Norwegian EPIC 11 Day Western Caribbean Cruise
Norwegian EPIC 11 Day Western Caribbean Cruise
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Cruising out of Port Canaveral, Florida is very easy for us since we live twenty minutes away. The 4500 passenger Norwegian EPIC has its home in Port Canaveral and offers a variety of cruise itineraries at very good prices. We couldn’t pass up its eleven day Western Caribbean cruise for only $649.
Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is located just 45 miles east of Orlando, Florida and within minutes of the Kennedy Space Center and excellent Atlantic Ocean beaches like Cocoa Beach, Playalinda and more.
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Cruising out of Port Canaveral, Florida is very easy for us since we live twenty minutes away. The 4500 passenger Norwegian EPIC has its home in Port Canaveral and offers a variety of cruise itineraries at very good prices. We couldn’t pass up its eleven day Western Caribbean cruise for only $649.
Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is located just 45 miles east of Orlando, Florida and within minutes of the Kennedy Space Center and excellent Atlantic Ocean beaches like Cocoa Beach, Playalinda and more.
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas seems to improve every time we visit. We brought our snorkels and enjoyed viewing the colorful tropical fish swimming near the reefs. When we weren’t snorkeling, we lounged beneath the trees feeling the warm Bahama breezes and listening to the soothing sound of the waves rolling in.
Our friends stayed on the island for the lunch BBQ but we opted to return to the ship for an air conditioned meal.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas seems to improve every time we visit. We brought our snorkels and enjoyed viewing the colorful tropical fish swimming near the reefs. When we weren’t snorkeling, we lounged beneath the trees feeling the warm Bahama breezes and listening to the soothing sound of the waves rolling in.
Our friends stayed on the island for the lunch BBQ but we opted to return to the ship for an air conditioned meal.
Falmouth, Jamaica
Falmouth, Jamaica has a very modern and safe port with multiple souvenir and jewelry shopping options, a Margaritaville, Dairy Queen, Quiznos and Nathan’s Hot Dogs.
We’ve toured the local highlights on previous cruises so six of us wandered outside the port into the real Falmouth. It is a stark contrast to the clean, modern port. We walked streets with no sidewalks to the site of a fort only to find the only things remaining are a cannon pointing out to sea and another half-buried in sand and trash.
If you do walk into Falmouth, expect to be aggressively and repeatedly approached by people offering private tours, drugs and prostitutes. We were.
Falmouth, Jamaica has a very modern and safe port with multiple souvenir and jewelry shopping options, a Margaritaville, Dairy Queen, Quiznos and Nathan’s Hot Dogs.
We’ve toured the local highlights on previous cruises so six of us wandered outside the port into the real Falmouth. It is a stark contrast to the clean, modern port. We walked streets with no sidewalks to the site of a fort only to find the only things remaining are a cannon pointing out to sea and another half-buried in sand and trash.
If you do walk into Falmouth, expect to be aggressively and repeatedly approached by people offering private tours, drugs and prostitutes. We were.
Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island
Georgetown doesn’t have a pier large enough to handle cruise ships so a two-deck tender is sent to ferry passengers from the ship to shore and back again. Getting from the ship onto the tender is easy. Getting back on the tender after your day in port may include standing in a line two and a half blocks long as ours did.
We booked the Turtles, Turtles and More Turtles excursion. We were bused to a sea turtle farm where we were taught how they breed and raise sea turtles that will be released into the wild. We were invited to hold young sea turtles and step into their tanks with them.
The highlight of our visit was the opportunity to put on a snorkel, mask and flotation vest to snorkel in a manmade lagoon filled with sea turtles and tropical fish. It is quite a memorable experience to have a seat turtle swim up and meet you face to face as if to say hello.
Georgetown doesn’t have a pier large enough to handle cruise ships so a two-deck tender is sent to ferry passengers from the ship to shore and back again. Getting from the ship onto the tender is easy. Getting back on the tender after your day in port may include standing in a line two and a half blocks long as ours did.
We booked the Turtles, Turtles and More Turtles excursion. We were bused to a sea turtle farm where we were taught how they breed and raise sea turtles that will be released into the wild. We were invited to hold young sea turtles and step into their tanks with them.
The highlight of our visit was the opportunity to put on a snorkel, mask and flotation vest to snorkel in a manmade lagoon filled with sea turtles and tropical fish. It is quite a memorable experience to have a seat turtle swim up and meet you face to face as if to say hello.
Harvest Cay, Belize
The port of Harvest Cay, Belize was built in 2016. It is like visiting a beach resort without the resort. We walked off the ship onto the pier where trams were waiting to drive guests about 100 yards to the entrance gates covered with colorful bougainvilleas.
Once inside, water-misters line the sidewalk cooling off guests. There are a variety of souvenir shops, snack and drink stands, a few dining options, a swim-up bar, and a large swimming pool with fountains, waterfalls and palm tree islands.
We enjoyed a hour swimming at the beach in the warm saltwater where children called out whenever they spotted sand dollars or starfish.
Then we enjoyed another hour in the swimming pool and refreshed ourselves with a delicious $6 rum punch that packed a good punch!
Adventurous visitors rode the zip line over beachgoers. Our friends had a great time on a snorkeling excursion.
The port of Harvest Cay, Belize was built in 2016. It is like visiting a beach resort without the resort. We walked off the ship onto the pier where trams were waiting to drive guests about 100 yards to the entrance gates covered with colorful bougainvilleas.
Once inside, water-misters line the sidewalk cooling off guests. There are a variety of souvenir shops, snack and drink stands, a few dining options, a swim-up bar, and a large swimming pool with fountains, waterfalls and palm tree islands.
We enjoyed a hour swimming at the beach in the warm saltwater where children called out whenever they spotted sand dollars or starfish.
Then we enjoyed another hour in the swimming pool and refreshed ourselves with a delicious $6 rum punch that packed a good punch!
Adventurous visitors rode the zip line over beachgoers. Our friends had a great time on a snorkeling excursion.
Roatan Bay Island, Honduras
We have visited Roatan on other cruises but never at this port. We are always happy when the pier is large enough and we don’t have to tender in. The EPIC moored less than 100 feet from souvenir shops and tour operators.
We chose to prebook a private tour with Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout. We had a blast!
For only $40 per person, our group of 8 was met at the port entrance and driven to the hangout where we were given a very entertaining and laugh-filled, up-close interaction with these rescued animals and exotic birds.
Energetic monkeys sat on our shoulders and heads, climbed inside our shirts and picked our pockets as we fed them.
The adorable sloths hugged us as we held them like babies to our chests. Sometimes they would look lovingly into our eyes and even slowly grin a happy and content smile.
We were invited to capture as many photos as we liked.
After departing the hangout, our driver Larry took us on an extensive ride to some of the most scenic sites on the island and some of the most beautiful beaches we have visited anywhere.
We highly recommend Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout.
We have visited Roatan on other cruises but never at this port. We are always happy when the pier is large enough and we don’t have to tender in. The EPIC moored less than 100 feet from souvenir shops and tour operators.
We chose to prebook a private tour with Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout. We had a blast!
For only $40 per person, our group of 8 was met at the port entrance and driven to the hangout where we were given a very entertaining and laugh-filled, up-close interaction with these rescued animals and exotic birds.
Energetic monkeys sat on our shoulders and heads, climbed inside our shirts and picked our pockets as we fed them.
The adorable sloths hugged us as we held them like babies to our chests. Sometimes they would look lovingly into our eyes and even slowly grin a happy and content smile.
We were invited to capture as many photos as we liked.
After departing the hangout, our driver Larry took us on an extensive ride to some of the most scenic sites on the island and some of the most beautiful beaches we have visited anywhere.
We highly recommend Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout.
Costa Maya, Mexico
Costa Maya is a port that is constantly improving and growing. If you like the idea of a day of rest and relaxation, this is the perfect port for it.
Just 100 yards from the where the ship docks, Costa Maya offers a large entertainment area that is safe and clean with modern toilets, hand washing stations, lockers and showers.
If you enjoy shopping for souvenirs, liquors, or jewelry, there is an abundance of options.
Licensed tour operators offer tours of all kinds from attractive stalls. Costumed performers dance, play music and climb a pole to dizzying heights.
The swimming pool with a swim-up bar is popular with all ages and offers hundreds of lounge chairs where we relaxed and people watched.
A new addition on this visit was an aviary with walkways suspended twenty feet above the ground.
On previous cruises, we enjoyed excursions to Mayan archeological sites. We can never see too many Mayan sites.
Costa Maya is a port that is constantly improving and growing. If you like the idea of a day of rest and relaxation, this is the perfect port for it.
Just 100 yards from the where the ship docks, Costa Maya offers a large entertainment area that is safe and clean with modern toilets, hand washing stations, lockers and showers.
If you enjoy shopping for souvenirs, liquors, or jewelry, there is an abundance of options.
Licensed tour operators offer tours of all kinds from attractive stalls. Costumed performers dance, play music and climb a pole to dizzying heights.
The swimming pool with a swim-up bar is popular with all ages and offers hundreds of lounge chairs where we relaxed and people watched.
A new addition on this visit was an aviary with walkways suspended twenty feet above the ground.
On previous cruises, we enjoyed excursions to Mayan archeological sites. We can never see too many Mayan sites.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel was named by the Maya. It means island of swallows. According to NCL, the Top Five Excursions are: Tulum Mayan Site, Fury Catamaran Snorkel, Dolphin Swim, Playa Mia Beach Break, and Cozumel Highlights & Shopping.
On a previous trip, we visited the fabulous Tulum Mayan Site. Tulum was once a Maya trading village located beside the beautiful neon blue sea. You can even swim at the bottom of a cliff with a Mayan building looming above.
Tulum offers well-preserved Mayan buildings of all kinds and sizes. It is one of our favorite Mayan sites.
The EPIC docked at the Punta Langosta Pier. A variety of shopping options are located just across the street including: Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, Del Sol, Oriental Bazaar, A Touch of Gold and more.
There are a wide variety of excursions available through NCL and also on shore from local vendors. Choose wisely.
Cozumel was named by the Maya. It means island of swallows. According to NCL, the Top Five Excursions are: Tulum Mayan Site, Fury Catamaran Snorkel, Dolphin Swim, Playa Mia Beach Break, and Cozumel Highlights & Shopping.
On a previous trip, we visited the fabulous Tulum Mayan Site. Tulum was once a Maya trading village located beside the beautiful neon blue sea. You can even swim at the bottom of a cliff with a Mayan building looming above.
Tulum offers well-preserved Mayan buildings of all kinds and sizes. It is one of our favorite Mayan sites.
The EPIC docked at the Punta Langosta Pier. A variety of shopping options are located just across the street including: Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, Del Sol, Oriental Bazaar, A Touch of Gold and more.
There are a wide variety of excursions available through NCL and also on shore from local vendors. Choose wisely.
The Norwegian EPIC
This was our second cruise on the 4500 passenger Norwegian EPIC. She is everything a traveler could hope for in a large cruise ship.
Because of the excellent design of the ship, we could hardly tell there were so may fellow passengers aboard.
The pool deck is a passenger favorite with outdoor dining, a bar, a smoking section, swimming pools, hot tubs, water slides and live music.
The H2O adult-only area offers a pool, a large video screen, a bar, and amphitheater seating.
We enjoyed playing skeeball in the arcade and bowling in O’Sheehan’s Pub.
Hotel Director Nelson Martins is fantastic at his job and always greets passengers with a warm smile and handshake.
Vina Alvarado (the Hotel Director’s Secretary) is a treasure. Her extraordinary assistance made our cruise experience exemplary.
The Norwegian EPIC has two of the most spectacular shows we have seen on any cruise line.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is so good that we have seen it three times and we would gladly see it again! It is a musical comedy with a message for the heart. A transsexual, a youngish drag artist and a middle age drag artist drive across Australia facing bigotry and danger on the way to a new show opportunity and to meet the young child of one of them for the first time.
Cirque Dreams
Cirque Dreams takes place in a small, circular theatre where the performers are close enough to touch. After a delicious dinner, international performer after performer share amazing acts of skill, balance, choreography, comedy and strength. Some performers actually flew over our table! Cirque Dreams is well worth the small additional charge.
This was our second cruise on the 4500 passenger Norwegian EPIC. She is everything a traveler could hope for in a large cruise ship.
Because of the excellent design of the ship, we could hardly tell there were so may fellow passengers aboard.
The pool deck is a passenger favorite with outdoor dining, a bar, a smoking section, swimming pools, hot tubs, water slides and live music.
The H2O adult-only area offers a pool, a large video screen, a bar, and amphitheater seating.
We enjoyed playing skeeball in the arcade and bowling in O’Sheehan’s Pub.
Hotel Director Nelson Martins is fantastic at his job and always greets passengers with a warm smile and handshake.
Vina Alvarado (the Hotel Director’s Secretary) is a treasure. Her extraordinary assistance made our cruise experience exemplary.
The Norwegian EPIC has two of the most spectacular shows we have seen on any cruise line.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is so good that we have seen it three times and we would gladly see it again! It is a musical comedy with a message for the heart. A transsexual, a youngish drag artist and a middle age drag artist drive across Australia facing bigotry and danger on the way to a new show opportunity and to meet the young child of one of them for the first time.
Cirque Dreams
Cirque Dreams takes place in a small, circular theatre where the performers are close enough to touch. After a delicious dinner, international performer after performer share amazing acts of skill, balance, choreography, comedy and strength. Some performers actually flew over our table! Cirque Dreams is well worth the small additional charge.
Article and photos by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2018 Sunny Harbor Publishing Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956 Phone: 321-252-9874 Email: [email protected] Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org |
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