The Ma'am's '8 Days a Week' Epic Review with pictures

[medicalma'am]

Tonight is the Chef's Table, an exclusive gathering of 12 lucky people on board who get to enjoy a special meal the the head Chef prepares. It was held in the Epic Club, which I was excited to see as we did not have a suite on this cruise.

 

We had sparkling wine in the Haven area overlooking the pool.

 

 

 

This place is amazing, different than any other suite area I have ever seen.

 

 

There were different little areas of seating

 

 

 

 

The pool area as seen from there

 

[medicalma'am]

Thanks Indycat!

 

I will finish this weekend. Right now I need a nap before work...I have been up since 6:00 a.m. for a breakfast at my grand daughter's school.

 

More tonight

Edited February 14, 2014 by medicalma'am

[VegasCrossfire]

Thanks for following VegasCrossfire. I would imagine that they will be like ours were' date=' opposite of each other. 21 days! I envy you! Are you doing a TA and then 7 day? Just curious.[/size']

 

Great review ..... thanks - now so looking forward to our cruise.

 

We are doing a 7 day Med cruise with a TA afterwards B2B in October. We love long cruises - so this will be wonderful.

 

It will be interesting to see the rooms set up the way you showed them. One room will have 2 people (ours) and the other one will have only 1 person. I hope we get the one where it will be easy to get past someone who is at the sink!:D

[jdvmd]

Oh my goodness! What an adventure to get to the port! So glad it worked out for you.

[meatball_nyc]

Really enjoying your review and pictures! Thank you :)

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[medicalma'am]

Chef's Table (CT) Ahhhhh, what can I say except it was wonderful. I have done the CT three times now and each time it has been a bit different. Different people, different Chef, same wonderful food and wine.

 

Chef Kevin Green was very personable and really seemed to love his job and sharing with us. He was entertaining and answered all our questions. I believe that he told us he has 18 years experience with NCL and comes from a family of chefs.

 

I felt that the wine did not flow as 'freely' as in other CTs. I found myself drinking tiny sips because I was afraid that I would run out before I had finished the food I was eating. That should not be a worry or even be on my mind. I had not liked the Matua Valley, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand on our wine tasting. It seemed to me that they served the Matua longer than they have before, as they introduced the second wine, a Silverado Vineyards, Chardonnay, just before the sea bass. Then we were quickly on to the Franciscan, Cabernet Sauvignon, which I loved (being a 'red' kind of gal).

 

We were seated in part of the Epic Restaurant near the Courtyard Grill. Chef Kevin talked to us about our meal and described the first couple of courses. The Sommelier also talked to us about the wines we would be served.

 

The first course so beautifully presented did not disappoint

 

 

We were seated across the table from a honeymoon couple. There were two other couples, a single lady (a nurse), and another single lady from Canada who was a forensic DNA specialist, Screenma'am and Bullit, me and DH. I do not know much about the two other couples as we were seated at one end of the table opposite of their end. We visited mostly with the honeymoon couple and the young lady from Canada, and the nurse. The bride was a Southwest stewardess. Did we have a story for her!!! We shared our saga of getting to Miami and she encouraged to contact Southwest Airlines. I have done that and will report back if I hear from them.

 

The second course: Tomato, Basil, Curry, and Lavender Lavosh. I love this stuff! It is so hard not to fill up on each course.

 

 

The third course: Ahi Tuna Tartare. I don't think Bullit knew this was raw, but he liked it. Screenma'am did not tell him, lol

 

 

I was eating just enough of each course to enjoy it and not get too full. This is very hard. My DH was able to eat all of everything!

 

The fourth course was a Short Crust Tartlet (or quiche) It had goat cheese, sun dried tomatos that the chef makes himself by slow roasting at a very low temperature.

 

 

The next course was to clean our pallet, a grapefruit and moscato Granate, the fifth course. A couple of bites was all I needed.

 

 

Then they changed to the Charconnay wine. We had the sixth course, Pan Seared Sea Bass that was plantain crusted, with mango and papaya and avocado salsa with a lobster veloute (sauce)

 

 

 

 

Edited February 15, 2014 by medicalma'am

[medicalma'am]

After the Bass I had to use the ladies room, which was off the concierge lounge. When I returned I found my napkin neatly folded! It is this kind of attention to detail that helps make the CT a wonderful experience. I love being surprised like that.

 

 

The sixth course was Milk-Fed Veal Chop, with Anna potatoes, sauteed spinach and truffle veal jus. I ate almost all of this! With this we had the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.

 

 

The seventh course was one of my favorites: Cheese Platter. St. Andre Triple Creme and Stilton, with honey comb, port wine infused figs, served with bagel chips and pickles watermelon, Since my first CT I have been a lover of Stilton!

 

OH my goodness, I have no picture of the cheese course! So this picture is borrowed from my January '13 Star CT. Ours was served the same way and appeared just as this.

 

 

The Chef then introduced the assistant chefs who helped him prepare the evening's meal

 

 

And the servers

 

 

He had some parting words for us and then our ninth course - desert- was served. It was Yogurt Mousse Dome and Chocoholic's Delight. Both delicious. DH had one and I the other, so we shared.

 

The Chocolate was spiced dark rum infused banana cocoa mousse. There was a banana in the middle

 

 

 

 

[medicalma'am]

The Yogurt Mousse Dome had lychee raspberry creme, hazel sablee and lime vanilla reduction. It was very refreshing.

 

 

When we got up I wandered into the area beyond glass doors. On the 'map' have of the ship, this is labeled as the Courtyard Grill.

 

 

I imagine that they serve the Haven guests breakfast buffet here?

 

 

Maybe it is open also for lunch. Can anyone who stayed in the Epic Haven tell us how this area was used? It appeared to be a great area to relax.

 

 

Part of the Epic Club restaurant

 

 

 

 

[medicalma'am]

We then retreated back to the Epic Lounge for after dinner coffee drinks. I chose Kahlua but after wished I had chosen the Baileys Irish Cream. You see the Kahlua in the the stemware. I tasted it before pouring it in my coffee.

 

 

There was that fantastic seating.

 

 

We were all feeling wonderful and full by this time and leisurely finished our drinks.

 

 

 

 

Now we were in for a real treat. The Canadian forensic DNA specialist was staying in a solo cabin. I am so sorry, too much time has passed and I can not remember her name. She was delightful and had offered to show us her room, as we then offered to show her ours.

 

You have to use a key card to get into the solo cabin area, part of which was on our floor.

 

[kerrytens]

Oh Robin, don't you just love the Haven area??? I took a tour of it on my first Epic cruises and then had the pleasure of visiting the Epic Club for the Captain's cocktail party this time around. To top off that wonderful honour, NeilD and his lovely wife invited me back to their 2 bedroom suite.

 

NCL knows how to treat their suite guests right ... it was stunning in the Haven area.

 

I should also mention that NCL has nailed down the solo area too. I've spent quite a bit of time in the 'living room' as well (not that I've sailed as a solo for either cruise but I've met some wonderful solos). Can't wait to see your photos of a studio too - they are awesome little rooms!

Edited February 16, 2014 by kerrytens

[medicalma'am]

kerrytens, we liked the solo cabins and the Living Room.

 

I took a bit of a break for the hot tub with DH and grand daughter, but ready to continue on with the solo cabins...

 

Solo cabin

 

 

I'm jealous! They have a bigger sink!

 

 

The shower is much the same except not all frosted glass

 

 

The lower level of the Living Room

 

 

Seating areas

 

 

Another

 

 

[medicalma'am]

We gave her a tour of our balcony cabin and the opposite balcony. This guy greeted us.

 

 

 

We were tired and of course full! We headed to bed. It was another sea day tomorrow and I slept in. DH had already headed off to Taste when I awoke. How on earth can that man eat so much is beyond me, but it is his goal on every cruise no not miss a meal.

 

 

It was another beautiful day in paradise. If course I started my day on the balcony with my coffee.

 

 

I had breakfast late in the Garden Cafe with Screenma'am and Bullit. I found the library. It is just a hole in the wall.

 

 

We met in the atrium and soon Chef Kevin was there to take us on the Galley Tour, which was part of the Chef's Table experience.

 

 

[rajones007]

 

When we got up I wandered into the area beyond glass doors. On the 'map' have of the ship' date=' this is labeled as the [u']Courtyard Grill.

 

 

I imagine that they serve the Haven guests breakfast buffet here?

 

 

Maybe it is open also for lunch. Can anyone who stayed in the Epic Haven tell us how this area was used? It appeared to be a great area to relax.

 

When we were on the Epic in November 2012, the Courtyard Grill was sorely under-used by the Haven guests.

 

There was never a breakfast buffet. In the morning there was, more or less, a coffee pot or two, a couple juice machines, and a small selection of dry cereal (+ milk) for the kids. From what I understand they did indeed serve a limited hot breakfast, but I never did see a menu nor did I ever see anybody actually eating breakfast there.

 

At lunch there was never more than a couple tables being served. The rest of the tables were empty. There was a small menu, mostly just sandwiches and burgers if I remember correctly. I stayed onboard while in port one day, so I went in at noon and ordered a burger from the lone waitress. Other than her and the bartender, there was nobody else in the area. I then fired up my tablet to read while I was waiting. I got lost in my reading and the next thing I know an hour had passed and there was no waitress to be found, and the bar was now closed. I never did get my burger. :(

 

The bar itself was usually open throughout the day. They'd have a bowl of M&Ms and/or gummie bears and/or potato chips and/or other cold snack-sized finger food available to those at the bar during the day.

 

That was my experience with the Courtyard Grill on the Epic. So, ummm, yeah. Very underwhelming.

 

Maybe it was just a bad week. Maybe I was there at the wrong time of day, multiple times per day, for 7 consecutive days. Who knows. Maybe they have more going on in that area nowadays. I certainly hope so because it seemed to be an enormous waste of valuable real estate when we were there.

 

Same goes for the Epic Lounge. It was also a tremendous waste of space. With the rare exception, other than myself and my family and the bartender, it was always devoid of all signs of life. Well, there was the Captains Welcome Reception when the place was packed and you couldn't even move, let alone get a drink. But hey, give out free drinks and that always brings out the masses from the woodwork.

Edited February 16, 2014 by rajones007
made it easier to understand.

[medicalma'am]

This is the Atrium Cafe, where you can order specialty coffees.

 

 

Chef Kevin Green himself gave us the galley tour

 

 

Corn just roasted for

 

 

Tonight's Mexican corn tortilla soup

 

 

This is chicken stock that had been cooking all night

 

 

You should have smelled it!!!

 

 

We were amazed that they cook everything from scratch! They even make all the salad dressings. Bread for toast and croissants are just about the only things that is loaded on the ship pre-made.

 

[medicalma'am]

He showed us how they have to keep careful records. When something is placed in the fridge after being made, a timer starts and after a certain # of hours, it must be discarded.

 

 

A rare female in the galley

 

 

Everyone in the galley has a uniform and you know from looking at them what they do.

 

 

We saw his office, which is an "English Only Zone" (his policy).

 

 

He has a board of all of his 275 some employees and what they do. He can at a glance see how many he has on duty. When they have someone going on their 'off time' between contracts, they must contact corporate and let them know that they need a replacement.

 

 

He was very proud of his large screen computer!

 

 

[maja651]

We ate breakfast in the courtyard grill area a couple of times. The breakfast buffet food is inside the restaurant, but you can go in an out easily to get that food if you wanted to. They also had the same menus for breakfast out there. We preferred to eat out in the courtyard area for breakfast, especially if we had our swimming suits and cover ups on. I will agree that we didn't usually see many people out there. Maybe that's why they didn't repeat that area on the AWAY ships?

[medicalma'am]

Maja651, I thought that area was wonderful. I could just imagine that is a place I would enjoy to read a book or have a drink in the afternoon.

 

I didn't know that they did not put those areas on the AWAY ships.

 

This is a dough mixer

 

 

They were making the crust for the Chicken Pot Pie in O'Sheehan's

 

 

Fresh baked bread

 

 

All the bread was dated with the day it was made

 

http:/

 

The cleanliness was impeccable

 

 

The aroma in here was sweet. Then were making cakes.

 

 

 

[medicalma'am]

 

What do you think they are going to make here?

 

 

You guessed it........Chocolate covered strawberries! All from scratch.

 

They keep very careful track of everything.

 

 

Here is what it costs to feed us. Notice the pink days? Those are higher than goal $ days. Then the green is under goal $ days. Notice it is the first days and sea days that cost more to feed us. Port days cost less for food, but balance that with the fact that they do not make as much in gambling and alcohol on port days.

 

 

 

 

[medicalma'am]

These were freshly made sweet potato chips. I wanted to just grab a handfull!

 

 

They were preparing for lunch.

 

 

What's for dinner the next two days

 

 

Our galley tour was shorter than on other ships. We did not see the meat preparation areas, the fresh vegetable and fruit storage areas, dish washing operations or loading areas. We did see something that tells that NCL cares about their employees. It was an escalator in the kitchen to the serving areas. He told us of a ship (another company) where the staff had to travel up stairs with large trays of food to the dining rooms and back down with trays of soiled dishes. The staff had back problems all the time and it ended up costing the company $$$ from lost time and medical bills. NCL made it easy for the servers to deliver the food by putting in these.

 

 

The next thing that I had marked on my Freestyle Daily was the meet and greet with the Blue Man Group. This was held in the theater and lasted about 45 minutes. One was American, one was I think Canadian and another was from Scotland or Ireland I believe. They answered our questions and told us of their qualifications to be Blue: be extraordinary performers! The guy on the right was a band member. They have a three member band, sound crew, and stage hands as part of their team.

 

 

They said there is a forth MAN out there among us. If one is sick there is always one to take his place.

 

I believe that he was on an excursion with us. It was in St. Maarten on the catamaran the night after we had seen the show. He was with a guy who spoke English, but I believe he was speaking French. I choose to believe that I spotted the Fourth Blue Man!

 

Edited February 16, 2014 by medicalma'am

[medicalma'am]

We had a quick bite to eat at the Garden Cafe. We left there and headed for Moderno for the International Wine Tasting. No I wasn't going to miss one! The Italian/German couple who live in Canada, Teresa and Remeron (sp) joined us again. We had our usual plate to taste with.

 

 

We stayed again and visited with our tablemates. They were not even half way through their two weeks on the Epic.

 

We went to the Magician show then, which was just OK. Back to the cabin where I read on the balcony and waited for my DH to show up. He had been on the pool deck reading. We had an early dinner at 6:30 in Taste. We were going to eat in Manhattan, but they had a 30 minute wait.

 

I did not remember to get out my camera until desert. The Flan

 

 

And chocolate something

 

 

We finished eating at 8:30 and it was getting quite loud in the restaurant. Service was wonderful again.

 

We wanted to go to the "What's My Line" show in Bliss Lounge but it was VERY crowded with NO WHERE to sit. The lobby is just about all we saw. Cool ceiling there with lights that change color. We thought about sitting there and just listening to the show but we could not hear when it started. My advice is to get there early to get seating.

 

 

Now, when we were in the solo area Living Room the other night I remembered seeing a Cappuccino machine. I had also noticed a SIDE doorway every day that we walked our hall. This door said "limited access" or something like that on it. It did not say crew area only. It was always ajar. We went in there and sure enough......it was a side hallway to the main hallway of the solo area! We made our way to their Living Room and helped ourselves to the Cappuccino machine. AND they had several kinds of cookies! We took some back to our room!

 

I could just imagine that on a security radio somewhere in the ship was a security crew member alerting another that "there are intruders in the living room....there are intruders in the living room". We made it out of there safely!

 

 

I went out on my balcony and had my Cappuccino and cookie, determined to toss it into the sea if we had security knock on our door! Funny that we had this little mouse hiding under our covers just like I was hiding my treats!

 

 

Well, this was the end of our day seven and off to bed!

 

Next is Nassau

 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2014 by medicalma'am

[Love my butler]

Several waiters have told me they hate the escalators on the Epic and were very upset they put them in the BA and GA. Seems very hard to balance the trays of food/dishes and gets downright dangerous when the ship is rocking.

[medicalma'am]

Well, most of them were young. Maybe they could balance those things going up and down the stairs better than I! lol

[medicalma'am]

We awoke at 6:00 a.m. to another beautiful day at sea. We would not arrive in Nassau until about noon. I had my coffee on my balcony. At 8:15 we all had breakfast in Taste. DH was glad I joined him. He had gotten up early and run a few miles and was very hungry by then.

 

 

He usually runs about 20 miles on each cruise, but he was totally lazy on this voyage. I had a really big breakfast that included pancakes, an indulgence. The syrup was great.

 

 

We started to see land.

 

 

We went to the Atrium to buy our future cruise credit. We then went to the Marketplace to get some T Shirts. This is a good time to buy, they had some bargains.

 

We went to the cabin to drop our purchases and get ready for our excursion at 1:55 p.m. We went up on deck and took pictures of us pulling into port. There were two Carnival ships next to us on our left, then another Carnival to our right.

 

 

 

A Royal Caribbean pulled in next after we had docked. That made 5 ships in a row. Was it going to be crowded there!

 

 

We had lunch in the Garden Cafe at 1:00 p.m. and got off the ship for our excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

[medicalma'am]

I always had a feeling of "we're bigger than they are" in each port. I loved looking at the Epic whenever we returned from a day in port.

 

 

We were taken to a bus for 16 to 18 people, comfortable seats and good A/C. We were doing the excursion from the ship called "the Charm and Beauty of the Bahamas". It was mostly a driving tour.

 

http:/

 

They took us to a fort then a beach with only a few minutes to take pictures. Some got a bite to eat at a vendor and over paid according to the bus driver.

 

 

This is a famous restaurant

 

 

National Art Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gelo7]

Loving your review and photos.