Norwegian Epic Review: Is Cruising's Most Misunderstood Ship Actually Worth Booking?
Norwegian Epic in Villefranche, France
We recently took a cruise on Norwegian Epic, one of the most controversial cruise ships currently sailing. Depending on who you ask, it's either a ship you should avoid at all costs or one that's massively underrated. People often criticise its appearance and the unusual cabin layout, with many saying it's a total no-go before they've even stepped onboard.
We joined Epic for a week-long Mediterranean cruise sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona, with calls in Salerno, Catania, Livorno, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Marseille. Right from the start, embarkation was quick and straightforward, and disembarkation at the end of the cruise was just as easy.
First Impressions of Norwegian Epic
The ship is huge and the name really does fit. Norwegian Epic carries over 4,000 passengers and stretches an impressive 329 metres in length. Having launched back in 2010, there are a few areas where you can spot her age, particularly in some of the cabin décor, with the darker wood finishes feeling a little dated compared to newer ships.
Tom and Dom Travel onboard Norwegian Epic
Is Free at Sea Plus Worth It?
For this cruise, we upgraded to the Free at Sea Plus package. It isn't the cheapest add-on, but for us it added a lot of value. The package included an expanded drinks selection, unlimited Wi-Fi, Starbucks drinks, premium bottled water and all daily service charges. On top of that, it included the three speciality dining meals that come with the standard Free at Sea package, plus 50% off any additional speciality dining reservations.
Food and Dining Onboard
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the food onboard. Most of the restaurants delivered a really good standard, with several exceeding our expectations.
The weakest venue for us was La Cucina, the ship's Italian speciality restaurant. That may sound harsh, but having spent the night before the cruise eating in Rome, it had some very stiff competition.
Our standout favourite was Le Bistro, the French restaurant, where both the quality of the food and the presentation were excellent. It genuinely felt like one of the best speciality dining experiences we've had at sea.
Entertainment and Nightlife
Entertainment was a bit more of a mixed bag. We absolutely loved Howl at the Moon, the duelling piano show, and there was plenty of great live music around the ship throughout the cruise.
Where Epic fell short for us was in the main theatre programme. Burn the Floor was a strong production show and Red, White and British was enjoyable, but beyond that the schedule felt a little thin. Several evenings featured game-show style entertainment that, on many other cruise lines, would probably be held in a lounge rather than the main theatre.
Activities and Facilities
Away from the theatre, there was certainly no shortage of things to do. Families, thrill-seekers and those who are simply young at heart can enjoy the water slides, rock climbing wall, arcade and multiple swimming pools.
Adults looking for a quieter atmosphere have access to the adults-only area at the aft of the ship, complete with its own pool, bar, dining options and a large outdoor screen.
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Tom and Dom Travel making the most of the Free at Sea Plus Package with Mango Meltdowns on Norwegian Epic
The Spa Experience
For those looking to unwind, Epic also offers an impressive spa complex. The thermal suite features a hydrotherapy pool, a range of saunas and steam rooms, heated loungers and even an outdoor relaxation area overlooking the sea.
Spa passes can be purchased before your cruise and are well worth considering if relaxation is high on your holiday wishlist.
Why We Loved Vibe Beach Club
If you're after an extra level of peace and quiet, we'd highly recommend looking at The Vibe Beach Club, which is where we spent a fair bit of our time.
This exclusive area offers premium loungers, upgraded towels, waiter-served drinks, light snacks, a hot tub and fantastic views out across the ocean. For us, it provided the perfect escape from the busier areas of the ship and became one of our favourite places onboard.
The Famous Norwegian Epic Cabin Layout
One of the most talked-about features of Norwegian Epic is the cabin layout, and we can see why it divides opinion.
We stayed in a balcony cabin and, unlike most cruise ships, there isn't a traditional separate bathroom. Instead, the sink is part of the main cabin area, with the toilet and shower housed in separate cubicles.
It certainly feels unusual when you first walk in, but honestly, we got used to the setup much quicker than we expected and it didn't impact our cruise experience.
That said, if you're travelling with someone you're less familiar with, perhaps a friend, colleague or even an older family member, it's probably worth checking they're comfortable with the layout before booking, as the lack of privacy may not suit everyone.
Dom from Tom and Dom Travel, first impression of the unique cabin and bathroom design on Norwegian Epic
Final Verdict: Is Norwegian Epic Worth It?
So, is Norwegian Epic really as bad as some people claim?
Not in our opinion. While there are certainly areas where the ship shows its age and some of the entertainment choices didn't quite hit the mark, we found far more to enjoy than to criticise.
Great food, plenty of facilities, comfortable outdoor spaces and a relaxed onboard atmosphere meant we left wondering whether Epic is actually one of cruising's most misunderstood ships.
It may not be the newest or most glamorous ship at sea, but for the right itinerary and the right price, we'd happily sail on her again.
The ship won't be for everyone, but it's certainly much better than its reputation suggests. If you've been avoiding Norwegian Epic because of what you've read online, it might be worth taking a second look.
FAQs
1. Is Norwegian Epic really as bad as people say?
Not in our experience. While the ship has some quirks, particularly the cabin layout and a few dated areas, we found plenty to enjoy including excellent dining, great outdoor spaces and a relaxed atmosphere.
2. What is the biggest complaint about Norwegian Epic?
The most common criticism is the unusual cabin bathroom design, where the sink is located in the main cabin and the toilet and shower are separated into individual cubicles.
3. Is Free at Sea Plus worth it on Norwegian Epic?
For us, yes. The package included premium drinks, unlimited Wi-Fi, Starbucks beverages, bottled water and prepaid service charges, which added significant value throughout the cruise.
4. What was the best speciality restaurant on Norwegian Epic?
Our favourite was Le Bistro. The food quality, presentation and overall dining experience were among the best speciality dining experiences we've enjoyed at sea.
5. Would Tom and Dom Travel sail on Norwegian Epic again?
Absolutely. Although it isn't the newest ship in the fleet, we enjoyed the food, facilities and atmosphere enough that we'd happily sail on Epic again if the itinerary and price were right.
Author: Tom and Dom Travel
3 Jul 2026
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