Epic

[graphicguy]

23 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

The nerve!

 

There are two types of people. There are those who board the ship without doing any research about excursions, entertainment and dining options and then complain that they were shut out of all four performances of Donna Summer. And then there are those who absolutely must pre-plan every second of their vacation and heaven forbid someone like @schmoopie17 surprises them by showing up at their cabin with a plate full of hash browns. 

 

I suspect most of us are somewhere in between and have done some research about the ship's offerings and plan accordingly. And whatever comes as a surprise after we board, we vow never to sail NCL ever again and air our grievances on Cruise Critic, and not just during Festivus.

 

There you have it.  

 

Parting the fun of a cruise is getting on board, rolling with the punches, (re)adjusting expectations, and finding surprises (mostly good) along the way.

 

If you’re planning based on another cruise’s dailies, you’re in trouble!

 

Go find the crew’s pictures and names when you board.  Play the trivia games you just happen upon in the Atrium.  Listen to the house band outside of the Syd Norman’s or Caver Club at the bars on the Waterfront.

 

Who knows?  You may actually have a good time in spite of your “schedule” based on someone else’s dailies on a different date and cruise!

[schmoopie17]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

 Listen to the house band outside of the Caver Club 

 

Is this where the spelunkers hang out?

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

Is this where the spelunkers hang out?

Only if you have sonar as one of your senses.  And, BTW thanks "spell check".  It's CAVERN Club...not CAVIAR Club.  Who do you think we are?  Thurston Howell?

[cruiseny4life]

@graphicguy, for the most part I'm in the camp of who cares when it comes to posting the dailies. I do read theme very day when on the cruise, only to realize I'm still not interested in like 95% of the activities going on. 

 

Prior to my last cruise I did actually seek out some Pr1ma dailies. I was planning the slot pull and needed to know which area was close to the casino and not open at 11 AM. I found it by going through a couple weeks of the Freestyle. So, in this way it was helpful to know there was only a coffee bar setup each morning from 8 - 12 at Belvedere. It became our slot pull gathering place. 

Now, this could have backfired with the crew completing changing the hours on this cruise as many things do change cruise to cruise. This time, though, it worked out! 

[bamagirl16]

We enjoyed Burn the Floor and the Beatles

Edited December 26, 2023 by bamagirl16
wrong post

[ChiefMateJRK]

I like to read the dailies to search for which ship Alexa, Siglo, Louis Rizon, Guns and Rojas and Matthew are performing on.  I would actually rebook/reschedule a cruise to enjoy any of them.  We enjoyed Raul Rojas on the Epic pre-covid and were shockingly and pleasantly surprised to find him and his group on an AK Encore sailing in May of 2021.

 

So, for those out there doing lives, if you don't want to bother posting the dailies (I certainly wouldn't), it would be nice if you at least post who some of the musicians are that are performing.  If not, that's fine too.  😎

[complawyer]

couldnt you just enjoy being on a cruise ship for the simple joy of cruising. it would not ruin the experience for me if i were shut out of any of the shows.Rregardless of how "great they may be", im not waiting in line for an hour to try and get into syd  norman's or the cavern club. You can only play so much trivia or bingo.

 

me, im happy just to be on the ship and going to the ports included. I booked each particular cruise, contingent on these ports, and the prices involved. we're only paying $6,000 for a 2 bedroom suite, 17 day trans atlantic  rio to lisbon. that my friends i consider a deal (steal) 

 

additionally,  i love and appreciate sea days, i can chill in my cabin and sit on the balcony and read my kindle, or wander around the ship.

 

either way, im happy just be be cruising, and after 25+ cruises on ncl which have taken me to a number of wonderful places, neither my wife nor i can really say anything negative about any of the ships, the food, the service etc.  my only complaint is wherever i order a hamburger from on board, the bun ALWAYS manages to fall apart before im finished. That, to me is the only catastrophe i have ever encountered (and i can live with that)

[complawyer]

hey, chief!~ boy do you and i have different tastes. i dont even know who those people are, and i dont feel i would be missing anything if i dont get a chance to hear them. (LOL)

 

regardless, im still holding onto a slim glimmer of hope that one day we will find a mutually attractive cruise, and be able to have that scotch.

[ChiefMateJRK]

2 minutes ago, complawyer said:

hey, chief!~ boy do you and i have different tastes. i dont even know who those people are, and i dont feel i would be missing anything if i dont get a chance to hear them. (LOL)

 

regardless, im still holding onto a slim glimmer of hope that one day we will find a mutually attractive cruise, and be able to have that scotch.

Alexa is the one who would have universal appeal.  If somebody doesn't enjoy listening to Alexa, they are likely extremely drunk or dead (fine line?).

[complawyer]

well, to be perfectly (or imperfectly ) honest as the case may be, i am neither drunk nor dead, or close to either,  but the only alexa of which i am aware is the one you can have in  your home and ask questions (just like siri)

So, good buddy, who is she, and on which ship does she sing?

[ColdCruise]

On 12/24/2023 at 11:37 AM, ChiefMateJRK said:

🤣Yeah, that's what we would expect.  That said, as I've shared before @graphicguy, our bartender friend Zandy recognized me from our Bliss cruise when I was on the Sun in July.  She mentioned that I had been on the Bliss and then the light bulb came on and I realized who she was.  Fun times.😎

I am terrible at remembering names & faces ….doesn't matter if it’s my new battalion commander, my bosses’ new 4 star, the new female CEO at my company  (all of which embarrassingly occurred) … or the sommelier in the Prima Onda who happens to turn up 14 months later in the Viva Le Bistro. 
 

i was terribly flattered that I was recognized as she probably sees at least 700 new guests each week and I am a fairly average looking person. Totally unexpected !

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

who is she

She is an amazingly talented singer/piano player.

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

on which ship does she sing?

This is the bazillion dollar question.  I think DD tracks her on that face thingy on social media.  I'll have to ask.

[graphicguy]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

@graphicguy, for the most part I'm in the camp of who cares when it comes to posting the dailies. I do read theme very day when on the cruise, only to realize I'm still not interested in like 95% of the activities going on. 

 

Prior to my last cruise I did actually seek out some Pr1ma dailies. I was planning the slot pull and needed to know which area was close to the casino and not open at 11 AM. I found it by going through a couple weeks of the Freestyle. So, in this way it was helpful to know there was only a coffee bar setup each morning from 8 - 12 at Belvedere. It became our slot pull gathering place. 

Now, this could have backfired with the crew completing changing the hours on this cruise as many things do change cruise to cruise. This time, though, it worked out! 

We’re singing from the same hymnal.

 

I read the dailies the night before (when they’re delivered to my cabin).  If something strikes my eye, I highlight it to (attempt to) attend later.

 

But, previous cruise dailies would prove to be  near useless.  They either don’t

align with my current cruise’s activities, or are not an accurate reflection of my cruise’s itineraries.

[mking8288]

10 hours ago, graphicguy said:

... I read the dailies the night before (when they’re delivered to my cabin) ... previous cruise dailies would prove to be  near useless.  They either don’t align with my current cruise’s activities, or are not an accurate reflection of my cruise’s itineraries.

Happy holidays all, I see that we aren't the only ones "stranded" ashore and not at sea this week, LOL with cruise fever, hanging out here - retirees and the ones in the rat race alike, getting our gossips.  

 

There, this ("edited" and abstracted above) pretty much reflecting & summarizing my approach lately - maybe post just embarkation and disembarkation info, as that's often more useful - except when it's a repo and/or TA sailing with different ports & local authorities and shore-based contractors in the cruise terminal, where it is often inconsistent & unpredictable ... and crew rotations and the government & public health/safety inspections on top.  Patience is the code or buzz term.  

 

The other useful info is the "current" FSD with the port agent's info/name/contact numbers & email, etc. if and when going ashore, especially when we often just "wing it" and do private, independent tours on our own - snap a screenshot to the smart or i/phone, just in case.  

 

Nowadays, with the consistently inconsistent pattern of production shows (if any, at all) being available & scheduled in advance, absolutely useless to plan (specialty) dining times around any reservations made, on just about anything.  The "current" or next day's FSD is good to know the closing and/or down time for the buffet and/or other casual places to eat ... it's safe to conclude these days, don't expect or plan for the MDR or specialty and buffet to be open for food past 21:30 to 22:00 ship time onboard.  For our (in)convenience, room service is available - for a nominal fee plus a little cash tip, that's always cheerfully taken & thanked - I just fail to understand the big deal about getting "charged" for it when folks lined up daily for their Starbuck fixes, which isn't "free" either.  

 

How does one plan ahead when it is always the captain and the bridge team's call, up to the final hours before sailing into the next port - often escorted by the pilot/boat alongside - as to whether the ship WILL be able to dock and/or drop anchor to tender ... sailed far too many times to know and watch the ship turn around & change heading, while the herd are lined up well in advance, on the stairs with towels & totes in hand, ready to race ashore.  

 

As always, YMMV ... another suggestion, check with the roll call folks ahead of one's "upcoming" sailing, that's often more direct and someone might take the time to find the info & post a reply, assuming they are "connected" at sea and didn't lock their digital gadets in the mini safe.  

 

Cheers to happy & healthy cruising ahead for 2024.  

 

 

 

[suestran527]

Any recommendations of places to visit/tours you liked in our ports of Falmouth, GSC and Cozumel?  We're on the 2/4/24 cruise.

[2xprincess]

On 1/8/2024 at 1:30 PM, suestran527 said:

Any recommendations of places to visit/tours you liked in our ports of Falmouth, GSC and Cozumel?  We're on the 2/4/24 cruise.

Hi - just off the epic yesterday. 
 

falmouth we contacted oneal taylor and told him we would like a beach day.  Service was great. They took us to 876 beach club.  It was not crowded at all.  We had a great day. Good service, good food, great rum punch.  
 

grand cayman - we took a taxi to public beach and hung out there. 
 

cozumel - we did a private snorkeling charter with chi chi charters.  5 of us with 3 crew.  One of our top ten excursions ever.  Great snorkeling, great crew, unbelievable food and full bar. 

[jannflo]

Are there any solo cruisers sailing on this April 7th cruise?  I just signed up and trying to

get my feet wet, well you know what I mean.  Have traveled solo on a couple cruises 

but never on the Epic.  Hope to meet a lot of people that ill become Friends.

  James from Louisiana

[mking8288]

55 minutes ago, jannflo said:

Are there any solo cruisers sailing on this April 7th cruise?  I just signed up and trying to

get my feet wet, well you know what I mean.  Have traveled solo on a couple cruises 

but never on the Epic.  Hope to meet a lot of people that ill become Friends.

  James from Louisiana

Post like this should be directed at your ship's CC roll call, my guess is that you haven't been around much, either post or reply, comment & could/should be a bit more active - please do not promote & mention other social media sites or platform here, against CC rules/guidelines.  Please see & click link:

 

[sailingships]

4 hours ago, jannflo said:

Are there any solo cruisers sailing on this April 7th cruise?  I just signed up and trying to

get my feet wet, well you know what I mean.  Have traveled solo on a couple cruises 

but never on the Epic.  Hope to meet a lot of people that ill become Friends.

  James from Louisiana

There should be a big group of solos that will meet in the Cavern Club about 5pm and go to the MDRs together about 6pm. They might meet in the Studio Lounge on Deck 11 the first night but if theres too many for that room they will move. The meeting place/times will be listed in the Daily.

 

If you have the LAT coupons thats a good opportunity to make a friend to take to dinner with you and they should take you. Double the dinners.

Edited January 27 by sailingships

[gmbhardy]

On 12/26/2023 at 10:56 AM, schmoopie17 said:

Truth be told, we barely even look at the dailies when they get delivered to our cabin. 

 

How then do you know when the bars open😜

[zqvol]

19 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

How then do you know when the bars open😜

The bars are always open

[schmoopie17]

48 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

How then do you know when the bars open😜

O'Sheahan's/Local is open 24 hours a day. That does the trick until other bars open.

[D_And_K_gocruising]

On 1/29/2024 at 11:31 AM, schmoopie17 said:

O'Sheahan's/Local is open 24 hours a day. That does the trick until other bars open.

But you can't actually get drinks at all hours correct?   

 

And the only people that I think may remember me would be the vibe staff.. And even then I wouldnt be upset if they didnt remember me from day to do.. But they did lol.. When you 99% of the time just order long islands, the figure that one out pretty quickly..  And thanks to them for making real ones and not using the pre-mix parts.. I mean, hey, they aren't costing me any extra and they still do the job, but the real ones for sure taste a lot better.. 

[ready2cruzagain]

On 1/29/2024 at 11:31 AM, schmoopie17 said:

O'Sheahan's/Local is open 24 hours a day. That does the trick until other bars open.

 

Not the bar, just the restaurant

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

But you can't actually get drinks at all hours correct?   

 

And the only people that I think may remember me would be the vibe staff.. And even then I wouldnt be upset if they didnt remember me from day to do.. But they did lol.. When you 99% of the time just order long islands, the figure that one out pretty quickly..  And thanks to them for making real ones and not using the pre-mix parts.. I mean, hey, they aren't costing me any extra and they still do the job, but the real ones for sure taste a lot better.. 

That is correct. The bar is not open 24/7