If you are someone that loves Las Vegas like my Wife and I do.... Then you will fall head over heals for a cruise. The Epic was a blast. Sun and fun during the day. Great entertainment every night including comedians, broadway style shows, dueling pianos, and yes a casino. Good food with plenty of choices for everyones taste. It's like vegas in a small package with the added benefit of waking up on a different island several days.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was easy, organized and painless. We pre-selected the 10:00 - 10:30 am check in time. We took an Uber from the hotel, dropped our bags off with a porter and breezed through the process with very little time waiting. We were greeted by friendly smiles and attitudes from the moment we set foot in the terminal throughout the process. Found a seat in the terminal and boarded with group 10. There are several Norwegian reps guiding you which was a great help to a first timer such as my wife and I.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The food and service in all of the restaurants was good. We ate at Cagney's, Moderno, Teppanyaki, Taste, Manhattan, O'Sheehans, Shanghai's, and the buffet. Teppanyaki was in our opinion the crown jewel. The same Filet Minot and shrimp that you get at Cagney's, but prepared and served hot off the grill with a show to boot. Shanghai's service trumped all of the restaurants and food came out quickly and was very good. The buffet was very crowded most of the cruise... maybe a bit of Las Vegas style buffet station vs line would be a great improvement. The only minor complaint we had was in the inconsistency with the dress code. One night shorts and a polo were fine... the next not... but yet someone in sweatpants (pajamas) and a t-shirt were fine. It was more a matter of inconsistency and that inconsistency was a pattern throughout the ship. Not a deal breaker at all though... Just go with the flow You are on vacation!
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Shaker's Martini Bar
5 out of 5
Drinks were very good and the atmosphere was even better. live music each night, comfortable seating and the service was top notch.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The water slides were fun. The plunge slide was the highlight sending you into a large bowl befor "flushing" you out lauging hysterically. The pools are very crowded on sea days. Get there by 7:00 am if you want to chose your seat... Get there by 8:30 if you want a seat. After 8:30 you will not find seating at the main pool or at Spice H2O. I read about chair Hogs on reviews before our cruise, but i was not prepared for how outlandish it is. This is one area that Norwegain really needs to address. I have been to Las Vegas over 40 times, and know about crowded pools. However, until now I have never seen someone "reserve" 12 chairs with towels at 8:00 am and not return until almost 11:00 am and then get Irate because someone was using 2 of her 12 EMPTY chairs.
Spice H20
5 out of 5
Adult only with a small pool and two hot tubs. The hot tubs are not very hot.. but I really liked the moderate temperature on a hot deck.
Epic Plunge
5 out of 5
Great time
Entertainment
5 out of 5
SIGLO!! This band was a must see for us each night. They played in the Cavern Club and played for several hours before the Epic Beatles would take the stage. To be honest they outplayed the Epic Beatles. The lead guitar player is a STAR!! his rendention of Free Bird is classic. Catch them now because they are heading to the Bliss in April.
Children's Programs
we did not travel with children
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Inconsistency is the best way I can describe the service. With that said we had Waaaaay more good experiences versus bad. The bartenders and servers at Martinis were funny, engaging and professional. Johnny at guest services was outstanding. Rachel (?sp) was incredible. All of the staff and O'Sheehans should be commended for their service that went above and beyond all expectations. However the Bad were very Bad. Our Room Steward ADRIAN was absolutely horrible and rude! We tipped him $20.00 the first night as a courtesy not as an expectation of treatment. I will NEVER do that again... which is probably unfair or unfortunate because we have always tipped housekeeping in Las Vegas. They work so hard and a small token and smile is not too much to ask I feel. It was our first cruise and I don't know what is normal, but talking to the folks at the pool on our deck (12) We were not the only ones to feel ADRIAN was rude. We left for the pool on the first day of our cruise and someone had flipped out door sign to Do Not Disturb. Not his fault, but when we tried to call at 2:00 pm he would not answer. We had to contact guest services and within seconds he as at our door. He said he was off at 2:30 and didn't have time to do our room... At first all I wanted was a couple clean towels to get ready for dinner... but after his attitude we asked for him to wait for an hour and we would be ready for him to service our room. He then proceeded to knock at our door every 15 minutes until we finally left. When we did leave it was two ladies that cleaned our room, and talking to them they informed us that 8-10 rooms near us had the same issue with someone turning their sign to do not disturb. We made arrangements with them that would be out of the cabin by 9:00 am each day and they were superb!!!!!!!!!! We informed Guest services of the issue and I asked for an apology. Johnny at the desk was superb and even gave us a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries. However our request for some time of response from ADRIAN never happened..
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship is very clean and looks well maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin made efficient use of the space and there is plenty of storage and places to hang your clothes. I had read several bad reviews about the cabin design. specifically the way the bathroom and the shower were seperated and the sink was next to the bed. We actually liked the design. The cabin was soundproof, the balcony was a nice size and great place for a morning coffee and late night cocktail.
Ship tip
One tip: Stay on board at one of the ports. The ship is nearly empty and those normally "crowded" areas are ghost towns.
We stayed in Cocoa beach at The Inn at Cocoa Beach for two nights before the cruise. Do yourself a favor and read the reviews on this place. It is a hidden jewel. It is an $18.00 Uber ride to the port from this hotel.
We by-passed the first two beaches and found peace and tranquility on the very last beach. Just keep following the path past the big tower and the beach is on your right hand side. the taco stand was good. the buffet was very good too. Bars were serving good drinks and your unlimited beverage package does work on the island. There are large rocks in the water on this section of beach and when the tide goes out most of the water goes with it lol. Relaxing time and would visit again.
Clean and safe port of call. We spent the morning walking through shops. most of the shops sell the same items. We did the Catamaran sail boat stingray city adventure. What an adventure swimming and holding a stingray. the water was the most brilliant Turquiose I have ever seen. Lunch at the boat house after the excursion. Great time and would definately do it again and again.
We did the Passion Island excursion. It's about a 30 minute boat ride to the island around the tip of Cozumel. Beware if you are prone to sea sickness it can be a bumpy ride. the island drinks and food are included and the beach is beautiful. there are planty of lounge chairs and tables for all. You are on the island for approximately 3.5 hours. Way too short of time for so much fun!!! great time and would recomend to anyone wanting a relaxing beach getaway.
We kept our bags with us and were in the first group to disembark. Just be prepared... they will start running you off the ship as soon as they dock. Your "reserved" time will mean little. We heard from others at the airport that they had picked a later time, but were harrassed to get off the ship. Not sure this is the norm, but it is a bit hectic and stressfull end to a great time. However, I also know the anticipation we had when we waited to Embark..... So you need to balance that. Customs is a breeze.
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