iluvdonuts

Enjoying your TR so much! We are on the Escape in less than three weeks. All of your tips are really helpful. One of my family members has mobility issues as well so your tips concerning those are also helpful. When you went to Food Republic, it sounds like you went at an off time which made for no wait. About what time of the day was that? And it was early in the cruise, right? Looking forward to reading the rest of your TR!! Thx for taking the time to post!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Great review so far! It will be our first time on the escape this March!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Does the Glow Party take place at one of the nightclubs on the ship? Or do they set it up outside or somewhere where the whole family enjoys it?

Thanks. First timer!

The ropes course...unless you are afraid of heights.

And when is the best time to do the rope climb? I imagine there’s a line?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank u for posting this because it will be my family’s first time on the Escape, too!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Atlantis is gigantic and somewhat confusing to navigate. If heat is an issue you can take a taxi to the tower where you check in and then walk over to the hotel lobby. Someone would have to stay with him because everything else is open to the air. I went back to the ship ahead of everyone else because of the heat and my cell phone actually melted where the two parts were glued together and fell apart due to putting it on a lounger in the sun . Not even kidding.

Thanks for your suggestion on the taxi to the lobby area. I hope that works. Sounds like it was so hot when you were there! What time of year was that when you were there? Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If you follow our Breakaway semi live review, I added a short video of the GSC tenders with the boat, see if that is something you can handle.

 

on AT&T 4G, T-Mo/Project Fi or WiFi via Blu R1HD w Tapatalk, VPN secured.

I watched your video! Wow, the whole semi live review was really helpful! Thanks.

I agree with all of the above. If you really think GSC might work for your nephew i would seriously consider renting a cabana for your group - though they are farther away from the tender dock.

Thanks Mistizoom for your reply. A cabana would be awesome but I think you and the other posters are right, maybe we sit this port out. Thanks!

GSC is a tough one for everyone and would be especially so if having mobility issues. It is passed frequently because of rough water or wind making the tenders unsafe. And even then, frequently it is a challenge getting on and off. My wife has issues with rocking boats and we have at least 3 times just stayed on the ship when there. That's not all bad because the ship is much more peaceful with most of the guests gone. Might want to think of that. And...it can be hot on shore with no escape until back on the ship. Also, I might add, the tenders are big and the wait on them while they fill can be lengthy.

Thank you so much for your reply! You make a really good point about just staying on the ship and enjoying it without all of the crowds. We will consider this option for sure. Thanks again!

In terms of mobility, his first challenge is to get from the ship down to the double decker tender boats at GSC ... everyone board from the lower deck of the ship up onto the tender, down 1 or 2 steps to the boat. Then, it's down steps to the lower deck once you are at the island for the ramp to step onto the island's tender pier.

 

Once you are on GSC, there are beach transport wheelchair (notify Special Needs ahead) to help - otherwise, it's a 10 minutes walk over to the closest beach area to find shades (for someone with mobility issues, others - maybe 5 to 7 minutes of walking)

 

Reserve & book a vented clamshell (for 2) shade for best sun/heat/UV protection, it's worth that $35 with heat issues as noted.

Thank you so much for all of this info! It helps a lot to know what to expect.

Happy travels!

Hello!

We will be traveling with my nephew on the Norwegian Escape in mid-March and he has mobility and heat intolerant issues. One of our ports is Great Stirrup Cay. Does anyone know how much walking is involved to get from the tender dock to one of the beaches? We are hoping to snag a shady spot so might have to send a couple of our party members out earlier than he can arrive.

I guess I have the same question for the Nassau port stop. I'm thinking maybe we can purchase a Discover Atlantis tour/pass so he can stay in air condition but how much walking is involved? I know I've read that the Atlantis is a huge resort.

Thanks for your help!

Danny6514,

Thanks for a great review! We will be going on the Escape for the first time in March with my two boys. We haven't sailed with NCL in about ten years so many things are new to us that I'm reading about. The Crystal Caves tour sounds really interesting. Did you book that through NCL ? Or with a tour guide who you found once you docked? Also, did you find that there was a lot of walking involved doing the Discover Atlantis tour? My nephew is coming also and he has mobility and heat intolerant issues.

Thanks for your help!

I did the Everglades park a few years ago. We did it on our own with a rental car. But the airboat ride is a set ride so don’t think you get any more time if you do it on ur own; just more economical.

 

We definitely saw lots of birds and a few alligators.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sanger727,

Having a rental car is a definite consideration and we like how it is more economical! Thanks for your reply.

We went on this tour in October not long after the hurricane. We didn’t see any wildlife from the airboat. Apparently the gators relocated - don’t know if they are back now.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Herdingdogmom,

Thanks for your reply. What a bummer you didn't see any wildlife from the airboat. That is definitely something to consider!

Yes! We saw tons of 'gators and beautiful birds. Well worth it if you love nature :)

FirstRodeo,

Thanks for your reply! We do love watching animals in their natural habitat so hopefully the hurricane hasn't disturbed their surroundings too much!

Yes, we saw alligators, birds and turtles. On the land part of the park there are crocodiles and other alligators to be seen from the pathways. There is also the 'show' with a guy who will work with 3 or 4 gators in the spectator area. You will also have an opportunity to hold a baby.

 

 

I really enjoyed this excursion, I've done it twice and would do it again.

That sounds promising! My kids would love to hold a baby alligator, too! (Or maybe not!). Thanks for your reply.

Like anyplace with wildlife it is always hit or miss. However as a FL native I have been in the glades a few times on airboats and almost every time have seen wildlife.

DarkJedi,

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like everyone has been able to see wildlife from the airboat except right after the hurricane. Hmm. Something to consider. Thanks!

Hello!

We are booked for a NCL Escape cruise in March and thinking about signing up for the Everglades Airboat Excursion once we return to the Port of Miami. I've read some reviews on other travel sites about how wildlife is hard to see from the airboat because the animals hide once there are too many visitors. Has anyone taken this excursion and can you share your experience with me? I am traveling with my family of four, including two boys (age 9 and 12) who would love to see Everglades wildlife. As an alternative, we may also consider just renting a car and taking a day trip to the Everglades national park ourselves. Our flight does not depart until the late afternoon (and I can still change it to even later). I do like the convenience of getting off the ship earlier and transporting all of us plus our luggage to and from the Everglades and then to the airport. However, we do not mind renting a car if it means better time spent at the National Park.

Thanks very much for any insight!