except for those manning the life rafts) get the inflatables that are stored in large white capsules (look like big tylenol or depth charges).

 

Also, another vote for a great review, thanks!

[msheda]

It may be the casino process throughout the NCL fleet, but it was new to me.

 

You can cash-out your winnings via a printed voucher directly at the machine you are playing. These can either be taken to the cashier to be turned into cash, or re-inserted into other machines to use whatever value of the voucher..

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Cashout Tickets (Vouchers) have been around the casinos for awhile. I know there were at the Harrah's in New Orleans when I was there 3 years ago. Although there you can take them up to a machine and get the cash, you don't have to go through the cashier line if you don't want to.

[DGP1111]

Cashout Tickets (Vouchers) have been around the casinos for awhile. I know there were at the Harrah's in New Orleans when I was there 3 years ago. Although there you can take them up to a machine and get the cash, you don't have to go through the cashier line if you don't want to.

 

Aha . . . that explains one of the options listed on the ATM in the lobby area. Thanks!! :)

 

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[Canuck-Ottawa]

In case you enjoyed your flavored frozen beverages around the ship throughout the week, and later wondered what brand they used . . ..

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Don:

Did you happen to notice if the ship had Clamato juice for making Bloody Caesars? I'm thinking I may have to buy some in Miami and carry it on-board. My wife, along with most Canadians, loves her Bloody Caesars.:D

[kikibear]

Don - Thanks so much for such a fun and informative read. This is my first time posting on the CC boards - we leave on the Epic next Feb and are sooooo looking forward to it! We have friends that are aboard as I type and I can't wait to get their take on all things Epic!

[DGP1111]

Don:

Did you happen to notice if the ship had Clamato juice for making Bloody Caesars? I'm thinking I may have to buy some in Miami and carry it on-board. My wife, along with most Canadians, loves her Bloody Caesars.:D

 

Rick: I really wish I could be of some assistance with your question, but I can't -- Sorry. :(

 

Since I'm a simple American who doesn't even drink standard Bloody Marys, I was not aware of this beverage's existence, but I did some research, and now I'm more "Canadian Bar Savvy". :D

 

 

And you are so right about its popularity in your neck o' the woods.

Found this interesting article to assist my own research . . .

 

http://www.islandfoodie.com/bloody%20caesar.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Don - Thanks so much for such a fun and informative read. This is my first time posting on the CC boards - we leave on the Epic next Feb and are sooooo looking forward to it! We have friends that are aboard as I type and I can't wait to get their take on all things Epic!

 

Thanks, and have a fantastic cruise vacation - - Bon Voyage!! :)

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[kerrytens]

Rick: I really wish I could be of some assistance with your question, but I can't -- Sorry. :(

 

Since I'm a simple American who doesn't even drink standard Bloody Marys, I was not aware of this beverage's existence, but I did some research, and now I'm more "Canadian Bar Savvy". :D

 

 

And you are so right about its popularity in your neck o' the woods.

Found this interesting article to assist my own research . . .

 

http://www.islandfoodie.com/bloody%20caesar.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, and have a fantastic cruise vacation - - Bon Voyage!! :)

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Don, Caesar's are the drink of choice for many of us Canuckians (present company excluded though). What else do you need to know about us, eh?:p

[Chigirlcruzin]

Don:

Did you happen to notice if the ship had Clamato juice for making Bloody Caesars? I'm thinking I may have to buy some in Miami and carry it on-board. My wife, along with most Canadians, loves her Bloody Caesars.:D

 

 

I got off the Epic yesterday, and I did see Clamato juice! Have a fantastic cruise! My review to come shortly, but in short, it was AMAZING! I was ready to book the next one before we even set sail!

 

Actually, I need to look at my work scheduled, but it is quite possible I will be joining you for your Dec 10 cruise.

Edited April 18, 2011 by Chigirlcruzin

[DGP1111]

. . . My review to come shortly, but in short, it was AMAZING! I was ready to book the next one before we even set sail!

 

Well now . . . yet another CCL Platinum cruiser who took a lick of the foreign ice cream cone, and said, "Whoa!! That was pretty dang good!" :D

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Don, Caesar's are the drink of choice for many of us Canuckians (present company excluded though). What else do you need to know about us, eh?:p

 

All I know is that in all five of my visits to your wonderful country (and various areas), I've been treated very well as a tourist . . . even in those areas that were strong in using the French language, which I basically don't speak at all.

 

Now I clearly read what you typed, but my ears 'filtered' it to be, "What else do you need to know abooot us, eh?" :D

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[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Well now . . . yet another CCL Platinum cruiser who took a lick of the foreign ice cream cone, and said, "Whoa!! That was pretty dang good!" :D

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I like ice cream...

 

Tom

[Chigirlcruzin]

Well now . . . yet another CCL Platinum cruiser who took a lick of the foreign ice cream cone, and said, "Whoa!! That was pretty dang good!" :D

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Yup! NCL nailed it with the studio cabins! Other cruise lines need to take note - this is a growing, lucrative market. There were several others in my age group, and we've already been in contact today. We talked about taking another cruise together in fall. I'm 34 with 13 cruises under my belt, with many more to come (I hope).

 

I can honestly say that I haven't had a bad cruise. However, this is in my top 3. Like you, I chose to "upgrade" my cruise, and I only ate in the main dining room twice. Le Bistro was my favorite.

[kerrytens]

Actually, I need to look at my work scheduled, but it is quite possible I will be joining you for your Dec 10 cruise.

Oh, fingers crossed!!!!! Please do. :D

[DGP1111]

I like ice cream...

 

Tom

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:D . . . :D . . . :D

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And on your next 'spin' I encourage you to follow the Donsters lead, and head upstairs for some fun to the tongue.

 

On this particular occasion, it was coconut and pistachio.

 

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[kerrytens]

 

Now I clearly read what you typed, but my ears 'filtered' it to be, "What else do you need to know abooot us, eh?" :D

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About, about, about :D:D

[DGP1111]

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And on your next 'spin' I encourage you to follow the Donsters lead, and head upstairs for some fun to the tongue.

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Oooops . . . make that downstairs. :o

[Canuck-Ottawa]

And you are so right about its popularity in your neck o' the woods.

Found this interesting article to assist my own research . . .

 

http://www.islandfoodie.com/bloody%20caesar.htm

Thanks, and have a fantastic cruise vacation - - Bon Voyage!! :).

 

Great article Don! Another variation of the "Caesar" is to add Horseradish :eek:, and in Teppanyaki restaurants up here, they make it with Saki instead of Vodka. I may have a discussion with the manager of the Teppanyaki restaurant on the EPIC!:D

My wife has added her own variation. As mentioned in the article, bartenders in Vegas have added jumbo olives. My wife likes to add 2 or 3 of Costco's Garlic-stuffed Greek olives to her drink!:eek:

[Canuck-Ottawa]

I got off the Epic yesterday, and I did see Clamato juice! Have a fantastic cruise! My review to come shortly, but in short, it was AMAZING! I was ready to book the next one before we even set sail!

 

Actually, I need to look at my work scheduled, but it is quite possible I will be joining you for your Dec 10 cruise.

 

THANK YOU! And my wife REALLY thanks you!:D

[MonaCD]

I like ice cream...

 

Tom

 

That cinches it, now you must bypass Maine and come directly here so we can make that side trip to PEI. We will make an addition to our gastronomic tour and go to Cows Ice Cream.

 

 

Great article Don! Another variation of the "Caesar" is to add Horseradish :eek:, and in Teppanyaki restaurants up here, they make it with Saki instead of Vodka. I may have a discussion with the manager of the Teppanyaki restaurant on the EPIC!:D

My wife has added her own variation. As mentioned in the article, bartenders in Vegas have added jumbo olives. My wife likes to add 2 or 3 of Costco's Garlic-stuffed Greek olives to her drink!:eek:

 

Hmm, I like the stuffed olive addition, will now have to send B back to Costco to pick some up.

 

 

And forgot to add for Don, the casino here uses those vouchers here to cash out. The catch is you only have three months to use them as I found out the hard way.

Edited April 18, 2011 by MonaCD