Norwegian Epic: The first review

Here it is - the first review of the brand new 153,000-ton Norwegian Epic, posted by KVI's agent in the UK, Russell Forgham, who sailed on the liner's first passenger-carrying voyage on June 21 from Rotterdam to Southampton with his wife Sheila -- sadly just one night on board . . . but what an epic night it was!


There’s no doubt about it: Norwegian Epic is a beautiful ship. The crew are wonderful, the food is excellent and the entertainment is probably the best you’ll ever see at sea.

The ship is huge, but it doesn't feel that way because the layout creates lots of more intimate areas and we didn't feel there were thousands of people on board, even though the Epic can carry more than 4,000 passengers. It's very stylish, too, with a sophisticated modern decor throughout.

We had one of the new "wave" balcony cabins. They have curvy walls and where the wall curves out, the wall in the adjacent cabin curves in, and vice versa. The theory is that by putting the bed in the space where the wall curves out, the cabin can be narrower and deeper than standard cabins on other ships but appear to be just as spacious. There’s plenty of storage space and they have quite a big flat screen LCD TV. And the bed is really comfortable. Five stars all round in that respect.

I don’t know whether NCL picked the crew from the best of the crews on their other ships, but it certainly feels like they did. And best of all everyone we saw looked really happy and excited to be working on the Epic.

We tried to sample as many of the dining options and as much of the entertainment as we could in our limited time and it was all excellent.

We had lunch in the Garden Cafe buffet after lifeboat drill on the first day and the variety of food available was probably the best we’ve seen in any ship’s buffet. Lunch on the second day was in the main Manhattan Room restaurant and again was first rate – and made even more enjoyable by a special performance of Legends In Concert, an excellent tribute show featuring the likes (or should that be look-alikes) of Madonna, Elvis, Tina Turner et all.

And for breakfast we went to O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill, the 24-hour cafe, and had their excellent country breakfast.

And as for dinner, well, we had it at the very best show we’ve ever seen on board a ship – and one of the best we’ve ever seen on land either: Cirque Dreams.


Think Cirque du Soleil in a much more intimate fashion and then some. It’s billed as the first "big top" at sea, and it’s a dazzling two hours of acrobats, muscle men, trapeze artists, music and comedy all taking place in a 10ft-wide circular area in the middle of the room just feet away from the audience at their dinner tables. Even the waiters take part in the show – as do some lucky people plucked out of the audience by the cast. Like me – I got to play the bells in one of the musical numbers! There's a cover charge of $15, or $20 for premium "ringside" seats but it's worth every cent ... and more.

Before that, we saw the excellent Second City comedy and improv show, from the legendary Chicago breeding ground of many of America’s top comedy stars, like Bill Murray and Tina Fey from 30 Rock to name just two. It’s very American and as there were a lot of Dutch, German and French passengers on board the audience was quite small – but those who didn’t go missed a damn fine show.

After Cirque Dreams we tried to get in to see the end of the Blue Man show but the theatre was packed out, so instead we stopped by Howl At The Moon, billed as “the world’s greatest rock ’n’ roll duelling piano show,” for one quick drink and were certainly glad we did – we were still there two and a half hours later having fun singing some of the greatest songs of the last 50 years in another amazing show.

We had such a brilliant time that we can't wait to do a longer trip on the Epic, probably in summer 2011 when she relocates to the Mediterranean.

Hey everyone!

Elisabeth Gesell - KVI's Agent In Austria just submitted the following review on the Oasis...

OASIS of the SEAS
Cruise 05 June ex Ft. Lauderdale

I just received comments from one of my clients. She gave me the authority to write on her behalf.
My client is a world traveller and knows especially the Caribbean very well. So she deliberately booked Oasis to see what it means to be on such a big boat.
She was thrilled. Every day was a new surprise.
It started off with the unbelievable short boarding time. 15 minutes
Her cabin (balcony) was impeccable. The cabin service outstanding. Cleaning was done twice a day, bed linen changed twice daily, room service beautiful arranged food and flowers.
With regard to dinner: Even not having booked in advance for dinner, as they wanted to experience every day another restaurant (24 on board) they chose to stay in the main dining room, as again the food quality and presentation including the extremely friendly and personal service was so good that they just went there for the rest of the cruise.
Entertainment was thrilling. Artistic Ice skating done by former world competitors. Hilarious comedy acts. Dreams of colours. Music galore.
The spa more than luxurious.
With regard to the Central park theme, my clients thought that this would not really be to their liking. However they loved it. They went down every day to have coffee and cake and just watched people passing by, hearing the birds singing, feeling like being really in New York.
All in all you think you are in a great hotel or a little village.
Not to forget the most important fact. Every employee, no matter whom you asked, knew the correct answer to any possible question. No one send you in circles or passed you on to somebody else.
If this report sounds too much, my clients are planning the next cruise on OASIS already now.

Hi Everyone,

KVI's agent in Austria, Elisabeth Gesell, just returned from an Eastern Mediterranean cruise on the RCCL Splendor of the Seas. Here's here report..

Royal Caribbean - Splendour of the Seas
Date: 15th to 21st May 2010 7 nights
Area: Eastern Mediterranean

The ideal thing for us as Europeans was that we could go by car to Venice. It was the time of the volcanic ashes floating around so that flights were on a very irregular basis operating.

The weather proved, because of this eruption, as very unpredictable throughout the whole trip.

We boarded in Venice in heavy rain and freezing cold climate. Taking our own car we had to make parking reservations ahead of time, which proved to be excellent choice as we literally just walked across the street to board the ship. Rates are, for European standards, rather inexpensive, € 10.—per day. The boarding process well organized and smooth. We had our SET SAIL passes done on-line, which I recommend for all cruises. It speeds up your boarding time considerably. We needed approximately 20 minutes from locking the car to being on board.

As we were very early we could not get into our cabin, which was on Deck 7, at the back of the ship on back board side. As all the islands we were to see were to be on the left side the back board side was the logical choice. Spending the remaining time we made ourselves acquainted with the lay-out of the ship and also got a bite at the WINDJAMMER the buffet. What a nice place, large windows, where everyone had good view, very good food, good presentation, friendly personnel. Originally we had reserved at the traditional restaurant KING and I for late dinner time (9pm), which we never used as 9pm was much too late for us. We stayed with WINDJAMMER for the whole trip, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Next day we had room service for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised. Before servicing we got a telephone call inquiring (which we considered as very thoughtful) if we were ready for breakfast.

Cabins: This was a very pleasing experience. Lots of space. Every corner was used for storage without giving an impression of being a storage cabinet. Light colors, bathroom very well organized. Large balconies, table and two comfortable chairs, enough space to move around. Stateroom service impeccable, friendly, and fast.
After a day at sea the first stop was...

Dubrovnik, Croatia:

Disembarkation as well as coming back on board was very professional. (And continued for every stop, even at Santorini where one had to take a tender).

The rain could not stop us from walking through this World heritage. What an interesting medieval city. For Dubrovnik you just need to take a taxi and walk at your own pace through town. It’s easy to manage. Don’t just sit in the next coffee place; there are many smaller and better places a little bit off the beaten track, e.g, at the Dominican cloister.

Third day: Kusadasi, Turkey EPHESUS.

We expected it to be the high light of the trip. And it was. Despite the fact that the rain turned into Hail (in May!!! We had to turn back and buy heavy rain gear to be able to continue our excursion. Considering the amount of people coming in from three different cruise ships being ashore, the shop keeper must have made the business of his life). What a place, what a history. More than 7000 years old. The excavations were stunning. Palaces, market places, homes (larger than 300 sqm, all with beautiful wall paintings).

Entrance into Turkey, which for Europeans has Visa formalities, was no problem at all. Obviously RCCL had arranged for all departing passengers a smooth entry.
Dinner at the WINDJAMMER was a Turkish specialities evening. It has to be mentioned that the personnel was multinational throughout the ship. This proved to be not only fun to talk too but was also rather helpful in getting tips for the different ports.

Fourth day: Santorini

This time we were lucky, the rain had stopped and it was even warm.
Santorini is one of the spots , where the ancient city of ATLANTIS is supposed to have been. Looking at the area one can even believe it. It was a volcano which did not explode but implode (approximately 1500 BC) leaving a caldera, with a few islands.
Coming in by boat means that you have to use a tender and have three possibilites to reach the actual village on top of the mountain. Either you take the forniculare (small train) or you use donkeys or you walk. We did the last and were admired by our fellow cruisers. Actually it looks much worse than it is and I recommend to do the same. It gives you time to stop and look at the wonderful scenery and secondly you do not have to concentrate on handling your donkey. Once you are up there do not follow the crowd but turn to the right and walk along the rim. There is Santorini how you expect a Greek island, to be. Quiet, small colourful houses, and a view unbeatable.

Next day CORFU,


The island is very pleasant and relaxing. But the main attraction is the so called ARCHILLEON. It has been ordered by the last Habsburg Empress of Austria, Elisabeth. She was an icon of her time. Very beautiful and with an aura of mystic surrounding her. Worthwhile to see.

Then it was a day at sea. Finally with lots of sunshine. Returning back to Venice


Tips for the Splendour:
Evening: before or after dinner go to the SCHOONER Bar on deck 11. Never crowded, very pleasant, good background music. Excellent, cosy seating arrangements,
Entertainment: Comfortable, large theatre,
Spa: Lots of treatments in well laid out area, next to the sundeck