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Norwegian Epic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 4
Helpful Votes: 217

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Epic

10 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 16, 2020

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13282

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

We were left at the airport in San Juan by NCL Hotel and Air. Some genius forgot to put us on the list. Due to an air delay it was 1 am. No one for NCL will take responsibility if this happens. I called everyone possible WARNING THE EMERGENCY NUMBER IS ONLY OPEN FROM 8-5 EST M-F, If you need it hope you have your emergency then. NCL was no help in letting any know I would be late due to a weather issue. I eventually found that SOMEONE failed to place our names on the list - either NCL or the hired transportation company. Even with a copy of this list and a copy of the bill proving it was paid for - they would not refund any money or even say the magic words that would have made it much better. "We are sorry we made a mistake, what can we do to fix it?" This is really unacceptable - don't think I will bother booking their pre-cruise hotel package again - though the first time was incredibly good. The bad news for me I have another one booked for June. I will call myself to make sure I am on the list. I literally spent 5 hours at least of vacation trying to get someone to understand they did not do what they were supposed to do. I was never successful - the fact is NCL felt NO responsibility for leaving us in the airport at 1am in the morning (the lady in charges said she would've been there if she knew my name and flight info) - NCL Air was notified but they did not think was important to tell anyone. NCL Miami Office was also notified they tried their best to convince me that no one would pick me up regardless - though I paid for it. Surprise there was a NCL rep there when we arrived for someone else. On board I was given the run around and even was accused of not paying for it - even with the receipt on the boarding document. The TA was also blamed for not paying - yet it was on the boarding document. This had a huge negative impact on my vacation. Working to get some funds back through travel insurance, however I still feel that NCL should be able to refund when they don't fulfill there end of the service agreement. This was the worst cruise we have ever had from NCL and we are Platinum - which obviously makes no difference. If you choose pre or post Hotel and Air - BEWARE. They are not organized well enough to deal with a problem. If it works it is great but don't let a plane get delayed. I was given my gratuities back eventually as they said that was all they could do. Well not sure that covers my time and frustration, but at least it was something (please do not tell me I kept a worker from tips) I tip in person anyway. I was NCL that took the tips away. The EPIC rooms are Dark and Dreary you cannot see with the lights on, unless you are in the Haven or Single cabins. It's just not my favorite ship. Choose another one and it will be much better.

Embarkation

2 out of 5
Was not offered early boarding as a Platinum - Was told not to show up till 1:00 in writing and New cruisers were allowed on before us at about 10:30 because they did not follow directions.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Main dining rooms have TERRIBLE Service. Specialty restaurants are very good - except the 2nd time we dined in Le Bistro I had to sit on a seat that was sunken in from overuse and I was shoulder level to the table. The manager either did not care or could not communicate in English. The breakfast dining was a problem as if it rains and the Great Outdoors closes - there is NO WAY you will find a seat (ship design) Many days there was NO coffee or NO coffee cups available even if you ask someone. I am not sure how this could be a surprise request at breakfast. Maltings was a great bar. Most bars had acceptable service. However on days when there was inclement weather early - Only one bar and the pub open out of the rain. Not sure why that could not be fixed in that circumstance.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Pools were good - miss the pool that is NOT at Spice H2O - means less pools. Posh was mostly good. Ship has plenty to do.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Priscilla NO worst show at sea!!!! - Burn the Floor ok. The magician was excellent and the Juggler was too. The comedians we saw were really marginally funny. The cavern is a joke as no one can get into it to see the Beatles unless they camp out like the new iphone is being released.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Room Steward excellent. Help Desk was not able to handle a pre-cruise problem with transportation. Sometimes it was a literal language barrier. Maltings Bartends 5 stars. The Posh Bartenders seemed to HIDE in the Kitchen so end the server had to go find them? All the waiters in specialty restaurants were excellent and were tipped. The ones in the Taste specifically were TOO slow even had to go to a manager to get a drink order.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5
The split elevators mean you can only have access to one bank of them at a time. Creates problems if you use them. Only one pool now really for 4K passengers. The cavern is TOO small. IT'S A DARK SHIP !

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5
The Aft Balcony is only about the balcony which is a nice view, however you will have the least amount of storage on the ship. We did a cabin crawl and saw the other cabins. The beds ARE TOO short if you are 5' 10" or taller and you can pull the bed out in the aft balcony rooms as it would block egress. The lighting is terrible - an inside room has more light. You can't see to shave or wife needed a flashlight to put on makeup. The phone light flashed for 10 days in most cabins on the whole ship -- so it was annoying and they could not fix it!!!

Ship tip

THIS IS MY LEAST FAVORITE NCL SHIP(2ND TIME ON BOARD) - My advice spend your money on another ship. The itinerary made me try it again - still not at good ship. I see many people that love it - they are probably in the Haven or studio cabins. The studio cabins and Haven are very much better than the rest of the ship --- they do not have the weird configuration and lighting is better. Osheans seems to be a lot less busy try it for breakfast if you are looking for a restaurant - Taste will take an hour for eggs and toast.

Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

3 out of 5
Lots to see

Oranjestad, Aruba

4 out of 5
DId Riu Resort for a day - excellent place to spend a day.

Willemstad, Curacao

3 out of 5
Nice place to walk and explore.

Kralendijk, Bonaire

4 out of 5
Did a snorkel from a sailing ship ( a real sailing ship) great place.

Castries, St. Lucia

3 out of 5
This time only went off the ship - short strange time in port 12 - 7 .

Bridgetown, Barbados

3 out of 5
One of my favorite ports - rained most of the day so had to cancel snorkel and beach day and I know it is not NCL's fault it rained. The cruise port does have a few places to shop.

Basseterre, St. Kitts

3 out of 5
Found a tour of ship for about $20 each for 4 hours --- it's a pretty island.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

3 out of 5
Beef Island is beautiful and is a good excursion.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5
Went to St Johns to Snorkel - very good.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
quick and no lines
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5 Comments

cruisereckoning    4 years ago

Thanks for the review

Walshmusic    4 years ago

We were on this cruise with you and had a weather delay as you did, but we had booked our transfer through Travel Insider, they gave my cell # to the driver and he TXTed me periodically through the day to let me know he was following our dilemma. There he was at 1Am to pick us up and get us to our hotel.

Walshmusic    4 years ago

We were on this cruise with you and had a weather delay as you did, but we had booked our transfer through Travel Insider, they gave my cell # to the driver and he TXTed me periodically through the day to let me know he was following our dilemma. There he was at 1Am to pick us up and get us to our hotel. The remainder of our experience was the opposite of yours, we even enjoyed the room, and we were not in the Haven or Studio.

katj    4 years ago

I had the same experience with a different cruiseline. Luckily it was during business hours, major & important difference from your ordeal. I was in a sour mood for the first part of the trip due to wasted time getting it sorted. I completely understand your frustration. I'm surprised the crew didn't throw me overboard. Instead they spent the entire cruise making it up to me. They had the patience of saints dealing with my bellyaching. Another difference, they did apologize; although they had nothing to do with the oversight. I learned an important and expensive lesson but to stop sweating the small stuff that's out of my control.

CruzeFan    4 years ago

Hopefully you enjoyed the ports

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