We made it a good time without the help of NCL

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review

mellons49

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 10

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

11 Night Mediterranean: Italy France & Greece (Barcelona To Trieste)

Sail date: August 17, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9113

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 9 months ago

Review summary

As a family who came together from different countries we had a great time. We won't sail NCL again. It's just not got that special feeling about it. Everything was all about the money in the form of extra hidden taxes, more gratuities on top of gratuities. The ship is older but beautiful and comfortable. The entertainment in various bars was always good. Good job the 5 of us are really independent. I'd hate to have needed assistance 8 don't know that we'd have gotten it.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Although efficient, Spanish port security were aggressive. No fan fare as we were boarding, no music, no smiley staff. Very flat entrance. Not how they portray it on their marketing videos.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Excellent everywhere. Never had a bad meal.

The Manhattan Room

5 out of 5

Delicious menu every time.Good food, atmosphere and cocktails.

Maltings Whiskey Bar

5 out of 5

Great bar. Good music and Eric the bar tender was just how a crew member should be. Jolly, happy and helpful.

Cagney's Steakhouse

5 out of 5

Superb food. Charges do apply. Highly recommend the fillet mignon.

Waves Bar

4 out of 5

Good bar but I have to say there is a certain nationality who like to hug the bar for hours making it very congested. It's always at least 4 rows deep queuing.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Vodka Bar.$25 a pop. Would it hurt to give everyone over 21 a complimentary go?

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Epic Theatre

5 out of 5

Good shows. Lots of talent. Very enjoyable.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Aside from Eric and our steward Ma we found the staff ok. They don't look happy in their work but I suppose to them it's a job and they're not on holiday. The reception staff were awful, everything was too much trouble. And they like to pass the buck rather than go that step above and beyond. They've forgotten that first impressions last.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We liked our cabin. No it's not ideal having the sink in the room but we got on with it. I do think if there's 3 or 4 guests in a cabin they should provide balcony chairs for everyone. Bed and pillows were really comfy. Loads of storage space. Ma our steward brought us a coffee machine and extra hangers. Close to the lifts.

Ship tip

Think hard. It's a very, very relaxed way to cruise. We didn't get that "special feeling" that we've gotten from other cruise lines. As newbies to NCL we had hoped they would try to convince us that they wanted us to be one regular passengers. We as Europeans felt that we were not as valued as other nationalities.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Messina, Sicily

5 out of 5

Cannes, France

5 out of 5

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

4 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

4 out of 5

NAPLES (POMPEII), ITALY

5 out of 5

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

TRIESTE (VENICE), ITALY

4 out of 5

Split, Croatia

3 out of 5

Kotor, Montenegro

5 out of 5

Corfu, Greece

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Absolute shambles. 28.8.23. Locked inside a ship by the captain . Anyone who got off before 8.00am were ok after that it was chaos. Queues the length of the boat, no lifts allowed to be used, people having to carry suitcases, pushchairs, babies down many flights of stairs with little or no help from NCL.

Traveler Photos

11 Comments

Other reviews of this sailing

Let me just say, this is not the most beautiful ship. It’s oddly laid out. There is no common area space, and it feels like you’re on a water taxi. Rooms are off, and laid out bizarrely with one going to the toilet right next to the bed.