Epic Needs some TLC
Norwegian Epic Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 6
Helpful Votes: 229
12 Night Mediterranean: Italy France & Croatia (Trieste To Rome)
Sail date: October 27, 2023
Ship: Norwegian Epic
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
Won't cruise the Med in late October again as the weather is too unpredictable. NCL are also cutting back at every opportunity so be sure and check what's included. Loved the itinerary and Epic is a great ship that needs some serious refurbishment.Embarkation
Embarkation was a mess, massive waiting times as the ship arrived late. Obviously nothing could be done but the rude Italians just shouting at customers is not acceptable. No priority boarding for Latitude Sapphire.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Generally food in the main dining room was very good. Speciality was great with a blip in Le Bistro that was rectified in a superb way. The Buffet however was awful. NCL cutbacks have extended to making the bread so thin that it toasts like a wafer. Sausages so small you need six to make a sausage, no butter available on a few days and the elimination of all hash browns. Not a good experience...
Onboard Activities
Activities seemed like a going through the motions effort. The pools are looking in desperate need of total reform. Daytime activities in the atrium where straight out of holiday camp culture. Not my thing.
Entertainment
As this was our one of many visits to Epic we have always loved the shows and evening entertainment, pool side music and DJ offerings where very sparse, we didn't see a band outside until the 10th day. The Beatles are still giving a good show ( surely after all these years they could come up with a different tribute act). Only Born the floor was the main stage show and we have seen it multiple times so in all it was less or the same old...it's crying out for a total revamp.
Service and Staff
Some staff were very good and what we have been used to over the years, lots of others were not. Miserable, unhelpful and some very rude. NCL have made their job very hard but some staff could not hide their dislike. We even witnessed the Philippine staff bullying and bitching at one of the Carribbean waitresses in Shakers bar. Unacceptable.
Ship Quality
This ship was spotless and we always are amazed at the level of cleanliness on a daily basis. The ship is in desperate need of a refurbishment and areas outside are very obvious especially the pool areas, H2O and the kids areas
Cabin / Stateroom
Love these balcony cabins and very well kept by our cabin Steward. Always amazed that people moan about the cabins with doing any research.
Ship tip
Wait till the refurbishment.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Not the best Embarkation port but the city looks beautiful and would not hesitate to stay pre cruise.
Pompeii is an absolute must, have already done that so decided to go for a famous pizza. Queued for an hour in the rain and gave up. Quite possibly the dirtiest rundown dump of a place on the whole cruise. Don't bother with Naples go to Pompeii or Sorrento. PS the cruise lines need to stop the bombardment buy local aggressive tour sellers. Quite intimidating and not welcoming.
Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy
Missed the overnight stop due to weather. The debacle when we did finally dock to get a bus into an average Italian town was not worth the hour and a half queue. Stayed onboard. If you haven't done Pisa it's a must.
What a wonderful place, the obscene wealth aside (this place is built for film stars and wannabes) we visited the most amazing indoor market with a fantastic array of fruits and deli produce. Ate from a Lebanese street food stall that was outstanding. Also the streets and surrounding area away from the glitzy side is worth your time.
Another stunning Medieval town. Walked the streets, had a local beer and loved walking the castle walls.
Loved this beautiful walled city. Stunning old town and castle with a beautiful shopping area. Took a tuk tuk tour that was good fun.
Lovely place but already seen masses of old towns, churches and castles. Would like some kind of variety amongst the ports of call.
Beautiful Slovenian town with lots of history. Well worth a stroll round with a guided walking tour.
A stunning town steeped in amazing history. Unfortunately at every opportunity is a local looking to rip you off. Took a boat trip on a pathetic, very old little boat that just bobbed up and down like a cork. €30 wasted. Be careful and ask the price of everything. It's a shame as greed is ruining this beautiful town.
As a port it's beautiful and worth staying the night pre or post cruise if you don't want the hour long journey to Rome. Disembarking was just poorly organised with massive queues for the bus. Took a cab only €6 per person (6 people required) to the train station.
Quite possibly the most beautiful sail in on the whole cruise. Not impressed with the Moroccan style of constant pestering to buy something I don't want or need.
Disembarkation
The usual chaos of thousands queuing for a couple of bus's. Civitaveccia is not a great disembarkation port as it's to far from Rome. We always make sure we don't fly on the same day as disembarking unless it's late evening.
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