Norwegian Escape Review Sept 3rd/ 10th

[ShipsAhoy508]

First, I am a male, mid 60's, solo cruiser. The last few years I have cruised Carnival but on Sept 3rd I was first time on Norwegian, the Escape. I got a great deal booking a guaranteed balcony two weeks from start of cruise.

 

The Escape is absolutely beautiful and very large. Lots of walking, but I like to walk. The entire crew couldn't have been nicer. My cabin steward was very efficient and anything I asked for was done right away.

 

I purchased the caps & corks package because I do drink and what the heck, while on a cruise it's OK to go a little overboard. Included in the program is a good selection of wines and beers.

 

As busy as they are, the bartenders were right on the ball. There are a lot of bars and restaurants on the Escape.

 

I've been single for a few years and feel a bit funny sitting by myself in a restaurant, so all my meals were eaten in the "Garden" buffet on deck 16.

I really enjoyed the food. Always a great selection and in my opinion, delicious.

 

There is so much to do on the upper deck, rope walking, miniature golf, basketball, three water slides. For me, being older with tendinitis I was just happy to lounge around and enjoy cruising.

 

The weather was just about perfect! All my other past cruises have been inside cabins so this was my first taste of a balcony. I want balcony cabins from now on. So much more enjoyable than an inside cabin.

 

I didn't know about it but there is a program offered called Cruise next. They explained it on the cabin TV and also held a talk about it in the lobby. By Thursday I knew I want to cruise Norwegian again, so I purchased two deposits valued at $500, but I only paid $250. Now that's a fantastic deal!!

 

I'm not knocking Carnival. I'm sure I'll cruise them again. But I honestly feel Norwegian is a step up from Carnival.

 

Happy Cruising All :)

[Sauer-kraut]

Thanks for sharing your impressions. Did you know that even though you weren't sailing in a studio cabin you were more than welcome to attend the daily gathering for solo cruisers and go to dinner with the group. Perhaps this is something to look forward to on your next cruise.

Edited September 15, 2016 by Sauer-kraut

[Love.II.Cruise]

I didn't know about it but there is a program offered called Cruise next. They explained it on the cabin TV and also held a talk about it in the lobby. By Thursday I knew I want to cruise Norwegian again, so I purchased two deposits valued at $500, but I only paid $250. Now that's a fantastic deal!!

 

Wow! That is cool. I had no idea about Cruise next, but we will check that out! Thanks for the info. We are going on our first NCL cruise soon. :D

[LuvBNatC]

Thanks for sharing your impressions. Did you know that even though you weren't sailing in a studio cabin you were more than welcome to attend the daily gathering for solo cruisers and go to dinner with the group. Perhaps this is something to look forward to on your next cruise.

 

I was on Getaway a few years ago and this was the case, but when I booked my upcoming Escape cruise, I asked the NCL agent about this, and she wasn't sure if singles in other cabin categories are allowed into the Studio lounge for happy hour.

 

Do you know for certain that it's doable on Escape?

[Sauer-kraut]

I was on Getaway a few years ago and this was the case, but when I booked my upcoming Escape cruise, I asked the NCL agent about this, and she wasn't sure if singles in other cabin categories are allowed into the Studio lounge for happy hour.

 

Do you know for certain that it's doable on Escape?

 

To be sure you'd have to look in the Freestyle Daily for the solo gathering. I have read in other reviews that sometimes it is outside of the Living Room and in one of the lounges.

[ShipsAhoy508]

Thanks for sharing your impressions. Did you know that even though you weren't sailing in a studio cabin you were more than welcome to attend the daily gathering for solo cruisers and go to dinner with the group. Perhaps this is something to look forward to on your next cruise.

 

I did not know that. I will try that the next time. Thanks for that info. :)

[breezy270]

Wow! That is cool. I had no idea about Cruise next, but we will check that out! Thanks for the info. We are going on our first NCL cruise soon. :D

 

 

IMHO the cruise next program is awesome!!! I have purchased them on my last two sailings with NCL. It is nice to know I have my deposit money at any time I see a great deal on a cruise. They can be used regardless of where or who you book your NCL cruise through. They have been running a special promotion that allows you to use two cruise next deposits instead of just one. The crew member at the cruise next desk on board told me about it on my last cruise.

[LuvBNatC]

To be sure you'd have to look in the Freestyle Daily for the solo gathering. I have read in other reviews that sometimes it is outside of the Living Room and in one of the lounges.

 

The solo gatherings in the Freestyle Daily are one thing, but my understanding was that they left the door open in the Studio lounge during certain hours so other solos could come in. Maybe we were told this at the first singles get- together, where they gave us a tour of the Studio accommodations.

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing your review with us.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the review.

[ShipsAhoy508]

To be sure you'd have to look in the Freestyle Daily for the solo gathering. I have read in other reviews that sometimes it is outside of the Living Room and in one of the lounges.

 

It's my own fault for not looking at the Freestyle Daily close enough to see there is a solo gathering. There had to have been other solo seniors who would have wanted some to dine with.

 

I won't make this mistake the next time.

 

Thanks to all

[AZ Irish]

It's my own fault for not looking at the Freestyle Daily close enough to see there is a solo gathering. There had to have been other solo seniors who would have wanted some to dine with.

 

I won't make this mistake the next time.

 

Thanks to all

 

I was on this sailing in a solo cabin. I can confirm that the solo gathering was definitely open to all solo traveler's. Jojo, our host, made sure the door to the lounge was open during the evening "meet & greets" so those without key access could get in.

 

We had people we saw every night and some who came & went. But it was a fantastic thing for solos. I had dinner most nights with a group of fun folks (all ages). We even got seated right next to the stage for the Motown Dinner show in Manhattan Dining room. It actually seemed like we got priority seating/treatment with our little solo group.

 

I have nothing but effusive praise for the solo program and plan on solo travel with Norwegian again. Unfortunately, Jojo is leaving the Escape but I'm sure they will get another wonderful host.

[rgruenhaus]

I was on this sailing in a solo cabin. I can confirm that the solo gathering was definitely open to all solo traveler's. Jojo, our host, made sure the door to the lounge was open during the evening "meet & greets" so those without key access could get in.

 

We had people we saw every night and some who came & went. But it was a fantastic thing for solos. I had dinner most nights with a group of fun folks (all ages). We even got seated right next to the stage for the Motown Dinner show in Manhattan Dining room. It actually seemed like we got priority seating/treatment with our little solo group.

 

I have nothing but effusive praise for the solo program and plan on solo travel with Norwegian again. Unfortunately, Jojo is leaving the Escape but I'm sure they will get another wonderful host.

Excellent! That is very nice to hear. I am going to be Solo cruising in a studio room on the Epic next January and I will seek out this host or director and see about these meetings. Thanks

 

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[rgruenhaus]

IMHO the cruise next program is awesome!!! I have purchased them on my last two sailings with NCL. It is nice to know I have my deposit money at any time I see a great deal on a cruise. They can be used regardless of where or who you book your NCL cruise through. They have been running a special promotion that allows you to use two cruise next deposits instead of just one. The crew member at the cruise next desk on board told me about it on my last cruise.

I wonder why NCL doesn't put that out? I was never told that on my last cruise or I would have gotten more than one! Getting the onboard credit for purchasing them is very nice! I was told that each $250 next cruise deposit was to be used on separate future cruises.

 

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[rgruenhaus]

I was on Getaway a few years ago and this was the case, but when I booked my upcoming Escape cruise, I asked the NCL agent about this, and she wasn't sure if singles in other cabin categories are allowed into the Studio lounge for happy hour.

 

Do you know for certain that it's doable on Escape?

I wonder about this too as when the Solo lounge is mentioned on NCL. com they say the lounge is for Studio Room occupants only to add to their socializing and fun. Though if the food and drink in the lounge was not available because of non solo passengers accessing the lounge that would detract from the value I paid for. If maintained well enough and I saw no loss I wouldn't sweat it.

 

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[WAHMto5]

Thank you for your review as we have also only cruised Carnival (once on Disney)! We are soooo looking forward to trying this cruise in a couple of weeks!

 

Do you remember what night the "Motown Dinner show in Manhattan Dining room"? Thanks again!

[SNJCruisers]

Thank you for your review as we have also only cruised Carnival (once on Disney)! We are soooo looking forward to trying this cruise in a couple of weeks!

 

Do you remember what night the "Motown Dinner show in Manhattan Dining room"? Thanks again!

I was on the 6 day sailing the first week of August and the show was from 630 to 700. We had 16 solos spread over two tables of 10 each. I think it was on Thursday night.

 

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[SNJCruisers]

The original meeting on embarkation night was at 600 at Tobacco Road. We were then escorted to the lounge on deck 11. Each subsequent night the meetings were at 600. There were group activities for different shows as well as dining. The lounge was nice in the fact there was an espresso machine, so you could have an espresso or a cappuccino anytime you would like.

 

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[LuvBNatC]

Thanks to all who have verified that all solos can be included in Studio activities. I've always found NCL to be most attuned to solos, especially when they pioneered the Studio concept.

 

I'm looking forward to my Escape escape even more, now that I'm aware of all the ways to connect with other solos. Here's to no more lonely dinners for one. :D

[kathy884]

OP Thanks you for your review. So glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

Nice to hear from someone who has mostly done Carnival too and hear how the Escape feels like an upgrade and was really enjoyable. In the last 20 years we have only done three cruises and they were all Carnival Conquest class, so we are really looking forward to trying the Escape (just booked a cruise on that for next March). We really love having a balcony too and use it a lot.

 

And for the other posters too -- Wow! - what a great sounding solo traveler program.

[ShipsAhoy508]

Thank you for your review as we have also only cruised Carnival (once on Disney)! We are soooo looking forward to trying this cruise in a couple of weeks!

 

Do you remember what night the "Motown Dinner show in Manhattan Dining room"? Thanks again!

 

As I mentioned in my review, I didn't eat in the dining rooms, I ate in the garden buffet.

[ShipsAhoy508]

I plan on going on the Escape or Breakaway maybe in March or April and whether or not I stay in a studio, I will go to the first solo meeting and ask if it's okay to visit the studio lounge to find some dinner mates for this retired senior.

 

The reason I booked a balcony rather than a studio is I booked last minute and believe it or not, a guaranteed balcony was cheaper than a studio.

[WAHMto5]

I was on the 6 day sailing the first week of August and the show was from 630 to 700. We had 16 solos spread over two tables of 10 each. I think it was on Thursday night.

 

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Thank you!

[firegal2539]

Right now NCL is running a special, you can put two CruiseNext deposits together on one cruise. I think it is good until tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

 

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