Archive for the ‘Norwegian Epic’ Category
Sailing at last…….
Saturday, June 26th, 2010 - 4:59 pm by
Our second day onboard Norwegian Epic begin for me in a very relaxing way. As I was up early I decided to go check out the spa and decided to book a manicure as I have finally given up biting my nails. I was able to be seen immediately and had the most wonderful experience of a Fire and Ice manicure which cost $50 for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The manicurist was a lovely lady from Jamaica and I can honestly say it was the best manicure ever.
Janet came up to meet me and we headed to the Garden Cafe for breakfast where there was a wide variety of cereals , fresh fruit, pancakes, pastries and cooked breakfasts to name but a few. After this we decided to go and lie in the wonderful sun. We decided to lay near where one of the water flumes came out-bad mistake as we kept getting the spray from the ride although very cooling in the heat.
We sailed out of Southampton at 1pm and headed out round the Isle of Wight!! The deck area has three water slides and a childrens area as well as two small pools which I personally thought were a little inadequate for the size of the ship. At lunchtime we had the joy pf listening to a Caribbean style band whilst relaxing. At three o clock most people heade to the aft end to H2O where there was a large screen showing the England match. I am surprised the ship did not tip with the amount of people trying to see the screen. At least Engkland won – roll on Sunday!!!
This evening we had pre booked the Blue Man Group for 7pm and as a headline act and the fact that they have played Vegas we were really excited about seeing them. All I can say is WEIRD!!!!! I think I liked them but really not sure. Their act was a variety of drumming, spitting food and paint out of their mouts and covering the whole audience in toilet roll!
After this we experienced Morenos (Speciality Restaurnat) which is a Churrascaria. This means that you help yourself to the salad bar then when you are ready to receive the meats you turn over a ticket on your table from red to green to alert the Pasadores (waiting staff) to start serving you. They then come around with skewers of meat which they slice on to your plate at the table and when you have had enough to eat you turn the card over to red.
We certainly enjoyed the experience of the ship and are sorry we cannot cover it in more detail however if you need any advice then please do not hesitate to call either myself, Julie McIntyre or my partner in crime, Janet Baren.
Dining, bar and entertainment venues!
Saturday, June 26th, 2010 - 4:31 pm by
Well have finally managed to get a few minutes to tell you all about the Epic.
Epic is certainly a great name for this magnificent ship with its 21 dining venues and 20 bars there is certainly something for everyone.
Janet Baren and I (Julie McIntyre) were only on for 2 nights and although we tried to get round every bar and dining venue I am afraid we failed miserably.
Embarkation for us should have been at 1pm but due to propulsion problems with the ship coming from Rotterdam we did not get onboard until 6pm. Note to anyone considering an inaugural or shakedown cruise – BE AWARE THAT THERE STILL MAYBE TEETHING PROBLEMS ONBOARD. Fore warned is fore armed.
As I have discussed the cabins on a previous blog I will concentrate more on the public rooms. As I said earlier the choice is staggering but if you do want to eat in a speciality restaurant, see the show in the Spiegel Tent or Blue Man Group or go in the Ice Bar. ENSURE THAT THESE ARE PRE BOOKED BEFORE YOU EMBARK TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
First evening we dined in one of the main dining rooms, Taste, the other being the Manhattan Room with the Legends show. The food and service was excellent.
A must do is the Ice Bar which has a cost of $25 per person which does include a drink. Unfortunately we were unable to do this as it was fully booked and we were unable to just take a peek as the air temperature inside is very carefully monitored.
Shaker’s Martini Bar was our favourite bar with lots of different Martinis on offer with our favourite being Chocolate Raspberry. I do have to say that we saw a couple of our competitors of the male sex having very pink girly drinks in the bar. We have promised not to tell their colleagues!!!! You know who you are!!
Entertainment after dinner is varied and the first night we went to Fat Cats Jazz Club followed by Headliners Comedy Club. Later on janet, the party animal, persuaded me to go to Bliss which was the nightclub which was amazing. You entered via asmoky curtain with a projected image of the DJ on it. As you entered you were greeted with a DJ on stage with passengers dancing around him, over sized seats and in fact two seats that resembled double beds along with a dancing cage at each side of the bar. We did not stay too long and managed to get back to our cabins at a very respectable 1.15am.
Curved cabins.
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 - 1:07 am by
My cabin, 10296, has curved walls which is a fascinating new design in ship building. Not sure whether I think it works or not yet. As you come into the cabin there is a shower on the right and a toilet on the left with white opaque doors leading directly into the cabin.
Then on the right is a sink and on the left a sofa with wardrobes opposite. Tea/coffee facilties ae standard in the room. Other facilities include a mini bar and hair dryer.
The balcony has a chilld lock therefore giving you peace of mind. Hanging and cupboard space is plentiful although the hanging space is split in two which means if you have a long dress it hangs over the second rail.
All in all the cabins are great just not sure about the bathrooms yet!!!!
Norwegian Epic!!!!
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 - 12:59 am by
Well after leaving Lancaster at 7am Janet Baren and I (Julie McIntyre) eventually boarded the ship at 6pm having watched her sail in up the Solent earlier in the afternoon.
At 153000 tons and 4200 passengers she is one of the biggest ships to come into Southampton.First impressions were good and although the ship looks slightly clumsy in shape she still looked majestic as she sailed towards city cruise terminal.
NCL looked after us well and once onboard Janet and I went to investigate our cabins.Janet was located in 14014 which was a 4 berth family balcony stateroom whilst I was in 10296 again a balcony stateroom.
The ship certainly has the wow factor as you step onboard into the atrium where a huge screen confronts you with some of the latest music videos showing. Cabins were a slightly different story and the first thing you notice once you step inside is the modular concept in the design with the sink beng in the cabin an although there is a separate shower and toilet you step out of these direct into your cbin. Shower gel and shampoo is included in the shower.