NCL Epic Launch
Due to a technical problem there was a bit of a fiasco at embarkation on the first day but this was soon forgotten once I got onboard - time for a quick freshen-up, then dinner. And what a delight that turned out to be. There are so many choices - Shanghai's, Teppenyaki, Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Wasabi.... 20 different dining options, I headed straight for the Moderno Churrascaria. This is a great way to spend an evening. You are given a card when you sit down which is green on one side and red on the other. Waiters come round with different meats on skewers and if they can see a green card they stop at your table. When you've had enough, just turn the card over to red. Shame I didn't leave enough room for dessert!
After dinner I went to see Blue Man Group performing in the Epic Theatre - a really entertaining combination of music, comedy and multimedia theatrics. You have to keep watching their faces for the comedy, as they don't speak. Very subtle and very clever.
All the waiting around at embarkation had left me in serious need of a massage, so after inspecting several different cabins that were open for viewing, I headed up to the spa where I was kneaded and pummelled back to life, the aches and pains chased away, leaving me ready for anything.... well a spot of lunch and a glass of wine!
Epic offers an abundance of activities for all ages. The Recess childrens clubs and Entourage for teens looked amazing as did the waterslides in the waterpark! With ten-pin bowling, rock climbing walls, Nickelodeon at Sea and a fabulous sports complex, you can stay as active as you like.
All the cabins are beautifully designed with a wave theme. The bathroom facilities in the cabins are different to anything I've experienced before but the jury's still out on whether I like them! However, they do seem to make the cabins feel more spacious and that can only be a good thing.
The highlight of the cruise for me was Cirque Dreams and Dinner in the Spiegel Tent. It is quite an intimate restaurant and the entertainment was phenomenal. The performers gave us an outstanding display of acrobatics both on the floor and above our heads! And such fit men! I'll never laugh at men in Lycra again!
Where to after dinner? Fat Cats, Headliners, Howl at the Moon, Svedka Ice Bar, Spice H2O, bars too numerous to mention, or the Casino?
Epic by name and epic by nature. I'm not the biggest fan of enormous ships but I think NCL have got it right. When you've been in the travel business as long as I have, it is hard to be impressed - I was bowled over and that takes some doing!
Singles, couples, families, party-animals, active, idle, in need of some serious pampering - if any of these sound like you, please get in touch and I'll help turn your dreams into reality.