NCL Epic 29 November 2015 Barcelona, Morocco, Canary Islands.

[Dorothy's Friend]

i actually caught the film this weekend too. There was a broadway production show about priscilla queen of the desert. On youtube there's some videos of the final show they did on broadway before it closed. There's also a performance on the tv show - the view with whoopi introducing them.

 

If my gay card could have been revoked by my friends, it would have been a long time ago. I'm not big into entertainment. I love music and like to dance. Music i know the songs and can recognize them with the first few seconds of them dropping. Movies and tv shows i'm not very knowledgeable. I only saw the birdcage recently too... I digress... Lol :o

 

we should be able to book our entertainment soon! I'm excited for that. If the show is super good, i may try and see it again but i'm guessing it will only run on a few nights of the cruise at the beginning or end and then they dismantle the set for burn the floor's production. I'm also thinking there's going to be another entertainer in there at some point too because they're not going to run the shows 5 days apiece. The cast will get cranky! :eek:

 

;):d

[CruisinMaterial]

Hey Kevin,

 

I tried to get the regular roll call for this voyage to talk about something besides private tours and it didn't quite work so well. I saw you poked over there and said a hello amongst all the private tours. Since you've been to all these places before, besides Tangiers and Funchal.... what do you recommend for the other port calls in the Canary Islands? Some look like a shore excursion would be a waste of money. If they're walkable places then it would be nice.

 

I've really been slacking. I booked this cruise largely because it went to new places but also because it went to Funchal. I've always wanted to get there as a part of my heritage is from there but really didn't want the Trans-Atlantic again.

 

Let me know your thoughts when you can. Also, are you on Meet Me On Board?

 

~Jake

[Dorothy's Friend]

Hey Kevin,

 

I tried to get the regular roll call for this voyage to talk about something besides private tours and it didn't quite work so well. I saw you poked over there and said a hello amongst all the private tours. Since you've been to all these places before, besides Tangiers and Funchal.... what do you recommend for the other port calls in the Canary Islands? Some look like a shore excursion would be a waste of money. If they're walkable places then it would be nice.

 

I've really been slacking. I booked this cruise largely because it went to new places but also because it went to Funchal. I've always wanted to get there as a part of my heritage is from there but really didn't want the Trans-Atlantic again.

 

Let me know your thoughts when you can. Also, are you on Meet Me On Board?

 

~Jake

Tangiers is the only place I have not been to on this itinerary. Have you got anything planned for Tangiers?

 

In Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) the Epic should be tied up close to the tourist area of the city. For some reason cruise ships only really stop off in Gran Canaria during the November to April season and there is not really a covered cruise terminal there:mad: however just outside the pier is a new shopping centre called El Muelle. Again not particularly interesting. From the bus station just outside El Muelle there is a very cheap and fast bus service to Maspalomas in the south of the island which is famous for its sand dunes (and all that goes on in them). The weather in the south of the island is usually much better than in Las Palmas and it is quite a nice walk around the lighthouse and promenade area there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maspalomas . If the weather is dry then a walk around the Las Canteras beach area of Las Palmas is very pleasant and not far from the port. Just a matter of walking out of the port, through the Santa Catalina park until you reach the promenade. A slow walk from north to south will take quite some time passing lots of shops and cafe/bars. I will be meeting friends there. At the north end there are quite a few older buildings, at the south end there is a very interesting modern auditorium plus a huge shopping centre (perfect if it starts to rain) called Las Arenas https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@28.1373942,-15.4356511,16z

 

Santa Cruz (Tenerife) is undoubtedly my least favourite port of call. I have been here several times and find it so uninteresting, not helped by the fact that it is usually under cloudy skies and drizzle. I have done the excursion to Mount Teide in the centre of Tenerife which is very interesting but can be affected by the weather up there. Driving through the volcano's crater and lava plain is like driving on the moon. This time if the weather is not good I may stay aboard the Epic, if the weather is good I will probably make my way to La Laguna the ancient capital of Tenerife which sits up in the clouds overlooking Santa Cruz. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@28.4675032,-16.2703331,15z https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife_Tram

 

Funchal, Madeira. I love it

 

Malaga has had a lot of money spent on it over the years and is now a nice city to walk around. The main reason for stopping there is to allow people to visit Granada and the Alhambra Palace. And very worthwhile it is too. However, if you do not want to do this then walking around the old town of Malaga will take up a few hours especially if you stop off for a few coffees/drinks along the way. And, if you enjoy walking, do not bother with the bus that takes you from the ship to the port gates. Instead, do it on foot at least one way and take a walk through the Paseo de España.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/M%C3%A1laga,+Spain/@36.7189745,-4.4166325,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0xd7259c44fdb212d:0x6025dc92c9ca32cf

 

I hope this is of some help.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Dorothy's Friend

[CruisinMaterial]

Wow!!

 

Kevin a big thank you for putting that all together! I will tell the two ladies I've sailed with before to check out this posting over here. They're wall flowers and haven't posted much in the main group either! (Hint, hint girls! :))

 

In Tangiers, the girls and I are both concerned about security so venturing on our own isn't something we are comfortable with. We're going to do the ship tour TN-02 - Cap Spartel (sp?) and Teteoun. It's a lengthy tour but it's got a snack or lunch included with it. The rest of the port stops we were just going to wing it if it was feasible.

 

You're advice is definitely a lot more helpful than what I'm seeing looking at Wiki and TripAdvisor and trying to overlay them. The cruise line shore excursion prices have gotten so out of control lately. I know they're trying to do money grabs for their bottom line but the upcharge is downright insane. :mad:

 

I just can't wait for the cruise to get here! The summer is almost over so I long for vacation again!!! 3 months... :(

[samshltn]

this looks very tempting. I have a free cruise certificate from a Las Vegas casino, and it includes a Balcony cabin on certain voyages including Barcelona. maybe I should splurge ... :)

 

Have you booked yet, Rob?

[Dorothy's Friend]

Wow!!

 

Kevin a big thank you for putting that all together! I will tell the two ladies I've sailed with before to check out this posting over here. They're wall flowers and haven't posted much in the main group either! (Hint, hint girls! :))

 

In Tangiers, the girls and I are both concerned about security so venturing on our own isn't something we are comfortable with. We're going to do the ship tour TN-02 - Cap Spartel (sp?) and Teteoun. It's a lengthy tour but it's got a snack or lunch included with it. The rest of the port stops we were just going to wing it if it was feasible.

 

You're advice is definitely a lot more helpful than what I'm seeing looking at Wiki and TripAdvisor and trying to overlay them. The cruise line shore excursion prices have gotten so out of control lately. I know they're trying to do money grabs for their bottom line but the upcharge is downright insane. :mad:

 

I just can't wait for the cruise to get here! The summer is almost over so I long for vacation again!!! 3 months... :(

 

At the moment I am in Playa del Ingles (Gran Canaria) staying with friends. Today we drove up to Las Palmas. Hopefully I will be able to post a couple of photos taken on Playa de las Cantaras which is very close to where the Epic will dock. In one photo you can even see Mount Teide on Tenerife in the distance through the haze

[Dorothy's Friend]

At the moment I am in Playa del Ingles (Gran Canaria) staying with friends. Today we drove up to Las Palmas. Hopefully I will be able to post a couple of photos taken on Playa de las Cantaras which is very close to where the Epic will dock. In one photo you can even see Mount Teide on Tenerife in the distance through the haze

 

And another photo

[Dorothy's Friend]

At the moment I am in Playa del Ingles (Gran Canaria) staying with friends. Today we drove up to Las Palmas. Hopefully I will be able to post a couple of photos taken on Playa de las Cantaras which is very close to where the Epic will dock. In one photo you can even see Mount Teide on Tenerife in the distance through the haze

 

And the last photo

[CruisinMaterial]

Kevin - Those photos look amazing. The architecture is fascinating too. (I'm one of those who likes to figure out how things work and design...) It looks incredibly warm there too. For land based vacations is it primarily European clientele?

 

I would love to see more pictures! It's getting me in a vacation frame of mind! :)

 

I'm hoping since this weekend is going to be a wash out around here that I can get more time to research in! Keep the photos coming! It's helping me day dream at work! :D

[Dorothy's Friend]

Kevin - Those photos look amazing. The architecture is fascinating too. (I'm one of those who likes to figure out how things work and design...) It looks incredibly warm there too. For land based vacations is it primarily European clientele?

 

I would love to see more pictures! It's getting me in a vacation frame of mind! :)

 

I'm hoping since this weekend is going to be a wash out around here that I can get more time to research in! Keep the photos coming! It's helping me day dream at work! :D

 

Sticking with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as I mentioned before just outside the port there is a bus station. The number 30 bus can take you to the world famous sand dunes of Maspalomas in less than an hour. The bus leaves every 20 minutes and a return ticket costs less than 10€.

 

Because I am using my iPad I am unable to post more than one photo at at time, but if I am allowed to post a link here it will take you to my August gallery on my Facebook page which includes several photos of Las Palmas and Maspalomas. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10207360351790590.1073741874.1340082913&type=1&l=a227a59964

[Dorothy's Friend]

Sticking with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria' date=' as I mentioned before just outside the port there is a bus station. The number 30 bus can take you to the world famous sand dunes of Maspalomas in less than an hour. The bus leaves every 20 minutes and a return ticket costs less than 10€.

 

Because I am using my iPad I am unable to post more than one photo at at time, but if I am allowed to post a link here it will take you to my August gallery on my Facebook page which includes several photos of Las Palmas and Maspalomas. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10207360351790590.1073741874.1340082913&type=1&l=a227a59964[/quote']

 

And another

[Dorothy's Friend]

Third photo

[Dorothy's Friend]

Sticking with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria' date=' as I mentioned before just outside the port there is a bus station. The number 30 bus can take you to the world famous sand dunes of Maspalomas in less than an hour. The bus leaves every 20 minutes and a return ticket costs less than 10€.

 

Because I am using my iPad I am unable to post more than one photo at at time, but if I am allowed to post a link here it will take you to my August gallery on my Facebook page which includes several photos of Las Palmas and Maspalomas. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10207360351790590.1073741874.1340082913&type=1&l=a227a59964[/quote']

 

Final photo

[CruisinMaterial]

Kevin - Those photos look amazing. The camel tour might be worth while too. I think I saw that on the list of things the ship was offering. I missed the opportunity to ride a camel in Egypt since I went into the center pyramid at Giza while the rest of the tour bus did the camel rides (leave it to me to be different, crawling around a pyramid instead).

 

I will check out the FB link tonight. I can't do FB at work. They're super persnickety about that site.

 

Have you cruised during the holidays before? I forgot the ship is going to be decorated hopefully! That'll be exciting too! :D

[CruisinMaterial]

Happy Entertainment Booking Day! :D

 

"I dub thee Priscilla.... Queen of the Desert!" :D

 

I've seen so many YouTube clips I'm beyond excited for this show! :)

 

Burn the Floor is always a good time!

 

What time is everyone booking their entertainment for? I booked Burn the Floor for the first sea day night and then Priscilla on the first Canary Island day.

[samshltn]

Hi everyone. Buzzing for this trip :)

 

We tried to book our entertainment today. Cirque should be free on the first night for those with UDP, but there's a problem with the booking system. Has anyone else managed to book?

 

I'm trying to book the second performance, so we can all meet at FOD first.

[CruisinMaterial]

Kevin - I finally got on CC on my home laptop and could check out the link to your photo album! The pictures look great! The dunes look like they are worth checking out and the camel rides are there too. Maybe do some sort of loop of the island which includes that? Is that feasible. I will have to back track and look at the links you put up as well. Those pictures plus booking Priscilla today will give me cruise dreams for sure tonight!! Looks like you had a great time! :)

[CruisinMaterial]

Hi everyone. Buzzing for this trip :)

 

We tried to book our entertainment today. Cirque should be free on the first night for those with UDP, but there's a problem with the booking system. Has anyone else managed to book?

 

I'm trying to book the second performance, so we can all meet at FOD first.

 

I'm excited for it too! Besides Funchal the most exciting thing I'm looking forward to now that I've seen the film and seen clips of the Broadway and Australia show is PRISCILLA! :) It's going to be a fab time! If it's like what I saw I hope they run it again later in the cruise too. Right now you can only book two show nights and it has to be running more frequently than that!

 

As for the UDP and the Cirque Dreams and Dinner performance, it's not free any more. They changed it with the terms and conditions requiring you to pay a gratuity on it. I forget which month it was but it was from that month's sailings going forward. I want to say it was from July 1st going forward or shortly thereafter, I know a lot of changes did kick in during the 4th of July weekend. :(

 

Booking a studio cabin at the time I booked it meant I didn't get any of the fringe benefits unless I bought them myself. I'm good with just paying for the specialty restaurants I want. The MDR fare isn't bad now with the new menu revamp they did last year.

 

Seems like we've got a large group going for the FOD too! :)

[OhTall1]

Kevin a big thank you for putting that all together! I will tell the two ladies I've sailed with before to check out this posting over here. They're wall flowers and haven't posted much in the main group either! (Hint, hint girls! :))

I'm here, I'm here! I'm LaTanya and I'm a part of Jake's entourage. ;)

 

I already figured that Las Palmas was going to be a DIY stop. I'm trying to get a sense of the distance between Las Canteras and Maspalomas but I can't find a map or image with both locations. Does anyone know approx how far of a walk this is? Thanks!

[Dorothy's Friend]

Kevin - I finally got on CC on my home laptop and could check out the link to your photo album! The pictures look great! The dunes look like they are worth checking out and the camel rides are there too. Maybe do some sort of loop of the island which includes that? Is that feasible. I will have to back track and look at the links you put up as well. Those pictures plus booking Priscilla today will give me cruise dreams for sure tonight!! Looks like you had a great time! :)

 

Do not consider doing a loop of the island. It can be done but would take a long time. Gran Canaria is bigger than you think and although there is a motorway from Las Palmas to Puerto Rico (via Maspalomas) with a fast limited stop bus service, from Puerto Rico to Las Palmas the roads are narrow, bending and very slow. I have done it by car in the past and it was a whole day excursion

[CruisinMaterial]

Do not consider doing a loop of the island. It can be done but would take a long time. Gran Canaria is bigger than you think and although there is a motorway from Las Palmas to Puerto Rico (via Maspalomas) with a fast limited stop bus service' date=' from Puerto Rico to Las Palmas the roads are narrow, bending and very slow. I have done it by car in the past and it was a whole day excursion[/quote']

 

Take a bus to the Maspalomas and then go back to the city sounds like it would be more feasible. Do the bus in the morning to make sure to be back in the city long before sailing. Where do you get the bus to Maspalomas? Is it close to the cruise port? I know LaTanya found a HOHO :D (hop on, hop off as it was later explained) bus around the city where the ship docks.

 

Thank you for the wealth of information! :)

[CruisinMaterial]

I'm here, I'm here! I'm LaTanya and I'm a part of Jake's entourage. ;)

 

I already figured that Las Palmas was going to be a DIY stop. I'm trying to get a sense of the distance between Las Canteras and Maspalomas but I can't find a map or image with both locations. Does anyone know approx how far of a walk this is? Thanks!

 

Hey! Hey! Hey! :)

 

From what I gathered it's not do-able on foot and would require some sort of public transit or taxi. Maybe we can see if we can rope in a few others and split a taxi so we can come and go as we please and make sure we're back to the city early so we can catch some of the highlights there too?

 

Thanks for the links last night too! :)

[Dorothy's Friend]

I'm here, I'm here! I'm LaTanya and I'm a part of Jake's entourage. ;)

 

I already figured that Las Palmas was going to be a DIY stop. I'm trying to get a sense of the distance between Las Canteras and Maspalomas but I can't find a map or image with both locations. Does anyone know approx how far of a walk this is? Thanks!

 

A walk from Las Palmas to Maspalomas would take quite a few days! Gran Canaria is bigger than you think, so big that it has three distinct climates. Las Palmas is in the cooler, cloudier and damper north while Maspalomas is in sunny and arid south.

 

The best way to get to Maspalomas from Las Palmas is to take the Nº 30 limited stop bus which departs from the bus station just outside the cruise port. The Nº 30 bus departs every 20 minutes on weekdays, takes just under an hour to get there and costs less than 10€ for a return ticket.

 

Here is a link to a map of Gran Canaria which shows just how big it is and how far apart Las Palmas and Maspalomas are..

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@27.9719661,-15.4392238,11z

[Dorothy's Friend]

Take a bus to the Maspalomas and then go back to the city sounds like it would be more feasible. Do the bus in the morning to make sure to be back in the city long before sailing. Where do you get the bus to Maspalomas? Is it close to the cruise port? I know LaTanya found a HOHO :D (hop on, hop off as it was later explained) bus around the city where the ship docks.

 

Thank you for the wealth of information! :)

 

The best way to get to Maspalomas from Las Palmas is to take the Nº 30 limited stop bus which departs from the bus station just outside the cruise port. The Nº 30 bus departs every 20 minutes on weekdays, takes just under an hour to get there and costs less than 10€ for a return ticket.

 

Here is a link to a map of Gran Canaria which shows just how big it is and how far apart Las Palmas and Maspalomas are..

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@27.9719661,-15.4392238,11z

[CruisinMaterial]

Thanks Kevin! I'm in search of the website for their bus system now. I didn't realize just how gay Gran Canaria was! I just happened to stumble across a website for their gay pride celebration. Wow! I booked this trip because it went to some place new and people I knew were going! I didn't realize all these fringe benefits now... this island is gay friendly (or one section) and the ship has Priscilla!! :)

 

In case I don't find anything, do you buy the ticket on the bus or is there a terminal for purchasing them like we have here (aka CharlieCards)?