NCL Escape - Tips & Tricks?

Hello!

My family is heading on our first cruise ever in less than 40 days. We'll be on the NCL Escape.

I'd love any tips + tricks you have on how to enjoy this cruise to the fullest!

TIA!

L

Following!

Make sure to book your specialty restaurant reservations and show reservations 90 days before your cruise.

I haven't been on her yet, so the best advice I can offer is read some of the reviews on here that have given the best information about the Escape:

The Doug Out: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2307885&highlight=escape

Yorkvillain: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2317327

Gambee: http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/norwegian-escape-review/

Jerome: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2369814&highlight=escape

Enjoy!

No real secrets - but from our experiences.....

Garden café - head straight to the back to avoid crowds - it's the same food but you can actually get to it, especially at breakfast.

If you just HAVE to sit on a lounger right next to the main pool, get up early. If being next to the pool is not critical - there are lounge chairs on several decks that will always be available.

The waterfront areas on both sides of the ship on deck 8 will almost never be crowded, great views, nice seating areas and quiet if that is what you are looking for.

Vibe - xtra charge, have to be on ship pretty early to get them, think of it as near haven level service without haven access. Again, quiet, nice padded loungers, never crowded, great bar service.

Cruise director & asst. cruise director have more energy than I thought was humanly possible - you'll see, and hear, them everywhere.

Smoking areas - one level above main pool deck on port side of ship - if you smoke, go there, if you can't stand smoke, use the starboard side of the ship to walk back and forth. If you don't you will be walking through an area with cigarette and cigar smoke. Also - same deal on starboard side of Spice H20 (I may have switched sides around - but you'll see the areas).

If you really want to eat at one of the specialty restaurants one evening but don't have reservations - walk up and ask about cancellations fairly early in the evening. We were seated immediately in Cagneys at 6:10 pm because someone had skipped out on a 6:00 pm reservation. All boards showed no availability in any specialties until after 8:30.

Spice H20 - quiet(ish) by day, party by night.

Coffee bar on deck 6 (I think) right next to Atrium bar - get a coffee / cappuccino etc and grab a shot of baileys at the atrium bar - my morning ritual.

Waterfront area have a drink at 5 o'clock somewhere bar.

District Brewnhouse for craft beer.

See Bong in Mojito Bar.

Book specialty restaurants as soon as possible 90 days before cruise.

LeBistro dine inside as you can smell the smoke from Casino if you sit outside.

Relax and enjoy, the Escape was our best cruise ever.

After you register and board on the first day, go to one of the 2 main dining rooms for lunch (Taste or Savor). Don't go to the buffet. Everybody and his brother will be there and you will have plenty of chances to go there during your cruise.

Go visit the Chocolate Cowboy at the 5 O'Clock Sunday bar (outside on the Waterfront).

The pool area gets crowded. Go to Spice H20 instead. There's no pool but they have a cool grotto water feature and hot tubs and it's easier to get a seat.

If you need to go from one end of the ship to the other, don't go the same way that everyone else goes. For ex., if on deck 8, use the Waterfront instead of cramming through the shops/photo gallery area.

Here are some tips I accumulated from the boards and my Escape cruise in 2016:

1. Pack a set of all-white or neon clothes so you can enjoy the ship's "glow party."

2. Ride the watersides and do the ropes course on port days, no lines and SUPER FUN

3. Must sit outside (port side) on the waterfront when leaving Tortola. Great views of the islands.

4. If you are eating a late lunch, be aware that around 3pm, they switch over to what is referred to as snack time with a whole new variety of foods offered. It can be worth waiting for.

5. Always go to the back of the ship for the fastest lines and to get seating. We went to the back everyday for breakfast and lunch and always found a booth or a table.

6. Bring an old credit card that doesn't work so you can place in slot so your lights can power up your room all day. We never left the lights on but it kept the power on so I could charge my phone or cameras while I was away.

Ditto on many of the others listed from other posters. I also did a review of my cruise on Escape (check my signature).

MOST OF ALL!!!! HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

Bong in the Mojito Bar is the best.

If you can get a seat at the bar near the pool, a couple bucks go a long way in keeping your drink filled.

There is a USB port by the light by the bed. (well at least we had it by our bed in our balcony cabin.)

I agree, the sail away in Tortola is beautiful!

Download iConcierge before you arrive at port. After check in, sign in and make any dining reservations you weren't able to book from home (you will have an almost wide open schedule to select from). You won't be able to see your existing reservations...but they are there. If you want to change your times, book the new time while waiting to board, then call and cancel the ones you don't want once you get on board. You'll also be able to book reservations for entertainment. Be sure to book all the comedy shows you are interested in because those sell out quickly and the venue is quite limited in size.

Go to Howl at the Moon. Very entertaining and no ressie needed. Bring some $1 and $5 for requests.

If you want to go to a sold out show at the last minute, get into the stand by line and most always you will get in.

The lines to the ropes course will likely be quite long when it first opens and after every gets back onboard - especially after Tortolla since it's such a short day there. Wait about 30-40 minutes to let that line clear....then it will likely be shorter...or walk on. Do it! There are two zip lines that are a blast!

This one might seem a little odd...but it's a favorite of my family. Try the whipped cream in the buffet. We put it on everything! We call is "crack cream". Not sure why it is so good...but it's the same on every NCL ship we've been on. I'm almost embarrassed to say it is one of the reasons we cruise with NCL. :D

Most of all...enjoy your time together and don't let the neigh-sayers and negative people impact your vacation.

Download iConcierge before you arrive at port. After check in, sign in and make any dining reservations you weren't able to book from home (you will have an almost wide open schedule to select from). You won't be able to see your existing reservations...but they are there. If you want to change your times, book the new time while waiting to board, then call and cancel the ones you don't want once you get on board. You'll also be able to book reservations for entertainment. Be sure to book all the comedy shows you are interested in because those sell out quickly and the venue is quite limited in size.

 

Go to Howl at the Moon. Very entertaining and no ressie needed. Bring some $1 and $5 for requests.

 

If you want to go to a sold out show at the last minute, get into the stand by line and most always you will get in.

 

The lines to the ropes course will likely be quite long when it first opens and after every gets back onboard - especially after Tortolla since it's such a short day there. Wait about 30-40 minutes to let that line clear....then it will likely be shorter...or walk on. Do it! There are two zip lines that are a blast!

 

This one might seem a little odd...but it's a favorite of my family. Try the whipped cream in the buffet. We put it on everything! We call is "crack cream". Not sure why it is so good...but it's the same on every NCL ship we've been on. I'm almost embarrassed to say it is one of the reasons we cruise with NCL. :D

 

Most of all...enjoy your time together and don't let the neigh-sayers and negative people impact your vacation.

This cracked me up. I have heard others refer to "crack cream" too and have never had it-" -- I can't have dairy, but will have to ask my kids to try it in June!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We did the card trick on the Breakaway a few years ago to keep our things charging when out of the room. I was wondering if it was needed on the Escape since that slot seems to turn on a "we're at home" light outside your door. (I saw it on a review). What if you want the room cleaned (or whatever the other lights were.) Also, do you know if the USB plugs are turned off when not in the room?

I was wondering if it was needed on the Escape since that slot seems to turn on a "we're at home" light outside your door. (I saw it on a review). What if you want the room cleaned (or whatever the other lights were.) Also, do you know if the USB plugs are turned off when not in the room?

There are switches for the "make up room" and "do not disturb" lights as well as the light for "at home".

You picked a great ship for your first cruise. I was on the Escape last month and probably my favorite ship I've been on. Enjoy!

..... relax and try to have a good time.

Just got off the ship last week. How we miss it!!! Best vacation any of our group ever had. Here's my tips:

1.) Order breakfast room service!!! If you skip the eggs, it's FREE!! Look for the room service book in the slot under the TV. Fill it out and stick it on your door before 4am. For free they offer cereal, fruit, pastries, muffins, yogurt, juices and coffee. Best thing we did every morning so we weren't rushing to the buffet to eat. Loved having the extra coffee out on balcony. You can choose your time of delivery from 6am til 10am. Everyday am we ordered coffee, muffins and fruit. Worked out great cause I don't function well 1st thing and hubby does. So it held him off til we could get out and about. Absolute must to start the day!!!

2.) If you have the specialty dining and there are no slots, just walk down at the time you want to eat. people make reservations all the time and don't show.

3.) If you find a spot you plan on parking at and are going to drink, tip!!! tipping goes a longgggg way for great service.

4.) as someone said... take a fake credit card or store card to stick in your light switch.

5.) on the last day to disembarkment, they put out luggage tags in the atrium near guest services. Choose the latest time to leave the ship 10am if you can.

6.) Don't expect much from the internet. Several from our party had it and didn't work. And the app didn't work at all on my phone. The only port we all had free internet in was St Thomas. It was funny... as soon as you get close to the island you can hear people all over the balconies yelling yeay we have service!! lol

Remember to bring tennis shoes or closed toe footwear that surround your entire foot if you want to do the ropes course. I had to use my dress shoes to do it!

Make your reservations in the terminal using the iconcierge app. The ships wifi will come in but is often weak. I had to go over to the windows and hold my phone up to get a signal but booked everything in advance so no need to focus at on that once onboard. Have fun!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks all, keep them coming! I have a document I keep adding hints & a packing list, along with restaurant suggestions, etc. We've never been on the Escape, 1st Mega Ship so all is appreciated! We cruised on the Sun 2 years ago to the western Caribbean looking forward to trying it on what almost double the ship if Escape in July!

Is there a time during the day that the pool area is "less crowded"? I remember on the Disney Dream earlier in the morning (before 10) and later in the afternoon you could sneak in for a quick swim before the crowds...

First off, thanks SO much for all these great tips. As mentioned, I'm a newbie so I know nothing.

Wondering if anyone has any reports about the Kids Club? My kids are 6 and 9. They aren't big kids club people. I'm hoping that the counsellors at the kids club win them over because I'd love to have a bit of adult time while we're on the cruise.

Thanks

L

First off, thanks SO much for all these great tips. As mentioned, I'm a newbie so I know nothing.

 

Wondering if anyone has any reports about the Kids Club? My kids are 6 and 9. They aren't big kids club people. I'm hoping that the counsellors at the kids club win them over because I'd love to have a bit of adult time while we're on the cruise.

 

Thanks

L

I'm so glad you started this thread because I have learned so much! I have the same questions about Splash and my kiddos are the same age. (I think we are on the same dates too, right?!)

I found this link with some old schedules:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2290702&page=3

Specifically I am wondering how others found the flow of their day. I would love to hit the water slides/ropes course with the kids with low crowds as well as DH and I getting to use Spice before the chairs are all taken. My guess is to have the kids attend morning Splash while we go to Spice for a bit and then pull them out for an early lunch and hit the slides/ropes while most of the ship is having lunch? If they want Splash in the afternoon can take them or else maybe they will want to go at 7 after dinner?

Hey Cookie,

We're on the Mar 25th sailing.

Spice? Do you mean VIBE? ;)

I really hope my kids are interested in the kids club... even for just a bit everyday. It's part of the experience.

Yes! I recognized your name from the roll call. No, not Vibe-I don't think we would get there often enough to make it worth the added cost, but Spice H2O sundeck with the grotto area looks fun. I've read if you don't go there early enough it is hard to find chairs though.

I would say early morning or end of day are most uncrowded times to swim but really, the kids pool was never really crowded Easter Week last year. More people hanging out around but not swimming in adult pool. We noticed long lines for the slides the first day when everyone is raring to ride them. After that, the lines were considerably shorter and if you got there as soon as they opened, you could ride them 10 times or do without much of a wait!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums