CHECKING IN

Leaving Miami

Checking in and boarding was easy and very well organized. As always at the entrance the passengers were greeted by the crew, and, what I found kind of funny, the girl with a bottle of sanitizing solution trying to spray every incoming passenger. Since both of my hands were busy I stepped on board the Norwegian Epic totally non sanitized and got lost immediately. Do you know that first feeling of being on the ship? Love it! It’s like a new city to explore.

I really appreciated a possibility of leaving the hand luggage I had with me, so I was free to wander around the ship. First impression – it’s a spectacular ship with a very beautiful interior, offering so many fun and exciting things onboard that I am not sure the week is enough to try them all.

CRUISE FUN

Sailaway party is always fun! I love that spirit of the people – getting ready for the vacation, getting relaxed and worry free. Norwegian Epic’s sailaway party was great – nice music, energetic entertainment stuff. It looks like they were surprised themselves by the crowd participation! Dancing competition, conga line, line dancing – party was going on!

CRUISE GRIN

Don’t even try to hop from the ship to the ship in Miami by walking from one terminal to another! Walking a mile with the luggage seems fine at first, but there isn’t always pedestrian walk available between terminals, and the distance is actually much greater than it seems.

As “an independent cruiser” (that’s my new preferred new name for a single or solo), I was really glad to see Single cruisers greeting, yet how disappointment I was to find that Living room is actually an exclusive part of Epic’s Studio area and I won’t be able to participate in the gathering. I think, it should be specified in the Daily activities sheet when the activity is exclusive.

INTERESTING FACT

Norwegian Epic has 20 nightclubs, bars and lounges all together – plenty for someone who enjoy having fun on the seas!

CRUISE TIP

Go to Trivia game and get the activity card. Get to particular activities throughout the day, get your card signed by the stuff member and if you will gather enough signatures they in the end of the cruise you will get a prize.

DINING

I was dining at Manhattan Room – and since it was my first meal onboard, first impressions are quite mixed. Having a live music in the restaurant is nice, and having a little dancing floor is a great idea. And some couples enjoyed the possibility to slow dance under Sinatra tunes.
Menu itself was slightly disappointing – I used seeing special notes next to dish specifying healthy or vegetarian options. Norwegian epic has the right side of the menu for classic dishes, while left is daily specials.
I ordered creme of broccoli, garden salad, buffalo mozzarella appetizer and Grilled swordfish – everything from my order was very nicely done. I was pleasantly surprised by tenderness of swordfish that was complimented by tomato relish. Risotto was great as well.
I should say those who ordered French onion soup were disappointed – no wonder, even look of the soup wasn’t appealing at all, so my choice of creme of broccoli soup was the right one.
I also looked at desert menu – everything looked delicious, yet I preferred to skip my sweet treat at the dinner, although Baked apple in pastry looked so tempting!

Later at night I went up to the Garden cafe for some fruit and found it closed! It was 11.20 pm – I was explained that buffet is open till 9.30 pm and I can find some snacks outside. Well, that is a great way to encourage the people to go to specialty restaurants! There was pineapple and cantaloupe, and the line cook was very kind to bring some apples for me. Obviously from now on I will plan my meals better…

AT THE END OF THE DAY

First day is always hectic,  especially when changing cruises: memory of the previous cruise is still fresh and there is a natural  wish to compare.   I missed Celebrity Eclipse relaxing elegance, yet I already enjoy fun energy of Norwegian Epic.