After five years away, I attended CruiseOne’s National conference held this year on the new Norwegian Epic. In addition to seeing long time colleagues and friends, I knew this ship was unique, so took the opportunity to attend. She carries over 4000 passengers and was inaugurated this summer.

I left hubby home for a “girl’s week away” and shared an Owner’s Suite with another friend and colleague. We enjoyed an A2 category. I might add here that not all A2’s are the same and IMHO, the two corner suites are the best and largest, cabin numbers 17030 and 17033. I enjoyed 17033.

Norwegian has developed a novel and unique approach to their suites. All are located forward on decks 16 and 17 and are completely private. As you leave the forward elevator, access to the cabins is by cabin key card only.

Suite passengers enjoy a private pool with courtyard and sun deck area, Concierge Service, private fitness, spa and steam rooms, The Epic Club Lounge with piano entertainment in the evenings, the private Epic Club dining room (approximately 30 tables), and Courtyard Grille and Bar for poolside snacks, hamburgers and hotdogs. All included for suite passengers only.

The Epic Club dining room was very enjoyable and quiet. It did not change menus but did offer an alternative special every evening. The luncheon menu offered a broad choice of selections.

This concept may not be for all but I thoroughly enjoyed it. You can enjoy intimacy but have access to many dining and entertainment venues only available on the larger ships.

We arrived at the pier at approximately 12:30PM and checked in using NCL’s VIP office. Very easy and then were personally escorted to our cabin where we were met by our Butler, Armando. (Other cabins were not available until after 2PM.) He checked us out on the amenities of the cabin.

The entry foyer is large with a full mirror at the entry and a guest half bath powder room. Immediately to the right was the living and dining areas. The dining room equipped with a round table easily accommodating four with a gorgeous chandelier overhead. There was a full wall of bar cabinets with a huge selection of glassware, frig complimentary Cappuccino machine and the ability to foam hot milk. Each suite guest is entitled to their choice of one liter of liquor with all the mixes and/or soft drinks desired.

The living room consisted of a comfortable queen sofa bed, two easy chairs with ottomans and large glass cocktail table. There was an entertainment cabinet with a 46 inch Samsung flat panel TV with a DVD player. The writing desk was equipped with a Bose Wave iPod system and a net book for Internet access. I purchased the largest package offered; 265 minutes at $100 plus the $3.95 onetime fee. It was the fastest Internet I have enjoyed at sea; I always anticipate very slow service and why I purchase the largest package. There is sliding door balcony access from the living room.

On to the master bedroom. A king sized bed and not convertible to twins. Two floor to ceiling cabinets and shelving units on either side and 40 inch Samsung flat panel TV on a stand at the foot of the bed. There is also sliding door access to the balcony.

The bathroom is huge and open to the master with heavy drapes that will pull across the room for privacy if desired. It is marble floored with a hugs garden tub in the corner (big enough for two) with full windows, tub to ceiling, over the ocean. At night there are twinkly lights in the ceiling “for effect”; but not with my roomie!!! There are double sinks with mirrors and also overlook the ocean, a huge glass shower with full body showerheads. The WC is in a small cubicle finished with frosted glass. Lighting was motion sensitive and in the middle of the night I grew to hate the one in the WC.

There is a walk in closet, I’d estimate 5 by 12 with more hanging and storage space than one could possibly use in a week’s time and a large dressing table with a full mirror and good lighting. Double plugs but I still took my little travel extender.

As typical with Norwegian, there are multiple dining venues some with a service/gratuity charge. We dined in Le Bistro, European cuisine at an up charge of $20 each. The food excellent. I also dined in Cagney’s Steakhouse and was the guest of Regent Seven Sea’s National Rep on board but the usual up charge is $25 each. Again, the food excellent. I have never had steaks cooked exactly as ordered on any cruise ship until the Epic. We also tried Moderno, a Spanish/Portuguese restaurant. The up charge is $18. You get your own salads and the waiters travel from table to table with various meats they carve right at the table. The choices were beef, chicken, pork and sausage. You are given a card, one side red (meaning no more) and the other green (keep it coming). It can be a long experience and one to easily overeat, but glad we tried it. We never did get to the main dining room.

There is a four lane bowling alley and large casino but oddly laid out and not very forgiving at all. As usual I made my donation. There is a good selection of shops on board (made a donation there as well), a small, enjoyable martini bar with great pianist, the Ice Bar, Second City Comedy Club, Cirque Dreams dinner show, Legends in Concert and Blue Man show. The Ice Bar is a novelty and many paid $20 to don the fur lined cape and gloves to go in for a few minutes for their vodka. I didn’t bite on that one. I pay to be warm, not cold.

The Second City Comedy Club, Legends in Concert and Blue Man were all free but reservations really required. The Cirque dinner show had standard seating on the second level at $20 each and premium seating on the main floor at $30 each. All were okay, (I found I’m not a Blue Man lover!) but, IMHO, the Legends show the best. The entertainers who performed as Rod Steward and Michael Jackson were unbelievable; so good I could have seen them twice. They also had Brittney Spears who I personally don’t consider to be a “Legend”. As a suite passenger, the Concierge escorted you to the show, bypassing the line to priority suite seating. For the Cirque show, we went through the staff area to get to the best tables quickly as there is no assigned seating.

All in all, I felt that Norwegian has an exceptional product for those who enjoy suites and one I could easily recommend to my clients.

I did not experience the ports; how many times can one go to Cozumel. I did accept the invitation from Royal Caribbean to tour the Oasis who was also in port that day and glad I did so.

I have posted photos on Webshots at Norwegian Epic Happy to answer any questions.