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Norwegian Cruise Line

MS Norwegian Epic

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Reviewed by: Ernest Roller
# previous cruises: 50+
Date of Trip: August 20, 2010
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

Today I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon onboard NORWEGIAN EPIC, touring the ship and having lunch onboard. Of course it's impossible to experience a ship at it's full potential during a short afternoon visit, but none the less there is enough time to establish first impressions.

NORWEGIAN EPIC is difficult to sum up. There were many things I really liked about the ship, but also quite a few things I didn't care for.

One of the things that concerned me, and others have commented on are the pools and upper deck space. I was pleasantly surprised by the main pools and the surrounding deck space. The pools were not as small as I imagined and I was impressed by all the deck chairs and space. Of course I can't comment how the space holds up on sea days with a full passenger load. Had I brought my bathing suit I would have loved to try the slides. They looked like a lot of fun! Moving aft I thought Spice H20 was a nice space, but I didn't like the fact it was all enclosed by glass. I enjoy leaning over the rail and feeling that ocean breeze! There is a nice bar and grill at Spice H20, but be forewarned the pool is almost comical it's so small. Really this ship could probably use one more pool for the amount of passengers.

Another area that impressed me was the Mandara Spa and Pulse Fitness Center. It's large and offers just about every feature you could possibly want. I liked the spa pool which reminded me a lot of a similar space on QM2. There are also saunas with incredible sea views, and spa balconies overlooking the stern which were lovely The Pulse Fitness center was equally impressive and was absolutely huge, perhaps the largest I have seen on any ship. There is no real decor or theme to speak of in the gym, but the equipment is top notch as is the view over the side. The lobby area of the Mandara Spa was extremely busy, too busy to offer the serene atmosphere that a spa should. Part of the reason for this is that all the elevators open directly into the spa lobby. I think this is a poor design but certainly not a deal breaker.

Speaking of elevators, there did not seem to be enough of them. There were lines just to get an elevator and I thought it was odd how they were situated. Instead of being enclosed in a foyer like on most ships, they opened right in the middle of large public spaces. It just didn't seem like an ideal design. I eventually gave up on the elevators so I certainly got a work out! I'm assuming things even out a bit when the ship is underway, and perhaps the elevator situation improves?

Moving to the core of the ship, most public areas are located on decks 5, 6, and 7. Personally I did not care for the layout of these decks. One thing that struck me as odd is that I entered the ship on Deck 6 right into the casino. I don't think that has ever been my first impression of a ship before. Many have commented that the casino is the largest they have seen on a ship. I didn't think it was the largest, but the fact it's right in the middle of the ship, and stretches down two long corridors makes it hard to avoid, if not impossible. No doubt NCL purposely designed it this way. I also think the casino design gives the impression that it is larger than it really is.

Most of the public spaces on decks 5, 6, and 7 are relatively closed in, and they do give the impression of a Las Vegas hotel rather than a cruise ship. Lacking are any "wow" spaces that truly make you look twice. The closest to a "wow" is the stunning chandelier spanning three decks. I have to admit it's one of the most impressive lighting fixtures I have seen on any ship. Pictures don't do it justice. Sorely missed is a bright, cocktail lounge and bar overlooking the ocean. This simply doesn't exist on EPIC. The closest thing is the Epic Lounge, but it actually faces aft overlooking the pool area, and most people will never see it as it's key card access only. I did like the "bar central" area aft on Deck 7. Shaker's, Maltings, and the bar in Cagney's were all lovely spaces, but again pretty much closed in with no ocean views. I was not impressed with Fat Cats or Headliners as a physical space, as they were essentially just rooms with wood chairs and tables, and no real decor to speak of. I'm sure the entertainment is great in there, so no doubt the decor is not really paramount. Equally lacking decor is Spiegel Tent and the Epic Theater. Both look almost unfinished with little decor detail, but again I know these venues are all about the entertainment offerings. One venue not lacking decor is Bliss Ultra Lounge. I have not read much about it in various reviews, but I really liked the space. You might call the decor shabby chic, and I loved the central bar and bowling lanes to the side. The rest of the spaces on decks 5, 6, and 7 were pleasant enough but nothing to write home about. In terms of these public spaces, there are far more appealing ships in my opinion. Like many new vessels (OASIS, Solstice Class, etc), EPIC does not offer a proper promenade deck. Instead it's a jogging track with ocean views blocked by lifeboats. The tradeoff is this design is much more safety conscious, with the ability to board the lifeboats in their secured position. I was surprised that small set of stairs are required to board each lifeboat.

The Courtyard Villa Complex was by far my favorite area of the ship, but unfortunately (or fortunately!) it's reserved for only a select few guests. It's very well done and the concept of a "ship within a ship" is executed to a very high standard. The pool, gym, sauna, deck space, lounge, and restaurant could have all been found on a much more upscale ship. While the rest of the ship was a bit chaotic, The Villa Complex was calm, relaxing, and serene. Passengers were enjoying a lovely lunch in the Epic Club and waited on by an experienced staff, while just one deck below was the chaos of The Garden Cafe buffet restaurant. The two spaces could not have been more different. I was able to view a Deluxe Owners Suite, Courtyard Villa, and Villa Penthouse. All were nice, but not quite up to the size or standard of suites on other mass-market ships, even within the NCL fleet. I did not like the "enclosed balconies" that face forward, and frankly these would be wasted on me.

Speaking of cabins, I was also able to view a Studio, standard inside, Spa Balcony, Family Balcony, and Spa Suite. I liked them all although I felt the Spa Suite was a bit small, and lacked any private key card access as originally advertised. The opposite was true, as the these corridors were very crowded with people searching out the spa. For me personally, the split bath design in standard cabins would not be an issue. I thought the fitting out of the cabins was to a high standard, and I liked the overall look. Keep in mind the cabins are small, but I think well laid out. I have to say I would not be comfortable with more than two people in any of the cabins I viewed. It would be a tight squeeze with three or four persons occupying any of these cabins. I really was impressed with the Studio Complex, and I would not hesitate to book one of these cabins. In fact I think I would almost rather book two Studios as opposed to sharing a standard balcony cabin with a friend. I would really have to give that some thought.

I did have lunch onboard, and it was in The Manhattan Room. The room looked really stunning in the early renderings that NCL produced, but somehow in person it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Food and service were ok, not bad, but not memorable either. Anyway it's impossible to judge food and service based on one lunch during embarkation. Overall I have read that food and service on EPIC is quite good, so hopefully that is generally the case.

I spoke about the Garden Cafe being a bit chaotic, but really it wasn't too bad as far as buffet restaurants go. All the way forward has the best views, and also seemed to be the least crowded. The Great Outdoors offered very nice outdoor seating, but being that it's enclosed on the sides it was oppressively hot while docked in Miami today. I spoke about the Garden Cafe being a bit chaotic, but really it wasn't too bad as far as buffet restaurants go. All the way forward has the best views, and also seemed to be the least crowded. The Great Outdoors offered very nice outdoor seating, but being that it's enclosed on the sides it was oppressively hot while docked in Miami today.

So would I book EPIC? I think I would, but probably in a cabin with Courtyard Villa access. The Courtyard was truly my favorite part of the ship, and I could see myself enjoying a great deal of time in that area. Without access, I don't think I would enjoy the ship as much, but that is just me. No doubt EPIC will provide exceptional vacations to thousands of travelers, and I applaud NCL for producing a ship that is unique and different. Link to photos.