Epic Photo Review – Specialty Dining - Menus - Freestyle Dailies - Deck Tours

[megacruiser]

Great review and photos! You did an awesome job and making me feel like I was right there with you.

 

EPIC is a ship that never really appealed to me but I find myself booked on her in two weeks on the crossing to Barcelona. Your pics really helped to set the mood and let me see some aspects of her that are quite appealing. Unfortunately I don't think anything will change my opinion of her exterior! The good thing is I don't have to look at it since I will be onboard. LOL

 

Thanks again!

 

Delighted to get feedback from such a sage veteran of these boards. As on so many things, I do agree with you about the exterior...

 

I will say the entertainment on the Epic was the probably the best I have experienced since my westbound transatlantic on the Norway in 1997. I don't know if NCL still make those crossings special but in any case I am sure you will have a great time.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

[eroller]

Have a great time and really looking forward to the report. Other than the waterfront, I find Epic's spaces and venues so much better, BIGGER and Epic ;)

 

 

 

Can't believe I'm actually going to say this … but bigger is not always better! LOL One of the things I loved about GETAWAY was The Waterfront. I think I will really miss it on EPIC. I also like the smaller and more intimate venues like the Sunset Bar and Sugarcane. I thought it was cool they had outdoor sections as well so you could always get some fresh air and relax outside. I loved the binoculars on The Waterfront as they were great for ship spotting.

 

The gym & spa as well as Spice H20 seem superior on EPIC, along with the Haven (won't matter much to me since I'm not booked in it), but I'm not sure about anything else. I guess I'll find out soon enough!

[eroller]

Delighted to get feedback from such a sage veteran of these boards. As on so many things, I do agree with you about the exterior...

 

I will say the entertainment on the Epic was the probably the best I have experienced since my westbound transatlantic on the Norway in 1997. I don't know if NCL still make those crossings special but in any case I am sure you will have a great time.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

 

 

You are too kind thank you. One of the greatest things I got from your review was the forward outdoor deck with Posh-style furnishings but no charge. What a great tidbit and I never knew that existed. You saved me some $$ since now I won't be buying a Posh pass, and I thank you for that!

[Gemsy10]

Many thanks for the kind comment. I hope to sail again on Epic in 2016 out of Barcelona. It's got me thinking about how it compares to Getaway. Off the top of my head here are the areas where, for me, it wins:

 

Studio lighting; main pool deck; Spice H2O; Garden Café, especially outdoor area; Moderno and Cagney's; Le Bistro; Teppanyaki; Bliss; Library and the best entertainment at sea.

 

 

 

Overall, Getaway still wins in my book because of Deck 8, including the innovative Waterfront; and the Vibe Beach Club.

 

 

 

Kind regards

 

megacruiser

 

 

I really want to try the getaway next year hopefully as the deck 8 waterfront looks so cool :) and vibe beach does sound better than posh.

I haven't done any speciality restaurants on the epic so hoping to try one or 2 this time, hopefully with some new solo friends!!

[jlajr]

I'm so glad someone else replied to this thread recently, so that it popped up on the list of new posts!

 

I, like at least one other reader before me, just spent most of an afternoon reading your review, word for word and beautiful picture for beautiful picture.

 

I was on Epic's Spring 2012 transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona, and have recently been looking at going on it again sometime in the late fall 2015 or early spring 2016.

 

Again, thank you for giving me such a wonderful way to spend a few hours!

Edited April 9, 2015 by jlajr

[eroller]

 

I was on Epic's Spring 2012 transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona, and have recently been looking at going on it again sometime in the late fall 2015 or early spring 2016.

 

 

 

 

Hey that's the cruise I'm booked on, in 10 days but who's counting! LOL

 

Depart Miami on April 19th and arrive in Barcelona on the 30th. We have only one stop in Funchal.

[jlajr]

Hey that's the cruise I'm booked on, in 10 days but who's counting! LOL

 

Depart Miami on April 19th and arrive in Barcelona on the 30th. We have only one stop in Funchal.

 

Have a great trip, eroller!

 

In Spring 2012, we stopped at Ponta Delgada instead of Funchal. I don't know about you, but that wouldn't make any difference to me. I haven't yet chosen a cruise based on the port(s) of call.

[nanaj1]

I would like to have this review to print and take with us in September??

[eroller]

Have a great trip, eroller!

 

In Spring 2012, we stopped at Ponta Delgada instead of Funchal. I don't know about you, but that wouldn't make any difference to me. I haven't yet chosen a cruise based on the port(s) of call.

 

 

Thank you! Really looking forward to it!!

[sweetlove13]

megacruiser, do you know if studio 11516 is a good or bad location? I booked that one as there were only a few choices left for a sailing on a holiday week. Hoping I didn't make a poor choice. Thanks for the fabulous review, now I have a better idea what to expect since I have not yet sailed NCL!

[megacruiser]

megacruiser, do you know if studio 11516 is a good or bad location? I booked that one as there were only a few choices left for a sailing on a holiday week. Hoping I didn't make a poor choice. Thanks for the fabulous review, now I have a better idea what to expect since I have not yet sailed NCL!

 

Hi,

 

The two Studios that had a noise-issue from banging doors were 12514 and 12515.

 

Studio 11516 is excellent in that it is right beside the main part of the Studio Lounge. Whether there might be any noise intrusion depends mainly on what that empty space is between the studio and the lounge. If it's a service area or store room, it might be a problem. To be fair though, looking at the plans there are a lot of empty spaces adjacent to studios and they can't all be noisy areas...

 

Perhaps someone who had a Studio on Deck 11 will be able to answer better.

 

Thanks for your very kind compliment.

 

Regards

megacruiser

 

 

[escana]

wonderfull review,really enjoyed it.

[Marion B]

Thanks to cruisecritic's search feature, I have discovered Epic 101 and spent a delightful few hours learning what I can expect from my upcoming trip on her. The food porn, dailies and menus were especially appreciated, as well as the Barcelona car service recommendation.

Our cruising companions are new to NCL and this will be especially helpful to them.

Most appreciative of your review and smooth sailing to you!

[Lizzybell1960]

Thanks for posting. I was on the old Oriana twice and have two abiding memories. One was the fact that a large section of the dance floor was removed to winch luggage aboard and the second was a bar, beside the enclosed swimming pool, where free milk shakes made with fresh bananas were served. Those were the days.

 

My first cruise with P&O was on the old Arcadia and the present one is the third incarnation of that name. The most special ship had to be Canberra, but the lack of private facilities eventually sealed its fate. Memories...

 

Reagrds

megacruiser

 

Hi-The grand old ships you mentioned caught my eye. We also were on these ships & the Oronsay, my fav :) We have pics of my sissy & I in the QE & QM nurseries, as my parents believed in utilizing them! My mom was on the maiden voyage of Oronsay fr GB to NZ(early 50s?) and we were all aboard her final voyage in the summer of 1975. There was something very special about those old, smaller ships.....& for me some of the very best times of my life. Thanks very much for sharing your memories.

[alonzo14]

I just caught this review yesterday and took me most of the day to get through it! Thank you so much for the time you took to post such wonderful detailed reviews. I definitely plan to check out the others! Haven't sailed on any of NCL's newest ships but I have been on the Oasis so your review will bring back memories! Your pictures are fabulous too! You truly make ANY cruise sound interesting. Thanks again and Happy cruising!

[megacruiser]

wonderfull review,really enjoyed it.

Many thanks!

[megacruiser]

Thanks to cruisecritic's search feature, I have discovered Epic 101 and spent a delightful few hours learning what I can expect from my upcoming trip on her. The food porn, dailies and menus were especially appreciated, as well as the Barcelona car service recommendation.

Our cruising companions are new to NCL and this will be especially helpful to them.

Most appreciative of your review and smooth sailing to you!

 

That is very kind of you taking the time to comment. Great to hear my review is of help.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

[megacruiser]

Hi-The grand old ships you mentioned caught my eye. We also were on these ships & the Oronsay, my fav :) We have pics of my sissy & I in the QE & QM nurseries, as my parents believed in utilizing them! My mom was on the maiden voyage of Oronsay fr GB to NZ(early 50s?) and we were all aboard her final voyage in the summer of 1975. There was something very special about those old, smaller ships.....& for me some of the very best times of my life. Thanks very much for sharing your memories.

 

As a child in the mid-sixties I was on the Oronsay, with no en-suite facilities in Tourist Class, when class segregation was the norm. Even there, the menus seemed exotic, including a Farinaceous course on the luncheon menu...

 

Many thanks for commenting.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

[megacruiser]

I just caught this review yesterday and took me most of the day to get through it! Thank you so much for the time you took to post such wonderful detailed reviews. I definitely plan to check out the others! Haven't sailed on any of NCL's newest ships but I have been on the Oasis so your review will bring back memories! Your pictures are fabulous too! You truly make ANY cruise sound interesting. Thanks again and Happy cruising!

 

Thanks so much for the enthusiastic praise. Much appreciated.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

[Cruisin D]

Hi Megacruiser,

 

I am loving your fabulous detailed review, we are sailing on the Epic in January this will be our first time with NCL, your review has been very helpful so far. Thankyou for all your efforts.

I do have one question if you do not mind, we have the UDP & UBP, my DH and I enjoy our coffee and are wondering if the Latte's in the Atrium Cafe are included with the UBP.

Thanks again

Edited May 5, 2015 by Cruisin D

[Lizzybell1960]

As a child in the mid-sixties I was on the Oronsay, with no en-suite facilities in Tourist Class, when class segregation was the norm. Even there, the menus seemed exotic, including a Farinaceous course on the luncheon menu...

 

Many thanks for commenting.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

 

i remember being on F deck & 4 tucked into a tiny cabin w/facilities down the hall...the laundry & showers w/teak mats, the "tourist class" pool, the Fife room, ice cream at the pool, bingo, the open decks & the smell of fresh bread in dining room nightly....as well as many other wonderful memories. The menus were exotic & for many years we had a few...not sure where they are now. Thank you for sharing your memories of Oronsay :)

[bess128]

Hello Megacruiser,

 

Just read this review fantastic and informative as ever, most helpful as going on Epic next year.

[mikeflynn45]

Hi Mike,

 

I have e-mailed you. Happy to call you to answer any questions...

 

Regards

megacruiser

Hey you...i know i missed your call last spring and i appreciate your willingness to help so many! I am solo crusing once again! This time Majesty of the Seas! Went from Epic to mini! On majesty...have you ever said on that ship?

 

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[raining cats and dogs]

Delighted to get feedback from such a sage veteran of these boards. As on so many things, I do agree with you about the exterior...

 

I will say the entertainment on the Epic was the probably the best I have experienced since my westbound transatlantic on the Norway in 1997. I don't know if NCL still make those crossings special but in any case I am sure you will have a great time.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

 

 

Good Day Megacruiser,

I stumbled upon your 2014 extremely informative review on NCL epic. Thank you so much for your objective review. So many people who write in to cruise critic only highlight their bad experiences, to such an extent that I even had doubts about sailing on NCL Epic. Your Epic review encouraged me to read your other reviews about the other ships. With the marvelous photos and your excellent way with words you made the ships come alive and they each showed their special personalities.

I will be sailing on the Epic early in 2016 and have one question for you. After reading your tip about the sun loungers on Epic deck 18 I went to the deck plans but cannot see how the public can get to Deck 18 if they don't have a Posh or Haven access card. Do the lifts allow the public to get to deck 18 or are there specials stairs from a lower deck. I would like to be on deck 18 for the sail away from Barcelona to get a good view without to many people.

Again many thanks for your marvelous reviews

Kind regards

Nadeen:)

[michigan45]

Only way to be on deck 18 is with special elevator key or pass.

 

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