RCL vs. NCL (Epic)

[MikeBTN]

I'm not saying don't book Breakaway....I've never sailed that class, so have no opinion on it. What I will say, though, is one way or another, NCL gets their money. You might be surprised to learn that in the end, the cost is similar.

 

I sailed NCL on a deal like that, but with the way they still charge 18% gratuities on their "free" drinks, on board charges, and the cost of specialty restaurants that I didn't plan to book until experiencing awful service in their chaotic MDR, the total on board spending cost was much higher than my typical RCI cruises. All lines nickel and dime, but no one does it like NCL.

 

I know these are mostly based on options. I'm just saying...don't be surprised in the end if you spent more than planned.

 

We've enjoyed our RCCL cruises and have also sailed with Disney. Disney was amazing, the kids clubs were great, food & service fantastic. But for almost 1/2 the price we can sail with Royal and get similar food, service, with kids clubs being a bit less fun, but still enjoyable, for the kids.

 

Booked on FoS in May. That same sailing on NCL Escape is $1,000 cheaper (that includes the 18% gratuity on the "free" drink & dining packages), similar itinerary. Our final payment is due at the end of this week and we keep flip-flopping. Similar to our Disney vs Royal, its hard not to be drawn to NCL at 30% less with what appears on the surface to be more.

 

I'll report back on our decision later this week.

[syracr]

Thanks to all who replied -

as I expected, the responses were all over the map.

Let's face it this is a very SUBJECTIVE question.

What i did take from this is ... in general:

 

The entertainment on EPIC was a bit better than RCL

The Bathroom situation on EPIC - .. not so good

Food seems to be comparable

staff - comparable

Ship - EPIC is a bit confusing and felt crowded..

 

not sure If i missed anything - but appreciate all the replies.

[Cat4158]

We are diamond RCCL but we cruised on Epic in Europe last year because it was much cheaper and we had a free beverage package + onboard credit. We also bought the speciality dining package and used this every night.

 

We didn't like the ship layout, but on a European cruise the ship isn't the destination! The food in the speciality restaurants was very good, the entertainment was better than what is available on the smaller RCCL ships and we made excellent use of our beverage package! We used our onboard credit to tip the staff so we always had excellent service and excellent measures.

 

The bathroom situation in the cabin was not a problem for us but might be for couples who are not so familiar with each other.

 

If the beauty of the ship is important choose RCCL. If it's just a place to stay while you visit some fabulous places choose Epic and take advantage of the cheaper prices and the offers.

 

Whatever your choice - have fun!

[lisajail]

In response to your question.... which ship is better? I recently went on the Epic and I was "Epically" disappointed with it ALL!! First of all, the service was POOR! Example: On the first day we ate at the buffet. I asked a staff member that was cleaning the tables, "Where is the tea and water please? They pointed it out and went right back to JUST STANDING by the dish cart. Also, I seen a staff member walking around with coffee Twice on the entire 8 day trip. ( We ate at the buffet a lot!) On Norwegian, I've always been asked if I wanted coffee! Secondly, there were at least two shows we were unable to attend as they were all booked up by the second day!! So, if you choose the Epic. ..make sure you go to the box office the very first day, asap to book shows you can't book ahead of time like the comedy shows! Thirdly, you must also book your departure times for the various ports. So, again... Make sure you book this as well! Also, I must comment on the rooms...they are horribly small!! It may just be the layout! The shower doors are see thru and the sink is where you normally curl your hair or put on make-up. So try to get a suite! I'm sure the room situation is better. Finally, pack comfortable shoes as this is a huge ship with various things on one end of the ship to the other! I love NCL & RCCL equally. There were many people I spoke with that complained that the Epic is NOT what she was when she was first introduced!! I hope I helped you out. I didn't read the comments for the Epic before I booked. I just wanted to go on the Huge ship. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean Better!

[vacationlover_mn]

Inlaws were loyal NCL cruisers, with Epic being their last- they hated it so much, that they won't do NCL again. They did Allure with us after that, and loved it :). On Epic, they hated: the food, their room (especially the small cheap feeling bathroom), the layout, and the shows.

 

In all fairness, I should mention that they had a lot of cabin issues, like their toilet overflowing multiple times, which made them bitter towards the whole situation...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited January 8, 2017 by vacationlover_mn

[LakeWobegon]

Wow. Old thread. Just responding because we've considered NCL and RCCL for cruises the past two years. We'll probably go on Harmony for our next cruise but chose the Escape this year (again) as it was about $2,000 cheaper for a large balcony room at the time we originally booked and the Escape included the ultimate beverage package which RCCL didn't. I would pay more if I felt Escape wasn't a great experience, but last year's cruise was!

 

Granted, this is the Escape we're talking about. But I'm saying, don't judge NCL overall on one ship that may have been a bad idea. But, I can't confirm that because I've never been on the Epic.

 

I was a bit leary about Escape last year because it was cheaper than Oasis or Allure at the time. But I found the ship beautiful and classy, the food at the MDR and specialty restaurants top notch, the pool area small but offset by the waterslides and ropes course and other activities, and staff EXTREMELY helpful, serviceable and friendly. Like WOW factor helpful and friendly.

 

I told my wife "I think RCCL is top of the line as far as the big lines go, NCL in the middle and Carnival the budget line," but she said "I don't think this is middle of the road, I think it's wonderful." And she and I have fairly high tastes based on past land-based vacations. I based my preconceived notions on the prices I was finding and also the rusty Carnival ships we saw in port.

Edited January 9, 2017 by LakeWobegon

[brady19]

I have sailed the Epic, and I can honestly say it was the worst designed ship I have ever been on. The bathroom design in the cabin was awful. The toilet was separate from that bath, but it wasnt isolated just a glass wall and the sink was basically at the side of the bed.

 

To get from one side of the ship to the other on the main deck, you have to walk through the casino which is filled with smokers and the tables leave little room for traffic.

 

NCL service has always been a step below the rest of the lines.

[lisajail]

Sorry! I didn't pay attention to the date of the thread! I'm going on RCCL INDY this Saturday and I was trying to find out as much as possible about the ship when I ran into this thread. Hope you have a great time CRUISING!! 😎. Lisa

[lisajail]

Brandy19..... I AGREE!!! I would rather go on NCL SKY. I went in October and it was a blast! The feel of fun in the SUN was every where!!😁

[besberry]

I've mostly cruised with RCI but have cruised on the Epic. Loved them both. The food was good on Epic and freestyle dining is great. The bathroom design was dire, but I was cruising solo so not a problem. I wouldn't want to share with a friend rather than a partner though. I'll happily cruise on either line again.

[mjkacmom]

I'm talking about the free package that is offered as a booking bonus. On NCL, they still charge you 18% gratuity on the free package....so it's not really free. Are you saying RCI does the same thing? I really don't know, but it would be the first I heard it.

 

As for the rest, those were my experiences on Dawn and Sky. Like I said, I haven't sailed Breakaway Class.

 

Do you are saying the cost to purchase the drink package/gratuity on RCCL is still less expensive than just the gratuity on NCL? Do RCCL's all inclusive drink package is only around $100 for the week?

[MikeBTN]

Just back from Epic. Bathroom layout is odd, but we knew that going in. If someone doesn't, then they did literally zero homework. I did have more trouble navigating the ship compared to Escape; for some odd reason I just never did feel like I got my bearings on this ship. I haven't looked at measurements, but Epic felt longer than Escape. Might just be the zig-zag hallways. Epic's Thermal Spa is amazing (did not get to enjoy the one on Escape, but looks just as good, if not better). Entertainment was good - we did Priscilla and Cirque and enjoyed both shows. Food was always solid, but Escape's buffet has way more options. Especially enjoyed the outdoor grill, which was open extended hours with burgers, dogs, fries, nachos/tacos, and of course the crepes! Neither Escape nor Oasis-class have anything similar, which is disappointing. Staff was friendly, no complaints there. Solid cruise for us on Epic.

 

Pricing for Escape & Epic seem to be fairly similar. I would probably pay a few more bucks for Escape for a "normal" bathroom setup, the better pub, and Food Republic. But if I found a good deal on Epic, I wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.