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

[DGP1111]

Also on Sunday, I had a wonderful experience that began as a challenge. Another example of NCL finding a way to make things work out for its passengers, even the lowly newbie like me. :o

 

Prior to embarking on EPIC, I'd found an additional sailing online that was of strong interest. I'd read about the Future Cruise Rewards program both here on CC and through NCL e-mail. Sounded like a win/win situation for sure, but I'd have to book the sailing after obtaining the reward onboard for the two to be connected. So I did the reward purchase (as well as yet another one later during the week) and planned for them to book it for me so I could benefit from the savings. That's when I learned that NCL doesn't book future cruise onboard EPIC (and perhaps none of the other ships either). Eeeek!!

 

So off I go to the Internet Cafe to get it accomplished there. Yeah, right. :( The NCL site is so Flash-oriented with multiple images that have to load before you can begin anything. Perhaps if this were a transatlantic sailing, and I stayed online 24/7, there would be enough time in the week for it to get through the first few required pages to complete a booking.

 

So I went back to the rewards desk to beg for any alternate solutions or suggestions. The main issue being that the special price ended at midnight, and when we got to St. Maarten it would be expired.

 

The onboard reward team was SO amazingly helpful, and offered to send an e-mail request to the Miami office and have them book it for me. And that's just what they did. Next afternoon I get a call on the cabin phone to advise 'Mission Accomplished' and was there anything else they could assist with.

That, my friends, is top-quality guest service!!! :D

[DGP1111]

And also on Sunday (as if the day hadn't been full enough already) I got to enjoy most of one of my all-time favorite animated flicks, from the comforts of a comfortable chair in the main lobby, and then later O'Sheehan's.

The quality of the big screen TV image is quite wonderful.

 

TOY STORY 3

Edited March 28, 2011 by DGP1111

[DGP1111]

OMG Don, this is a great thing that you are doing.....but its making me more antsy than I already was.....4/30 is a long wait....

 

Hang in there, as it's SOOOOOO worth the wait. :)

[DGP1111]

Going to jump ahead into later in the day on Monday (rather than starting with the very unique breakfast experience), because there was a request for some pictures of the POSH area. I took advantage of it for a while on Monday, and I can very easily say it was a great decision to book it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, even if it were priced higher.

 

:eek: Yeah, I know . . . . Shhhhhhhh, don't let NCL hear that.

 

Sorry, but it's true.

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[HokiePoq]

Thanks, Don! Your review and pictures are wonderful! We are new to the Epic and I feel like I'm being given a personal tour of the ship! I hope you took LOTS of pictures...can't wait for more!

[DGP1111]

And a few more of POSH, including the upper level . . .

 

 

 

And on windy days, the umbrellas are not up . . .

 

 

 

[DGP1111]

Now, going back to breakfast, on a total whim I happened up on something I'd have never known existed, and perhaps some of you who've already sailed on EPIC might have missed it as well, but . . .

 

On sea days, breakfast is also available in La Cucina. There are a few limited items on a small buffet line, but I ended up getting all my faves up in the Garden Cafe and then going down the stairs to eat there. Wonderful view over the bow of the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this, below, was my own personal table of choice for breakfast. Perfection!

 

[daffodiliaz]

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Also during this day, I made a few brief visits to the Casino to try out a bit of luck on this new ship. I'd been 'gifted' a small token of appreciation in the form of some complimentary casino play, which did not last long at all. Whoooosh!!

I also tried out the Triple Play Chips I'd arranged from the Bon Voyage items online. As long as you win, the chips stay in play. $15 value for $10 purchase. It's like having a coupon in the grocery store, right?QUOTE]

 

Any pictures of the casino (like maybe when it's closed)? I've read the casino is much bigger than other NCL casinos, but have yet to see any great pictures. If you have any, please post a couple. Thanks! Keep up the great work!

[DGP1111]

. . .LOVE IT!!! We don't sail the Epic until next year . . .

 

. . . and I hope you have the same fabooo time that I did, or perhaps even better (if that's possible). :)

[DGP1111]

Any pictures of the casino (like maybe when it's closed)? I've read the casino is much bigger than other NCL casinos, but have yet to see any great pictures. If you have any, please post a couple. Thanks! Keep up the great work!

 

I really wish I could help you out with those, and even mentioned to T-n-C later in the sailing that I regretted not having casino photos, but on numerous cruise lines that's big No-No, and I wasn't going to ruin a great experience by getting in trouble, or perhaps being put through the spanking machine. I never saw signs saying No, but I just wasn't sure. Really sorry to be of little/no assistance there. :o

On one evening when the three of us were doing the casino thing, I mentioned an interest in the unique wall pictures, and we all went for a much closer examination. There are these large single-color 'canvases' with one or more bronze-tone stripes across them. As it turns out, each of those stripes is composed of close to a bazillion tiny doo-dads, much of it old jewelry and trinkets. Really really cool stuff to see up close, so I encourage everyone to take a moment to do so.

 

 

If anyone can fullfil the request for EPIC Casino photos, I'd greatly appreciate you adding those to his thread. Thanks in advance!! :)

[canpass]

the more I read the more I am looking forward to my Epic voyage in 4 short weeks

[lacrossemitch]

Thanks for the great review! How are the beds? I had found RCI's bed to be very firm. How did you think NCL compared? Thanks Don,

 

Mitch

[kerrytens]

Mine was the blue one (the only color available in local Best Buy retail stores). It served its intended purpose during the cruise, and for the most part I was pleased with the pictures it took. But the LCD screen was a goobered up mess. If the sun was to my back, the only image I could see on the screen was reflection of Me. Grrrrrr :( That negated me being able to use the zoom properly as I feared the image would be all wrong.

 

The cruise ended on a Saturday, and I returned it on Sunday. The new version out now (XP30) has corrected that error, increased the megapixels, and also added GPS tagging, which is amazingly cool to have. I had to order it online, and have been using it for about two weeks. Love it!!

New model - damn! The newer one sounds super cool although I don't think I can justify upgrading something I've had and used for months now. Can't say I've noticed the goobered screen though ... need to pay attention I guess;)

 

Keep up the good work with this review sir! So glad I was persistent:p

[DGP1111]

the more I read the more I am looking forward to my Epic voyage in 4 short weeks

 

Can I go too?? :) :)

 

Thanks for the great review! How are the beds? I had found RCI's bed to be very firm. How did you think NCL compared?

 

Mitch, I only have my one sleeping location to describe on this ship (well, unless you count that one seat in the EPIC Theatre :o), but the bed in my Studio cabin was as good, or better, than any on any previous ship. And Carnival does have some good bedding -- - I gotta give 'em that.

[DGP1111]

<< insert bad words here - - all six pictures and text were lost in CC's attempt to refresh the post >>

 

Take Two

 

 

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Any information and pictures I post regarding the Studio accomodations will only interest a small percentage of past/future ship passengers, so thanks for being patient while I do this. It might be eventually beneficial to a few future researchers who might stumble across this thread.

 

A member of the Entertainment staff (Natalie) had been charged with filling the role of Solo Hostess. She would meet each and every evening (and some times on extra occasions) in the Living Room to help answer questions, and set up activites, and dining, for the Studio passengers. She's now on vacation, having her mom join for a back-to-back sailing right after ours, and then going back home to Australia with her.

I can honestly say I don't think there could have been any better person on the planet to do that role, and I'm sure there have been some big shoes to fill in her absence. For NCL's sake I personally hope she'll be returning for another contract at the end of her vacation. The cruise industry as a whole needs more people like Natalie working on its ships.

 

 

 

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And now some random photos of the Living Room area . . .

 

 

 

 

And this was my view down from just outside my Deck 12 Studio cabin:

 

[DGP1111]

The daily activities and info board:

 

 

 

 

And every day, several times a day, fresh warm cookies located to the right of the coffee machine. Maccadamia - Yum!!

[DGP1111]

Additional vending offered for the Deck 12 Studios . . .

(and, yes, you can use your ship card for payment as well as cash)

 

[DGP1111]

And now just a quick hodge-podge of a few things before I call it quits and head for bed. Work day tomorrow - Boooooo!! :(

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In case you'd like to know the brands of beer offered at the Waves Pool Bar:

 

 

They even have flavored coffees available at Waves as well . . .

 

 

 

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An ATM is conveniently located in the lobby area, just beyond the Shore Excursions desk:

 

 

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And in case you've had sleepless nights wondering about the brand of shampoo and shower gel used onboard . . .

 

 

Ok, was that totally random or what??

 

Have a good night, all - - eventually more later.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Don ~ thank you so much for doing this amazing report. You've made me even more excited for my Epic cruise in a studio in May!!

That Martini will be on my list of things to try for sure!;)

 

Was there by chance an electronic Blackjack machine in the casino? I just played on one in Arizona & it was amazing/addictive.

 

Looking forward to hearing more, thanks.

 

~ Jo~ :).

[Shollow]

Thank you, so much, for your wonderful posts about the Epic. We have eight months before our cruise and look forward to doing some of the things you have mentioned. And, you pictures are wonderful!! Please let us know how the rest of your trip went!!

 

We're on the edge of our seats.....

[lynnquenby]

Thanks for the POSH photos Don!!

 

Those Martinis looked great........another thing definitely on my 'to do' list ;)

 

Keep it coming!!

[lovetoreview]

Your review has been informative and amazing. Thank you!!

[DGP1111]

. . . Was there by chance an electronic Blackjack machine in the casino? I just played on one in Arizona & it was amazing/addictive.

 

Jo:

I'm gonna have to defer to Tom (or others) for an answer on that one, as I simply don't have a clue. Sorry.

But speaking of Blackjack, as well as a collection of other table games in the casino, it was a surprise (but one I really liked, because it made total sense) to see the dealers sitting down that first evening.

Had never seen that on other lines.

[DGP1111]

Earlier I posted some pics of some of the breakfast items in the Garden Cafe, and now here are some of their lunch offerings.

Again, I really liked the layout of this buffet eatery, and never once did I see someone getting upset about people butting in line to grab that one forgotten item, as there just weren't any lengthy lines at all. I'm sure it happened at some point, but I just never saw it.

 

 

 

 

 

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I had this (below) one day, and it was superb and a bit spicy. Just like I'd like it.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Jo:

I'm gonna have to defer to Tom (or others) for an answer on that one, as I simply don't have a clue. Sorry.

...

 

They did not have the "traditional" electronic Blackjack machines (see photo from Nassau - Crystal Palace), but that's not to say that one of the Game King type machines (Video Poker and such) did not have the ability, though I did not see any.

 

This machine (actually one just like it) kept saying (about her own hand): " I bust"... I thought it rather obvious myself... ;)

 

 

...

But speaking of Blackjack, as well as a collection of other table games in the casino, it was a surprise (but one I really liked, because it made total sense) to see the dealers sitting down that first evening.

Had never seen that on other lines.

 

... and they even let them sit down the other six nights as well! :p

 

:D

 

Tom