Delayed NCL Escape Review - Cruise PTSD easing...

[L1211]

Thursday, our last day at sea - funny how melancholy you get as a cruise comes to an end, even one filled with ups and downs. I don't love that Nassau is the last port and last day. I'm not a big fan of Nassau so not a cruise highlight. A final sea day would be a treat to unwind and reflect on your cruise, but that's not the NCL Eastern itinerary. We really picked the ship more than the cruise and the ship did not disappoint. If we sail NCL again, I'd likely do a Eastern repeat with the ship mostly the destination.

 

Tonight was 80's night and the girls had packed accordingly. Checking the dailies, we found a Thriller Flash Mob dance class - prep for the flash mob to come at 80's night - how could we not?? DH was still recovering from the flu bug so off the girls went to dance class. If you've not done this on a cruise, it is a must try! We had a blast. "So this is thriller, head, head, step, step"! As you might expect, girls picked in up in a few minutes, Mom had to go to a remedial class offered later that day to be ready for the big night!

 

[L1211]

80's night was a blast! What a great venue for a nighttime dance party? Spice H2O is such a great space. With Vibe passes, we never got there during the day, but really enjoyed the evening festivities. We danced the night away on the upper deck to all our favorite 80s tunes. Then, DH and youngest DD headed back to the cabins and it was Mom and Lexie time. That teen is something to keep up with! After 80s night, we headed back to Howl at the Moon and closed that. Of course, the oldest wanted to hear Queen Bohemian Rhapsody and as you know, songs are for sale at Howl. We'd run out of the $1s and $5s we carry for tipping so the eldest resorted to begging! To close the show, they brought her on stage and "auctioned" her off, looking for someone to pay for her song request. Bidding was opened at $5 and a lovely gentleman jumped up with a $50 and as quick as it started, the bidding was over, SOLD for $50!! Bohemian Rhapsody for the closing song! But, they weren't done having fun with her, they told her she had to assemble a choir. Turns out it really isn't that hard to find willing participants at closing time! She had most of the place on their feet and up front to sing as her back up choir. it was such a fun memory, another one we'll never forget, brought to us by the wonderful NCL entertainment crew.

 

[L1211]

The night was still young - no, actually it was quite early in the morning, but that didn't slow us down. We hit the Skyline Bar for a bit, not really our vibe. Oddly placed venue in the middle of the casino. We left there and did what the rest of the late night crew was doing - OSH for chicken wings! Amazing how much better they taste at 3AM. Now that is a funny place to be that early in the morning. You must experience it at least once. We finally headed to bed about 4 and the good news was that I didn't have to raise early for my walk - I had over 12,000 steps in since midnight!

[L1211]

 

 

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[L1211]

Random thoughts on Escape, wish we'd used The Brewhouse and Cellar's more! The view from the Brewhouse is simply amazing. I hear they have great entertainment in he evenings but we had the 16 year old along so we passed.

 

[L1211]

Friday came too soon. Nothing planned so we just went for a beach day. We walked to Junkanoo Beach and while Convenient and certainly cheap, I'm not sure I would recommend it. I feel sure you can do better.

 

 

 

 

 

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[L1211]

Here's the view up and down the beach. Sand is rocky, beer caps, beer cans, tough to walk without shoes. Seems to be frequented by both locals and cruise guests. Beach was pretty full. I think the palm trees heading toward the ships is the start of the property at the Hilton British Colonial. My sister and cruise mentor spends the day there when in Nassau. I think she made the better choice...

 

 

 

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[L1211]

Of course, I'm betting there was no hula hoop contest with great Caribbean music at the Hilton! Eldest loved it. Beach AND hula hoop. Heaven!

 

 

 

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[L1211]

This while the youngest found a local dog and begged to take it home. I can't recommend pet shopping on Junkanoo Beach either!

 

 

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[EmeraldCoastCruisers]

I am in awe, you had emergency surgery at a vacation island, and you promptly re boarded and went to the wine cellar. You are my kind of hero! I think I reread that post 5 times. I could not believe it. Thanks for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly about this cruise. But to still be calling it a good family vacation takes a special kind of women. One who always see the glass half full. Thanks for getting back in the saddle for cruising. Wishing you all the best on your next cruise. We are on the Escape on Aug 12 sailing and this is a first NCL and only 3rd cruise for us. Can I asked did you have Trip insurance that covered the medivac, I hate to think it was a money/insurance thing that more care/concern did not come from medical staff on board.

 

 

Ditto!!!! I was thinking the SAME thing!!!!!!! You go girl!

 

 

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[L1211]

Of course sailing into Nassau is just beautiful!

 

 

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[L1211]

On the way out, a little shopping and then a beeline for the buffet (the girls that is!).

 

 

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[L1211]

Found this little critter when back at the cabin. And a friend!

 

 

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[oncruisecontrol]

So, now it is Wednesday and we have a short day in Tortola. What a gorgeous place! DH and I got up early and walked the town before waking the girls for a trip to Cane Garden Bay. Chair rentals and drinks are quite affordable and the girls paddle boarded. It was an easy and lovely beach day. I highly recommend CGB! Another referral from my sister and it was a good one![ATTACH]407215[/ATTACH]

 

How did you get to Cane Garden Bay? How long did the ride there take? How did you get back to the ship? Was there a restaurant there? Thanks in advance for any info you can give me. Really enjoying your review.

[dexddd]

Right, British Colonial Hilton is right next to Junkanoo heading towards the dock.

[cookie*]

Enjoying your review. Looking forward to the next installment!

[L1211]

How did you get to Cane Garden Bay? How long did the ride there take? How did you get back to the ship? Was there a restaurant there? Thanks in advance for any info you can give me. Really enjoying your review.

 

 

 

It's a great place! Lovely cove kind of beach great for walking and vistas are breathtaking. The covers peppered with little beach restaurants. Drinks about $8 and tasty. Chair rentals readily available at the different places $10 anywhere. And an umbrella for just $5 more. Water sports rentals readily available too. The taxi ride is a bit daunting. Typical island ride I imagine. Up and over, opposite the ship I believe. The ship photo comes from the top. It's maybe 15 minutes each way? Taxi maybe $12 pp each way? Not cheap but worth it. Here's a menu from Myett's. food was "fine" but girls not adventurous eaters.

 

 

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[js]

We are sailing the Escape in July and love your review and pictures! THANK YOU!

 

I must say, if I was filling out a card, you would most certainly be "My Vacation Hero!"

 

WOW! I bow my head to you! Talk about staying positive! Just goes to show you, all attitude.

I'm sure you had people on your sailing complaining about food or something trivial and there you are

having surgery and then wine in the evening and staying out until 4 am with your daughter!

 

You will be my inspiration in July when my dh wants to stay out later than I'm use to (leaving our kids at home and sailing for my 50th birthday). I'll think of you and push forward!

 

Thank you again for taking the time to post and include pictures. You have a beautiful family!

[js]

It's a great place! Lovely cove kind of beach great for walking and vistas are breathtaking. The covers peppered with little beach restaurants. Drinks about $8 and tasty. Chair rentals readily available at the different places $10 anywhere. And an umbrella for just $5 more. Water sports rentals readily available too. The taxi ride is a bit daunting. Typical island ride I imagine. Up and over, opposite the ship I believe. The ship photo comes from the top. It's maybe 15 minutes each way? Taxi maybe $12 pp each way? Not cheap but worth it. Here's a menu from Myett's. food was "fine" but girls not adventurous eaters.

 

 

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Hi. Although I'm sailing on Escape doing the Western Caribbean, I'm sailing Oasis summer 2018 doing Eastern. Where was this beach? Looks like it should be on my list of excursions. Thanks!

[mking8288]

Great job on this review and you now discovered how to post & upload pictures directly w Tapatalk on the iPhone. Woohoo !

 

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[You_only_live_once]

What a great review. I will be on the Escape in Aug and love reading others views on the ship

[L1211]

Great job on this review and you now discovered how to post & upload pictures directly w Tapatalk on the iPhone. Woohoo !

 

via dual-sims R1HD using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

Hey MKing - thank you so much! Wow, so much easier! They all come out the right orientation and it is sooooo much easier! Appreciate the help - I really do!!!

[L1211]

Hi. Although I'm sailing on Escape doing the Western Caribbean, I'm sailing Oasis summer 2018 doing Eastern. Where was this beach? Looks like it should be on my list of excursions. Thanks!

 

Hey JS,

This is Cane Garden Bay in Tortola. It was truly lovely! A cove of a beach - could walk the entire beachfront. Trees for shade, cute beach bars and shops. Chair rentals only ten bucks and five to throw in an umbrella. Lots of sail boats and whatnot docked in the vista. Perfect beach day hangout! It's typically on lists of "best beaches"! We did Western Caribbean in July and Eastern in December. I liked the additional stops on Western, but the BVI islands were just prettier! Enjoy - so excited for you!!!

[L1211]

We are sailing the Escape in July and love your review and pictures! THANK YOU!

 

I must say, if I was filling out a card, you would most certainly be "My Vacation Hero!"

 

WOW! I bow my head to you! Talk about staying positive! Just goes to show you, all attitude.

I'm sure you had people on your sailing complaining about food or something trivial and there you are

having surgery and then wine in the evening and staying out until 4 am with your daughter!

 

You will be my inspiration in July when my dh wants to stay out later than I'm use to (leaving our kids at home and sailing for my 50th birthday). I'll think of you and push forward!

 

Thank you again for taking the time to post and include pictures. You have a beautiful family!

 

Thanks so much JS! Very sweet of you to say. It took me a bit to get over the "can you believe" part of my experience and decided to follow my girls' lead - they had an amazing time! And, the family time was spectacular. Of course, your 50th kid free doesn't sound too bad either! Enjoy!!!!

[L1211]

I'm not sure how I would feel about writing this review, but it has been cathartic - good remembrance of all the fun we had but also able to share the "what if's" with other cruise critic members. I now know a medical emergency could happen at anytime. I will have better trip insurance next time, that is for sure. I purchased through NCL and it was secondary. Never gave that much thought, but that means you are really on your own while abroad. You have to front the funds, figure it out and then hope to be reimbursed. The cruise was five months ago and we still don't have the detailed documentation from NCL that we need to submit the insurance claim - that's to the PRIMARY insurer, can't file trip insurance until that settles. After about the 100th call to NCL, they said the information was in the mail. We'll see, sigh. But, honestly, we've not let this overshadow the trip. With the age of my girls and their busy lives coupled with my job, we don't get a lot of fun family time. it is to be cherished, no matter what kind of curve balls get thrown your way!