NCL Epic - Do you love her or hate her?

[shark with a laser]

I'm not going to say I had a bad cruise or hated the Epic, but she wasn't my favorite ship. She's far too big for my tastes. It seemed like it took an hour to walk from our aft cabin up a few decks and to the other end of the ship to get to the buffet for breakfast. There aren't nearly enough elevators for the number of people, and they were too far apart. On day one I decided if I was going up or down 4 decks or less I would take the stairs, and I honestly can't remember taking the elevators more than once or twice in general. I didn't like the tiny cabin, and I hated the bathroom arrangement. The toilet was not nearly private enough for my comfort

[jdvmd]

Just a word of warning that my mind is all over the place so this post may not be very cohesive.

 

Maybe I just looked at the wrong thread. :( I read this thread and my heart sank.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1800459

 

Of course, a lot of people came to Epic's defense but not many of them said specifically that they had actually been on the Epic.

 

My friends, I would really appreciate some input from you all...good bad or ugly.

 

This was my DS' choice for a ship (It was his turn.) and of course he chose the biggest ship he could find. :p

 

Let me first say that I'm not going to worry about the service on NCL. I never have a problem with their staff or their food...except towards the end of the cruise where food seems to be recycled into new concoctions. :) We've all been annoyed with the overcrowded pool areas but I thought this was normal on all ships. Is it extra bad on NCL Epic? :confused:

 

I'm more concerned about how crowded the ship is during non-holiday times and how awful or great the mini suites are. I noticed that the mini suites do not have curtains to divide the couch/bed from the main sleeping area. That's a bummer but we'll deal....and that the bathrooms are in some crazy configuration.

 

Allow me to post one review I found on fox news:

 

 

 

 

 

Do you all pretty much agree or disagree with the critics.

 

I have yet to find someone who really liked their cabin (that wasn't enjoying the suite life). Input is very much appreciated.

 

I can cancel and rebook if necessary but I'm really hoping for some encouragement!

Well I am one who loves the Epic and would take her any day of the week over the Oasis/Allure class. We did the Oasis three months prior and had an enjoyable time but nothing compared to the Epic. Wish we had another week on her. I have also stated numerous times on this board that WE LOVED OUR CABIN. A mini on Deck 11. No suite.

Take the reviews with a grain of salt.

[thedoc29ca]

Just got back from our second Epic cruise and planning round three.

[bluesea777]

We've been on the Epic 3 times: 14 days, 13 days and 17 days.

 

Yes, the Epic has 3 bad points: small pools, narrow curvy rooms with bathroom set up within cabin, and lack of walk around promenade but we did not let any of them bother us.

 

We loved the variety of dining venues, entertainment, activities, etc. Hey, the Garden Cafe on the Epic is the best in the fleet - we even went there for dinner on the evenings we could not be bothered to dress up to go out.

 

The last cruise we got Posh Club passes and we had wonderful time there.

 

The crew/staff are excellent and we had very good service - they loved talking to us.

 

We will do her again for a TA (westbound) but not this year.

 

BTW, our son was with us on our first Epic cruise and he (he was 16) loved it. We were in a balcony cabin and we managed well.

 

I did read Epic Disaster's review and felt compelled to rebut but thought against. He is one of a few Epic haters, so don't let him get to you.

[raylene5]

Well, as far as what she looks like...yeah, she's kinda ugly but what the heck do I care how she looks on the outside? It's what's inside that counts! Hee hee.

 

1) size: yeah, she's big but it didn't bother me in the least. I never felt like it was overcrowded at all ...except maybe on the pool deck at times where it was hard to find a chair but that's been a problem on most ships I've been on.

 

2) layout: awesome. Super easy to find your way around this ship...we knew where everything was by the second day or so. Yeah, you might have to walk a bit to get places because it is big it's not like you have to be in great shape or anything. My 63 year old mom who broke her foot a couple of years ago and has never been the same, did fine.

 

3) mini suites: we had a mini suite (10263) and the size was good, the decor was great but there were some problems. I hated the bath design...certainly not enough to keep me from booking the room again but it was a pain. I roomed with my sister and we aren't shy around each other so it wasn't too bad from that perspective.

 

Also, the lighting stinks!!!! Definitely not bright enough. The beds are curved at the top which stunk for us because we are both quite tall. I didn't like some things about the room but I would definitely book again.

 

4) embark/disembark: EASY!!!!!! Maybe it depends on the timing but I cant think of an easier time getting on and off a ship. We were at the port by 10:45am I think, security a breeze, got group 5 and was on by 11:30. For disembark I did self-assist cause I had an early flight. Went down to deck 6 and lined up around 7:15 I think. Waited in line for awhile until they were cleared and hopped right off and into a cab. Super easy.

 

I think most the people who don't like her just don't like big ships. You won't know that till you get on but I absolutely loved the size!

 

Have fun!

[njsonja]

i love big ships; Oasis of the Seas was great; the Epic felt like a submarine, there is no outside deck but for up by the pool; you cannot walk around each deck...

 

i don't care for the inside of the spa cabins either....the toilet on one side; the shower on the other?

 

just not for me....

[Medtech2]

Just a word of warning that my mind is all over the place so this post may not be very cohesive.

 

Maybe I just looked at the wrong thread. :( I read this thread and my heart sank.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1800459

 

Of course, a lot of people came to Epic's defense but not many of them said specifically that they had actually been on the Epic.

 

My friends, I would really appreciate some input from you all...good bad or ugly.

 

This was my DS' choice for a ship (It was his turn.) and of course he chose the biggest ship he could find. :p

 

Let me first say that I'm not going to worry about the service on NCL. I never have a problem with their staff or their food...except towards the end of the cruise where food seems to be recycled into new concoctions. :) We've all been annoyed with the overcrowded pool areas but I thought this was normal on all ships. Is it extra bad on NCL Epic? :confused:

 

I'm more concerned about how crowded the ship is during non-holiday times and how awful or great the mini suites are. I noticed that the mini suites do not have curtains to divide the couch/bed from the main sleeping area. That's a bummer but we'll deal....and that the bathrooms are in some crazy configuration.

 

Allow me to post one review I found on fox news:

 

 

 

 

 

Do you all pretty much agree or disagree with the critics.

 

I have yet to find someone who really liked their cabin (that wasn't enjoying the suite life). Input is very much appreciated.

 

I can cancel and rebook if necessary but I'm really hoping for some encouragement!

Love, love, love her...

 

Look at the smiley's in my signature.

 

Did 2 weeks, would have loved to have stayed 2 more!

 

My review is in my signature...

[hockeygirl14]

I went on the Epic Feb 16th cruise with my parents, brother (15) and sister (18) and I am 20. We have previously been on the Pearl and Carnival Valor. We LOVED the Epic! The entertainment was great, food was great and generally we found seats on the pool (though not always right by the pool, but that wasn't important to us). The room design was a bit annoying but I was with family so I didn't mind. Plus having a sink and toilet separate was really nice when we were getting ready for dinner! I wouldn't cancel! Go and have a good time :)

[Day91]

It's often said that the Epic is a polarizing, love it or hate it kind of an experience. What I've rarely seen expressed are the synchronous love/hate feelings we came away with, deeper than typical "like this, disliked that" elements.

 

We had the same fantastic cruise on the Epic as we had on her "sisters" the Jewel, Pearl, Spirit, and Gem (and I'm sure will have in May on the Breakaway), and we think of them as one would a group of friends. However, following this analogy, the Epic would be the troubled friend, one who makes you laugh but also cringe, whose actions you can't always endorse, and whose other friends really can't be your friends.

 

We were two of the many who were persuaded to sail the Epic by DGP1111’s wonderful review thread and companion comments from sdmike, and had no regrets. But at the same time, I instinctively push back against the pro-Epic lobby, unlike any other facet of NCL fandom, where I feel an allegiance. On many fronts, which have been discussed widely, I'd hate to see the cruise industry go in the direction of the Epic.

 

Do I sound schizophrenic? Well, that's the Epic for you!

 

Edit to further illustrate: You know that image you get when you first close your eyes after an intense day, like seeing highway stripes after a busy day of driving, or the ocean after a day at sea? When i closed my eyes for he first night on the Epic, honestly, all I saw and felt were tight spaces and low ceilings, etc. It was the strangest experience, especially for being in the middle of one of my favorite places, a modern cruise ship. The bedtime claustrophobia dissipated by the following night, but that impression has stayed with me as a small indictment of the Epic experience.

[Quincella]

I love Epic. So much so that I'm going for the 2nd time on April 6, and it's the only time I've ever repeated a ship.

 

It's a unique ship experience. Seriously like no other ship at sea. The entertainment, the dining, the layout of the ship and the rooms (even if you don't like them), combined with the fantastic NCL experience make for and incredible time, in my opinion.

[Cruzface]

I don't have much to add except to say I loved sailing Epic. The choices for entertainment, dining and rooms were just exceptional.

 

We've already sailed her twice (2011 and 2013) and I'm in the midst of booking again. I'm debating Breakaway Thanksgiving 2014 or Epic January 2015 and realllllly leaning toward Epic again. In the same room for the 3rd time.

 

There are amazing links that everyone above gave you. My only piece of advice is very often you'll hear people come back and complain because people like to spread bad reviews and complain. Very often the people who loved a cruise don't necessarily come back to review. Which is why you see negatives that aren't balanced with positives (generally speaking, not necessarily just the Epic).

 

Your DS would LOVE it. And I think you will too.

 

What she said.

[AngAndBoys]

I went on Epic for the first time last December and have rebooked for May and next December. I definitely DID love it! Prior to EPIC, my only cruise experience was 7 cruises on Carnival.

 

Food: Buffets better than I was used to on Carnival. Main dining room was same as my prior experience. Waited for seating once and was given a coupon for a glass of Champagne for my trouble. It was maybe 10 minutes. Specialty restaurants were good and I would do again..did the Noodle Bar, Tapanyaki, and the Brazilian steak one who's name is escaping me at the moment.

 

Crowding: I really didn't notice it. I managed to find a front row seat for the Miss Epic contest by the pool, always a seat at the pool bar. Sat in a lounger kind of away from the pool...but always found somewhere when I needed to. Also, the deck one above the pool deck is just about deserted most of the time. Go up the elevators just outside the buffet.

 

Entertainment: Believe it or not, I didn't go to a single show...not my thing! I did go to White Hot Party, Quest, and the Karaoke...I don't sing, but it's fun to watch! Also really enjoyed the tastings...margarita and martini...was a very friendly party atmosphere and met tons of folks. Otherwise I hung out at the casino at night. People DO complain about the smoking in the casino. It is true, it DOES smell like an ashtray and oddly enough, all the smoking tables are where everyone has to pass them to get from one side of the ship to the other. I'm a smoker and I was a little put off by that. I sincerely prefer for nonsmokers to be able to avoid me!

 

The Cabin...had a midship balcony on deck 11 (I think). It was very nice and there was plenty of room...but I was solo and DID use up most of the space...I also brought 2 large suitcases for 7 days and didn't wear half the stuff I brought...so take it with a grain of salt. I'm a terrible over-packer. Obviously I didn't have issue with the bathroom set up. I've heard tell that people just turn the TV on to drown out the sounds and there IS a curtain to pull while you're showering. Plus you can lock the cabin door, so I don't know why the fear of people walking in on you.

 

As another poster mentioned, the lighting is not so good for putting on makeup. However, if you prop open the full length mirror (I used a shoe!), it faces the balcony and you can get good natural light.

 

 

The outside IS ugly. There's absolutely no getting around that. The ship's got a face that only a mother could love, but it IS an awesome ship with plenty for everyone to do. There are a few issues, but nothing that outweighs all the good aspects. Go! You'll love it!

[shark with a laser]

 

I think most the people who don't like her just don't like big ships. You won't know that till you get on but I absolutely loved the size!

 

 

This hits the nail on the head for me. I had been on 1 small and 4 mid-sized ship prior to Epic and one mid-sized since with a smallish to mid-sized coming up. I find that's what I like more. As I said earlier, I didn't have a bad cruise and I don't hate Epic (I'm of the opinion that any cruise is a good cruise), but as someone else said, I felt like I was on a floating mall at times rather than a cruise ship. I don't want non-stop entertainment. If there are water slides I might use them once or twice, but they're by no means a selling point for me. This may change in a few years when my son is older, but I can still get that on some mid-sized ships. The ice bar was an interesting experience but I wouldn't have missed it if it wasn't there. I didn't particularly enjoy having to decide a month before the cruise what dinner and entertainment I wanted on what night. I'm on vacation for Pete's sake! Let me decide today what I want to do tonight! I'll take a smaller ship with fewer things to try to cram in and fewer people packed onto it any day. And it isn't just Epic, while the Breakaway class has some cool features, as do some or Royal Caribbean's bigger ships, I'm just not interested in the mega-ship experience. Now, take some of the Breakaway concepts of restaurants and bars out on the promenade and apply them to something the size of a Jewel class or smaller, I'm sold!

[dreamr]

Count me in the "love her" group!

 

I sailed on her in November 2012 and had such a great time that I'm going back in January!

 

I was in a studio cabin and, contrary to what most people who usually haven't even stayed in one say, I didn't find it to be too small at all. It was actually the perfect size for one person and I loved the bathroom setup.

 

I also thought that the layout of the ship was easy to navigate (and that's coming from someone who had never been on a ship before) and I didn't feel it was too big at all. I'm definitely not athletic, and I had read all kinds of reviews before my cruise about how much walking I would be doing because she was suuuuuch a huuuuuge ship! I didn't feel that at all.

 

Even though my studio cabin was near the opposite end of the ship from the studio lounge, it only took me a minute or so to make it down the corridor. I was actually surprised at how quickly I got from one end to the other. (Band nerd alert: I was in marching band in high school, so I'm well aware of how lonnng a football field can seem when you're walking it... and I had read about how the ship is "three football fields in length", so I was not really looking forward to that... ha! I had NOTHING to worry about. :P).

 

I didn't pay for any of my food on the ship, believe it or not, because I always ate dinner with the other solos and we always went to either Taste or Manhattan Room (the two main dining rooms) and I was always pleased with my meal. I can't remember anything that I didn't like, but if there was anything that I didn't like, I'm pretty sure it was more a matter of me ordering something I was unfamiliar with and not liking it, rather than it being an issue with how the food was prepared.

 

Before the cruise, I was a bit disappointed that the "Legends In Concert" performers had been changed to acts that were kind of "old" for me (Jimmy Buffett, Donna Summer, and Michael Jackson - yes, MJ was exempt from the whole "old" thing), but I went to the show anyway and loved it!

 

The Magician, Jeff Hobson, was also awesome! So so so funny!

 

Anyway, give it a chance. Go on the cruise with an open mind and don't let the naysayers scare you into looking for all of the "bad". Focus on the good. The Epic is a great ship! Have fun on your cruise! :D

[Tedj6050]

The EPIC is a Beatiful ship inside and out.it is a unique one of a kind ship that I love,same goes for my Lego creations,which people say she looks like.having sailed on EPIC 4 times I have grown to appreciate the many unique features and tolerate the small pools and occasional quirks.having only sailed in studio and inside cabins I find them to be extremely functional and comfortable.having sailed the eastern and western caribean 2 times each I have decided the ship is the star and the ports are less important than the ship which I would sail on again,after the poa and breakaway.

[Love my butler]

Put me down in the hate column. Would never sail her again unless given a free ticket. It's just too obvious the design was to pack as many people as possible on board and then try to make revenue with all those warm bodies.

[Blondie008]

I have just booked Epic for 15 nights. Havent sailed NCL since 2002.

I enjoy these forums to pick up tips and see pics etc.

I rarely take heed of reviews though - if I did - I would never have enjoyed many of the fabulous cruises I have had over the years.

I am not loyal to any one line - and look to vary my cruises. Sometimes on big mega ships - others on smaller boutique style ships.

I think about what we want from a vacation - in booking Epic, we chose NOT to have a suite. (9 times out of 10 we have a suite). For Epic - for us, we are looking for loads to do, plenty of dining, drinking choices, music and bars. We want sunshine - and as we have been to all of the ports before, will enjoy the ship on port days when its slightly quieter up deck. For us, a balcony on a mega ship will be fine as we WANT all the buzz. Choices of quieter dining if we wish - but for the most - the reason we have chosen Epic is because we WANT that style of cruise for that specific vacation.

I did look at Celebrity Reflection - and also MSC Yacht Club - but - we wanted something with a bit more vibe and "party" for this cruise. Havent sailed NCL for such a long time thought it would be nice to try it out again.

Dont take heed of reviews. CC is a TINY percentage of people who cruise.

Sure - its a great forum for swapping info and pics - but dont read too much into reviews.

I did 4 cruises last year, two with Carnival - two with Costa. Id never have done any had I read reviews. The only "bad" one was the 2nd Costa cruise BUT we paid so little for it - we took it for what it was. Carnival - our first time - we had a BRILLIANT time - and had gone there with low expectations. Costa - a line which reads DREADFUL reviews - their NeoRomantica is a stunning ship, a one off unique to them boutique style ship - absolutely the BEST service and food we have ever had (better than Celebrity) and have booked to do another two weeks on her in the Med this September.

Royal Caribbean - everyone raves and rants about how wonderful it is. We spent a fortune and did a "once in a lifetime" booking for the Royal Suite on Explorer of the Seas and can honestly say it was our least enjoyable cruise ever... so different horse for different courses. Royal is (aside from P&O) the one line we would never sail again...

Ignore reviews - does the ship tick all the boxes for you in terms of facilities, etc?

One man's meat is another man's poison! have fun and come back and tell us all about your fantastic vacation!!

[lmt219]

Did I love everything about the Epic? No. Would I sail her again? ABSOLUTELY! There are some poorly designed elements, but the positives completely outweighed those negatives. I, too, was disheartened about the negative reviews before I sailed last week, but I went in with a positive attitude. I came across a few people on the cruise that told me that they "hate the ship, but we're trying to make the best out of it." You're on a cruise! Unless you're stuck in the middle of the ocean with no food or power, I think you'll be ok :)

[tiffygirl]

I went on Epic for the first time last December and have rebooked for May and next December. I definitely DID love it! Prior to EPIC, my only cruise experience was 7 cruises on Carnival.

 

Food: Buffets better than I was used to on Carnival. Main dining room was same as my prior experience. Waited for seating once and was given a coupon for a glass of Champagne for my trouble. It was maybe 10 minutes. Specialty restaurants were good and I would do again..did the Noodle Bar, Tapanyaki, and the Brazilian steak one who's name is escaping me at the moment.

 

Crowding: I really didn't notice it. I managed to find a front row seat for the Miss Epic contest by the pool, always a seat at the pool bar. Sat in a lounger kind of away from the pool...but always found somewhere when I needed to. Also, the deck one above the pool deck is just about deserted most of the time. Go up the elevators just outside the buffet.

 

Entertainment: Believe it or not, I didn't go to a single show...not my thing! I did go to White Hot Party, Quest, and the Karaoke...I don't sing, but it's fun to watch! Also really enjoyed the tastings...margarita and martini...was a very friendly party atmosphere and met tons of folks. Otherwise I hung out at the casino at night. People DO complain about the smoking in the casino. It is true, it DOES smell like an ashtray and oddly enough, all the smoking tables are where everyone has to pass them to get from one side of the ship to the other. I'm a smoker and I was a little put off by that. I sincerely prefer for nonsmokers to be able to avoid me!

 

The Cabin...had a midship balcony on deck 11 (I think). It was very nice and there was plenty of room...but I was solo and DID use up most of the space...I also brought 2 large suitcases for 7 days and didn't wear half the stuff I brought...so take it with a grain of salt. I'm a terrible over-packer. Obviously I didn't have issue with the bathroom set up. I've heard tell that people just turn the TV on to drown out the sounds and there IS a curtain to pull while you're showering. Plus you can lock the cabin door, so I don't know why the fear of people walking in on you.

 

As another poster mentioned, the lighting is not so good for putting on makeup. However, if you prop open the full length mirror (I used a shoe!), it faces the balcony and you can get good natural light.

 

 

The outside IS ugly. There's absolutely no getting around that. The ship's got a face that only a mother could love, but it IS an awesome ship with plenty for everyone to do. There are a few issues, but nothing that outweighs all the good aspects. Go! You'll love it!

 

 

 

Gurl! you're booked for May too??? you make me sick!! (in a good way):D LOL dang!!!

[cayugashue]

I think the first thing to consider is if you like a mega ship or not. If you prefer a smaller ship, Epic isn't for you. Personally, I loved the Epic. It is a mega ship, but I didn't find it hard to navigate. I did find the elevators busy, during peak times, but not any more so than any of the other ships I've been on. I liked taking the stairs for exercise. The food was outstanding, including the buffet and I'm not usually fond of buffets. Service was top notch. The ship was clean, very well maintained. I really liked the idea of having a cocktail at one venue, dining in another and then finding another spot for an after dinner drink. So much variety! And I honestly never felt the ship was crowed, even though my sailing was sold out. Did I find some negatives? Sure. But that can be said for any ship.Any vacation is what you make it. I wasn't a fan of the size of the stateroom, but we had a large balcony, so that made up for the size of the room. Bathroom layout? Not a big fan, would prefer a traditional set up. But the bathroom design wouldn't keep me from sailing on the Epic again. I think the first deciding factor in if you should choose the Epic is if you want to sail on a mega ship. If the answer is no, then you probably won't enjoy the Epic and all it has to offer.

[Warm-Water Diver]

OMG. Saw this thread and had to reply.

 

I absolutely LOVE the EPIC. We've already sailed her twice and will most likely go back for a third.

 

The few arguments that I've heard discussed frequently on these boards just did not affect our family of 3 at all.

 

Enjoy the ship and your cruise if you booked her!

[AngAndBoys]

Gurl! you're booked for May too??? you make me sick!! (in a good way):D LOL dang!!!

Randy did it. He's an Epic lover too!

[cruisecritiquer]

Thanks so much everyone for your comments. I read them all. Although I have not responded to each one individually, I really appreciate your input and encouragement as well as reality checks for those that did not care for her. I will go with an open mind and enjoy the ship. :)

[louwoz]

Just sailed in February....did I love it? NO

did I hate it? NO

would I sail her again? NO

 

The entertainment was great....music everywhere on the ship.

Main dining rooms are unattractive and noisy...polka music during dinner?

Room design is weird and claustrophobic.

Outdoor venues are always crowded...the adult pool is tiny.

[Us2inFL]

We were on for a 14 night early on, and even though the ship looks like hell from afar, it was an excellent cruise (Carib b2b.)

 

The OS was spacious and the service was top notch. Good shows, better than the revue stuff that has become cruise and Vegas mainstays.

 

We leave in a few weeks for a 15 night Transatlantic on Epic, again in the same suite. I'm sure a lot of the faces have changed with the prep for Breakaway, but NCL staff is (almost) always right on the mark.