03/01/16-24/01/16 - Norwegian Epic Live - Haven Spa Suite (H9)

[ibizasue]

Do you know is the ship full to capacity?

Also have you found much waiting for drinks in majority of the bars?:)

[SwissLe]

Do you know is the ship full to capacity?

 

Also have you found much waiting for drinks in majority of the bars?:)

 

 

No to both, the ship has a few spare balcony cabins but the haven is full, one cabin was left for bingo upgrade.

 

Never had a wait apart from after muster. Waiters roaming decks and bars looking for orders. Bars are busy but if you are polite and patient they will come to you. So many rude British people onboard, it's unreal how they talk to the staff.

[Bluenoser47]

I am winding down for the night after arriving in Barcelona late evening. A long overnight and all day flight(s) from Nova Scotia Canada makes for a couple of tired Canadian gals.

We found a nice little tapas cafe where locals hangout had a simple and light meal. A night cap and headed back to our room. I just finished reading your updates and am looking forward to boarding tomorroow.

The weather looks good for most of the cruise.

Have fun on Epic part deux!

Thanks for you report.

[SwissLe]

I am winding down for the night after arriving in Barcelona late evening. A long overnight and all day flight(s) from Nova Scotia Canada makes for a couple of tired Canadian gals.

 

We found a nice little tapas cafe where locals hangout had a simple and light meal. A night cap and headed back to our room. I just finished reading your updates and am looking forward to boarding tomorroow.

 

The weather looks good for most of the cruise.

 

Have fun on Epic part deux!

 

Thanks for you report.

 

 

Hopefully see you onboard!

[SwissLe]

DAY 1/11

 

So we've arrived in Barcelona, 4.30am sharp. Disembarkation day or embarkation day still doesn't feel right even when you're on back to back - saying goodbye to everyone, knowing the ship will be crazy today and that a new bunch of excitable people will again throw themselves blindly aboard. All those times telling people to use tongs in the buffet, to wash their hands in the toilet and that there really isn't a need to be aggressive to the bar staff are now officially wasted. The sheets are washed clean!

 

Let's, however, get back to yesterday where I left you just about to depart for my third meal of the day.

 

In La Cucina I was sat at a table in the courtyard where the tree used to be. This area is overlooked by the Garden Cafe and as a result you have a blend of music and cutlery noise from above. I'd also be a critical fellow if I pointed out that there is something missing with the lighting of this restaurant too. It's too bright to give the effect of a romantic Italian restaurant. The service tonight was delivered by a top notch waitress who let me want for nothing more, and nothing more did I want after this meal.

 

 

 

 

I'd exhausted my only starter preference on the first visit to La Cucina, so this time I asked for a small portion of Lasagne to begin. Sure enough I was delivered a full size portion of perfectly cooked lasagne.

 

 

We then moved on the main course and as I won't be returning to this restaurant I had to l consume the classic Chicken Parmesan. After previously demolishing the lasagne I was feeling the past 10 days of overconsumption whilst eating this dish. For the purposes of this report and mankind as a whole, I struggled through the entire chicken breast. I must confess I left the pasta behind.

 

 

Even with regular water top ups I was unable to accept a battle with the dessert course and beat a hasty retreat to the deck 15 for a stroll around and regain our focus.

 

After a few games of air hockey (€1) and another crack at deal or no deal (€1.50) I made my way down to see what was going on. Headliners had Howl The Moon in full swing and these guys can really play - and really play lots of instruments. Each one rotates from piano to drums and guitar. All very impressive; although it does break your heart when you hear people say 'they only play what they want, never my request'. As they seem to work really hard to please everyone.

 

After I was honky-tonked out I met some friends-until-tomorrow and we had some final cruise drinks in Maltings before calling it a night at midnight as they had yet to pack. I missed saying goodbye to a couple of people because of this nightcap, apologies and godspeed.

 

I returned to my cabin, had a final quick shower and in true form managed to flood the place. My tried and tested flood defences of three beach towels, two bath towels and a bath mat rolled up failed due to the list of the ship (it wasn't rough seas but must've been at an opposite angle to the drain). I woke up around 4.30am to banging and running on the deck above. Farewell cabin 14147, you're like a mean girl - looks good from afar but once you're with her you realise all her flaws.

 

See you guys later for some embarkation day action and some fun in BCN. SwissLe in Transit!

[SwissLe]

By request; the Haven/Epic Club lunch menu

 

 

[CruisingSwedes]

DAY 8

 

That nightcap ended up with sambuca shots and getting home at 3am again. Sorry liver, but the bartenders and DJ don't care about you so why should I?

 

 

With our upcoming UBP cruise this made me laugh out loud (yet silently commiserate for my liver).

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CruisingSwedes]

SwissLe wondering if you could speculate please on what time you think the earliest walk off could be in BCN if all runs smoothly? We're scheduled to arrive at 5am (same cruise but in April). If we do arrive at 5am do you think we can walk off by 6:30? Or earlier? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bobstheboy]

You seem to find only British passengers are rude. My own observations are that most nationalities have rude people, especially on cruise ships.

 

We tend to queue where others don't so I find pushing in rude. Anyway, thanks for your comments, I am back on board in March after doing the same itinerary in December.

 

From a polite Britisher.

[jimbri]

Enjoying your review. Great photos!

[SwissLe]

You seem to find only British passengers are rude. My own observations are that most nationalities have rude people, especially on cruise ships.

 

We tend to queue where others don't so I find pushing in rude. Anyway, thanks for your comments, I am back on board in March after doing the same itinerary in December.

 

From a polite Britisher.

 

 

Being a 'Brit' myself these are just my observations. Glad you are a polite one too.

[SwissLe]

DAY 1/11 cont.

 

So in an odd turn of events; I was due to move cabin today as you maybe read above. I still didn't know my cabin number this morning, as soon as I told my butler this he was on the telephone and mid conversation his eyes lit up.

 

I've been upgraded to a Owners Suite (H2). Please play along with me here and ask no questions or speak of it to anyone else as I may wake up for a dream.

 

So ladies and gents, of all nationalities I present to you my humble accommodations for the next 11 nights.

 

 

 

 

 

[SwissLe]

 

 

[sc2011]

Wow. I am so happy for you!!!

[Yinster]

Love reading your report SwissLe. We are going to be in a Haven Spa Suite on the Epic in March. Luckily it isn't the same one as yours but hoping that we won't encounter any of the problems you had and also that cabin 14147 is fixed for the next cruisers.

[bobstheboy]

Well done !

 

Eenjoy.

[hawkeyetlse]

I've been upgraded to a Owners Suite (H2). Please play along with me here and ask no questions or speak of it to anyone else as I may wake up for a dream.

It's posted online now so it can't be a dream :p

 

Do you get to keep your spa access? Or are you happy just staying in your room (I mean rooms) 24 hours a day? :D

[ibizasue]

Ncl must be rewarding you for the fantastic live thread xxxx:) I run a busy bar in Ibiza, and I am afraid rude people are found word wide lol.. but saying that I find sevice with a smile normally gets a good response ..:)

[SquishTheWhale]

Sat in the airport after a lovely 10 days on the Epic- I've just read through your postings and enjoyed hearing about your cruise! Have to say ours was rather different in that we were in an inside, and we did more walking and less relaxing! I am obviously very jealous of your owners suite and spa pass and haven! I hope to write a review as well of our experiences :)

[300dtc]

Clean1owner, thanks for your reply. My husband and I are up for anything. We want to see Sagrada Familia and Las Ramblas. I've heard there is a beautiful large park somewhere. We like good food and alcohol. beer/wine/cocktails. Hope to not have to see a Dentist! :) Any input would be appreciated!

 

Blondie

 

You may mean Park Guell? It was designed by Gaudi and contains some incredible architectural mosaics and has an unbelievable view of the city!

[SwissLe]

DAY 2/12

 

So where were we? With all that excitement yesterday I forgot to tell you that I actually went ashore yesterday in Barcelona. A whole three hours was spent not on ship, and I made it through.

 

Disembarkation was coming to an end as I left the ship around 11am and I used the Haven priority elevator to go from level 16 to 6, down the priority gangway, through the terminal and out to meet a good few hundred people still boarding coaches and getting taxis.

 

As you come out of the terminal the 'blue' port bus is on your left hand side next to the fence. There was a lady selling return tickets for €3 (unlimited day trips) or if you wanted a single this is bought from the driver for €2. Only cash is accepted.

 

The bus has one stop, leaves each 10minutes or when full. The stop is at the top of Las Ramblas on the roundabout. As you alight there is a small tourist information office and two stops for hop on, hop off buses. These are both a little expensive for my tastes, and I don't particularly enjoy a bus ride even at the best of times.

 

I decided to take a stroll around the city and started to walk down Ramblas which was quiet and the stalls just setting up. I then dipped down a side street towards the cathedral and popped into a market for some juice and ham.

 

After walking some more I ended up in a small art cafe for a frittata sandwich and a coffee. It was delicious and gave me the energy to power back to the bus stop.

 

There are some really great art shops in Barcelona and it really is a city that embraces art, oozing style at almost every nook and alley.

 

Back on the bus I attached my attractive 'IN TRANSIT' sticker, armed myself with my seapass and breezed through security in seconds. The lines inside were fairly long, but there was no haven queue for check in.

 

Obviously I bypassed all this and the photograph, and was back onboard being escorted to my new cabin within a few seconds. Assistant cruise director Fernando insisted on accompanying me all the way, telling me I was now part of the family having been onboard so long.

 

I headed to the cabin for an explore and was greeted by both my cabin attendant and butler. After taking a video, photos and setting up my go-pro for time-lapse on the balcony I headed to the muster drill. I know some people skip this on a b2b but I feel it's important to know where your muster station is, just something that has stuck with me for all my cruises.

 

Our muster was in Tepenyaki, and boy did our guy take it seriously. I was super impressed with his insistence on keeping everyone quiet, educating families on how/where to collect children and what will happen in the unlikely event of an emergency. This is how a drill should be conducted and completely different from last weeks experience.

 

After this was over I made my way to the champagne sailaway in POSH where it was suitably cold. I donned a blanket and had a chat with some new cruisers. We made our way back inside just after sailaway to the Epic Club for a few more drinks.

 

As I was sitting drinking I suddenly remembered my reservation for Tepenyaki at 18.00. I called down to let them know I would be a few minutes late. The restaurant was so quiet tonight, our chef said that they had 20 reservations tonight, compared to the 250 the night before! He put on the good show and remembered me from last time so changed lots of jokes and got me to sing his next songs. A good time was had by all, even though one of our tablemates had arrived that day from Hong Kong via an 18 hour flight. That's dedication to NCL.

 

After dinner I moved to Bliss for a dance, I had to make sure people knew this was still MY ship. At around 10pm I moved to Epic Club in order to be sensible, a few more Stoli Vanilles later I was back in my cabin at a sensible hour.

 

I think the bed in the master bedroom of the suite is slightly shorter than in the spa suite but it more than makes up for it with a much firmer mattress and significantly higher quality linen and duvet (comforter).

 

Unfortunately the meet and greet for this cruise was a victim of all this enhanced comfort. I slept through until noon, pretty shameful!

 

I decided to give the steward time to make up the cabin so I left to have another fantastic lunch in Epic Club, it really is easy to stay in the bubble of the Haven on this cruise.

 

The weather today isn't great; overcast and hugely windy. I can't even open the door to the balcony. I took this as a cue to spend an afternoon on the sofa watching a film (on demand was updated with new releases yesterday) and eating cookies, I really am living now.

 

I also love this cabin for its people watching ability, a full picture window overlooking the great outdoors and pool deck stage. It's also one way glass; for that ultra perverted feeling. Some may find the daily activities on stage a little distracting, even though the sound insulation is good. This is a cabin made for the hotter climbs and being right in the action, or lording it up over the action more like.

 

We've got the captain's cocktail party again tonight, 19:00-45, so I've booked myself in for a shave at 17.15.

 

Hope you guys are still enjoying the report; congratulations for sticking with the least active report ever!

[SwissLe]

Sat in the airport after a lovely 10 days on the Epic- I've just read through your postings and enjoyed hearing about your cruise! Have to say ours was rather different in that we were in an inside, and we did more walking and less relaxing! I am obviously very jealous of your owners suite and spa pass and haven! I hope to write a review as well of our experiences :)

 

 

Can't wait to read it, sorry we didn't get to meet.

[SquishTheWhale]

Can't wait to read it, sorry we didn't get to meet.

 

We may have without realising- although obviously I wasn't in the Haven! I saw the Epic sailing away as we took off from Barcelona Airport last night and was super jealous of everyone on her- have a great second cruise!

[SwissLe]

DAY 3/13

 

So a very good morning from Cagliari where the temperatures are about the same as Calgary I am guessing. It's overcast and around 10oC so defiantly not pool deck weather.

 

Last night was very chilled. I had my shave, very relaxing and I am now baby soft on the face too. After the shave I went to the captains cocktail party in the epic club and stayed chatting/drinking until around 20.00 where I lazily opted for the haven restaurant for dinner.

 

In the restaurant there must've only been around 4 tables, so service was super attentive. I washed my beef sliders (special of the day) down with a glass of Merlot and accompanied these with a steak. I dread to think what number cow I am eating after 12 days. The steak was so-so but after you've had the filet mignon in Cagney's melt in your mouth nothing will compare. It was still an enjoyable piece of meat served with green beans and chipped potatoes.

 

I passed on desert in favour of a piña colada in the casino. I had a more lavish budget tonight for the slots and at one point was $100 up, but very quickly down again. I had a stroll around, Bliss was hosting the Norwegian's night out and suitably busy but very few dancing and the other main attraction was the comedian. I pretty fussy when it comes to comedians, very rarely is someone funnier than me!, and can't hide my face if they are terrible which then in turn makes me a target of ridicule. I now give them a wide berth, especially on cruise ships. I'll change my mind when Chris Rock jumps on board.

 

After my stroll a sense of maturity came over me and I headed back to my bed at a reasonable midnight on the clock.

 

A quick snack breakfast awaits this morning (I've missed a sit down meal) before a mooch around the town; depending on how long I can bear the cold for.

 

Update you later.

[SwissLe]