Epic Dec. 10-17

[ejnsb]

I am addicted to reading trip reports leading up to a cruise and offer this up as payback. I will be reporting in segments as I type this on an Ipad and find that at a certain point I can't see what I am writing. Questions welcome.

 

This was our third cruise this year (Getaway March and September) and my first as a CAS guest.

 

To begin with, embarkation was painless. Living only an hour from the port we were able to arrive around 10:15 and were on board in about an hour. We dropped the bags with a porter and parked on the curb right across from where we left the bags. Nobody waiting in the CAS line or silver and above latitudes lines so we quickly checked in and had about a 20 minute wait to board.

 

Disembarkation was equally easy. We selected walk off and once the line started moving a little after 7, we were through customs and in the car in 20 minutes. Two things about Port Canaveral. First, there were four boats boarding the same day, all in the same area and all vehicles funneled into a one-lane road. Second, the garage had only ne lane oened. I can see this getting ugly during peak hours.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[ejnsb]

Our room was a mid-ship balcony. My wife loved the design and tons of storage. I was ok with the wave design. The bathroom setup didn't bother us but we found out early on not to flush the toilet if you get up in the middle of the night- very loud. Our room steward, Rohan, was excellent and justly rewarded. As for the ship, lots of it felt familiar after the Getaway but we did miss the waterfront areas. But the Epic's pool areas and buffet were much better. Lots more room and we liked eating breakfast outdoors each morning (the only meal we took in the buffet).

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[ejnsb]

We felt that the entertainment on this ship was excellent. We did Priscilla, the Epic Beatles, Howl at the Moon and also enjoyed guitarist/singer Paolo who was amazing and played most nights in Maltings. The production values of their shows is Broadway-worthy and the performers all excellent. I think this is an area where NCL shines.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[ejnsb]

We had the beverage package as it seems everyone else did. Yes, as has been reported, there can be times when you have to wait a few minutes for a drink but nothing of consequence. We had great service for the most part, especially in Maltings and Cagneys bar.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Sissaaaaaa]

What would be peak arrival time?

Edited December 26, 2016 by Sissaaaaaa

[ejnsb]

We had dinners in Cagney's, Le Bistro, La Cuchina, Manhattan room twice and Shanghai's Noodle Bar twice. We left every meal happy. A week plus out I am still thinking about the Coq au Vin at Le Bistro. Lunch was usually O'Sheehan's. The food was fine but the service here hit or miss all week. They had a really bad day when we were in Tortola when I think they expected most people to be off the boat but a thunderstorm sent many people scurrying back. We never used room service but I was irritated the one time I called them and asked for a bucket of ice and two champagne glasses (we were given a bottle) and were told it would be $9. We used the ice bucket and glasses in the room.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[ejnsb]

What would be peak arrival time?

 

 

Others may have better info but I would think 11:30-1:30.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Sissaaaaaa]

Others may have better info but I would think 11:30-1:30.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thank you

[ejnsb]

As I mentioned I was a Casino guest. I mostly play blackjack, not slots, and was pleasantly surprised to get the offer. We had to pay a $200 admin fee plus taxes, port charges, taxes and tips so it wasn't a free trip but still a bargain. The offer was for an inside room and when I booked they quoted $320 pp to upgrade to a balcony so I passed but continued to monitor prices and about a month out called CAS and was upgraded for $50 pp. I did well enough on this trip, especially one night, that the trip did indeed wind up being free.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[riddle]

Who did you get your upsell through, CAS or the Upsell Number? Reason I am asking is that CAS does not generally follow the discounting you see on line for the actual cruise.

[ejnsb]

CAS- I tried upsell but they said not till 3 days out.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[ejnsb]

A couple of random thoughts. Our favorite spot for pre-dinner drinks was the bar between Cagney's and Moderno's. Mostly serves as a service bar for the restaurants. Pretty, classy and not crowded. Great service. Check to see how many ships are in the port embarkation day and if it is crowded try to get there early. Don't stress out if you don't get all the reservations you want ahead of time. We wanted to do Cagney's on our last night but nothing was available except 5:30 or 9:30. On embarkation day all the slots opened up. I made reservations on board either on our tv or one of the interactive screens. This cruise was NCL's annual poker championship. All those events took place in the Bliss Lounge which was dedicated to poker for the week. NCL had two former world champions on board and I was lucky enough to get in a cash game with one of them.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[riclop]

Thanks for sharing.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the review.

[raetime]

my husband and I were also on this cruise and he was in the tournament. He got knocked out at #46 so no money but had a great time. Do you happen to know who won? We saw the final 3 but then had to leave. thanks.

[ejnsb]

my husband and I were also on this cruise and he was in the tournament. He got knocked out at #46 so no money but had a great time. Do you happen to know who won? We saw the final 3 but then had to leave. thanks.

 

 

No, sorry, only played cash games and did not see the final table.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums