Solo Cruiser... a Great Time With New Friends
Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: April 13, 2019
Ship: Norwegian Epic
Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
The Norwegian Epic was NCL's first attempt at a big ship and you can tell some of it was not thought-out very well, specifically the elevators. The ports were fine. I had a great time with the solo cruisers group.Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Cagney's Steakhouse
My porterhouse was disappointing. A good steak, but not fabulous. Also, and this goes for ALL the specialty dining places. If you go and ask for a table they will tell you none available at, you know, dinner time. However, if you have a friend who is Latitudes platinum or ambassador they will always be able to get a table... and when you go in a lot of tables will be empty.
Le Bistro
It's French food which is OK, but I wish there had been more (French) options. Also, and this goes for ALL the specialty dining places. If you go and ask for a table they will tell you none available at, you know, dinner time. However, if you have a friend who is Latitudes platinum or ambassador they will always be able to get a table... and when you go in a lot of tables will be empty.
Garden Cafe
Garden Cafe buffet is huge with good food. Also, the young Chinese woman saying "happy happy washy washy" to everyone who walked-in was such a breath of fresh air.
The Manhattan Room
Good food and good atmosphere. Staff was quick to act when my friend split a glass of wine on my lap.
O'Sheehans Neighborhood Bar and Grill
Good bar food.
Maltings Whiskey Bar
$22 for an old fashioned made with two pours of Maker's Mark... are you kidding me?
Onboard Activities
Spa
Massage was very good. Staff were very nice. The spa manager, Svetlana was I kid you not, one of the most gorgeous women I've ever spoken to.
Epic Plunge
It's a bowl slide and does what it is supposed to do.
Epic Casino
Table minimums were too high. Specifically, baccarat which was $25 minimum and sat there with no one playing all week as a result. $10 minimum for roulette is too much. $10 minimums with 3-4-5 odds on craps is too high a minimum and too low odds. Additionally, the $10 blackjack tables pay 6:5 on blackjack instead of 3:2 like they are supposed to. What a rip-off. Finally, the staff was rude.
Spice H20
Good times with good friends. LOUD music so be ready for that. Disappointed there were no black lights at the glow party.
Entertainment
Bliss Ultra Lounge
Good times with good friends. Bar was always busy so it took a while to get a drink.
Headliners Comedy Club
I only saw one comedy show and it was just OK. The Howl at the Moon show they had on alternate nights was the best show I've ever seen on a cruise. Not enough seats means having to get in line like an hour early.
Epic Theatre
Shows were underwhelming. And they will tell you there is no availability when there are empty seats.
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
If you're a solo cruiser you have to be extroverted and join the group.
Ports of call
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas