I sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line’s worst rated ship. Here's what it was really like.

Having previously sailed onboard seven other Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, I was curious to see what the worst-rated ship in the fleet was really like. 

Is Norwegian Epic really as bad as people say? Why do some passengers consider this the worst ship in Norwegian’s fleet? 

After spending 12 nights aboard, I have a lot to share about this unique ship, from the vessel's layout to the onboard offerings. 

Ship statistics 

Norwegian Epic is actually one of the biggest ships in the fleet. Capable of accommodating up to 4,100 guests and 1,724 crew members, as well as measuring 155,873 gross registered tons and 329 meters in length, Norwegian Epic is a large ship within Norwegian's lineup.  

Originally built in 2010, Norwegian Epic received a refurbishment in 2020 to bring it up to speed for many future sailings. One of the areas of the ship that received a refresh during the refurbishment was The Haven suite-only area. Both suites and exclusive venues, including The Haven Restaurant and The Haven Courtyard Pool & Sundeck, received refreshes. 

Additionally, Norwegian Epic now features Starlink High-Speed Internet onboard for guests to use should they choose a Wi-Fi package during their sailing. 

Norwegian Epic is comprised of 19 total decks, with decks 5-16 open to the general public to explore, while decks 17-19 are mostly reserved for guests staying in either The Haven or who have access passes to the Posh Beach Club, Norwegian Epic’s paid-for adult only sun deck area. It's similar to the Vibe Beach Club onboard other NCL ships. 

Onboard activities

Onboard the Norwegian Epic, guests can find a variety of activities to fill their days, including the Aqua Park and pool deck featuring two pools, five hot tubs, and three multi-story water slides. Perhaps the most thrilling is the 200-foot Epic Plunge slide, the first bowl slide at sea! 

It is important to note that the water slides are only operational when weather permits. When there is heavy rain or wind, these slides will often be closed. For this reason, during my 12-night Transatlantic cruise, the water slides were almost always closed. 

Near the main pool deck area on Deck 15, there's also a kids' pool and a small mini-golf course. These are great amenities for passengers sailing with young children. 

Something that I noticed onboard the Norwegian Epic was how big the casino is! It feels rather large, as it takes up a majority of Deck 6. Guests who enjoy a bit of gambling will find plenty of slot machines as well as table games such as blackjack. Norwegian Cruise Line also has stated that their onboard casino is award-winning! 

Guests who like to work out and get some fitness in during their vacation will appreciate the indoor gym, fitness center, and walking track. During my 12-night Transatlantic sailing, I enjoyed running on the treadmills. When else do you have the chance to run with ocean views in front of you?!

Near the Pulse Fitness Center, guests will also find the Mandara Spa & Salon. This onboard salon has nearly every service you could think of. From massages to facials, manicures, and haircuts, this spa has it all. This is also where guests will find the Thermal Suite.

Something unique onboard the Norwegian Epic that I have not seen on the other Norwegian vessel is O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill Bowling Alley on Deck 6. 

While O’Sheehan’s is a classic 24-hour eatery onboard many Norwegian ships, I have not seen a bowling alley onboard before! Playing a game of bowling will cost extra money; however, this could be a fun sea day activity. 

For those guests with children, Norwegian Epic features one kids' club, the Splash Academy, located on Deck 14. This drop-off program is complimentary for guests between the ages of 3 and 12 years old. 

For passengers who enjoy a good game of basketball or want to test their skills at rock climbing, they should head to the Sports Complex located on Deck 17. In this area, guests will find a full basketball court, rock climbing wall, and the first-ever rappelling wall at sea, as well as a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage. 

Looking for some games during a day at sea? Located on Deck 15, Norwegian Epic features a fun video arcade for passengers to enjoy. 

In addition to the amenities present onboard, there are many activities hosted by the fun and energetic Cruise Director staff and other crew members. For a full list of the activities onboard guests should reference the Freestyle Daily. 

The Freestyle Daily is delivered in physical form to every stateroom onboard in the evenings for the next day. Additionally, guests can reference a digital version in the free NCL app. 

Some of the fun activities that passengers can look forward to are trivia games, bingo, live music, food demonstrations, friendly competitions, and much more. 

Entertainment of every variety

During my particular cruise with Norwegian Epic, there was one main theater production show called "Burn The Floor."

"An International championship cast show(s) off their best ballroom dance moves with plenty of European flair. From Grand Viennese waltzes to the sensual Tango and provocative Rumba, experiencing all their passion as they heat up the stage," explains Norwegian Cruise Line. 

Personally, I believe this show is one that anyone will enjoy, as it features talented singers and dancers. Passengers onboard the ship should make sure that they see it at least once. While there are some adult themes present, overall, I think this is a great stage show for guests of all ages. 

Norwegian Epic has plenty of entertainment each evening for guests to enjoy in addition to the production show. This is something that is a great feature, especially for a long transatlantic cruise with many sea days. Think of things like comedians, Hypnotists, and live music at the Epic Theater venue. 

For those who enjoy game shows, there is a live rendition of Deal or No Deal onboard Norwegian Epic, as well as Wheel Of Fortune. Guests can either opt to participate in these live game shows or simply spectate. 

Some of the live entertainment that can be found outside of the Epic Theater is the Howl At The Moon Dueling Piano show, as well as The Cavern Club, which is a Norwegian Cruise Line classic that can be found onboard many other ships and features a Beatles Cover Band. 

Passengers do not have to look long to find live music throughout other various parts of the ship. Late-night live music can often be heard in the Bliss Ultra Lounge, the Atrium, and near the Shaker’s Martini Bar. 

For guests who enjoy unique variety entertainment such as comedy, magicians, or hypnotists, look no further than the Headliners Comedy Club and the Spiegel Tent.

No matter which type of entertainment is your favorite, you are sure to find something onboard that you enjoy. I highly recommend taking a look at the Freestyle Daily ship schedule for the exact times and locations of various entertainment onboard. 

It is important to note that the different variety entertainment can change from sailing to sailing. This means that there will not always be the same comedians or magicians. 

Complimentary dining

Guests do not have to worry about going hungry onboard Norwegian Epic. There are seven different complimentary dining locations for guests to try out during their sailing. 

Passengers will find the following complimentary dining venues onboard: O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, the Garden Cafe (AKA the main buffet), Shanghai’s Chinese Restaurant and Noodle Bar, Spice H2O buffet, Taste, The Great Outdoors pool buffet, and The Manhattan Room. 

Additionally, guests can order complimentary room service 24 hours a day. However, while the food is included in the cost of your cruise fare, there is a $9.95 USD service charge for the delivery. This applies to each order no matter how much food is selected. 

Prior to boarding Norwegian Epic, I was excited to see the Asian restaurant, Shanghai. Many of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer vessels do not have a complimentary Asian restaurant, and I think this a great feature onboard the Norwegian Epic. 

The following locations are open for dinner onboard: the Garden Cafe, Manhattan Dining Room, O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, Shanghai Restaurant and Noodle Bar, and the Taste Dining Room. 

Some of these locations are also open for breakfast, too, for those guests looking for more of a sit-down breakfast experience. The Taste dining room and O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill are both open for breakfast most days.

For guests looking for lunch or perhaps a mid-day snack, tasty options can be found at the Garden Cafe, Great Outdoors buffet, O’Sheehan’s Pub, and the Taste Dining Room. 

When you’ve spent an evening exploring the ship taking in all the entertainment and are craving a late-night bite, look no further than O’Sheehan’s. This venue is open 24 hours a day and is a great choice for guests looking for something to eat between the primary meal times. 

Specialty dining

One of the things that Norwegian Cruise Line is known for is their specialty dining venues. Onboard even the oldest ships in the fleet passengers will find some form of elevated dining to enjoy. 

This is true onboard Norwegian Epic, as passengers have access to six different specialty restaurants: Moderno Churrascaria, Wasabi, La Cucina, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki. 

All of these restaurants are an extra cost to enjoy. Some of these venues offer a fixed price, such as Teppanyaki, while others charge a la carte similar to a traditional restaurant. 

Bars and lounges 

Onboard Norwegian Epic, passengers can sample no less than 16 different bars and lounges onboard! This means that guests can visit a new bar and lounge each night and not get bored. 

The list of bars and lounges on the Norwegian Epic include Starbucks, Atrium Bar, Bliss Ultra Lounge, Cascades Bar, Epic Theater Bar, Headliners Comedy Club, Humidor Cigar Lounge, Maltings Whiskey Bar, O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, Posh Beach Club, Sake Bar, Shaker’s Martini Bar, Skyy Vodka Ice Bar, Spice H20, The Cavern Club, and Waves Pool Bar. 

When it comes to finding a place to chat with friends and enjoy a tasty drink, there are plenty of options onboard Norwegian Epic. 

My favorite bar and lounge onboard was the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar. This location is so unique, and I think it is a must-see when onboard. From real chairs and glasses made of ice to unique vodka cocktails, this bar is something that must be experienced, even if you have to pay a little extra for it. 

Cruise destinations 

Currently, Norwegian Epic sails to five different destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Transatlantic sailings, the Bahamas, and the Greek Isles. 

Many of the guests onboard Norwegian Epic at the same time as me were actually doing back-to-back cruises. This means that after the Transatlantic sailing, they then were cruising around the Greek Isles!

Design and aesthetics 

The overall design and aesthetics of the Norwegian Epic is different than many of the newer ships in the fleet. 

For example, many of the newer ships in the fleet, such as the Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Prima, and Norwegian Viva, all utilize light and airy colors and designs. The aesthetics appear to be inspired by Scandinavian design elements. 

For this reason, the newer vessels have wide open indoor spaces that seem to accommodate a large amount of guests. 

Norwegian Epic’s design and aesthetics are more traditional and harken back to the classic age of cruising. Onboard, guests will find elements of darker colors and woods throughout the design of the ship, which complements the overall old Hollywood and Vegas sort of feel.

I noticed that many of the indoor areas felt smaller onboard Norwegian Epic. For this reason, it can be somewhat challenging to find an open comfy seat to relax in during a sea day inside. 

When it comes down to it, design preferences are completely based on personal opinions and style. 

Read: NCL dress code, what to wear on a cruise

I've now sailed with NCL eight times, and my Norwegian Epic cruise is officially the longest I have ever done with the cruise line! 

I spent 12 nights onboard the Norwegian Epic during a Transatlantic sailing from Orlando, Florida to Rome, Italy. This itinerary had 10 days spent at sea (including embarkation day) and 2 scheduled port days in Gibraltar, United Kingdom and Alicante, Spain. 

This was my first Transatlantic cruise, and I was curious to see what I would think of 10 days at sea with only two ports of call. 

Prior to boarding Norwegian Epic, I had heard that this ship is one of the worst-rated among the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. I was curious to see for myself what I think, and if I believe this to be true. 

For this cruise, I was traveling alone and sailed in one of the unique Studio Staterooms. 

These staterooms are designed with one person in mind. Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the industry-leading brands when it comes to solo traveling, and these Studio Staterooms are one of the great ways that they accommodate solo travelers and guests wanting to book a stateroom just for themselves. 

This was my second time staying in a Studio Stateroom. Last year, I cruised in a Studio Stateroom onboard Norwegian Encore. I have honestly enjoyed each of these sailings, and I believe that cruising with Norwegian is one of the best ways to travel alone. 

With special access to the Studio Lounge, staying in these rooms is also a great way to meet fellow cruisers. I met and spoke to many friendly and kind fellow passengers during my 12 days onboard the Norwegian Epic. 

In terms of cost, I paid $2,554 for my Studio Stateroom. Note that this price also includes airfare and gratuities. 

Read: An in-depth look inside my Studio Stateroom onboard the Norwegian Epic

Why I liked this ship and why I didn’t 

First of all, I was surprised at how much hate the Norwegian Epic receives. When I stepped onboard, I thought that the the criticism seemed a bit harsh. 

There are a lot of classic NCL amenities onboard, as well as some unique things that are relatively rare among the fleet. For example, there's the Skyy Ice Bar, the complimentary Shanghai Asian restaurant, a large Spice H20 venue, and more! 

However, now that I have spent 12 nights onboard, I can understand some of the critiques for this ship. While Norwegian Epic is one of the largest ships in the fleet, the indoor spaces onboard can feel rather small. 

Much of decks 6 and 7 are taken up by the casino and onboard shopping, and while these amenities can be great, it made the other indoor venues feel rather cramped. 

Because this was a long Transatlantic sailing with almost no stops, I assumed that the ship would not be at full capacity. However, I was very wrong! From the moment I entered the cruise ship terminal, I was shocked at just how many people there were boarding. We were later told by the captain that there were about 3,700 guests onboard. 

Every single entertainment show and restaurant seemed to be full and very busy throughout the cruise. If you wished to get a good seat at one of the shows, you had to arrive at the theater or venue at least 20 minutes early. For several of the shows in the Epic Theater, I even had to stand in the back because there were no seats available. I encountered a similar experience at the Headliners Comedy Club as well. 

Similarly, all of the complimentary restaurants often had lengthy wait times, especially at peak dining times. Several times, there was an over-hour wait at Shanghai and the Manhattan Dining Room. Additionally, almost all of the lounges and bars onboard were very crowded each night, and it was sometimes difficult to find a place to sit.

At the start of the sailing, it was rather difficult to find a nice place to relax and simply enjoy reading a book. There seems to be less comfortable lounge and hangout spots onboard Norwegian Epic than on some of the other vessels in the fleet. 

However, after fully exploring the ship I did find a bit of a secret hangout location! La Cocina, one of the specialty restaurants, is open to guests for breakfast and lunch who are dining at the buffet for additional seating, as the buffet area can get rather crowded. I found this area to be quite relaxing with comfortable leather chairs, beautiful ocean views, soft piano music, and even a nearby coffee and tea dispenser. 

Similarly, there are not many outdoor lounge spaces apart from the main pool deck. For example, guests will not find any Oceanwalk or Waterfront venues that can be found on the Breakaway Plus and Prima Class ships.  

I did enjoy the presence of a selection of entertainment onboard. From the variety acts and live music in several venues to "Burn The Floor," there was always some form of main entertainment every evening for guests to enjoy. 

Most of the entertainment also had two show times to accommodate guests’ dinner meals. The show times were about 7:00pm and 9:00pm each evening. 

Unfortunately, the ship encountered some technical difficulties during my sailing. Asa. result, we missed one of our scheduled ports of call and didn't get to visit Gibraltar.

While Norwegian Cruise Line did do all that they could to remedy the issue, this still came as a major disappointment to many of the guests onboard. We did end up having extra time in Alicante, Spain, the second scheduled port, and this ended up being a lovely port destination! 

As with any cruise ship, there were things I enjoyed and things I discovered that I like more about other Norwegian vessels. Overall, though, Norwegian Epic is a charming ship that guests are sure to enjoy, as it features many classic NCL amenities. 

Read: I've been on NCL's oldest and newest ships, these are the top 10 things to know 

I always believe that a cruise experience is exactly what you make it! 

No matter what ship you're on, there is almost always something onboard for passengers to enjoy. For this reason, I tend to lean more towards positivity when looking at Norwegian Epic. 

While this ship is different in much of its design and layout, I do believe that there are some key things onboard that can make for a great cruise vacation. If you find an amazing itinerary onboard Norwegian Epic, don't be afraid to give this unique ship a chance. You may end up being surprised by how much you enjoy it!