Tell me something good about EPIC? Spice H20 Pool question?

[BABYJOSIE98]

So 17 of us are sailing Epic on the 21st and I have been reading nothing, but negative things lately. I need to just stop.

 

So I hope some past Epic cruisers can tell me something good!

 

We are not picky people! We enjoy to just chill in the sun and have a cocktail!

 

So the Spice H20 adult pool looks like where I want to be! So give me some tips! Hubby and I are early risers...So if we head there after breakfast will we be able to grab us a couple chairs for the day. Can't worry about the rest of my group! They will have to be up early if they want to chill with us.lol

 

So far our ship is not full, but i read so much of over crowding!

 

We do have the UBP and looking forward to our stops so much! Chose this cruise for Tortola!

 

We have the shows booked and a couple specialty dining booked. Anything else I need to know to make for a better sailing.

 

I understand the lay out of the rooms are weird, but I can deal with that. As you can see we cruise often and I have never been on a cruise that I hated. We always make the best of a situation....Carnival Sunshine was one of our least favorites, but we still had a blast!

 

Thank you guys!

Edited January 10, 2017 by BABYJOSIE98

[Daddyrob81]

I personally didn't have any issue with the Epic when I sailed her in 2015.

 

There are crowds but I think it's to be expected anytime you've got upwards of 4100 people on a ship, and thats only guests. The only time I ever really noticed huge congregations of people was during busy times at the Buffet and around the pool on Sea Days.

 

I really enjoyed the Epic. You might wait a few for a drink or table, but it's not like a restaurant on land, which you could wait an hour for a table.

 

Aside from that, there wasn't in my opinion generally any issues. If you're sailing on 1/21, you shouldn't see HUGE crowds. We're just coming off holidays and it's right before Spring Break would begin. That's one of the major reasons I booked my Feb cruise.

 

If you're a chill kind of person, I'm sure you'll enjoy the Epic just fine.

[ilovetotravel1977]

We went to spice everyday. If you get there by 9:30-10:00 you should be fine for a lounger. We liked being on the tiered levels vs. Right beside the pool

[sid_9169]

While the Epic is not my favorite ship, it still has a lot to offer... You should have no problem getting chairs at Spice H2O if you get there relatively early (10:00 and after it gets full on nice days) Most of the bars have pre made drinks in large jugs, but most will make you a fresh drink if you ask. My favorite bar / bartenders were at Maltings Whiskey Bar on deck 7. Kym & Quimson make the best drinks on the ship...

[cruise pup]

I loved the martini clinic. A lot of fun. I understand they to the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I saw it on Broadway and enjoyed it a lot. If all else fails, just remind yourself it will all be over in 7 days.

[Ardie13]

My husband and I will be on this cruise with you. We also are early risers but he likes the casino while I like the pool area. I am sure there will be tons of stuff to love about the ship!!!

[BABYJOSIE98]

This all so great to hear! Thanks...

 

I do like the tiered decks away from the pool too. We usually are up and around by 7. We try and sleep in , but it never happens.

 

 

I have been on a couple of the big Royal ships and I know how crowded it can get, but we are very laid back and nothing really bothers us too much.

 

I am sure it will be just fine and I need to stop reading the negative reviews.

 

I think the ones that I am reading were over the Christmas holiday and it must have been full!

 

I am really excited to go! Last minute shopping this weekend!

[david_sobe]

Your pre-planning makes perfect sense to me. Spice h20 is definitely a place to hang out. They have cool stadium tiered seating (unlike the newer ships) which makes it feel much less crowded. Amazing aft views with 2 hot tubs on the aft corners. There is a bar with waiters too. The small dipping pool will cool you off. On some nights they show movies there or have a dance party.

Edited January 10, 2017 by david_sobe

[BABYJOSIE98]

Your pre-planning makes perfect sense to me. Spice h20 is definitely a place to hang out. They have cool stadium tiered seating (unlike the newer ships) which makes it feel much less crowded. Amazing aft views with 2 hot tubs on the aft corners. There is a bar with waiters too. The small dipping pool will cool you off. On some nights they show movies there or have a dance party.

 

Sounds amazing and right were hubby and I will be found. We like to be up and away from the pool and I like the screen too. Nice they have a waiters at that bar....

 

Looking forward to some fun in the sun! Thank you!

[Manbo]

We sailed the Epic in September and loved it!

The entertainment was awesome, Spice H2O was fantastic!

We had no complaints except I wasn't too impressed with Specialty dining. But that is not the ship, I always thought the specialties were overrated anyway!

[Justaddvodka68]

So 17 of us are sailing Epic on the 21st and I have been reading nothing, but negative things lately. I need to just stop.

 

So I hope some past Epic cruisers can tell me something good!

 

We are not picky people! We enjoy to just chill in the sun and have a cocktail!

 

There are 17 of you! You're bringing your own party and are going to have a blast!

 

The only thing I recommend is that you plan ahead and book any dinner and shows that you plan to all attend together as soon as possible.

 

If you haven't already, call and have them tag your accounts as traveling together and then have one person call and make your dinner reservations for everyone.

 

It's better to have reservations than not. If you don't show up after 15 min they give your table away. If the whole party doesn't want to attend dinner, it's better to be overbooked than underbooked.

 

As soon as you get on board book reservations at Howl at the moon and anything else at headliners if you want that large of a party to be able to get in.

 

Otherwise, just do your thing and chill and enjoy.

 

It's not the perfect ship FOR ME, but it's still a great ship and you're going to have a blast!

[SquishTheWhale]

You're right that h20 is the best place to hang out! We loved the views. The hot tubs are also great as they back onto glass with aft views. If you're up early you should be ok for loungers. But if you can't find one, there is a 'secret' sun deck on 18 where there is always free loungers! Sounds like you have the right attitude and will have a great time- stop reading the negative reviews, there's always someone who isn't happy about anything.

[ready2cruzagain]

We were on the Epic for 2 weeks last month and LOVED it! We even booked her for a b2b again next year!

 

As far as booking things go, don't forget when you get on the ship, to make your tender reservations and your reservations for the comedy.

 

We had friends that did not reserve the tenders until the next day and they did not get off of the ship until 11am. We had already been at the beach for 3 hours.:eek:

 

Also, reserve your comedy shows when you get on the ship, if you don't do it then by that night they will be filled, I learned the hard way the first week but got it right the second time.

 

You can do both of these from your cabin on the tv or go to the box office when it opens, I recommend the tv.

 

As far as H2O goes we tried it once and did not care for it. Dh likes shade and I like sun so it did not work out well for us. We loved the main pool area. Never had a problem finding a seat out 14 days.

 

If you like Prime Rib, O'Sheehans will have a Prime Rib night. The prime rib is awesome! It is 1 inch thick and cooked to perfection. It was better than the Prime Rib in the MDR. Also, O'Sheehans has a Rib Night, the ribs were the most tender ribs I have ever ate. Highly recommend both of these.

 

We never had a problem with crowds other than trying to get a drink at O'Sheehans after muster drill, I think everyone had the same idea.

 

In the Manhatten Dining Room one night Burn the Floor dance group puts on a show, ask for a table by the dance floor, it was fun to watch.

 

If you have any questions, just ask, we were on there for 2 weeks and as I said loved it.

[Heather1972]

Ignore all these Negative Nancys. I had a great time on Epic in 2014. It was one of my favorite cruises. I liked her so much, I've got her booked for 11 days in 2019.

Edited January 10, 2017 by Heather1972

[NCLfamily]

I've sailed The Epic 3 times with a 4th booked. It's a great ship.

 

Don't miss Duelling Pianos, from about 10.30/11pm it's fantastic. Especially if a group of you.

 

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

I sailed the epic over Christmas and enjoyed her very much. She has some quirks, but nothing I would consider a deal breaker. I would sail her again.

 

 

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[BirdTravels]

Ignore all the negative posts. The Epic is a wonderful ship.we have sailed on the epic six times and would not give a second thought to booking it again tomorrow.

 

If you look for something to complain about on a ship on any line you'll find it. So don't look for it and your cruise.

[czimm]

Hello! I have terrible news. My group of 22 will hogging all the chairs at Spice beginning the 21st! Just kidding about the chair hogging- but we will be there!

 

I have been reading the bad reviews too, but I have also read some great recent reviews in the reviews section, not the community boards. And my group can turn any situation into fun, so I know we will have a good time! We will be on a cruise, with our friends and family, with nothing but sunshine (fingers crossed) and pina coladas.

 

I hope you have as much fun as we will! See you soon

[darienill]

I think it's the Bistro that has tables out in the open area on deck 6?. The smoke from the casino filters down so make sure you get seated inside.

The casino bar has some great entertainment. If you get a casino "lucky" drink card you can get water bottles at the casino bar. The Panda slot machine at the end of the row facing the casino bar got hot our last night. We almost broke even for the trip. Some areas of the casino are super smokie .

Didn't like the round beds or room sink.

[Fun4Us2013]

This March will be our 2nd time on the Epic. The ship is different so it generates different opinions as some people can't accept change. The cabins are arranged differently but assuming you aren't rooming with a stranger you will probably already be aware of their "personal" habits. There is no grand mall floor plan with open areas showing elevators and lights moving 8 floors above you so don't expect that. Food was the best we have had on previous cruises, drinks were not hard to get and the entertainment was wonderful. Wife won 2k on the slot machines (a first for us) and we didn't have the drink package at that time so it paid for everything. We had posh passes and that was the best. Private bar with great bartenders. Would do it again except we have grandson with us this time. The only time we saw crowds was during the muster drill and getting on and off the ship. As always cruises are what you make of it. If you are looking for a bad time, you will have one. If you can put minor things past you, you will do fine. If someone is sitting next to you and they are loud, move. If your room steward isn't the greatest, talk to him or her, they will always, always fix the problem. Tipping goes a long way to solving many problems. Crew members work hard and long hours so don't expect them to be all sunshine lollipops and rainbows all the time. Roll with the flow.

[BABYJOSIE98]

Hello! I have terrible news. My group of 22 will hogging all the chairs at Spice beginning the 21st! Just kidding about the chair hogging- but we will be there!

 

I have been reading the bad reviews too, but I have also read some great recent reviews in the reviews section, not the community boards. And my group can turn any situation into fun, so I know we will have a good time! We will be on a cruise, with our friends and family, with nothing but sunshine (fingers crossed) and pina coladas.

 

I hope you have as much fun as we will! See you soon

 

Too funny! Well we are the same! Just a fun bunch and not nit picky about the small stuff! I can't wait and I hope to for some Fabulous weather!! we need it! Ice storm coming here tomorrow night! EEK!

 

Our two groups will be the biggest chair hogs on the ship! I can see it now!! LOL

Edited January 11, 2017 by BABYJOSIE98

[BABYJOSIE98]

Thanks for the tips on tender tickets for the private Island and comedy shows. I will make sure I do that and I will try using the TV! That seems the easiest.

 

we do have the shows booked and our TA booked all 17 of us at La Cucina for the first night! we have 2 Birthdays in our group of 17 on sail a way day.

 

Then I did reserve Cagney Steakhouse too!

 

I am really getting excited! I knew you guys would make me feel better....

[dna529]

We sailed on Dec. 17. I'm going to try to write a review this weekend. My husband and I loved it. We were usually at Spice around 9:30 and found loungers. We enjoyed the bar and lunch that they have back there on sea days. We had no complaints about the ship itself. The only disappointment was Cagneys. It just wasn't up to par with the Escape and Getaway Cagneys.

 

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[Kova15]

I also have been reading a lot of negative reviews on the Epic so I posted a similar thread a week or so ago. Heres the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2435312

 

I hope you have fun! Please report back your thoughts after your cruise!

Edited January 11, 2017 by Kova15

[BABYJOSIE98]

I also have been reading a lot of negative reviews on the Epic so I posted a similar thread a week or so ago. Heres the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2435312

 

I hope you have fun! Please report back your thoughts after your cruise!

 

Thanks! Just read your thread! I think we will be ok.....

 

I will be sure to report back after we have sailed...

 

I am starting to feel better about it all and most the bad reviews have come from Christmas week it seems..

 

So our cruise may not be sold completely out or have as many families... I am not worried!