Ahhh. Our first of three relaxing sea days. I can try to revisit as much as possible from my last two cruises on the Epic and see if anything has changed…or looks familiar…or try some things completely different. I can so get into the Freestyle cruising concept that Norwegian Cruise Lines pioneered over a decade ago.
One thing for sure, despite the ship’s size, it is very easy to get around without being totally lost. There are two elevator banks, each with eight roomy elevators, and they are positioned not too far forward or aft so walking to them from anywhere seems quite comfortable. But whenever possible I’ll try to use the stairs. (Good intentions, right?)
Of course, being a family ship and working with Nickelodeon, there are family-type activities planned throughout the day, including a game show situation where someone will get “Slimed.” I’ll pass on that one although it would be interesting to watch. Activities for everyone begin around 8:30am with a Nickelodeon breakfast but the enormous fitness center opens at 6am.
Aside from composing photos, doing interviews and of course dining, I was also escorting a group of 20 travel agents and providing a learning at sea experience for them. I was on a mission to make sure that they would learn about the Norwegian Epic and I would also conduct two classroom-type meetings. This would be a very busy week.
Nap Time! One of the best things about sea days is pulling the curtains closed in your cabin at mid-afternoon and taking a wonderful, guilt-free power nap.
Tonight would be fun; dinner at Moderno, the Brazilian Churrascaria, a visit to the Ice Bar ($20 gets you a warm “fur” trimmed parka, gloves and two very icy drinks – more on that later), a stop to hear the Slam Allen Blues Band (they are spectacular.)
After your trip to the salad bar (or second or third), the slow procession of meat-on-a-skewer carvers, called Gauchos, begins.
How it works: on your table, along with a platter of two types of potatoes, rice and beans, you also are given a little disc; red on one side and green on the other. When you are ready for the next Gaucho/meat carver to refill your plate, you turn the little disc to the green (go) side. If you are enjoying your current portion and don’t want more right away, turn it to red. Then back again when you are ready.
There were at least five different types of meats and chicken and pork with different seasonings and different cuts of meat. Even the Filet Mignon was fork-tender. Other selections were Linguica-Portuguese sausages flavored with herbs and garlic, chicken breasts rapped in hardwood smoked peppered bacon and Garlic Beef-a center cut sirloin marinated in garlic and sea salt.
Desserts were included, ranging from a beautiful caramel flan to their signature crispy fried Portuguese sweet bread puffs with caramel vanilla sauce.
After no more than twenty minutes on what felt like the Polar Icecap, I decided to take my one Polaris and exit stage left. If you don’t order both of your prepaid drinks, they will issue a ticket to you so that you can return another time and someone will go into the Ice Bar and return with your drink. I liked that concept. And I loved the Ice Bar. It’s a must-do.
Here’s today’s wrap-up: breakfast was room service (croissants were fabulous though the service/delivery was a bit slow), meeting with travel agents, lunch at Taste, nap, coffee bar, change clothes for dinner at Moderno, Ice Bar, Slam Allen Blues Band. And this was only the first day. Tomorrow I’d definitely find time for a workout either at the gym or outside on the walking track. Hopefully.
Photo credit: Sherry Laskin
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Tina,
Sorry for the late reply. TwicemI’ve rented a car in Aruba and for me, it was a good way to explore the island. In Curaçao, I used Celebrity’s shore excursion city overview. Then I went exploring on my own in the downtown area. St. Lucia, I bought a ticket at the bottom of the gangway for a motor boat ride to go to a beach somewhere. It was all fine, but I was a little nervous because it was my first visit. I would suggest a pre-purchased tour to see the volcanoes and a beach stop for St. Lucia. The island is gorgeous and good food, too! I still have not been to Bonaire, sorry. I also check Viator and compare them with what the ship offers…for crowd size and cost. I tend to like smaller tours but will do a motor coach depending on how excited I am for that particular tour.
Have a wonderful cruise! Your itinerary sounds fabulous!
Tina says
Hi can you highly recommend any excursions in Bonaire, Aruba, Curaçao and St Lucia and is ground transportation accessible or should we definitely pre booked