Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Epic



Norwegian Epic docked in Nassau, Bahamas
Photo Credit: Nahshon "Cruise Man 3000" Ford

 She has bowling allies, a rock climbing wall, and a full size aqua park. She weighs 153,00 Gross tons, can hold over 4,000 passengers. Only one world can describe a vessel of this magnitude: E-P-I-C!

Issued into service in July of 2010, this new innovative vessel has become the newest attraction to an array of cruisers all over the world. For Norwegian Cruise Line, this is a leap, for they did not even have a cruise ship that ranked in the world's top twenty largest cruise ships, and the Norwegian Epic debuted at number three!

There are twenty dining option offered on board, of which most (not all), require a reservation and a cover charge fee. The food was pretty decent on board, but one can taste that the food was "cooked for the masses." With that said, the food on smaller ships (i.e., Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Spirit) has a better quality. Not saying the food on the Epic was bad at all, but I could taste a slight difference in the quality of the food served on board.

The Norwegian Epic has absolutely the BEST entertainment on any cruise ship from any cruise line in the entire world. The Blue Man Group (R), Comedy Troupe, Second City, Legends in Concert, and many other entertainment acts and shows head line every night on board. They even have Nickelodeon at Sea, and the kids can see some of their favorite cartoon characters, up close and personal.

The Norwegian Epic requires something that the other ships within the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet do not, and that is reservations, and a lot of them. In order to attend any of the fabulous shows that I mentioned above, reservations are needed. Also, for every specialty dining room on board, as well as the super cool 17 degree ice bar, reservations are needed.

If you don't make reservations, then you have to stand in the standby line for the events you wish to partake in, which doesn't guarantee you a seat in the performance that you want to see. On most other ships that I have been on, the entertainment is on a first come first serve basis. Now, all cruise lines that offer specialty dining restaurants do require an additional cover charge, so no surprises there. Let me also add the reservations for the shows do not cost anything, they are free. I just think because of the people traffic on board, they have to this in order to keep things under control (The Ice Bar and Circus require cover charges, those are not free).

Sine the Norwegian Epic is a mega-cruise ship, the passenger capacity is very large. On the entire cruise it was hard to get a chair on the deck, there were multitudes of people all the time, and everywhere on the ship. The crew was one of the best I have ever experienced at sea, and truly made the cruise what it was, a wonderful experience.

The amenities that are on board are truly amazing! This ship comes with a bowling alley (2 of them), a rock climbing wall, a rappelling wall, an open air ice skating rink, basket ball court, spider web obstacle course, and an adult only zone called, Spice H20. The only things that I did not see on board was a golf course or a library. Overall the Norwegian Epic was one of my better cruises sailing in at #4! I give the Norwegian Epic a 4.25 out of 5.00 stars. Be sure to check out this immense innovative vessel, and see the word E-P-I-C redefined!

Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Sky departing from Miami, Florida.

Issued into service in 1999, the Norwegian Sky has been a true crowd pleaser for over a decade now. In 2004, the Norwegian Sky was renovated and transformed into Pride of Aloha. While Pride of Aloha, she operated under NCL America Line, and sailed the Hawaiian Islands all year round. After servicing NCL America for four years, she was transferred back into the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and given her original name back, Norwegian Sky. Upon her return to Norwegian Cruise Line, she has been servicing the Bahamas from Miami alternating three and four night cruises.

Sister to the Norwegian Sun, the Norwegian Sky boast a very vibrant décor and sails with a vivacious and inviting staff and crew. When she returned to the Norwegian cruise Line fleet, she kept the design she acquired when she was Pride of Aloha, so the Hawaiian theme still remains all throughout the vessel (Including the hull work on the exterior of the ship which is a beautifully designed Leigh).

The Norwegian Sky offers ten dining options as well as ten bars and lounges. In addition to that, the Norwegian Sky has five hot tubs (Jacuzzis), two swimming pools, and even a separate children’s pool. Of all the ships that frequent the Bahamas, I rate the Norwegian Sky is the 2nd best, after the Disney Wonder which I rate as the best ship that voyages to the beautiful Bahamas Islands.

Prices on the Norwegian Sky are very reasonable. I have seen the price for a three night voyage, to the Bahamas, on this vessel as low as $109.00 per person (four night cruises have been priced as low as $129.00 per person)!  Yes, that is a definite deal that cannot be beat! Be sure to check out the Norwegian Cruise Line’s website (www.ncl.com) for the latest deals on this vessel.

To date, of the 23 cruises that I have been on, the Norwegian Sky ranks in my top five, as #3! The Disney Wonder ranks #1, and sister to the Norwegian Sky, the Norwegian Sun, ranks #2. The brand new Norwegian Epic ranks #4, and the Carnival Miracle ranks #5. Overall, the Norwegian Sky gets a 4.35 out of 5.00 from me and is one of my all-time favorites hands down. Take a cruise on this beautiful vessel to the Bahamas, and begin to enjoy nothing but sky!