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NCL Escape Review with Tips & Tricks

RJ1

By RJ1,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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U4icmusic

U4icmusic

Posted
Posted
I'm glad you all liked my review. I really enjoy to cruise and I want to make sure everyone has a heads up before they get on the ship.

 

As for the tips, I had received my OBC from Expedia not NCL so they should of let me do with it as I wish. I guess its not a big deal in the big picture.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. I wish I was back on the Escape! Have a great day.

Just because you booked through Expedia, does not guarantee that the OBC was from them and not NCL. If NCL is offering an OBC, Expedia passes it along to you, but it is still an NCL OBC. For any future cruises, when you get on the ship, either check your OBC on the TV in your cabin, if that service is available, or go down to guest services and ask or verify what type of OBC you have and what it can be used for. Sometimes you will have both an OBC from your travel agent, as well as NCL or whatever cruise line you are booked with. The cruise line OBC is non-refundable, while the TA OBC is refundable and can be used for tips.

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dvcdisney

dvcdisney

Posted
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Thanks for the review. It was very detailed and reassuring for us. It will be our first time with NCL this summer. We've cruised before (8DCLs and 1RCL), but did not know what to expect with the Escape especially reading some concerning reviews (ie. about the smoking (we are all non-smokers and do not enjoy being around smoking).

 

You provided great tips as well!:)

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  • 1 year later...
Kath2me

Kath2me

Posted
Posted

I am very new to NCL and haven't cruised in 25 years,, Anyway, your review was very helpful. Can u be clear on the tips, i prepaid them when i made reservation, I have the FBP .. So when exactly do i have to give additional tips ? Im very confused on a lot ( DUH ) , What is good time to dine if I don't want to miss any of these shows, which we are a older couple, ( handicapped ) .. I'm filled with tons of questions, I will be doing my homework. Thanks again

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Kierste

Kierste

Posted
Posted
I am very new to NCL and haven't cruised in 25 years,, Anyway, your review was very helpful. Can u be clear on the tips, i prepaid them when i made reservation, I have the FBP .. So when exactly do i have to give additional tips ? Im very confused on a lot ( DUH ) , What is good time to dine if I don't want to miss any of these shows, which we are a older couple, ( handicapped ) .. I'm filled with tons of questions, I will be doing my homework. Thanks again

 

Your tips include pretty much everyone...bartenders, servers, your steward , the bus boy. So prepaying those means you don't have to tip. Now if you are staying in the Haven, you have to tip your butler and the concierge (as you see fit) as they are not included in the tip pool you already paid. That said, we always tip our steward more (I usually give some on day one and more on the last day depending on service), they are in your room multiple times a day, and we have chatted with ours quite a bit and I see how hard working they are, so I personally think they deserve a bit more. I have brought ones for bartenders, but have never felt pressured to tip them on top of the pre-paid gratuities, and I have never felt I got faster or slower service due to tipping or lack of.

 

Most meals take about 90 minutes. So if shows are at 7:30 and 9:30, plan accordingly plus time to get to the show and get seated. We find it hard to make it to shows, and we tend to eat early and go to bed early...

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Kath2me

Kath2me

Posted
Posted
Your tips include pretty much everyone...bartenders, servers, your steward , the bus boy. So prepaying those means you don't have to tip. Now if you are staying in the Haven, you have to tip your butler and the concierge (as you see fit) as they are not included in the tip pool you already paid. That said, we always tip our steward more (I usually give some on day one and more on the last day depending on service), they are in your room multiple times a day, and we have chatted with ours quite a bit and I see how hard working they are, so I personally think they deserve a bit more. I have brought ones for bartenders, but have never felt pressured to tip them on top of the pre-paid gratuities, and I have never felt I got faster or slower service due to tipping or lack of.

 

Most meals take about 90 minutes. So if shows are at 7:30 and 9:30, plan accordingly plus time to get to the show and get seated. We find it hard to make it to shows, and we tend to eat early and go to bed early...

Thanks so much, as chances are, hate to say, we also will probably be hitting the bed early also..lol.. we want to get the spa passes,,being handicapped, just to difficult for us to get the vibe passes,, do you know if there is any area of the spa, where maybe you can relax on a lounger in the sun also,, from these forums I'm reading, seems like the general areas , sun decks and public, get so packed, I can't deal with that either,, we like to just relax, eat well and maybe enjoy a show and than relax , glass of wine.. etc... lol.. Thanks again for your help

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Kath2me

Kath2me

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I forgot to ask, as far as breakfast , is your only choice the buffet, or can you go to the main dining room,, I just know its hard in a scooter and a tray of food, than find a sit,, i think i rather just be served, will give it a try , it looks amazing.. Ditto on lunch, if you are by pool, can u get a burger or something, or do u have to go to buffet also , As i said alot to learn and homework to do.. thanks :D

Kathy

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SNJCruisers

SNJCruisers

Posted
Posted
Thanks so much, as chances are, hate to say, we also will probably be hitting the bed early also..lol.. we want to get the spa passes,,being handicapped, just to difficult for us to get the vibe passes,, do you know if there is any area of the spa, where maybe you can relax on a lounger in the sun also,, from these forums I'm reading, seems like the general areas , sun decks and public, get so packed, I can't deal with that either,, we like to just relax, eat well and maybe enjoy a show and than relax , glass of wine.. etc... lol.. Thanks again for your help
Don't know when your cruise is, but 90 days prior is when reservations open up for the main entertainment shows, which are the Brat Pack and After Midnight as well as specialty dining reservations. More specific information about the shows and the optional dining venues are located on myncl.com. Below is a link from a post I did on my roll call explaining about the other entertainment options that are free that you will need to make reservations once you get on board. As a side note, you can eat breakfast in one of the two smaller MDR's and you can eat lunch there on sea days and embarkation day as well. And since you will be getting on early with the wheelchair people, you should be able to obtain Vibe passes at Headliners lounge. Just ask your escort to wheel you there. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=53230498&postcount=190
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firegal2539 "Live from...." Rare

firegal2539

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In the buffet there are servers who clean the tables and will take your plate and carry it for you while you put food on it. They will also get you something to drink. I use a cane or walker and they were always there to help me.

 

Make sure to make your MDR dining reservations as soon as they open. People with scooters/wheelchairs are seated at the front of the MDR because there isn't enough room to get the equipment through. You have to leave it near the door.

 

Same with the entertainment venues, there is usually a handicapped section at the back of the clubs or theater. You can't drive your scooter into the aisles of the venue.

 

Also no ship employee is allowed to help you with your scooter. In other words if you want to get off in port they can't assist you with your equipment. You must be able to get it on and off the ship. I found this out the hard way and had to turn around and get back on board.

 

I love the Escape. I posted a review about my cruise in August of 2016 and didn't see any bad reviews. Sorry that there are some now. Some people just love to complain about every little thing. I actually read a review that blamed the cruise line for the bad weather they had.

 

BTW make sure to have a Guy"s Burger when on board, they are amazing.

 

Candie

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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J68B

J68B

Posted
Posted

Awesome Review.:cool::cool::cool:

 

Thank you for taking the time to give such great details about your cruise experience. I am planning to take my first cruise in a few months. Right now, I've been binge watching YouTube videos and reading reviews about different cruises. I enjoyed reading your detailed review. Thank you for sharing your cruising experience.

 

Kind regards,

Joel

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J68B

J68B

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Joel,

Just an FYI, you can read millions of reviews for all cruise lines, ships, cabins, excursions, etc., on Cruise Critic. It is really informative.

Candie

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Hello Firegal (Candie).

 

Thank you for the Cruise Critic positing. Yes, I've been reading various messages here about cruising. I'm glad I registered for Cruise Critic.

 

Kind regards,

Joel

P. S. - By the way, cool screen name. :cool::cool::cool:

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Kath2me

Kath2me

Posted
Posted
Oops sorry I have been on 8 cruises in 8 months and I am really getting every venue mixed up. Still the best burger at sea.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Holy Moly, 8 cruises in 8 months,, wowzers, Guess you like Cruising ?

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Kath2me

Kath2me

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Don't know when your cruise is, but 90 days prior is when reservations open up for the main entertainment shows, which are the Brat Pack and After Midnight as well as specialty dining reservations. More specific information about the shows and the optional dining venues are located on myncl.com. Below is a link from a post I did on my roll call explaining about the other entertainment options that are free that you will need to make reservations once you get on board. As a side note, you can eat breakfast in one of the two smaller MDR's and you can eat lunch there on sea days and embarkation day as well. And since you will be getting on early with the wheelchair people, you should be able to obtain Vibe passes at Headliners lounge. Just ask your escort to wheel you there. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=53230498&postcount=190
we are flying into FLL in Dec. our arrival time is 9:30 am , than we will have to get to Miami Port, so don't think I'll be boarding that early, ( intime to get that vibe pass anyway ) Oh Well, will try.. I'm trying to figure what would be best for us to do as far as eating dinner and where.. usually that first night for us, we are tired and tend to go to bed early,, not sure , is there a charge for the supper club and what exactly is it . Suggestion ?
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SNJCruisers

SNJCruisers

Posted
Posted

The Supper Club is a reservation needed venue that has entertainment by the Company Men for four different nights, with the first night @ 630 and the other 3 @ 600. You get a 3 course price fix meal. It's free. Since you will not be arriving at the port till close to noon, vibe will be difficult.

 

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app

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taylortime05

taylortime05

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Don't know when your cruise is, but 90 days prior is when reservations open up for the main entertainment shows, which are the Brat Pack and After Midnight as well as specialty dining reservations. More specific information about the shows and the optional dining venues are located on myncl.com. Below is a link from a post I did on my roll call explaining about the other entertainment options that are free that you will need to make reservations once you get on board. As a side note, you can eat breakfast in one of the two smaller MDR's and you can eat lunch there on sea days and embarkation day as well. And since you will be getting on early with the wheelchair people, you should be able to obtain Vibe passes at Headliners lounge. Just ask your escort to wheel you there. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=53230498&postcount=190

 

We are cruising for first time with NCL on Escape on Nov 25. I can't wait. What is easiest way to reserve the free shows once on board? Thanks for all the great tips.

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