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1st time on NCL Escape - MANY QUESTIONS

kbalthaser66

By kbalthaser66,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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kbalthaser66

kbalthaser66

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I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. First, I have sailed many times on other cruise lines. This is my first time ever sailing on NCL. We will be sailing on the Escape on 3-5-16. Here are my list of questions:

 

1. DINING. We picked the Ultimate Drinks and Specialty Dinners perk. How does the Specialty Dinners/Restaurants work? It is my understanding that since I am sailing on a 7 night cruise we are entitled to 4 Specialty Restaurants. When I go and look at the menus for the Specialty Restaurants there are prices listing "al a carte". How does that work for us? Are we allotted a certain dollar amount at 4 Restaurants or is it that since we picked the Dining Option we get to go to 4 different restaurants and order whatever we want at each place? I am SO confused. I have read that I should make reservations prior to boarding for the Specialty Dining. Is this necessary? Also, in regards to the main dining room (Manhattan) since my husband and I will want to dine at a private table for 2 do I need to make reservations to do this or do we just head to the dining room when we are ready?

 

 

2. DRINKS. Since we chose the Ultimate Drinks package I am assuming that we can have as many drinks as we want during a day as long as the drinks are under $15 each, is this correct?

 

3. SHOWS. Is there a flat fee for certain shows? Are the comedy shows free?

 

4. ACTIVITIES. Ziplines, Ropes course, walking the plank, waterslides. Is there a fee to do these activities and if so do you know what the fee is for each.

 

Any advice anyone can give us for this cruise? We have sailed to all of the ports before so we are familiar with the ports but we know NOTHING about the ship itself.

 

Thank you SO MUCH everyone. We are beyond excited for this cruise.

 

Kristin

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mtsnd1900

mtsnd1900

Posted
Posted

 

1. DINING. We picked the Ultimate Drinks and Specialty Dinners perk. How does the Specialty Dinners/Restaurants work? It is my understanding that since I am sailing on a 7 night cruise we are entitled to 4 Specialty Restaurants. When I go and look at the menus for the Specialty Restaurants there are prices listing "al a carte". How does that work for us? Are we allotted a certain dollar amount at 4 Restaurants or is it that since we picked the Dining Option we get to go to 4 different restaurants and order whatever we want at each place? I am SO confused. I have read that I should make reservations prior to boarding for the Specialty Dining. Is this necessary? Also, in regards to the main dining room (Manhattan) since my husband and I will want to dine at a private table for 2 do I need to make reservations to do this or do we just head to the dining room when we are ready?

From what I have seen, get a certain amount of credit towards the A la Carte places.

 

2. DRINKS. Since we chose the Ultimate Drinks package I am assuming that we can have as many drinks as we want during a day as long as the drinks are under $15 each, is this correct?

Not the mini bar, drinks of the day in special cups, and auto-dispenser drinks from the wine machines (if on this boat).

3. SHOWS. Is there a flat fee for certain shows? Are the comedy shows free?

There is one dinner theater show, currently the John Hughes one - due to depart the Escapes paid theater and become a free show pretty soon. the paid replacement for the dinner theater has not been named yet. All others are free

4. ACTIVITIES. Ziplines, Ropes course, walking the plank, waterslides. Is there a fee to do these activities and if so do you know what the fee is for each.

Don't give NCL any ideas! Actually, I am sure they are looking at how to implement a fee for our convenience!

Any advice anyone can give us for this cruise? We have sailed to all of the ports before so we are familiar with the ports but we know NOTHING about the ship itself.

Read the boards, there are lots of threads on it.. We are booked for next year, looking forward to it - enjoy!
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Kealy

Kealy

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Hi -- I'm sure you'll have a fantastic trip. I'll try and provide some answers based on my recent trip.

 

Dining -- you can enjoy 4 specialty restaurants including Cagneys, le bistro, la culinary, and teppanyaki. You may order multiple apps, but just one entree and desserts as you like. The a la carte fees will not apply with the SDP. However there are restaurants that are not included eg the food republic, and some restaurants which you may go to but have to pay an additional fee, $17.70/person eg

 

Make reservations on Ncl website prior to your trip, especially for the specialty restaurants.

If the weather is nice, try dining al fresco on the waterfront.

 

NCl has many restaurants for 2 in the main dinn room.

 

The comedians are included in your cruise fare, however sometimes they are held in a small venue. You can reserve the comedians at the box office once you're on board.

 

There are 2 free shows and one that has a fee (the brat pack), however they are changing up some of the shows in the future. Book the shows online before your trip.

 

The outdoor activities are included with your fare. Some things like bowling, pinball and skeet are an additional fee. Be sure to try the water slides. Lots of fun.

 

Howl at the moon is also lots of fun. Bring a little cash for your song requests.

 

Have a great time!

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KeithJenner "Live from...." Rare

KeithJenner

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From what I have seen, get a certain amount of credit towards the A la Carte places.

 

 

Where have you seen that? It's the first I've heard of it.

 

All reports that I've seen, and my own experience, is as reported by others on here. You can order whatever you want in the a la carte places with the restriction of just one entree.

 

There is a fixed amount upcharge payable in some a la carte places if you have the dining package ($7 in the Tapas place for example), but the main ones (Cagneys, Le Bistro and La Cucina) are fully covered as long as you just have the one entree.

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dolita22

dolita22

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We've sailed the Escape twice, and have a friend sailing this weekend on her first-ever cruise aboard the Escape.

 

While we all enjoy different things and different experiences, here's the list of things I gave her that we enjoyed on the Escape:

-- Million Dollar Quartet (though not sure if they're on your sailing with all the show switching up)

-- All of the MDRs for dinner. There are three MDRs, and the menu is the same for each every night.

-- Lunch in Savor (one of the MDRs) on embarkation day. Grouper sandwhiches and peanut butter cheesecake were what reeled us in! Super good. And way less hectic than the buffet.

-- Food Republic. We don't typically eat in specialty restaurants, but since you have the SDP, you could try it! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal there and service was really, really fast! We were in and out in a half hour one night.

-- Soft serve ice cream in the Garden buffet -- DAILY!!

-- Raspberry guava mojitos at the Sugarcane Mojito bar (Jonathan/Bong is a super entertaining bartender)

-- The Grotto in Spice H20, the adults-only area in the aft

-- Margaritaville (a la carte)

-- Macaroons at the gelato place on the Waterfront

-- O'Sheehan's pub (complimentary)

 

Have a great cruise!

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dolita22

dolita22

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Hi All, can anyone advise if there is a chef's table option on the Escape that you can prebook.:cool:

 

I don't think there is a chef's table on the Escape...but I'm not 100% certain. Hopefully someone will come along to confirm.

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Ctrinh225

Ctrinh225

Posted
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I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. First, I have sailed many times on other cruise lines. This is my first time ever sailing on NCL. We will be sailing on the Escape on 3-5-16. Here are my list of questions:

 

 

 

1. DINING. We picked the Ultimate Drinks and Specialty Dinners perk. How does the Specialty Dinners/Restaurants work? It is my understanding that since I am sailing on a 7 night cruise we are entitled to 4 Specialty Restaurants. When I go and look at the menus for the Specialty Restaurants there are prices listing "al a carte". How does that work for us? Are we allotted a certain dollar amount at 4 Restaurants or is it that since we picked the Dining Option we get to go to 4 different restaurants and order whatever we want at each place? I am SO confused. I have read that I should make reservations prior to boarding for the Specialty Dining. Is this necessary? Also, in regards to the main dining room (Manhattan) since my husband and I will want to dine at a private table for 2 do I need to make reservations to do this or do we just head to the dining room when we are ready?

 

 

 

 

 

2. DRINKS. Since we chose the Ultimate Drinks package I am assuming that we can have as many drinks as we want during a day as long as the drinks are under $15 each, is this correct?

 

 

 

3. SHOWS. Is there a flat fee for certain shows? Are the comedy shows free?

 

 

 

4. ACTIVITIES. Ziplines, Ropes course, walking the plank, waterslides. Is there a fee to do these activities and if so do you know what the fee is for each.

 

 

 

Any advice anyone can give us for this cruise? We have sailed to all of the ports before so we are familiar with the ports but we know NOTHING about the ship itself.

 

 

 

Thank you SO MUCH everyone. We are beyond excited for this cruise.

 

 

 

Kristin

 

 

I'm also on the 3/5/16 sailing. Join our roll call. The shows have been switch starting on our sailing so we can only book when we get onboard. Can't wait to meet y'all at the M&G.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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CRAustin

CRAustin

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I'm on your sailing. Since you are unfamiliar with NCL mega ships what I would stress is book your restaurants and any shows you can on the website before you leave. I have the same 2 perks as you and I booked my 4 dining options I also booked 2 shows and 1 MDR for 2. What I love the most on these ships next to free drinks and casino is the spa. The thermal suites are wonderful not crowded and just so much fun to relax in. If interested you can now book in advance on website. Other pluses Iconceirge to find each other thru text and phone. This is my 14th NCL cruise in 5 years but first on Escape. Very excited too as it looks fabulous! Hope you enjoy your cruise!

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jojoharvard

jojoharvard

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We were on the Escape last week and loved it! Our boys ages 9 and 12 spent alot of time at the Splash Academy and both made new friends there. The comedy shows are all good but the ones in Headliners do need to be reserved as soon as you get on board. Howl at the Moon was enjoyable as was the International Crew talent show which is held on Friday night. The water slides are fun -- the aqua racer is great for all ages. My husband and kids went on the ropes course many times and rarely found the line to be long. We have cruised on smaller ships but really enjoy all that the larger ships have to offer.

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