Norwegian Epic Review by Guest Blogger, Travel Shop Girl
My latest cruise adventure had my family and I on a cruise on the Norwegian Epic in November of 2011. We chose a bigger and newer ship for this cruise although the itinerary was one we had done many times before (St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau). After flying down to Miami the night before, we arrived at the cruise port and made our way onboard. Check in was relatively quick and since our cabin wasn't quite ready, we had lunch first. If you have a chance to board early, grab a quick bite, but go to the main dining room and have a sit down lunch instead of the buffet. It's a great way to start your cruise off on a more relaxed note. We were anxious to explore and we finished lunch and made our way up to the pool deck with the monstrous slides. Many guests were already in their bathing suits and zipping down one of the three slides on the ship in Epic's Aqua Park. A quick walk brought us over to the sports deck with not only a basketball court, but a huge trampoline where you can get strapped in and jump up high above the trampoline. Kids and adults can enjoy this fun activity either at sea or in port and it's free!
There are many open areas on the ship including on deck five where during the day you might find a game of some sort being broadcast or even a movie. Chairs fill up quickly and bags of popcorn are given out to those who want to pull up a chair or sit on a coach and take in a movie. Whether you decide to sit by the pool or go hang out in the casino, you'll have a chance to make new friends as the NCL Epic can accommodate 4,100 passengers. Those passengers get hungry, too, and you will never be at a loss as to where to eat. Included in your cruise are the main dining rooms, The Manhattan Room and Taste, as well the Garden Cafe (buffet), the Great Outdoors, and O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. If you're looking to expand your horizons, you can make a reservation at any of the specialty restaurants including Le Bistro, La Cucina, Teppanyaki, Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Shanghai's Noodle Bar, and Wasabi. We tried to visit as many of the specialty restaurants as we could and we certainly enjoyed the variety of food choices available. There are also plenty of places to grab a cold drink including my personal favorite, the SVEDKA Ice Bar although my husband enjoyed Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar, too. Perhaps it was because it was right across from the Barber Shop, where he enjoyed a close shave and then sat and had a cold drink.
The cabin choices on the Norwegian Epic are quite varied from studios for one person to inside cabins to balcony cabins to suites and villas. You can choose an inside cabin with just enough space for you, your bed, and your clothing in 128-square feet or opt for the Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony and a simple 852-square feet. Norwegian can easily accommodate your needs and budget no matter what the price. We chose a family balcony at 216-square feet including balcony and for two people it was comfortable, but for three it was a little tight. If you haven't sailed before, you should realize that ship cabins are always smaller than hotel rooms. If you are planning to spend more time outside of your cabin than inside, then this isn't an issue. Many people have complained previously about the cabin layouts with the sink, toilet, and shower broken up into three parts and although on paper it looks good, in practice it's not so great. Norwegian has addressed this issue on future ships like the Breakaway by putting all three components back into one room and for that I am eternally grateful.
For adults, teenagers, and children, there are plenty of activities onboard to enjoy. Children and teens can go to their respective clubs, the sports court, or go bowling while the adults can roam the ship to find one of many areas to relax and unwind. The large spa and fitness center was heavily used during our cruise, which shows that not everyone is chowing down at the buffet. With a comedy club onboard as well as a blues & jazz club, the theatre with nightly shows, and the casino, you can easily lose track of time and enjoy your vacation while onboard the Epic.
If you're looking for an affordable vacation on one of the safest ways to travel, consider a cruise and consider the Norwegian Epic. There's something for everyone on this ship and the ports of call are ones not to be missed! You'll be hooked in no time and planning your next cruise even before you arrive back on dry land.
There are many open areas on the ship including on deck five where during the day you might find a game of some sort being broadcast or even a movie. Chairs fill up quickly and bags of popcorn are given out to those who want to pull up a chair or sit on a coach and take in a movie. Whether you decide to sit by the pool or go hang out in the casino, you'll have a chance to make new friends as the NCL Epic can accommodate 4,100 passengers. Those passengers get hungry, too, and you will never be at a loss as to where to eat. Included in your cruise are the main dining rooms, The Manhattan Room and Taste, as well the Garden Cafe (buffet), the Great Outdoors, and O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. If you're looking to expand your horizons, you can make a reservation at any of the specialty restaurants including Le Bistro, La Cucina, Teppanyaki, Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Shanghai's Noodle Bar, and Wasabi. We tried to visit as many of the specialty restaurants as we could and we certainly enjoyed the variety of food choices available. There are also plenty of places to grab a cold drink including my personal favorite, the SVEDKA Ice Bar although my husband enjoyed Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar, too. Perhaps it was because it was right across from the Barber Shop, where he enjoyed a close shave and then sat and had a cold drink.
The cabin choices on the Norwegian Epic are quite varied from studios for one person to inside cabins to balcony cabins to suites and villas. You can choose an inside cabin with just enough space for you, your bed, and your clothing in 128-square feet or opt for the Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony and a simple 852-square feet. Norwegian can easily accommodate your needs and budget no matter what the price. We chose a family balcony at 216-square feet including balcony and for two people it was comfortable, but for three it was a little tight. If you haven't sailed before, you should realize that ship cabins are always smaller than hotel rooms. If you are planning to spend more time outside of your cabin than inside, then this isn't an issue. Many people have complained previously about the cabin layouts with the sink, toilet, and shower broken up into three parts and although on paper it looks good, in practice it's not so great. Norwegian has addressed this issue on future ships like the Breakaway by putting all three components back into one room and for that I am eternally grateful.
For adults, teenagers, and children, there are plenty of activities onboard to enjoy. Children and teens can go to their respective clubs, the sports court, or go bowling while the adults can roam the ship to find one of many areas to relax and unwind. The large spa and fitness center was heavily used during our cruise, which shows that not everyone is chowing down at the buffet. With a comedy club onboard as well as a blues & jazz club, the theatre with nightly shows, and the casino, you can easily lose track of time and enjoy your vacation while onboard the Epic.
If you're looking for an affordable vacation on one of the safest ways to travel, consider a cruise and consider the Norwegian Epic. There's something for everyone on this ship and the ports of call are ones not to be missed! You'll be hooked in no time and planning your next cruise even before you arrive back on dry land.
