Norwegian Escape Not to Miss Suggestions

[new2cruising26]

Boarding the Escape 1/28 for an Eastern Caribbean cruise. We are a couple in our late twenties and have never cruised before. My question is, what is not to be missed on this cruise? We already have dining reservations and show reservations as well as a Jeep tour on st. Thomas and the Escape to Jost Van Dyke excursion booked. What else comes highly recommended that we should not miss?

 

Thanks!

[sid_9169]

Food Republic, Pincho Tapas, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The District Brewhouse... Love the Escape!.

[brookie848]

If you are interested, there should be various wine tastings (for a fee) at the Cellars. You will need to sign up for these. We did the wine and chocolate tasting and it was very interesting. I know there were others offered as well.

 

On our sailing the wine and chocolate tasting was booked up and they were turning away walk-ins, so you might want to check on it the first day as you are walking around the ship.

[TheDougOut]

The Waterfront area on Deck 8 is great - lots of comfy couches and chairs to relax on during the day. In the evening it's beautifully lit... so grab a beer at the District Brew House and take a stroll.

 

For higher energy activity - definitely check out the Glow party and other themed parties up in Spice H20.

 

I so-so-so love the Escape. Have a great trip. :)

[LrgPizza]

Do not miss Food Republic. You can visit there for lunch on sea days, if it doesn't fit in your dinner schedule. Also don't miss the late night live music/fun in The District Brewhouse. It's a great alternative to Howl at The Moon, which is also not to miss.

 

Also, late night (or daytime) don't miss Clarence (The Chocolate Cowboy) mixing drinks outside on the waterfront at the 5 O'Clock Somewhere bar. He's one of the best bartenders at sea. (I hope he's still there!)

 

This ship has way too much going on late night! I've been on her 17 nights, and that's not nearly enough. Have fun!

[BirdTravels]

Water slides.

Rope course with two planks. You know that it is 100% safe so give it a try

Howl at the Moon

Headliners Comedy club - even standby seats

Dining on the Waterfront

Food Republic

Pinchos Tapas

Dancing the night away, every night. No cover charge. Move without line's between venues.

[tiger-91]

Different restaurants , like Food Republic, have specialized drinks you can't get elsewhere on the ship. You're allowed to go there and order drinks to go. Maybe even to sit and only drink, though I didn't try that because eaters were plentiful, and I wouldn't want to take a chair away from them. Most of the drinks are covered by the UBP and delicious!

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[BS Racing]

If there is one thing to not miss it is boarding DON'T miss boarding, that would bring your vacation way down. Just my two cents

[tycup]

If you can splurge on it, I HIGHLY suggest the HAVEN. The Haven is the most amazing cruise experience you can imagine. It is like a dream. However, tbis will spoil any future cruises on Norwegian if you don't sail in the Haven in the future.

 

When you are in the Haven, you get FREE butler service, FREE room service, FREE snack, an EXCLUSIVE pool, an EXCLUSIVE bar, and EXCLUSIVE restaurant (yes restaurant), a CONCIERGE, a PRIVATE sun deck, BIGGER bathrooms, and an entire PRIVATE section of the ship that in ONLY for Haven guests. You get ESCORTED on the ship at Miami, you get ESCORTED off the ship at ports of call, and RESERVED seating in the Escape theater.

 

There are MANY MANY MANY more perks that come with the Haven, but I con't list them all.

In other words, you should spluge for the Haven if possible.

IT MADE MY CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[YacFamily]

If you were sent an email to upgrade your room and Haven was a choice..do it. The bidding "thermometer" gives a hint of potential success. We were able to jump into an H3 owners. This can be done even now for certain classes sometimes notice give the week of departure. Talking to our NCL reservation lady, who very well explained the process, as customers do move to better suites/rooms those they had opened up and become available. Sad, no H2's were available!

 

Addendum here. Haven reservations give you priority access to just about everything, first off at locations, first on the ship, if you so choose first off, escorted departures at each port, specific reserved seating at all shows so no need to scramble early for decent seats. Meet and greet with the Captain, Hotel Director, all the brass. Worth every penny.

Edited January 15, 2017 by YacFamily
addendum

[OneWord]

Food Republic, Pincho Tapas, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The District Brewhouse... Love the Escape!.

 

Yes

[OneWord]

Do not miss Food Republic. You can visit there for lunch on sea days, if it doesn't fit in your dinner schedule. Also don't miss the late night live music/fun in The District Brewhouse. It's a great alternative to Howl at The Moon, which is also not to miss.

 

Also, late night (or daytime) don't miss Clarence (The Chocolate Cowboy) mixing drinks outside on the waterfront at the 5 O'Clock Somewhere bar. He's one of the best bartenders at sea. (I hope he's still there!)

 

This ship has way too much going on late night! I've been on her 17 nights, and that's not nearly enough. Have fun!

 

Concur

[LMaxwell]

Pincho Tapas,

 

For $15 I got a Tapas plate there that was largely similar to the ones I made at the buffet for no charge; some small differences but not much! And they wouldn't let me sit down at another bar with the plate unless I went outside on Deck 8. I might be the only person that didn't care for Food Republic. OK to try once, but never need to go again. Just didn't think some of the a la carte upcharge plates were all that much better than what I could get elsewhere no charge. Just my opinion; OP asked.

 

Don't miss on Escape = 70's/80's party, free dinner show in the supper club (have to reserve on board). don't miss the crepe station in the buffet. don't miss a nice MDR breakfast either! Don't miss Newlywed game. Don't miss rib night at O'Sheehans. Don't miss Deck 19 forward for sailaways from ports!

Edited January 15, 2017 by LMaxwell

[OneWord]

Comedians.

[copycat8]

Hi. As you folks seem to helpful, I thought I'd ask a couple questions here. New to NCL, leaving on Escape in two weeks.

1. The Specialty restaurants. I keep reading suggestions about some of them being available for free for breakfast and/or lunch. Is this true, which ones?

2. The comedy club - reserve? How/when? Lived in the club on Carnival last year.

3. We've reserved for Brat Pack and Midnight shows. Is there anything else we need to reserve for now or as soon as we get on. Always afraid of missing out on something great. And don't want to worry about it when we get on the ship. Just want to relax and have a cold one or six.

4. We will be coming off Carnival Glory then going to Escape. Can we walk over, with our luggage? Can we just bring our luggage with us on the ship or do you recommend giving it to the luggage destroyers out front? We are taking it with us on Carnival. Have seen too many suitcases destroyed on other cruises.

Also, getting a bit concerned about the number of people on this large ship. Reading peoples' reviews about getting on the ship. Some number system. I'm assuming we show up at our designated time and line up, and get on, and start having fun.

Any suggestions for NCL newbes would be greatly appreciated.

[mousecrazy]

1. The Specialty restaurants. I keep reading suggestions about some of them being available for free for breakfast and/or lunch. Is this true, which ones?

I think you might be thinking of some of the other ships that open a specialty restaurant, such as LaCucina, as overflow Market Café/Buffet seating. This doesn't happen on the Escape as there is plenty of seating...generally, there is more available seating in the aft of the area.

 

2. The comedy club - reserve? How/when? Lived in the club on Carnival last year.

The comedy club can be reserved when you board...or before you board in the terminal using the app.

3. We've reserved for Brat Pack and Midnight shows. Is there anything else we need to reserve for now or as soon as we get on. Always afraid of missing out on something great. And don't want to worry about it when we get on the ship. Just want to relax and have a cold one or six.

I don't believe there is anything else to reserve before boarding. Once you're at the terminal, you can easily access a listing of all available entertainment and reservation options from the app.

4. We will be coming off Carnival Glory then going to Escape. Can we walk over, with our luggage? Can we just bring our luggage with us on the ship or do you recommend giving it to the luggage destroyers out front? We are taking it with us on Carnival. Have seen too many suitcases destroyed on other cruises.

The Glory docks right next door and is walkable - in fact, many Glory cruisers came over to our terminal to grab a ride to the airport.

 

Also, getting a bit concerned about the number of people on this large ship. Reading peoples' reviews about getting on the ship. Some number system. I'm assuming we show up at our designated time and line up, and get on, and start having fun.

You'll be given a group number once you go upstairs after security. You then go check in and wait until your group number is called. If you're early, you might end up waiting a while as boarding generally starts after 11am...last week it was closer to noon. The only time I thought the ship felt crowded was on the first day before cabins were available. There were a lot of people milling around...but other than that, I think the ship does a good job of distributing people. I would suggest going to one of the MDRs for lunch on the first day and you'll avoid a lot of that first day crowding.

 

Any suggestions for NCL newbes would be greatly appreciated.

 

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Edited January 16, 2017 by mousecrazy

[copycat8]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to help out. Not to show my age, but "terminal" and "app"? Is there screens at the dock that you use to book comedy. Or do I need to bring something to upload an app?

Edited January 16, 2017 by copycat8

[BS Racing]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to help out. Not to show my age, but "terminal" and "app"? Is there screens at the dock that you use to book comedy. Or do I need to bring something to upload an app?

 

 

Terminal = pier more correctly building at the pier that you board the ship from.

 

 

App= Norwegian cruise lines web( internet) application for your phone is ICONCIERGE you can find this in your App Store on your phone .

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited January 16, 2017 by BS Racing

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

I will be sailing on Escape in March, but from prior NCL cruises, I would heartily recommend the Thermal Suite Pass if you like the more intimate setting. On other ships, the heated ceramic loungers were sheer bliss! The only complaint I had was that the pool had waterfall effects, and when people used this feature, it was really loud in the area. It is getting more pricey as the popularity grows, but the number of passes sold is limited. It works for us, as we avoid the sun, so the pool areas are not what we are looking for.