Disappointing

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

BBR7042

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 106

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 05, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9209

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Been on many cruises and this by far was the most disappointing.

-we didn't like freestyle dining at all. No relationship with servers and hard to coordinate with evening entertainment

-having to make a reservation for shows is absurd. By the time you figure out what you are doing for dinner,the shows are booked

- having passengers join and leave the cruise at different points takes away from the cruusi f experience.didnt get the orientation to the crew or they excitement that comes on a first day. Many first time cruisers were totally confused.

-hate the bathroom and toilet being the main cabin with no door. Compromises ones privacy if in the shower and the other party wants to leave.

-didn't care for being midship and no way to access the elevators and stairs without a healthy walk. Purposely positioned ourselves to get to the stairs. (Poor design )

-staff were not friendly or interested. -maybe due to not being able to create relationships with folks coming and going all the time?

- no wandering bar service on the upper pool deck

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Hate free style dining . On bright light was Paulo (asst dining room mgr) in the Manhattan dining room. Had a poor experience (3 HR meal, melted ice cream , accused by server of switching seats to confuse her !) and he did great service recovery.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Couldn't get into shows . Did standing room for comedian

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

N/a

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Hate the bathroom/shower arrangement in the room. Great storage space . No close stairs.

Ship tip

Don't go on this ship. Had a better experience with Norweigen two years ago out of Venice to Greek islands . Had the same cruise director so I truly believe the bad experience was due to the multiple stops people can board resulting in shoe/dinner "reservation system " and crew lack of engagement.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5

Get a personal driver and tour Giudice nce

Thumbs Up 1

13 Comments

loveboat65 7 years ago

Epic is a horrible ship....no body wants to take a dump while everyone else can see and or hear you....no no no

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boater 7 years ago

You can book ur shows months ahead of time. That way when u get on the ship to your room which u can pick where the location can be you times are set. Then for the up coming days...it's pretty easy to plan your dinner around your shows. When u decide on your room you can request it to be my the steps and elevator prior to choosing it. Just sounds like there could of been better planning....

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nick684 8 years ago

It is free style dining but you can book the same table every night at the same time if you want. You will have the same wait staff if that's important to you. We've done it with a large party before without a problem.

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zanne46 8 years ago

Lauren45, I sail on the Thanksgiving week cruise as well. Looking forward to a fun time

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loveboat65 8 years ago

Who is going on the nov 12th cruise

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boater 8 years ago

Well... normally you book your entertainment prior to sailing so you don't run into problems. Since it's freestyle dining you base your meal around your shows, pretty easy never had a problem before ever! Seems like you need to scout out your ships before you book them. A cruise consultant can take care of all ur needs. Seems like a better job of planning would of taken some of your headaches away

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deedee15 8 years ago

Lauren45 hope you have a fantastic holiday! - we are doing the TA for my other half's 50th n we intend to have a ball lol xD

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lauren45 8 years ago

Have fun deedee! I have been waiting for your transatlantic cruise for a year now, can't wait for Epic to arrive in port canaveral!!! I sail two weeks later, thanksgiving week! Yeah, it's unfortunate when someone has a bad time on a vacation but it could've been avoided with a little research 😕 Im actually happy with the bathrooms! Fiancé can no longer stink up the bathroom when I'm showering!

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tmunzert 8 years ago

I was watching videos on balcony cabin. Really no big deal. There is a door to toilet stall and shower door. Actually this probably isn't bad as one showers, one can potty or brush teeth and do makeup w/o the bathroom being taken up by one person. As far as dining, we do the my time dining all the time on RC and Carnival. So don't thing the dining will be an issue for us. can't wait for Europe!!

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deedee15 8 years ago

We are on the Epic TA cruise two weeks today n can't wait! - we are well aware of toilet/ shower situation as we researched thoroughly n not a problem for us - we have booked shows in advance n will work meals in around our choices - not everything works for everybody but I would suggest checking out holiday beforehand rather than critiscing afterwards - there is loads of information online

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lauren45 8 years ago

That's really disappointing, sorry you didn't enjoy your time. I would say though, for person having been on many cruises, you should probably understand by now that it's in your best interest to research the ship and its itinerary before passing the deadline to cancel and book on a different ship without charge. You would've been aware of all the things you listed that you were unhappy about

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alexandermainhomecallcouk 8 years ago

This is the one and only ship like this a French designer! All other ncl VG,didn,t like shower/toilet either ,with rugby ball size of sink on vanity unit at bottom of your bed area,one of the best spas at sea,we went daily,loved everything else,no problems with shows,some of the singers were excellent!

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tmunzert 8 years ago

This is the going thing for the huge ships. Booking shows in advance. That is crazy that passengers join and leave at different points of the cruise. Booked on this ship next Sept, not sure I like the idea of the toilet situation. There is not a door to the toilet area? 🤔. 1st time cruising NCL. There were not many to choose from out of Barcelona on a 7 day.

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