Great cruise all around!

Item: Norwegian Epic
Rating: 3.9
Author: mackenziejordan

Norwegian Epic Cruise Review

mackenziejordan

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 8

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 05, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Epic

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 11266

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Our favorite restaurant on the cruise was actually Shanghai’s Chinese restaurant and noodle bar. Rooms were set up a little weird. Lots of rocking on the last night - a bunch of sea sick people. The O’Sheehans claimed to be 24/7 but we went at 3am one morning and all they had were croissants. Get more people in your taxi in the ports, it will be cheaper. The comedy and game shows were AMAZING. Boat could have been better kept up. Overall a great trip!

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ports of call

Castries, St. Lucia

2 out of 5

The port when you get off the ship is very overwhelming and crowded. Once you get out of the port, traffic was terrible - bumper to bumper. We went to Reduit beach. Waves were super rough. $30 for two chairs and an umbrella. $30 for chairs and an umbrella at this beach. $60 for our taxi there and back for two people. While on the beach relaxing, people where coming up constantly trying to sell things. Man was selling a necklace he “hand made” for $25. Next day we were in St. Kitts and that same necklace was in a souvenir shop for $5. St. Lucia was by far the most expensive island on this trip. However, shopping in the port was good!

Thumbs Up 0

Kralendijk, Bonaire

5 out of 5

We ended up doing an excursion through NCL. While waiting, we went down to the water right off the port and you can snorkel right off the port. Saw lots of fish and even a jelly fish. Lots of coral. We took a boat to Klein beach and snorkeled. You could either snorkel from the beach or they took you our a little and you could drift snorkel along the coral reef back to shore/the beach. Beautiful marine life! Some rum punch on the way back and even had dolphins join the side of our boat! Once we got done, there was a local market with a bunch of handmade items and foods. Few shops right in port, more about 15 mins down to the left. Great experience here!

Thumbs Up 0

Basseterre, St. Kitts

5 out of 5

Do not do an excursion with the ship, do a tour with Buelah Mills of Welcome Tours. She can be easily found at the dock. $15 per person for the tour. Mount Liamuiga was absolutely breath taking, here The Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea. We saw frigate beach. If you go behind all the shops in the back there is actually a handmade market where people are selling their stuff. Loved this. This was the cheapest island we visited in regards to price of things - the people will negotiate. Square right off port with restaurants and a pool with a $5 entry fee per person and you get a beer. Port was wonderful. Lots of shopping. There were men with monkeys they would put on you and get your picture and then ask for $10-$20. Loved this stop!

Thumbs Up 0

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

This port has lots to do. A lot of shopping once you get off the ship. A very beautiful built up port Port. We made it to queen Emma’s bridge which was about a 15min walk once off the ship. More shopping across the bridge. Architecture and city was beautiful. We took a taxi to Mambo beach - 10/10. This is a man made beach area. Bring snorkel hear because they have a rocks out a little from the beach where you can see many different fish, crabs, exc. Shopping, restaurants, has a resort feel. We are at Origami sushi - best sushi ever! We paid $3.50 a person for beach access and $5 a chair. Taxi was $8 per person each way, so we paid $24 taxi round trip to mambo beach (not including tip).

Thumbs Up 0

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

This port has lots of shopping and a nice strip you can walk down. We ended up doing a tour by one of the buses right when you get off the ship. We tried coffee roasters of Aruba - 8/10. Our tour was AMAZING. We were in an open bus. Our stops included at a local grocery store, Casibari Boulders site, an aloe farm, Santa Cruz desert/ocean, the lighthouse and then we needed up on eagle beach for 1 hour. 10/10 beach. Clear blue waters, calm waves, soft sand, great people. Our whole tour and beach drop off/pickup only costed us $25 each. Our favorite port of this trip!

Thumbs Up 3

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5