I live in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, so needless to say I’ve been on a lot of cruises. I’ve cruised out of Miami to almost all the Caribbean islands, flew into New York for a cruise to Canada but had never been to Europe and I really, really, really wanted to see Europe.
Thing is, flying is not my thing, and Europe is a ways away. But that didn’t stop me from dreaming of a Mediterranean cruise. So this year when my daughter suggested, for the umpteenth time, a girls trip to Europe for her birthday I decided to put on my big girl pants, gather some courage and sleeping aid, and head out with my daughter, sister, and niece on what turned out to be the best girls trip EVER!
Hosted by Norwegian Cruise Line onboard the Epic, we started our cruise in Civitavecchia, central Italy, then it was on to Livorno along the western coast of Tuscany; ports of call also included Cannes on the French Riviera; Palma, the capital of Mallorca; Barcelona, Spain; Naples then back to Civitavecchia.
One reason this was such a fantastic vacation was the length of time the Epic was in each port. We had ample time to soak in the history and culture of each city we visited and still get back to the ship for onboard activities without feeling rushed. Our shore excursions booked through Norwegian Cruise Line included a trolley ride in Livorno and visit to Pisa; Monte Carlo and Monaco; an in-depth tour of the history of Palma; a scenic tour of Barcelona; Pompeii and an enchanting tour of Sorrento.
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There was so much to do and so many family-friendly activities on the Epic itself that we felt we were enjoying two different vacations at the same time – and I guess we were. Visiting each city was a different experience and the Epic with its amazing dining experiences, shops, and just being able to sit comfortably in a lounge and enjoy the entertainment was another vacation.
We had dinner in a different restaurant every night on the Epic: The steak and apple crisp at Cagney’s is to die for, Taste and Manhattan (complimentary dining) served different, mouthwatering cuisine nightly; and of course O’Sheenan’s pub-style fare and bowling alley made for a fun family night. Our dinner at Moderno Brazilian Steakhouse was a culinary experience we were happy we did not miss – smoked salmon, lobster bisque, cheeses from the salad bar, and a large assortment of roasted meats brought tableside, and the roasted pineapple dusted in cinnamon sugar was the perfect ending to the perfect meal. Dinner at Teppanyaki was both delicious and entertaining!
Family-friendly activities ranged from magic shows, dance parties and battles, Stevie Wonder Tribute, an Epic Beatlemania show, and the Cirque Dreams Epicurean dinner show. There was music everywhere on the entertainment decks - our favorite? Dancing through the decades' party. We spent the night dancing to favorites from the 70”s, 80’s, and 90’s!
Cruising the Western Mediterranean onboard the Epic was beyond fantastic, it was AWESOME! There was just the right blend of activities and entertainment, delicious food, and service that exceeded our expectations. A definite must add to the top of any bucket list for an Epic vacation!
Although hosted by Norwegian Cruise Line, all opinions expressed in this article are my own.
About Norwegian Epic
Awarded Best Cruise Ship Entertainment by Frommer’s Norwegian Epic offers world-class performers, a new wave of accommodations - from Studios, designed and priced for the solo traveler, to privacy in The Haven. Add more than 20 different dining options and you'll understand why this is Freestyle Cruising on a truly grand scale. For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line visit their website at http://ncl.com
