I did the same cruise in July. Like you I did find the ship a bit disjointed. I travelled solo and was in a studio cabin. I have to say that I actually like the studio cabin. Some may think they are a little too small, but I was happy. I paid £1300 including flights. I also paid extra for the premium beverage plus package. The fact that it included a decent bottle of wine or Moët with dinner made it worth the extra money and that’s before the champers by the glass. I’m on the Gem in October 2024 for Canada & New England out of Boston- must say I’m looking forward to it immensely.
Thanks Philip. In many ways, if you're spending a lot of time in your cabin, you're doing it wrong!!! I'm looking at a Canada cruise too, albeit on one of their newer ships with the dedicated solo cabin in the dedicated solo traveller section of the ship... Stay tuned!
We were on the Epic last fall about this time. In a nutshell? Hated the ship. Had just disembarked off the Sun which was wonderful. A week later got on this and despised everything. The bathroom arrangement in the balcony cabins is a joke. The whole layout of the boat is bizarre and not relaxing. The food was bad in every restaurant we tried - what was supposed to be hot was consistently cold, and it was just never good, anywhere. Entertainment felt like an afterthought. The service though? It was, hands down, the worst of any cruise we have been on in the past 30 years. I wouldn't get back on this ship if they paid ME 10x the cruise fare to sail it.
The ship's excursions are always easiest, although they can be expensive. Viator is a good place to look for excursions - previous reviews can be helpful. But any guide or tour operator that's been doing it for a while is likely to be reliable and will know to get you back to the ship in good time!
Can I ask what the weather was like in the med in November? Currently in a dilemma between World Europa in the Mediterranean and Azura in the Canaries this winter!! Thank you
This cruise was September - November should be tolerable in both the Med and the Canaries - cool in the evenings but either option would bring the risk of rain and cold temperatures during the day. If you want hot weather in November then Dubai or the Caribbean are the better options.... A bigger factor for me would be the ship (World Europa huge, new and shiny) versus the Axura (smaller, old and a lot less shiny) and the cruise line - MSC versus P&O. Plenty of videos on the channel about both with more coming tonight!
Bit slow to reply but its not 2024 yet!!! A day or two in Rome before boarding and a day or two in Athens on disembarking would be great if you have the time - they're both tricky places to see on a cruise stop as they're a bit of a distance from the ports and are both major cities with lots to see.... Otherwise, have a great time!
I love the movie Priscilla queen of the dessert, I’ve never seen any of the stage shows but given I’m in my 50’s. Priscilla reminds me of my younger days. Unfortunately not all countries have progressed with Lgbgt rights etc
Thanks mate - I really dithered over this section of the video and I'm pleased you commented... You are of course completely correct that a lot more needs to be done - Qatar anyone??? - but I'd really love to know whether the LGBT+ community still embraces Priscilla as a stage show... The film was ground breaking but things have moved on in the 28 years since (I think I said 26 in the video...) When dithering about how to make this point, I saw a few articles about how all of the actors were straight in the movie and how few gay actors there were back then, and how none of them wanted to be in the film!!!
I know recently that several of my friends have been to the show as it traveled around the uk, but we’re all in our 50’s. You just need to look at shows like “it’s a sin” and their success to see how times are changing. I am a little surprised that the show was on a cruise, I’m not sure the ping pong ball scene is appropriate for some audiences 😂 even now.
Another good review Matt - although I think you've just reconfirmed to me that Norwegian are probably not the line for me. I don't really like cruises where passengers are embarking and disembarking at various ports (MSC seem to be the masters at doing this!). I can also see why sister ships to the Epic were never made, as to my eyes only does it look poorly designed inside, I think it easily takes the prize for the ugliest cruise ship afloat externally as well!
Hi Tony - thanks. The freestyle thing is quite appealing - looking to do another cruise on a very modern ship to try and get a view without odd design features. I didn't say it in the video as I read it on Wikipedia so it may not be true, but a private equity firm invested when the Epic was being built and insisted on that 4 deck haven block being bolted on the front of the ship. It was added after the ship was designed which is why it looks so odd... OK, odd and ugly! And allegedly why the shipyard refused to work with Norwegian again!
I think the things I point out in this video prevented the cruise from being Epic (ha ha) but it was still very good... I knew the ship was odd before boarding so wasn't exactly surprised by anything - except perhaps the main theatre offering... Thanks for the comment
I will be cruising on this ship in 3 days! Thank you for the video!
You are very welcome... Have a great time!
I did the same cruise in July. Like you I did find the ship a bit disjointed. I travelled solo and was in a studio cabin. I have to say that I actually like the studio cabin. Some may think they are a little too small, but I was happy. I paid £1300 including flights. I also paid extra for the premium beverage plus package. The fact that it included a decent bottle of wine or Moët with dinner made it worth the extra money and that’s before the champers by the glass. I’m on the Gem in October 2024 for Canada & New England out of Boston- must say I’m looking forward to it immensely.
Thanks Philip. In many ways, if you're spending a lot of time in your cabin, you're doing it wrong!!! I'm looking at a Canada cruise too, albeit on one of their newer ships with the dedicated solo cabin in the dedicated solo traveller section of the ship... Stay tuned!
We were on the Epic last fall about this time. In a nutshell? Hated the ship. Had just disembarked off the Sun which was wonderful. A week later got on this and despised everything. The bathroom arrangement in the balcony cabins is a joke. The whole layout of the boat is bizarre and not relaxing. The food was bad in every restaurant we tried - what was supposed to be hot was consistently cold, and it was just never good, anywhere. Entertainment felt like an afterthought. The service though? It was, hands down, the worst of any cruise we have been on in the past 30 years. I wouldn't get back on this ship if they paid ME 10x the cruise fare to sail it.
Thanks - although I'm sorry to hear this... It is a polarising ship for sure but they should be on top of the service....
I know you said reservations aren’t required in dining rooms, but CAN you make a dinner reservation for the dining rooms?
I believe you can...
Thanks
Thank you!
We are going to Venice after the cruise who is best for excursion
The ship's excursions are always easiest, although they can be expensive. Viator is a good place to look for excursions - previous reviews can be helpful. But any guide or tour operator that's been doing it for a while is likely to be reliable and will know to get you back to the ship in good time!
Can I ask what the weather was like in the med in November? Currently in a dilemma between World Europa in the Mediterranean and Azura in the Canaries this winter!! Thank you
This cruise was September - November should be tolerable in both the Med and the Canaries - cool in the evenings but either option would bring the risk of rain and cold temperatures during the day. If you want hot weather in November then Dubai or the Caribbean are the better options.... A bigger factor for me would be the ship (World Europa huge, new and shiny) versus the Axura (smaller, old and a lot less shiny) and the cruise line - MSC versus P&O. Plenty of videos on the channel about both with more coming tonight!
We are doing Rome to Athens 2024 anything you can tell me would be helpful
Bit slow to reply but its not 2024 yet!!! A day or two in Rome before boarding and a day or two in Athens on disembarking would be great if you have the time - they're both tricky places to see on a cruise stop as they're a bit of a distance from the ports and are both major cities with lots to see.... Otherwise, have a great time!
I love the movie Priscilla queen of the dessert, I’ve never seen any of the stage shows but given I’m in my 50’s. Priscilla reminds me of my younger days. Unfortunately not all countries have progressed with Lgbgt rights etc
Thanks mate - I really dithered over this section of the video and I'm pleased you commented... You are of course completely correct that a lot more needs to be done - Qatar anyone??? - but I'd really love to know whether the LGBT+ community still embraces Priscilla as a stage show... The film was ground breaking but things have moved on in the 28 years since (I think I said 26 in the video...) When dithering about how to make this point, I saw a few articles about how all of the actors were straight in the movie and how few gay actors there were back then, and how none of them wanted to be in the film!!!
I know recently that several of my friends have been to the show as it traveled around the uk, but we’re all in our 50’s. You just need to look at shows like “it’s a sin” and their success to see how times are changing. I am a little surprised that the show was on a cruise, I’m not sure the ping pong ball scene is appropriate for some audiences 😂 even now.
Another good review Matt - although I think you've just reconfirmed to me that Norwegian are probably not the line for me.
I don't really like cruises where passengers are embarking and disembarking at various ports (MSC seem to be the masters at doing this!). I can also see why sister ships to the Epic were never made, as to my eyes only does it look poorly designed inside, I think it easily takes the prize for the ugliest cruise ship afloat externally as well!
Hi Tony - thanks. The freestyle thing is quite appealing - looking to do another cruise on a very modern ship to try and get a view without odd design features. I didn't say it in the video as I read it on Wikipedia so it may not be true, but a private equity firm invested when the Epic was being built and insisted on that 4 deck haven block being bolted on the front of the ship. It was added after the ship was designed which is why it looks so odd... OK, odd and ugly! And allegedly why the shipyard refused to work with Norwegian again!
NCL is among my favorite cruise lines and Epic tough not my favorite is not as bad as you make it out to be. Poor Rant at Best
Thanks! Opinions clearly vary! More people seem to agree than disagree, including the very last comment I read from @tetsuyanagada
Read the reviews....very few are positive about this ship.
Going in November 2023.
I hope you have a great time!
This sounds like it was, generally, quite an unpleasant experience…you seem to remain cheerful, regardless…I would NOT have been as pleased
I think the things I point out in this video prevented the cruise from being Epic (ha ha) but it was still very good... I knew the ship was odd before boarding so wasn't exactly surprised by anything - except perhaps the main theatre offering... Thanks for the comment
Never heard anything good about this ship.
Its got an interesting history for sure
Thanks
Thank you!