After spending 12 nights onboard Norwegian Epic sailing from Florida to Italy, I was able to explore every nook and cranny of the ship.
The Norwegian Epic is one of its kind, and I was interested to see how this unique ship compares to others that I've been on. Because I was able to take a lengthy voyage onboard, I had plenty of time to pick out some things I liked and some things I disliked about the Norwegian Epic.
Come along with me as I dive deep into what Norwegian Epic has onboard, and my personal opinions on what this one-of-a-kind ship has to offer.
#1 - Liked the complimentary food options
There are seven complimentary dining locations onboard Norwegian Epic, not including room service. While room service is included, it does incur a service charge for delivery which amounts to $9.95 USD.
The seven complimentary dining venues onboard the Norwegian Epic include O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, the Garden Cafe buffet, Shanghai’s Chinese Restaurant and Noodle Bar, Spice H20, Taste, The Great Outdoors, and The Manhattan Room. Whenever you're dining at one of these venues, you're free to order as much as you'd like.
Additionally, all of these locations are open for dinner. When it comes to breakfast and lunch, you'll want to check the Freestyle Daily for operating times. Guests can visit the Garden Cafe, The Great Outdoors, O’Sheehan’s, and Taste for breakfast. The Garden Cafe, The Great Outdoors, O’Sheehan’s, Spice H2O, and Taste Dining Room are open for lunch.
Seven complimentary dining locations onboard is a major advantage to cruising onboard Norwegian Epic, as it ensures that guests have plenty of options to choose from. Some of their newest ships don't have as many included restaurants, so this is definitely pro.
Since my cruise was 12 nights, the plethora of options made sure that I never got bored with the options. During my time onboard, I was able to test out each complimentary dining location multiple times. As with any cruise ship, there will be things that some guests enjoy and others dislike. Perhaps my favorite venue was Shanghai, as I particularly enjoyed the Asian cuisine featured here.
#2 - Disliked long embarkation lines
For my 12-night Transatlantic voyage, I boarded Norwegian Epic in Port Canaveral, Florida. For this sailing, the ship was docked at Terminal 3.
Boarding started at 12:00pm and lasted until about 2:30pm. I arrived at the port at 12:30pm and was truly surprised to be greeted with a large line that stretched outside the building and created winding serpentines of awaiting guests.
Before this cruise, I was a Gold Latitudes rewards member and therefore did not have priority embarkation. Because of this, those without priority embarkation status waited upwards of an hour and a half just to get inside the terminal to check-in. This was by far the longest I have ever waited to check in for a Norwegian cruise.
Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line Check-In Process
Some guests around me were complaining that it was a rather unfortunate way to begin the voyage. To avoid lines, I recommend arriving at the port as soon as boarding begins, or perhaps even earlier.
Read more: 6 things that surprised me about NCL after trying 6 cruises
#3 - Liked Howl At The Moon's dueling piano show
Norwegian Epic has a great live music show called Howl At The Moon. This lively dueling piano show features multiple talented singers and musicians who entice guests and spectators to sing their hearts out all night long.
Onboard Norwegian Epic, passengers could request songs and enjoy the dueling piano performances between the hours of 9:00pm to 1:00am on select nights.
Dueling piano shows are an interactive type of live music performance, and Howl At The Mood is a great example of this. Additionally, I highly recommend checking out the Headliners Comedy Club located on Deck 6 for a fun and exciting live music show.
Read more: How the Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss ships compare
#4 - Disliked the dark design
Something that I was very surprised to discover was how different NCL Epic's design, layout, and aesthetics are from the rest of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.
Something that I knew before this sailing is that Norwegian Epic often receives harsh reviews from critics. Some even claim that the Norwegian Epic is the worst-rated ship in the fleet! Prior to boarding, I could not understand this negative stereotype about this ship, as there seemed to be many classic NCL features onboard.
Upon first exploring the ship, I can now somewhat see why guests give this ship a lower rating than many other ships in the fleet. Something that I noticed right away is that Norwegian Epic features a much different aesthetic than the newer ships in the fleet. Darker colors and designs are featured throughout, and it makes the ship feel quite different than the brighter aesthetic of the newer Prima Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships.
The inside of the ship can feel dark and cramped according to some of my fellow passengers. However, as with anything, cruising is what you make it! While some guests may not like Norwegian Epic as much as other ships in the Norwegian fleet, Norwegian Epic may be someone else's favorite ship!
#5 - Liked the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar
On my very first NCL cruise onboard Norwegian Getaway, I was able to visit the Skyy Ice Bar; it was a really fun experience! When I began researching Norwegian Epic, I was excited to see that there was another one onboard!
The Ice Bar on Norwegian Epic essentially functions the same as the one onboard Norwegian Getaway: guests pay a cover charge to enter which includes two Skyy Vodka-based drinks. They're also loaned a warm poncho and gloves for the duration of their visit.
The Ice Bar onboard Norwegian Epic is just a tad smaller than the Ice Bar onboard the Getaway, but it is still an awesome and unique experience. I enjoy visiting this bar when it is offered onboard any ship, and I recommend that those sailing onboard NCL Epic add it as a must-see!
Read more: I spent $20 at NCL’s Ice Bar, and it was the best-kept secret onboard the Norwegian Epic
#6 - Disliked the valuable space taken up by onboard retailers
As with any cruise ship, the things onboard that someone may like or dislike all come down to personal preferences and taste. I, for, one appreciate a small souvenir shop that features Norwegian Cruise Line and itinerary-branded merchandise. However, I personally am not always a fan of the large luxury shops that sell designer handbags and perfume.
Usually, the luxury shops onboard tend to be more empty than not. While I acknowledge that some enjoy browsing the luxury and duty-free shops, I typically see that the Norwegian Cruise Line store tends to be more popular with a wider array of passengers.
For this reason, I think that less luxury shopping onboard and more space for unique activities and amenities onboard would appeal to a larger amount of passengers onboard.
Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line dress code, what to wear on a cruise
#7 - Liked Spice H2O
Spice H2O onboard Norwegian Epic is one of the largest I have seen so far!
Spice H2O is typically a complimentary adults-only venue that features a bar, hot tubs, and lounge chairs. It's a classic Norwegian Cruise Line venue and can be found on many of the ships in the fleet. On the Norwegian Epic, there is even a small food area for snacks and lunch food during the day.
A great feature of Spice H2O is the presence of a small pool in addition to two hot tubs. Most of the Spice H2O venues onboard other ships have just hot tubs; This sets Norwegian Epic's Spice H2O apart even further.
On my particular sailing, we departed from Florida on April 7th, 2024, and there happened to be a rocket launch that same evening! We got to see the rocket launch as we sailed away from the coast of Florida and out towards the Atlantic Ocean during sunset. This made for an unforgettable cruise memory that I will always remember!
#8 - Disliked how crowded the ship felt
My sailing onboard Norwegian Epic was a Transatlantic voyage from Florida to Rome. This was a 12-night sailing in the middle of April, and for these reasons, I had the assumption that Norwegian Epic would not be sailing at full capacity. After all, there are not many people who would typically choose a 12-night cruise with only two port stops and 9 days at sea. However, my assumptions were quite wrong!
I boarded the ship to find out that it was nearly at full capacity! This was my first time on a Transatlantic or repositioning cruise, and I was surprised to see how busy the ship felt.
However, I have cruised on other Norwegian Cruise Line ships that were sailed at full capacity and felt less crowded than Norwegian Epic. Each night of my sailing, it seemed that guests struggled to find an empty seat or chair at any of the entertainment shows.
From the main theater shows to the Dueling Piano performances and comedy acts, it was consistently a struggle to find an open seat unless I arrived at least 20 minutes before the show began.
A crowded ship can be a pro for some guests and a con for others. While the ship did feel very busy compared to other Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, it also created a fun environment onboard, and guests were very happy to socialize and make friends with fellow travelers.
Read: I have been on NCL’s newest and oldest ships, and these are my top tips
#9 - Liked the studio staterooms
I stayed in one of Norwegian's infamous Studio Staterooms designed especially for solo travelers. These rooms are quite unique and come with their own special features and amenities. This was my time staying in a studio, with my first being onboard Norwegian Encore.
These rooms are part of NCL’s initiative to cater more to solo travelers and create a whole new category of solo cabins and amenities. I appreciate this, as I personally think that cruising is one of the best ways to travel by yourself and see the world!
In late 2023, Norwegian announced their intentions of bringing the solo cruiser experience to every ship in their fleet. This makes NCL one of the leading lines in the industry for those guests looking to take a cruise and travel the world solo.
With these new solo staterooms, Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded the solo stateroom offerings from just the Studio Staterooms to Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview, and Solo Balcony. As of January 2024, these new rooms have been debuting on a rolling basis.
Availability of these rooms depends on the demand of itinerary and voyage, and solo travelers can expect to pay less than a double occupancy room, which is a great feature that is not always offered on other cruise lines.
#10 - Disliked the creaking stateroom and rocking ship
My Transatlantic cruise onboard NCL Epic marked my first experience sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. It was different than all my other cruise experiences in several ways.
The most notable difference is that this cruise had the most amount of days at sea. For some, spending 9 days at sea might sound like the ultimate way to relax and unwind, while others may think it sounds a bit frightening. Cruising preferences are all up to the individual after all!
Something that I quickly noticed on my first full day onboard as we sailed across the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe was just how turbulent the seas can be. Most of my cruise experiences have been in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, and these calm waters have nothing on the Atlantic Ocean.
Additionally, Norwegian Epic was originally built in 2010. While this is not too old for a cruise ship, it does mean that the ship is beginning to show its age in certain ways. My biggest dislike in this department was the creakiness of my Studio Stateroom.
Each night of the cruise, my cabin was quite creaky with the sounds of the ship moving up and down as it traversed the waves. This was something I eventually learned to get used to and was not a hindrance to my sailing!
By my final sea day, I really came to love the peaceful days at sea. I would definitely recommend a Transatlantic cruise and would do one again myself in the future!
#11 - Liked how NCL Epic is a good ship for multi-generational vacations
Something I quickly noticed is that this ship seems like a good choice for guests looking for a multi-generational family cruise.
From the kids' clubs to swim and water play areas, water slides, great entertainment, unique amenities, and interesting dining, there is something onboard for everyone. From guests 5 years of age to 95, there is something for the whole family to explore and enjoy onboard Norwegian Epic.
I appreciate the presence of some new and unique onboard activities, such as the rock climbing wall, the giant chess board, and the three different waterslides. All of these activities make for great sea day memories with family. Passengers can find these amenities on the upper decks of the ship.
On my Transatlantic sailing, I noticed that there were quite a few children onboard, fewer perhaps than on a Caribbean cruise, but still a fair amount of young passengers. The average age onboard my particular sailing seemed to be about 40 years or so of age.
#12 - Disliked the long waits
I've taken eight NCL sailing, including my voyage onboard Norwegian Epic. During my time onboard, I experienced the most lines, crowd congestion, and longer waits than I have onboard any other ship.
At first, this seemed surprising, as the Norwegian Epic is not a small ship. After all, it accommodates up to 4,100 guests and is among the largest in the fleet. NCL Epic is even bigger than the newest ships in the fleet, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva! Both the ships in the Prima Class can only accommodate up to 3,099 guests at full capacity.
However, after getting to fully know the Norwegian Epic throughout my 12-night cruise, it became apparent that this ship has a different overall design than many of the other ships. This could be why there is only one ship in the Epic Class.
Nearly every night, I encountered long lines for peak meal times. This is something I have not experienced before onboard other ships. For this reason, I highly recommend making reservations even for the complimentary restaurants onboard.
Additionally, all of the shows and entertainment onboard seemed to attract long lines and big crowds. Nearly every show in the main theater was full, so I recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to get a seat, and perhaps 20 or 30 minutes early to grab a seat of your choice.
While the lines and busy public areas can be annoying at times, knowing about them ahead of time can help plan your vacation onboard Norwegian Epic! With proper planning, these issues will not affect your sailing.
#13 - Liked the friendly and helpful crew members
Norwegian Epic has some of the most friendly, happy, and helpful crew members that I have experienced.
Every crew member I came in contact with was very nice and more than accommodating. Each morning, I was greeted by my friendly cabin steward, and each server in the dining room was always happy and talkative.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s crew members work exceptionally hard, and their great service is always appreciated! Make sure to thank your stateroom steward, servers, and other crew members you come in contact with on your next cruise. Being kind always goes a long way!
#14 - Disliked the canceled port of call
This may not necessarily be a dislike, but something to note about Norwegian Epic is that it's an older ship and can experience technical issues occasionally.
For this 12-night Transatlantic sailing, the ship was originally scheduled to dock at two ports of call before ultimately ending in Rome, Italy. The two ports were scheduled to be at Gibraltar and Alicante, Spain.
Unfortunately, the day we were scheduled to arrive in Gibraltar, the Captain of the ship spoke over the ship’s intercom system, and informed everyone onboard that we would not be docking in Gibraltar.
During the announcement, we were told that during the last 48 hours, the ship had been experiencing major electrical issues, resulting in a slower speed. We wouldn't be able to reach Gibraltar on time.
For this reason, our visit was canceled. This was a disappointment to everyone onboard, as this itinerary only had two port stops to begin with. However, with cruising these kinds of things can happen.
Cruise lines do their best to avoid guests’ disappointment, but safety is always the top priority. While this incident is not a reflection of the ship itself, it is something to be conscious of. Port cancelations can happen at any time, for any reason. When guests book a cruise, they sign an agreement acknowledging that the schedule can be changed for issues such as maintenance, safety, and weather.
#15 - Liked "Burn the Floor" theater show
Norwegian Epic features onboard one of my favorite theater shows, Burn The Floor. This engaging performance is entertaining to everyone and features some exceedingly talented ballroom dancers and vocalists. The cast shows off their best ballroom dance moves, including waltzers to the Tango and Rumba.
During our 12-night sailing, Burn The Floor was performed a total of four times, giving guests several different opportunities to catch the show. I highly recommend seeing it at least once during your cruise! It will undoubtedly be one of your favorite things about the entertainment onboard Norwegian Epic.
Though Norwegian Epic is an interesting ship, there are some great amenities, entertainment, and dining options onboard
Those who have sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line before will notice these differences fairly quickly. However, I would sail onboard again! With the right mindset, overall I would say that there are more things to like about Norwegian Epic than dislike.
While the critics may dislike the ship, I believe that anyone can have a great cruise if they're in the right mindset! Onboard, guests will find tons to explore, so with an open mind I think anyone can have a fun cruise on Norwegian Epic!
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
