Moving from Royal over to "Epic"!

[Sunshine101]

So after 9 cruises with RCL, all of which we have really enjoyed, especially with our kids, we've decided to give NCL a try, and are booked on the Epic for a Christmas cruise! A little nervous as we know nothing about NCL (funny how you get so comfortable knowing the layout of one cruise line!). The epic looks wonderful, and the kids are excited about the waterslides.

 

What can we expect on the Epic compared to what we've experienced with RCL? Any must see activities or restaurants, ect?

 

Thanks for any tips!

[Lisa-UK]

Hi

 

We are also big fans of RCI having been lucky enough to sail their biggest ships, Oasis, Allure and Independence. Last year we did a med cruise on the Epic and were very impressed.

 

Of course there is a different vibe with all lines, we loved NCL for the relaxed atmosphere and Freestyle concept, we liked the fact that we didn't have to dress up for formal events, although there are 'dress up or not nights'. We found the buffet to be one of the best and liked the Main Dining rooms and found the food quality to be similar to RCI.

 

One of the main differences is that NCL have more choice of dining venues; these have an additional up-charge, which we knew about and so factored this into our spend. The Churrascaria was fabulous, we loved the theatre of the Teppanyaki and the Cirque show was great, although the food we found was not brilliant, but we went for the show!

 

Of course the Epic also has the Blue Man group and other shows, and in a week, we didn't get chance to see everything.

 

The pool area and slides, the kids will love. We were lucky to be sailing under-capacity and so the ship was never crowded.

 

We thought the Epic offered good value for money, so much so we are sailing in October - Transatlantic and this time our nieces 9,10 are coming along and so we hope they will have a great time.

 

The ship style and décor we thought was nice, but not subdued - quite glitzy. The layout was no problem and our balcony cabin nice, compact and the bathroom layout didn't worry us at all.

 

Looking at the ship from the outside, it isn't that pretty (in my opinion), but quirky.

 

If you search the forum here, you will find masses of information specifically about the shows, restaurants and activities and of course the Kids Club.

 

In comparison, we rated the Epic to be in the same league as the Independence of the Seas, (similar size too) and we thought it had more to offer in the way of entertainment and dining.

 

In summary, we just loved the Freestyle concept and this suited us really well. We would rate NCL and RCI as our two favourite lines, this is based on the Epic, but we hope to book the Getaway soon too.

 

I hope you have a fabulous cruise. :)

[CruiseIreland]

What can we expect on the Epic compared to what we've experienced with RCL? Any must see activities or restaurants, ect?

 

Thanks for any tips!

Like you, we have only sailed RCL on our previous two cruises. I have been researching obsessively here on cc and have identified the following main differences;

The wave style cabin design and decor I find very appealing and makes other ships' decor appear dull,

The bathroom layout will be interesting:rolleyes:

The promenade decks of RCL ships will be missed along with views of the sea which appear to be lacking on Epic

Slides look great but pools seem very small

Big name entertainment on Epic

Gratuities are no longer expected but a daily service charge will be added to your onboard account!

Apparenly the open atrium allows smoke from the casino to permeate the MDR

The casino is huge and hard to avoid

There is a lack of elevators

 

These are just what I have gleaned from cc along with a lot of very positive reviews. We can't wait. Ken:D

 

Overall

[cruisecritiquer]

http://avidcruiser.com/ftdc/2012/03/02/norwegian-epic-live-voyage-report-day-0/

 

http://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/norwegian-epic-review-june-2010/

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1386629

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1522322

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1523109

 

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/dragit2.php?ship=Norwegian%20Epic

 

These should help...some reviews with pictures...and other handy info.

[bluesea777]

We have been on Epic 3 times (total 44 nights) - one b2b West/East Caribbean in 2010, one TA BCN to MIA in 2011 and one TA Rome to BCN to Miami in Oct 2012.

 

My comments are in RED.

 

 

Like you, we have only sailed RCL on our previous two cruises. I have been researching obsessively here on cc and have identified the following main differences;

The wave style cabin design and decor I find very appealing and makes other ships' decor appear dull,

The bathroom layout will be interesting:rolleyes:

The promenade decks of RCL ships will be missed along with views of the sea which appear to be lacking on Epic Yes, I agree but all outside cabins are balcony - there are no Ocean View cabins. There are some restaurants though offering terrific window views of the sea. When ship is sailing westwards, make sure to have dinner in La Cucina where you'll get lovely sunset!

Slides look great but pools seem very small Yeppers. During our last TA cruise we never went into any of the pools!

Big name entertainment on Epic

Gratuities are no longer expected but a daily service charge will be added to your onboard account! True and we often tip our favourites at end of cruise.

Apparenly the open atrium allows smoke from the casino to permeate the MDR Not true at all!! We do not smoke and hardly notice the smoking when we are on deck 6 unless we walk past the playing tables (I do gamble with cards and put up with table-mates' smoking - it's an hour or so so I put up). The Manhattan MDR is on deck 6 aft and has a long corridor leading to the restaurant so you will NOT notice or smell any smoking from the casino tables. The double doors are shut outside the restaurant hours. Also the casino machines area and bar outside the restaurant are non-smoking.

The casino is huge and hard to avoid when walking thru the casino area on deck 6, you'll pass some machines, a few playing tables and more machines from aft to O'Sheehan's, that's it. The casino is spread from the walkway right to both of the sides of ship - one area (port) is smoking and the other (starboard) is non-smoking. If you are against casinos, just look ahead and walk fast. MOST of the ships have casinos that you have to walk through to get to a restaurant or theatre or something, etc. Epic is no exception.

There is a lack of elevators you mean lack of MID-ship elevators. There are 8 forward and 8 aft elevators.

 

These are just what I have gleaned from cc along with a lot of very positive reviews. We can't wait. Ken:D

 

Overall

 

We think the TAs on the Epic is great - you have wide choice of activities to do/go to. And there is a wide variety of dining options - no need to make ressies (I mean on the TAs) - you walk into one and get seated straight away. But you need to check the shows, though, as they are on for a certain number of nights only so you better make ressies for them if you want to see them. Cirque one is as usual difficult to get into so you'll want to book it online before the sailing - get one of the early days - so you get it out of the way.

 

Halloween is fun on the Epic westbound TAs.

 

We're not making the TA this year (we have other plans) but hope to do it again next year 2014.

[vols_159]

So after 9 cruises with RCL, all of which we have really enjoyed, especially with our kids, we've decided to give NCL a try, and are booked on the Epic for a Christmas cruise! A little nervous as we know nothing about NCL (funny how you get so comfortable knowing the layout of one cruise line!). The epic looks wonderful, and the kids are excited about the waterslides.

 

What can we expect on the Epic compared to what we've experienced with RCL? Any must see activities or restaurants, ect?

 

Thanks for any tips!

 

Blue man group (free). And moderno brizilian steakhouse 20 cover

[gelo7]

We enjoyed the Epic, especially the 2brm villas.

[Sunshine101]

This is very helpful, thanks everyone!

[vols_159]

Just gotta remeber ncl mdr dinning is just like a land based resturant walk in ask for a table for 2. Or however many you sit with your party sometimes there. Wait during peak times.. And shorts are allowed in the less formal mdr..

 

Also no formal nights if you wanna dress up you can but i don't have to!

[justcake]

I think people either love the Epic or don't. My family falls into the don't category. We sailed at Christmas in 2010. We were extremely excited to sail on the Epic from the first minute the artists renderings came out. What we found was completely different. Each person sees things very differently though and it depends what kind of cruiser you are.

 

Here are the things we didn't like:

 

- cabin layout - we had an aft suite with adjoining balcony - suite was fine but balcony cabin layout and bathroom we did not like at all

- no promenade deck

- extremely small pool

- they used the exterior venue for parties and it was too windy and cold

- virtually no outside deck space to see the ocean

- Epic Club for lunch and breakfast - crew was not very friendly

 

Here are the things we liked:

 

- Cirque Dinner Show - awesome

- rock climbing wall

- buffet layout

 

We decided that we would never sail an NCL mega ship again and almost didn't sail NCL again but decided to head back for our Bermuda cruise this year. I still really enjoy NCL suite amenities but having now sailed with Royal Caribbean and Princess I think we will be heading back to those lines in the near furture.

[kerrytens]

Halloween is fun on the Epic westbound TAs.

 

We're not making the TA this year (we have other plans) but hope to do it again next year 2014.

I hate to do a mini hijack here but I'd love to hear about what happens on Halloween on the TA. As you can see, I am booked on the West bound 2014 Epic trip:D Join us!!!!

 

OP, as you can see I'm a huge fan of the Epic. By the time the TA is over, I will have been on the Epic a total of 29 days. She is a great ship. I hope that you love her too.

 

Enjoy the cruise!

[bluesea777]

I hate to do a mini hijack here but I'd love to hear about what happens on Halloween on the TA. As you can see, I am booked on the West bound 2014 Epic trip:D Join us!!!!

 

OP, as you can see I'm a huge fan of the Epic. By the time the TA is over, I will have been on the Epic a total of 29 days. She is a great ship. I hope that you love her too.

 

Enjoy the cruise!

 

Ship is decorated for the day. Casino staff win the prize as best dressed up crew members. There are contests. Huge party in H2O. We didn't dress up but some pax went to the nines - really good!

 

Westbound TA on Epic goes more southerly so there are plenty of warm sunny days and the pool decks are full. We had Posh Club passes and loved our time there.

[gerry1.10]

I hate to do a mini hijack here but I'd love to hear about what happens on Halloween on the TA. As you can see, I am booked on the West bound 2014 Epic trip:D Join us!!!!

 

OP, as you can see I'm a huge fan of the Epic. By the time the TA is over, I will have been on the Epic a total of 29 days. She is a great ship. I hope that you love her too.

 

Enjoy the cruise!

 

oops sorry

[kerrytens]

Ship is decorated for the day. Casino staff win the prize as best dressed up crew members. There are contests. Huge party in H2O. We didn't dress up but some pax went to the nines - really good!

 

Westbound TA on Epic goes more southerly so there are plenty of warm sunny days and the pool decks are full. We had Posh Club passes and loved our time there.

Sweet!!!! You made my day:D Appreciate the info

 

Thanks again OP for allowing me to take over your thread if only briefly.

 

Again, have a fabulous cruise and I do hope that you come back to tell us all about your time onboard.

[Sunshine101]

Lol! No problem at all, loved reading all the comments! :)