A Solo Cruise on the Complicated Norwegian EPIC

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

Do you have a favorite Norwegian Ship? Have you ever been on the Norwegian EPIC before??

[@JMyers-lg7eq]

For me the Encore and the escape are the 2 ships I liked alot.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@JMyers-lg7eq I’ve heard the Encore is wonderful. I was most recently on the Bliss and that was such a stunning ship. So many great options for dining and recreation.

[@JMyers-lg7eq]

@SoloCruiseTravel The Bliss was great as well. Looking forward to my NCL Brakeaway ship cruise as I've never been on that one yet.

[@azrich2463]

Solo traveler. My favorite cruise of all time. Two weeks Florida to Europe. April 2015. Balcony cabin. Fare included drinks and five nights speciality dining. About $1200 total as I recall. I liked everything except sporadic and slow internet. Paid $10 extra per visit for La Cucina, which I preferred to the cavernous main dining. I can't believe how deceptive pricing has become since then. But the other side of the coin so to speak is that a savvy traveler can always find discounts and specials, in particular casino deals.

[@shuggaD]

The Epic is my ship 🛳️ ❤❤❤❤

[@coreyoliver5532]

Thanks for your excellent video! Its exceptionally thorough, transparent, and professional. Cruised solo on the NCL Breakaway over the summer. Cruising solo on the Epic in a couple of weeks. You've helped me greatly. Thanks again!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@coreyoliver5532 really appreciate your kind words. Happy cruising to you!

[@elnamayberry]

Feb 2023 NCL Epic was my first cruise ever and I was Solo - loved the solo cabins, lounge, and our coordinator was awesome!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@elnamayberry great to hear!

[@dakotaz11]

Great video! I am sailing in Feb 2025 on the Epic in a solo balcony room - so your review was really appreciated! Very thorough and honest - thank you for the great review!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@dakotaz11 thrilled it could help in any way. Interested to hear what you think of the solo balcony!

[@KarynHill]

These videos are highly valuable for me. The Epic probably isn't for me, but if I end up booking it, I'll at least have my expectations moderated so that I won't likely be disappointed. Excellent and informative! Thank you!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@KarynHill you’re the best for watching! Thank you so kindly for your words.

[@adventures_with_croft]

All of your videos have been so well done and I get excited to see a new one every time you post! Very informative and love all the footage 😊

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

Oh hey! Appreciate you taking time to watch and for those nice words. There is a solo travel boom going on right now and I am happy to help others in any way. It's all in the details 🙂

[@adventures_with_croft]

@@SoloCruiseTravel been watching all your videos, your voice is just perfect for them too!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@adventures_with_croft 🚢…

[@joemccauley9309]

Been on Epic twice. Had great experiences both times

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

Wonderful to hear. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[@tammy99877]

Booked in Solo studio on the Epic in December. Thank you for this great video. I picked up many helpful tips!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@tammy99877 wishing you a wonderful cruise!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Excellent video. Thank you. Keep them coming. Very professional.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@cruisecrazy7066 excellent feedback. Thank you. I’m most appreciative 😃

[@johnbuckley8324]

Thank you for an honest and comprehensive review. Interestingly, I will be sailing on Carnival Panorama and Norwegian Epic in 2025. So, both of your reviews are personally helpful. Cheers! 👍

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@johnbuckley8324 oh wow! What are the odds. Glad I could provide you some perspective. The Epic isn’t terrible but it has a lot to overcome for sure. Thanks so much for watching.

[@sarahj.5970]

I want to try as many lines as possible and then with my favorites try many classes. I am a solo traveller usually and loved your review...you do a professional fabulous overview like Jim Zim who travels with his wife. I truly appreciate your tips for making the less than perfect things work and loved your idea of using the spa and thermal suite over the crowded areas outside for your special respite seperate from cabin.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@sarahj.5970 thanks so much for the kind words. I’m not familiar with Jim, but I appreciate being compared when it comes to quality! Wishing you many lovely solo journeys.

[@sarahj.5970]

@@SoloCruiseTravel Thank you...he reviews many different cruises from quality Budhet to mainstream to what i wouuld call top Premium level and other interests. You both are excellent..like you have been special interest news reporters, again, thank you.

[@reginaobrien8983]

I’ll be sailing solo on the Epic in December. I have sailed on a number of NCL ships and liked all of them. Thanks for the very helpful review!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@reginaobrien8983 my pleasure. Thank you for your time and feedback. Wishing you a great cruise!

[@LadyJay114]

I'll be on the sailing right after Thanksgiving. Should be interesting.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@LadyJay114 wishing you a fantastic cruise.

[@rkenzie5235]

I’m going solo on the epic next week! I’m very excited/eager for my trip 😃😃

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@rkenzie5235 wishing you a perfect cruise! Where is it taking you?

[@Seamaxwell]

I love NCL. My favorite ships are the Pearl & Joy. They feel like old school cruising like the Norway or QE2.

[@charlesgilliam6198]

We were just in the Epic a month ago. Departed Rome to Greece, Malta and Italy. It was crowded and the staterooms were weird designed with the “wave” style. We hated it!!! Best part was the balcony as 2 people didn’t fit very well inside the cabin. All of our excursions 8 of them were disorganized and we struggled to find our guides more than once or twice. Our tour was about 45 minutes late leaving on one day. They were very expensive on the Med as well!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@charlesgilliam6198 ouch. Sounds like a crummy experience all around. I can only imagine how much more the med would be. I definitely suggest newest NCL ships over this one now. It just has so many negatives.

[@tombeegeeeye5765]

I am doing my first cruise, a solo cruise, on the Epic in December. This was extremely useful info.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@tombeegeeeye5765 wishing you a fantastic cruise!

[@jewels7822]

I'm a Solo cruiser on Royal Caribbean. My first was an Ocean View Solo Studio (deck 8) on Empress of the Seas right before the Covid shutdown. I've also cruised in a Solo Studio Balcony on Quantum of the Seas which was very nice- mid ship deck 7. Still a Solo cruiser however book a regular balcony cabin, I've found a great Travel Agent with Group Pricing, so even though I pay for 2 it's a price I'm willing to pay for a Balcony. Sometimes Royal will have special pricing on regular cabins for Solo's however you need to be diligently searching. I book for itinerary and since I have to fly to all ports, prefer longer cruises, B2B or S2S.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@jewels7822 I try and do B2B’s now as well. And I agree, double occupancy price is something I’m willing to pay too, especially if I can find a great deal.

[@Becca734]

I love watching your video's. Very informative. Still deciding what cruise line to take for my very first ever cruise. I have it narrowed to Celebrity, NCL, or Princess... Any suggestions?

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@Becca734 wow thanks! Still haven’t had much experience on Celebrity so I can’t speak to the experience. NCL is very solo friendly if that’s what you’re looking for. I’d stick to their newest ships for the best experience. Princess is more of a classic experience where I found a lot of value for the elegance and hospitality of it all. Norwegian feels very social and go go go while Princess feels peaceful and relaxing. It’s all in what you’re looking for! :)

[@RickDuBose-o8q]

CRUISED THE EPIC TWICE..LOVELY SHIP, GREAT OBJECTS D'ART, FOOD WAS FANTASTIC...HAD A BALL ON A WESTERN MED AND EASTERN CARIB...WANT TO CRUISE HER AGAIN!!!...DOGGONE THING EVEN HAS A BOWLING ALLEY. CAPTAIN A TAD RUDE BACK IN JUNE 2016....

[@kevincoates8711]

Great video. Very informative and handy for anybody going on the Epic.... I think we can see why NCL never commissioned a sister ship to Epic and went to the new class

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@kevincoates8711 that’s for sure! Thanks for watching and for the kind words.

[@willcooper6980]

I don't plan on sailing NCL at all, not just this ship, because of the public spaces being too small and too crowded. Plus, it seems that Great Stirrup Cay is missed more often than it is OK to tender. But I would do this itinerary.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@willcooper6980 I’ve heard that myself about Great Stirrup Cay. This itinerary was wonderful.

[@sylvaindupuis5595]

I was on the Epic in the month of May for a Meditarenean cruise. I also was in a studio/solo cabin but with a group of 35 people. For me, the cruise was all about the destinations, so I really didn't care about the little inconvenients that you speak about. Would I return on the Epic? If it was the one offering to go where I want, why not, but if possible I would prefer a smaller ship. I only made 2 cruises prior to that one, all on smaller ships, a themed cruise (Cruise to the Edge) on the NCL Pearl and a cruise to the Norway fjords on the RC Jewel. In both case, a smaller ship was ideal. For the theme cruise, the fact that it was smaller made it possible to only have people interested on the theme and on the Norway fjords, a smaller ship can go where a bigger won't be abble.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@sylvaindupuis5595 thanks for sharing your experience.

[@clyster3000]

I definitely prefer their midsize ships. 2000ish passengers. Great video thanks!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@clyster3000 really appreciate you taking time to watch and comment. Thanks so much.

[@dee_mcgee11]

My favorite parts of a cruise being the movies, ports of call, and nightly shows, and not about lounging on the pool deck, I'm not sure if a Norwegian Cruiss is right for me compared to my fist experience on the Disney Dream.

[@DB-zp9un]

For being the size ship it is, it should have been spread out more. But it's french design so all kinds of weird things going on with it. Also why it doesnt have any sister ships lol.. 1 and done. We're going in December and I'm sure the lines are going to be a pain, but, I'm sure if you look around you can find places that arent as busy.. Plus, we'll be on a cruise.. And since you can get 2 drinks at a time, just make sure your trips count to the bar lol..

[@DonnaMeechy]

We are staying in a Haven Balcony cabin, in January, so hopefully we will have a good experience.

[@shuggaD]

I would love for you to do a NCL Breakaway review 👍leaving from New York 😊

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@shuggaD I’ll put it on my list.

[@jimp1060]

We are going in January and this will be our 3rd cruise on her. Great ship. I think MSC bought the sister ship?

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

Great to hear some praise for her. Where have you taken the EPIC before?

[@faleciahenry9646]

Great review! I've never cruised on a Norwegian ship before, but cruise line is on my list and will make it a point not to sail on Epic - I dislike the design where pools are and other areas I saw in your video! I'm looking forward to viewing your other reviews 😊!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@faleciahenry9646 thanks so much! Yeah I would stick to the newest ships, they are worlds better in design and amenity than the EPIC.

[@stevesteve6223]

The pearl was my favorite NCL ship

[@brendalogan6281]

great video ...thank you

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@brendalogan6281 my pleasure. Appreciate you watching!

[@fredpennerfringe]

You sound like the same guy from “audit the audit” lol Soothing voice

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@fredpennerfringe not familiar with that, but if that’s a compliment, thank you!

[@anneraso5621]

Can you go in that area for solo travelers if you are solo but not staying in a Solo Studio?

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@anneraso5621 if you are staying in a solo balcony you are welcome into the lounge as well. Access is attached to your key card. So if you are affiliated with solo rooms of any kind, you will have access. If you’re a solo staying in a traditional stateroom you will not.

[@anneraso5621]

@@SoloCruiseTravel I am a solo staying in a family interior cabin so I guess I won't get into the Solo Studio.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@anneraso5621 unfortunately not. Have a great cruise, though!

[@anneraso5621]

@@SoloCruiseTravel Thank you! Now I have to figure out the drink package situation. Do not want to be charged taxes when ship is docked.

[@jennifergibson2280]

When I was in a solo cabin on the Epic in January 2024, my keycard wouldn't let me into the solo lounge. I went to guest services and they couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work. I even asked my room steward and he couldn't figure it out. The few times I tried to get in, I could see people inside but they wouldn't let me in when I knocked on the door. They just stared at me and laughed. I'm not sure if it was because they didn't know I was a fellow solo passenger or what but I felt it was rude. The entire solo lounge thing felt like a rip off. What's the point of paying extra to have a solo lounge if I can't use it? I would rather pay less, get a normal size cabin (my solo cabin was way too small) and then go to the solo meetups at a local bar. Which is exactly what I'm going to do on my Jewel cruise this coming December.

[@ScottSabre]

There is nothing wrong with the ship. I sail it frequently

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@ScottSabre thanks for your perspective. Glad you enjoy it. This is one of the lowest rated NCL ships that exists today according to a majority of cruisers who have a very different perspective.

[@carolynrose9522]

Wow. The Thermal suite cost. Good grief. I always buy a thermal suite pass. I would’ve been horrified, but still purchase it.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@carolynrose9522 yeah it was pretty steep

[@steeller70]

I noticed twice that cooks or servers at buffets wiping their noses and not wearing gloves, I’m going on Epic in November and now I’m kinda disturbed at the cleanliness of the food staff

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

...yep.

[@scuba.princess]

In Philippines culture, they pick and touch their nose all the time. It's disgusting and they're not properly trained to not do that. Unfortunately, I'm on the Epic in January. I wish I could cancel, but it's past final payment.

[@jblkcns]

Epic leaves from Florida? I thought they went out of a European port.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@jblkcns like most ships, they get repositioned based on season.

[@flightattendantsteven]

Maybe we were spared. Mic drop.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

☺

[@maryso3518]

Can you bring two bottles of wine on boarding?

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@maryso3518 NCL has no limit on bottles of wine you can bring on board. Enjoy!

[@marionlewis4703]

@@SoloCruiseTravel NCL forbid alcohol brought on board, wine included. Holland America however, does.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

@@marionlewis4703 the exception is wine and champagne. Saw it while I was embarking and it’s declared as an exception on NCL’s website. All other alcohol, however, is prohibited.

[@DB-zp9un]

@@marionlewis4703 nope, you have to carry it on, and if you dont have a drink package there may be a corkage fee.

[@cathys1547]

Great video thanks. Love seeing the h2o food server wipe his nose with his hand. Eww

[@dianad6090]

Not the Lido deck 😔

[@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp]

This is not a blog! This is a commercially produced "info-tising" - in other words - most likely a PR video of a commercial advertising company - hidden as a "blog" like a wolf under sheep's clothing. No single traveler can produce such top professional video clips "on the fly" sprinkling "advertising clips" in between the scenes.

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

I am flattered that you think my content comes across as "top professional video clips". And I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am just a guy with a camera documenting my experiences solo on cruise ships. I pay my own way, as I outlined all the costs throughout this video. The cruise line has no idea I am coming and everything you see is authentic. I guess I am confused by your comment because you seem to think this is some sort of PR video for Norwegian when I spoke consistently about how I was not a fan of many aspects of this ship, the Norwegian experience, and how I would not return to this ship in particular. If Norwegian was paying me for this, I am sure they would want their money back. Thanks for your comment.

[@dottybb2756]

Worst cruise ship and cruise I’ve ever been on.

[@macdeedrum4659]

I hear way more BAD than good about NCL

[@guidine7]

Epic is a construction fail

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

Definitely a clunky, weird layout.

[@macdeedrum4659]

We just got back from this ship,. It SUCKED. Overcrowded, room sucked, bed was too short , layout was terrible, small sink, rude employees, long lines,.. TERRIBLE!!! DONT GO!

[@SoloCruiseTravel]

Wow. Well there ya go. Sorry to hear you had such an awful time.

[@DonnaMeechy]

I guess you did not stay in the Haven or a balcony room then huh?

[@Twinjeremy]

I would hate that crowded feeling

[@Twinjeremy]

Those pools are so small with so many people in them... thats absolutely miserable.

[@DB-zp9un]

Sounds like pretty much every cruise ship out there lol.. 4000 people 2 pools, and a few hot tubs..