Would you recommend The Epic?

[OhJinkies]

I sailed on the Epic back in 2012, in a Solo Studio. The "bathroom issue" is really a non-issue if you are sailing in the Studios. You will have separate "cubicles" for your shower and toilet, and the counter and sink are part of the main room. I didn't feel that the room felt claustrophobic or cramped, and it had plenty of storage space. Unless you're out on the pool decks, there's not a whole lot of outdoor space – that was the only thing that I didn't care for on the ship. But if I needed to "get my ocean fix," it was easy enough to do. I enjoyed the Solo Lounge and the opportunity to have group dinners. I also met up with some fellow Cruise Critic passengers and enjoyed a martini tasting – the bartenders were quite generous with the samples! Finally, I really enjoyed the spa. There's a good-sized thalassotherapy pool, heated tile loungers, and more loungers out on the aft balcony.

 

 

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Edited April 23, 2017 by OhJinkies

[Langham1865]

The Epic has many great things. Great Entertainment, great for solo traveling, great food, great entertainment. The crowds people complain about I never really noticed as much... All ships the elevators are slow the first day, so no big deal there... I love Spice H2O... my one reservation about the Epic is no real promenade deck. That being said, I've cruised on her 3X.

[nellydean]

Just off the Epic today in Barcelona. Some things we liked: The nice modern decor of the public spaces, especially the buffet, the casualness, friendliness of the wait staff, the buzz in and around O'Sheehans, and the overall generally good quality of food (especially at Shanghai's, our favourite), and the ease of use of the free drinks package (apart from the small port taxes on drinks we were not made aware of beforehand).

 

Some things we didn't like: Quite an ugly ship in comparison to most we've sailed on; the buffet was always crowded and finding a table difficult; no proper prom deck for promenaders, just joggers; the size of the ship; narrow and weird cabin design; the almost continuous plugging of NCL products on the mega screen in the atrium; guest relations not particularly friendly or helpful (one of our sons was taken very ill in the country where he lives, which might have necessitated us getting off the ship in malaga - in the event, the ship didn't dock due to stormy conditions, but no-one bothered to even ring us to see how he was, or if we needed support - at the time we spoke to them it was potentially life-threatening). We spoke to the female member of staff the next day, who put her hands over her face when she realised she hadn't followed up, and profusely apologised - but then offered to make up for it 'with wine or something' which was a bit insulting. All we wanted was to make sure no-one else in a similar position was forgotten about in future (son is slowly improving, thankfully).

 

Our tour was cancelled in Tangier (along with two others) due to a potential threat, which was understandable, but there were no shuttle buses laid on and it was a good 20-minute walk to the port gates and then a further 15-20 minutes uphill to the old town which, for people like me, with mobility restrictions, was a very long way; yet, in Lanzarote, they did offer a shuttle bus, charged us $15 each for a return, for a supposed 10-15-minute ride that turned out to be less than five, and still necessitated a 15-minute walk from the port gate into town. Many people complained about this.

 

Couple of slight annoyances included being locked out of our cabin after 1am when neither of our keys worked, and had to wait for a maintenance man to replace the battery; and a day or so later, we couldn't open our safe, yet another battery failure.

 

I probably would not sail on the Epic again but, for people with no mobility problems, who like to eat and drink to their heart's content, I can see the attraction. There were lots of children onboard, due to the Easter holidays, and they seemed to be having lots of fun too.

 

Despite such an eventful cruise, we did get a lot of enjoyment out of it, and it was nice to be back on a cruise ship after three years.

 

P.S. Freestyle it may be, but if you are sailing in Europe on Epic, take lots of sparkly evening clothes, because most people enjoyed dressing up and I wished I had taken more of the same myself. I will get plenty of opportunity for that in the summer as our next cruise is with Cunard, in fact, I am a bit concerned I will miss Epic's much more casual atmosphere (which was a big plus, obviously).

[BKNYChick]

I've sailed Oasis sister ship, Allure and LOVED it!!

 

Just recently cruised on the Epic for the first time and although it was a wonderful experience, I would not cruise Epic again. There are features of the ship that impacted my experience such that I have no interest or anticipation to cruise on the vessel again, but I would cruise Allure and for that fact give Oasis a try...

[Robinola]

I have been on Oasis. It was wonderful. The entertainment, outstanding.

I am hoping for a great experience on Epic. Did anyone go to Great Stirrup Cay?

[DMH15]

I have been on Oasis. It was wonderful. The entertainment, outstanding.

 

I am hoping for a great experience on Epic. Did anyone go to Great Stirrup Cay?

 

 

We got to go for one hour last month. LOL.

 

 

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[red212fire212]

10 of us went on the Epic for our first cruise last year, 11 night canaries and Madeira.... It was amazing, we felt like royalty, never been treated so well in our lives, Loved it, got us hooked on cruising!

[killarneylady]

Just off the Epic today in Barcelona. Some things we liked: The nice modern decor of the public spaces, especially the buffet, the casualness, friendliness of the wait staff, the buzz in and around O'Sheehans, and the overall generally good quality of food (especially at Shanghai's, our favourite), and the ease of use of the free drinks package (apart from the small port taxes on drinks we were not made aware of beforehand).

 

What charges were applied and which ports? I'll be sailing out of Barcelona on western med with drinks package and wondering if this applies ?

[bellevuemountain]

That's too bad. I'm in the love-the-Epic group! Have my second on her this fall. The Jade was my first NCL cruise and it's SO different from the Epic. Hopefully you'll enjoy her more! I'm actually booked on her again next year for a 14-night to Norway, Scotland, and Iceland. :D

 

Lol... I'm platinum, and am on the "hate the epic" side. Love NCL. The Epic didn't do it for me.

 

I would recommend starting off with the Breakaway or the Getaway if you want to switch products, and then try the Epic. If you go cold turkey from RCCLto NCL, start with something else than the Epic.

[newmexicoNita]

The Epic turned me off of NCL, now I'm going back to the Jade and hope I can find my NCL love again. People love or hate the Epic. I, unfortunately, hated it.

we are with you, but certainly didn't let our dislike for the ship turn up away from NCL> Our problem, we are not "Big ship" people. we tried the BA as well. I think the mega ships attract the younger set a bit more and we left "the younter" set about 100 years ago. The interesting thing though: we did love the Epic cabins, that is usually the number one complaint.

I think you will enjoy the Jewel class ship.

[ExpatBride]

I think the mega ships attract the younger set a bit more and we left "the younter" set about 100 years ago. The interesting thing though: we did love the Epic cabins, that is usually the number one complaint.

I think you will enjoy the Jewel class ship.

 

Thanks, I'm really excited!

 

We're in our early 40s, so not exactly part of the senior set, but we like to feel that we're at sea vs. on a giant floating resort. If the Jade is anything like the Star, I think NCL will see us again.

[jaxw17]

Have no fear about Epic. I've been on her twice (Europe and Caribbean) and had an awesome cruise both times. That said, with whom are you sailing? It's definitely a ship that is more appealing to adults, although it does have three water slides and NCL's well regarded programs for children. Epic has more of a Vegas vibe, from the size of the spa, Spice H2O, and the casino, to the more adult themes of the shows, like Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which is adults only.

 

I just sailed the UK's P&O cruises for the first time in December, and I'm going back on one of their adults-only ships in June. If NCL was ever going to do an adults-only ship, Epic would be it.

 

Good luck with your choice.

I really wish they would it has a large fleet and they could dedicate one to adults only

[newmexicoNita]

I really wish they would it has a large fleet and they could dedicate one to adults only

Adults only is like Non Smoking, it puts to many restrictions on who can travel. Think about families that could not choose a ship because on of the family members was only 13 years old? Yes, cruising without kids, especially very young ones might attract a certain crowd and might be something even we would be interested in, it is too limited; if they did try an all adult cruise they would have to confine it to one of their smallest ships or even purchased a small ship from another company.

[jaxw17]

Adults only is like Non Smoking, it puts to many restrictions on who can travel. Think about families that could not choose a ship because on of the family members was only 13 years old? Yes, cruising without kids, especially very young ones might attract a certain crowd and might be something even we would be interested in, it is too limited; if they did try an all adult cruise they would have to confine it to one of their smallest ships or even purchased a small ship from another company.

I said just one of their ships and they would;d easily fill it we have done a number of adult only and loved them our kids our grown and if we wanted one that we could take the grand kids on then we would pick a child friendly one.

We had a P and O cruise ruined because of kids roaming about wild and the parents had no clue as to where they were. I know it does not apply to all parents by any means but you only need to get a few and it is bedlam.

All I am talking about is choice.