Pretty good but ...

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

TanyaValence

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

3.6 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 27, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 14082

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

overall a very good experience. You have to stand in lines for dinner at all dining rooms which was annoying and Im talking about 30min - 1h wait. Beware of the service charge fee per person per day which is a hidden fee.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

embarkation was pretty good. i wish it was faster.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Watch out as the Manhattan dining sign says that shorts are allowed but when we tried to go in there for dinner - they turned us down saying you have to wear long pants (for men). Their sign clearly said that shorts were okay. So we went to the ship store and bought $38 pants which we did not end up using (as we never went to that Manhattan dining simply because everything they serve there you can find upstairs at the buffet - yup! ) and we tried to return it the next day but were told that exchanges only! Well guess what there was NO sign telling us that,

Taste

3 out of 5

It was okay experience. Juices were free during the breakfast time only. The food is THE SAME as upstairs at the Garden buffet (except for a couple of items like steak).

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

BEWARE all lounge chairs on the sun deck were taken by 10-11 am.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

It was good overall. You always have options on what to do when something is booked.

Headliners Comedy Club

4 out of 5

Great venue for a Comedy show. it was very confusing s sometimes you need to book in advance and sometimes you dont.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Our room staff person always looked tired and did not smile a smile day.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Clean but could be cleaner. You can tell the ship is getting old with its decor, color pattern and color design of carpets ans walls

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Great view and cabin but the carpet between the bed and the balcony NEEDS vacuuming. That area was clearly neglected.

Ship tip

reserve your lounge chair early, maybe throw a towel on a chair and then go have breakfast. Bring towel holders - sort of clipper to keep the towel in place when its windy. Bring a big water bottle as you are constantly thirsty. bring long pants and closed toe shoes for dining - for men. BEWARE that service charge is $13.99 per person per day and is not included when you buy a cruise!!!!! Its a hidden fee!!!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Falmouth, Jamaica

2 out of 5

Did not like this place at all. Very poor and unsafe country.

Thumbs Up 1

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

Absolutely loved it but very expensive! we spent $82 + tip on just LUNCH (2 local beers, lobster tacos as an appetizer, fish tacos and deep fried red snapper plus fries).

Thumbs Up 4

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

5 out of 5

Ok, this place is like paradise! except for water was freezing! Amazing snorkeling.

Thumbs Up 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

Pretty good overall but we had to wait for 30 mins as we could not get on the elevator. All of them were full.

12 Comments

cece1951 6 years ago

Yeah I did Mediterranean.

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cece1951 6 years ago

Never had to wait for dinner. Always had reserved ahead of time. Never had to wait for an elevator. Did not wait to get on or off the ship. Employees were nice.

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jenine2401394 6 years ago

I signed up for 8:30 dinning we like to eat later. Is there a line to stand when if u already have dinning reservations for the duration of the cruise?

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artuki 6 years ago

Thank you Moe975! Its my first cruise and Im going in april 😉

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artuki 6 years ago

Are u refering to the service charge fee per person per day = gratuity fee? Is there any way you can tell them at the main reception that u refuse to pay that as u are tipping on your own?

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fourpcon 6 years ago

Did you pay your tips ahead of your trip. There’s should be no xtra charge

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Morley3059 6 years ago

Not sure if this is your first cruise. Every cruiseline is different but the pp fee is probably gratuities which is standard practice. We always prepay but you can pay once on board. It is always a good idea to do research ahead of time and also visit boards like this as these things are fully disclosed but certainly not always obvious to new cruisers. We have always been on smaller ships so the idea of show and tender reservations is new to us. I learned that on this ship I can make some show and dining reservations in advance and once on board through our cabin tv and kiosks throughout the ship, plus guest services and box office. It will be an interesting experience.

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TanyaValence 6 years ago

@PandCcruisers - yeah Manhattan sign said shorts were ok but the hostess did not let us in. So go figure.

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TanyaValence 6 years ago

The "hidden fee" I was referring to service charge per day per person which should have been included in the cost when you buy your cruise.

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PandCcruisers 6 years ago

Sorry you felt that way. Your service charges are detailed when you make your cruise reservation and in your conformation NCL sends you. It also shows in the Freestyle Daily every day which venues require pants, otherwise it’s cruise casual.

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TanyaValence 6 years ago

No, I did not make dining reservations as we were told not to and there was no option to make dining reservations anywhere.

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Morley3059 6 years ago

TanyaValence....did you make dining reservations? What hidden fee...specialty restaurants? I have sailed NCL before and not aware of hidden fees.

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