Norwegian Epic
Jan Shaughnessy
Itinerary: Inaugural Cruise to Nowhere
Sailing Date: July 2-4, 2010
Occupation: Cruise Professional
Number of Cruises: 79
INTRO - This cruise was a 2-nt inaugural
christening cruise out of New York City. During it's
first season the NCL Epic will sail from Miami sailing
alternating Eastern and Western seven day cruises. Next
summer she will sail from Barcelona doing seven day
Western Mediterranean cruises and return in the Winter
of 2011 back to Miami to do a seven night Eastern
itinerary.
EMBARKATION - Check-in at the New York terminal
has improved immensely since my previous cruises out of
New York Manhattan terminal, pier 88. I arrived to the
pier around 11AM and found very little lines. Check-in
is quick when you have already done the pre-registration
on line. The agent checks your proof of citizenship,
swipes you credit card for onboard purchases, takes your
picture for your boarding pass, then fetches your
boarding card. The process of taking your picture at
check-in saves a step, which some cruise lines are still
doing after security, by having you step up to a kiosk
and inserting your card to take your ID picture. After
check-in we proceeded to the security point, then we
were directed to the gangway. Photographers were set up
to take Bon Voyage pictures which you can later buy.
Having been on many cruises, I always bypass this step.
The NCL Epic had two gangways for entering the ship.
Embarkation was a breeze. We were on the ship in ten
minutes.
THE SHIP- My first impression upon entering the
ship on deck 5 was "Wow". The atrium and guest
relations area was very spacious and reminded me more of
a large resort hotel. "Spacious", was an adjective I
would use to describe the ship many more times in the
next two days. The innovative NCL Epic offers 19 decks
of world class entertainment, more than 20 unique
dining options, and 20 bars and lounges. The ship boast
a lot of "firsts". The first true Ice Bar at sea,
largest tube and bowl slide at sea, largest spa and
fitness centre at sea, first repelling wall at sea,
first Big Top at sea, the most bowling alleys at sea (6
lanes), and the first time Blue Man Group performs on
the sea.
The ship is well laid out and easy to maneuver. Hallway
carpet colors will help you learn the ship - red and
brown carpets on port side, blue and brown on
starboard.
There are plenty of quiet spots on the ship. The Posh
Beach Club on deck 18 offers a secluded retreat area
with cushioned chairs and bar service. A plethora of
deck chairs (2,395), are spread out in several areas on
decks 15,16, and 18. Some areas providing more privacy
with only 12 lounges in the area.
The casino and shopping area were two other areas that
were "spacious". These areas made me feel I was in one
of the large Las Vegas casino hotels and not on a ship.
The casino runs length wise down deck 6, flanks out left
and right in the center at the atrium and continues
length wise. This is the largest casino I have ever
seen on a ship (350 slot machines). The design should
eliminate the cramped quarters typical of most ships
casinos. I believe the spread out design should also
help the closed in smell of smoke. The shopping area is
reminiscent of a large department store. A very large
make up counter serves as a hub in the center. A number
of large shops spoke off the hub. A liquor store,
candy store, logo shop, fine jewelry, and name brand
stores all are generous in square footage. No bumping
into each other to pass through.
Cruise passengers can stay fit in the fitness center
which sports 42 treadmills with 24-hr access. Fitness
classes like stretch and relaxation, Yoga, Pilates, and
spinning. Some have a nominal fee. If pampering
yourself on vacation is your cup of tea, then head to
deck 14 where you'll find the Mandara Spa and Salon.
It offers facials, massages, body wraps, teeth
whitening, hair and nail treatments, and new medi-spa
cosmetic treatments including Restylane, Botox, and
Perlane. All done by a certified physician.
ENTERTAINMENT -
This is where the NCL Epic really
shines. There was far too much entertainment to see it
all in my short two day cruise. I chose to see Blue Man
Group the first night. BMG is free on the NCL Epic and
would cost $100 per person to see this show in Las
Vegas. They have a three year contract to perform on
the Epic. The second night I enjoyed listening to Slam
Allen in the Fat Cats blues/ jazz bar. An excellent
band. You'll want to make advance reservations for
major entertainment. Reservations can be made 45 days
in advance. You'll need reservations for BMG, Legends
in Concert, Second City Comedy Troupe, and the Spiegel
Tent Cirque Dreams & Dinner show which has a surcharge
of $20pp. They also have a Murder Mystery show with a
cover charge. The Headliners lounge where Second City
performs also is where Howling at the Moon dueling
pianos is held. Spice H20 up on deck 15 & 16 is where
you can enjoy a pool bar and grill while watching
themed movies on the big screen. Theme nights and
karaoke are held in the very exotic Bliss Lounge. My
favorite place was the Irish bar, O'Sheehan's. The pub
was split into two sections; one side was more of the
bar area with pool tables and dart boards. The other
side was more for the complimentary dining where one
could order items like fish & chips, chicken pot pie,
meatloaf, Chef salad, burgers and hotdog with chili,
chicken breast sandwich, honey smoked salmon, and corn
beef on rye. Several Irish, English, German, and
Belgium beers were on tap. This seemed to be a popular
spot. Part of Sheehan's (deck 6) over looks the two
deck atrium which starts on deck 5. A two deck large
broadcasting screen, also used for Wii games, is the
center of attention in the atrium area. In Sheehan's
one can sit on tall bar stools that circle the atrium
and have the perfect seat for watching major sports
events. There are numerous other bars throughout the
ship to partake of your favorite drink. Pool bars have
six pre-made daiquiri machines. The newest and most
innovative bar on the seas though is the Svedka Ice
Bar. Inspired by ice hotels in Scandinavia. The Ice
Bar is totally ice and requires it be maintained at 17
degrees. A surcharge of $20 per person will get you
two drinks and a fur coat to wear. Make your
reservations early to experience this unique bar.
Children have plenty of their own entertainment too.
The Kid's Crew and teens programs will keep them busy
with pizza parties, treasure hunts, dances, wii, and
xbox games. Teens have their own Entourage teen club
and video arcade, and the wee ones a Kid's Aqua Park.
Young and old alike will enjoy the rock climbing and
repelling walls, full basket ball court, ice skating,
bungee trampoline, spider rope climb, and the large Aqua
Park with three tunnel slides. Also new to NCL this
year is a partnership with Nickelodeon. On the Epic
kids can watch live Nickelodeon shows, get autographs
with their favorite character, or even have breakfast
with them.
DINING - The NCL Epic offers over 20 dining
options. Eight of the dining venues are specialty
restaurants and have a surcharge. On my short 2-nt
cruise I wanted to try one of the speciality restaurants
and one of the included with fare restaurants. The
first night I ate at the new Moderno Churrascaria
Brazilian style restaurant. $18 PP surcharge. The meal
starts with a trip to the salad bar. The concept at
Moderno is similar to Bubba Gump's "Go and Stop".
Diner's are given little cards red one side, green the
other. When you are ready for your main course flip it
to green. The waiters then start coming around with
several different meats on the spindle. Chicken,
sirloin, filet, pork ribs, beef ribs, Chorizo sausage.
They will continue to keep serving until you flip your
card over to red for stop. Dessert is also included
with the meal. The Taste and Manhattan dining rooms
would be considered more like a main dining room on the
Epic. I ate in the Manhattan Room on night two. The
dining room is in the aft of the ship on deck 6 and has
large windows for viewing. Music is performed in the
dining room at 9:30PM. I was pleased to see many tables
for two in the dining room, and several of them were up
against the windows. The right side of the menu changes
every night with appetizers, soups, salads, and
entrees. The left side of the menu stays the same and
is the anytime items, some are an additional surcharge.
I ordered prime rib and it was cooked to order and very
good. The other restaurants that are specialty with
surcharge are LaCucina Italian, Le Bistro French, Wasabi/Shanghai's/Teppanyaki
all Asian, Cagney's Steakhouse, and the Cirque Dreams
Dinner show. Pizza is complimentary on the ship if you
get it on the buffet. You can also have it delivered
anywhere on the ship for a $5 service charge. The other
included restaurants in addition to Taste and Manhattan
are Sheehan's Pub, Garden Cafe, Spice H20 (Latin and
Asian), Epic Club for suite/villa guest, Atrium Cafe &
Wine Bar (light fare & snacks), Courtyard Grill
(suites/villa), Great Outdoors and 24 hour room
service.
The Garden Cafe was another "spacious" area. This is
one of the best buffet areas I have seen on any ship.
The design is set up to alleviate lines. Upon entering
the Garden Cafe the stations separate to the left and
right. Each side identical. Separate stations for
each, Asian, Indian, Salads, Desserts, breads, Pizza,
Carved meats and hot dishes, Beverage station, and soft
and hard ice cream. Signs above label each station.
The Great Outdoor grill by the pool is an extension of
the Garden Cafe and serves hamburgers, hotdogs,
sausages and grilled chicken breast. In the morning
there are several omelette stations in the Cafe. The
seating area in the Garden Cafe is plentiful. A nice
feature are table caddies at the tables that hold
wrapped silverware, ketchup, mustard, and steak sauce.
No need to fumble with your silverware while balancing a
plate in the buffet line.
CABINS - By far the most talked about new feature
on the Epic is the Wave Balcony cabins and the split
bathrooms. Much has been written in the media about the
cabins, and many are pre-judging these cabins before
even seeing them in person. Cabins on the NCL Epic
are designed to be energy efficient. Upon entering the
cabin you will insert your key into the slot on the wall
to activate the lighting system. This design is used
widely in hotels in Europe and Asia. The easy slide
balcony glass door is treated to deflect heat from the
sun. The air conditioning system is also designed to
automatically shut off if balcony doors are left open.
I was in a regular balcony cabin on deck 8. There are
also family balcony, deluxe balcony, family deluxe
balcony, and spa balcony. The regular balconies are
short on square footage, but I feel are manageable for
two people. The cabins have plenty of storage space.
You'll have to really look though, as some storage is
built into the facade and doesn't look like it opens.
Cabin amenities include a stocked refrigerator, a coffee
maker with coffees and teas, hair dryer, push button
safe, and floor to ceiling windows.
The split bathroom design is the contentious thorn that
is the talk of the town. The shower and toilet are each
a separate compartment with frosted doors. The area in
between the two is where the cabin door opens and also
serves as a dressing area, which can be closed off to
the bedroom by pulling a drape across for privacy. The
new vessel sink sits outside this area in the bedroom on
the counter. Some have complained about the frosted
doors be "too see through". I found them no more than
my shower door at home. Others complain of the split
toilet and shower not being private. How so? They each
have doors and there's the curtain to pull shut. I see
the new bathroom design as an opportunity for two people
to use the facilities that previously, would have had to
been used one at a time. Mrs Jones can now do her make
up at the sink while Mr Jones showers. And no fogged up
mirror! Minor notes about my balcony cabin was the hard
to reach plug hiding under the counter inside a cabinet,
the flat almost hidden light switch under the medicine
cabinet, and no regular towel bar to hang up wet towels
(claw hooks only).
The NCL Epic has broken tradition with the new solo
traveler cabins. The inside Studio cabins are a
comfortable 100 square foot each. They provide a
full-size bed, sink and shower. The 128 solo cabins are
grouped together in one section and have their own
private access lounge to mingle.
Those that are looking for a private, pampered
experience may want to book the Spa Suites, Courtyard
Villas or Penthouse. You'll have exclusive access to
your own private Villa Courtyard pool and sun deck, spa,
and fitness center, along with a private access Epic
Club Courtyard Grill and Epic Club Lounge. Your
accommodations come with butler and concierge service
and upgraded cabin amenities such as upgraded linens,
pillow-top mattress, fresh flowers, your own
cappuccino/espresso machine, and plush bathrobes. These
accommodations are great for those wanting added space
and separate bedrooms for families.
OVERALL - I found the crew on the NCL Epic to
be friendly and attentive. They always smiled and
greeted you in passing. The NCL Epic is an innovative
and amazing ship. The variety of entertainment and
activities provide something for everyone. The numerous
dining options provide something to satisfy all palates.
NCL definitely has hit a home run with the NCL Epic and
I look forward to sailing her again on a longer cruise
