1bets1

Truthfully, I always like the food at the buffets better than the MDRs. So when I'm up at 5:30-6AM, besides room service, where can I go for coffee? On RC, they always had the Promenade Cafe. Anything similar?

I could have sworn that someone posted the pizza is good! Maybe the buffet has it? Are any of the Waterfront places included? 

I'm going the last week of August. Sure hope those kids are gone! Lol

Does anyone have a list of included eateries in Escape? The website was pretty general, listing the dining rooms and buffet. Is there pizza, ice cream, coffee cafes? Any info is appreciated!

This is the first time I'm sailing from NY. I'm using a car service. What address/pier do I give the driver, or is 'Escape' enough?

Well that sure sounds nice!

Thank you, that's not a bad deal then! One of my options is Spa balcony. On it, it says complementary access to thermal suite. Has anyone ever done it? What features are we given access too? I'm guessing tje snow room is not part of it.

Quick question- I just got an email saying I can bid on a balcony for $50 per person, for duration of cruise. Is that $50 extra per day per person, or just $50 per person?

I'm reading the different packages, but the descriptions aren't clear to me. There's one for $87.50, unlimited social media and most messaging apps. Does anyone know what they mean by messaging apps? Will I be able to text message on my android phone? 

29 minutes ago, xcell said:

 

- if you are referring to the cabin layout --  I'd just google it

- bidding is dependent on whether your TA has subscribed to the bidding process, some are not. If you booked directly with NCL, then you should be getting the email shortly or you could call in and ask (there's a thread about this)

- bidding -- basically, you can bid for a room up to 2 categories higher than your (i.e. an inside can only bid up to a balcony -- no chance for a Haven)

- perks: if you bid, you can only take the perks that was assigned to your original cabin (you don't get the perks of the upgraded room).

- cabin assignment: depends -- I received my a few weeks later, and my cruise is not until Dec -- you should see the assignment if you have a NCL account, you can log in and look at your vacation summary

 

I hope that helps...happy cruising and good luck on the bid! 

 

Thank you! Really, I'm more interested in a diagram of cabin locations than the bidding. I probably would only want to bid if my cabin was under a bar or something. Or if they offered me a balcony super cheap!

I just booked this morning an inside sailaway on Escape for the end of August. My 1st time with NCL. I get that they select my cabin. Where can I find a diagram of the cabins on the ship? I didn't see one on the website. Also, should I be expecting an email to bid on a better cabin? I don't really understand that part. Is this bidding email offer usually cheaper than if I would have booked it from the start? I don't much care about the perks.  Also, being I booked this only 45 days out, when should I expect the initial cabin assignment? Thanks in advance for any help!

I have a question about Restless Native. I've read nothing but excellent reviews, but I'm a little nervous of the boat itself. Does it go fast, or is it more of a leisurely sail? 

Inside cabin, which is one perk, but I'm considering doing the sail away option, which is no perks, and just buying wifi.

So the excursion perk is $50. If I were to take that instead of wifi, how much does 250 min of wifi cost if purchased?

Hi all, first time cruising NCL. Prior sailings were RC. We always book an inside cabin, but if we wanted to get away from the crowds/no chairs at the pool, we always went to a deck that had an outside walkway, kind of where the life boats were hanging. On RC, there were always a few  lounge chairs out there, where we could relax outside looking at the water. After viewing some photos, I'm not seeing chairs out there on Escape. Does anyone know of a deck that would? If not, when do you buy tickets to Vibes, upon boarding or when booking? I'm booking tomorrow for 8/26, so I'm afraid I might be too late. If there is really nowhere to escape to, I may have to book a balcony. Thanks in advance for any advice!

8 minutes ago, dznymom said:

We just got back from our Bermuda cruise.  Sadly, we got rained out on our full day, which was supposed to be our Clearwater Beach day    So, I will just have to book another Bermuda cruise because Clearwater Beach, the Reserve and Gombey's make me very happy.

Sorry to hear, and hope you get back soon. Did you have trouble getting a cab back to the ferry from Clearwater? All the stories are making me nervous to go! Lol

On 7/5/2019 at 9:00 AM, Charles4515 said:

 

Exact change in coins. No paper bills. 

Thank you. What other currency does the bus take- tokens? I'd rather be prepared. Where do I buy, and how much should I buy for bus back to ferry from Clearwater? I most likely will not be using other public transport, so no need for the pass.

28 minutes ago, Lady Lucy said:

Gombey's is at Clearwater Beach so just ask the taxi driver to drop you off there.  Nature Reserve is a short, easy  walk up the road.  Neither is hard to find.

Thank you. Some said it is hard to get a taxi back to the ferry. Couldn't I just ask someone at Gombeys to call for me?

If not able to get a taxi back to the ferry, does the bus take cash?

Is there a schedule posted somewhere for the NCL ferry? Planning our first time sailing NCL. I didn't see anything on their website, other than their excursion, which is a huge ripoff!

So is Gombey's in between Clearwater and the nature reserve? Are these places easy to find? And if I'm taking a cab from St George, where should I ask to be dropped off?

12 minutes ago, happyscmom said:

Review of Day 1 in Bermuda

 

This was our first trip to Bermuda, so it’s all new. We arrived at 8:00, and made our way off of the ship at about 9:00. We walked around the area by the port. There is a lot of shopping, etc. We really just wanted to get the lay of the land. We walked over to the Visitor Center and bought ferry coins for the ride to Hamilton in the evening. 

 

At about 11 we headed back on the ship for lunch and to get ready. 

 

Our Restless Native Catamaran trip met at 1:30 right near the ship. Meet up was super easy, which was a relief. We got into the boat and headed out right away. The boat is very nice, and the crew was amazing. We rode about 40 minutes to a spot right by a small beach. From there you could snorkel, kayak, float with a pool noodles, or hang on the boat. We have done a lot of snorkeling in the Caribbean, and I’ll say that the actual snorkeling was pretty disappointing. We saw only a few fish, and they were just brown fish sitting under rocks. Nothing much to see. Despite that, the excursion was awesome. We bought a few beers ($5) and grabbed noodles and just relaxed in the water. After finishing water time, they serve free rum swizzles and chocolate chip cookies on the boat. Both were great and the crew was top notch! We got back to the pier at 5. 

 

When we got back back we went running back to the Escape to shower and then ran back to the ferry terminal to catch the 5:45 ferry to Hamilton. It was a huge rush, but we got there right at 5:40. The line was SO LONG to get onto the Ferry. We made it on and searched for seating. We ended up stumbling into the bottom of the ferry which was pretty empty and had an air conditioned area. So, tip....go downstairs!

 

We got to Hamilton about 6:30. We decided to go there because of the street fair. It takes place each Wednesday during the summer. It was a bit disappointing. Most booths were things we would see at home. We ended up eating in a restaurant because the street food wasn’t too appealing. We went to a British Pub called Flannagan’s. It was pretty good. After dinner we walked around a bit and went back towards the pier. It was only about 8:20, but there was already a long line for the ferry. We waited in line until 9, got back at 10, and stood in a very long line to get back on the Escape. Overall, it was a night of lines! I would recommend skipping the Hamilton street festival. It ended up being hours of waiting for very little. 

 

Today we are doing “Caves and Waves,” so more later! 

Hope your trip is fun today. Couldn't you have taken Norwegian's ferry, or am I mistaken?

2 minutes ago, perditax said:

 

Sorry—due the nature of the question I thought you might be a new cruiser.

Nkpe, just never sailed Norwegian. Happy travels!

12 minutes ago, perditax said:

 

They have ice dispensers, and separate (room temperature) water dispensers.

 

Please use a clean cup from the trays nearby to pour the ice and water into your bottles, don’t just shove your water bottle up to the dispenser outlet (to avoid contamination). 

Always do!

On 6/17/2019 at 1:34 PM, graphicguy said:

So, talking to my boss during our Monday debrief from the week before, the topic of time off came up.  My boss said since I hadn’t taken any, the window was closing to get any preferred time I may want (meaning, with conferences, trade shows, etc, I would be booked until Sept).  Off the cuff, I said, how about next week.  Fine with him.

 

The question became, what to do?  I’ve booked last minute before, but never less than a week until departure.  Sure enough, looking at RCCL, CCL, NCL and Celebrity, I could actually see some availability with all of them for next week.  The difference, pricing for all of them was a bit over what I thought it should be.

 

I was in the Bahamas in February.  I’ve been all over the Caribbean.  Even though I have been to Bermuda (which I dearly love), it’s been a few years.  My TA (who has all of my records) mentioned that the Escape was going to Bermuda next week.  But, it was on the Escape, which I sailed in Feb to the Bahamas.  Loved the ship, however.

 

I love balconies, but have sailed solo cabins, and was willing to look at those.  Still, with 3 overnights in Bermuda, it’s really nice to sit on your balcony after a day’s activities and just look at the beautiful area.

 

There were some solo cabins left, but there were only GTY balcony cabins left.  Have never done a GTY cabin, but looking at what some of you had said, I thought...”hey, give it a shot”.  I’d be a solo (once again), which I seem to be doing a lot of lately.

What is a Gty balcony?

On 6/17/2019 at 1:34 PM, graphicguy said:

 

Welllll, I’m booked in a balcony GTY cabin, as of noon EDT today and have no idea where it will be or what kind of balcony it will be.  I may not know until Sunday.  Who knows?  I may even look at some 

 

Anyway, I’ll post here on what I find out as far as my cabin is concerned as well as give a pic review once I’m underway.

 

Now, I have to find the M&G to sign up.