My Escape thoughts 1/16-1/23

[cruise4fam]

I just return from a wonderful week on the Escape! It was my husband & I celebrating our 25th anniversary. My cruise background, I have sailed about 25 times on Ncl. I have also cruised on Rccl, Holland, Princess, Carnival with about 25 cruise on those brands.

 

Embarkation:

Easy check in, but horrible disorganitized after that. We arrived at the pier around 9:45. They did not start boarding till around noon which is later then we have experienced on other Ncl ships.

 

Ship thoughts:

I thought the ship was beautiful! Love the colors! No grand autrium which I don't think that was a problem for me. Plenty of places to sit & relax. Loved the water front area. Nice cozy chairs & sofas!

 

Stateroom:

Midship Balcony 12166. Loved the room! Colors were brown and I felt it was warm & inviting. Sofa by the door bed by balcony. Storage was enough for us with plenty of hangers in the closet. Bathroom was a good size for a cruise ship and bigger then many other ships.

 

Spa pass:

Absolutely worth it for us! We spent so many hours day & night just relaxing. Never felt crowded any time you went. Never a problem getting 2 chairs together. Just a great space for us.

 

Casino:

As a guest of the casino I received my casino at sea & drink card in my room. I have a issue with smoke I don't do well with it. Where I played blackjack there was no issue at all. There were many areas around the casino there was tons of smokers I stayed away. I didn't find a issue with smelling smoke above & below the casino floor.

 

Pool area:

Since we had the spa package we didn't sit by the pool. My impressions, I saw plenty of open chairs. SpiceH20 stopped in to see it. Didn't stay more then a walk around.

 

Bars:

We had the drink package, I don't think we waited more then 1-2 mins to get served. Even the pool bar was pretty easy to be served. 5 o'clock somewhere bar was probably the longest wait at 2 mins.

District brew house there was never a wait & a great place to sit & watch a game.

 

Speciality restaurant:

We had the 4 specialty restaurant package. We went to Teppanyaki, Modernos, Cagneys, La Cucina, Le bistro. We enjoyed them all! Never a wait and excellent service!

 

O'Sheehans:

Went twice, food was very good and was served pretty quickly. One of the desserts they have apple pie for dessert. I asked for ice cream, the server said that they would have to charge me. Thought that strange.

 

Main dining room:

We ate dinner one night. Food was good, nothing outstanding but very good. Breakfast 3 times. We enjoyed breakfast a lot in the dining room, menu changed daily. We did lunch one day and it was good with a good variety.

 

Buffet:

My favorite meal was breakfast tons of options. Port mornings it's crazy. Lunch & dinner we ok but nothing spectacular. Desserts were probably the worse I have found on any ship. But they had a yummy crepe station everynight!

 

Gym:

I went every morning and never had a issue getting a machines. Tons of machines and many options. Jogging track was small and people walk across so you have to dodge around them.

 

Disembarkation:

Horrible!!! They started late and didn't start walk offs till around 7:45. Plus I think 3/4 of the ship took there bags off. I have never seen so many walk offs.

So even having Platnuim status we didn't get off till almost 9.

 

Ports:

Been to them all so we just walked around and shopped.

 

Random thoughts:

For platinum member you get a free meal at Le Bistro or La Cucina. It use to be you could get soup, salad, appetizer, dessert. Now you can only get 3 items. Not sure when that change but my last cruise in July it wasn't that way.

 

Love that at 9:30pm they had snacks at buffet. Think that's it's a great idea for a evening snack. Nice that Ncl doesn't worry that it's 10 mins early they open the buffet.

 

Cruise next:

If you buy one certificate for $250 get $100 on board credit. 2 certificates you spent $500 you get $250 on board credit. I felt that's a great deal!

 

I thought this was a pretty smooth sailing. A couple of rocky times but I felt the water was pretty calm.

 

These are my thoughts and impressions and felt I used to read all the reviews and was extremely happy with this ship and wanted to share. I found the crew to be super friendly and everyone said hello and seem sincere. Would I go on this ship again definitely! I am already thinking about this ship for a April cruise.

 

Any question ask away!

[scrappinannie]

Thanks for your review! We have the Escape booked for April with our kids. It will be their first cruise ever and only our 3rd. Have read many, many reviews and am trying to stay very positive about our upcoming trip, even amongst some pretty bad reviews but yours is making things look better. ;) We try to take these things with a grain of salt. Last year hubby and I sailed Epic (first time on NCL) and that ship, too, had tons of less than stellar reviews but we had a great cruise! Never waited for restaurants or bars, the casino LOVED us and we loved the entertainment. I truly believe things are as you make them. I'm just happy to be cruising!

 

Since you mentioned being to your ports of call many times before, may I ask what your favorite thing to do in St. Thomas is (non beach)? Our kids are 6 & 9 and we already have 2 excursions planned for the other 2 port days so hoping to keep it low cost and low key. Is this a port we could easily and safely walk around in?

 

Thanks again for sharing!

[cruise4fam]

I have learned from many years of cruising and reading cruise critic to not get crazy with everything I read. I really enjoyed the Escape I think it's my new favorite NCL ship. I go in with a positive attitude and usually everything turns out great. Be positive and I think you will love the ship. You sound a lot like me and take it with a grain of salt!

 

I have been going to St. Thomas for years. It's very safe port, I have gone on girls cruise and never feel threatened walking on my own. My kids are older now but started cruising when they were 3 & 7. Where the cruise ship parks is Havensight. There is a bunch of shopping right outside the ship. You can walk to a tram that's about 5-10 min walk from the pier. Takes you up to the top of Island. It's about $21 round trip for adults and I think $16 for kids. My boys use to enjoy it.

 

You can also take a open air bus to the down town area & walk around. Buts it's just really more shopping.

 

Any other question just let me know. :)

[scrappinannie]

Great, thank you! I have also heard of Mountain Top and that appears to be free to get to, as in no tram up the mountain, is that right? Would the 99 Steps/Blackbeard's Castle and Mountain Top be doable in a day? I think we are in port from 8-6 on a Tuesday.

[snorklinbarb]

Getting ready to board so your comments are very helpful!

 

Can you touch on the entertainment, please? Read here that a couple of shows were canceled due to injuries - do you know where that stands?

 

How about the various lounge/bar entertainment? Is there a Caribbean band like on the other ships?

 

Was the Brenda Braxton dinner show ($) still being offered? If so, do you know what night/time?

 

Gather they have the Latitudes party (silver & above) in Spice H20. Was that Mon. night?

 

Just trying to get all my ducks in order. Glad that you had such a good time!

 

Any standout dishes to recommend in the specialties or MDR? We'll be eating at roughly the same places as you, with the new menus. Hope the SDP and UBP work as well for us!:)

[cruise4fam]

Great, thank you! I have also heard of Mountain Top and that appears to be free to get to, as in no tram up the mountain, is that right? Would the 99 Steps/Blackbeard's Castle and Mountain Top be doable in a day? I think we are in port from 8-6 on a Tuesday.

 

I am not much help on the walking up the mountain part my kids loved to take the tram up. My kids are 19 & 23 now so kid oriented things have been a long time ago for us. Not sure if you can do both as I don't remember the castle. My thoughts you get in like 7 am and don't leave till I think 7. Wish I could help more.

[cruise4fam]

Getting ready to board so your comments are very helpful!

 

Can you touch on the entertainment' date=' please? Read here that a couple of shows were canceled due to injuries - do you know where that stands?

 

How about the various lounge/bar entertainment? Is there a Caribbean band like on the other ships?

 

Was the Brenda Braxton dinner show ($) still being offered? If so, do you know what night/time?

 

Gather they have the Latitudes party (silver & above) in Spice H20. Was that Mon. night?

 

Just trying to get all my ducks in order. Glad that you had such a good time!

 

Any standout dishes to recommend in the specialties or MDR? We'll be eating at roughly the same places as you, with the new menus. Hope the SDP and UBP work as well for us!:)[/quote']

 

As for as entertainment goes I am not much of a help. We don't do shows (I fall asleep). They did announce early on one of the shows was canceled do to a cast member injury.

 

I don't remember a Caribbean band like other ships had. I did hear a band by the pool but it was regular music. Also no BBQ by the pool like other ships.

The Manhattan room had a nice band at dinner.

 

I didn't go to the Latitudes party but I believe it was the night of Tortola.

 

I really enjoyed the Ossbuco at the Italian restaurant. Cagneys had lamp chops and they were excellent. In the main dining room I enjoyed the lava cake a lot for dessert!

 

We really enjoyed this ship and its crew was so nice. I hope you have as great a time as us!!

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Any chance you have a picture of the beer menu of what they were serving in the district brew house? I know. Far fetched. LOL

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[CoconutJD]

We were on this sailing as well, and as far as the entertainment goes, both The Brat Pack dinner show and Million Dollar Quartet had cast members with injuries (from what I understand they were both ankle sprains or similar).

 

We had tried to reschedule the dinner show, but the cast member re-injured themselves and was cancelled a second time. Was not able to reschedule Million Dollar Quartet as all the other shows were fully booked.

 

Didn't sound like the injuries were severe enough to keep the shows off for a long period. It might impact the current sailing, but I don't imagine it will be anything further.

[ashg84]

Hello!

We were on this sailing as well with a group of 12 and had a great time!

We were on deck 9 AFT balcony which was fantastic. Although one of the nights they had rehearsals below in the Manhattan Room from 1-3am and it was very very loud. Was ok as we were up late but may bother others and I read the same on another post on the forum.

Was never an issue getting chairs before 10, after that I saw many people walking around trying to find a spot. We always went to the top sun deck and there was always chairs there. I have been on 3 other NCL sailings and felt the service on the top deck/pool deck was not the same as other sailings. Typically on my other sailings there was always so many bartenders walking around taking orders, I didn't find that this time around. It was fine going to the bars but I found the bar by the sun deck was always packed and lined up. We spoke with one of the pool bar managers about this issue and within 20mins there were more bartenders at the bar and walking around taking orders. It remained this way for the duration of the cruise so they really do listen to their guests.

Also it was great to not have receipts printed after getting drinks (for those who have the UBP) but feel the bartenders may not be tipped quite as much due to this?

We were initially disappointed with Margaritaville charging but that didn't stop us from going. Thought the food was great and Volcano Nachos were huge! Good thing is we could take out whatever we didn't eat for the rest of our party. And if using your dining package you can order whatever you want on the menu, no restrictions.

All in all we loved the ship and all the places to eat, drink and relax. Food Republic was fantastic as were the main dining rooms and we never had issues booking our party of 12.

The ship wasn't too rocky except for the last night when there were 11.5 ft height waves, we felt it a lot then!

[cruise4fam]

Any chance you have a picture of the beer menu of what they were serving in the district brew house? I know. Far fetched. LOL

 

Sorry I don't have a picture. I can ask my husband if remembers what was on tap.

I do know the left handing brewing company was out the whole trip. My husband was bummed about that.

[duchesslt]

 

Disembarkation:

Horrible!!! They started late and didn't start walk offs till around 7:45. Plus I think 3/4 of the ship took there bags off. I have never seen so many walk offs.

So even having Platnuim status we didn't get off till almost 9.

 

 

I was hoping early walk off would be "easy", according to all past Escape reviews. I was completely thrown off when I got downstairs at 730 am and had a line from the aft elevators wrapping around the dining room and didn't get out til 830. I wouldn't ever book a 955 am flight departure after cruising one of these megaships. We only made it because I have airline status and precheck.

[cruise4fam]

I was hoping early walk off would be "easy", according to all past Escape reviews. I was completely thrown off when I got downstairs at 730 am and had a line from the aft elevators wrapping around the dining room and didn't get out til 830. I wouldn't ever book a 955 am flight departure after cruising one of these megaships. We only made it because I have airline status and precheck.

 

Wasn't it nuts the line? I have never seen that many people doing walk off. It was very unorganized some people didn't know where to go. You are lucky you made your flight.

[volcano]

Thanks for the review crusie4fam. My first Norwegian was last year and I bought the certificate for $250. They didn't give me an option for two. I've seen that a couple times now. If you but two do you get to use it for each one of us on our next cruise or do we have to use if for two separate cruises?

[newfimom]

We are leaving this Saturday. We are going as casino guests. How many hours do you play each day?

 

Newfimom

[SNJCruisers]

Any chance you have a picture of the beer menu of what they were serving in the district brew house? I know. Far fetched. LOL

Simple Google search.......http://www.entrepreneursodyssey.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/The-list-of-Beers-at-the-District-Brew-House-on-NCL-Escape.jpg

[Keith1010]

I enjoyed your review.

Keith

[deladypilot]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. Cant wait to give her a try in October

[kevek24]

Not a big gambler, but if it's on the ship, I'm going to want to play Blackjack at some point. Do you know what the minimums are for Blackjack?

[cruise4fam]

Thanks for the review crusie4fam. My first Norwegian was last year and I bought the certificate for $250. They didn't give me an option for two. I've seen that a couple times now. If you but two do you get to use it for each one of us on our next cruise or do we have to use if for two separate cruises?

 

This was the first time I bought 2 certificates. It was a deal for $500 get $250 on board credit. Paid for 1 of my spa passes plus $$$ towards the 2nd pass.

I already booked the Escape again but I book through the casino. The casino rep told me till April 30 you can use 2 certificates. I would think that would be a Ncl rule.

[cruise4fam]

We are leaving this Saturday. We are going as casino guests. How many hours do you play each day?

 

Newfimom

 

I usually play about an hour and a half in the am. After lunch an hour or so. Then after din any where from an hour to two hours.

 

Enjoy your cruise we really enjoyed the Escape!

[cruise4fam]

Not a big gambler, but if it's on the ship, I'm going to want to play Blackjack at some point. Do you know what the minimums are for Blackjack?

 

Minimum for blackjack was $6.

[kevek24]

Minimum for blackjack was $6.

 

Wow, nice. Cheap fun!

[projectorguy1]

This was the first time I bought 2 certificates. It was a deal for $500 get $250 on board credit. Paid for 1 of my spa passes plus $$$ towards the 2nd pass.

I already booked the Escape again but I book through the casino. The casino rep told me till April 30 you can use 2 certificates. I would think that would be a Ncl rule.

 

I really enjoyed your review! Looking forward to the spa very much - We are cruising this Saturday!

 

Do you have any idea when this double certificate promotion began?