Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic is an interesting story in the history of Norwegian Cruise Line. It was meant to be the first of three ships in a brand-new class, but after a dispute between Norwegian and the shipyard, it ended up sailing solo. Poor Norwegian Epic. Even today, it’s a ship with very French roots that feels different from any other, for better or worse. Let’s dive in and take a closer look.

What we like about Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic feels different from the moment you step onboard, with its uniquely designed staterooms featuring curved walls, frosted-glass bathroom doors, and low ceilings in many indoor areas. 

Where this ship really shines, though, is in entertainment. Guests can enjoy some fantastic shows that bring a distinctly European vibe to the Norwegian experience. Highlights include Howl at the Moon, where pianists and guitarists take audience requests and perform them live; Burn the Floor, a high-energy dance show featuring everything from salsa to tango; and the Cavern Club, where - yes, you guessed it - you can hear some of the Beatles’ most iconic songs. Hm, now I feel like listening to Eight Days a Week. Nightlife is lively and stronger than on similar ships, making Norwegian Epic a solid choice for young adults and solo travelers.

Activities are pretty good for families as well. It’s not quite on the same level as the Breakaway-Plus or Prima Class ships, but it gets the job done. You’ll find five whirlpools, three pools (including one just for kids), and three waterslides. The standout is definitely Epic Plunge, a massive “bowl slide” where you spin around a saucer-shaped section before dropping through the middle. It’s the kind of waterslide you’d normally expect to find in a full-scale water park like Aquatica, and it’s awesome. As of today, I’m pretty sure Epic Plunge is still the only bowl slide in the entire Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

What we don’t like about Norwegian Epic

Unfortunately, there are some big drawbacks to Norwegian Epic. One of the main ones is that the overall layout and design feel dated… or maybe they just never quite worked. There aren’t many open spaces, and it’s surprisingly hard to see the ocean unless you’re up on the top deck. Ceilings are lower than usual, and most rooms look dark, giving the impression you’re inside a large hotel rather than a beautiful cruise ship. The confusing layout doesn’t help either, with narrow, dimly lit hallways and the fact that you often have to cross the huge casino to get anywhere, or risk getting lost inside it with all the smokers. Not a good sign.

The big elephant in the room, and one that’s often talked about when it comes to Norwegian Epic, is the staterooms and their bathrooms. Norwegian tried something new with this ship, giving most rooms curved walls. The problem is that this makes them feel smaller than they really are, even though there’s plenty of storage. 

The bigger issue, though, is the bathroom situation… or maybe the, uh, lack of one? In most staterooms, the sink is right next to your bed, the shower is behind a frosted glass door also next to your bed, and the toilet sits behind another glass door. Yep, there isn’t a single enclosed bathroom; everything is split into separate foggy glass compartments. Does that sound crazy? It kind of is. It means there’s little to no privacy for families or friends traveling together, and it’s honestly a relief that Norwegian dropped this design for their future ships.

Conclusion

Norwegian Epic is best suited for a very specific type of traveler. If you’re sailing solo, you probably won’t mind the unusual stateroom setup, and if you’re into late-night entertainment, this ship could be a great fit. For everyone else, you might want to look at the Breakaway or Breakaway-Plus class ships instead. They offer more space, better staterooms, and a wider range of things to do.