Marco and Patrick recently spent four nights onboard Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Epic as she became the second ship in the fleet to resume international cruising in Europe. The short sailing from Barcelona was a test cruise before NCL were able to welcome back their first guests sailing in the Western Mediterranean this summer. Find out what Marco thought of his experience onboard one of NCL’s most popular ships in his cruise review.
Itinerary
Barcelona / Day at Sea / Cagliari / Day at Sea / Barcelona
How was the embarkation process with Norwegian Cruise Line?
Having already experienced the embarkation process with Norwegian Cruise Line in Athens just a few weeks ago we arrived expecting another smooth process and the port of Barcelona did not let us down. As is the new normal in a post-pandemic travel world you’ll need to fill in a passenger locator form before arriving in Spain and once at the port, you’ll be required to show proof of your double vaccination status before undergoing an Antigen test which returns results in about 10 minutes. It’s important to note that these requirements may change so always take the most up to date information from the government website at the time of travel. Once we’d got the all-clear we proceeded to the terminal, filled in a health questionnaire and were given our key cards. As we were staying in Haven Suites we were escorted to a makeshift lounge where we booked our speciality dining and evening entertainment before our butler arrived to take us on board.
Tell us about the accommodation on Norwegian Cruise Line
For four nights we would be living the suite life, as both myself and Patrick had a Haven Suite. The H6, Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony, can accommodate up to 6 people, however, in our case the second bedroom became a very useful walk-in wardrobe for the duration of the cruise. The Haven on Norwegian Epic was completely refurbished in 2020, so we were the first people to enjoy these cabins, as you enter there is certainly a wow factor, the living area is spacious and leads to a large balcony, whilst the separate bedroom area also has plenty of space. The masterpiece of these suites has to be the bathroom, with a bath and separate shower which both look out to sea. If you’re looking to relax just ask your butler for some bath salts and a glass of wine and enjoy a relaxing bath as you sail away to your next destination. Our butler Rodelio and cabin attendant Lillis were fantastic, constantly checking up on us to see if we needed anything. The rooms have a portable phone which you can take with you anywhere on the ship so that if you do need anything your butler is just a quick call away, they are also handy if you need to call another cabin or make dinner reservations with the concierge.
How did you find the ship in general?
The Norwegian Epic is one of the most popular ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, she has called Barcelona her home for the summer months since 2015 and passengers come back year after year to explore the Western Mediterranean on one of the biggest ships in the fleet. From the outside it has to be said that she is not the most aesthetically pleasing of ships, the large black windows of the Haven area dominate the front of the ship, whilst the aft is square and drops from the top right down to the waterline.
Once onboard she is very easy to navigate, and some of the quirks are clearly what make her popular with returning guests. For example, there are random escalators to take you from deck 5 to deck 6, why? Well, we’re not entirely sure as they look a bit out of place. On deck 5 you’ll find guest services with the NCL signature Starbucks bar, whilst decks 6 and 7 are dedicated to entertainment, dining, shopping and gambling.
Take the lift up to deck 15 and you’ll find the large buffet as well as the pool deck which features two swimming pools, hot tubs and some epic slides. If you’re looking to relax in the sun this is the place to be, the pool attendants are always on hand to grab you a drink and there is a band playing pretty much all day. If you’re looking for a bit of peace and tranquillity jump in the starboard side elevator by the pool grill and head up to deck 18 where you’ll find a quiet sundeck for those looking to relax away from the crowds. There is also a pool at the aft of deck 15, this is Spice H2O, the adults-only area and the place where you’ll probably find yourself dancing the night away once the sun goes down. From 80s night to neon night, the entertainment crew will be on hand to make sure you’re having a great time.
What was the food like on the Norwegian Epic?
If you’re new to Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Freestyle Cruising concept you might want to check out our Norwegian Cruise Line dining blog. The flexible dining concept means you’re free to dine where you like when you like, although we always recommend making reservations for the speciality restaurants as these are always very popular and do get booked up quickly.
For possibly the first time ever on a cruise we didn’t actually manage to try the food from either of the main dining rooms, The Manhattan Room (deck 6 aft) and Taste (deck 5 midship) however the feedback we had talking to others who dined there was very good. We also didn’t get the chance to try Shanghai’s, the complimentary Asian fusion restaurant which is next to Shanghai’s Noodle Bar which serves a host of freshly prepared noodles, delicious wok-fried dishes and more.
Of the speciality restaurants available we dined in the chic French restaurant Le Bistro as well as Cagney’s, NCL’s signature steakhouse, and both venues were absolutely top-notch. We also had dinner at Teppanyaki, the authentic Japanese restaurant, and whilst the food was fantastic and plentiful, the fact that the chefs have to wear masks does detract somewhat from the experience, despite this I would still recommend trying it out as even if the banter may be hard to understand, the show is still as spectacular as ever and the dishes are sublime.
As Haven guests we understandably made the most of the exclusive restaurant dedicated to guests staying in Haven suites. Located up on deck 16 with expansive views out to sea, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No matter what time of the day you’re dining you’ll find a wide array of choices on the menu to please all palates. When the restaurant isn’t open you’ll also be able to grab a snack in the Haven grill between 2pm and 4pm or make use of the complimentary room service.
If you’re looking for a late-night snack you will always be able to head to O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, whether you fancy some chicken wings, a hot dog, or one of their awesome Rueben sandwiches you’ll be able to satisfy your cravings here 24 hours a day.
What is the entertainment like on the Norwegian Epic?
You’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of entertainment onboard the Norwegian Epic. They have two standout feature shows, Burn The Floor, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. We managed to watch Burn The Floor, the initial 10 minutes were questionable, and we weren’t really sure what we’d got ourselves in for, however after this the show was incredible with amazing dancers, two brilliant lead singers, and even a cameo performance at the end from the cruise director Jerry! Sadly one of our dinners overran so we missed Priscilla Queen of the Desert, however, speaking to others that did make it the reviews for this show were equally as good.
Music lovers won’t be disappointed, the Norwegian Epic features an NCL favourite, The Cavern Club, a recreation of the infamous Liverpool venue which regularly played host to the Beatles in their early years. On deck 6, between the theatre and O’Sheehan’s you’ll find Howl At The Moon which features two hilarious duelling pianists accompanied by a drummer who may or may not play your song requests. What’s for sure is you’ll be singing along to their classic songs in no time!
Does the Norwegian Epic offer any fitness & recreational facilities?
The Norwegian Epic has the largest fitness centre in the NCL fleet. You won’t be short of options if you’re looking to keep fit whilst onboard. There are fitness studios with daily classes such as yoga, spin classes and TRX training. Towards the aft up on deck 17 you’ll find a sports court if you’re looking to shoot some hoops, there is also a small mini-golf course and a climbing wall for the daredevils onboard. The one let down of the ship is the running track. Located on the side of the ship on deck 7 it’s a straight track however the vents from the restaurants mean it’s a hot and smelly run, if you’re looking for a jog it’ll be more comfortable sticking to the treadmills in the fitness centre.
Those looking for a bit of pampering need to look no further than the Mandara Spa & Salon which offers the usual array of spa treatments designed to put you in a very peaceful and tranquil mood. There is also a barbers shop located on deck 7 for those looking to sharpen up before dinner.
Any tips for someone looking to cruise on the Norwegian Epic?
Haven guests have access to the Posh Beach Club located on deck 18 which overlooks the main pool deck. The space is great to lounge out and relax and the bartenders Luigi and Candel are absolutely fantastic. If you’re not a Haven guest do not worry, there are limited passes available for you to purchase, however you’ll need to be quick and make sure you do so on embarkation day as they are understandably very popular.
Final thoughts on the Norwegian Epic
If you’re looking to explore the Western Mediterranean on a large ship with a vast array of dining and entertainment options at a reasonable budget this is certainly a very good option. Norwegian Epic offers a very similar Med itinerary every summer and customers regularly return to one of the most popular ships in the fleet and you can certainly understand why. With embarkation available in both Barcelona and Rome you’ll find convenient flight connections as well as beautiful cities waiting to be discovered.
If you’re thinking of exploring the Western Med by cruise do check out our port guides to Barcelona and Rome, just click here to find out why your next cruise should depart from these beautiful Mediterranean cities.
