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I Tried NCL Epic… Was It a Worth it?

Cruise With Kate
Cruise With Kate
πŸ₯‰Knowledgeable
πŸ‘οΈ 102K viewsπŸ“… 3 years ago⏱️ 36:51

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creator provides a detailed account of a nine-day Western Mediterranean cruise aboard the Norwegian Epic, traveling from Rome to Barcelona and back. The video serves as a guide for travelers, emphasizing the benefits of arriving a day early to secure early check-in times and avoid long queues. Throughout the journey, the creator visits various ports including Naples, Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona, Cannes, and Florence. A recurring theme is the recommendation to avoid booking excursions through the cruise line, instead opting for local transportation like hop-on-hop-off buses, local boats, or trains to save money and experience the destinations more authentically. The creator shares specific tips for each location, such as finding affordable coffee in Naples or using shuttle transfers in Mallorca. The video also covers onboard experiences, including dining at complimentary venues like Manhattan and La Cucina, as well as utilizing ship amenities like the spa and climbing wall. Ultimately, the creator concludes that while the ship offers great food and entertainment, organizing independent excursions is the most cost-effective way to explore the Mediterranean.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Norwegian Epic
Seriously Tasty
All-time creator consensus for Norwegian Epic
A Nibble

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsFull Ship ReviewπŸ₯‰Knowledgeable Creator
Mediterranean Β· 9 nightsFrom RomeVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I wish I knew this before I went on my first cruise a fairly seasoned Cruiser reporting to you in this video I will tell you all you ever wanted to know and sound about cruising with NCL

the best part about the port is that it is literally in the city you step out of the ship and you are there you're in the thick of it it's absolutely amazing

you do not need to book anything with NCL if you don't want to and I think you'd get a much better deal by just leaving the port

the food is really good I said it many times can repeat it again and again um so don't forget to exercise otherwise you'll bring a few kilos from the cruise

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Arrive a day early and choose the earliest available check-in time to avoid crowds and get on board within an hour
βœ“Do not book excursions with NCL; explore ports independently for better deals and experiences
βœ“Get data coverage for Europe to navigate ports independently and save money
βœ“Aim to be back two hours before your last tender boat when organizing your own tours

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs the Norwegian Epic still worth it in 2025?
QWhat are the pros and cons of cruising on NCL Norwegian Epic?
QHow to save money and have better experiences on Mediterranean cruise ports?
QWhat to expect from entertainment, dining, and ship activities on Norwegian Epic?

Topics Covered

Excursions4 Happy BaconValue Pricing3 Happy BaconEntertainment Shows4Β½ Happy BaconDining Main3Β½ Happy BaconSpa Fitness4 Happy BaconPool Deck3Β½ Happy BaconEmbarkation4Β½ Happy BaconPort Destination4Β½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Cannes2Β½ Happy Bacon
Barcelona2Β½ Happy Bacon
Top: NCL Tour
Florence3Β½ Happy Bacon
Top: Shuttle Transfer and Local Bus (40 euros return by bus)
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube