Is the EPIC an EPIC fail?

[KeithJenner]

Just to clarify, do you mean dining rooms? Because this isn’t true - Epic has the Manhattan Room and Taste. Unless I misread, and you were talking about something else - entirely possible, as it’s late and I’m having bourbon. ;p

 

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They mean that, whilst the Epic and Breakaway both have the Manhattan Room at the aft, the Breakaway also has both Taste and Savor, whereas the Epic just has Taste.

 

I don’t see that it makes much difference though. Taste and Savor are very similar and there are only really two of them as they are split by the. Central walkway.

 

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

I really like the Epic, and have sailed 4 times, but there are some issues for us.

 

We really do miss a decent promenade deck. I’m not sure how much of an issue this is to most people, but I walk a lot on sea days and this is something that is a big problem on the Epic. It is however one of those things that, whilst a lot of people grumble about, you don’t actually see all that many people using them on some other ships.

 

I also think that for a big ship it is slightly lacking for some of the attractions that you associate with big ships. That is probably because it was one of the earlier ones. I really like the Plunge water slide, but compared to the newer ships I really miss the ropes course, for example. Of course, compared to the older ships, the Epic does well.

 

We haven’t been on a big ship for a couple of years and really want to book one for next year. Epic by far the most convenient for us, and is the most likely, but we are considering paying the extra to fly to Miami for the Breakaway or Getaway instead.

 

I don’t think it’s because NCL don’t do big ships well, as I have had some fantastic times on them, and really love the ships, but the Epic was their first one and they learned a lot from it and made improvements. My biggest issue is the promenade deck, but I suspect my habit of walking 10 miles on a sea day is fairly niche.

 

 

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[Sparkles87]

I for one LOVE Epic...... she will always be my first cruising love! I have sailed on her 4 times and have my 2nd B2B booked for this summer 😊

 

Epic seems to be the Marmite ship of the fleet - you either love her or you hate her. And in the words of T Swift.... haters gonna hate- and they sure do like to shout about it.

 

Most bad reviews - I take them with a very large pinch of salt and most of the complaints are personal preference. The bad reveiws always increase substantially when Epic is back in the USA and decrease again when she is back in Europe... Make of that what you will ☺

 

Its no secret that there were issues with the ships design when it was first built... generic layout issues that NCL didnt bond with... which is why they scrapped the Epic Class ships, ditched the French Ship Building Company, and went straight to Meyer Werft and started on the Breakaway Class ships.

 

In temrs of the Epic itself... here is my 2 cents FWIW:

I have yet to meet a rude crew member... everyone seems to go out of their way to please you and make you smile. I have never had an issue with uncleanliness.... in fact i think if you stood still long enough you might find they start to clean you too! Lol

The entertainment is outstanding - Howl is my absolute favourite! The food is delicious! I've yet to sample a cocktail i didn't fall in love with - hello chocolate martini and a lavender patch is delicious too.

The spa is worth every penny. The water slides are Epic! 😉 Yes the pool can get crazy and there are chair hogs around.... but show me another ship or even hotel on land that doesnt have these issues? - If you get up and about early enough you wont have an issue... if you wait til Midday you will struggle to find an empty chair.

I personally love the layout... it flowed better for me than the Breakaway did. I cant comment on the Cabins - as a solo pax i have only stayed in the studios.

In terms of long waits... you may notice it more on the Sea day but I have never had a particularily long wait for anything. The buffet can get a little crazy around peak times... but if you know certain tricks you can work around it.

 

Your Cruise is what YOU make of it. You are the only person that will determine how much you enjoy your experience not anyone else. Go with an open mind, forget the haters and enjoy an Epic Cruise... 😊

 

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[newmexicoNita]

I've been wanting to cruise NCL and EPIC is the most convenient ship for me. However, all I read on cruise critic is how awful the ship is. Too many people, poor design, long waits, no pool chairs and so on. Does NCL just not know how to "cruise big?" I read good things about the smaller NCL ships, but everything EPIC is negative.

 

I've sailed several times on RC Oasis class ships, which are much larger than EPIC (size and passenger count) and never once did I feel like there were too many people, or it was crowded, or I couldn't find a pool chair. I like the big ships. Does RC just do a better job at planning these "mega-ships?" I can't help but wonder if NCL realized they had a loser on their hands based on the fact that there is no sister ship. It's very odd for cruise lines not to have sister ships, especially ships less than 10 years old.

 

That being said, I'm getting the vibe that my first sailing on NCL should maybe be on Sun or Sky...

no mass marleted line does a better job than another, it is just what you like. I am not a lover of mega ships period whether NCL< Princess or any other. And yes, there are disadvantages, but there are advantages as well. On the Epic there is more to do than say, the Dawn or Sun for starters. We happen to like the design of the cabins on the Epic, but many do not.

I can only add one more thing, the Sky only does short cruises, so would not be a good ship to use if you want to get a true feeling for NCL. the Sun is older of course but one of our favorites. If I were you I think I would consider the Jewel Class ships.

[gymbomb]

Epic is just ok to me. It is my least favorite ship so far, but I still had a wonderful cruise on it. So much of a cruise is what you make of it! If it were the most convenient ship for me I would go on it again, but since it isn’t I don’t go out of my way to go on it. Give it one try with an open mind, and if you don’t like it try another one.

 

 

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[NCLfamily]

We've sailed The Epic 4 times (my daughter 5 times). Great ship, we've loved every cruise on her. Is there a few things we'd change? Probably. But the same could be said of any cruise ship. Many comments about the pool deck, the pool deck on the Escape is awful, but I loved The Escape and would go back on it in a heartbeat.

 

 

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[sverigecruiser]

The Haven lounge and the Haven restaurant are great on the Epic. Much better than on the other ships, I think.

[soggy1975]

We loved the Epic.. no ship will be perfect

 

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[wdsted]

If you’re “potty shy” Epic might not be for you. I travel with my husband and we aren’t shocked or put off by the fact we shower or eliminate body waste.

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

The entertainment is outstanding - Howl is my absolute favourite!

 

 

I love Howl, and have spent many evenings there on the Breakaway, Getaway and Escape, but I’ve always found it a big disappointment on the Epic. The performers make a difference, but I really don’t like Headliners on the Epic. The pillars get in the way and I don’t think the atmosphere is the same.

 

 

 

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[Oakman58]

The Haven lounge and the Haven restaurant are great on the Epic. Much better than on the other ships, I think.

 

Unfortunately most of the passengers on the ship aren't allowed to experience the Haven. I have to wonder how many of the folks who rave about the Epic on this forum are those who book Haven suites.

[KeithJenner]

Unfortunately most of the passengers on the ship aren't allowed to experience the Haven. I have to wonder how many of the folks who rave about the Epic on this forum are those who book Haven suites.

 

 

These sort of things depend a lot on what different people do. I read a lot on here that you need to stay in the Haven on the big ships to avoid all the queues and crowds. My reaction to that is always “what queues and crowds?”.

 

I’m not suggesting that other people don’t encounter them, but they are obviously not in the same areas or doing the same things at the same times as I am.

 

 

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[collie1228]

We sailed with another couple on Epic several years ago and enjoyed the freestyle cruising experience very much. The pool situation with all of the chair saving turned us off, and I totally agree with the comments about the unfortunate lack of a promenade deck. We sailed last year on Norwegian Star, and its promenade deck was a highlight. Plus we enjoyed the smaller ship, but we don't like the Tampa port or the ship's itinerary, so we didn't go back. We are looking forward to our upcoming cruise on Epic, but I am a little bit apprehensive about 4,000 passengers mostly on the free ultimate beverage package.

[KeithJenner]

We are looking forward to our upcoming cruise on Epic, but I am a little bit apprehensive about 4,000 passengers mostly on the free ultimate beverage package.

 

 

I honestly wouldn’t worry about that.

 

The promo UBP has been around for years and it is commonly stated on here as a worry that people have before their cruises, but I have rarely, if ever, seen it stated as an actual problem after the event.

 

I have done many cruises since they started the promo and drunkenness isn’t a problem that I see. Occasionally you see someone who has had a few too many (on a couple of occasions it’s been me), but not once in my experience has it caused a problem.

 

 

 

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Edited February 10, 2018 by KeithJenner

[samiam0403]

They mean that, whilst the Epic and Breakaway both have the Manhattan Room at the aft, the Breakaway also has both Taste and Savor, whereas the Epic just has Taste.

 

I don’t see that it makes much difference though. Taste and Savor are very similar and there are only really two of them as they are split by the. Central walkway.

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Aha. Thanks for the clarification! I sailed on Getaway back when the dining package was truly unlimited, so we rarely ate in the MDRs. But now that you mention it, I remember looking at the menus for Savor and Taste and thinking they weren’t that much different. Thanks for helping a gal out!

[NCLfamily]

I honestly wouldn’t worry about that.

 

The promo UBP has been around for years and it is commonly stated on here as a worry that people have before their cruises, but I have rarely, if ever, seen it stated as an actual problem after the event.

 

I have done many cruises since they started the promo and drunkenness isn’t a problem that I see. Occasionally you see someone who has had a few too many (on a couple of occasions it’s been me), but not once in my experience has it caused a problem.

 

 

 

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It was me at least once

 

 

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[steffymi]

Epic is my favorite NCL ship so far. Saw it in Grand Cayman the other day and blew it kisses from Escape.

[AzStyle]

I've been wanting to cruise NCL and EPIC is the most convenient ship for me. However, all I read on cruise critic is how awful the ship is. Too many people, poor design, long waits, no pool chairs and so on. Does NCL just not know how to "cruise big?" I read good things about the smaller NCL ships, but everything EPIC is negative.

 

 

 

I've sailed several times on RC Oasis class ships, which are much larger than EPIC (size and passenger count) and never once did I feel like there were too many people, or it was crowded, or I couldn't find a pool chair. I like the big ships. Does RC just do a better job at planning these "mega-ships?" I can't help but wonder if NCL realized they had a loser on their hands based on the fact that there is no sister ship. It's very odd for cruise lines not to have sister ships, especially ships less than 10 years old.

 

 

 

That being said, I'm getting the vibe that my first sailing on NCL should maybe be on Sun or Sky...

 

 

 

I had the same thoughts as you about the Epic, I read those negative reviews before our very first cruise which was booked already on that ship. We went, had a blast! Loved the employees, the boat and the casino. We have since sailed the Escape twice the getaway and the breakaway and still our favorite by far has been the Epic. We will be sailing again this year and will do that ship again. Ida in vibe was the best! We highly recommend this ship. No matter what you choose I hope you have a blast!

 

 

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[jtdlmc]

Just off Epic yesterday. This was our first "big" ship experience. We had a great time but will not likely cruise her again. It felt extremely crowded to us. On sea days there were no chairs anywhere on the pool deck or the next one up or Spice H2O, two very small smoking areas which get very crowded causing more condensed smoke to flow into the nonsmoking areas. Other ships that have one side smoking on one of the open decks work out much better. BTW, before the flames start getting tossed, I am a nonsmoker. The only day we were able to sit anywhere near the pool was a port day we stayed on the ship. Non existent promenade and very small atrium only open to one floor above made it very difficult to be able to see any happenings on the atrium stage because it got so crowded. On port days when everyone returns it is a madhouse, long bar lines, crowded everywhere. The entertainment was excellent, food okay, desserts to die for and awesome staff. We had a balcony cabin with bed closer to the door and it was awful, no room to move at all. Went on a cabin crawl and saw one with the bed closer to the balcony and there was a huge difference in the amount of open space.

 

 

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[Shidah]

Love, love, love the Epic! I am so worried about being disappointed on our next two cruises not on her! Yes, both stays on the Epic were in the Haven, so that could have influenced our stay. But our first room, DOS that overlooked the pool and activities, was perfect for us. The Breakaway or Getaway does not offer a room with a similar view. Having the door open and being able to listen to the band or DJ and singers, without having to fight for a chair by the action was so nice. It is my goal in life to book that room again. Enjoy the Epic. The staff is great. Entertainment was wonderful, loved the Beatles, Priscilla (could see this over and over), Burn the Floor, Howl at the moon, could go on and on. We are trying other ships since we think we should, but already missing the Epic.

[AzStyle]

Epic is my favorite NCL ship so far. Saw it in Grand Cayman the other day and blew it kisses from Escape.

 

 

 

So did we!!

 

 

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[dolita22]

We loved the Epic! I think many who have sailed on the Epic either went in without doing any research or were perhaps skeptical in the first place and went in expecting not to like it.

 

A cruise is what you make of it. We've sailed the Epic twice and would sail again in a heartbeat if there weren't a number of other NCL ships we want to try out (after trying out Carnival next weekend just to try out a new itinerary). The Epic never felt too crowded and we were usually able to find deck chairs on one of the upper decks, away from the pool area. We just used the outdoor showers to cool of if needed...or ordered drinks! And bathroom setup didn't bother us. :)

 

GIve it a shot! If it's convenient for you and you go in with an open mind, you may find yourself enjoying it, especially since it's a big ship with so much to do.

[Crzy4my2]

Our 1st trip on NCL was last year and on the Epic.. I loved it. We are trying the Getaway in a few days but would sail the Epic again. Even the bathrooms worked for our family. It was tough getting a lounge chair but on the days we were in port, we got off the ship and went to the beach or walked around and the days we were at sea, my kids slept late and would head to the water slides when they got up..they were never too bad. I also don't think we had to wait too long in any line.

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

We were thrilled to sail on the EPIC twice...because it was doing the Mediterranean itinerary we wanted.

We loved everything about it, from the different rooms to the great entertainment!

ENJOY and HAVE FUN!!

 

 

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[Escaping2016]

Sailed on the Epic twice also sailed on the Escape and the Getaway. I enjoyed them all. I actually enjoyed the pool deck and water slides the most on the Epic.

 

 

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