michelle.zhang.90

It's so hard to decided. Our cruise will arrive St. Johns, Antigua before Christmas. We are a family of four: DH, me, DD(almost 😎 and DS(5.5).

We are debating what to do in St Johns, Antigua.

Option 1: Eco tour. It looks fun, but we are not sure if those rock climbing would be suitable for them. They are very much looking forward for snorkeling though. The Eco tour seems the only Eco tour in the area.

Option 2: Catamaran with lobster lunch. There is some swimming but not snorkel.

Option 2 is slightly cheaper. It's organized by the cruise ship, I think will be very relaxing.

Which one shall we choose? Please give some suggestions.

Thank you!!!

excited! Looking forward to meet you at M&G!

I too would look at booking a stingray excursion.

 

Keith

Thank you Keith! Any recommendations for the stingray excursion?

Take an excursion to see the stingrays, have some beach time at Public Beach, go on an island tour...what types of things are they interested in?

They have seen stingray many times, in Hawaii and in aquarium, does not seem that into it. Especially the younger one...but I'll give it a try, maybe he is braver now! Thank you!

We'll be in George Town, Grand Cayman in December 26, it's our first time there. With two kids 4 and 6, besides the turtle farm, is there anywhere else we can go or anything fun we can do?

Thank you!

Does anyone know if there'll be Santa giving out gifts to kids on Christmas Day? We had that on Princess and MSC.

This thread has been very helpful. I'm also sailing with my family over Christmas. First time on NCL, but have sailed quite a few times on MSC, also on Celebrity, Disney and Carnival. I really enjoy MSC including not have to think too much about when/where to eat or what show to see at night. Less variety, but all quite good.

 

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Shake hands! Hope we'll survive in the new experience! LOL!

Make sure you attend the Shirt painting for kids white party. They provide tee shirts and neon paint. They are larger sizes so our grand children 5 under 4YO wore as dresses. I would bring my own smaller ones next time. The kids white party was a blast music, dancing, and games. It was one of our favorite nights!

Mark! Thank you for the tip!

you'll have to read this awesome wonderful review...he reviews all the ships...it reads like a book with wonderful detailed pictures!! Not to be missed...here is the link...he has a NCL Escape Review

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/

Super! will do! Thank you!!!

Bartends at 5 o'clock Somewhere Bar on the Waterfront.

 

He always wears a cowboy hat and is African( American) or should I say whatever country he is from. I forgot.

 

He makes a great drink of whatever your likes are!

 

Great bartender.

LOL! I see! Thank you!

O'Sheehans is open 24hrs. Use it as much as you like.

 

 

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Wow! Super! Thank you!

Chocolate Cowboy is a bartender at The 5 O'clock Somewhere bar. His name is Clarence. Good fun.

 

 

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Thank you NCLfamily! What does he do? Why he's called chocolate cowboy? Just curious so I can explain to the other three.

Five o'clock somewhere bar for a drink. So nice and maybe Clarence will be working(he is the infamous Chocolate Cowboy)

Thank you dogboy. Could you kindly let me know what is Chocolate Cowboy?

O'Sheehans serves typical pub food. Fish n chips, burgers, hot dogs, wings etc. Usually just sports on the tv. The atrium shows movies twice a day, massive screen. The main theatre also shows movies and occasionally Spice H2O does.

 

 

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Thank you! Sounds interesting! Does O'Sheehans open all day? And guests have unlimited visit?

There are some games in O'Sheehan's to play. Has a couple of pool tables also.

 

2 bowling lanes right across from O'Sheehans also.

 

Might be thinking of Epic though, which has all of the above.

Thank you Beerman! Could you recall if the bowling and pool table are extra charge?

The white hot party has been replaced with the glow party. Neon glow sticks etc. the 80’s party is on a different night.

Does that mean we have to pack some glow sticks, etc to the party? Is it to everyone or just adults? Thanks!:D

Thank you so very much newmexicoNita for all the detailed information!!!

Great to know Escape has good kids club! Looking forward to it! We have been to several Christmas cruises and it's okay for us. And both princess and MSC had Santa came out to give big gifts to each kids. Does Escape have that too? We normally pack and hide some wrapped Christmas gifts for the kids, taking out at midnight after they sleep anyway. Just curious.

Thank you for comfort me about the free style dining. Seems there won't be line waiting, etc. If we go at 5 or 6, will that be no waiting? Also, can we go there for breakfast and lunch too? We like formal dining room because we can talk to each other instead of running around to get food in buffet.

Thanks again!

just my view and others may differ: Kids club: great granddaughter has cruised on NCL 3 times, when she was just under 4, when she was 7 and 9. Everytime she loved the kids club. I have sailed with others that have small kids and think NCL has one of the best programs. Probably if she liked :Princess she will love NCL> Both of the girls should.

Freestyle: don't let it overwelm you at all. The main difference is not having the same server all the time and sometimes, depending on what time you eat, you may have to wait a few minutes for a table, like in a popular land restaurant.It is not a bad thing. If it was, other ships woud not have copied NCL on this. Do remember, the busiest time is going to be from just before 7pm to about 8pm.

You will find NCL much more relaxed than MSC or Princess. I know the MSC ships are beautiful but have heard a lot of negatives about them as well. Of course, again, that is opinion. They are more Europian than NCL or Princess.

Just remember, each ship has its own personality but most mass marketed lines are more alike than different. Have a great cruise but expect crowds sailing at Christmas time. If you haven't sailed that week before, it will be an interesting experience. ;)

I just thought of one more thing: if you plan on taking the girls to an upscale dining room, remember the experience will last at least an hour and 1/2 if not longer and little ones can get restless. I am mainly thinking of Le Bistro. It is doable but be prepared for relaxed, unrushed dining. Tapenyakis (spelling) is a fun restaurant for kids.

Check the Freestyle Dailies for events in the Atrium. (Love and Marriage, Deal or no Deal, Battle of the Sexes, etc) Get there at least 20 minutes early to get decent seats. It is worth it as the shows are very entertaining.

We had a lot of fun at the Spice H2O parties at night. The 80s party was great and we were all singing to the top of our lungs!

OSheehans is open 24/7 and has really good food overall. And there is no charge. Go to the rail that overlooks the Atrium events below and they will bring your food and drinks out there to you. The main OSheehans bar is right there; makes for a perfect place to enjoy movies, etc on the big screen in the Atrium.

I thought the Thermal spa was absolutely worth the extra cost. But plenty of folks would feel otherwise. It was the most relaxing place I think I have ever been. I am so disappointed because it is closed for maintenance when I cruise on her again next Saturday.

There are tons of entertainment venues and options. Dont try to do them all.

 

You will get the layout of the ship very quickly. It has a very nice flow to it. Dont let the elevators frustrate you too much.

Enjoy the cruise!!!!

Thank you Tony! Does OSheehans server bar food? Does it play kids/family movies?

The early comedy shows (7 and 9pm maybe?) are more geared for families. The 11pm shows are no holds barred and can get quite offensive if you're the kind of person who can get offended at comedians. Ditto for HATM. Early on, easy going, later at night they'll so some more risque songs.

Got it! Thank you Kpjb!

Read as many full reviews of the ship as you can! If you use the search function in this forum, type "Escape Review" and ingest as much information as you can.

Will do, thanks!

Thank you!!! If we order from this menu, we'll be charged 7.95 per day, is that right?

There may be a few differences for different ships but this is a good representation...

Try food republic at least once on your cruise.

Just checked, seems really good, great reviews too. Definitely will try it! Thank you!

LOL marked marked, all written down! Thank you NCLfamily!

Definitely will try Food republic, thank you!

Is there any complimentary bakery on Escape (not in buffet)?

Don't miss Howl at the moon.

Eat in Food republic.

Visit the District Brewhouse.

Visit the 5 O'Clock somewhere bar.

Have Mojitos at the Mojito bar (best drinks on the ship) Hopefully the chocolate cowboy is onboard.

Don't listen to all the negative crap.

 

 

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OMG Thank you PelicanBill for such detailed answers!!! Really appreciate!

For the dining room, is there any formal nights or theme nights? I know there's one night people wear white but not sure about others.

How at the Moon or the Comedy Club, are kids not allow there? We always take our kids along for the shows and they liked all of them, even one hour Italian vocal, they kept quiet and enjoyed it very much. Is there any main show room we can go daily with kids? How many show rooms/theaters are there on Escape?

Thank you for the tips about kids pool, I will definitely pack their floaties!

Thanks again!!!

Welcome to NCL! I have cruised on Carnival and Royal Caribbean many times, but on NCL the last two times and a third time in December...I love the NCL Freestyle approach. We cruise on Breakaway which is very similar to the Escape. Here are some answers:

 

Freestyle dining: Choices of big buffet, 3 dining rooms, and O'Sheehan's for no extra charge. Dining rooms have the same menu. Buffet has some food theme nights (Asian, seafood...) You don't need a reservation for the dining rooms but you can make one- ahead, or same day. Or just show up. You might wait a short time (or try one of the other dining rooms.) Food is good quality, service is adequate.

You have to pay extra for the fine dining restaurants and need a reservation if you decide to do this. With young kids, many would take them to the buffet and then to the kids club, and just the parents pay for the nice dinner.

 

I hope they will like the kids club so you have some time! Sometimes they will call parents to come talk to the kids if they are having a problem with participating to give you a chance to help them have fun. But most kids love it. For the evening, maybe you can get the kids to "help" mom and dad have a date night. Have then help pick out clothes and do hair and makeup and plan the time so they know how long they will be there and when they will be picked up.

 

Try to get to How at the Moon or the Comedy Club even if you have to take turns watching the kids. Daytime activities in the Atrium can be fun. Be aware that the goodies in the Bakery case and ice cream shop are extra charge and set the kids' expectations. There is ice cream in the buffet for no extra cost.

 

The kids will love the water slides - kids or big ones. The kids pool is deep - over their heads but there is a splash area. Kids can't go in the big people's pool. If the kids are in Kids Club the Spice H2O area is a great place for adults during the day. There are some dance parties open to kids held at H2O some evenings.

 

Room service is free for the food but there is a big delivery/service charge per order. But you can get continental breakfast with no charge (but most people give a cash tip to the delivery person.)

 

What else would you like to know?

Try food republic at least once on your cruise.

Thank you appzoffear, what is good about it? Could you please let me know more?