Norwegian Epic Review

At the price ok, but oh dear oh dear...

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Norwegian Epic
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AyrshireBacon
10+ Cruises • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Sep 2021
Cabin: Mini-Suite with Balcony

We booked this cruise with open eyes and performed every piece of diligence possible with the information available, but Norwegian managed to 'con' us, and as we learned onboard many other customers.

From the home page online you quickly find the Sail Safe section which clearly states everyone onboard is vaccinated and there are no shore excursion restrictions (correct as of August 2021), but the little asterisk marks tell you otherwise for European cruises. And at the time of booking, there was no mention of being only able to disembark in Italian ports if upon an official shore excursion, it was deep (deep) within the data and has now been updated to make that clearer although still a sub-text, looks lilke the legal team have became aware...

Once our balance had been paid my agent sent me a letter from NCL issued that same day advising of this, she seemed unaware also and was as surprised as we were because we could have booked a different destination if informed. I immediately enquired with NCL as to why we hadn't been told this and to evidence to me what legislation from the Italian Government they were relying upon, nobody and I mean nobody had a clue. Which is strange because this url https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2021/03/02/21A01331/sg was included in the cabin newsletter on at least four days, the Decree was published March 02nd 2021 and it states as follows;

Cabin Review

Mini-Suite with Balcony

Mini-Suite, now a Club Balcony Suite Midship.

Firstly it ain't midship and the access corridor to the rear stairs / lifts is almost directly outside. However it's quiet and actually very convenient to reach H20 as well as the main dining, Cagney's and the Brazilian steak house.

The space between the bed and storage at footer is the tightest I have encountered, it's quite a short bed due to the curved design other than in the middle which is ample for a 5'10" person, at either side it's cold feet city. I absolutely hated the facilities of the toilet and shower having a glass sliding door, you can not quietly 'go' during the evening and the toilet vacuum has to be one of the loudest at sea today. The sink is a 'comedy sink' and you just can not use it without soaking everything, plus there's no mirror nor adequate light to shave by. There are however loads of nooks to store you clothes and other sundries.

Personally speaking, I'd be taking a normal balcony cabin next time because there's next to no difference.

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