NCL EPIC - Mediterranean Sailing
So last week my husband and I took a short Mediterranean Cruise departing from Barcelona on a round trip sailing to Sardinia. We sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line onboard the amazing ship ‘EPIC’.
We started our journey leaving home and staying at The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel at Newcastle Airport overnight ready for an early flight the following morning. We had a great night sleep and a lovely meal in the hotel restaurant along with a couple of drinks to get the holiday started. The following morning we parked our car in the long stay at Newcastle Airport and off we went to the terminal to drop our bags which were checked in through to our final destination in Barcelona. We flew with British Airways, Newcastle to London Heathrow and then straight on again with British Airways, London Heathrow to Barcelona. The journey right from the start at the hotel, parking, airport and flights were great. Everything on time and to plan and great procedures in place with social distancing, mask wearing and hand sanitising and very helpful staff. We arrived midday and had airport transfers included with NCL so once we collected our luggage at Barcelona we went down to the exit where the NCL representative was waiting for us and took us to our coach. The journey to the port was 20-30 minutes, not bad at all. We got off the coach and the NCL staff were waiting to take our luggage up to our cabins whilst we were guided to the port side Covid testing centre which was arranged by NCL for all passengers and done by a third party provider. Around 15 minutes for the certified results by email and you were clear to go to check in.
Very quick check in at the port by NCL and we had our key cards and off we went to go through security and scanners and then on board EPIC early afternoon. Our cabin was a balcony stateroom which was very nice, bright and modern. Very clean, well presented with a large queen bed, sofa, bathroom facilities, Tea & Coffee making, TV, hair dryer, sufficient storage, full length mirror and full height patio doors leading to a private balcony with two chairs. We had lovely views over Barcelona especially when leaving port in the afternoon. We sailed overnight and the full following day before arriving early morning the following day at Sardinia. Waking up again to amazing views from our balcony which is definitely a plus of having a balcony cabin along with lovely sunsets and the moon and stars at night.
We had a lovely day in Cagliari, Sardinia visiting a beautiful Cathedral, exploring the old buildings, church and small streets and amazing view points at the highest points where you could see the many resident pink flamingos in the salt lakes below. That evening we were back onboard for the return sailing to Barcelona overnight and the full following day at sea and arriving the following morning back at Barcelona with an amazing sunrise to wake up to.
Our days at sea were spent relaxing on the pool deck – deck 15/16. Three pools (1 adult only), pool towels, cinema screen, live music, 6 jacuzzi, waterslides, sports complex, running track, climbing wall, snack bar, 2 drink bars, loungers and seating areas and waiter service drinks at your lounger. You can also go inside to dine, drink, shop, casino, spa, gym etc during the day – what more could you ask for…
Our evenings were spent relaxing too with a nice meal and a few drinks, a little shopping and some live entertainment. We ate in Cagney’s Steakhouse (steak restaurant), Teppanyaki (Japanese) , Taste (international cuisine table service), O’ Sheehan’s Bar & Grill (pub classics), Garden Café (buffet restaurant), Great Outdoors (outdoor buffet) which all served excellent food, great menus and excellent service and staff. We also visited the Ice Bar and the Spice H2O adults only outdoor beach club area where the pool transforms into a dancefloor which was open until late.
We went to see two world class productions – ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ and ‘Burn The Floor’ both were amazing. We also visited the Cavern Club for live music and had a great time at ‘Howl at the Moon’ Rock n Roll Duelling Piano Bar which was a live musical singing / comedy which was excellent. You could also visit many other bars, the casino, gaming area, bowling, karaoke etc
Everyone on board was again tested the day before arrival to Barcelona with your certificate by email ready for your return journey. Everyone on board also needed to be double vaccinated including all staff. All staff are also tested 3 times weekly. We felt very safe on board with the testing, socially distance dining tables, masks when indoors, sanitising stations everywhere which you were asked to do before entering restaurants, shops and elevators. We really had a great time and although it was a short break we managed to fit a lot in making the most of our time. This was our first time travelling internationally since the end of 2019 so it was long overdue and we certainly managed to relax, were very well looked after and felt very safe.
