Overall good experience

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 43

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5
Norwegian Epic

7 Night Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 22, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 14026

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Ship was ginormous, but we figured out our way around fairly quickly. Layout is strange in many areas, both cabins and decks-like lines for restaurants that block the only paths through the area. Staff was mostly friendly, but there were definite exceptions. Spa was phenomenal! Best part of our cruise was taking advantage of thermal spa pass all week-I’d highly recommend. Entertainment was plentiful, we enjoyed our evenings. Pool deck on sea days is absolutely ridiculous-people go up and “reserve” chairs before dawn, anybody looking for a seat after 7 or 8am is just plain out of luck. I ended up taking my kids swimming at 7:30am just so we’d have a place. Very disappointing. Dining was good, bar service/drinks were good for the most part, specialty restaurants were great. Excursions were great, but disembarking was a pain. Overall great vacation and good customer service, but I’d think twice before sailing NCL again, just personal preference.

Embarkation

3 out of 5
Delayed, very crowded

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
Buffet was good, specialty dining was fantastic, drinks were yummy.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
Pool deck was nice, but too small for so many people, not enough chairs. Spa was amazing.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Cavern Club, dueling piano bars were very good. Loved the Cirque show!

Children's Programs

5 out of 5
My daughter always enjoyed herself at the kids club (age 7)

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
Some bar and restaurant staff were very rushed, not personable. Other staff were fabulous-our room steward, certain spa staff, and specialty restaurant servers.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Not a fan of layout-both on ship and in cabins.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Room was so much smaller than I was used to after other ships! Didn’t like bathroom layout in cabin. Very clean throughout cruise, though.

Ship tip

Pick a room close to midship. 14th floor was excellent for my family-close to kids club, elevator, and easy walk up to 15 where all the action was.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

4 out of 5
Island was nice, we were able to rent umbrellas, but it was cold and no food served until 11:30. My kids were hungry!

Falmouth, Jamaica

4 out of 5
Port was safe, Margaritaville in very easy walking distance.

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5
Great experience on our NCL excursion (turtle farm and stingray), but transportation was late getting us back to ship, then we had a ginormous line to get on tender...that was very stressful!

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5
Loved Mr Sanchos, cab service was great.

Disembarkation

2 out of 5
Super long lines were the story of the day-to get off ship, to get to customs, etc. least favorite part of trip.
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