Comments on: Norwegian Epic – The Most “Un-Freestyle” Ship? http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/ Blogging the cruising world Mon, 20 May 2013 22:21:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Cruise Vacation Carnival Sep 17, 2010 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-3138 Cruise Vacation Carnival Sep 17, 2010 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:53:50 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-3138 [...] Beers, editor of CruiseReviews, presents Norwegian Epic – The Most “Un-Freestyle” Ship? in the CruiseMates [...] [...] Beers, editor of CruiseReviews, presents Norwegian Epic – The Most “Un-Freestyle” Ship? in the CruiseMates [...]

]]> By: Abrahamooms were too small http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-3098 Abrahamooms were too small Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:12:11 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-3098 We sailed on the second sailing of the Epic. It is a big ship but we were disapointed the moment we arrived in our rooms. Rooms were too small despite all the hype. There is absolutly no privacy in the room as the shower and bathroom are separated by a plexoglass door. Restaurants that are included in your price serve sub standard food. If you want to enjoy any food that is considered decent, you are expected to pay and pay the the high prices. there are more pay restaurants than there are free restaunts. Over all we were very disapointed with the cruise, food, service, and excursions and tours on board the ship. Will not ever consider NCL for another cruise. We sailed on the second sailing of the Epic. It is a big ship but we were disapointed the moment we arrived in our rooms. Rooms were too small despite all the hype. There is absolutly no privacy in the room as the shower and bathroom are separated by a plexoglass door. Restaurants that are included in your price serve sub standard food. If you want to enjoy any food that is considered decent, you are expected to pay and pay the the high prices. there are more pay restaurants than there are free restaunts.
Over all we were very disapointed with the cruise, food, service, and excursions and tours on board the ship. Will not ever consider NCL for another cruise.

]]> By: Amber http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2323 Amber Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:01:20 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2323 Re Epic's Entertainment .... My group just sailed on the Epic (9/18-9/25). As a travel agent, I made sure every member in my group was PRE-scheduled for the major entertainment venues several weeks prior to sailing. Maybe we just lucked out but ALL reservations were honored, without a hitch. If you do not use a travel agent (BTW, there is NO fee for using a travel agent!) and you opt to "do it yourself", then you must do your homework and follow the rules to avoid disappointment. Before cruising, NCL urges all guests to log on to "my ncl" and complete their online rez which is also where you can make entertainment reservations and book shore excursions -- all a full month prior to sail date. It appears to me that you have two choices: Have a travel agent insure you get the best out of your cruise or ... do your homework to avoid disappointment. As the group's leader, not only did I ensure every member of the group had reservations, I had a "line monitor" at each venue waaay ahead of time, so that even the group stragglers were able to have GREAT seats for all events. We had a great time and, with all of the pre-cruise reservations I made, not one had been changed or not honored... all went well. @ Jereon ... we were on the same cruise but had totallly different experiences. I'm sorry your experience was not a good one. Our experience on the same cruise was AWESOME!! Lines for the waterslides?!? Hmm -- I went on the waterslides 3 times and never had to wait in line as you describe. At most, there were maybe 5-7 people ahead of me on the stairs, but that was about it. The waterslide wait never took more than 5 minutes! But, as an experienced cruiser, when you book, you should know that the larger the ship, the longer the lines; It's basic math. When I enjoyed a yacht cruise with only 300 guests on board, there was practically never ever a line for anything and the service was excellent. But, when sailing on a massive ship with thousands and thousands of guests, one certainly cannot expect there will be no lines (basic math) -- yet, the service was still excellent :-) PS: One entertainment venue not given much mention but packed a wallop of entertainment value is Fat Cats, the jazz and blues club. Was so cool to hang out in a night club environment with awesome entertainment till 1am and not have to worry about driving home (LOL). The guy in there "Slam Alan Band" was truly entertaining and, to put icing on the cake, he encouraged live jam sessions each night, allowing us to enjoy awesome, yet unknown, talent on the keyboards, guitars, vocals, etc.! A guy in the Legends in Concert show dropped in to sing his butt off as well as several other vocalists. An old guy named Rico and a young blond guy conjured Joe Cocker! Many other vocalists joined in at various times. Even two of the Blue Men joined the jam one night on drums and bass guitar ... was a real treat to see them in a different light (without the blue skin stuff, but as "real" people getting down to the sounds). Last week's Epic entertainment value alone was well worth the price of the cruise ... then add in your stateroom (and excellent stateroom steward), endless dining options, 24/7 room service, etc., etc., and you've got a steal-of-a-deal cruising on the Epic!! Re Epic’s Entertainment ….

My group just sailed on the Epic (9/18-9/25). As a travel agent, I made sure every member in my group was PRE-scheduled for the major entertainment venues several weeks prior to sailing.

Maybe we just lucked out but ALL reservations were honored, without a hitch.

If you do not use a travel agent (BTW, there is NO fee for using a travel agent!) and you opt to “do it yourself”, then you must do your homework and follow the rules to avoid disappointment.

Before cruising, NCL urges all guests to log on to “my ncl” and complete their online rez which is also where you can make entertainment reservations and book shore excursions — all a full month prior to sail date.

It appears to me that you have two choices: Have a travel agent insure you get the best out of your cruise or … do your homework to avoid disappointment.

As the group’s leader, not only did I ensure every member of the group had reservations, I had a “line monitor” at each venue waaay ahead of time, so that even the group stragglers were able to have GREAT seats for all events.

We had a great time and, with all of the pre-cruise reservations I made, not one had been changed or not honored… all went well.

@ Jereon … we were on the same cruise but had totallly different experiences.

I’m sorry your experience was not a good one. Our experience on the same cruise was AWESOME!!

Lines for the waterslides?!? Hmm — I went on the waterslides 3 times and never had to wait in line as you describe. At most, there were maybe 5-7 people ahead of me on the stairs, but that was about it. The waterslide wait never took more than 5 minutes!

But, as an experienced cruiser, when you book, you should know that the larger the ship, the longer the lines; It’s basic math.

When I enjoyed a yacht cruise with only 300 guests on board, there was practically never ever a line for anything and the service was excellent. But, when sailing on a massive ship with thousands and thousands of guests, one certainly cannot expect there will be no lines (basic math) — yet, the service was still excellent :-)

PS: One entertainment venue not given much mention but packed a wallop of entertainment value is Fat Cats, the jazz and blues club. Was so cool to hang out in a night club environment with awesome entertainment till 1am and not have to worry about driving home (LOL). The guy in there “Slam Alan Band” was truly entertaining and, to put icing on the cake, he encouraged live jam sessions each night, allowing us to enjoy awesome, yet unknown, talent on the keyboards, guitars, vocals, etc.! A guy in the Legends in Concert show dropped in to sing his butt off as well as several other vocalists. An old guy named Rico and a young blond guy conjured Joe Cocker! Many other vocalists joined in at various times. Even two of the Blue Men joined the jam one night on drums and bass guitar … was a real treat to see them in a different light (without the blue skin stuff, but as “real” people getting down to the sounds).

Last week’s Epic entertainment value alone was well worth the price of the cruise … then add in your stateroom (and excellent stateroom steward), endless dining options, 24/7 room service, etc., etc., and you’ve got a steal-of-a-deal cruising on the Epic!!

]]> By: Andy http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2272 Andy Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:43:07 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2272 I sailed on the 8-28 sailing and would like to give the other side. Even with a change from Eastern to Western due to a storm we had no problems at all getting everything reserved. We had no problems getting into any show. We had no long lines for anything as a matter of fact. I do feel bad for the people that had issues but my family really had a blast on the Epic! I sailed on the 8-28 sailing and would like to give the other side. Even with a change from Eastern to Western due to a storm we had no problems at all getting everything reserved. We had no problems getting into any show. We had no long lines for anything as a matter of fact. I do feel bad for the people that had issues but my family really had a blast on the Epic!

]]> By: Cruisemates Blog» Norwegian Epic “Un-Freestyle” Update – David Beers http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2261 Cruisemates Blog» Norwegian Epic “Un-Freestyle” Update – David Beers Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:21:09 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2261 [...] the “Legends In Concert” name.  I also overlooked some show times.  I have corrected the original article to show the proper information.   I appreciate NCL contacting me to clarify things.  I strive [...] [...] the “Legends In Concert” name.  I also overlooked some show times.  I have corrected the original article to show the proper information.   I appreciate NCL contacting me to clarify things.  I strive [...]

]]> By: Jeroen http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2244 Jeroen Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:21:55 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2244 Sorry to say but i just came of the ship last saturday and it was nightmare. It was my fourth NCL cruise, probaly i will sail again with NCL but not on the Epic. Only lines! Lines for theater, lines for restaurants, lines for the waterslides. I made three reservations in advance for the shows by internet, arriving at the ship they say that there was no reservation. Fortunatly i print out the reservation. Spoke to a bartender i known him from my last cruise and he told me that still a lot of things are going wrong. Sorry to say but i just came of the ship last saturday and it was nightmare. It was my fourth NCL cruise, probaly i will sail again with NCL but not on the Epic. Only lines! Lines for theater, lines for restaurants, lines for the waterslides. I made three reservations in advance for the shows by internet, arriving at the ship they say that there was no reservation. Fortunatly i print out the reservation.
Spoke to a bartender i known him from my last cruise and he told me that still a lot of things are going wrong.

]]> By: Jose http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2241 Jose Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:53:45 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2241 Actually Dave I live in Miami and see the EPIC depart every weekend and, compared to other ships docked behind it - it looks like a huge ferry or a cargo ship - its that ungainly! I am waiting to see how it pans out and if NCL is really listening and makes the needed operational changes. Based on what I read on other sites (CC in particular), the EPIC reviews have not been too good from passengers. Its a shame for the ship has enormous potential and the shows have been top rated but its marred by internal disorganization, poor logistics and poor design - maybe they wanted it to be "everything to everyone" but it ended up succeeding in none. Honestly I would love to travel on it and try those - now infamous - studio cabins and see all the shows but I want to give it time to "mature" maybe in a year. Actually Dave I live in Miami and see the EPIC depart every weekend and, compared to other ships docked behind it – it looks like a huge ferry or a cargo ship – its that ungainly!
I am waiting to see how it pans out and if NCL is really listening and makes the needed operational changes. Based on what I read on other sites (CC in particular), the EPIC reviews have not been too good from passengers. Its a shame for the ship has enormous potential and the shows have been top rated but its marred by internal disorganization, poor logistics and poor design – maybe they wanted it to be “everything to everyone” but it ended up succeeding in none. Honestly I would love to travel on it and try those – now infamous – studio cabins and see all the shows but I want to give it time to “mature” maybe in a year.

]]> By: Dave Beers http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2240 Dave Beers Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:38:01 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2240 Thanks, Jose. I'm really saddened to hear your neighbor experienced those problems. Some might think I wrote a hit piece, but it isn't meant to be that way. Anyone who is a cruise fanatic wants to see the Epic succeed, but I can't get over the sense they have put a Ferrari engine (the entertainment) in the body of a 59 Edsel. Thanks, Jose. I’m really saddened to hear your neighbor experienced those problems. Some might think I wrote a hit piece, but it isn’t meant to be that way. Anyone who is a cruise fanatic wants to see the Epic succeed, but I can’t get over the sense they have put a Ferrari engine (the entertainment) in the body of a 59 Edsel.

]]> By: Jose http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201009021656/norwegian-epic-unfreestyle-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-2239 Jose Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:47:18 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1656#comment-2239 I was reading the threads and I came upon this one and, I swear, my neighbor who traveled the EPIC 2 weeks ago said exactly the samething (expect problems with the staff). He went with his wife and 2 kids and said it was a hassle making reservations for everything, them losing a few reseservations with their electronic reservation system, having to go to shows an hour earlier to get seats all together ( and keeping his kids entertained for that waiting period.) Then he mentioned the large amount of agitated people waiting and pushing and shoving when the doors opened and literally running to save seats for their entire family. My neighbor said he feels NCL got in over their head with the EPIC not able to handle large crowds and poor venue designs. BUT he said the shows were outstanding once he and his family got in. I was reading the threads and I came upon this one and, I swear, my neighbor who traveled the EPIC 2 weeks ago said exactly the samething (expect problems with the staff). He went with his wife and 2 kids and said it was a hassle making reservations for everything, them losing a few reseservations with their electronic reservation system, having to go to shows an hour earlier to get seats all together ( and keeping his kids entertained for that waiting period.) Then he mentioned the large amount of agitated people waiting and pushing and shoving when the doors opened and literally running to save seats for their entire family. My neighbor said he feels NCL got in over their head with the EPIC not able to handle large crowds and poor venue designs. BUT he said the shows were outstanding once he and his family got in.

]]>