An Epic 1st Cruise

[ginger ninja]

Introduction

So here we go on my first actual trip report after many years here on The Dibb and its not even Disney!

So lets meet the motley crew...
There is me(38), DH Dave(48), Abigail (14) and Jack who turned 7 on the cruise

So after finding the bargain cruise here on The Dibb and lots of umming and ahhing about if we would like a cruise and if were would be doing Disney this year, the decision was made and we booked it.

10 nights round the Med on the Norweigian Epic

With it being a whole new ball game to me in the planning stakes I had lots of research to do to make sure we made the most of this trip.

As the ship was leaving from Barcelona we needed some flights, which we finally managed to sort for £711 with Ryanair from Manchester, we were flying in the night before so also needed a hotel in Barca for the night. we ended up choosing the Novotel Barcelona city

So with the basics sorted we were ready to go, with a few great ports to stop at we had to decide what shore excursions to do (if any) DH would have gladly done every historical trip going if possible, but we didn't want to drag the kids round things they wouldn't find interesting or pay for for the privilege of them whinging all day so the main ports were Civitavecchia for Rome

Livorno for Florence and Pisa

And Naples for Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi coast.

This was the only port we booked anything for before we left, well I say before we left but we cut it a bit close as it was 11pm the night before our 6.25am flight!
After a recommendation about the trip and the great price of 69 Euros each for Pompeii tour, drive to Sorrento for lunch and a scenic drive down the Amalfi coast if was booked

We also had the tremendous task of sorting out birthday presents for Jack that we could pack and how to make his birthday special (as it isn't special enough being on a cruise on your birthday!) so the planning commenced and the nerves and excitement of something completely different set in.

Up next Day 1

[Guest]

Sounds fab!

[Cutiepie]

Looking forward to reading the rest. We have only cruised Disney but we are now looking at other cruise lines due to the ever increasing costs if Disney

[ginger ninja]

Originally Posted by Cutiepie

Looking forward to reading the rest. We have only cruised Disney but we are now looking at other cruise lines due to the ever increasing costs if Disney

See more...

We would love to do a Disney cruise but with the high cost its just not worth the extra in my opinion and we had an amazing time on the Epic and the kids especially loved it and are desperate to go again.

[stecee]

Hi Karen, our first cruise was on the Epic, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
I look forward to reading your TR.

[Scotty]

Looking forward to this, we did those ports in 2014 and loved them.

[akv2010]

Awwww... we came off the Epic in February half term - £1500 for the 4 of us and free drinks. Weather was a bit awful for half of it but was good for the other 6 days. It's our 2nd Epic cruise after we sailed DCL... we was not fans (sorry) but we love NCL and everything that goes with it. Will be nice to read your trippie.

[Echo18]

Can't wait to read this. Brilliant cruise and fastastic weather. Sophie 6 wants to go back to hotel and go in the roof top pool 😄

[ginger ninja]

Originally Posted by Echo18

Can't wait to read this. Brilliant cruise and fastastic weather. Sophie 6 wants to go back to hotel and go in the roof top pool 😄

See more...

Jack too, the kids holiday blues has never been so bad! starting on day 1 tonight.

[HiddenMickey35]

Hi

I love disney cruise as magic is my favourite... Sadly that i cannot afford it this year .

I like your family photo and I look forward to read your trip story.

I have been in Med with Disney cruise by 2007. I think Sorrento and Amalfa Drive is my favourite part... and I would love to go back there and stay for few days...

Also we had been cruise with Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas and I asked my two kids well they are teenagers now as which ship they enjoyed. they said both.

I would love to try NCL too..

Scottishwee35