ncl never again...unless

Item: Norwegian Epic
Rating: 1
Author: quvinac

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

quvinac

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 92

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 22, 2015

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10187

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

If no other option we would travel ncl again. But rooms are so tiny. Shop hard to navigate. Only way is if we get ultimate meal package included so that we could get a decent meal. Service horrible. They try to get you to tip very frequently. Prepayment your tips. Theses pets are beautiful so we are glad we went but not alot of other options for this region. Carnival the best.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Tasted like frozen canned food. After trying for 3 days to get a good meal started eating at buffet so could waste less

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Don't pay for premium seats at shows. They are the same as standard seats

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Don't pay for premium seats. Same as standard seats

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

They would walk by 7 times before you had to get their attention to get anything on table

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Layout is horrible. No directional signs...ie to bathroom, to elevators. Floor rugs dirty and pulling up everywhere. Rooms so tiny. Even had balcony room.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

So tiny. They are trying to cream in as many people as possible. Can't get around ship easily. Have to walk forever to elevators.

Ship tip

If only option. ..pick the ultimate food package because the food is horrible unless you go to specialty restaurant

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Go early and enjoy. One of the best places to visit. Get the hop on hop of bus. Best deal. Pay when you get there. Don't buy beforehand. Train from airport to city costs $1 buy pack of 10 uses for under $10

Thumbs Up 1

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5

Must to Mt. Vesuvius climb and Pompeii. I'm way out of shape and it about killed me but it was worth the climb. Wine and limoncello at top wonderful

Thumbs Up 3

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5

Must do upper level and underground tori of coliseum. Shuttle to town is free then take train to Rome. Buy coliseum tickets online.

Thumbs Up 3

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

5 out of 5

Must climb to the top. Otherwise waste of time

Thumbs Up 2

Cannes, France

5 out of 5

Eze is absolutely beautiful. Never heard of it before. Wish we could've stayed longer

Thumbs Up 1

Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

3 out of 5

Too short in port. Either do hop on hop off bus or just shop near town.

Thumbs Up 0

2 Comments

JusMe 8 years ago

After being on most of the major lines, I will agree with you that NCL is my last choice of a cruise line. The only way to get a good dinner is the specialty restaurants (I will say this again even though I have been attacked by some on the boards for saying it) I will only do NCL if no other ships go to those ports, if it is a just amazing price or a group trip that was planned before I had say of what line to take.

Thumbs Up 0

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valentinka 8 years ago

I tried to opt out from gratuities. This was recommended by the guest who had travelled by NCL before. I was told that form had been cancelled and every guest was required to pay gratuities. However, I could pay extra to whoever I wanted. I feel like there is no other option for us unless we want to pay double tips, which I did because I wanted to thank those who really deserved it. Still a huge lump of all gratuities goes directly to the company...

Thumbs Up 0

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Other reviews of this sailing

Comprehensive Review Because EPIC is FIVE STAR and Staff is AWESOME!!!

A very good cruising experience. Don't let the outer appearance discourage you.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean