We booked this cruise based on the itinerary. We were particularly keen to visit Curacao, which offered a whole day on the island. Alas, things changed. We were scheduled to arrive in Curacao at 6AM (you read that right) and depart at 1230PM. One port was excised all together. No believable explanation was ever extended. We were, in a word, miffed. We resolved to make the best of it.

Multiple reviewers have used the "Good, the bad and the ugly" structural method. It is appealing, save for the done-to-death feel. I wanted to shift the focus - "The steaks were tough as Sister Sara's Mules." Maybe "Norwegian will show you a good time...for A Fistful of Dollars." "Once Upon a Time in the West...ern Caribbean." Nah. That's too much work for what was a fabulous cruise. We took the Southern route, anyway.

Norwegian Epic is a big, clean ship that looks a little odd. The "Haven" spaces is plopped just above the bridge in a blockhouse-style architecture. It does funky things to the ship's lines. No matter, we weren't aboard because it was pretty. The ship itself is easy to navigate, logically put together, except... Some ships are built around a promenade deck. Epic seemed built around the casino, which emanated cigarette smoke two decks above it. Read more