Delayed NCL Escape Review - Cruise PTSD easing...

[L1211]

I'm an eager CC reader - following Chris on the Escape right now as I talk myself into writing this review. Mostly for selfish reasons, to create a blog of a wonderful family experience, but also to give back to others who have shared their experiences so graciously. A little history, this was a Christmas cruise, 2016, the Dec 17 sailing that returned to Miami on Christmas Eve. Walk off disembarkation, early return flight would have us home and celebrating Christmas with the family by 6PM, easy peasy! Of course, not all goes as planned... It has taken me a while to write, I was sure I was done with cruising forever after this fateful trip, but the bad memories seem to be fading away, I'm finding myself back on CC and even perusing the NCL site, looking for my next booking. I think I'm ready to get back in the cruising saddle!

[L1211]

A little about us, we're a family of four, two teen daughters and new to cruising. My sister is NCL's biggest fan, departing on her 16th cruise this morning on the the Breakaway out of NYC - sailing in 2 Haven 2BR suites for the five of them. She booked two mini suites and managed to get her bid for both Haven 2BRs accepted, notified just Tuesday and should be boarding in a few! Yes, totally jealous! So, at my sister's insistence, we sailed the Getaway in July celebrating my DD's 16th birthday. The cruise was a family hit and so we decided to try the Escape in December.

 

My sister didn't fail us, we love NCL cruising! Loved everything about it, actually. The ships are simply amazing, love the decor and with the way the space is used creating lots of smaller, more intimate places, we never really felt like it was crowded. Of course, the crowds are there, but you can absolutely engage or avoid, depending on your preference. We've had Vibe passes on both cruises so never experienced the main pool deck - I even avoid walking through! We've never eaten dinner in a MDR, although have eaten breakfast and lunch a few times in Taste/Savor and found that space quite lovely too. DH and i avoid the buffet but the girls really liked it.

 

We loved the cabins as well - we've had side by side large balcony cabins on 9 for both sailings and find the space quite pleasant. Small, but totally manageable for two. I'm a neat freak when traveling - need everything put away and tidy. My DH doesn't share my passion for tidy but he manages... The cabin has plenty of storage and space for everything. My daughters are 19 and 16 and if I can't have separate rooms, I'd just rather not. They seem to have gotten their father's "tidy gene" or lack of I should say. So, I also avoid their cabin and everyone is happy!

[L1211]

We got totally lucky on the July Getaway sailing, was at the customer services desk just prior to departing and someone asked about Vibe passes, they were available. I'd read about the Vibe here on CC so said "hey, I'll take two as well". True story... The Vibe made our trip. So, on the December sailing, we got to the port early - 10:30 which I thought was early, Boarding Group 5 and were able to get Vibe passes for three. Youngest isn't allowed in due to age, but she doesn't care for the sun so it all worked. First lunch was at Margaritaville. I'd read much about it and have to say, I wasn't a fan. Prices were reasonable, portions huge, but food just OK. Girls liked it but enjoyed other places to eat much more. We did not feel compelled to return,

[L1211]

Cruise Critic newbie - first attempt at photo upload, nacho's at Margaritaville!

[Tiggertastic]

Following for our September escape trip

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[L1211]

I wasn't quite sure what to expect regarding holiday decor, but it was a bit subdued. Lovely, just seemed to blend in, almost had to look to notice it. Wasn't quite the festive environment I was expecting - nothing negative, just very w key holiday vibe IMO.

 

lo

[L1211]

And the tree I spent the most time with, from the Medical Center but more about that later...

[L1211]

Sorry about the sideways pics! Did I mention newbie, novice?

[L1211]

Lovely, bright and sunny day while in Port of Miami awaiting our 7pm departure. Enjoyed margaritas at lunch (although I'll say Margaritaville at Sea was not the place for a great margarita, they were poured from a mix. The Vibe, we learned quickly, was the place for an amazing top shelf margarita!). Rooms ready by 1:30, oldest hit the sun, youngest lounged in the room and DH and I hit the Vibe.

 

Saturday night dinner reservations were at Cagney's for 7PM and it turned out to be truly our favorite dinner experience from both cruises. I wish I could say I planned this, but that just wouldn't be true. It was all luck! We were seated outside and got to watch the sail away from the Waterfront seating. What an amazing skyline Miami has. It was just getting dark and the city was on full display with lights. We were amazed at the beauty and had a wonderful dinner.

[L1211]

You can see the lights of the skyline passing by. I'd recommend Waterfront seating at Cagney's for any 7PM sail away!

[L1211]

It wasn't just the sail away view at Cagney's that was amazing - so was the food! My girls are total carnivores so they would have eaten at Cagney's nightly if allowed!. Both started with baked potato soup, one had a Caesar salad and the other a wedge. I had lobster bisque and DH colossal shrimp cocktail. All were amazing! Girls and DH went for filet while I'm a seafood eater, almost exclusively. Yes, that makes what comes at tomorrow night's dinner so ironic. I had sea bass and it was good. Not the rave reviews from the steaks, but it was a steakhouse! The sides were also yummy, zero complaints from the family and a fantastic start to our cruise.

[Dart17]

Intriguing start!

[L1211]

After a wonderful dinner, the family went looking for entertainment and wow, did we find it! I thought out girls would ditch us as soon as "released" from dinner, but NCL happened to provide entertainment that worked for us all. We managed to get seats together at Howl at the Moon and the party began! We stayed till late, singing along and having a wonderful time. Here's my favorite pic of the cruise. Howl at the Moon did not disappoint!

 

o

[mardavbetale]

Loving your review. Can't wait to hear more :)

[Tiggertastic]

What a fantastic idea to do waterfront dining for sailaway, thanks.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[L1211]

The DH and myself enjoy nice wine and dining. That and I travel for work and am fortunate enough to dine in fine restaurants all over the country. I'd stack NCL specialty dining up with any of those experiences. We found the food quality outstanding and the service was friendly and efficient - truly top notch service teams. Sunday sea day lunch was at Pinchos. What a gem of a place that seems totally under utilized. We never saw it full. Here's a pic of the sangria, scallops and shrimp - all delicious! It's a don't miss afternoon lunch.

[L1211]

Experienced CC posters - any idea why some pics come out sideways?? All are oriented correctly when I upload...

[NayRN]

Following....cruising on the Escape in September!!

[L1211]

One small complaint with NCL dining - the timing... DH is a sleeper - vacation means sleep! That and he's never been much of a breakfast person, but would eventually eat something just before the end of breakfast service. That means he's not interested in lunch till late-day which works because we usually did dinner around 8 or 8:30. So, he's looking for lunch around 2 or 3 - that is a terrible time to go looking for food on NCL. The restaurants are closed, even places like Pinchos where you can purchase lunch have very limited hours. The buffet is very limited between lunch and dinner time. That basically left O'Sheehans and we just never seemed to find anything we really liked there. Salads, meh, wings, same. Burger, not great. Ruben, just OK. We tried to avoid "OK" food, too much wonderful food to spend your calories on! That would leave quite a stretch till our dinner reservations. Just didn't seem to find the right cadence for midday dining. Midday drinking, well that was another story. The Vibe certainly keeps the drinks a flowing!

[mking8288]

Ship is coming up to NY next Spring, starting to do a little more reading.

 

Mid afternoon or late lunch on the mega ships ... yes, that can be a challenge. The other option would be, since you are in a balcony, use paid Room Services for a delivery, the choices are limited but different somewhat than those in OSH.

 

Or, if they do the outdoor BBQ at all - the "smaller" ships are doing it, our BIL/SIL were up on that deck almost everyday ... so they don't even think about early bird dinner as they are still full.

 

Thanks for sharing, OP - what/how are you uploading the pictures ?

[L1211]

What a great suggestion! And what a good use of those large balconies which we just loved. I can honestly say for some reason we never even thought of room service- I don't think I even read the menu. I often hear of others having breakfast delivered but I don't think I've even read a post with having lunch out your balcony. Will give it a try!

 

As for pics, they were taken with my Iphone, so I'm emailing them to my computer and uploading from saved pics. They all look correctly oriented on the phone and as saved. And some come out that way... Any suggestions??

[taylortess]

Following. We're on the escape 9/30

[L1211]

Sunday sea day is lovelyweathers with a hot December sun shining bright. My oldest DD is thefirst casualty of the cruise - she's quite dark complected and loves the sun. So, after finding the vibe at the Vibe too "old" for her, sheset off to sun elsewhere. Honestly, we didn't notice she was not aroundfor hours and during that time, she was sleeping, in the sun. Yep,terribly burnt with blisters all over her face and chest. After a lot ofcomplaining, cold shower, advil and aloe, she managed to rally for dinner.

Dinner was at La Cucina at 8:30PM. La Cucina was our least favorite meal on theGetaway, but we decided to give it another go. I believe my daughters had steak dinner because they had steak for EVERYdinner (only exception was dinner at Food Republic, which they would havetraded for a nice steak!). We eat very little meat at home because about twoyears ago I suffered from an obstructed esophagus – meat food bolus that had tobe surgically removed. Although the MDdeclared me “healed” and fully able to consume all the meat I wanted, after somethinglike that, you don’t want much meat. But, that night, I made it steak all the way around. It wasn’t the steakthat got me, it was the Gorgonzola crust and wilted spinach – two favorites! Thinking back, I bet I could have asked tohave it prepared with fish, but that wasn’t the choice I made. Yep, as I’m eating I quickly realize somethingis wrong – another obstructed esophagus and at sea. It is Sunday, we reach landon Tuesday. Oh my, this cannot be good…

I went to the medical center andalthough off hours, they saw me right away. The operation is more sophisticated than I expected – two MDs and an anesthesiologist.The three of them quickly diagnosed my issue but they decided it did not raiseto the level of a med-vac. I now know that wasn’t quite right, leaving itlodged, and while at sea, created a risk I should have never been exposedto. But, they did attempt to removeit. After about 6 hours, I left the medcenter, IV wrapped up, an appointment for morning IV fluids and a fullyobstructed esophagus with nothing getting into my stomach for the next fewdays. Yep a cruise with NO eating ordrinking. Even as I write this I wonderhow I survived! Not the medicalemergency, a cruise with no food or drink!!!

[L1211]

Medical emergencies are going to happen, no fault to NCL. But, how they deal with medical emergencies is all on them. I was told Sunday evening not to worry, they'd be in touch with the port authorities first think Monday AM and everything would be arranged for me. Nothing for me to do. Wow, am I glad I didn't listen to that advice. By "everything" NCL actually meant "nothing". Well, not exactly nothing, a member of the staff met me at my cabin and escorted me to a taxi. That was the extent of their support in St. Thomas. For the rest, I was totally on my own.

 

I went back to the med center for AM and PM IV fluids, avoided the sun for fear of dehydration, read a book, although finding it hard to concentrate. Now, while NCL provided no support, I'm a lucky lady, I have sisters! I had purchased texting for my mobile and once my sisters found out about the med emergency, they got to work. One started on flights - back to Miami for surgery, back to Tortola the next day? Entire family or just you? Just go home and get the surgery there? So many options. But, the sister who talked me into the NCL cruse, had another idea. She managed to find a surgeon in St Thomas who would see me first thing Tuesday AM - well almost first thing, they didn't open till 10 - two hours off my chances of making it back on board...

 

Once docked, the NCL rep escorted me off the ship. In hindsight, I suppose this was risk management for them. The knew i needed emergency surgery so they couldn't have me stay onboard. Once off the ship, I was no longer their worry. The taxi to the MD office was a quick trip. I got there early but to no avail, nothing happens quickly on the island, it appears. The MD quickly acknowledged that I had the correct diagnosis and needed immediate surgery. The hospital staff was amazing - everyone pitched in and helped make this happen for me. The surgery suite with the scope was fully booked for the day, but the surgeon with the suite, was fine working me in. The anesthesiologist was fully booked but also worked me in. Nothing happened quickly, but it did happen. I managed to see the doc, get to the hospital and have surgery in St, Thomas and make it back to the ship by 5PM just prior to the all aboard! Cruise crisis avoided, let the vacationing resume - well, for a while... :(

[L1211]

On a much happier note, wine! I'm a wine lover and didn't really get into Cellar's wine bar till later in the trip which is too bad. Tip for wine lovers, start there! Wine by the glass is quite limited on both bar and restaurant menusand I'm a chardonnay drinker so it was ever more limited. But, Cellars had a lovely selection of both whites and reds by the glass. Once I was among the eating and drinking again, the DH and I started going to Cellars and getting a double pour of something fabulous and taking it to dinner with us. Nearly all are over the $15 limit, but for $5 bucks or so, we'd have a wonderful glass of wine with dinner versus something I'd really not drink at home. The nicer wine just added to the already outstanding dining experience!