A short review of the Escape Feb 4-11/17

[Natmom]

I was so thankful for all the reviews from cruise critic during my planning. I put together a few thoughts on our recent cruise. It isn't a full blown review but a few thoughts from our trip.

 

We sailed the Escape on Feb 4-11. This was our first time on NCL. We have sailed twice on Disney and once on the Oasis.

 

Our stateroom was perfect for our family ( DH, myself, DS 16 and DD 14) We had a mini suite with a large balcony room # 8122. I had been concerned after reading how small the rooms were but we all thought it was plenty of space and plenty of storage. The mattress on the was very comfortable and my kids both said their beds were comfortable too. The mattresses on Disney were better but the mattress on the oasis was terrible even with the egg crate we requested.

 

95% of the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. We had the odd bartender who seemed like he didn't want to be there but for the most part the staff was amazing. Our stateroom attendant , Archie, was so friendly and attentive. I had been very worried about the service after reading complaints on here but it was the opposite, for the most part they were as friendly as the Disney staff.

 

Casino was smoky but not near as bad as I had anticipated from reviews I read here, in fact, my husband and I both agreed that the casino on the Oasis was was worse than this ship.

 

Ship was a little rocky but our seas weren't the calmest on the way down so it was to be expected. On both the fantasy and dream we felt it was really rough at first.

 

We went to a comedy show and to see the brat pack. Both shows were very well done.

 

Super Bowl party was great. Football trivia while we waited, the game on the huge screen in the atrium. The atmosphere was great.

 

The food was really quite good. My daughter and I both have celiac disease and we need to eat gluten free. We notified the access desk when we booked the cruise and upon arrival there was a letter in our room telling us how to approach the restaurants. The staff was so helpful and accommodating, we had gluten free crepes, fried chicken, breaded mushrooms, steak, French fries, gluten free bread, eggs Benedict. Not all of it was the best thing I had ever eaten but I really appreciated the effort they put in. The one day my chicken was undercooked, I didn't complain but I didn't eat it. When I got back to the room there was a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries . As I said, I hadn't said a word to the staff about my chicken, they just noticed. That level is service is Disney level. The oasis was terrible, I was starving most of the time.

 

My husband and I took full advantage of the drink package. One of us went to the bar to get our drinks and the bartenders always let us take two drinks. The drinks were delicious, never watered down. We never had to wait longer than 5 minutes or so to get a drink. There was no shortage of bars and you could always find a drink. The kids had the pop package and they liked being able to get a Shirley temple or pop at any bar.

 

My husband and I loved the waterfront. What a nice spot to relax. I did find a lot of people took over the sectionals, stretched out and then their bags, books and towels taking up more space.

 

Our kids loved the ropes course and went on it whenever they could. They were a little frustrated with the teen club, every time they went it was closed or being used by younger kids. After a few days they just gave up.

 

We only did one excursion, rebel yell to Jost van dyke. We LOVED it, worth every penny. In st.thomas we walked up to the tram and had a bailey's bushwhacker and enjoyed the view.

 

Iconcierge app- worked great for my daughter and myself but not great for my husband or my son. We went and talked to them day 2 and they suggested we keep trying the app until the end of the cruise and if we weren't happy they would refund us. They gave us a complete refund at the end.

 

All in all it was a wonderful cruise. The ship was beautiful, staff was great, lots of activities. I'd still put Disney ahead, but just by a hair.

[Natmom]

OH, and another thing, the tap water was great! It tasted just like the filtered water from our fridge. I'm so glad we didn't bother with the water package.

[Cruising...our happy place]

Good to read you had a positive cruise on the Escape. It is never easy that all four (including two teenagers) would enjoy the cruise. I appreciate the differences you noted vs. Disney and the Oasis. My DW and I have had the same experience with the water. Reading your review gets us more excited for our Escape sailing in March.

 

 

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[Clarea]

Thanks for the informative report.:)

[joemurph]

Thanks for the review

 

 

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[js]

Thanks for the information. Im sailing the Escape in July. Almost changed to Harmony this week but keeping our trip on Escape. Did you have a favorite bar you hung out in with your dh?

 

We have sailed DCL five times but my kids are 18 and 23 so now we stick to RCCL and NCL although last year we sailed on the CCL Breeze (loved it) and booked CCL Vista for next February.

 

Thanks.

 

 

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[dip13]

I found your review quite informative. We just sailed the Oasis and previously the Disney Magic Twice.

Now looking at NCL due to the value and everything that is included.

The Oasis ship is nice and everyone liked it, but it costs us a fortune with the drink package and a Spa visit.

[Jim The Lizard]

Great review, I was on the same sailing, what fantastic weather!.

 

 

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[cyanviolet]

Thank you for the review! My husband are in room 8122 in December and was wondering how the room is. Did you like the large balcony? Does it feel like you are super close to the water?

 

(I hope we like it, as we are in room 8122 on our two upcoming Bliss trips too :D)

[Natmom]

Great review, I was on the same sailing, what fantastic weather!.

 

 

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Yes it was!

[Natmom]

Thank you for the review! My husband are in room 8122 in December and was wondering how the room is. Did you like the large balcony? Does it feel like you are super close to the water?

 

(I hope we like it, as we are in room 8122 on our two upcoming Bliss trips too :D)

 

The bed is by the balcony. The mattress on the main bed is very comfortable. There are USB plugs in the lights on the bedside.

 

The bathroom is huge. The shower with the body jets is heaven! We all said we could spend hours in that shower.

 

We did like the large balcony. It isn't as private as the other balconies but it is nice having 2 loungers and the large dining table.

 

We were so surprised by how quiet the rooms were. We couldn't hear any noise from the adjoining cabins or any doors slamming in the halls.

[Natmom]

Thanks for the information. Im sailing the Escape in July. Almost changed to Harmony this week but keeping our trip on Escape. Did you have a favorite bar you hung out in with your dh?

 

We have sailed DCL five times but my kids are 18 and 23 so now we stick to RCCL and NCL although last year we sailed on the CCL Breeze (loved it) and booked CCL Vista for next February.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

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We really liked the district brewhouse, the bar up by the entrance to the vibe is good, the waterfront portion of 5 o'clock somewhere bar and the waterfront wine bar. Just to name a few :p

[Still Dreaming]

Thanks for your thoughts!! We are sailing her in October and we loved the getaway!!!

[easyboy]

Glad you had a wonderful cruise. Thanks for the feedback.

[Natmom]

I found your review quite informative. We just sailed the Oasis and previously the Disney Magic Twice.

Now looking at NCL due to the value and everything that is included.

The Oasis ship is nice and everyone liked it, but it costs us a fortune with the drink package and a Spa visit.

 

I see you are from Canada, so are we. Our dollar is really adding to the cost. I felt NCL was a great value with the drink package included. We didn't eat at any specialty restaurants, the main dining room food was really good. Our biggest splurge was staying a night at Margaritaville before the cruise. It was worth it !

[mjh2w1]

So glad to hear you had a very good experience on the Escape. We are sailing her next week, February 25th, and can't wait. Booked this cruise back in August 2015. Looking forward to all the things there are to do on the ship. Thanks for your timely review!!!

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing your review with us.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.