Epic: Three adults in a minisuite

[Hroswitha]

Just returned from a thoroughly enjoyable 7-day Western Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Epic. Not perfect--no vacation ever is--but we had a wonderful time.

 

Although my husband, a good friend, and I have been travelling together on land and sea for a couple of decades, we had never before tried tripling up in a cabin. After receiving a too-good-to-pass-up offer for the three of us in a spa mini suite, we decided to give it a try. It worked just fine for us. (Anybody tempted to make lascivious speculations on our arrangements should forget it. That's not our thing.)

 

We're all in our mid sixties and fairly experienced cruisers with between five and eleven previous cruises apiece, mostly on Princess but also including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland American, and (for BFF and me) one previous Epic cruise.

 

We loved our spa mini suite! As others have noted, mini suites are not much larger than standard balcony cabins, but the difference was enough to make the three of us comfortable and provide ample storage space.

 

Epic's "odd" bathroom facilities? Well, we all accept that we must perform basic bodily functions that sometimes come with sounds and smells, and we respect each other's privacy. Privacy can be achieved as a state of mind even without solid, opaque physical barriers, and we had no difficulties at all.

 

A highlight of the cruise, and our main reason for returning to the Epic in spite of a general preference for smaller ships, was the spa! Not referring here to any of the spa services but rather the facility itself--to which spa cabin occupants have full access. Facilities include a large, wonderful, heated mineral-water pool, two kinds of hot tubs, warm tile loungers, many comfy padded loungers, wet and dry saunas overlooking the ocean, an aromatherapy sauna, and a big outdoor balcony overlooking the ship's wake.

 

The spa is an adults-only area, and I'm happy to report that this rule is consistently enforced. On this cruise, the spa was not very heavily used, and it was a peaceful, relaxing oasis! (Those who are not booked in spa cabins can purchase a daily or whole-cruise spa pass if they wish.)

 

Our room steward, Reggie, took excellent care of us. We gave him a small tip at the beginng of the cruise when he made sure we had three of everything: balcony chairs, coffee cups, drinking glasses, towels, and so on. We would never even consider removing the DSC and usually give our steward a little something extra, but Reggie did an exceptional job (and made the cutest towel animals we've ever encountered) so we left a very generous tip at the end. (All the crew members we encountered, incidentally, seemed friendly and cheerful.)

 

Temperature in our cabin was easy to regulate comfortably, but we found the air conditioning in non-spa public areas a little too aggressive for our taste. I needed a jacket or wrap every evening and many days.

 

Because of the spring-break timing, there were a good many kids on board. They seldom created any disturbance, though, and when they did it was more a matter of kids just being kids than of their running wild or any severe lack of attentive parenting. No thundering herds in the halls, and no elevator games.

 

There were also quite a few users of power wheelchairs and scooters. Most of them seemed skilled at maneuvering, and I usually saw them driving with consideration and receiving consideration in return. (Having twice previously been run down by careless or inept scooter users, this is important to me!)

 

Embarkation/disembarkation seemed well organized and went smoothly. We booked a transfer to the airport on the final day that included a visit to the Everglades and an airboat ride. Lots of fun, and it helped fill the TEN hours until our flight home!

 

We were very unimpressed with the main dining rooms, but our observations are based on only two meals: one lunch and one breakfast. What was wrong? Our orders were mixed up, two courses came almost simultaneously with a very long wait for the third one, and hot and cold foods alike tended to be lukewarm. Quality of the ingredients was OK and the recipes seemed to be appealing and well-thought-out. Problems were with execution!

 

The buffet was a much better bet, we found, for lunch and breakfast. Two valuable tips: Selection on the right and left sides is somewhat different; and if seating is tight, go forward and down to La Cucina, which is open for buffet seating at breakfast and lunch. Almost like a private dining room!

 

We had the ultimate dining package and loved it. Le Bistro was our favorite, and we went there twice. One of our party is a great lobster fancier. She ordered it both nights at Le Bistro and rated one very good and the other "close to perfect." Their four-mushroom soup completely lived up to its reputation. Teppanyaki was a little noisy and salty for our taste, but entertaining and fun--especially if you're travelling with kids. We went to the cirque show the first evening and were delighted! Show was excellent, and the food better than we'd expected. Cagney's was good, but the experience seemed a bit hectic. Our steaks were good enough but nothing special. We liked Moderno very much and found the servers more than willing to bring the specific meats we wanted to try.

 

On a previous Epic cruise we had really enjoyed the Chef's Table and had hoped to experience it this time, too. Unfortunately it was not offered on this cruise. Well, next time!

 

I was eager to try Carlo's Cake Shop but was a bit disappointed. My cannoli was good but no better than at any neighborhood bakery. Maybe a cupcake would have been more impressive?

 

Lots of people have been complaining about the coffee on board. We're big coffee drinkers and found it entirely acceptable. Not great but also nothing to complain about. Very subjective topic! We did find it very convenient having a coffee maker in our cabin. And we loved the french-press coffee offered in Le Bistro!

 

Entertainment was a big positive--especially the music. The Legends show (Jimmy Buffett, Adele, Aretha Franklin) was very good, but our favorites were the blues band, Street Talk, and the dueling pianos, Howl at the Moon. We attended one or both of those almost every night! We couldn't get reservations for the early-evening Second City show and weren't particularly impressed with their late show. Not big fans of Blue Man, so we skipped that.

 

I do have a big gripe about parents who bring their kids to late-night shows advertised as being for adults only and then complain when the material turns out to be sexually oriented--as I heard more than one angrily do--that "there are children present." To be honest, some of the late-night material was too raunchy for my taste, but other parts of the shows were very, very funny. It was exactly as advertised, and if I had been too offended I could have simply left. But I didn't! Parents, please take your kiddies to the early shows. Enjoy those shows together, but take them elsewhere when it gets late and the material shifts! Don't expect the entertainers to edit their late-night material for kids who shouldn't be there.

 

We participated in two shore excursions: bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River in Ocho Rios and a visit to the green sea turtle facility in George Town. Both very enjoyable! Probably somewhat overpriced, but we were willing to pay for the convenience.

 

I'd be glad to answer any questions or elaborate on whatever you need to know more about.

[Solarad]

Thanks for taking time to review. Glad to hear that three is not a crowd in the mini suite. My DH, 24year old DD and I will be in one on our May Mediterranean cruise. This will be our first voyage with NCL. Also happy to hear at least one opinion that says the coffee is acceptable. in 65 days, I can decide for myself!

[funat55]

I loved your review and I am so happy to hear that you had a good time. Hope I'm lucky enough to snag a spa pass when I get on board. I'm in a studio now but I was originally booked in a family balcony with my daughter, her husband and my grandson. We would have made it work but now I'm looking forward to my own studio. Only 31 days to go.

[Hroswitha]

The number of spa passes available for purchase is limited, but you shouldn't have any difficulty snagging one if you go directly to the spa once you're on board. So very worth it!!! --Julie

[cb at sea]

I agree about the "late night adult' shows...someone should have the balls to tell offended parents to remove the kids ! The STAFF should speak up and say, "Dude...it's an ADULT show....take the kids and put them to bed!"

Edited March 13, 2015 by cb at sea

[timesurfer7]

Julie, thank you so much for the review of the Epic and your time on board. My husband and I will be on board in about 38 days (I am not counting down!!!) for the transatlantic trip.

I know that there are more people on board than on our previous cruises so that being said, did you feel cramped? Crowded?

Did you take advantage of having your laundry sent out to be done? I think we will have to being that it is an 11 day cruise.

How were the beds?

Again thanks so much for the review.

Karen

[chart135]

Could you post or do you still possess your weekly planner? Or Dailies? Late March & Early April cruisers have zero information about times/entertainment.

[chart135]

Forget it! I found some just posted today!

[brookie848]

We were also on the March 1 sailing with three people. We were originally supposed to be part of a larger group, but in the end only the three of us made the trip.

 

We found the "only three" and the looks of speculation throughout the week quite amusing. We were in the a two-bedroom suite and it worked out perfectly for us.

[Hroswitha]

Karen, I'll try to address your questions. First, we found the beds quite comfortable. They were very firm, but that's our preference--it's a matter of what you're used to.

 

We seldom felt crowded, but remember we spent most of our time luxuriating in the spa unless there was a reason to be elsewhere: food, sleep, entertainment, special events, going on shore, or just sitting on our balcony.

 

It does seem to me that much of the Epic is sort of turned inward--like a Las Vegas casino--rather than outward toward the sea. Seemed odd to us that people sometimes sat in the atrium and watched images of the sea on a big screen rather than seeking out views of the real thing from the upper decks, balconies, or even just windows. But I'm a BIG believer in everyone enjoying the cruise in their own way as long as it doesn't keep others from doing the same.

 

Because this was just a 7-day cruise, we did not send out laundry this time. Have done it before, though, and were pleased with the results.

[timesurfer7]

Thanks for answering my questions!! Have a great upcoming week.

[zdcatc12]

I agree about the "late night adult' shows...someone should have the balls to tell offended parents to remove the kids ! The STAFF should speak up and say, "Dude...it's an ADULT show....take the kids and put them to bed!"

 

They do on Carnival, well George Lopez does, right before the show starts they play a video of him reminding everyone that it is an adult show and if your under 18 to get the F*** out of there---yes, he says that, there are never any kids left after that, and some adults leave also!!