SHIP REVIEW: Norwegian Epic
When we booked our trip on the Norwegian Epic, we knew we were stepping onto one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most distinctive ships — and after spending 16 days onboard, I can confidently say this cruise is different in all the right (and occasionally quirky) ways. From Broadway-caliber entertainment to some unusual cabin layouts, the Epic offers plenty of wow moments, but it’s not without its quirks.
First Impressions
The Epic isn’t subtle. At over 1,000 feet long and carrying more than 4,000 passengers, it’s a floating city. Boarding day felt smooth for a ship of its size, and the crew’s energy made us feel welcome right away. The atrium is bright and bustling, with plenty of seating for people-watching (or waiting for your next shore excursion).
The Infamous Epic Bathroom
The Epic’s staterooms are unlike anything I’ve seen at sea — the wave-shaped walls and open-concept bathroom design are either clever or awkward, depending on your preference. In our balcony cabin, the bed was comfortable and storage was surprisingly ample, but the split toilet-and-shower with a curtain “door” took some getting used to.
When you enter your cabin, on one side, there’s a toilet with a frosted-glass door; on the other, a shower with its own door. A curtain separates these from the rest of the cabin and the sink sits on the “bedroom” side of the curtain. The setup does mean that the sink, toilet, and shower can technically be used at the same time which actually worked out better for a family than I expected. It wasn’t nearly as awkward as some reviews made it sound. My only inconvenience was a small one: I usually bring an inexpensive over-the-door shoe holder to organize our toiletries for the week, but with no traditional bathroom door, that hack wasn’t possible this time.
Pro tip: If privacy is a priority, you might prefer a suite or The Haven accommodations.
Dining & Drinks
I prefer a scheduled dinner every night - I want to sit at the same table, at the same time, with the same waiter, however, Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” was better organized than I anticipated. You can eat WHEN and where you want so we rotated between the included main dining rooms (Taste, Manhattan Room, and O’Sheehan’s) and splurged on specialty dining. In fact, some of our excursions were so long that we couldn’t have kept to a regularly scheduled dinner so the Freestyle worked to our advantage.
Entertainment & Activities
The Epic’s entertainment is a major selling point. We caught “Burn the Floor” a Broadway-level performance at sea as well as several nights of Deal or No Deal. There’s a full Ice Bar on board and Brandon and I caught a date night there - totally nostalgic and brought us back to the years we lived in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Norwegian Epic boasts a large aqua park with multiple water slides, including the Epic Plunge, the only bowl slide at sea at the time. London had a blast riding it as well as tackling the rappelling wall! The best entertainment - that we paid for - was the arcade. We paid $125 before the cruise to give London an almost unlimited pass in the arcade and it ended up being fun for the whole family.
Families will love the kids’ splash area, sports court, bowling alley, and the kids’ clubs, while nightlife lovers will appreciate the variety of bars and late-night comedy shows. We’ve sailed on plenty of ships over the years, but when it comes to entertainment for every age, the Norwegian Epic still stands unmatched
Ports & Itineraries
A map of all of our Transatlantic trip on the Norwegian Epic ship.
Our sailing took us to so many places we’ve wanted to visit like Naples, Sorrento, Barcelona, Cadiz and Lisbon, and the shore excursions were well organized. Disembarkation at ports was surprisingly smooth for a ship this size. We cruised in December so most of these destinations were at low peak for tourist season which made our excursion days much more enjoyable.
The Norwegian Epic is bold, busy, and packed with options. It’s ideal for families who want non-stop entertainment, diverse dining, and the flexibility to cruise their way. If you’re seeking a quieter, more traditional cruise experience, you might find the Epic overwhelming — but if you embrace the energy, it can be one unforgettable vacation.
Disclosure: This post is not sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line. All opinions are based on our personal family experience aboard the Norwegian Epic. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to book through them — at no extra cost to you. To see upcoming itineraries, ports of call, and special offers, visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s official website for the latest sailings.
