I was invited to an exclusive two nights (02-03 July 2010) attend before the official opening of the sailing ship in NCL's largest and most modern, Norwegian Epic. Headquartered in New York, he began the journey by boat naming ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Jeff Garlin, and featured the godmother, Reba McEntire. In addition to the festivities was the Macy's July 4th fireworks, which was broadcast live on national television from the epic (WNBC). And 'included musical performances by JustinBieber, Enrique Iglesias and LeeAnn Rimes. As I have experienced many times in the past, the folks at NCL really know how to throw a party! But let's focus on their new ship, the Epic.
The "Hardware"
When discussing the physical attributes of a cruise ship (i.e., it's layout and appearance), industry professionals often refer to the ship's "hardware". So, let's start there.
At 153,000 tons with a passenger capacity of 4,100 (based on double occupancy), the Norwegian Epic is, by far the largest ship in the NCL fleet. In fact, with the exception of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas (which was launched in December 2009 to life), Epic is the largest NCL cruise ships at sea. It 'also a cruise ship with a unique design that I've ever done (... and I was quite a lot'). In most cases, is that "uniqueness" reflects a very positive qualities, they paid attention and the attention that the designer needs to maximize the use of epicAccommodate a much larger, wide open "feel" to get the ship in all areas. And the way in an area that had seemed simply "float" in the next (without the "cookie cutter" stiffness at times on cruise ships) is truly remarkable. But in some areas, do not feel like the unique design of the ship is an advantage. The external shape of the ship seemed a little '"strange" for me. The arch is a bit '"squat-looking" and the tail is "square", so the ship does nota look "skinny" from outside. In addition to the irregular appearance is a massive 3-bridge appendix, which was apparently "flop" at the top of the front in hindsight (or, more likely, to maximize further inside the ship). Apparently the designers of the ship, some "trade-off is" everything that was inside the ship, and finally reaching the most important from the point of view of the passenger interior design.
The establishment of the Epic is modern and somewhat 'more"Lesser" than the other NCL ships. Moving was not that simple, because the ship's unique interior. Instead of the common areas amounts to a uniform width by the middle of the ship was the Epic, the inside of the illusion of being developed in that way, but in different places, the inside width of the ship apparently vary and you should be right or left to take another path. So, just when I thought I'd see the whole ship, I wouldDiscover a new area. After about 50 cruise ships, I found the layout of the epic poem to be very interesting and "cool".
The Food
Since all the restaurants offer a variety of dining options, is an assessment of food not only by personal taste, but also influenced by selected items from the menu. For example, the first night, my wife and I ate at the Hall in Manhattan, one of the main dining room of the ship. He had a chicken that are "OK" when evaluated as Ihad scallops which were very good. Like all public areas on Epic, was the layout and decor of the room in Manhattan, a tribute to the designers of the ship. Room and wide open "airy", with the view of Manhattan and had a nice dinner theater feel. In fact, I was a little 'surprise when our host (an executive NCL) has informed us that the room was not Manhattan, a specialty restaurant. The other main dining room, aptly named "key", was cut very well and is comfortablethe eye. In the midst of taste is a nice chandelier (reportedly the largest at sea), the spiral from the upper deck. Although I have not eaten for taste, I said, I'm sure the menu is the same as the room in Manhattan, so I would assume, based on our assessment of the food about the same (ie "OK" should be " very correct, "depending on the entre 'selected, and, of course, a matter of taste).
One of the characteristics of known NCL "Freestyle Cruising" is the selection of restaurants andNot surprisingly, this feature requires a new level of epic. In addition to the two main dining area, the epic 17 other dining options, each with its own kitchen and the environment. These include the large buffet area (the "Garden Cafe"), where food was always fresh and of high quality (although with the choice a little 'less than what we experienced in some other ships). It also includes the grill by the pool ("Spice H2O"), "O'Sheehan is" (a huge, sprawling pub, which isMeeting place and "social group" was for many guests of the ship) and several specialty restaurants like La Cucina Italian Restaurant (the most attractive decorated for EPIC and other NCL ships), Japanese teppanyaki grill (much higher than other NCL ships) and Le Bistro French to name a few. Each of the specialty restaurants have a "covered" (which ranges from $ 10 to $ 35 per person), but in my opinion, are all worth the money.
On thispre-inaugural cruise, I tried two of the specialty restaurants, Cagney's Steakhouse and Modern Churrascaria, a Brazilian "all-you-can-eat" barbecue where guests can point to their server with a green card ("OK, I'm ready for more ") or a red card (" No, please.'m stuffed "). My wife and I have about Cagney's Steak House on several other Norwegian cruise ships (eg, NCL Dawn, NCL, NCL Gem and Jewel) and we had the same enthusiasm for Epic. On the other hand, we have not beenalmost like the modern epic Churrascaria, which is the first restaurant imprinted on a cruise ship. The salad was absolutely fabulous (especially the plump shrimp and cheese gourmet fantastic), but apart from the loin (which the server cut in front of you), my wife and I were both disappointed by the quality of the meat. Ironically, my son tried to Greg (the CEO of Direct Line Cruises), and many of our employees Churrascaria modern and really liked it. SoDo not take my word.
The service
A perception of passenger cruise service on board is very often depends on their cabin crew members and was the waiter / waitress served meals. Since my wife and I started to Direct Line Cruises, there have been several instances where different clients would be exactly the same cruise radically different levels of service report. So, in theory, everyone should evaluate the service will be taken only as a generalization based on limitedindividual experiences while on board.
After that preceded this part of my review (to "cover the tail", if the reader has a different experience), found my wife and I have the service on NCL Epic in line with what we have experienced on other NCL ships cruise (ie, with very few exceptions).
Entertainment and Activities
It can be hard to believe, but the show of Blue Man Group, also NCL Hype! It 'was the only one (... yes, I'm using this word'I saw it again ...) and act professional on any cruise ship. Fun and completely fun, I prefer to see the show, night after night, some of the old "Broadway song-and-dance" shows that I saw sitting on many other cruise ships. The performance of Blue Man was the ship's main theater, which considering the size of the poem, was relatively small (with a capacity of less than 600 persons). But despite this fact, the theater was not "packed", because, accordingNCL's concept of "Freestyle Cruising", the epic was with several entertainment options, each designed a different show.
In addition to Blue Man Group, presented the NCL Epic "Legends in Concert", which featured performances imitating Elvis, Madonna, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and other "superstars". If you like this sort of thing, probably like a lot. Otherwise it can be for you "OK" as I did.
Another epic "first" is Cirque Dreams andThe dinner, which is run by a group of extraordinarily talented acrobats in a special theater-in-the-round tent called the mirror. Many of our employees saw this show and said it was very good, but perhaps a little 'too long. My wife and I saw a completely different show in the tent Mirror. Our 3 year-old nephew, we were able to take with us is a big fan of "Dora the Explorer" and "Diego" and commended the Nickelodeon character breakfast, and next to DoraDiego, also featured on "Sponge Bob Square Pants," "Jimmy Neutron" and others. In an exclusive agreement with NCL, Nickelodeon characters, is not currently in Epic and the NCL Jewel (who now sails year round from New York City) and will probably appear on many other NCL ships.
Another note found in NCL cruise ships, the second largest city is Comedy Troupe. Although I do not see their show on the Epic (... there simply was not enough time to do everything my wife and I have ...),seen several other NCL cruise ships. In general, we found the "proven" very funny scenes, and their "improvised" very routine "non-fun" (but then again, I never enjoyed watching Jonathan Winters, who was regarded by many as an "ad lib "comic genius).
The activities on board the ship were plentiful. Unique to the Epic "Epic Plunge" (a huge bunch of seven slides), 6 bowling lanes and the Ice Bar was Svedka (NCL was the first Ice Bar in recruits sea)the entire contents (including bars) are made of ice and place in a "friendly", held in 17 degree weather to prevent them from melting. Well, this is "really cool"! Patron is clear before entering heavy jackets and vodka the drink of choice included.
The State Rooms
Like any modern cruise ship offers a wide selection of epic hospitality NCL cabins ranging from less internal (no windows), large luxury suite with a personal butler.Of course, what would a guest in one of the large suites with a different cabin experience as a stay in a cabin much smaller than the interior so once again I have my car checked by the preface warns the reader that is based on my experience specifications (which may or may keep for other types of accommodation in Epic) is true.
My wife and I were in a standard cabin with balcony (one of the "Class B" cabins on the ship). Entering the cabin, we hadtwo first impressions. First was the curved walls of the room a very "unique" (in contrast to the typical cruise ship cabins, which are almost always rectangular with straight sides). The second thing we noticed is that the cabin has a bathroom ... Well, at least not in the traditional sense. You walk through a door between the shower and toilet, a box (each with a strong housing "boring"). A curtain separated these areas from the main part ofcabin, which includes among others the bed, sofa, wardrobes / cupboards and a sink. The advantage of the heat sink outside the toilet and shower area is to use the sink held, while another with a shower or bath (a comfort not often found in traditional cruise ship cabins). Furthermore, provided that the unique design of the cabin much more space than is typically found in conventional cars of similar size.But despite this, I found the cabin very "tight" (especially in the cabin, the bed is closer to the front door when the door of the balcony) and overall, I must admit that I have a preferred cabin configuration of conventional design or large balcony deluxe cabins ("Category D") on Epic cabins).
Completion
While on board NCL's a manager asked me what I thought of the vessel and type of eligible customer, it would be betterfor. Without hesitation, I replied that the epic would be most of the customer, who has been on many cruise ships, and is now estimated to experience something truly unique. Appropriately, it is no coincidence that 15th anniversary cruise for my wife's personal NCL Cruises Direct Line 'to Epic and now that we are a small "taste" it was booked, we can not wait until September, when he sailed for Epic for 7 nights.
| Price : $181.66 | Post Date : Sep 09, 2011 21:45:11