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ESCAPE review with pictures, dailies and comments


drneal
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We sailed on the ESCAPE Feb 18-25

 

We are a family of 4 from NY

2 Adults, 14 y.o. Boy, 11 y.o. Girl

We sailed on the Getaway last year and booked with Cruise Next

Last year we had a mini-suite and an inside cabin as well as VIBE and SPA passes

THIS YEAR:

We took 2 balcony cabins

We picked 2 of 4 freebies and chose the Unlimited Dining package with 4 meals (they now offer 3)

and the unlimited beverage package.

We had to have 1 Adult and 1 child in each cabin so the kids had to get the soda package.

We flew into FLL the night before.

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We arrived at the port at 11 AM

Boarding already started so we did not get a boarding group number...

...we also didn't get a VIBE pass

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We boarded and went directly to Headliners to change some dinner reservations...no problem

they had many reservations available that weren't available online.

VIBE waitlist was already 30 names long.

Some items I got for the cruise.

Waterproof cases (so I didn't have Soggy Dollars), Lanyards/cases ($7 for 5)

Luggage tags and a mini power-strip

I really liked the luggage tags

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We had room 14814 and 14186 which are next door but the doors are not "together"

(rooms 14812/14814)

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room 14816 is next to a mini-suite 14818

both cabins have the beds closer to the closet

816818_zpsg9crlkks.jpg

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After headliners we went to Savor for lunch and then went up to deck 16 to check out

the pool.

The cabins were ready by 12-1 PM

Luggage came within 3-4 hours

Cabin 14814 a mid-ship balcony

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there was not a lot of space between the bed and the window (about 8-10")

but I like having the bed next to the balcony

14814space_zpsmbrm0yhf.jpg

 

the balcony on the ESCAPE is slightly deeper than the ones on the Getaway

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I moved the ottoman onto the balcony and spent a lot of time out there this trip.

There is no wind or strong sun on the balcony.

I asked to open the partition between the 2 balconies but told it was against NCL policy

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cabin 14816

adjoining cabins have opposite bed/sofa configuration

except the balcony and adjoining mini-suite both have the beds closer to the closet

14816_zpsr87lhgjl.jpg

 

after speaking with another passenger who told me that he had the partition between his rooms opened

I went to guest services and they had the partition opened

BalconyConnecting_zpswxlrng6l.jpg

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the gym at 3 PM

it was crowded around 9 AM

2Gym_zpsftc63tfw.jpg

 

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the drop slide

you have to be over 48" and between 99-300 lbs.

although some of the kids under 130 lbs. get "stuck" and have to climb out a trap door

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the yellow kiddie slide and the tube slide

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a couple of more views of the tube slide from different angles

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3TubeSlide2_zpsk6yivayd.jpg

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Spice H20...it's an adult only area until about 6-7 PM

notice the umbrella

the only other places to find an umbrella are VIBE and the Haven.

It's located deck 17 aft.

They have 2 hot-tubs, a bar and a grotto

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The grotto in Spice

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the waterfront on deck 8

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La Cucina on the waterfront

2WaterfrontCucina_zpsuhi3766q.jpg

 

Starboard side view of the ship in Tortola

2ShipStarboard_zpsbkmow2qz.jpg

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The District Brewhouse

my favorite bar...be sure to try the Jackhammer cocktail

located forward deck 8 port side. They have couches next to the windows.

We enjoyed going when we left a port at sunset.

they have very good live music at night

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it took people a few days to "discover" it

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Food Republic is located across from the District

its open for lunch 12-1:30 and again for dinner

there is a surcharge of about $7/plate

an asian fusion type restaurant. Good for sharing

2FoodRepublic_zpswqiw9wmg.jpg

 

The atrium

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Taste

one of the dining rooms located on Deck 6 Starboard side

(Savor is on the Port side)

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The main Dining room is the Manhattan Room located on Deck 7.

They have live music there.

All 3 dining rooms serve the same food.

We usually went to Savor for breakfast as they served smoked salmon.

NCL no longer serves smoked salmon at the buffet but they have a salmon mouse and herring.

They made some changes where the buffet selection is less but the food was better than last year.

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Splash academy for the 10-12 year olds

located on deck 5

splash_zpssfitwk3y.jpg

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Entourage for the teens 13-17

located on deck 17 Aft

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they have for younger kids as well, I just didn't take a program for them...sorry

 

loads of live music and shows throughout the ship every night, this was for night 2

I loved the Howl at the Moon dueling Piano

I saw "For the Record: The Brat Pack" it was for 16+ so under 16 don't get in without a parent.

I liked it and thought it was well done but I usually like the shows to be around 1 hour.

This was 1 1/2 hours.

We went to Karaoke and the Brewhouse for live music.

I missed the comedy shows.

4LiveMusic_zpsqnzlre3p.jpg

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Sunset on the waterfront

we enjoyed the waterfront. They have comfortable couches and shade.

As the cruise went on it became more popular....even the "chair hogs" came here.

4SunsetWaterfront_zpspe5nnbjc.jpg

 

be sure to stop by at Sugarcane mojito bar and meet Marcos,

my wife's "cruise hero", for the best Mojitos

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We had dinner the first night at Teppanyaki

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2TepanyakiInside_zpsbeyxhrss.jpg

 

 

Goodnight

4Goodnight_zps11uv99ju.jpg

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Following! We will be on the Escape in June. First time with NCL. I'm so happy to read a recent report!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

It's a big ship with a lot of passengers but it's well run.

The biggest problem would be getting deck chairs on a sea day,

which is true of most cruises.

I would suggest that you check out your roll call and attend the meet and greet.

It is usually held at Cagney's at 11 AM on the first sea day.

It is well attended by the heads of all the departments and they cater to the "Cruise Critics"

I met the head of the food and beverage and he sent us a bottle of wine and chocolates every day,

not to mention great seats in all of the restaurants and great service.

Others have been able to get the coveted, often sold-out, VIBE passes.

When I was on the Getaway the staff just came to the meet and greet, waved and left.

On the ESCAPE they spoke with the guests and gave their contact info.

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It's a big ship with a lot of passengers but it's well run.

The biggest problem would be getting deck chairs on a sea day,

which is true of most cruises.

I would suggest that you check out your roll call and attend the meet and greet.

It is usually held at Cagney's at 11 AM on the first sea day.

It is well attended by the heads of all the departments and they cater to the "Cruise Critics"

I met the head of the food and beverage and he sent us a bottle of wine and chocolates every day,

not to mention great seats in all of the restaurants and great service.

Others have been able to get the coveted, often sold-out, VIBE passes.

When I was on the Getaway the staff just came to the meet and greet, waved and left.

On the ESCAPE they spoke with the guests and gave their contact info.

 

 

 

Thank you for the tips! I'm traveling with just my kiddo on this trip. He will go to the kid's club occasionally (we'll look at the schedule and I'll let him pick a few times).. but it looks like there is plenty for us to do together... did you find that to be true with your party?

 

 

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Thank you for the tips! I'm traveling with just my kiddo on this trip. He will go to the kid's club occasionally (we'll look at the schedule and I'll let him pick a few times).. but it looks like there is plenty for us to do together... did you find that to be true with your party?

 

 

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there is too much going on all day, with or without kids.

You can't do it all.

My 14 y.o went to Entourage a few times but the 11 y.o wanted to stay with us.

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Did you bring your kids to the meet and greet or were they in Splash/Entourage at that time?

 

Yes they both came to the meet and greet.

Others on the roll call said that they were bringing their children but

mine were the only ones there.

They serve smoothies and cup cakes.

It's short usually less than 30 min so the kids don't mind.

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