Cruising the Norwegian Epic Review: Our Least Favorite Ship

ByKathy Ava Updated onDecember 21, 2023

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Cruising the Norwegian Epic and exploring the Western Mediterranean? In this Norwegian Epic review, we’ll share everything we loved—and didn’t love—about the ship and its itinerary.

A cruise wasn’t part of our plans before booking this trip. We had intended to explore Spain and maybe Portugal, but nothing felt exciting—until we found a great deal for a week-long cruise on the Norwegian Epic. The itinerary fit our budget offered interesting ports and began and ended in Barcelona, giving us a chance to check a few destinations off my bucket list.

We skipped Norwegian’s Free at Sea promotion and only purchased a soda package. We also didn’t join the cruise roll call, which we later regretted.

Launched in 2009 as Norwegian’s first mega-ship, the Epic was the third-largest cruise ship in the world at the time. It mostly sails the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter.

Featured image for 'Cruising the Norwegian Epic' showing the Norwegian Epic cruise ship docked at port under a cloudy sky.

Note: This article was originally written in 2018.

While we’d read about its unusual layout, less-private cabins, and mixed reviews, we decided to judge the ship ourselves. After our trip, we could see why opinions were divided. The itinerary was fantastic, but the ship left much to be desired. Was it the worst cruise we’ve taken? No. Did Norwegian lose points with us? Yes.

Table of Contents

7-Day Western Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary

Day 1- Embark in Barcelona, Spain
Day 2- Sea Day
Day 3 – Naples, Italy
Day 4 – Civitavecchia, Italy
Day 5 – Livorno, Italy
Day 6 – Cannes, France
Day 7 – Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Day 8 – Arrive & disembark in Barcelona, Spain

See how we spent Three Days in Girona, Spain, after disembarking in Barcelona.

Cruising the Norwegian Epic Review

Barcelona Cruise Port Embarkation

Embarking on a cruise from the Barcelona port was a pleasant surprise. The check-in process was smooth and efficient, with barely any lines—something we rarely experience on embarkation day with NCL. The staff was helpful and informative, setting a positive tone for the trip.

For the first time, we were handed a ship map, which was essential for navigating the Norwegian Epic’s unconventional layout. Within 15 minutes, our group number was called, and we were ready to board. It was a hassle-free start to our journey.

Sail Away

The sail-away from Barcelona was uneventful. The ship departed on schedule, and we enjoyed watching the sunset from the top deck. After a quick stop at the sail-away party at Spice H20, we explored the ship’s interior when the rain began to fall.

Our Cabin on the Norwegian Epic: Cabin # 10163

mid-ship location might not be ideal. Unfortunately, we didn’t capture photos or a proper room video this time—sorry about that!

The cabin’s design was… unique. Its curved layout made the entire room feel like one big wave. While the sofa had storage space behind it, it didn’t look comfortable for sleeping.

The bathroom setup was unconventional, to say the least. There wasn’t a separate room for the bathroom. As you enter the cabin, the shower is on the right, the toilet is on the left, and both have rickety frosted sliding doors. The sink is outside, next to the shower, visible to anyone in the room. While we didn’t mind this arrangement, it could feel awkward if you’re traveling with someone you’re not entirely comfortable with.

On the positive side, the cabin felt uniquely modern, with a flat-screen TV and plenty of storage, including space under the bed for luggage. There were two standard outlets but no USB ports, so pack a USB adapter.

Service on the Norwegian Epic

Service on the Norwegian Epic was inconsistent, varying widely across the ship.

O’Sheehan’s, usually a favorite on other Norwegian ships, delivered the worst service on this cruise. There was always some issue at the 24-hour pub, leaving us disappointed each time. The main dining room was a mixed bag—your experience depended heavily on where you were seated and who your server was. Some waitstaff seemed overwhelmed and stretched too thin, likely due to poor management decisions.

On a brighter note, our room steward was fantastic. We met him a few days into the cruise, but that wasn’t a problem for us. He kept our room spotless, turned it down during dinner, and regularly checked if we had any special requests.

While many crew members were kind and hospitable, a noticeable number seemed unhappy or disengaged. We understand that everyone has off days, but encountering this attitude repeatedly made us question what might be going on behind the scenes in management.

As always, the washy-washy crew stood out as the true stars. Their cheerful demeanor and enthusiasm brightened our mornings, even before coffee. Thank you for bringing a little joy to our days!

NCL Epic’s Spa & Barbershop

I convinced hubby to treat himself to the spa because he works his butt off and rarely gets to do nice things for himself like this back home. He did a men’s facial with a shave and a hot stone pedicure.

The pedicure turned out to be fantastic and better than he expected. The fire and ice pedicure is highly recommended. The facial and the shave, not so much.

A cute old-school barbershop on this ship looks great for a nice shave. The facial took place here, not at their spa. The problem with this barbershop is that it’s open to everyone passing by and not far from the casino.

So, as you try to relax during your facial and shave, you hear casino bells and rings going off in the background. Far from the relaxing spa environment, they have an upstairs.

The staff there was great; they did their best with what was available. In my honest opinion, they shouldn’t offer spa facials that will take place at the barbershop.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship Docked in Palma De Mallorca Port

Norwegian Epic Dining and Restaurants

Food plays a huge role in our travels, and unfortunately, the dining experience on the Norwegian Epic was disappointing. While I didn’t purchase a specialty dining package or visit the finer dining establishments, I still expected the included meals to match the quality I’ve enjoyed on other Norwegian ships.

Norwegian Cruise Tip: If you plan to dine at any specialty restaurants, make reservations as early as possible. You can start booking 90 days before your cruise.

Cirque Dreams Dinner: We booked this dinner show in advance, and the pre-fixed menu was identical to the one from the magic show on our Norwegian Getaway cruise.

O’Sheehan’s: This 24-hour pub was a letdown. Orders were consistently wrong, the hot dogs were inedible, and the fries were soggy potato scraps. On one visit, we had to send back a dish multiple times because the menu description didn’t match what was served. To make matters worse, the staff argued that their version was “correct,” even though it contradicted the menu. If you’re going to make changes, update the menu—it’s a basic standard.

Taste: We had our first meal here during embarkation, and it was not a great start. My husband’s fried chicken tasted bland like it had skipped the seasoning altogether, and my lamb was tough and overcooked.

We returned for dinner a few times during the week and did find some redeeming dishes worth mentioning: the popcorn shrimp, crab cake, baked ziti, and crème brûlée were all enjoyable highlights.

Manhattan Room: The best dining experience on the ship by far. Despite sharing the same menu as Taste (and likely the same kitchen), the food and service here were noticeably better. We were seated by the stage on our last night and enjoyed a fantastic meal. Highlights included the prime rib, onion crostata flatbread, and scallops.

Shanghai’s: One night, when we couldn’t get a reservation at a specialty restaurant, we decided to try Shanghai’s, which included a Chinese restaurant. Unfortunately, it was barely edible. Every dish was overly salty, and the service left much to be desired. I’d recommend skipping this one.

Buffet: We primarily ate breakfast at the buffet, which was consistently good but repetitive. The same spread was served every day, so it got a bit tiresome by the end of the week. The options for late-night snacks were disappointing.

Entertainment on the Norwegian Epic

Drum set on state of Beatlemania show on Norwegian Cruise — Beatlemania on Norwegian

Beatlemania: The Norwegian Epic’s Beatles cover band was a standout. From the wigs to their mannerisms, they captured the essence of the real Beatles. As a huge fan, my husband thoroughly enjoyed the show.

We saw their performance in the theater on the first night and caught them again in a smaller lounge later in the week. If you plan to see them outside the theater, arrive early—those smaller venues fill up quickly. Norwegian would do well to give them a larger space for these shows.

Note: The following shows are no longer featured on the Norwegian Epic but were part of our cruise experience at the time.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert: This drag queen show was a delight! Reminiscent of the humor and flair of The Birdcage, it was flamboyant, hilarious, and full of energy. We laughed through every minute. This show may not be for everyone, especially if you’re easily offended.

Cirque Dreams: A phenomenal circus act that kept us on the edge of our seats. The acrobats were incredibly skilled, performing stunts that left us cringing, gasping, and in awe. It’s a high-energy show that’s not to be missed. Our only complaint was the seating arrangement. The tables are positioned vertically rather than horizontally, making it challenging to get a clear view. If you’re sitting behind someone tall, prepare for a stiff neck.

Other Observations Cruising the Norwegian Epic

Lack of Outdoor Space: The ship feels closed off, with insufficient outdoor space for its over 4,500 passengers. It’s hard to imagine how this layout works for Caribbean itineraries where sunbathing and deck lounging are popular.
Comparison to Other Ships: Ships like the Getaway and Escape offer a more open layout with features like the Waterfront and wraparound decks for strolling.
H2O Adult Section: We appreciated the extra pool and hot tubs in the H2O adults-only area—something missing on other megaships. However, the space felt cramped and less functional compared to similar areas on the NCL Getaway.
Disconnected Experience: Unlike previous cruises, we didn’t feel “at home” on this ship due to a disconnect in the crew, layout, and overall vibe.
Ship Layout: The ship’s design felt chaotic as if the priority was cramming in as many cabins as possible rather than creating a comfortable flow for passengers.
Overall Impression: While the itinerary was fantastic, the ship itself felt like mere transportation between ports. For the first time with Norwegian, we were ready to disembark when the trip ended.

Disembarkation

Unlike our previous cruises, we were ready to disembark and move on to the next part of our trip in Spain. Following the ship’s instructions, we didn’t rush the process but were out of our cabin by 8 AM. After breakfast, we left the boat with our luggage by 9 AM. The process was smooth and hassle-free.

Final Thoughts of the Norwegian Epic

This ship did not live up to its name—it wasn’t as Epic as we had hoped.

Our disappointment was evident in small ways, like not purchasing Cruise Next vouchers or even feeling compelled to take photos of the ship. This was our third cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, and while we’ve enjoyed previous experiences, this may be our last with NCL for a while.

That said, I won’t completely rule it out. If we come across an interesting NCL itinerary at an irresistible price, we might reconsider—though not on the Norwegian Epic.

While this cruise wasn’t terrible, it lacked many of the features and atmosphere we’ve loved from other Norwegian ships. Those things were dearly missed, and we don’t plan to sail on the Epic again.

If you’re reading this review in preparation for your own upcoming Norwegian Epic cruise, don’t worry. Use the insights here to your advantage, learn from our experience, and make the most of your trip. Every cruise is unique, and your experience might be entirely different.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

Kathy Ava

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.