Like the waves of the Caribbean. Some ups and downs.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 6
Helpful Votes: 128

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5
Norwegian Epic

7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 15, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 14112

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

Highs and lows. Highs...Spa, specialty restaurants and entertainment. Lows.. overcrowding, main dining and cabin bathroom.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Quick and easy!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Taste

1 out of 5

A major disappointment. Just came off the Celebrity Summit and the way a main dining room should be. Missed the waiter and assistant waiter experience. The main waiter had too many people. So service lacked. When ordering a simple ice tea, then reminded her during appetizers, again during the main course that I hadn’t received it. Finally getting a simple ice tea after receiving dessert. The main courses had a number of options including bratwurst. You would never find that on most main dining room menus. I ordered a meal with scallops. They were petite and rubbery. We were so disappointed that we never returned as the food was better at the buffet.

Spiegel Tent - Cirque Dreams and Dinner

5 out of 5

A highlight of the cruise. Thankfully we had the 3 specialty restaurant option. We had so much fun. As a side note pay the extra upgrade charge for premium seating. Secondly sit on the second level as many of the Cirque acts will be at eye level. The talent was terrific. The unexpected surprise was the meal! The filet was one of the best I’ve ever had. Treat yourself to this unique experience.

Cagney's Steakhouse

5 out of 5

This is what I expected of an upscale restaurant!

O'Sheehans Neighborhood Bar and Grill

4 out of 5

Fun bar but once again overcrowding caused longer than expected wait times.

Garden Cafe

4 out of 5

Better than expected food made up for the long lines.

Teppanyaki

4 out of 5

A good Benihana type experience.

Ice Bar

5 out of 5

What a fun experience. Glasses, bar, chairs and sculptures all made of ice. 1/2 hour max but fun.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Spa

5 out of 5

By far the best part of our cruise. I upgraded my cabin to a balcony with spa privileges. The spa is incredible. The only place of the ship that was not overcrowded. The men’s sauna and the sauna overlooking the ocean is amazing. The stone like heated chaise loungers were heavenly. Many people fell asleep. My traveling companion spent hours on the lounges on the open air back balcony. The pinnacle was the hydro spa. Many jets at various strengths.

Epic Casino

4 out of 5

Surprising number of machines. Downside is smoking is allowed.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Epic Theatre

5 out of 5

Priscilla Queen of the Desert was also Queen of the Seas. It was great to see people so open minded and appreciative of the show.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Room attendant was a 5! Main dining waitress a 1. Buffet and bartenders a solid 4. Because I don’t know where else to address this, I’m going to address it here. The ship is large but because there are just a few main areas they were overcrowded. The other weird thing was the muster drill. 10:30 PM!! To make matters worse they didn’t start on time. Kids in pajamas. A big negative.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
Layout of mainly 3 decks caused serious overcrowding. Ship was maintained remarkably well for the number of people.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Size great, location next to the spa incredible. The bathroom and shower with the translucent sliding doors a major design flaw. Other ships have the enclosed commode/shower area which is far superior. Not just because of the translucency but the extra noise caused by the suction toilet. This makes it impossible to use at night and not wake your travel mate. Then add the doors being on rollers which on the medium seas rolled. Then a Big Bang

Ship tip

Book the specialty restaurants as the main dining is not up to par. Expect a lot of people.

Ports of call

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5
Go to the North Shore. Sheet Boka reserve for incredible waves and spouts. Then tranquil beautiful Playa Kenepa beach.

Oranjestad, Aruba

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
I always carry off my own luggage and it was going well until my traveling partner left something in the room. I waited at the bottom of the gang way and waited and waited. They stopped disembarking and he was stuck on the ship and me off. About 15 minutes. Once reunited customs was a breeze.

Traveler Photos

Pi\303\261ones boardwalk just outside San Juan El San Juan Resort and Isla Verde beach  Raices fountain Paseo El Morro The Baths at Virgin Gorda
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