First time cruising with NCL/EPIC, worried.

[newmexicoNita]

No one ever mentions the escalator but I was intrigued. First time I ever saw one on a ship. Its a short one. I can't quite tell you where it was but I used it to go up a deck to the Cavern Club if that helps you.

 

Loved where La Cucina was too.

If I remember right the escalators are located not too far from the casino etc. We used them a couple of times. I too don't remember ever seeing them on a ship.

[KeithJenner]

The escalator is between decks 5 and 6. As you walk aft from the Atrium on deck 5, the public areas come to a stop at Taste, which is pretty well midship. There are escalators there which take you up to the Casino area, not far from o’Sheehans.

 

I’m sure it would be marked on the deck plans.

 

 

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[AF-1]

Does Epic have a promenade that goes around entire ship; if so what deck?

[KeithJenner]

Does Epic have a promenade that goes around entire ship; if so what deck?

 

 

No it doesn’t. It has a walking area where the lifeboats are, but it really isn’t very nice and it just goes along the side. In my opinion this is the Epic’s main problem.

 

It’s on deck 7. Port side is for walking and starboard is officially a jogging track, but It is rarely used for that, as far as I have seen.

 

 

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[Oakman58]

A word about the elevators and escalators. The rear elevators don’t go down to deck 5 where the atrium and guest services are located. From the rear elevators you will have to get off at deck 6 and walk through the casino to get to the escalator that will take you down to deck 5.

If you’re in a wheelchair or scooter and you want to go to deck 5 from the upper decks go to the forward elevators.

[UNIrd]

Remember that you may be reading recent reviews of spring breakers on the 3/4 nighters out of Orlando. We've done the Epic 7-days to Caribbean and to Mediterranean and it was fantastic both times. One of my absolute favorite ships.

[Tiggertastic]

The haven on the epic is just fantastic. The layout is great, the bar area and it’s own pool area. The specialty restaurants are great and you choose where you want to eat and when.

 

 

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[AF-1]

Thanks Keith I appreciate your feedback

[MOMtoBJSF]

Thank you everyone for your inputs, we booked last week, which I'm glad we did, the price has gone up by 3k now ( that was shocking). We are very excited, and going in with an open mind. I think my fear was the fact that we have only ever cruised with DCL, its hard to take that first step and start cruising with another cruise line. We can't wait!

[Crazy planning mom]

Hubby and I decided to book the NCL Epic Western Mediterranean on AUG 4th, 2019 out out Barcelona, we will be traveling with our three kiddos ages12,10,and 9. We were able to book the Haven two bedroom suit, and plan on getting off every port to explore with our kiddos. First time not cruising with DCL, sadly due to sport/school we can can only travel during spring break or August. I am now researching and reading all the reviews, and I'm a little sacred, the reviews for the Epic are not that great, I'm really worried. Please tell me it will be ok.

 

Thank you !

First of all with the Med itinerary, the ship itself isn't that important. Plus, the kids will love the waterslides. Breakfast in Taste is very good. Don't listen to all the naysayers.

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Hubby and I decided to book the NCL Epic Western Mediterranean on AUG 4th, 2019 out out Barcelona, we will be traveling with our three kiddos ages12,10,and 9. We were able to book the Haven two bedroom suit, and plan on getting off every port to explore with our kiddos. First time not cruising with DCL, sadly due to sport/school we can can only travel during spring break or August. I am now researching and reading all the reviews, and I'm a little sacred, the reviews for the Epic are not that great, I'm really worried. Please tell me it will be ok.

 

Thank you !

 

Having sailed both in NCL Haven suites and on DCL (in regular balcony rooms), I'd say the quality of service you will recieve in the haven on NCL will be equivalent to the normal service on DCL. Same with food quality (in the haven restaurant anyway). The room itself will be much nicer. You're on a port intensive cruise, you'll have a good time. We've never had a bad time in the Haven.

[Cruisin_Vol_Fan]

I absolutely understand your hesitance! We are Gold with DCL with our kids (plus cruised multiple times on Celebrity and Princess on our own) but are doing our first NCL on the Epic Western Med in late May for my parents' anniversary trip. We, too, are in a 2-bedroom Haven suite. I have heard so many horror stories (many in person from friends) about the ship that I have very low expectations! However, those who have positive reviews (including a cousin and an aunt) have all been Haven guests. So I'm hoping for the best!!

Based on the fact that we are in port for 12+ hours almost every day, I figure it's really just a mode of transportation and hopefully a comfortable place to sleep. I plan to post a trip review when we get home in June (we are adding on 9 days after to drive from Barcelona to Berlin...) and will specifically call out differences between DCL and NCL as there seems to be many groups making this switch, especially for this itinerary. Probably because a regular balcony room on the Magic was the same price for us as the 2-BR Haven on the Epic for the same week!!

[Vyhanek]

The Epic Havenis amazing! You will love it more than Disney. Go on youtube and search for Epic 2 bedroom haven suites. You will not be able to continue to think that Disney would beat staying in the Epic Haven. It's amazing. Way more amazing than Disney.

 

I think your kids will tell you that the kids club is remarkably similar. The cruise lines all bench mark against each other. Your kids will come back and tell you games and activities they do are EXACTLY like they do on Disney.

 

I'm sure you will be impressed. The Epic has the best Haven.

[AF-1]

What makes the Epic Haven better than one of the other larger ships; or a ship like Jade?

[brookie848]

What makes the Epic Haven better than one of the other larger ships; or a ship like Jade?

 

In our opinion, it is the best Haven area for several reasons:

1. Very large restaurant with a lot of windows.

2. Large lounge/bar area.

3. Posh.

4. Courtyard Grill -- it's nice to have an enclosed area to sit and eat, relax, drink and still feel the breeze.

5. The Epic has their own private gym. It's small, but it serves its purpose.

6. There are also spa treatment rooms in the Haven.

7. This isn't directly related to the Haven per se, but I liked that the buffet was just a short private elevator ride down from Posh. You could easily go get a snack or ice cream and then bring it back to Posh.

The Epic isn't a perfect ship and the Haven isn't perfect, either. Compared to the Getaway and Escape, the 2-bedroom suites felt more crowded. We also hated the lighting fixture that hung above the table (it had a tendency to make noise during rough seas). We also wish the courtyard was covered like it is on the Escape.

If you do end up in the Epic Haven, it should definitely make up for any deficiencies you might find in the Epic as a ship. It certainly does for us!

[KittyloverCA]

Thank you everyone for your inputs, we booked last week, which I'm glad we did, the price has gone up by 3k now ( that was shocking). We are very excited, and going in with an open mind. I think my fear was the fact that we have only ever cruised with DCL, its hard to take that first step and start cruising with another cruise line. We can't wait!

 

My kids have only ever cruised DCL (in their memory) also but I think now that they are older (10 and 13 when we go) they will enjoy being on NCL

[KittyloverCA]

I always see people mention the bathroom setups, what don people like about them, just curious, since I don’t have anything planned on epic...

[MiniJeffrey]

You'll be fine, the Epic is a nice ship if you can overlook the minor flaws (remember this was a sort of prototype ship that led to the Breahaway class) and if you can appreciate the many good things on the ship. Don't let the small flaws ruin your vacation. Enjoy!

[Koala_D]

Hubby and I decided to book the NCL Epic Western Mediterranean on AUG 4th, 2019 out out Barcelona, we will be traveling with our three kiddos ages12,10,and 9. We were able to book the Haven two bedroom suit, and plan on getting off every port to explore with our kiddos. First time not cruising with DCL, sadly due to sport/school we can can only travel during spring break or August. I am now researching and reading all the reviews, and I'm a little sacred, the reviews for the Epic are not that great, I'm really worried. Please tell me it will be ok.

 

Thank you !

People either love this ship- or hate it. I will never go on it again, and I have taken 21 cruises with NCL. I liked all the other ships. The bathroom was an issue (you will not have problems... we had a mini suite). Book all your shows online as soon as it is possible. Book your dining times online asap. We had food that was very good.. and food that was very bad. Our worst meal was in Cagney's, but another night there it was our best meal. Food quality is not consistent. My daughter liked breakfast in the Garden Café buffet !! She discovered a quiet area in the Italian restaurant was available after we got our food... and it had a gorgeous view from the front of the ship there ( well-kept secret!). The hotel director was amazing, but our room steward did almost nothing... our room was so dirty. The air conditioner didn't work for 6 days... then they finally called someone who knew what to do. He flipped a switch OUTSIDE our cabin door and we had no further problems. With all your ports I think you will like the cruise in spite of the problems we had (transatlantic trip). If you don't like it, please try ANY of NCL's other ships. The Pearl is my favorite. My daughter and I loved Barcelona, and spent 5 days there before the cruise. If you don't live there be sure to take time to see it. There is a lot there that the kids will also love. For anyone else planning a Barcelona trip--- there are some great apartments at a very reasonable price a block from La Sagrada Familia (a must-see)... and the subway and buses are very close and convenient. The apartment was roomy--- had a view--2 bedrooms-- rooftop terrace....and the desk clerks were very helpful. Name: Sensation Apartments Sagrada Familia. We also had a room near Las Ramblas that was so small that my daughter rented a second room for herself after we saw it.

[AF-1]

In our opinion, it is the best Haven area for several reasons:

1. Very large restaurant with a lot of windows.

2. Large lounge/bar area.

3. Posh.

4. Courtyard Grill -- it's nice to have an enclosed area to sit and eat, relax, drink and still feel the breeze.

5. The Epic has their own private gym. It's small, but it serves its purpose.

6. There are also spa treatment rooms in the Haven.

7. This isn't directly related to the Haven per se, but I liked that the buffet was just a short private elevator ride down from Posh. You could easily go get a snack or ice cream and then bring it back to Posh.

The Epic isn't a perfect ship and the Haven isn't perfect, either. Compared to the Getaway and Escape, the 2-bedroom suites felt more crowded. We also hated the lighting fixture that hung above the table (it had a tendency to make noise during rough seas). We also wish the courtyard was covered like it is on the Escape.

If you do end up in the Epic Haven, it should definitely make up for any deficiencies you might find in the Epic as a ship. It certainly does for us!

 

Thank you very much for your explanation. One more question; what is posh? Is this part of the Haven? Thanks

[brookie848]

Thank you very much for your explanation. One more question; what is posh? Is this part of the Haven? Thanks

 

Posh is an adults-only sundeck for Haven passengers. There is no pool, but there is a bar. There are tons of different comfy chairs (beds, loungers, other chairs). On most cruises, they do sell a limited amount (20 or so) Posh passes to passengers not in the Haven.

[forgotmyCCname]

Thank you everyone for your inputs, we booked last week, which I'm glad we did, the price has gone up by 3k now ( that was shocking). We are very excited, and going in with an open mind. I think my fear was the fact that we have only ever cruised with DCL, its hard to take that first step and start cruising with another cruise line. We can't wait!

 

We made the jump form DCL to NCL (and also RCL) 10 years ago when our kids were 9,9,7. Even at that young age the DCL story had played out for them. We sailed Disney 4 times in the 2 BR suites and jumped to NCL Jewel 2BR pre-Haven courtyard suites.

 

Kids enjoyed "kid Camp" more on NCL than Disney, hubs and I enjoyed occasional ,actual ADULT things!

Disney is wonderful; we visit the resorts almost annually. But cant imagine paying the 'premium" for a ship on which there is less to do. Maybe when we have grandbabies someday we can go back..

 

We have also cruised multiple times in RCL suites and find them the lesser of the three in experience. They are also pricing themselves out of our reach with their new ships and varyng levels of "Suiteness"

 

We have never been on Epic; are also doing the Med this summer out of Rome. it is so port- intensive that I look forward to the Haven perks of priority embark/disembark the most..

 

Enjoy your trip!!

[Crus4US]

I just booked the Epic for the Med next year. It is was a fantastic price with the 3/4 guests sailing free. I have teenagers and a family balcony will be tight, but I think since it is so port intensive it won't matter as much. Everything else was booked....first time on NCL..fingers crossed.

[NCLfamily]

I just booked the Epic for the Med next year. It is was a fantastic price with the 3/4 guests sailing free. I have teenagers and a family balcony will be tight, but I think since it is so port intensive it won't matter as much. Everything else was booked....first time on NCL..fingers crossed.

 

 

 

We have sailed the Epic 4 times with our two girls at various ages. In October 2017 they were 13 and 15 and given the fact they operate at different times/schedules from us, the space is fine. Plenty storage IMO.

 

 

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[david_sobe]

Nothing to be worried about in the Haven on Epic. The 2 bedroom suites are some of the most colorful and comfy at sea. Huge Haven area indoor/outdoor plus Posh. Some of the best accommodations at sea.