We were looking to go to Barcelona without flying there. Our goal was to spend some time in Europe when we got there, then board a ship from a different line to get back to the US. NCL used to be our favorite line. We hoped that our experience in Hawaii with them last year where the food and service was non existent, was an anomaly. Unfortunately, it was not.

They don't have enough staff to sneeze at and while most try to at least be nice to you, all have their hands out for tips. Why? Even though we paid gratuities in advance, they will tell you they get none of that. Instead, that's their compensation.

Our stateroom on the Epic was awful. They have some sort of wavy design, so the room is much smaller than it should be. The beds have this same weird oblong design and if you are over 5"10, your feel will hang off the bed. If you are 5'5" like me and you move from the center of the bed, your feet will hang off the bed. The lighting is horrible. My husband had to hope for a sunny day and take a mirror outside to shave. You weren't reading in there unless you had a back lit kindle. The bright spot in the room...the balcony. Loved the sliding door! Read more