CamaCama's Family Vacation on the Escape 11/21/2015 (Detailed PICTURE Review!!!!!!)

[CamaCama]

One more thing that I should have written about earlier too... the iConcierge app!!!

 

We loved this app. We used it mainly to see what was going on that day (same as freestyle daily), view our balance and to text with family members. I went on a few times the last 2 nights to see if any reservations opened up but no luck with that. But it is a good way to make reservations too. If you didn't use it for a few hours we did notice you just had to click back into the app to "reconnect" for texting but other than that no issues. The texting was easy to set up, there was a code on the tv that you enter and that's it. Plus it ended up being FREE!! I heard it was a 7.95 charge per phone for the week but we didn't have to pay that, it said 0.00 when we "purchased" it as you can see below. :)

 

 

We started with I think $250 in OBC so this screenshot was taken on day 3 I think but it showed how much obc you had left and what you'd spent so far that obc didn't cover. Plus all the charges/credits you had on which day.

 

 

 

[CamaCama]

Last post of the day probably but I wanted to share our countdown chalkboard. Every day starting about 30 days out, Sienna crossed off a day and this picture was from the morning we were leaving for the cruise.

 

 

And here's my packing list all crossed out lol sorry... but if you look closely you'll see there is NO stroller on it!! :mad::mad:

 

 

Edited December 2, 2015 by CamaCama

[CamaCama]

Oh do keep going! Can't wait to hear about the balcony dividers being opened. Like you, we are 3 in row, with 2 connecting, down on deck 8. So appreciate your effort on this one! Thank you.

 

Just posted about that... it was so great having all that outdoor space!!

 

Thanks for your review and pictures! We were on the 3-day from Miami in mid-November and are sailing with friends on a 7-day in January. The 3-day was definitely a party cruise, so we're interested to see how it compares to the 7-day.

 

Even though we've already sailed on the Escape, I'm looking forward to more of your review! Anticipation for January and all that. :)

 

Lucky you get to go on again! Lots more to come. :)

[CamaCama]

Sorry about the interior room comment, I was feeling under the weather yesterday and must of misread it. Those balcony rooms look really nice, and the balcony actually looks larger than the ones in Breakaway. My guess is that NCL decided to increase the size after all the complaining. But you're right, they are still small when compared to say Oasis. I hope I get to upgrade to a balcony, but I bought at such a low price that I am not sure that it will dip any lower than that. But one can hope, right?

 

The pool area is definitely tinny for that ship, I noticed that long time ago. It was actually small on Breakaway, so I can only imagine how it feels on this ship. Hopefully there is some room for mom and I in the free Jacuzzis, because I have no intention in paving extra for Vibe/Spa.

 

I was not aware of the smoke issue, I thought they had enclosed the smoking section fully.

 

Once again thank you, you're doing a fantastic job :)

 

Hope you're feeling better. I heard they were doing something with a non-smoking section in the casino but I didn't see one, there was a small room on one side so maybe that was it? But definitely stunk the whole week.

 

We bought at a super low price too for interior and balconies were about $800 EACH more than what we paid when we got offered the upgrade for $250 less than 2 weeks out. Couldn't believe it and it was soooo worth it. Hoping you can get something similar!!

[CamaCama]

I agree, enjoying your review. We cruise with the grandkids often too so enjoying the kids' experiences too. Did you notice if they had hard (scoop) ice cream in the buffet or only the soft serve kind? Also did they have made to order dessert crepes in the evening in the buffet also? I remember enjoying these a few years ago on Epic but with all the cuts was wondering if they were included on Escape. Thanks

 

Yes they had several flavors of hard scoop ice cream with sprinkles and all kinds of toppings next to it. We never had it b/c we like the soft ice cream but there was always a short line there. I didn't notice crepes, sorry, maybe someone else knows??

[CamaCama]

Love your detailed review, can't wait to see the rest.

 

I'm glad you pointed out the carpet serves as directional way-finding. In the past the carpet did serve as way finding but only for port and starboard sides, not an actual direction.

 

It's a nice detail... and thanks!

[dolita22]

... Except I guess whoever thought putting the bathroom light on the outside of the bathroom didn't have young kids... it went pitch black a few times on me.. and my mom and Len. haha

 

...or didn't marry my husband! He'd shut the light off on me every so often, too! Sheesh! :)

[CamaCama]

...or didn't marry my husband! He'd shut the light off on me every so often, too! Sheesh! :)

 

hahaha

[LuCruise]

Great review so far. Love hearing about others experiences...especially when traveling with kids as we're taking our kids on a cruise in the spring. Your kids are adorable. Looking forward to hearing more.

[Samstress]

Love this review...it's so engaging!

[amarie129]

I will be on the Escape 1/23/2015. My cousins first and I haven't been on a cruise in 5 years. This will help me plan our days and nights better.

[amscene1]

Finishing up with the room pictures...

 

 

 

The bathroom was awesome!! So much space, so much storage, huge shower (for a ship), glass door, great water pressure. Just loved everything about it. Except I guess whoever thought putting the bathroom light on the outside of the bathroom didn't have young kids... it went pitch black a few times on me.. and my mom and Len. haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty picky when it comes to soap and body wash but I loved the body wash they had in the shower dispenser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be careful! I sometimes replace with a bottle of nair! OUCH!

[cruisecrazy82]

Be careful! I sometimes replace with a bottle of nair! OUCH!

 

Do you mean that you actually are cruel enough to add Nair to the wall dispensers???? Why would anyone do something like that!:eek::eek::confused:

[CamaCama]

The muster drill was at 3:30 and we had to go to the Manhattan dining room. It was very quick and easy, very organized, it lasted maybe 10 minutes.

 

 

We headed back to the rooms to unpack and figure out where to go for sailaway at 4:30. It wasn't looking too great outside and the weather just got worse from there... I've never had a rainy sailaway, this would be the first time.

 

 

 

After unpacking we headed up to Spice to see if anything was going on outside and it was pouring.

 

 

We decided to just go up to Margaritaville on Deck 17 and get some drinks and sit in there for a bit. It wasn't that crowded there surprisingly and the bartenders were very entertaining!

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2015 by CamaCama

[CamaCama]

I hope this works...........

 

Margaritaville bartenders (VIDEO)

 

View from right side of Margaritaville

 

 

Ordering drinks

 

 

I got some kind of monkey coconut blended drink.. yum!

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2015 by CamaCama

[Blazen]

 

 

 

 

Why this big open space and why does the bar appear to be closed with its shutters closed?

 

Thanks

Greg

[CamaCama]

...

Edited December 3, 2015 by CamaCama

[CamaCama]

After we finished our drinks and it got dark, we went down to O'Sheehans to play some games before dinner. You just swipe your card for all of them...

 

 

 

 

Len's basketball score...

 

 

Mini bowling looked fun but we never went back to play..

 

 

We played this for a while, but it wasn't easy since the puck kept sticking to the table..

 

 

[CamaCama]

While playing games we were entertained with music by Juan down on Deck 6. He was really good.

 

 

 

We all went back to our rooms to change for dinner...

Edited December 3, 2015 by CamaCama

[CamaCama]

I had made us all reservations for the whole week in the dining rooms (1 specialty on the last night) online but most were for 5:30. Online it was either 5:30 or 8:30 for most nights, not sure if it was because we were a group of 7 or if I just did it to late (I think I did it close to when it became available though). I did manage to get a 6:30 for the next night, but tonight we were having to much fun exploring, playing games, etc that we never would have made it to 5:30 dinner. So we decided to forego that and just see what happened when we went at 6:45.

 

 

Savor and Taste are right across from each other with a bar in between. We got a pager from Savor first, they said 45 minute wait so I went over to Taste to see what the wait was there and it was the same. So we stuck with Savor and less than 20 minutes later we were seated! Good thing because the girls were already getting tired...

 

 

 

The service was very quick and the food was good.

 

 

We were seated at a round booth in a corner which was nice

 

[CamaCama]

SAVOR MENU

 

 

 

 

 

[CamaCama]

KIDS MENU (same every night)

 

 

[CamaCama]

I had the salad appetizer that was really good, everyone else got the ceviche. Nobody liked it, they said it was not lemony at all and the waiter told us to get ceviche from Food Republic (a la carte restaurant) if we want the real good stuff. lol

 

 

Barramundi (fish) - those who got it loved it!

 

 

Rotisserie Chicken - I got this and it was really good, I'm not a big meat eater so nothing appealed to me on the main courses menu, this was off the "classic" section of the menu that was the same every night.

 

 

Chocolate Lava Cake - amazing! But I asked for it without the strawberries from then on.

 

 

Cheesecake - Len said it was awesome, I think NCL is known for their cheesecake right? Not sure where I heard that..

 

[CamaCama]

It was about 9 when we got back to the room and Mike had made the couches into beds in both rooms. Sienna slept on the couch and my mom in the bed in one room and we slept in the bed in the other room with Mila on the couch.

 

 

I got this inflatable bumper on amazon for $17 before we left and it was perfect for Mila's bed. She would have definitely fallen out if not for that. Here's the link: Inflatable Bumper

 

 

We inflated it and positioned it under the sheet then tucked the sheet back under the couch cushion and put the comforter over that. You can see below that it makes a nice barrier and it stayed put all week.

 

 

We all were sleeping by 10pm...end of Day 1!!!

[CamaCama]

Great review so far. Love hearing about others experiences...especially when traveling with kids as we're taking our kids on a cruise in the spring. Your kids are adorable. Looking forward to hearing more.

 

Thank you, there's lots more to come...

 

Love this review...it's so engaging!

 

Thank you! I rely heavily on reviews for everything so I hope this helps someone. :)

 

I will be on the Escape 1/23/2015. My cousins first and I haven't been on a cruise in 5 years. This will help me plan our days and nights better.

 

Jealous!! Have fun!!!