The ship itself is NOT great. It rocks more than other ships, but this particular itinerary is awesome. Just be aware that in several of the ports (as stated above) there is NOTHING WORTH SEEING UNLESS you take a shore excursion.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
The process went pretty smoothly.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The restaurants were pretty good. We loved the Chinese restaurant and Noodle bar (no extra charge) and Moderna (the rodizio style steakhouse)! Taste and Manhattan Room are fine too. No need to spend too much money on the specialty restaurants because the main dining rooms which require no extra charge are just fine.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Maybe it's just me ... I do not like the at sea days, but there is ONLY ONE AT SEA DAY. The ship itself is weird. The outside decks do not offer great views of the ocean. The railings are too high. Also, several times we tried to attend an event (such as the art auction) and there weren't enough chairs for everyone. I was traveling with my 80 year old mom who needs to sit. They need to provide adequate sitting space and plenty of chairs for events.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Just ok!!!
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
We had a couple of glitches with room service, seating space at events, and shore excursions, but once I complained they apologized and tried to make it right by sending a bottle of wine to our room. Some of the staff members had sour faces, others were friendly. Some of the staff members were JUST NOT THAT NICE OR FRIENDLY while others went out of their way to be nice. Before the cruise, I contacted the shore excursion 1-800-number and was very disappointed. They weren't even able to pronounce the names of some of the shore excursions and provided cursory information. ALL SHORE EXCURSION staff should be well versed in this area! That is a no brainer.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
I am not an engineer but the EPIC has a problem with balance or something. I have been on many ships and never felt movement like this. I have been on the EPIC once before and both times I got sea sick and many others were sea sick. Also, the pool areas are strange. The railings are too high and you don't get a good view of the ocean. Don't know how to explain it ... you just need to experience it.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
The inside cabin was just fine, even though I usually get a balcony. I was surprised to learn you really do not need a balcony. Inside cabin is great because no light comes in from balcony.
Ship tip
Just know that the ship rocks a lot. I think there is something wrong with the design. I have been on MANY MANY SHIPS and this ONE ROCKS A LOT MORE. Many people were sea sick. I would NOT take the EPIC if the itinerary included many at sea days. This particular itinerary only included ONE AT SEA DAY and the ports of call are awesome, however, note that the best sites are about an hour and a half away from the ports in Rome, Florence, and Marseilles. Cannes and Palma you can see without taking shore excursions, but the other ports, you really need to take a shore excursion to enjoy the sites.
Barcelona is awesome. You must see Sagrada Familia Church, but you must get tickets ahead of time. Buy them online before you go. Also, not to be missed are the GOTHIC District and the Palau de Musica Catalana.
Civitavecchia is a PORT CITY ... there is NOT MUCH TO SEE THERE ... you must take a shore excursion ... I recommend Orvieto a stunning hilltop town. It takes about an hour and a half to get there, but it's totally worth it.
Livorno is a port town. There is nothing to see there. Again, you MUST take a shore excursion. Our shore excursion San Gimignano and San Donato farm was the highlight of our trip. YOU MUST do this shore excursion, but whatever you do ... DO NOT stay in Livorno. There is NOTHING THERE!!
Marseille is NOT GREAT. We took a shore excursion to Avignon which was absolutely lovely. Friends took a tour of Marseille and said they were NOT impressed. In general, the best sites in this area of France are about an hour from Marseille.
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