AND the award for the most closet space in a cruise line cabin goes to . . . NCL’s just-launched 4,100-passenger, 19-deck, $1.1 billion Epic. Seriously, these cabins have more storage than the average pre-war Manhattan apartment, a far cry from our digs on Cunard’s Queen Victoria, which didn’t have a single drawer. So if you’re a heavy packer, this is the ship for you.
But it’s also the ship of choice if you like to keep up your exercise routine or love spas, thanks to the largest and best fitness center/spa at sea (the gym, with its wide range of serious equipment and free weights, rivals many standalone facilities on land). Other awards: the best and most diverse entertainment at sea and the most dining options — there are 20 of them.
Staterooms for everyone
The décor throughout the ship is, thankfully, understated — no in-your-face purple neon and garish pinks and oranges, and that goes for the “New Wave” balcony staterooms which, although a bit on the narrow side (maybe it’s all those closets?), are unlike anything we’ve seen before. In addition to the massive storage space, the walls are literally curved and make heavy use of wood-grained laminate, reminding us of ships of yore. One thing to note: the cabin’s toilet, sink and shower or shower/tubs have been separated, a design with pluses (while your cabin mate is showering, you can powder your nose) and minuses (the sliding frosted glass doors are less private, and, if it matters, less sound proof). We heard some grumblings about this arrangement, but by the second day at sea understood its advantages. Other things we liked: comfortably firm beds, large and plush towels, coffee makers, and large LCD TVs. We do hope they’ll add reclining lounges to the balconies, however.
And cabin for one
And speaking of cabins, we haven’t seen this since the S.S. France and original Queen Mary offered them for the servants: single occupancy inside cabins, here called “studios.” Yes, you can now sail by yourself and avoid the dreaded single occupancy supplement. At around 100 square feet, these double-bedded accommodations redefine “cozy,” but they’re well designed, with one-way windows that let you see into the corridor but prevent snoopers from peering inside. They also come with a cute lounge area where you can mingle with your fellow solo voyagers. We tested prices on Expedia.com and were indeed able to book a single cabin for exactly half the price of an inside double on many sailings. (Judging from our test booking, these 128 cocoons are selling quickly, which is hardly surprising when you consider there’s nothing else like them at sea; however, if you are traveling as a couple, we noted that on some sailings we could upgrade to an outside cabin with a private balcony for $4 less per person, double occupancy.)
At the other end of the scale, the ship’s deluxe “Villa” complex, a ship within a ship, has its own gym, restaurant, lounges, decks, pool area and nightclub, along with over-the-top cabins that seagoing high rollers will love. So you can enjoy a small-ship experience when you want it, but still mix with the common folk and avail yourself of the facilities of a modern mega-cruiser.
Let NCL entertain you
Normally, we skip most onboard entertainment. After all, if we want to see a Broadway rehash, we’ll go to Broadway. But the Epic offers the Blue Man Group, whose performance was the most fun we’ve had in a shipboard theater. More good times: a “Cirque Dreams and Dinner” (acrobats served up with a set, three-course meal in a space small enough that you can almost touch the performers); Legends in Concert (the long-running tribute show); a branch of The Second City for improv fans; first-rate jazz in the Fat Cats lounge and other performers.
Outside, there’s a huge pool area with a fun Aqua Park and three water slides (yes, we squealed like a five-year-old kid), and for real adults, Spice H20, an outdoor nightclub with a massive video screen. There’s also an enormous casino, a bowling alley, a huge kids/teens complex, a Svedka Ice Bar (warm clothing provided) and over a dozen other bars and lounges. We did miss, however, a “promenade deck” on board, since we love to circumnavigate a ship all on one deck after our evening meal or for outdoor jogging. In any event, you will not be bored, even if you never leave the vessel.
Restaurant under new management
Nor will you starve. A cruise passenger marches on his or her stomach, and if you’ve sailed on NCL before and thought the food less than stellar, you should give them another try. The line’s new owners have dealt with the situation, and clearly spent millions enhancing the cuisine, if the Epic is any indication. In particular, the selection and food quality in the ship’s Garden Café (the indoor buffet) is the best we’ve experienced in this price range (you’d have to sail on ultra-luxe Seabourn or Crystal to get anything better in the self-serve department). And of course, NCL Freestyle cruising is famous for its specialty restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian, Steak, Brazilian, etc.) where the food has also made a great leap forward. We also loved the classy 600-seat Manhattan Room, one of the ship’s main dining rooms, with its supper club vibe and tables for two by the windows.
Thanks for checking
We’ve had some pretty bad service on cruise ships, as in “waiter, we know you’re busy, but could you come back at least once during the cruise and ask how we liked our cold French fries?” But here, attitudes and efficiency in the cabins, bars, lounges, spa, shops and restaurants were up to our standard (yes, our waiters did come back and ask, and hot food was served hot).
Info: The Epic sails 7-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries round-trip from Miami calling at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau, while the 7-night Western Caribbean voyages calls at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel. We found inside cabins starting around $650, double occupancy, plus tax, for sailings this fall and winter (
Cruisesonly.com
,
Orbitz.com
,
Travelocity.com
, and others) and studio staterooms beginning at $1,049, single occupancy. Your travel agent may be able to find substantial discounts based on your past cruising profile, memberships and state of residence.