See Here

A full review will follow soon!

[ 06-24-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

To be honest I think the main issue with the Toilet/shower is that it is so radically different. There is a 'curtain' that can be drawn for modesty.

Most of the cabins are 'compact', with a few exceptions at the top grades. All balcony cabins are narrow, but the 'deluxe' are longer, rather than wider.

All of the cabins look so much better in the 'fleash' than in any images.

[ 06-24-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by GregD:

Anyways,
It seems odd in terms of the sanitary-ness of if. For a industry fighting off the attack of the Norovirus, at least the sink would be included in the head area.

---

Yes, it is an issue. I also understand the sink is on the opposite side as the toilet as well as the curtain opening. That means you have to touch quite a few things before reaching the sink, then when you do reach the sink it's barely big enough to wash your hands! LOL

My understanding is the towels are by the sink, so don't forget to take one before getting into the shower or you are out of luck. I believe there are towel hooks attached to the outer wall of the shower enclosure.

People have also complained that the only electrical outlets are under a desk and behind some panel. I know on OASIS they are under the desk and people also complained about that.

It just doesn't seem like rocket science to get some of these smaller details right. Does anyone actually logically think these things through?

I personally like the cabins, but get the details right!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

A full review will follow soon!

---

Stop putzing around Malcolm and lets hear your thoughts? LOL And yes, I want some OASIS comparisons since you have now been on both!

Epic is really a 'Jewel' class on steroids. There are just more choices of food and entertainment.

Epic's decor is more like Celebrity than 'Jewel' class. It is generally upscale and tasteful.

The cabins look so much better in the flesh - in fact they are all the most stylish I have ever seen on a ship. The Villas were closed as they were still being finished!

The water keeps leaving the vanity sink. The spout does not more so if you try to wash your face you head-butt the spout.

I saw every grade of cabin (apart from Villas). They are nearly all 'compact' and mostly narrow.

The Studio's are very cute. The Living room is quite small and does not have an upper lever really. Good job that they halved the capacity (doubles became singles).

I'm not sure how well she will handle 4000+ guests for embarcation, disembarcation and generally onboard.

I'm not sure how good the non-surcharge food is, apart from the buffet which is pretty standard.

The 'Spiegel Tent' is very small and looks nothing like a tent as in the original rendering.

Apart from the Cabins and the dining choices, EPIC is a pretty conventional ship.

The Manhattan room is smaller than the rendering, but attractive. The is a dance floor but it's not as big as I thought. The furniture is flexible so tables can be put on the dance floor. The room is was used lot for meetings Theatre-style layout.

Epic reminded me much more of the'Solstice' class than of 'Oasis'.

The RCI attention to detail in the design (electronic signage, cruise compass on plasmas, gang-way button in elevator) is better on Oasis.

The Lobby is understated but very wide (not tall - just two decks).

The Theatre is small for the size of ship and other entertainment venues are even smaller.

The Casino layout is unseal.

The partial prom deck only has a view of lifeboats - but they do not obstruct any cabin views.

Oasis and Epic are chalk and cheese, but for me 'Oasis' wins.

P.S. Is the prop-shaft fully fixed? We eventually did cruise in ths channel overnight.

[ 06-24-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Interesting you compare EPIC to SOLSTICE. Based on what I have seen of EPIC, The Solstice class looks far more sophisticated and expensive compared to EPIC. I see a lot of "off the rack" seating on EPIC that looks very chain restaurantish to me. The other thing I find when looking at EPIC pictures, is that the ship seems rather dark and closed in. Ceilings look low and I don't see a lot of windows. Perhaps minimal connection to the sea? I found the Solstice Class very open, with high ceilings, light beaming in from above and all around, and plenty of multi-deck spaces including a spacious atrium. Perhaps EPIC is brighter and less closed-in in person?

How do you feel the ship will handle 4200+ passengers? Did it ever feel overly crowded with 2500 onboard? Were the elevators fast (like OASIS) and does there seem to be enough of them? Also, and this is a big one, did NCL seem organized and the crew well trained? When I sailed on pre-inaugural functions on NCL in the past, the organization left a lot to be desire. Basically most of the crew didn't have a clue what was going on, and many (including myself) never had our cabins serviced. Hopefully that is no longer the case.

Finally, you must be gaining clout to get invited to these events!

Ernie

What I meant was that Epic's decor feels more like Solstice (and a bit of QM2 thrown in) than it does Jewel or Oasis. You are right they are not the same! However NCL have gone upscale and less 'Fun ship' decor wise.

How do you feel the ship will handle 4200+ passengers? Did it ever feel overly crowded with 2500 onboard? Were the elevators fast (like OASIS) and does there seem to be enough of them? Also, and this is a big one, did NCL seem organized and the crew well trained?

I'm a bit worried...The ship felt quite crowded at times (2,500), but the the TA's/press were trying to be everywhere and hit the bars en-mass each evening.

Embarcation took an hour of shuffeling along in a queue. Disembarcation was quick for me, but i was one of the last to leave.

Elevators seemed slow compared to Oasis.

The crew seemed to be on the ball.

Finally, you must be gaining clout to get invited to these events!

...and a bit of luck!

I'm sure you will enjoy Epic Ernie, but the renderings and marketing have set the bar very high. She's a perfectly fine big-ship. The spa suites are loverly, but most cabins are quite compact.

(I saw Douglas Ward was onboard)

[ 06-24-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
[QUOTE]

I'm sure you will enjoy Epic Ernie, but the renderings and marketing have set the bar very high. She's a perfectly fine big-ship. The spa sweets are loverly, but most cabins are quite compact.

(Douglas Ward was onboard)

---

Thanks Malcolm. It will be interesting to hear what Mr. Ward has to say. He can be pretty ruthless.

The tone that I get from you Malcolm is that EPIC is a decent ship, but more conventional than you anticipated and perhaps that was a bit of a letdown. There is really nothing innovative about the overall design, so it's the entertainment and dining options along with the 'wave' cabins that make EPIC unique.

I'm sure I will have a good time, but I have to wonder if EPIC will be one of those ships where once is enough? To be honest many ships fall into this category for me. I felt that OASIS might be just because of her size and the amount of passengers, but as it turns out I loved almost everything about her and can't wait to sail on her again.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Below is an image of me on board 'Epic' catching up on some paperwork:

See Here

[ 06-24-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by eroller:
The tone that I get from you Malcolm is that EPIC is a decent ship, but more conventional than you anticipated...

---

Exactly Ernie. After one day the 'innovations' had wore off. However on board Oasis I was still spell-bound at the end of the week.

However if I had never been on a big modern ship, Epic would have blown me away!

I think the key questions are about the how she handles 4000+ passengers and the quality of the non-surcharge dining. (I don't doubt tha much of the surcharge dining will be very good).

We should get some answers from the Trans which I assume will carry nearer the passenger capacity?

[ 06-25-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]