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What would you do? Freedom VS Epic

MissTraveler08

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MissTraveler08

MissTraveler08

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Hi all, which would you do?! This is for the March 24, 2013 spring break sailing.

So I contacted our travel agents, and these are our two quotes. We have already been on Freedom, (2 royal cruises) but have never gone on NCL. At these prices, which is better?

 

They are essentially the same itinerary, except Epic goes to Nassau rather than CoCo Cay (which we have never been to CoCoCay). It seems like I would prefer Nassau over CoCoCay, having loved Nassau on our last cruise in July on Oasis.

 

For a family of 4, 2 in an ocean view balcony ($2467) and 2 in a promenade stateroom ($1947) on Freedom comes to $4415.

 

OR

 

2 in an interior ($1630) and 2 in a balcony ($2330) on EPIC for a total of ($3960).

 

I believe both of these prices are final. What would you choose for only a $500 difference?

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mtsnd1900

mtsnd1900

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Have been on the Freedom, loved it. You have been on it, and liked it (or would not reconsider it.) That said, try something different, and give the Epic a shot. If the ship interests you, and the reviews are to your liking, go for it. We are looking for an NCL cruise for our next trek, and the Epic is in the running (along with the Breakaway). Take the $500 you save, book a spa pass for the week, or perhaps a spa balcony (gets you the spa pass) and enjoy that aspect of it. Cruise - try many things! Enjoy...

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matj2000

matj2000

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Do the Epic.

You have already done the Freedom and it will be pretty much be more of the same.

Also the Freedom tends to miss Coco Cay frequently and you could be stuck with only 2 stops.

It is on short list of future cruises....

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DrD

DrD

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I liked the Epic but you will almost certainly spend the money you are saving as the Epic is designed so that you wind up paying for dinner and/or shows just about everyday. When we went it was about $900 cheaper than our other option and at that price was worth it. Also the cabins on Epic were quite small, although we were 4 in 1 balcony cabin.

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jojl

jojl

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Did the Epic in January and just off the Freedom on Sunday....have to say that although the Freedom is a much more beautiful ship, we enjoyed the entertainment and food more on the Epic. Just seemed like there was more to do on the Epic at any given time. Just my opinion.

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dos equis

dos equis

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No contest. Freedom all the way. When Epic came out there were a lot of YouTubes with tours and I watched them all. The thing is too cut up, even the rooms are weird. Not user friendly at all.

 

Freedom is a dream!

 

Thanks for your expert opinion on the Epic based on watching YouTube videos... what does "user friendly" even mean in this case??

 

Anyway, I have been ON both ships and although really loved the Freedom, the Epic was much more fun. Way more entertainment options. In regards to paying more for food/entertainment, our specialty dining total was $24/person (Moderno and Noodle Bar), and we also paid $20/person to visit the Ice Bar, which was quite an experience. The Epic's inside rooms are smaller than the Freedom, but organized very well with lots of storage. So much so that I didn't even use all of the available space. The bathroom setup worked for us, never had a problem with it. I thought the Freedom had more of a "fine dining" experience with the waiters filling up your water every time you took a sip, but I thought the MDR on the Epic had better tasting food. The pool area on the Freedom wins out, although the Epic has the 3 water slides--which were awesome! It's the thing I'm most looking forward to on my return to the Epic in November. Overall, I think the Epic wins, hands down. Did I mention Blue Man Group?? :D

 

I've looked at trips on the Freedom often because I wouldn't mind sailing her again... but NCL is ALWAYS cheaper. I don't really get it. They have a much similar product. I got my inside on Epic for this Thanksgiving week for $499/person, with $200 total on board credit for the cabin. Even with some extras (we're planning on at least 2 specialty dinners) it is still a much cheaper option for us than RCL.

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English Rose

English Rose

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I have been on the Epic and the 'Freedom Class' but not Freedom until next March. Personally I love the Freedom Class ships but I did have a love/hate thing regarding the Epic. Some things I really really loved and some I REALLY hated. I loved the room we had - large balcony and didn't mind the bathroom set up. Classy dark wood and well designed for storage. Loved the buffet - best one yet! Entertainment good. Dining experience (other than buffet) not that great, not so upmarket. Hated the tiny pools, but loved the other water work things going on. Loved the fun atmosphere. Hated the smoke filled casino that you just couldn't avoid. Public rooms were certainly not as classy as RCCL. If I could mix the 2 ships I could come up with the perfect scenario.

 

I would say however that I did find travelling with teenagers that there was a lot going on that they couldn't join in with which was frustrating for us all. I love the more family feel of the Freedom. If the price was right, I would return to the Epic but would miss the RCCL luxuries.

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DavyB

DavyB

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RCCL is my cruise line of choice. However, I'm going to recommend that you do the Epic this time around. If you notice from my sig. block, the Epic is the only shipped I've sailed on twice.

 

The entertainment on the Epic is like no other ship I've been on. I mean where can you go see the Blue Man Group at no extra cost? Legends in Concert was also amazing.

 

Some folks had mentioned that the extra costs will make up the difference. That is only true if you allow it to be. I would recommend Tepinyaki (sp?) on the Epic. A lot of fun and the cost was not that much more. Then there is O'Sheehans, a pub with some really great pub food....and they're opened 24/7.

 

The rooms are smaller, the ship is cut up, but it IS a great ship and cruise.

 

Have fun with whichever ship you choose. Both are great choices.

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cruisetrail

cruisetrail

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Hi all, which would you do?! This is for the March 24, 2013 spring break sailing.

So I contacted our travel agents, and these are our two quotes. We have already been on Freedom, (2 royal cruises) but have never gone on NCL. At these prices, which is better?

 

They are essentially the same itinerary, except Epic goes to Nassau rather than CoCo Cay (which we have never been to CoCoCay). It seems like I would prefer Nassau over CoCoCay, having loved Nassau on our last cruise in July on Oasis.

 

For a family of 4, 2 in an ocean view balcony ($2467) and 2 in a promenade stateroom ($1947) on Freedom comes to $4415.

 

OR

 

2 in an interior ($1630) and 2 in a balcony ($2330) on EPIC for a total of ($3960).

 

I believe both of these prices are final. What would you choose for only a $500 difference?

 

Freedom is a beautifully designed ship. A true cruise ship - spacious, open to the sea, with gorgeous wrap-around promenade, forward viewing deck, rear viewing panoramas. Freedom has spectacular interiors, a big theatre and an ice show theatre.

Epic is designed as an anti-ship. It was born as a huge mistake of NCL. This is a party ship, a huge floating casino.

You'll see dwarfy narrow cabins with a toilet next to the bed (no bathroom), dull public rooms with low ceilings, no promenade deck, small theatre, no open decks looking front or aft, crammed pool area, crowded like hell, poor food included in the price. Epic is closed in and sealed like huge can of sardines in comparison with freedom of the Freedom.

 

The choice depends on what you like at sea.

If gambling, drinking, playing bowling, watchig stupid comedies, spending time in tight crowds inside closed in volume is your way of cruising - welcome to the Epic.

 

The Freedom welcomes those who enjoy sea travel, moderate comfort and healthier way of life.

 

Epic has a huge water slide (kids like it) vs flowrider (skills required) on Freedom.

Pools are uncomparably larger on the Freedom.

 

Food.

Freedom may offer average+ level of dining overall.

Epic has so-called "free style" dining which is a tool to push you to spend money in numerous extra charge eateries. To facilitate this process they keep the quality of dining included in the price at the lowest level at sea.

So just keep in mind that you'll pay extra at least $100-150 pp per week to get decent food on Epic (sometimes very good).

 

Actually as you have already cruised on the Freedom, you may try the Epic - just to prevent repetition and see something different.

It's OK one time.

 

However, one should keep in mind that cabin design is so "non-conventional" that it can ruin vacation for some people.

Another thing to remember - the lack of open space on the Epic (except for pool deck, of course) can drive one crazy.

 

BTW you are not forced to choose from Freedom and Epic only.

There are plenty of choices (much better ships) in the Caribbean in March.

 

P.S. Don't waste money on Promenade looking cabins on Freedom. Most of them have connecting doors = no sofa.

Book interior instead.

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CruisinGerman

CruisinGerman

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I would give the Epic a try. It's a different experience, and it's one of a kind since they are not building any more of them.

 

All RCCL cruises (except for Oasis and Allure) are all the same as far as layout, cabins, food and entertainment.

 

Don't let the lower price fool you, though. As others have mentioned, on NCL, to really enjoy the NCL Freestyle experience, you need to have dinner in the pay venues.

 

If you are stuck on only having dinner in the free main dining room, then perhaps I would stay with RCCL since NCL is really geared towards going to a different specialty restaurant every night.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

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