Anyone on Epic?

[Beamafar]

On embarkation day, all we had to do was go to the muster station anytime and present our cruisecard.  That’s it!

 

The info on the locator forms was put in our cabin.   We won’t be leaving the ship at any of the ports so we didn’t need to fill any out.   We’ll be tested the day before disembarkation in Barcelona as a result of Spain’s requirements for same. 

[Seanocelt]

great info thanks, you probably did a locator form on arrival in Spain, unless resident like us. Our airline  never needed one as its internal, but id imagine we need to do one on return after leaving Spanish terittory, will find out

[Beamafar]

Yeah, we had to fill one out before our flight to Barcelona.  I suppose we’ll have do another one for our return. 
 

Chinese curse comes to mind “May you live in interesting times”!

[kkreide]

I have a cruise booked on NCL Epic for 03 Oct and just got a letter stating:

 

Due to local government regulations, guests are required to take a Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursion while visiting ports in Italy as guests will not be allowed to explore on their own.

 

I called NCL and asked for a copy of the regulations or a website where it states this and they said that there is nothing to send and that I would have to find it on my own.  I said you are saying that you have been informed by the local government of these regulations but you are refusing to send a copy to your customers. What terrible customer service.  And this is coming from a Customer Service Supervisor

 

Can anyone confirm if this is actually true or not???  Seems like NCL just wants a monopoly on the shore excursions

[Ms02]

25 minutes ago, kkreide said:

I have a cruise booked on NCL Epic for 03 Oct and just got a letter stating:

 

Due to local government regulations, guests are required to take a Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursion while visiting ports in Italy as guests will not be allowed to explore on their own.

 

I called NCL and asked for a copy of the regulations or a website where it states this and they said that there is nothing to send and that I would have to find it on my own.  I said you are saying that you have been informed by the local government of these regulations but you are refusing to send a copy to your customers. What terrible customer service.  And this is coming from a Customer Service Supervisor

 

Can anyone confirm if this is actually true or not???  Seems like NCL just wants a monopoly on the shore excursions

It's no point in posting this several places. It's true and goes for all cruise lines.

[ludalex]

1 hour ago, kkreide said:

I have a cruise booked on NCL Epic for 03 Oct and just got a letter stating:

 

Due to local government regulations, guests are required to take a Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursion while visiting ports in Italy as guests will not be allowed to explore on their own.

 

I called NCL and asked for a copy of the regulations or a website where it states this and they said that there is nothing to send and that I would have to find it on my own.  I said you are saying that you have been informed by the local government of these regulations but you are refusing to send a copy to your customers. What terrible customer service.  And this is coming from a Customer Service Supervisor

 

Can anyone confirm if this is actually true or not???  Seems like NCL just wants a monopoly on the shore excursions

The truth is very simple.  This regulation has been in Italy from the very beginning of Covid and has been renewed repeatedly -- the last time on July 23.  NCL has been misrepresenting this the ENTIRE time.  They have made it seem as if there is some new regulation that popped up sometime in August.  Nonsense.  It's been there since 2020!  They have known it all along, especially since ALL the other cruise lines that have been sailing through Italy during Covid have had to abide it.  But they only began informing customers in late August.  And they are covering up the "local government" stuff because they know that if you see the dates, you'll realize that they have been misleading people all along.

I don't actually think they're doing it to get travelers to buy their excursions.  They were hiding it because they knew that many people wouldn't take the cruise (wouldn't book or would cancel) if they found out that they couldn't just walk on shore in Italy on their own.  It's why I am not going.

[DanielNL]

Freestyle dailies are on the Epic also only on request on paper at front desk? 

[SpainAlien]

2 hours ago, kkreide said:

I have a cruise booked on NCL Epic for 03 Oct and just got a letter stating:

 

Due to local government regulations, guests are required to take a Norwegian Cruise Line shore excursion while visiting ports in Italy as guests will not be allowed to explore on their own.

 

I called NCL and asked for a copy of the regulations or a website where it states this and they said that there is nothing to send and that I would have to find it on my own.  I said you are saying that you have been informed by the local government of these regulations but you are refusing to send a copy to your customers. What terrible customer service.  And this is coming from a Customer Service Supervisor

 

Can anyone confirm if this is actually true or not???  Seems like NCL just wants a monopoly on the shore excursions

It has been posted before, specifically post #216 on the thread about Italy requiring escorted excursions which I think is currently on page 3 or 4 of the ncl threads.  It may not be what you want to hear but it is the rule being imposed by Italy

 

[SpainAlien]

1 hour ago, ludalex said:

The truth is very simple.  This regulation has been in Italy from the very beginning of Covid and has been renewed repeatedly -- the last time on July 23.  NCL has been misrepresenting this the ENTIRE time.  They have made it seem as if there is some new regulation that popped up sometime in August.  Nonsense.  It's been there since 2020!  They have known it all along, especially since ALL the other cruise lines that have been sailing through Italy during Covid have had to abide it.  But they only began informing customers in late August.  And they are covering up the "local government" stuff because they know that if you see the dates, you'll realize that they have been misleading people all along.

I don't actually think they're doing it to get travelers to buy their excursions.  They were hiding it because they knew that many people wouldn't take the cruise (wouldn't book or would cancel) if they found out that they couldn't just walk on shore in Italy on their own.  It's why I am not going.

Apparently someone in the NCL call centre today told a customer on our cruise (26 Sept on Epic) that masks are optional! Either they are ill informed or lying 

 

[bmwman]

4 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

Apparently someone in the NCL call centre today told a customer on our cruise (26 Sept on Epic) that masks are optional! Either they are ill informed or lying 

 

Yep this is due to differing regs for EU cruises and US cruises. Its a mess 

[bmwman]

On 9/7/2021 at 9:24 AM, Beamafar said:

There seems to be lots of entertainment though we haven’t got around to sampling much of it yet lol.  We had a fantastic night in Cagney’s last night, then enjoyed a guy on guitar in the Maltings where we had a great singalong.  We went up to Spice later on but had enjoyed a little too much excellent wine in Cagney’s earlier so didn’t stay too long 🤪
 

Hi thanks for the info - do you have the name of the 2guy on a guitar in the maltings" By any chance is it Louis Garimaldi?

[Beamafar]

12 hours ago, DanielNL said:

Freestyle dailies are on the Epic also only on request on paper at front desk? 

Yes, and even then, they tell you it’s available on the app, as if you shouldn’t be requesting one. 🙄    I’m having trouble with the app so I’ll be getting a paper version.   They have them printed off, anyway.   What do they plan to do with them, otherwise?    We did receive one to our cabin one time.  

[Beamafar]

8 hours ago, bmwman said:

Hi thanks for the info - do you have the name of the 2guy on a guitar in the maltings" By any chance is it Louis Garimaldi?

No, his name is Donnie Dorian. 

[Ms02]

56 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Yes, and even then, they tell you it’s available on the app, as if you shouldn’t be requesting one. 🙄    I’m having trouble with the app so I’ll be getting a paper version.   They have them printed off, anyway.   What do they plan to do with them, otherwise?    We did receive one to our cabin one time.  

I'd love to see it if you can post!

[Beamafar]

52 minutes ago, Ms02 said:

I'd love to see it if you can post!

Here are the 3 I have.  Hope the folds don’t interfere too much with the text
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Seanocelt]

32 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Here are the 3 I have.  Hope the folds don’t interfere too much with the text
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Seanocelt]

Cannot thank you enough . superb updates. Probably my last question, the Burn the Floor guys always did a stripped down performance in Manhatten one night at dinner, you notice what night? 5th time on Epic this Sunday,  never gets old.Thanks again.

[Beamafar]

Haven’t heard and we haven’t dined in Manhattan yet.  I’ll see if I can find out.   No problem if you have any more questions.  If I can get the answers, I will. 

[Ms02]

2 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Here are the 3 I have.  Hope the folds don’t interfere too much with the text
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing, thank you so much!! So nice to see everything that's happening. 

We're you able to ask about Cagliari at the excursions office btw? For my cruise on the 19th there was only one available, and it's in Spanish. I booked it, but because it's on the second day I'm concerned about not being able to change it or cancel once I get on the ship. Customer service on the phone was not able to give me any certain answers.

[Nataly1982]

 

Thanks @Beamafar for all the helpful info. 

 

Do you mind me asking where did you have antigen test done in Ireland? 

[WarfRatWA]

Hey there Epic Haven Cruisers,

 

Hope everyone is having a fantastic time.

 

If anyone has an opportunity to upload a couple of refurbished Haven pics/video's and/or comments regarding the refurbishment.

 

Curious to hear how it all came out.

Thanks.

[Beamafar]

1 hour ago, Nataly1982 said:

 

Thanks @Beamafar for all the helpful info. 

 

Do you mind me asking where did you have antigen test done in Ireland? 

Glad the info is of help.   I usually do a live review (of sorts) on the MSC forum as I have quite a few CC friends over there who’ll read it, even if no one else does lol. 

We took a chance and didn’t get one done.  Didn’t know if there was anywhere within a reasonable distance of where we live to get one done ( we’re very rural).  

[Beamafar]

1 hour ago, Ms02 said:

Amazing, thank you so much!! So nice to see everything that's happening. 

We're you able to ask about Cagliari at the excursions office btw? For my cruise on the 19th there was only one available, and it's in Spanish. I booked it, but because it's on the second day I'm concerned about not being able to change it or cancel once I get on the ship. Customer service on the phone was not able to give me any certain answers.

Just that if they’re showing as booked, that’s all that’s on offer.  Also, that they couldn’t comment on a specific sailing other than this one as things could change between now and then (cancellations, no shows at embarkation etc). 

[eileeshb]

5 hours ago, Nataly1982 said:

 

Thanks @Beamafar for all the helpful info. 

 

Do you mind me asking where did you have antigen test done in Ireland? 

You can pay to get tested at Dublin and Shannon airports, the antigen test is €49 with a result in an hour. You do have to book an appointment though- Airport test booking

 

I’ll be booking in with them before my cruise next month. 

[Nataly1982]

2 hours ago, eileeshb said:

You can pay to get tested at Dublin and Shannon airports, the antigen test is €49 with a result in an hour. You do have to book an appointment though- Airport test booking

 

I’ll be booking in with them before my cruise next month. 

Thanks. I’ve booked an appointment in Boots (35 pp). If we test positive at least we’ll save on taxi fare to the airport 😃