Worst Norwegian ship?

[KeithJenner]

The Epic is my least favourite ship that I have been on.

 

The fact that I’m booked for my 5th cruise on the Epic and have also had another one cancelled gives an indication that “worst” is probably not the best word to use.

[KateQ22003]

9 hours ago, marktwothousand said:

Encore. It’s New, but bad decisions about constructing huge water slides, race tracks and play areas on the roof have resulted in little Space up top for crowds and being up there is not atall enjoyable

This is exactly how we felt about the Bliss. Horrible. Way too much wasted space on crap that nobody was using, but then trying to cram everyone into the atrium daily for musical and game shows. As much as I love to cruise, we couldn't wait to get off the Bliss. Lesson learned about smoke and mirrors instead of thoughtful planning.

[Coastalbreezes]

Very subjective question but for me personally I would never sail Getaway again. Last cruise was February 2020 in the Haven. Food in some specialty restaurants (in particular Ocean Blue) was inedible and the Haven sundeck was rarely tended to: dirty towels, plates and glasses left lying around (in some cases for days). Worst Haven experience we've ever experienced and for that alone I wouldn't return.

[david_sobe]

There are no bad cruise ships.  Every ship has its own age and character. I would take a day on any of them over a day on land.

All the NCL ships are so different yet so similar.  While many take aim at the Epic, every ship that has been built post Epic is very similar to Epic i.e. identical atriums, chandelier central with staircase, casino as the center part of the ship, splitting 2 MDRs to smaller MDRs (Taste and Savour), Haven restaurant, etc.   All copied from Epic

[kodos]

14 hours ago, complawyer said:

we were on the star on a southeast asia cruise from hong kong to singapore back between dec 2016 and jan 2017. not until we actually got on board ere we advised of the propulsion issues. while  we missed 3 ports that were important to me, they offered us a full refund if weleft the ship (no brainer since we were already in hong kong and airfare booked from singapore 2 seeks later, of a fare reduction of 50% on this cruise and another 50% off any future cruise.  we had a forward facing penthouse for 3 of us so the fare ended up being $3750, and the following year i booked a 2 bedroom suite on the epic for my wife, myself , my grandson and a friend of his, for less than $4000.

 

so in spite of the mechanical problems, i really cant complain about the star.

 

actually, we have been on a number of ncl ships (other than the much newer ones) andso far i havent had any problems on any of them. that being said, our favorite is the getaway.

 

we are currently booked on the epic in jan, the jade in apr and once again the star (keeping my fingers crossed) nov 2022.

 

i have read traveling man's comment for a number of years, and he is usually spot on!.

since its been 4 years since ive been on the star, i would cut them a little slack

I was on the same trip. I was disappointed at some of the missed spots but the compensation was extremely generous. We lucked out though. Subsequent sailing as they continued to try and fix the problem did not receive the same compensation. I think because we were a Christmas/New Year's cruise and had the least amount of notice to change plans they gave us the best deal. 

Edited September 1, 2021 by kodos

[Envelope21]

Did not care for Epic. It wasn’t the weird bathroom layout that bothered me. It was the lack of outdoor space. 

[4774Papa]

22 hours ago, Travelers56 said:

The Epic-  did not like the layout,  did not like the outdoor spaces-   including Spice H20-  which was billed as adults only -  but constant parade of kids thru the bar area from the basketball courts one deck up.

 

The ships we prefer are the Sun and the Spirit.

we like the smaller more intimate ships

 

 

 

 

 

 

The worst--Epic

The Star design was not so great, but it was OK

The Gem class is our favorite.

[pghflyer]

Star is by far our least favorite.  We disembarked Feb 2020 right as everything was being cancelled.  Love the size and certainly a bad cruise is still normally a good cruise.  However, the ship captain and engineer openly lied about ship condition (strangely, even contradicting things from NCL official releases) and made fun of passenger questions.  Even though remodeled, still felt aged.  And a lot of the rooms/ common areas are tight and dark - case in point, the weird internet lounge and the main room for trivia/ bingo/ etc. 

 

Anyhow, it is all how you look at it - perhaps we just loved the bigger open areas on the Jade and the fact that Star doesn't have them may not be a negative for some.

[kodos]

I actually also find it interesting that people don't like the Breakaway Plus class. I loved the Bliss. The spa was amazing as was the observation lounge. Since I had vibe passes I didn't spend time on the pool deck which was one of the sources of complaints. The ship never felt crowded to me because it disperses people well but 100% agree no activities should be held in the atrium. 

 

Universally no one likes the Epic bathroom and because of it I'd probably never convince my wife to sail on it again but I like the rest of ships quirkiness. 

Edited September 1, 2021 by kodos

[Langham1865]

I've never had a bad cruise, certainly never had a cruise so negatively affected by the ship that I would never sail that ship again for the right Itinerary.  With that being said, I am not a huge fan of Epic, only because it doesn't have a proper promenade deck).  Though I love her Spice H2O and Studio Lounge.   I've sailed Epic as many times as any other ship, so, again it hasn't kept me away totally.  Also, when I was on the Sky she was in need of some physical TLC and I believe went into dry dock shortly after, so I would be surprised if the issues I saw remain.  

 

[Oceansaway17]

23 hours ago, Shellbelle28 said:

That's a hard one to answer because the things that make it the worst ship in the fleet to one person might be the things that make it the best for someone else. The Traveling Man's comment about mechanical reliability is a more objective way to evaluate, but I've been on the Star twice with no problems, so it wasn't my experience. 

I'd have to say if I was sorting all the ships I'd put the Gem at the bottom because my non-scientific and unproven judgement that she historically does short trips out of NYC and has a different vibe than the other ships. 

i hope you are right about the STAR

I am doing her next year out of Iceland in summer and it goes to just Iceland and Greenland.

 

[trivimp]

Least favorite is Epic, not due to the bathroom layout (I actually like the separate sink & toilet areas,) but due to the closed-in feeling.  Hard to find a place to sit & chill while watching the sea.  But I wouldn't mind sailing on her again, no question... no such thing as a bad cruise 🙂 

 

I loved the Star, she was a perfect size for me.  We had no mechanical issues on our Panama transit.  

[oteixeira]

I have always wanted to ask this, I think this may be a good spot to do it.  For those talking about the inwardness of Epic, is it because you enjoy the couches and chairs on the breakaway class ships deck 8 area ?  I know lots of people love that area but I would much rather just chill out on my balcony then on the waterfront deck (although I know many folks do, and I often pass by people even napping out there).  So, maybe it is more something that would bother an inside/ocean view room passenger?

Just trying to understand it before I book and find out it would be a problem for me.

 

[trivimp]

9 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

I have always wanted to ask this, I think this may be a good spot to do it.  For those talking about the inwardness of Epic, is it because you enjoy the couches and chairs on the breakaway class ships deck 8 area ?  I know lots of people love that area but I would much rather just chill out on my balcony then on the waterfront deck (although I know many folks do, and I often pass by people even napping out there).  So, maybe it is more something that would bother an inside/ocean view room passenger?

Just trying to understand it before I book and find out it would be a problem for me.

 

I love the Waterfront areas, also the promenade areas on the Jewel-class ships.  One of my Epic cruises was in a studio, so yes, that was probably a big part of it.  But I also like watching the sea while I get my drank on 🙂 and there aren't many bars with an ocean view on Epic.  It felt like I was cruising in a high-end mall, to be honest.  But the Studio lounge was great, and I really liked SpiceH2O, which was one of the few drinky-ocean spots.  

[oteixeira]

Just now, trivimp said:

I love the Waterfront areas, also the promenade areas on the Jewel-class ships.  One of my Epic cruises was in a studio, so yes, that was probably a big part of it.  But I also like watching the sea while I get my drank on 🙂 and there aren't many bars with an ocean view on Epic.  It felt like I was cruising in a high-end mall, to be honest.  But the Studio lounge was great, and I really liked SpiceH2O, which was one of the few drinky-ocean spots.  

I totally get what you are saying, basically you want to see something like the Mojito bar on the newer ships, etc.  I don't think that would be a huge deal for me, I normally grab a beer or two and head to my cabin balcony.  I do understand as a solo how it just doesn't make cost sense to pay the extra though.  I can honestly say I am not sure I could cruise solo simply because I don't want a room without a balcony.

[sverigecruiser]

On 8/31/2021 at 7:53 PM, The Traveling Man said:

  So far as I know, it is the only NCL ship to have ever lost power and end up adrift in the ocean. 

 

The Epic lost power and end up adrift in the ocean on one of our cruises but it was only for a short while in the middle of the night. We love the Epic and so far she's the only ship we have been on twice. The Haven lounge is great.

 

We will not cruise on one of the older ships without Havenrestaurant.  

[Shellbelle28]

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

i hope you are right about the STAR

I am doing her next year out of Iceland in summer and it goes to just Iceland and Greenland.

 

Another thing about the Star. She was originally commissioned by Star Cruises, an Asia Pacific cruiseline. When Norwegian Cruise Line was bought by Star Cruises, the SuperStar Libra was transferred to NCL and renamed Star. Now I don't know what changes were made in her 2018 refurbishment, but sailing on her in the early 2000's was decidedly different. The interior decor had some very bizarre elements and color schemes. 

[Shellbelle28]

22 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Well, I have to say that my wife and I loved our 20-day cruise on the Gem out of NY to San Francisco, and really enjoyed 10 days on the Gem from NY to the Caribbean.  Hardly short trips in my book.  As for the "vibe," we love the Gem.  I realize everyone's reaction is subjective.

Probably because I *really* meant to say Dawn, LOL. 

[NCLer57]

I have been on the Star 5 times never an issue, I love that ship. Two more cruises scheduled on the Star in 2022. As for the Sun and Sky I have been on them a few times too.  I think the Sun and Sky are kind of chopped up mid-ship and are tough to get through. I have enjoyed the Jewel,  Dawn and Spirit as well.  

[The Traveling Man]

22 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Yes, completely repaired in 2020. Major drydock.

 

We are due on her in July 2022.

 

NCL thought it was “completely repaired” several times before, only to encounter exactly the same kind of Azipod failure again and again.  The odds of another failure are admittedly rather small, about one percent, but that probability is about ten times as great as on any other NCL ship.  Good luck and bon voyage.

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, The Traveling Man said:

NCL thought it was “completely repaired” several times before, only to encounter exactly the same kind of Azipod failure again and again.  The odds of another failure are admittedly rather small, about one percent, but that probability is about ten times as great as on any other NCL ship.  Good luck and bon voyage.

 

Well, good try to dispute me ..... I did say that it was completely repaired in 2020 .... 😎😁

 

here you go .... post #25 in this thread .... July 2020 ... in Rotterdam, of all places ...

 

 

Edited September 2, 2021 by bluesea777

[complawyer]

kudos.... we stayed in hong kong for 3 days prior to departure and booked for 3 days in singapore post cruise. it would have been a nightmare trying to change all the plans. while i was disappointed in missing taiwan, being a vietnam vet, i was looking forward to seeing hanoi.

 

i did take my wife and grandson on the excursion to cu chi (as that"s where i was stationed  with the 25th infantry)  although this has nothing to do with the star itself, when i got back to the ship i went to the excursion desk and told them if i had a 45 with me i would have blown away the tour guide. he kept talking about the "american war" and how they could forgive but never forget. i pointed out to him that in the ensuing years we have pumped billions of dollars into the vietnam economy, and he wasnt even born when the war ended in 1975, so what did he have to forget? 

 

as a vet, it really pi***ed me off. otherwise, i have really nothing bad to say about the ship or the cruise itself. 14 days on a cruise ship is great.

[complawyer]

bluesea777.

a little bit of unsolicited advice.i've been reading his responses for over 6 years, and never (never ever) argue with/or try and dispute traveling man. his analysis is usually spot on most subjects.

 

if youre new to ncl thread, dont try and argue with birdtravels either

[brad0576]

7 hours ago, trivimp said:

Least favorite is Epic, not due to the bathroom layout (I actually like the separate sink & toilet areas,) but due to the closed-in feeling.  Hard to find a place to sit & chill while watching the sea.  But I wouldn't mind sailing on her again, no question... no such thing as a bad cruise 🙂 

 

I loved the Star, she was a perfect size for me.  We had no mechanical issues on our Panama transit.  

About the epic - I stayed in a Studio so I was not impacted by the bathroom issue - but when I hear about it, it would not have been an issue for me.

 

That being said I 100% agree with you on the closed-in feeling.  unless you were up top there it was like bing in a warehouse - no windows, no mid-level decks..... if that ship had the waterfront my feelings would be very different.

[KeithJenner]

3 hours ago, complawyer said:

bluesea777.

a little bit of unsolicited advice.i've been reading his responses for over 6 years, and never (never ever) argue with/or try and dispute traveling man. his analysis is usually spot on most subjects.

 

if youre new to ncl thread, dont try and argue with birdtravels either

Bluesea is far from new to this forum and has been a knowledgable contributor here for many years.