7 Days on the Norwegian Epic

Trip overview

We began our trip with Priority Embarkation—worth the small fee (since we didn’t book through a travel advisor) to board right behind The Haven guests. Skipping long lines meant we were on the ship and exploring in minutes.

In port

Puerto Plata

We booked the Buggy / Waterfalls / Monkeys tour. Be prepared for ankle-deep water and uneven terrain at the waterfall, and know that if you’re short on time, the monkey portion can feel rushed. The ATV ride is a blast, and both guests get to drive—but you will get MESSY. Bring a waterproof bag or plan to leave valuables in your stateroom safe.

ATV ride in Puerto Plata

St. Thomas

We stayed near the port, explored the waterfront, had lunch along Yacht Runway, and visited a new wedding venue—Harbour360—right next to the dock. I even got a tattoo here before enjoying a quiet afternoon aboard an almost-empty ship.

St. Thomas port from the pool deck

Tortola

Our Ancient Baths snorkel adventure was a highlight. You’ll weave through unique rock formations in water shoes, snorkel in two separate spots, and relax on the sand. Mobility is required for some narrow, angled paths. Again, a waterproof bag or secure place for your belongings is a must—you can leave it on the boat, but be wise.

On board

The Norwegian Epic has 19 total decks. We stayed on Deck 11, starboard side, near the elevators and just past the singles lounge.

Our stateroom had smart storage—drawers, a decent closet, space under the couch, and even storage above the bed. The vanity area had a small stool and mirror, and the separate toilet and shower (both with real doors, not curtains) were small but made sharing the space far more comfortable.

The pool deck has two (surprisingly small) main pools, an aft pool with theatre-style seating and a large screen, and about five hot tubs spread from midship to aft—perfect for cooler December nights.

The aft pool area has its own snack station and bar, and a quieter atmosphere than the main pool, which has only one bar (and often long lines).

Pool enthusiasts should note that the pools are smaller than expected and not heavily used, and the cues for the bar got frustrating for a lot of guests.

Pool deck at sunset

Dining

NCL’s Freestyle Dining means no assigned tables or servers—you can walk into dining rooms or make reservations as needed. Buffets are available for every meal, and there’s a strong selection of specialty dining.

• Le Bistro (French): Don’t miss the French Onion Soup and Escargot; this was our best meal on board.

• Moderno (Brazilian steakhouse): Delicious, but at the very aft. Consider saving for later in the cruise to avoid choppy first-night seas.

• Teppanyaki: A lively hibachi-style dinner and great way to meet others on-board.

• La Cucina: Comforting Italian classics, accessed through the Garden Cafe, but serving a quite underwhelming lasagna.

We skipped Cagney’s (steakhouse) and the sushi restaurant, but both were popular—especially sushi, thanks to its location by the martini bar, piano lounge, and whisky bar.

O’Sheehans was our casual fave, with late-night eats, two bowling lanes, overlooking the Atrium. If you go, order the cheesecake.

Amenities

Getting a little bit more granular with the ship, Deck 6 had the Comedy Club, a more intimate gathering space, Cavern Club (a frequent favorite of ours with dueling pianos), and live music venues.

Deck 7 had The Ice Bar, a sake bar (connected to sushi), and a cigar lounge behind the whisky bar. The Ice Bar is a novelty—book day-of, wear closed-toe shoes, and expect three pre-batched Skyy Vodka cocktails—not any drink of your choice. The experience was cool but could be skipped. Most guests only stayed 15 of our allotted 30 minutes.

Ice Bar

Deck 14 is where you’ll find the spa, salon, fitness center, and kids club.

Deck 15: Garden Café buffet, main pool deck, water slides, rock climbing wall, aft pool lounge. (They even played evening football games during our sailing on the big screen at this pool).

The Haven, NCL’s “ship within a ship” luxury area is contained to decks 16–19. The Haven offers its own restaurant, lounge, pools, and Vibe Beach Club. Some Haven balconies overlook the main pool—choose forward-facing for more privacy.

NCL managed port calls well, avoiding crowds and allowing enough time for excursions without feeling rushed. Our mix of tropical beaches, lush landscapes, and cultural stops felt balanced. Weather canceled our Great Stirrup Cay stop, but upcoming enhancements make it a destination worth seeking on a future itinerary.

• Dress code: NCL is more casual than many cruise lines—fewer formal nights and relaxed attire, even in the evenings.

• Dining strategy: Save specialty restaurants for later in the trip if seasickness is a concern.

• Mimosa hack: Their included “mimosa” is orange-flavored sparkling wine. Order champagne (included in many drink packages) and mix your own with juice from the buffet for a free (and better) alternative.

• Deck 8 forward is directly above Bliss Nightclub—book elsewhere if you want quiet as this club went late into the night.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruise page.