Epic Review- April 16-23....long

[apmecruise]

Trying to keep my post going but the boards are not cooperating! But the boards aren't all. I injured my foot at work yesterday and broke my foot! Grrrr. So now I am bedridden until I get some of the swelling down. And all my information is downstairs and I am already a big pain. Hopefully I will continue the post later this evening!

 

My friend and I are also busy researching another cruise. I had such an unbelievable time~as soon as the 'kids cruise free' deal came out I started hounding some friends to take their daughters out of school and go for an adventure and just the other night...my friend said yes!!

 

So now its trying to figure it which one. I really like the idea of cruising from NY to Bermuda aboard the Gem but I am worried that I won't like the Gem as much as the Epic.

[apmecruise]

Trying to keep my post going but the boards are not cooperating! But the boards aren't all. I injured my foot at work yesterday and broke my foot! Grrrr. So now I am bedridden until I get some of the swelling down. And all my information is downstairs and I am already a big pain. Hopefully I will continue the post later this evening!

 

My friend and I are also busy researching another cruise. I had such an unbelievable time~as soon as the 'kids cruise free' deal came out I started hounding some friends to take their daughters out of school and go for an adventure and just the other night...my friend said yes!!

 

So now its trying to figure it which one. I really like the idea of cruising from NY to Bermuda aboard the Gem but I am worried that I won't like the Gem as much as the Epic.

[poffles]

Trying to keep my post going but the boards are not cooperating! But the boards aren't all. I injured my foot at work yesterday and broke my foot! Grrrr. So now I am bedridden until I get some of the swelling down. And all my information is downstairs and I am already a big pain. Hopefully I will continue the post later this evening!

 

My friend and I are also busy researching another cruise. I had such an unbelievable time~as soon as the 'kids cruise free' deal came out I started hounding some friends to take their daughters out of school and go for an adventure and just the other night...my friend said yes!!

 

So now its trying to figure it which one. I really like the idea of cruising from NY to Bermuda aboard the Gem but I am worried that I won't like the Gem as much as the Epic.

 

Oh no ... broke your foot! That sucks. Well at least enjoy having others run for you LOL

[apmecruise]

:rolleyes: One of the reasons we chose the Epic was for its incredible entertainment. As I plan my other cruise on the Gem I see that the entertainment on the Epic is not only extraordinary but unique as well. The offering on this ship is just....well Epic. Each event I attended is something I know I would be paying well over $100 for the 3 of us at home.

Since I paid for the premium seating I didn’t worry about getting to the Spiegel Tent early (I should have) so we amble in with about 10 minutes to go before the show starts. Our premium seating put us right on the floor with our BACKS to the action. We were sitting with a family of 6 who all faced the floor and we sat across from them. They were a nice family with a range of ages from 5 to 15. My vibrant outspoken daughter became suddenly quiet around their daughter (I can never figure that out) but it didn’t matter much because we only had time to sit down, special order Sarah’s chicken fingers and our glasses of wine. The service was thorough and attentive.

We had already eaten so we weren’t much hungry. But I thought it was all fine. Certainly as good as the buffet maybe as good as Taste. I didn’t look at the price of the ticket as the cost of food but more for the entertainment value of the show so the food wasn't as bad as I feared (wow people can complain on these boards right?). We started with a nice salad fresh with a lovely dressing. I don’t eat seafood so my surf and turf dinner found my shrimp pushed over on my husband’s plate and my daughter and I ate the beef (fork tender). Once she saw the beef she didn’t want her chicken anymore…:o. At the end, the desert plate with a trio of choices was lovely. The crème brule/fan offering was probably my favorite desert all week. But we all really just picked at our food because 1) we had eaten and 2) we were turned completely around to see the show.

Now the show…wonderful! We really enjoyed it. Not the story…that is stupid and meaningless but that might even be part of it. It’s such an out there type of act that the silliness of the story lends itself well to the hijinx. They picked on my husband throughout the show and he was so trying to hide;). He had his head rubbed and his shoulders rubbed and that was by a man in a leotard…embarrassing:eek:.

The show goes over the top when they bring out the bathtub!! But you have to see it to believe it. Lets just say that the man in the bathtub is worth the price of admission!!

Also, I’ve come to expect that a woman in these types of shows will take her leg and pull it straight up and tuck it behind her head…but a man! WOW that HAS to hurt. We all spent time saying…”And HOW do they do that?”

All in all it was enjoyable. I have always wanted to see a cirque style show and this was a great one to start with. The dinner isn’t necessary to the enjoyment but it was nice. Maybe the dinner is a way to offset some of the entertainment costs. Whatever it is, I would happily pay it again. But I wouldn’t go with premium seating. If you got regular seating and got their early you could sit up along the railing on the second floor. That way you could look down on everything and no one would make YOU part of the entertainment. The next time we went to the Spiegel Tent my husband would become part of the show again…this time he definitely tried to hide :cool:but they found him!!

After the entertainment it was around 11pm and we are totally exhausted so we head back to our room to sit on the balcony and enjoy the sounds of the ocean.

Back in our room we see our room steward extraordinaire, Henry, brought us another chair for the balcony…one that reclines. Heaven. And he made towel animals. How fun. We sit for a minute and then...well decide we want to head back out. And we CAN!! That’s the best part of cruising.

We walk Sarah back over to the Teen Lounge and we go to Spice H20 to dance hmmm...well we are tired… watch the dance party. We found some lounge chairs and decided that another drink was NOT a good idea so we chatted and enjoyed the music for a while, It was delightful under the warm night air with billions of stars twinkling over head. The loud music wasn’t quite what I was looking for but it was fun to watch some more energetic people boogie and shake it!! We had planned to go to Howl at the Moon…but…its late or is it early if its after midnight?

We find Sarah- shooting hoops- and head back in to our stateroom. Tomorrow is Costa Maya and a 7:30 wake up call. We talk about our plans for the next day all the way back to the room. I hope we didn’t keep anyone up as we made our way down the long red carpeted hallways laughing and giggling and with Sarah running ahead and popping out to scare us at every corner! We are so excited for our first port of call. I booked the Maya Chan for the day so we can finally just sit and relax in the sun!

Our first full day at sea had come to an end and we drifted off to sleep in our ultra-comfortable beds lulled into a deep sleep by the tranquil melody of the ocean.

Yup...this is SOOOOO worth it!:p

[apmecruise]

Excursion day!

 

Around 6am maybe...I woke up to the sounds of the engine. It sounded like it was reversing itself...to stop maybe. It was loud. I had heard that it was really loud on the aft of the ship (see how I'm using ship speak now!) but I didn't expect it on the....(oops what is the front called) the forward. It turned our bed into a vibrating bed. It wasn't terrible, in fact if I wasn't so excited I probably would have fallen back to sleep but instead I got up to shower and get organized.

 

By 7:15 we get our phone call that the food is being delivered the breakfast arrives by 7:30am. We enjoy some rolls and coffee/tea and fruit on the balcony and look out over the port. The area around the port is kind of beaten up. The port is colorful and attractive. Kind of a disney version of what you expect in an "exotic" port. It works for me and I am so excited to get off!

[KandJCruising]

Had a great on-the-beach massage and some very tasty ceviche during our stop there. Very relaxing day.

[apmecruise]

Okay the boards are being really tough on me. You didn't really think that is all I wrote did you? Well it ate about 2/3 of that post. I am now typing on word and then copying over so I will begin to resurect my last post.

 

Martin goes upstairs to the buffet to grab a bigger breakfast while we gather our things together and I get our contact information for the Maya Chan we need to find Hector and the van. We meet Martin up at the Garden Café and grab a quick bite while we wait (you can eat all day long if you want and the fruit is so gorgeous!) before long its 8:30am and they are announcing disembarkation.

We take the elevator down to the 4th floor and quickly walked off the ship. No big deal. On the way back you are greeted with squirt -squirt LEAVE THE GERMS IN MEXICO and then you put your bags through a machine. We saw them confiscate alcohol from a few people. No big deal, they tag it and give it back at the end. But shame- shame!!

Getting off the ship was easy. I had worried that the elevator would take forever, I also worried about long lines but neither were ever a factor. The walk off the ship and down to the pier is long and enjoyable in the bright sunlight. The water is simply indescribable. The Caribbean has its own type of turquoise blue and the sky is similarly unique. After our long harsh winter it was simply joyful to feel the sun on our face…and make our daughter take pictures with a mariachi band, with pirates, and …"hey you stranger..come on over here for a picture with my daughter " Come on MOM not AGAIN!!

There are bikes pulling seats behind them and slow trolleys for those that don’t want to hoof it. But I am so excited to be in Mexico that I am fairly dancing down the long walk. Once off the ship there are photographers everywhere. When you board the ship you get your first formal picture taken and then they use facial recognition to gather your photos throughout the cruise. Then you can go view your pictures in the picture area by using your room card. We never did purchase any and now I wish we had. They were expensive and I was being cheap! But still there were a few I would have liked.

Costa Maya has a nice pier area. If I could figure out how to upload my pictures I could show you lovely pictures of some colorful Mexican dancers and a lovely pier area. Instead here is a great website with information and pictures.

http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/CostaMaya.htm

We met quite a few people who chose to just leave the ship and hang out at the port area. There was a large pool area with a swim up bar in the center of an active courtyard. Surrounding the courtyard were shops, bars and restaurants. Everything was picturesque and inviting.

We walked through the pier area and out the back where there was a line of small huts-all different tour groups. I think it might be nice to just get off and figure out what you want to do right there! I am too much of a planner to do that though.

I rushed through the courtyard because we were nervous about finding the Maya Chan people. We asked a few people who pointed us in the general area. We found the booth for the Maya Chan and were quickly on a bus headed for our home for the day!! Beach bed and palapas...here I come!

[apmecruise]

Day Three- Maya Chan resort heaven!

Costa Maya, which shares a border with Belize, is a small tourist region that includes two small coastal villages, Mahahual and Xcalak. Xcalak is about 50 km away and we didn’t get that far but I hear the government is tyring to retain the small village charm and develop ecotourism there. </SPAN>

We left the Epic and headed past the small fishing village of Mahahual which is about 3 km from the port area. Along the way we drove by soft white sand beaches and grass thatched palapas. We bumped out on a series of long windy, dirt roads. We wound past houses and small hotels and watering holes that begged you to just meander in and plop down for an ice cold cerveza and guacamole. But that wasn’t to be….not quite yet. It was only 9am and we were bumping and grinding (without music) our way out to visit Mark and the staff at the Maya Chan. I can’t recommend this place more!!

http://www.costamayabeachresort.com/

The foliage outside was stunning in its own desert like way. We passed by swaying palm trees, gorgeous purple bouganvilla and green spiny agave plants. The Caribbean breezes urged us along as we held on for the ride through an area that appears to be struggling to recover from 2007 Hurricane Dean.

Before long we begin to pass residential areas that looks like it and there it is!! The welcome sign. We leap out of the van and are warmly greeted by Mark and the Maya Chan staff. We are given a short tour…beach showers and changing area, bar and bathrooms, massage tables (oh we so did!), some kayaks and over here…your palapa. Oh it’s a piece of heaven.

We are shown to our own thatched palapa with a swaying hammock (Sarah enjoys this) 2 wooden Adirondack style beach chairs and a sun bed (yes an actual bed!) just begging to be spread out on. As we enter our own beach area we already have a rum punch in our hands. The three of us gather together for a moment to look out over the glittering ocean and spy the Epic in the far distance. I honestly wonder if life can get much better than this moment? Oh I'm happy to say it can and it does.

[apmecruise]

K and J, my daughter and I had the most wonderful massages there and the guacamole was fabulous. At one point my daughter wandered off and I found her at the bar enjoying a chocolate martini looking drink??? Hmm I ask...what is IN that hun? It is the bartenders special oreo drink (non alcoholic). WOW it was fabulous. He makes an alcohol one but I never got past his mojitos that were delightful.

[fabnfortysomething]

K and J, my daughter and I had the most wonderful massages there and the guacamole was fabulous. At one point my daughter wandered off and I found her at the bar enjoying a chocolate martini looking drink??? Hmm I ask...what is IN that hun? It is the bartenders special oreo drink (non alcoholic). WOW it was fabulous. He makes an alcohol one but I never got past his mojitos that were delightful.

 

well you've beaten me to the review-nice to meet you too!

 

The main problem with the huge size of the ship was that we just didnt keep bumping into people we knew,definitely should have swapped cabin numbers at the meet and greet!

 

we were also concerned with the prospect of uncovered balconies on deck 8 but actually they were in the minority! we were in8190 which was covered, a good size and was at the end of the lifeboat row so had a view straight down to the ocean! However the cabin directly above us on deck 9 had an uncovered balcony-very difficult to work out from deck plans!

 

posh pass was definitely worth it for $59 per person-comfortable padded loungers-quiet and waiters to spray you down, provide cold towels and complimentary melon skewers-nice

 

we also did the couples spa pass for $199 but found that area more crowded and couldnt always get a lounger

 

great holiday-shame about having to return to reality!

 

Lyn

[Jenner9]

Can't wait for more!! Love your review so far!!

[apmecruise]

Lyn, how nice to hear from you! I hope you had as good a time as we did. As I said earlier in my EPIC post it would have been a good idea to plan to reconnect and share notes. Are you posting a review? I can't wait to hear about your experience. Say hello to your husband from Martin and I

[apmecruise]

When we arrived at the Maya Chan, they greated you with a drink (either alocoholic or non) your choice. They escort you to your reserved area on the beach and as you get settled and talk to the people around you, they bring fruit cups...yum! After a few more offers of drinks they bring out chips and guac/salsa. Before long its time for more drinks and then a most delicious lunch. The meat beef, chicken and fish was so well cooked that it just melted in your mouth. I don't know what they marinated it in or how long they cooked it but I would go back just for the meal they served!

 

We enjoyed Maya Chan completely. My husband took a quick bike ride (it was very hot) but he enjoyed exploring the area...well until he met a local dog and decided to come on back:cool:. He watched some of the sand golf. I had wanted to participate but it was hot and the beach was so lazy and lovely...besides I was relaxing to get ready for my massage:rolleyes:. I didn't want to go to my massage all stressed out you know!!

 

Sarah and Martin went kayaking while I enjoyed floating around the beach area. They didn't see any fish floating by but they enjoyed the view and the experience. I had hoped to snorkel but we never got around to it. We did however have fun checking out the sea stars they gathered up to show us. Wow I never knew they grew that big or that they stuck to your hand when you held them.

 

People on the boards talk endlessly about the turtle grass. It was there and they worked to contain it all day. They had a worker raking it from the moment we got there till we left (different parts of the beach) I think it was probably one of those times when it was plentiful. But it never got in the way, it was just part of nature. Like the glorious palm trees and bougainvilla flowers. While you float in the warm sea water and look up on the beach at your own slice of heaven...beach grass isn't something to focus on.

 

I lounged most of the day at the beach enjoying a drink on my beach bed reading, on a float drifting through the Caribbean, on the massage table...or just walking along the ocean edge. It was just what we okay I needed after the long hard winter. It was the most relaxed and easy going part of our vacation. A few days like that strung together in a row...well thats my idea of paradise. My husband and daughter...they like to be busier if you couldn't tell. Luckily for them they will have their chance in the next two excursion days.

 

About 3pm the staff started coming around the beach and asking us when we wanted to get back to the ship (we needed to be back by 4.30). We told them 3.30 sounded good. We cleaned up and reluctantly left our beach paradise.

 

On the way back we stopped and tried to shop in the port area. I forgot to check into the exchange rate and when my daughter found a 800 something bathing suit bottom well...I just ushered her out I figured it couldn't have transfered very well at all. Besides I needed a long shower and a....nap! I relaxed myself into exhaustion! I wisely planned nothing but dinner at Tappenyaki later in the evening so we had time to unwind...from unwinding. Ah...this is the life onboard the Epic.

 

Thank you Maya Chan. You were just what we needed to shake off the stink of snow!!

 

 

On caveat, I think the Maya Chan should provide footballs, soccer balls, and beach balls for the kids to throw around. I usually bring a ball or frisbee on my own but with the cruise I didn't want to pack them. It makes it easy for kids to make friends with each other. Sarah and Martin throwing the coconuts around was probably not a good idea!

[jgwolf]

We were there the same day as you and I have to say that was one of my most favorite parts of the cruise. The food was great, drinks were fantastic and my son who is 9 had one of those oreo drinks.

I would definitely recommend Maya Chan to anyone going to Costa Maya

[apmecruise]

We were there the same day as you and I have to say that was one of my most favorite parts of the cruise. The food was great, drinks were fantastic and my son who is 9 had one of those oreo drinks.

I would definitely recommend Maya Chan to anyone going to Costa Maya

 

I wonder if you son was playing throw the coconut with my daughter. I had such a nice time but didn't socialize so much. In the water I talked to some lovely people but really...it was so nice to just well...veg out! I look back at my notes and saw that I didn't do any of the things I planned but everything I wanted to at the moment. So truly, am I exaggerating? I think people won't really believe how the whole place was and I tend to go overboard with hyperbole!

[apmecruise]

Getting back on the ship was a breeze and one of my favorite things about this cruise was about to happen.

 

To get back on the ship we head back down the long pier amid some happy slightly sunburnt people. Everyone is dragging their tired bodies much slower then they did on their way out. As we get near the Epic we see some canopied tables set up. What is that we wonder as we wander closer.

 

A handful of NCL staff are out outside with coolers of fresh cold water and...wait for it...ice cold wash cloths. We detour into these tented areas and gratefully accept a ice cold rolled white wash cloth. Do you have any idea how good they feel on your sunburnt sandy face? Like heaven. And they are scented with eucalyptus (I think). Oh my goodness. I grabbed two and wiped off my face, the back of my neck and smelled in the cold clean smell. Heaven! We grabbed a few cups of ice water and climbed back on board. Our bag sailed through the machine and we went to our room.

 

I showered and before I was done...Sarah was gone. Hmmm...where did she go you wonder. Okay altogether...yup BASKETBALL. That kid should improve her shot tremendously on this cruise-AAU season is about to begin!!

 

We nap off and on and watch the sail away from the balcony. Good bye Costa Maya. Good bye Maya Chan. I loved the trip and the place but I don't think I would come here to stay for an extended time. But I so WOULD travel this route again on the Epic. Sign me up. I would do this again next week if I thought enough to book a back to back.

 

But before we start getting depressed about having to leave the ship we still have lots to do.

 

By 7pm we are starving and my dinner plans aren't till almost 9pm. Do we really want to wait? No. I make a quick call and they are so sorry that they can't change my Tepanyaki reservation and get us in early, Its okay I say- we are too tired to wait, so we cancel. I wasn't in the mood for Japanese anyway. I didn't know I could cancel without charge...that’s terrific.

 

We put our heads together to discuss where to go and when Sarah checks back in we get dressed up (a little—no shorts) and decide to go to Manhattan AFT on deck six. What a lovely place. It is so elegant. White linens, beautiful silver and crystal (no idea the quality of the items but the look is top notch).

 

We arrive around 7:30 and walk right in and are seated in a table for four. Everyone is so welcoming. The band is playing and it is a wonderful feeling. Soft melodies welcome us as the hostess walks us to our table. “Did you have a good day?” “No.” I frown slightly then burst into a smile, “Actually, I had a GREAT day!” “That’s wonderful, I’ll send your waiter right over, enjoy your meal.”

 

It is those little details that make a place so enjoyable. A few words here and there, and a smile now and then and I find I will forgive just about anything. But there is nothing to forgive tonight. Our waiter is over shortly to ask about our day and take our drink order. Sarah gets a shirleytemple and we decide on a bottle of wine that could be corked and completed later if we don’t finish it.

 

We peruse the menu- one side stays the same for the whole cruise and the other changes nightly. That is nice because some people like to have things they can recognize that don’t change much.

 

The choices were plentiful and it was not easy to decide. Sarah decides on pasta primavera, creamy with crisp vegetables. Martin and I decide to start with Summer Rolls-crisp and fresh and Calamari – looked nice but yuck!. For dinner I get New York Strip cooked medium perfectly, a disappointing luke warm baked potato and Martin got seafood something that he enjoyed and I didn’t try. But for me…the star was desert; Bread and Butter Pudding with a warm caramel sauce. Wow. I don’t even like this sort of thing but got it on a whim. It was warm, gooey, and luscious. Fresh whipped cream, warm sauce and the yummiest pudding base I’ve ever enjoyed. If I had been alone I would have licked the plate clean! I meant to go back and get it again, but… Sarah was not feeling good. Manhattan is at the aft and she felt the motion strongly here.

 

Of course she was also developing the type of burn that you don't completely peel clean from for over a week. Remember I forgot my sunscreen? Well we got some on the ship…no brand I knew and it well…didn’t seem to help her too much. She was active in the sun all day at Maya Chan and probably didn’t reapply. Our winter whitened skin was no match. You need to just SLATHER that stuff on!! We all burned to some extent but Sarah…well she took it the worst. Dinner was a bit rough for her. She felt nauseous and attributed it to the restaurant so she never wanted to come back. I was sad because I really liked Manhattan. BUT there are so many places to eat that it forced us to try different places. I could have happily kept coming back.

 

We only drank a glass of wine each so the waiter corked the bottle and gave us a ticket so we could pick it up later. We could have taken it with us, but we weren't going to do any more drinking tonight. We had an early morning, again, at our next stop at Roatan, Honduras.

 

Back in the room we all settle down for the evening. Where is Sarah? No, not this!! No basketball tonight. She needs to rest and try to recuperate before we hit the sun AGAIN!! We are all lounging in bed by 10:30am watching the flat screen TV. We watch some of the ship’s entertainment from the past few days. They replay some of the things they feature during the cruise. Over the week we watched the newlywed game show, white hot party, Fabba night and some other things. It was nice to be able to check in and see what we missed because we were too tired or were doing something else!!

 

I put out our choices for breakfast out on the door handle for our wake up call while Martin moans about the bad coffee- there has to be an Achilles heel somewhere-don't you think?

 

Again we fall into a deep sleep pretty quickly. The slight rocking of the ship begs you to nod off especially when you are wrapped up like a cocoon in your crisp white linens- is there anything better than a freshly made bed? The room is dark and quiet, the only light in the room comes from the glow of the phone. The balcony door is ajar to let in the night sounds and the curtain is being pulled out and pushed back in to its own Caribbean rhythm.

[fabnfortysomething]

you corked the wine and left it in the restaurant-shame on you-I must be remembered for lugging my bottle of wine from restaurant to bar to balcony if there was any left that is to enjoy as a nightcap on the balcony prior to bed!

 

sorry about your foot-thank goodness it didnt happen on the cruise!

 

have submitted a review in the ship reviews section-not as detailed as this one-probably appear in a few days time

 

Ian sends his regards

 

Lyn

[apmecruise]

you corked the wine and left it in the restaurant-shame on you-I must be remembered for lugging my bottle of wine from restaurant to bar to balcony if there was any left that is to enjoy as a nightcap on the balcony prior to bed!

 

sorry about your foot-thank goodness it didnt happen on the cruise!

 

have submitted a review in the ship reviews section-not as detailed as this one-probably appear in a few days time

 

Ian sends his regards

 

Lyn

 

 

Yeah, at first I thought...wait lets bring it then I thought. Hell no, I am going to sleep and I'll be back eating and drinking later on! I never did see anyone dragging their wine around. We did get a bucket of beer first thing and dragged our extras around with us.

 

You know I was thinking about the cruise and reading through some reviews, there is a new one I saw today that had a pretty negative spin on their room steward. I feel awful for her. The steward made our experience fabulous.

 

He knew our names the first day. Hello Miss Sarah and what are you doing today? Or Where is Mr. Martin today? I have to say honestly sometime we got split up and he would be the go to person. Hey Henry did my daughter/husband come by. Oh yes, Ms. Jennifer....she's playing basketball again...is that an American thing? or Mr. Martin is up at the Garden Cafe I think. Then the towel animals. One night he did one like a monkey hanging from the ceiling!

 

Our room was always fresh and clean and ready. With a teenager there were lots of showers and he always seemed to be around to put out clean towels...clean up her mess and put out a fresh one for the floor. Then there was always ice in the bucket and he lugged an extra chair for us. Coming in late at night to turned down beds and low lighting made the evening special.

 

Anyway, I do go on, probably the side effect of two many days in bed with my foot propped up popping pain pills, but I feel badly that people didn't get the same great experience. I filled out some comment cards for Henry, I tipped him a few times during the week and left him $50 at the end but realize now it wasn't enough! I'll remember for next time to be more grateful and thankful while I am in the middle of it.

 

Can't wait to read your review.

[fabnfortysomething]

yes our cruise stewardess Melanie was great clean cabin towel animals the lot

only complaint why havent they transferred the caribbean weather back to the UK as requested -my tan is starting to fade!

[apmecruise]

Again today I am awoken by the sounds of the engines reversing themselves churning up the oceans. The vibrations are loud and draw me out of bed to the balcony. I love watching the approach...probably more than departure. Once I hear the different engine sounds, I leap up and rush to the balcony (or as much leaping and rushing as my 40 year old body allows!). I like to watch us approach land.

 

Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, lying just 30 miles from the mainland of Honduras. It is a beautiful tropical Caribbean island with stunning views of the sea with its varying shades of turquoise. The island is much different in appearance than Costa Maya. Roatan Island rises gently from the sea and peaks at lush mountain ridges with bright and vibrant vegetation. Costa Maya, in contrast, was much flatter and had a more scrub or desert like appearance.

 

Our 7:30 wake up call of tea/coffee and fruit/rolls comes right on time. We receive a pleasant "Good Morning" and "Have a wonderful day" with its delivery. I can't decide if my favorite part of this morning ritual is the gentle ocean breezes stirring our curtains or the friendly greetings?

 

We eat and watch the ship dock. How does this happen? I swear at times it looks like the ship is going sidewise? As we approach the dock, workers come out and attach lines. I find this funny. I expect lines to be tied down with small boat but a ship this big...how big are these ropes anyway?

 

The sounds change from the gentle swoosh of the ocean, to the loud vibration of the engines, to a cacophony of early island sounds. I watch the port wake up. People rushing around the docks and in a distance I can see the port area come to life. Off in a distance we can see another cruise ship but it doesn't appear to be moving, we will find out later that it is a Carnival Cruise ship which has its own pier. Unfortunately, it seems that the architects who designed the pier didn't take into account the approach- with a narrowed approach, and the Carnival ship wasn't able to dock. In the morning they thought they would come over by the EPIC and tender but I don't think that ever happened. I am not sure why, the water was still and the winds quiet on this side. Now I didn't check any of this out, this was just some of our discussion with our tour guide.

 

Martin watches for awhile, he is dressed and before long heads up to the Cafe. Sarah and I finish up getting ready and we follow him up! Fruit/rolls are NOT his idea of breakfast, LOL! For me the french toast is scrumptious! I could start everyday with a slice of that, some fresh whipped cream and slice of crisp bacon. Throw on some fresh pineapples, add a cup of steaming hot tea (I bring my own Earl Grey tea bags!) and we are so ready to go!!

 

This time on the way out we grab a few bottles of water. They are like 3 or 4 a bottle (I can't remember) we can get it cheaper on the island but Sarah explained how islanders can fill used bottle with water and use some glue to seal the bottle so it looks fresh. Not sure about that, but I got suspiciously funny tasting water at one point and decided not to risk it.

 

We are off the boat in a flash. Yes, Sarah gets some pictures taken with sailors, with a giant stuffed dolphin, some pirates again...I think I do this because it bugs her so much. We join in and are laughing as we walk into the pier area. We pass by some colorfully dressed island people playing music, shaking maracas, and greeting us with smiles and encouragement to dance with them. Um...picture sure...dance nope!!

 

The ship docks right outside of Coxen Hole which is the government center of Roatan. Downtown is easy walking distance and looks like a fun place to visit.

The first building we pass is a giant sunshine-yellow, white trimmed building then a coral red with white. It is really pleasant looking- I had read somewhere that it was beaten up here, but saw no evidence of that. We rushed through the area so I am not sure but I imagine the places must have been full of shops and dining. Shopping is one thing we just didn't do. We were busy all the time coming and going and as much as my daughter wanted to shop, we generally passed by and did little more than glance at the wares being offered.

 

We followed directions to the Victor Bodden tour kiosk. He comes so highly recommended on Cruise Critic it was a foregone conclusion that we would tour with him. We chose the zip and dip rather than a full private island tour which meant we were joining other people and I didn't want to make anyone wait for us, which was why we were rushing.

 

I am so glad we chose this zip and dip tour because we met great people and we got a great tour on our way to the zipline place and the beach. We were able to do all the things we wanted for a few less dollars than the private tour. On a cruise your dollars float away with the breeze so saving a few here and there makes a difference.

 

We make our way to Boden Kiosk with the help of some local people. I think I am bit surprised that we are not hounded to buy this or get that. People offer things then smile and wave you on when you say no. Or that was my perception. We were always rushing to get to somewhere whenever we went through the port area. We also had tours planned so that we didn't have free time to wander.

 

We get to the kiosk and they check our names and usher us into a van where we meet a wonderful family all traveling together. 2 sisters and their families and the parents. They live in different areas but all came together to cruise. There were 9 (?) of them and 3 of us, so we let them make any choices we were offered. They were wonderful and it worked out well. In fact in our hello's we found out that we live about 10 miles from one of daughters and her family. In fact Sarah and their son are in the same grade and go to rival schools. What a small world!!

 

The tour guide, I didn't write his name down, was absolutely wonderful. We decided to do a little sight seeing before the ziplining and our happy chatty van took off. We drove though the village of Coxen Hole and past a dozen places to eat that looked delightful. We listened to island history and discussed the fate of the Carnival Cruise Ship, that looked stranded in the bay, and were soon climbing up narrow twisty streets towards an overlook which had some great views of the island and the Epic docked in town.

 

It was a start to another great day!!

[apmecruise]

We drive to a scenic overlook and get out for the view, only to find a series of tables with island people offering their craft items. Nicely played. Bodden tour guides take you on a tour and drop you off to look around and “hey, by the way…my wife sells some stuff here!”

 

We all got out and had some pictures taken over looking Roatan and the Epic in a distance. We offered to take pictures for other people (Sarah and I do that wherever we go!) so we spent time taking pictures of people rather than visiting the tables. Maybe it seems like I am trying to keep Sarah from spending money...but....I AM!

 

When we finish we walk around and pick up a few things. Coffee for my husband, who is still complaining about the coffee on the ship (we haven’t gone to Le Bistro yet where he will get French Pressed Coffee..yum!). Sarah buys a bracelet and I buy a few wood carved pens. It's hot here at the top of the hill and we are all anxious to move on. On the way to the van we pass by a table where they are selling homemade island wine. Not even our tour guide could recommend that!

 

We travel through a village area and see a local school. Honduras celebrates Easter with a week off so the school is closed. Our guide said their small island is busy with both cruise guests and off islanders coming to visit. The school looks so small and flimsy. I am a teacher and I would have loved to get out and go inside but its all closed down so we push on. We see some island houses (shacks really) built on the side of hills. It honestly doesn’t look like there is running water but I don’t want to be rude so I don’t ask. As we drive, we pass by kids on bikes and on foot walking around. They smile and wave, friendly! The teacher in me wonders if they are reading 20 minutes a night every night! LOL!! Gotta love American Schools.

 

Before long we pull onto a long tree lined street. The vegetation is lush and spills overhead and the temperature cools dramatically. We get to the Mayan Jungle Canopy where we will spend a few hours zip lining (them) and playing with the monkeys (all of us!).

 

When we arrive we pay our tour fee. It is $65 if you zip and dip and only $25 for me because I choose to skip the zip! It’s a bargain for all we did that day! Don’t hesitate if you are considering it. It was some of the best money we spent!

 

Martin and Sarah take off to sail over the trees and I wait back with the monkeys and the parrots and the grandparents. There is an overlook where you can watch some of their antics and it looks like fun. The more brave souls are throwing their bodies upside down out onto the lines. Every now and then two people come flying out together. Once someone got stuck and before I could wonder what would happen, a worker zipped out and pulled them both back. There were very young people zipping, and I am sure there were much older people doing it. But not me. I hate heights. And why pay that money to close my eyes and grit my teeth across each one. I see Sarah sail by with her feet over her head and Martin goes by laying out straight likes he’s napping on a bed. Maybe I should have tried……NO WAY!

 

After they are done we go into the cages with the monkeys. Okay, so that is an experience. The baby monkeys are adorable and they try to get down your shirt or under your hat. The older monkeys are more wild and they are apt to nip at you…or fight on your head over your hat. That happened to Martin. The three of us were in a cage with 3 monkeys when one leapt across the cage and landed on Martin’s shoulder. The monkey grabbed his hat and put it on his head. How cute…but what? Another monkey sees that and leaps on TOP of Martin’s, now hat free head, and starts fighting with the other monkey over the hat. Ummm…okay. When the third monkey leaps ontop of the second monkey and full out brawl is taking place on my husband’s head. We are laughing so hard we can’t even help. Finally I take pity on him and grab the hat and throw it across the cage. The monkey’s follow, we pick up the hat and exit the cage…but not before one escaped! OOOOPS. They didn’t seem to upset about it, but that did it for us. We loved the monkey’s but goodbye monkeys, its time to do the dipping part of the zip and dip!

[apmecruise]

Thanks to all of you who stop by to view this post. I hope it isn't too long and drawn out. I am attempting to finish up tomorrow or Tuesday the latest. And maybe at some point I'll figure out how to upload the pictures.

[cheflauraleh]

Awesome review! I just booked an Epic cruise for December and this will be my first NCL cruise. You are providing great information for me! Thanks again!

[justus4recks]

Love the review..We are taking our first NCL cruise on the Epic in December, so I am really enjoying your review!

[sdmike]

This SO much sounds like my trip. :) It's great re-living it.

 

Here's my dad with one of the monkeys at Victor Bodden's place

 

 

70 year old grandma on the zipline. You should have gone! It was a blast