Norwegian Epic is massive, bold and divisive. Some passengers love her quirky design and world-class entertainment. Others find the curved cabins baffling and the layout frustrating.
I sailed the Western Mediterranean on NCL Epic for a week, and after seven days exploring this behemoth, I know exactly who this ship suits (and who should look elsewhere). Here’s my honest NCL Epic review, covering everything from those controversial curved cabins to why the customer service alone would bring me back.
NCL Epic: The Basics
- Launched: 2009
- Capacity: 4,100 passengers
- Size: 153,000 tonnes, 329 metres long, 61 metres high
- Decks: 19
- Crew: 1,724 (excellent passenger-staff ratio)
This is one of the largest ships in the Norwegian fleet. She’s impossible to miss.
Embarkation at Barcelona
Embarkation was flawless.
I travelled in October 2021 when pre-boarding Covid lateral flow tests were mandatory. From check-in to opening my cabin door took 45 minutes. Smooth, efficient and no stress.
NCL Epic Cabin: The Curved Controversy
I stayed in a Club Balcony cabin. Let me address the elephant in the stateroom immediately: the design.
This is the Marmite of cruise cabins. You’ll either love it or loathe it.
The Curves
Everything curves. The walls curve. The sofa curves. The bed curves. NCL says this reflects the waves outside. It’s distinctive, certainly, though whether it’s functional is another question entirely.
I could live with the curves. The bathroom, however, is another story.
The Deconstructed Bathroom
This is where NCL Epic gets a little weird.
As you enter the cabin, the toilet sits on one side of the entrance passageway behind a frosted glass sliding door. The shower is on the opposite side, also behind frosted glass.
The shower was possibly the longest I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship, but it could have been more powerful. There’s a washing line inside, which is handy.
Just beyond the toilet and shower is one of the smallest sinks in the world. The large drawer underneath for used towels is clever, though.
There’s a naff curtain you can pull across the entrance area for privacy. It feels like an afterthought.
Toiletries: Decent range including hand soap, shower gel and shampoo in wall dispensers, a 30ml bottle of lemongrass body lotion and fragrant soap. The hairdryer was powerful.
What Worked Well
The bed: Large, comfortable, good-quality linen and plump pillows. The two-seater sofa was equally comfortable.
Storage: I was still discovering new cupboards in the stateroom two days into the cruise. They were everywhere. You won’t run out of space.
Mirrors: Five in total, including two full-length mirrors. Narcissists rejoice.
Lighting: Plentiful and thoughtfully placed, though it leans more towards mood lighting than functional.
The balcony: Spacious enough for two chairs and a small table. Perfect for morning coffee or evening wine.
What Didn’t Work
Plug sockets: Only four in the cabin, cunningly hidden beneath the TV. Two were US sockets, two were European two-pin. Bring adapters.
The TV: Limited free content. At the time of sailing, the movie library cost $9.95 per film. TV channels were restricted to a handful of news, sports and one free movie channel. The TV was most useful for booking restaurants and shore excursions.
Mini-bar and safe: Standard cruise ship fare. Coffee maker available (you can also use it for tea). Coffee and tea supplies are available from your cabin steward on request.
Navigating NCL Epic
This was initially challenging.
The ship’s signposting is poor. Access from deck 5 to deck 6 (the interior public decks) was via an easy-to-miss escalator. Lifts and stairs are at bow and stern but not midship.
Although these design quirks were occasionally frustrating, they are not deal-breakers. I quickly got used to navigating the ship.
Public Spaces: Hit and Miss
The central atrium follows the standard cruise ship hotel lobby design: dark wood and a cream colour scheme.
However, this space could have been put to better use. It was largely occupied by passengers staring slack-jawed at the enormous TV screen showing promotional videos on a loop.
Many of the public areas, especially those near the main dining rooms, felt enclosed, verging on claustrophobic. Sightlines out to sea were restricted, and you could be forgiven for forgetting that you were on the ocean.
Food and Drink on NCL Epic
Bars (16 total)
O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill: Large, gloomy Irish pub. Standard.
Shaker’s Martini Bar: My favourite. Excellent cocktails.
Wasabi Sake Bar: Perfect if sake is your thing.
Ice Bar: Made entirely of ice, from the bar itself to the glasses. Serves six speciality cocktails. Warm layers provided.
Dining (21 options)
Main dining rooms: Food quality was generally good.
The Garden Room buffet: Acceptable but unexceptional.
Shanghai’s Noodle Bar & Chinese Restaurant: My favourite dining venue. This would be a speciality restaurant on most cruise lines, but it’s complimentary on NCL.
La Cucina (speciality dining): Unremarkable and pricey if you don’t have a dining package.
Relaxing on Deck
The main deck and pool area are on deck 15. Busy but well-equipped.
For peace and quiet: Head to the H2O Spice Zone at the ship’s aft on deck 16. This adult-only area has a bar, snack bar and small pool.
Also available: Climbing wall, jogging track and gym.
Entertainment: Where NCL Epic Excels
This is Norwegian’s greatest strength.
Along with Royal Caribbean, NCL has the best entertainment at sea. I usually skip onboard shows because they’re underwhelming. Not on Norwegian.
The production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert was dazzling. Genuinely West End quality.
The Cavern Club
Norwegian recreated the legendary Liverpool venue where the Beatles performed. This intimate space hosts live music and a Beatles cover band.
It’s brilliant fun.
Customer Service: NCL’s Crown Jewel
This is what sets Norwegian apart.
Without exception, service onboard Epic was exemplary. Staff were friendly, courteous and helpful. This was October 2021, when the cruise industry was cautiously restarting after the pandemic. The crew handled challenging circumstances with grace.
This factor alone would persuade me to book with NCL again.
Solo Travellers on NCL Epic
Norwegian leads the industry in single cabins.
The ship features dedicated Studio Cabins (no single supplement) clustered together with an exclusive singles lounge. This is a game-changer for solo cruisers tired of paying double.
I sailed in a Club Balcony cabin rather than a Studio, but I met several solo travellers who loved the Studio setup. The lounge creates a built-in social space for those who want it.
Cruising is naturally social. There are plenty of organised activities during the day and entertainment at night. It’s easy to meet other travellers, but equally easy to be alone if that’s your preference.
Fellow passengers on this NCL Epic cruise were a cosmopolitan bunch of all ages and from all walks of life.
What NCL Epic Costs
When I sailed in October 2021, I paid under £1,000 for sole occupancy of a Club Balcony Cabin for this seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise. That was during the cruise industry’s cautious restart, when deals were exceptional.
Current pricing varies by season, cabin type and booking timing. For 2026 Western Mediterranean sailings on NCL Epic, expect:
- Inside cabin: From £650-1,000
- Balcony cabin: From £900-1,600
- Studio (solo): From £700-1,200
Prices fluctuate significantly. Norwegian runs frequent promotions, so it’s worth monitoring deals.
At full price, it’s decent value. On promotion, it’s affordable luxury travel at its finest.
What’s typically included: My package came with a drinks package, $50 off each shore excursion, and $280 onboard credit. Norwegian often bundles perks like these into their promotions.
One niggle: Bottled water isn’t included in the drinks package, which feels cynical.
NCL Epic: The Verdict
Who this ship suits:
- First-time cruisers who want reliable quality
- Entertainment lovers
- Solo travellers (especially those using Studio Cabins)
- Anyone who values excellent customer service
- Port-intensive itinerary fans
Who should look elsewhere:
- Passengers who want traditional cruise ship design
- Those seeking intimate, boutique experiences
- Anyone bothered by large crowds
- Passengers who prefer days at sea over ports
Would I Sail on NCL Epic Again?
Yes.
The curved cabins are odd. The bathroom design is bizarre. The layout can be frustrating. But none of these outweighs the exceptional customer service and entertainment.
This was a port-intensive itinerary (five ports in seven days), which suited me perfectly. If you prefer leisurely days at sea, choose a different route.
If you’re interested in learning more about the ports of call, check out my Western Mediterranean cruise tips before you leave.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.