Just Back From the Epic

[Linda the Book Lover]

I like reading the reviews including both the good and bad. We sailed the Epic quite some time ago and I hesitated booking the Epic again after a bad spa experience. We enjoyed everything about the Epic (I admit the weird elevator set-up was not a happy place but we went with it). Well the DH said let's go to Europe on the Epic and of course I said yes (like I would say no to a cruise). We plan on a great time celebrating our anniversary. My husband will be the one returning from port getting spritzed in Posh with a Stella in his hand!;) I'll let you know months from now how we enjoyed the cruise.

[NCLfamily]

I've sailed on the Epic 3 times, with a 4th booked. I love it. I'm 42 with pre teen kids though. I won't be cruising an Epic type ship in my 70's.

 

What I would say is that each time I've sailed on The Epic I've not had an issue with;

 

The Elevators (more people need to use the stairs)

The theatre (saw every show going)

Getting a seat in the buffet (sure it's busy, but it's a buffet on a mega ship)

Size of the balcony (its big enough to serve its purpose)

 

I think the OP has made a bad choice of ships. Personally if I had I would accept that I had rather than posting a silly OP.

 

 

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Edited December 21, 2016 by NCLfamily

[clarkg]

Sorry, you didn't like your cruise. I'm not sure that I would like Epic either. Thanks for posting your comments.

[Oakman58]

On a positive note, if you’re a gambler you have to love this ship. While there were fewer elevators per passenger and the theater seating decreased, the casino was huge. There were plenty of table games and slot machines available for passengers. Another bonus for the gambler, you could actually play Blackjack or Video Poker on the interactive television in your room. I guess this is for the gambler who doesn’t want to get out of bed to put some money at risk. There were even a few slots machines in O’Sheehan’s.

[Oakman58]

I have to agree with NCLfamily that I made a bad choice when I picked the Epic. I think it is designed for a younger crowd and/or gamblers. The ship has great water features although once again, I was surprised at how small the two main pools were.

 

Now I have a question that I hope someone can answer. What the heck is this thing that was in a corner on the sports deck and how is it used?

 

[NCLfamily]

It's called the spiders web, it's for kids to play in.

 

My parents (70's) have been on The Epic twice with the family, they enjoyed their holiday but wouldn't think of sailing on her on their own.

 

Lesson learned. Try a Jewel class NCL ship.

 

 

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[poffles]

I have to agree with NCLfamily that I made a bad choice when I picked the Epic. I think it is designed for a younger crowd and/or gamblers. The ship has great water features although once again, I was surprised at how small the two main pools were.

 

Now I have a question that I hope someone can answer. What the heck is this thing that was in a corner on the sports deck and how is it used?

 

 

Want to add perhaps younger 'smoking' gamblers given the smoke that sat in that area was terrible ... unless they've done something to improve that since I sailed.

 

Ya I think the Epic ship might have been the bad choice. I know personally I want to try another large ship but might do RCL for that. Really reluctant to try another large 'NCL' ship, the Pearl was a gem :) The positive for the Epic was the shows ... loved the many things to entertain in the evening so thumbs up there.

[DMH15]

Love the smoke-free casino on Celebrity.

 

Will be on Epic in Feb 2017. Girls spa trip. If casino is smoky will just avoid it. No big deal.

 

 

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[kathybelcher2433]

We loved the Epic but it was Western Mediterranean, mostly for the ports. But we tried and liked all the specialities and the entertainment. No issues with the elevators. We're in our very late 50's, mid 60's and we need the exercise of the stairs.

 

 

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[Oakman58]

Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy our cruise. It’s just that it wasn’t nearly as nearly good as our previous cruises. I didn’t think some things would bother me but in the end they did. As an example, I knew going in there isn’t a promenade deck and as it turned out I really missed it.

 

We cruised with my sister and her husband and all of us felt the ship lacked interior elegance. It had some glitz and glitter but it felt more like a lower end cheesy Las Vegas hotel/casino than a cruise ship.

 

If we cruise on NCL again it will be on a Dawn Class or Jewel Class ship.

[littlelulu01]

I was just talking to a guy I work with who was on the same sailing. They were a family of 7 and were in the Haven. He said unbeknownst it was a sold out cruise for a poker tournament and said it was not much fun for his family. It was his first and last NCL cruise. Said they loved GSC and the cabana they had but other than that couldn't wait to get off the ship. I do think a mega ship is a big gamble. His opinion; Smoking areas they couldn't avoid with their kids, low ceilings, mass crowds, no promenade deck and said had they not booked the Haven he'd probably have refused to get back on the ship in one of the ports.

 

I keep wanting to try one but it's a lot of $ to shell out just to find out you aren't that type of cruiser. Since I know I love the Jewel class I think that's what I'm sticking with. Mega ships aren't for everyone.

[cdngooner]

Oakman, I've got to say I respect your willingness to share the positives and negatives from your experience, and not let yourself get baited by some of the "I'm a better cruiser than you" responses. Personally I appreciate your input. Thanks.

[riclop]

Just back from our trip on the sold out Epic cruise and…

 

I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again. I will never cruise a mega-ship again.

 

 

I think I'll go back to land based trips.

What a great informative post.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I've sailed on the Jade, Pearl, and Epic on NCL. I was very apprehensive about booking the Epic as I'd never been on a mega ship. I didn't think I'd like it, but I was excited about the itinerary (10-day cruise to Morocco and the Canary Islands) and I got a great fare. I was pleasantly surprised! I loved the Epic. I would like to have had more views of the ocean, but other than that, I had no issues with the ship or its design. Unlike the on the OP's sailing, the elevators weren't all that crowded most times though sometimes there was a bit of a wait for them.

 

Not every ship is for every person. Personally, I don't care that I have to make reservations even with NCL's freestyle concept. If I really want to see something or eat at a specific restaurant, then I'm fine making a reservation for it. I don't use the internet cafe, I'm 6'1" and the bed was fine for me, I got a seat wherever I wanted one, etc. I don't think the OP's complaints are petty but most of them haven't been issues for me--probably why I think the Epic is a great ship! I'll be on her again in 279 days. :D

[tntornadox]

I was on the Epic this same week and share many of the same frustrations posted above. While I get the Poker Tournament is a big deal for the cruise line, having everyone else sacrifice for it is a major let down. Any entertainment that would have been held in Bliss was held in Headliners... anyone see the issue with that? Headliners holds MAYBE 200 people on a ship for over 4,000... that's insane.

 

Elevators were often a nightmare, probably due to the cruise being sold out. I realize this cruise was probably a one-off and admit had I known about the Poker Tournament beforehand I would have went in with altered expectations.

 

Ultimately, I still had fun and still enjoy NCL. The food was good and service was friendly and efficient most of the time. I don't go into cruises looking to complain, having worked in the service industry I understand things don't always go the way we want them to and accept that. I am not a fan of Epic, as the layout is just too wonky and the lack of interaction with the outside (so few windows and no promenade) really is a turn off for me. Being stuck inside with no good views out during 60mph wind gusts really sucks!

[Oakman58]

 

Ultimately, I still had fun and still enjoy NCL. The food was good and service was friendly and efficient most of the time. I don't go into cruises looking to complain, having worked in the service industry I understand things don't always go the way we want them to and accept that. I am not a fan of Epic, as the layout is just too wonky and the lack of interaction with the outside (so few windows and no promenade) really is a turn off for me. Being stuck inside with no good views out during 60mph wind gusts really sucks!

 

The strong winds and light rain kept everyone in the first couple of days and really exacerbated the crowding of the elevators.

 

I’ll post another positive thing about our cruise. We were in cabin 10075 which is the beginning of the first bump-out on the starboard side and the balcony was huge compared to what we had on other cruise ships. I loved that balcony and we didn’t pay a higher price to have a large balcony.

 

We are leaving today to stay with our daughter and her husband and my beautiful granddaughter for Christmas. So I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Edited December 22, 2016 by Oakman58

[NCLfamily]

Oakman, I've got to say I respect your willingness to share the positives and negatives from your experience, and not let yourself get baited by some of the "I'm a better cruiser than you" responses. Personally I appreciate your input. Thanks.

 

 

I think Oakmans OP gets people's back up. He then goes on to post well, but that OP just gives people the wrong impression.

 

 

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