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JW and Jerome's Adventure on The Norwegian Escape

cruiseguys2009

By cruiseguys2009,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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mafig

mafig

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On our last cruise we were in a forward balcony on a lower deck.

 

A few of the evenings it was very windy and the wind was coming from the port side (where our cabin was). This caused the waves to crash across the front side of the ship.

 

It was very noisy. Not a pleasant wave sound, more like a crashing metal sound. By any chance did you experience this in your stateroom?

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albertamom

albertamom

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I'm following along, too! I love your writing style and your sense of humour! Your video was great fun! :D

 

We still have almost 8 months to wait for our "Escape", so I can't wait to get a little taste through you! :)

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APDMOM "Live from...." Rare

APDMOM

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I'm very excited to read and watch your review! Your presentation style is wonderful!

 

This will help keep my mind fantasizing about our cruise coming up in four and a half weeks!

 

Hey, Marc! I just noticed that we are barely missing another cruise with you! We will be on Escape the week before you get on. Enjoying the countdown, reading along here...

 

cruiseguys, thanks for the detail. Looking forward to more. :)

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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

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“JW and Jerome’s Escapades on The Norwegian Escape Adventure!”

 

Oh No! JW and Jerome are at it again. Yes! "The Mouth Of The South" has a new saga. Hold on to your hats and grab a Martini! We are going for a ride on The Norwegian Escape!

 

A little about us. Jerome and I are mid 50’s. We two unconventional left-over party boys that live in Florida. I am an national award winning Food and Beverage Director of a Marriott Luxury Hotel, and Jerome, well he still flies for a Major Airline (The one that begins with the letter U and ends with D). Together, we have over 50 years in the “Old School” Guest Relations business. We have been together for over two decades, which is a long time for our kingdom, for any kingdom for that matter, and we love to travel by ship on vacation, as we feel that cruising is where we'll find the last bastion of true “Old School” Customer Service and Guest Relations. The kind of Customer Service that myself and my staff exceptionally deliver each day, and I ask for no more or no less, on my well earned vacation when it's time to spend MY money on MYSELF.

 

I know how to take care of "Entitled" Guests so dagnabit.........when I am on vacation, "Entitled" here I come! Kidding folks, just taking some Tourist Literary License, with a bit of "Don't I wish!". I am the least "Entitled" Guest there can be, because I live it everyday. I have an keen respect and admiration for anyone in our business. I know the dedication and hard work it takes to do this job to insure Guest Satisfaction. It is not always met, but it is the recovery that really means the most in a challenging situation.

 

As always, our Adventures are energetic, fun filed, and outrageous at times. We are humorous and sometimes loaded with double-entendres. We will included "Nick" names of people we have shared our fun filled vacation adventures with, and that is good and sometimes embarrassingly bad. So, by the way, we always change names so as to never incriminate the participants. They know who they are!

 

As many of you know, We truly enjoy sharing our experiences, but as we do, please read the entire story and don’t react to “our opinion” that appears in one sentence without reading the entire passage. Any of our perceived negative opinions are usually redeemed to a positive, as the story unfolds. As the title of the story states: We had an surprisingly awesome time and the vacation was one Escapade after another on The New Norwegian Escape.

 

Once again, the opinions expressed are "Our Opinions" and I humbly ask that you enjoy our story, as so many others do, without condemnation of our lifestyle, our opinions or our satire.

 

Some background:

 

We have sailed on four previous Norwegian Cruises. The Dawn, Sun, Sky and EPIC, plus as young kids, the early ships many times.

 

Jerome and I last sailed on Norwegian, Thanksgiving 2012, on The EPIC. It was a truly less than stellar (bordering on disastrous) experience of total Murphy's Law. If it was going to happen to us, it did.

 

On that cruise, we survived a flood in our cabin due to the Jacuzzi in our Spa Suite leaking from the faucet, from inside the wall and covering the floor with 2 inches of water. Then, the glass bathroom door becoming unhinged and crashing to the floor, breaking into 5 million pieces like a Corelle dish does (while I was on the pooper, can you say scared the s**t out of me?).

 

Later, the shower head came unattached and fell down from the ceiling on top of my head (we had a Spa Suite, so the magnificent shower head attacked me, lol). The first night, the ship mis-delivered our luggage (no, it wasn't in the Naughty Room...I know better) and there was a family enjoying my underwear for two days before they let anyone know that this was NOT THEIR Luggage (Really? Who does that?). On the first morning, we lost our car/house keys as they were left on the bed (My Fault) and ended up in the laundry and they had to be mailed back to us weeks later when they were found. We lost our empty luggage completely, later to the flood and lost all of our shoes on the floor as well (and if you know me, I bring a huge load of shoes on a cruise).

 

Then, our entire table of 10 had red wine spilled all over us, everyone's glasses cascading like dominoes due to a waiter mishap, at The Captains Dinner, ON WHITE HOT NIGHT and the Hotel Director at our table was also covered in wine. I am deathly allergic to mangoes and even though the waiter knew that, I was still served mangoes in a salad and Jerome acted quickly and knocked my fork out of my hand sending it across the room and almost starting a food fight.

 

There was a whole bunch more that happened. The whole experience was just plain ODD. The EPIC, with the round beds and me being tall, I kept falling out of it at night. The Suite was ODD. The situations were ODD, the kooky Casino Host was completely ODD (and who I just found out was thankfully relieved of her duties). Our whole experience was just ODD. I tried as best I could to laugh it all off and chalked it up to it not being one of the best cruises ever and tried convincing myself that a cruise is a cruise, but it did not work. We did receive a complete refund from Norwegian, constant phone calls and profuse personal apologies from, then CEO, Kevin Sheehan (Oh yeah, so that's where the name O'Sheehan's comes from!), but Jerome and I vowed NEVER to sail Norwegian again.

 

Had it not been for Andy Stewart, the new CEO of Norwegian, (I have had a fondness for Andy for years, he is really handsome isn't he?) and our favorite Casino Host of all time, Christina Bica, along with the most amazing Concierge Adrian Bica (Yes Christina and Adrian are brother and sister) and their "Peoples" back channeling with our Personal Casino Rep to get us back on to NCL, this Adventure would never have happened.

 

I promise it is worth the wait and each day, with your morning coffee at work and doing laundry on the weekends, I will have you captured for a few moments as the Adventure unfolds.

 

And, a little teaser. We enjoyed this particular sailing so much, we found it to be the Best ever in so many categories. We laughed and had a blast with so many genuine Crew Members and Officers, that we came off the ship and immediately booked the August 20th, 2016, 8 Night Sailing, just to make sure that what I am about to reveal was not a fluke. It should be consistent, as the personnel will undoubtedly change and in sixty days and I promise I will also recap our follow up journey.

Edited by cruiseguys2009
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Daghis

Daghis

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Hey, Marc! I just noticed that we are barely missing another cruise with you! We will be on Escape the week before you get on.

Oh, wow! And I see we have another near miss next year, too, on Freedom of the Seas. We're on two weeks before you then.

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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

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Off to a great start!! Just watched your video. Thank you for the tip about the square/triangle showing where the bed/couch are in relation to the balcony. Can't wait to hear about your Escape!! We are booked in July 2017!!

 

 

And don't you know it....I mis-spoke in the video, it is a PLUS sign not a SQUARE, a square is an ADA room, which is much bigger to accommodate passengers with special needs. On our sailing June 11, 2016 we were in 8120. On the upcoming August 20, 2016 sailing we are in 8122 right next door with the bed by the balcony for comparison in the review recap later. The cabins is soooooooo worth the extra $$$ for the (pardon the Donald Trumpism) Huuuuuuuuge Balcony!

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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

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On our last cruise we were in a forward balcony on a lower deck.

 

A few of the evenings it was very windy and the wind was coming from the port side (where our cabin was). This caused the waves to crash across the front side of the ship.

 

It was very noisy. Not a pleasant wave sound, more like a crashing metal sound. By any chance did you experience this in your stateroom?

 

 

The Mini Suite deck 8 cabins were spectacular and are the little secret on The Norwegian Escape, Breakaway and Getaway. The extra large balcony is 225 square feet, the same size as the living space in the Mini-Suite before adding the bathroom and closet. Ah-May-Zing. We love the sound of the waves and it was beautiful on the balcony day or night.

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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

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Doing lots of research on this ship, so happy to have seen your video and eagerly awaiting your further posts. Does anyone have any information on the Mini-Suite Guarantee? Is there a bad mini-suite on this ship? Looking to go in August to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.

 

 

Our cabin neighbor that we met on our sailing, well, she was in a Mini-Suite Guarantee and she was lucky to randomly get Cabin 8116, HUUUUUUUUGE Balcony. Great deal for her, but as the other poster said, no Drink Package or Dining Package is included in the Guarantee category unless one is "Upsold" from one category to the next.

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JustAllie

JustAllie

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The Mini Suite deck 8 cabins were spectacular and are the little secret on The Norwegian Escape, Breakaway and Getaway. The extra large balcony is 225 square feet, the same size as the living space in the Mini-Suite before adding the bathroom and closet. Ah-May-Zing. We love the sound of the waves and it was beautiful on the balcony day or night.

 

I was close to booking one of these large balcony mini-suites on the Breakaway during my recent cruise (NYC-Bermuda)! I was very tempted because it would have been so easy for our group of 4 to hang out together on the balcony, and also I thought it might be easier for my disabled friend to visit us given that deck 8 is on the same deck as many of the dining/drinking venues. But in the end I ended up in a spa mini-suite and we spent our group time together on the Waterfront instead. :D

 

I will definitely think again about the large balcony options the next time I cruise with Norwegian! :) Thanks for the review.

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JustAllie

JustAllie

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I'm very excited to read and watch your review! Your presentation style is wonderful!

 

This will help keep my mind fantasizing about our cruise coming up in four and a half weeks!

 

:waves: Hi, Marc! :)

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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

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A special note:

 

I am a Casino's-At-Sea player, an "Invited Guest", and I love it that I am, almost always, considered extreme Royalty on board a ship.

 

You may deign to call me "The Slot Queen", (Excuse me, but I said SLOT Queen and please do not replace the O with a U, that's not very nice. But in my lifetime, I guess that would have also applied..........perhaps..............maybe...........OK, shut your pie hole.:D)

 

I am more appropriately known as Sir Lady LoseALot by Jerome.

 

I love the Casino, and sometimes the Casino loves me back, SOMETIMES. It's entertainment for me and it is something that I enjoy. I enjoy the ships now, more than the land based casinos and I feel that increasingly, there are casinos that may look and smell like a casino, but are far from it, especially the "Local" ones not affiliated with big Vegas names. For example, I also feel that the Las Vegas "Strip" has become a reality check for me, as it does not offer any fun for me anymore, unlike the new Downtown Vegas experience with all the new, renovated hotels. The cruise ships however, and more importantly, the New Norwegian Casinos-At Sea program seems to be a new spectacular experience for me on this sailing.

 

I love the New Casinos-At Sea Program. If you are an avid for entertainment-oriented slot player, like I am, then it would make sense for you to simply insert your sail and sign card into the machine, get points and then magically, go from one level to the next. It's simply just a magical "Investment"....so too speak, as long as your credit card could hold out........just sayin'.

 

Or you could also sign up for the Players Club Card at the Club Desk like I did, and just like everyone else, I started at the bottom or what they call (Yeah, Right) "Lucky". By the time I got to the last night of the cruise, this old man was screaming like a mad woman when I had my new card personally delivered to me at the slot machine I was playing by the Casino Host Christina Bica, as I moved to up to, wait for it...............ssssssssssssssssssssss "HOT". JW, get a grip on myself..... and I am sooooooooo HOT Gurl, you can believe it. Go ahead, touch my fanny, I am HOT Gurl!. Burn your finger on my hot cross buns, Booh Yeah! HOT! Sizzle Queen like Bacon Hot. Yessssss. That, and a quarter will get you a roll at the Penny Machine Baby.

 

Now, I am currently known as Sir Queen HOT Lady Lose-A-Lot. My next achievement in August, will be the Next Level up, which would be "investing" into the "Golden" level. Oh no, you won't be able to talk to me then if I reach The Golden Level. No sireee. I will just Tinkle with pride. I am avowed to move up to that level on our next sailing so I can become the one and the only................The Golden Goddess Sir Queen Lady Lose-A-Lot of The Motion of The Ocean! Jimmy Kimmel will certainly invite me on his show for that! I will go around giving everyone "The Golden Goose"........youbetcha!

 

Oh my goodness, magical doors open while playing in The Casino. If I didn't have the cocktail package and I had enough "Sit" time in the casino, free drinks are ever-flowing while gaming as long as I signed up for the Players Club and playing with in their guidelines.

 

For those who love the Casino you will understand me. I bathe in its marvel of magical lights and sounds each night. I am enthralled with the chorus of cheers from the folks winning at the tables. I am empowered by the effervescent cigarette smoke that I can whiff (while I quit years ago it still brings back memories, cough cough, cough and I really can't stand it but I deal with it), and all Jerome wants me to do is to leave the machines for fifteen minutes and have me eat wings in O'Sheehan's with him. "Did you see that?" "Are you kidding me???" "I just got up from that machine and the lady won a $1000.00 dollars?" "Wha Tha ????????????????????". "These wings are really good!"

 

Only an avid slot player would understand. The Casino on The Norwegian Escape is an Escapade unto itself and it very grand and very fabulous. It is Fantasmatic to me. I am into that sort of thing.

Edited by cruiseguys2009
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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

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I was close to booking one of these large balcony mini-suites on the Breakaway during my recent cruise (NYC-Bermuda)! I was very tempted because it would have been so easy for our group of 4 to hang out together on the balcony, and also I thought it might be easier for my disabled friend to visit us given that deck 8 is on the same deck as many of the dining/drinking venues. But in the end I ended up in a spa mini-suite and we spent our group time together on the Waterfront instead. :D

 

I will definitely think again about the large balcony options the next time I cruise with Norwegian! :) Thanks for the review.

 

 

Interesting, as the Waterfront is right out our Deck 8 cabins and would have been better accessible for your disabled friend. Our neighbors had four of the Extra Large Mini-Suite Balcony's and had them all open to each other, it was HUUUUUUUUUGE!

 

There is nothing like this balcony experience. The Spa Balcony's are nice, and you get the Spa included, which is a $199 per person free bonus, but the cabins are still under the overhang on the Escape and we really like the full sun, private sun deck and lounge chairs on our balcony.

 

Full dinner at sea was also incredible, presented by one of the restaurants. It was so romantic and they brought table linens, and served us just like we were in the restaurant. Sweet!!!!!!

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StlGal

StlGal

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I am truly loving your review and your writing style! Your video was fabulous and I am hopeful that you have others to share with us.

 

Next June we are sailing Escape. First time onboard NCL and we are looking forward to learning as much as we can.

 

Thank you for taking the time to educate us in such a humorous way!

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boopsahoy

boopsahoy

Posted
Posted (edited)
A special note:

 

I am a Casino's-At-Sea player, an "Invited Guest", and I love it that I am, almost always, considered extreme Royalty on board a ship.

 

You may deign to call me "The Slot Queen", (Excuse me, but I said SLOT Queen and please do not replace the O with a U, that's not very nice. But in my lifetime, I guess that would have also applied..........perhaps..............maybe...........OK, shut your pie hole.:D)

 

I am more appropriately known as Sir Lady LoseALot by Jerome.

 

I love the Casino, and sometimes the Casino loves me back, SOMETIMES. It's entertainment for me and it is something that I enjoy. I enjoy the ships now, more than the land based casinos and I feel that increasingly, there are casinos that may look and smell like a casino, but are far from it, especially the "Local" ones not affiliated with big Vegas names. For example, I also feel that the Las Vegas "Strip" has become a reality check for me, as it does not offer any fun for me anymore, unlike the new Downtown Vegas experience with all the new, renovated hotels. The cruise ships however, and more importantly, the New Norwegian Casinos-At Sea program seems to be a new spectacular experience for me on this sailing.

 

I love the New Casinos-At Sea Program. If you are an avid for entertainment-oriented slot player, like I am, then it would make sense for you to simply insert your sail and sign card into the machine, get points and then magically, go from one level to the next. It's simply just a magical "Investment"....so too speak, as long as your credit card could hold out........just sayin'.

 

Or you could also sign up for the Players Club Card at the Club Desk like I did, and just like everyone else, I started at the bottom or what they call (Yeah, Right) "Lucky". By the time I got to the last night of the cruise, this old man was screaming like a mad woman when I had my new card personally delivered to me at the slot machine I was playing by the Casino Host Christina Bica, as I moved to up to, wait for it...............ssssssssssssssssssssss "HOT". JW, get a grip on myself..... and I am sooooooooo HOT Gurl, you can believe it. Go ahead, touch my fanny, I am HOT Gurl!. Burn your finger on my hot cross buns, Booh Yeah! HOT! Sizzle Queen like Bacon Hot. Yessssss. That, and a quarter will get you a roll at the Penny Machine Baby.

 

Now, I am currently known as Sir Queen HOT Lady Lose-A-Lot. My next achievement in August, will be the Next Level up, which would be "investing" into the "Golden" level. Oh no, you won't be able to talk to me then if I reach The Golden Level. No sireee. I will just Tinkle with pride. I am avowed to move up to that level on our next sailing so I can become the one and the only................The Golden Goddess Sir Queen Lady Lose-A-Lot of The Motion of The Ocean! Jimmy Kimmel will certainly invite me on his show for that! I will go around giving everyone "The Golden Goose"........youbetcha!

 

Oh my goodness, magical doors open while playing in The Casino. If I didn't have the cocktail package and I had enough "Sit" time in the casino, free drinks are ever-flowing while gaming as long as I signed up for the Players Club and playing with in their guidelines.

 

For those who love the Casino you will understand me. I bathe in its marvel of magical lights and sounds each night. I am enthralled with the chorus of cheers from the folks winning at the tables. I am empowered by the effervescent cigarette smoke that I can whiff (while I quit years ago it still brings back memories, cough cough, cough and I really can't stand it but I deal with it), and all Jerome wants me to do is to leave the machines for fifteen minutes and have me eat wings in O'Sheehan's with him. "Did you see that?" "Are you kidding me???" "I just got up from that machine and the lady won a $1000.00 dollars?" "Wha Tha ????????????????????". "These wings are really good!"

 

Only an avid slot player would understand. The Casino on The Norwegian Escape is an Escapade unto itself and it very grand and very fabulous. It is Fantasmatic to me. I am into that sort of thing.

 

Me and DH are just like you! We cruise for the casino as casino guests! We love sea days cause the casino is open all day long! When we get back from our cruise everyone asks where's your tan-and we answer-we have a casino tan! We turned down the beverage package because of the free drinks in the casino. We are there 75% of the time, so its not worth the price of gratuities for us to have the package ($250 for a 10 day cruise WTH!)

Edited by boopsahoy
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williecruz

williecruz

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Loving the review so far and can't wait for more! We were also on your cruise. We met, and I enjoyed talking to you guys briefly in Vibe on one of the last days. Just like you, we thought this was the BEST cruise we've been on and we're already planning a return. It won't be the August 20 sailing, but will probably be shortly after.

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