Escape review (Jan 2nd to 9th)

Fresh new and clean. Great ship for kids.

Amazing staff!!! Loved Delta!!!

Food just ok for the most part. Everywhere on the ship was always packed. Felt like a mall the week before Christmas... all the time.

Way too much lounger hogging. Not enough loungers or space for all the people

Bar service was excellent with lots of options.

Teppanyaki - good

Moderno - good

Cagneys - excellent

Million Dollar Quartet - fantastic

After Midnight - some good points, some bad (many people left early - including us). Loved the dancing but didn't know any of the music. Wasn't enough to hold our interest.

Quick embarkation and relatively quick disembarkation.

Ports were nice. Rained all day in St. Thomas, Tortola didn't have much going on (future potential, though)

Nassau, Bahamas was our favourite. Expensive. Spent a few hours at Atlantis. Worth the trip. Take a cab and book the Discover Atlantis tour directly at the resort. Most economical by far!

Ship's layout was great. Much preferred over the Carnival line where its a maze to get from one end to the other.

One thing was very strange but had nothing to do with our ship. When we were in port beside the Carnival Conquest there was a horrible sewage smell that we think was coming from the Conquest. Did anyone else notice this? It was really powerful (many people on deck plugging their noses) and we never experienced it anywhere else.

Anyway, bottom line is we had a good time but I think we'll stick with resorts for a while. The overcrowding is not what we look for on vacation. Just our personal preference.

As my Escape cruise gets closer, I get more excited whenever a new review gets posted. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Did you book your specialty restaurants ahead of time or after you got on board?

Did you see the John Hughes Show?

Did you do a shore excursion in Tortola?

Sorry, so many questions.

Fresh new and clean. Great ship for kids.

Amazing staff!!! Loved Delta!!!

Food just ok for the most part. Everywhere on the ship was always packed. Felt like a mall the week before Christmas... all the time.

Way too much lounger hogging. Not enough loungers or space for all the people

Bar service was excellent with lots of options.

Teppanyaki - good

Moderno - good

Cagneys - excellent

Million Dollar Quartet - fantastic

After Midnight - some good points, some bad (many people left early - including us). Loved the dancing but didn't know any of the music. Wasn't enough to hold our interest.

Quick embarkation and relatively quick disembarkation.

Ports were nice. Rained all day in St. Thomas, Tortola didn't have much going on (future potential, though)

Nassau, Bahamas was our favourite. Expensive. Spent a few hours at Atlantis. Worth the trip. Take a cab and book the Discover Atlantis tour directly at the resort. Most economical by far!

Ship's layout was great. Much preferred over the Carnival line where its a maze to get from one end to the other.

One thing was very strange but had nothing to do with our ship. When we were in port beside the Carnival Conquest there was a horrible sewage smell that we think was coming from the Conquest. Did anyone else notice this? It was really powerful (many people on deck plugging their noses) and we never experienced it anywhere else.

Anyway, bottom line is we had a good time but I think we'll stick with resorts for a while. The overcrowding is not what we look for on vacation. Just our personal preference.

I wasn't on the sailing, but smell probably came from Carnival ship - I'm a little biased, as when I sailed the Imagination in April, they had HORRIBLE sewage problems and I won't sail with Carnival again.

Hi Funat55

Both actually. Lol

I booked the Teppanyaki and Moderno beforehand but when we got on board there was no sign of either reservation. (Travel agent indicated that NCL's site is glitchy.) I was concerned because there were only super late times left available even when I booked online. I thought we were out of luck.

It was actually the best thing that could have happened. When I called guest services on board to find out what was going on she said "No worries. What times would you like?"

They had tons of availability and I booked 5:30pm for one and 6:15pm for the other. A lot better than 9pm!!

We didnt see John Hughes, sorry, and didn't do a formal excursion in Tortola...not that I didn't hunt for one beforehand. There just didnt seem to be much that didn't involve beach or scuba of some kind. We just walked around Road Town which we enjoyed.

Ask all the questions you like. 😊 I'm happy to help.

Aubreyc1988

That's awful! If that stench was, in fact, coming from the Conquest, how the heck did the people on board stand it?? Ugh!!

Ports were nice.

Nassau, Bahamas was our favourite.

I don't think that I have ever seen Nassau and favorite used in the same sentence.

I don't think that I have ever seen Nassau and favorite used in the same sentence.

Lol. Me either.

Hi Funat55

Both actually. Lol

I booked the Teppanyaki and Moderno beforehand but when we got on board there was no sign of either reservation. (Travel agent indicated that NCL's site is glitchy.) I was concerned because there were only super late times left available even when I booked online. I thought we were out of luck.

It was actually the best thing that could have happened. When I called guest services on board to find out what was going on she said "No worries. What times would you like?"

They had tons of availability and I booked 5:30pm for one and 6:15pm for the other. A lot better than 9pm!!

We didnt see John Hughes, sorry, and didn't do a formal excursion in Tortola...not that I didn't hunt for one beforehand. There just didnt seem to be much that didn't involve beach or scuba of some kind. We just walked around Road Town which we enjoyed.

Ask all the questions you like. 😊 I'm happy to help.

 

Aubreyc1988

That's awful! If that stench was, in fact, coming from the Conquest, how the heck did the people on board stand it?? Ugh!!

no choice I guess - when I was on the imagination, they DENIED it over and over, but NONE of the public bathrooms were open for use and the bathroom in my stateroom always had a backlog of sewage in it. They claimed it was "California Ocean Water" like what the heck lol

Thanks for the review. We sail February 6th. The over crowding is a concern, this being our first Mega ship cruise. Thankfully we have a balcony stateroom to escape to if needs be.

Favourite only of the 3. 😉

Macadian

Balcony is a welcome retreat (and plenty big enough, by the way). Common areas and club based shows are packed, dining and bar service were never a problem.

Aubreyc1988

Thats awful!! I wonder how long they'll be able to get away with denying - instead of correcting - the problem.

thank you for your review, one question: are the arcade video games still for free or have you to pay for them now?

thank you for your review, one question: are the arcade video games still for free or have you to pay for them now?

I am pretty sure you have to pay for the arcade now because an Escape reviewer on *************** wrote a hilarious rant about his kid spending $800 in the arcade. He held ncl and their "casino controlled arcade" (?!?!) responsible.

Fresh new and clean. Great ship for kids.

Amazing staff!!! Loved Delta!!!

Food just ok for the most part. Everywhere on the ship was always packed. Felt like a mall the week before Christmas... all the time.

Way too much lounger hogging. Not enough loungers or space for all the people

Bar service was excellent with lots of options.

Teppanyaki - good

Moderno - good

Cagneys - excellent

Million Dollar Quartet - fantastic

After Midnight - some good points, some bad (many people left early - including us). Loved the dancing but didn't know any of the music. Wasn't enough to hold our interest.

Quick embarkation and relatively quick disembarkation.

Ports were nice. Rained all day in St. Thomas, Tortola didn't have much going on (future potential, though)

Nassau, Bahamas was our favourite. Expensive. Spent a few hours at Atlantis. Worth the trip. Take a cab and book the Discover Atlantis tour directly at the resort. Most economical by far!

Ship's layout was great. Much preferred over the Carnival line where its a maze to get from one end to the other.

One thing was very strange but had nothing to do with our ship. When we were in port beside the Carnival Conquest there was a horrible sewage smell that we think was coming from the Conquest. Did anyone else notice this? It was really powerful (many people on deck plugging their noses) and we never experienced it anywhere else.

Anyway, bottom line is we had a good time but I think we'll stick with resorts for a while. The overcrowding is not what we look for on vacation. Just our personal preference.

Have any idea of how many where on your cruise? The over crowding is coming the 3rd and 4th in room, especially with the promo. While capacity is listed as 4200 some, they've been having between 4600 - and 5200 per cruise. Life boats would actual handle more than that, so they're safe.

Nothing against children, but parents are taking advantage of the promo at ALL times. Pulling kids out of school doesn't seem to be an issue any more. It used to be, if you wanted more piece and quiet you would book during school year, and leave the summer months to the families.

I agree with both, the ship was super crowded (sailed the Getaway for spring break in 2014 and never felt crowded) and the stench was horrible!!!

I need to work on a review this week.

I agree with both, the ship was super crowded (sailed the Getaway for spring break in 2014 and never felt crowded) and the stench was horrible!!!

I need to work on a review this week.

You feel the stench was from escape?

And you are saying the Escape was super crowded?

Many of the reviews, even the positive ones, talk of overcrowding.

thank you for your review, one question: are the arcade video games still for free or have you to pay for them now?

They are definitely pay for. Probably the most expensive thing we did all week that wasn't pre-paid. Very cool games but pricey.

You feel the stench was from escape?

 

 

 

And you are saying the Escape was super crowded?

 

 

 

Many of the reviews, even the positive ones, talk of overcrowding.

Yes the Escape was extremely crowded, much more than I've ever felt other cruises.

I'm not sure what the horrible smell was from to be honest. It didn't last too long but it was especially bad by the main pool.

They are definitely pay for. Probably the most expensive thing we did all week that wasn't pre-paid. Very cool games but pricey.

Agreed......my son said the games were very cool but at $3-$5 a swipe, they do add up rather quickly.

.

 

 

 

Nothing against children, but parents are taking advantage of the promo at ALL times. Pulling kids out of school doesn't seem to be an issue any more. It used to be, if you wanted more piece and quiet you would book during school year, and leave the summer months to the families.

Yes for sure, KSF was a great deal for us. We are taking our 7 year old out for a week in Nov (not Thanksgiving or Veterans Day) and we have UBP. Too good to pass up, he can do make-up work on the plane! If they offer the KSF or 3-4th free again for fall 2017 we may do it again.

I too was on the January 2nd sailing, had a great time!!! I was on the the Getaway last year so I knew what to expect with the crowds. We never tried to get lounge chairs by the pool, we always went up to the sun deck at around 9:45 - 10:00 am and it was never a problem. The only time I really felt the crowds was the during the "game shows" in the atrium, not enough chairs for people to just sit down and watch. We had the UDP, and ate Le Bistro, Cagney's, Teppanyaki, Moderno and La Cucina and hands down the Le Bistro was the best!!! Cagney's didn't come even come close. Even though the ship was crowded it was a FANTASTIC CRUISE!!!

I don't think that I have ever seen Nassau and favorite used in the same sentence.

Me too! Really funny!!!!!

We had the UDP, and ate Le Bistro, Cagney's, Teppanyaki, Moderno and La Cucina and hands down the Le Bistro was the best!!! Cagney's didn't come even come close. Even though the ship was crowded it was a FANTASTIC CRUISE!!!

What did you get at Le Bistro? I am so torn.

There was 12 of us and between us, we tried a little bit of everything, and everything was wonderful. We ate at Cagney's three times and tried to change our reservation back to Le Bistro, but was unable to because there was no openings.