ESCAPE - September 9th Bermuda - TS/H Florence

[stevetod]

My group of six just got off the Escape this morning. We had 3 cabins with a price tag of $9,100. Our three days in Bermuda turned out to be one day in Port Canaveral where the top deck was inundated with these black flying bugs. When we came into port we had great views of oil tanks and large piles of sand before we finished docking. This has to be one of the worst ports anyone can visit. Surprisingly we were able to tender at GSC and the weather was good. Then the announcement came from the Captain that we were skipping Nassau to begin a wide track home to avoid the storm. I did not get upset about this change because I wanted to get back with the least amount of risk involved. But when I heard the other cruise lines were giving some compensation out to its customers I was totally disappointed in NCL's lack of response. Not even some type of credit for port fees since we only visited one terrible port that was not owned by NCL. The cruise was fine and to be honest the dining quality was better than I expected. That being said I feel NCL should have given a future cruise credit based on what cabin typed was booked. It would have been an incentive to rebook with NCL again. Short sighted thinking will have me going back to Celebrity.

[PTC DAWG]

Agree about Port Canaveral, it’s not even good as a embarkation port.

 

I may have hit the beach at Cocoa if I had been on this sailing...

[Debbie1189]

During the Q&A with the captain he kind of slipped and said they did not have a place for us to dock in Nassau. I think they knew all along we were not going there.

[PTC DAWG]

During the Q&A with the captain he kind of slipped and said they did not have a place for us to dock in Nassau. I think they knew all along we were not going there.

 

I’ve never been to Nassau when the dock didn’t appear full...

 

I’m guessing more than a few lines were looking for places to go this past week...

[Norovirus595]

Agree about Port Canaveral, it’s not even good as a embarkation port.

 

I may have hit the beach at Cocoa if I had been on this sailing...

 

It's even nicer now that they have some kind of oil drilling operation going on there, and you can hear the derrick clanging until like 8pm.

[Laszlo]

Hey All.......I'll have video up of GSC later on today if anyone is interested

[optimusprime82]

Has anyone that was on board the Escape last week received a post cruise email survey yet? I seem to recall receiving an email from NCL the same day we disembarked during our last cruise but I still a haven't received an email yet.

[Krisy1022]

Has anyone that was on board the Escape last week received a post cruise email survey yet? I seem to recall receiving an email from NCL the same day we disembarked during our last cruise but I still a haven't received an email yet.

 

 

 

I did today

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jetsterkitty]

Has anyone that was on board the Escape last week received a post cruise email survey yet? I seem to recall receiving an email from NCL the same day we disembarked during our last cruise but I still a haven't received an email yet.

 

Yes, I received and completed mine today as well.

[Shidah]

I’d take GSC any day over Nassau. I’ve only been to GSC once since rough seas make it tough to tender to and my other two cruises passed it and gave us more time in dreadful Nassau. I agree with Port Canaveral but never encountered bugs there. Typically just stay on the ship when there. Glad everyone made it home safely and you enjoyed better weather than the majority of the east coast.

[Wyoming2010]

Has anyone that was on board the Escape last week received a post cruise email survey yet? I seem to recall receiving an email from NCL the same day we disembarked during our last cruise but I still a haven't received an email yet.

 

Neither have I. And I will be very disappointed if I can't give our review.

 

As for how it all went -- yes, I can agree that the Captain and crew kept us very safe in extremely calm waters for the majority of the cruise. And yes, we were aware when we boarded the itinerary had changed -- but losing 25% of our cruise monies wasn't an option for us since NCL offered nothing else. And yes, I am one of the ones who would have MUCH preferred to go north. The following is the opinion of four of us and what we saw and experienced.

 

We were traveling with another couple and enjoyed the food (to a point) and the shows especially (do not miss "Choir of Man"). We made the most of it with each other, but life onboard was not great and we seemed to have to work for every little nuance like salt and pepper and silverware every single morning at breakfast! Bones in three different fish dishes, shells in the lobster dishes more than once, and their version of eggs benedict in the MDR was to have the yellow be hard boiled! Our room steward was horrible -- when we checked into our room there were no hand towels or toilet paper! The room was not finished nor had it been vacuumed. The desk was covered in spilled coffee and sticky stuff that came right off with a wet wipe! They sent in another room steward to finish cleaning up and scrub our bathroom with bleach (don't ask).

 

Unlike the Breakaway, we found this ship incredibly noisy. The walls seemed thin and we could hear our neighbors on both sides, including their TVs, and above and below! The door slamming was the worst -- it sent on 24/7 and was incredibly loud and annoying. (and who thought it was a good design to have the doors open in the hall :confused:). Lots of cigarette smoking going on all around the rooms, and the worst filtration ever throughout the casino and on upper decks.

 

Anyway, as far as skipping Nassau - we would have taken that in a heartbeat over any of the other ports they gave us -- where the feel like temps were around 105!

 

GSC -- where I ended up getting heatstroke (and we were only there for 2-1/2 hours) was nothing like we expected! Because they tender in, we had to wait in the theater an hour before we were called and we waited to get off the ship until 12:30. We are not beach people, but the only other island we have visited is Disney's Castaway Cay (where they can dock). This island was very raw compared to that. Instead of nice little huts with nice merchandise and ship stuff, they had Bahamians with tents set up around the beach area near the launch. There prices were high and the merchandise quality not great. There was very little shade anywhere and the food was served in a metal building with no fans and stifling heat. Even the hangers you sat in with the picnic tables there were no ceiling fans to move air. We could not wait to leave. It didn't feel or look like NCL has sunk anything into that island to make it better -- even the lighthouse was in pieces.

 

Port Canaveral -- again, another feel like 100 degree day. Every excursion was expensive and since most things closed at 6 p.m. -- and they got in at 1 pm. -- we chose the bus to Disney Springs. We got a total of 3-1/2 hours there. Except for the terrific Mexican dinner our mates bought, it wasn't worth it.

 

Then they announced they were skipping Nassau. That's the first time we started to see visibly irate passengers and lots of verbal complaining and shouting. The line at guest services got very long that night and the next morning. While they gave us a whole $30 each for Bermuda port fees, they offered nothing for Nassau's cancellation. At least Nassau would have been a full day stop -- we could have gone to Atlantis or visited the museums and even taken a cab to the Fort.

 

We made the most of our time onboard and enjoyed each other's company and some of the food - but we really felt nickel and dimed as everyone has stated about NCL. They didn't even offer us drinks or an onboard credit or anything to smooth over passenger angst. A lot of anger started to be expressed when passengers who visited guest services for answers and comps were told the decision was mad not to do anything onboard and they would have to contact corporate headquarters when they returned, and were even giving out pre-printed cards with the address! Unbelievable.

 

It didn't help when we got home and saw what RCCL and Carnival gave! After they cancelled Nassau, they really should have stepped up and had a chance to show some real customer service. We were told onboard that they cancelled Nassau to get ahead of the storm, but a previous poster said at a Q&A the Captain slipped and said it was because there was no space for us in Nassau. IF that is true, that makes it all the more worse and shows what knee jerk decisions they made.

 

All in all, we paid Bermuda cruise prices for five days at sea and two crappy ports. We noticed a definite disconnect many times between us and the crew -- who sometimes not only appeared clueless, but also abrupt. The waitstaff for the most part were awesome, however. All four of us decided we weren't sailing NCL again -- didn't like Pride of America and the Breakaway was just okay. This was not a stellar experience by any means -- cancelled ports or not. Going back to Princess and Carnival and Disney! ;)

Edited September 18, 2018 by Wyoming2010

[QueenOfZoom]

As for how it all went -- yes, I can agree that the Captain and crew kept us very safe in extremely calm waters for the majority of the cruise. And yes, we were aware when we boarded the itinerary had changed -- but losing 25% of our cruise monies wasn't an option for us since NCL offered nothing else. And yes, I am one of the ones who would have MUCH preferred to go north.

 

We were travelling with another couple and enjoyed the food (to a point) and the shows especially. We made the most of it with each other, but life onboard was not great and we seemed to have to work for every little nuance like salt and pepper and silverware every single morning at breakfast! Our room steward was horrible -- when we checked into our room there were no hand towels or toilet paper! The room was not finished nor had it been vacuumed. The desk was covered in spilled coffee and sticky stuff that came right off with a wet wipe! They sent in another room steward to finish cleaning up and scrub our bathroom with bleach (don't ask).

 

 

Unlike the Breakaway, we found this ship incredibly noisy. The walls seemed thin and we could hear our neighbors on both sides, including their TVs, and above and below! The door slamming was the worst -- it sent on 24/7 and was incredibly loud and annoying. (and who thought it was a good design to have the doors open in the hall :confused:).

 

Anyway, as far as skipping Nassau - we would have taken that in a heartbeat over any of the other ports they gave us -- where the feel like temps were around 105!

 

GSC -- where I ended up getting heatstroke (and we were only there for 2-1/2 hours) was nothing like we expected! Because they tender in, we had to wait in the theater an hour before we were called and we waited to get off the ship until 12:30. We are not beach people, but the only other island we have visited is Disney's Castaway Cay (where they can dock). This island was very raw compared to that. Instead of nice little huts with nice merchandise and ship stuff, they had Bahamians with tents set up around the beach area near the launch. There was very little shade anywhere and the food was served in a metal building with no fans and stifling heat. Even the hangers you sat in with the picnic tables there were no ceiling fans to move air. We could not wait to leave.

 

Port Canaveral -- again, another feel like 100 degree day. Every excursion was expensive and since most things closed at 6 p.m. -- and they got in at 1 pm. -- we chose the bus to Disney Springs. We got a total of 3-1/2 hours there. Except for the terrific Mexican dinner our mates bought, it wasn't worth it.

 

Then they announced they were skipping Nassau. That's when you could see the passengers getting irate and the line at guest services got very long that night and the next morning. While they gave us a whole $30 each for Bermuda port fees, they offered nothing for Nassau's cancellation. At least Nassau would have been a full day -- we could have gone to Atlantis or visited the museums and even taken a cab to the Fort.

 

We made the most of our time onboard and enjoyed each other's company and some of the food - but we really felt nickel and dimed as everyone has stated about NCL. They didn't even offer us drinks or an onboard credit or anything to smooth over the very visible and audible complaints we kept hearing. A lot of anger was encountered by us those last two days because NCL told the passengers they were told to advise everyone to contact corporate when they got home -- and were even giving out pre-printed cards with the address! Unbelievable.

 

It didn't help when we got home and saw what RCCL and Carnival gave! After they cancelled Nassau, they really should have stepped up and had a chance to show some real customer service.

 

All in all, we paid Bermuda cruise prices for five days at sea and two crappy ports. The crew we encountered were either clueless, or abrupt and rude. The waitstaff for the most part were awesome, however. All four of us decided we weren't sailing NCL again -- didn't like Pride of America and the Breakaway was just okay. Going back to Princess and Carnival and Disney! ;)

 

As far as how NCL handled the diverted cruises financially I completely agree.

 

Ship/food/ports are definitely personal opinions. I absolutely loved Escape and GSC...last time we sailed that was the only port where I would disembark!

 

I was on the Dawn cruise that went north. Enjoyed the ship, food, crew, entertainment but Canada and Maine? No thanks. My husband had actually gotten home from Canada two days before this trip! Many people didn't find out until the morning we sailed and had no appropriate clothes for the 50 & 60° temps. Pool bar closed early and no outdoor evening entertainment because of the cold. While most people tried to make the most of the cruise there was just a general bad attitude feeling on the ship (passengers, not crew).

 

Hurricane season and it is what it is. Sailed Carnival many times years ago and then once again this past May, never again. Will stick with NCL and counting down the days until Breakaway in January ;)

[Wyoming2010]

As far as how NCL handled the diverted cruises financially I completely agree.

 

Ship/food/ports are definitely personal opinions. I absolutely loved Escape and GSC...last time we sailed that was the only port where I would disembark!

 

I was on the Dawn cruise that went north. Enjoyed the ship, food, crew, entertainment but Canada and Maine? No thanks. My husband had actually gotten home from Canada two days before this trip! Many people didn't find out until the morning we sailed and had no appropriate clothes for the 50 & 60° temps. Pool bar closed early and no outdoor evening entertainment because of the cold. While most people tried to make the most of the cruise there was just a general bad attitude feeling on the ship (passengers, not crew).

 

Hurricane season and it is what it is. Sailed Carnival many times years ago and then once again this past May, never again. Will stick with NCL and counting down the days until Breakaway in January ;)

 

Yes, I think it was 50/50 no matter what itinerary they chose -- some would have been miserable going north, too. The two Carnival cruises we did were wonderful and we loved the ships (Glory and Sunshine) -- but they were New England/Canada cruise and not in the Caribbean. Not sure if that makes a difference.

 

IF by some shocking circumstance NCL offers us a 50% discount on a future cruise (for which I am NOT holding my breath), then we will use it to try for Bermuda again, but in either June or November ;)

[Laszlo]

Yes, I think it was 50/50 no matter what itinerary they chose -- some would have been miserable going north, too. The two Carnival cruises we did were wonderful and we loved the ships (Glory and Sunshine) -- but they were New England/Canada cruise and not in the Caribbean. Not sure if that makes a difference.

 

IF by some shocking circumstance NCL offers us a 50% discount on a future cruise (for which I am NOT holding my breath), then we will use it to try for Bermuda again, but in either June or November ;)

 

 

Did you get your survey yet? I got our yesterday afternoon

[Wyoming2010]

Did you get your survey yet? I got our yesterday afternoon

 

Nope, but I did call guest relations like they told us to. Here's their story -- they are not offering anything as an overall gesture. You have to file an email with the reasons you think they should do something for you and they will consider it on a case by case basis. In 20 years of cruising, I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Yep, us and NCL are done done done!

[Sim1979]

Nope, but I did call guest relations like they told us to. Here's their story -- they are not offering anything as an overall gesture. You have to file an email with the reasons you think they should do something for you and they will consider it on a case by case basis. In 20 years of cruising, I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Yep, us and NCL are done done done!

 

If you've cruised for 20 years, you should be aware that cruising in the hurricane season is a gamble, NCL seems to have handle that properly by safely rerouting the cruise, this is sad, but would you have prefer to go straight into the storm?

 

The point is that i'm pretty sure those who complain now that NCL have re-routed out of the storm would also have complained when the breakaway went trough it in January.

[JamieLogical]

Were I on this cruise, I might have hoped NCL would be able to offer some sort of compensation, but I would expect any and I wouldn't hold it against them if they didn't. I suppose I would rightfully expect a refund in any difference in port fees/taxes, but no OBC or future cruise credit. I am happy to hear that the cruise was smooth, timely, and safe. I understand the disappointment in not getting to do the on shore activities people planned, but at least they got to be on a cruise! Beats being at work any day. And CERTAINLY beats anything the people on the southeast coast have had to endure! "I once complained I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."

[MJSailors]

To the OP

Two thoughts to keep in mind before booking your next cruise.

Hurricane season in the Caribbean and the eastern coast of the US have historically disrupted many cruises. Ships’ captains are primarily concerned with passenger safety. Hence ,change of ports when the cruise is faced with serious weather conditions.

Every cruise contract covers the discretion of the cruise line to change itinerararies.

Also, cruising to the Caribbean during the Summer months,passengers will encounter high temperatures and extreme humidity.

Celebrity recently offered very good rates and four free perks for their 2019 Summer cruises to the Caribbean. This is obviously a plan to fill the ships for those months.

No thank you,I will visit the Caribbean during the winter for a break from cold weather.

[Wyoming2010]

If you've cruised for 20 years, you should be aware that cruising in the hurricane season is a gamble, NCL seems to have handle that properly by safely rerouting the cruise, this is sad, but would you have prefer to go straight into the storm?

 

The point is that i'm pretty sure those who complain now that NCL have re-routed out of the storm would also have complained when the breakaway went trough it in January.

 

Oh please, I know what season it is -- and that argument is getting old to those of us who understand the circumstances already! We are not faulting the hurricane, the weather, etc. It's not what they did that kept us safe in the end, it's what they are not doing now that we are home.

 

My disdain comes from the fact that NCL, unlike ALL the other cruise lines last week, are making their passengers jump through hoops to get any recognition of the costs problems. And what would they be:

 

No refund of Nassau port fees, and the fact that we paid hundreds more for our stateroom than we would have paid had we actually booked the itinerary they took us on -- oh, but wait, that itinerary included 3 ports for that price, not two.

 

I am in no way faulting NCL for avoiding the storm, taking us to safer waters, etc., and I clearly state that above. They missed the chance to show good customer service when they didn't offer anything onboard. It would have gone a very long way with my family if they had recognized the difference in costs of the cruise, the missed port fee, etc. A good will gesture of an onboard credit, free drinks for a day, etc. might have kept many people onboard for another cruise -- but some of those people are now cancelling -- my friends included.

 

Oh well, it is what it is and we made the most of it -- but you can have NCL and their heels dug in attitude. I've been through three other hurricanes with missed ports and late returns, and all took good care of us both onboard and once on land. NCL has proven to us, and to those who have had problems in the past with good customer service, that they just don't care! :rolleyes:

Edited September 18, 2018 by Wyoming2010

[kroozbuddy]

Neither have I. And I will be very disappointed if I can't give our review.

 

As for how it all went -- yes, I can agree that the Captain and crew kept us very safe in extremely calm waters for the majority of the cruise. And yes, we were aware when we boarded the itinerary had changed -- but losing 25% of our cruise monies wasn't an option for us since NCL offered nothing else. And yes, I am one of the ones who would have MUCH preferred to go north. The following is the opinion of four of us and what we saw and experienced.

 

We were traveling with another couple and enjoyed the food (to a point) and the shows especially (do not miss "Choir of Man"). We made the most of it with each other, but life onboard was not great and we seemed to have to work for every little nuance like salt and pepper and silverware every single morning at breakfast! Bones in three different fish dishes, shells in the lobster dishes more than once, and their version of eggs benedict in the MDR was to have the yellow be hard boiled! Our room steward was horrible -- when we checked into our room there were no hand towels or toilet paper! The room was not finished nor had it been vacuumed. The desk was covered in spilled coffee and sticky stuff that came right off with a wet wipe! They sent in another room steward to finish cleaning up and scrub our bathroom with bleach (don't ask).

 

Unlike the Breakaway, we found this ship incredibly noisy. The walls seemed thin and we could hear our neighbors on both sides, including their TVs, and above and below! The door slamming was the worst -- it sent on 24/7 and was incredibly loud and annoying. (and who thought it was a good design to have the doors open in the hall :confused:). Lots of cigarette smoking going on all around the rooms, and the worst filtration ever throughout the casino and on upper decks.

 

Anyway, as far as skipping Nassau - we would have taken that in a heartbeat over any of the other ports they gave us -- where the feel like temps were around 105!

 

GSC -- where I ended up getting heatstroke (and we were only there for 2-1/2 hours) was nothing like we expected! Because they tender in, we had to wait in the theater an hour before we were called and we waited to get off the ship until 12:30. We are not beach people, but the only other island we have visited is Disney's Castaway Cay (where they can dock). This island was very raw compared to that. Instead of nice little huts with nice merchandise and ship stuff, they had Bahamians with tents set up around the beach area near the launch. There prices were high and the merchandise quality not great. There was very little shade anywhere and the food was served in a metal building with no fans and stifling heat. Even the hangers you sat in with the picnic tables there were no ceiling fans to move air. We could not wait to leave. It didn't feel or look like NCL has sunk anything into that island to make it better -- even the lighthouse was in pieces.

 

Port Canaveral -- again, another feel like 100 degree day. Every excursion was expensive and since most things closed at 6 p.m. -- and they got in at 1 pm. -- we chose the bus to Disney Springs. We got a total of 3-1/2 hours there. Except for the terrific Mexican dinner our mates bought, it wasn't worth it.

 

Then they announced they were skipping Nassau. That's the first time we started to see visibly irate passengers and lots of verbal complaining and shouting. The line at guest services got very long that night and the next morning. While they gave us a whole $30 each for Bermuda port fees, they offered nothing for Nassau's cancellation. At least Nassau would have been a full day stop -- we could have gone to Atlantis or visited the museums and even taken a cab to the Fort.

 

We made the most of our time onboard and enjoyed each other's company and some of the food - but we really felt nickel and dimed as everyone has stated about NCL. They didn't even offer us drinks or an onboard credit or anything to smooth over passenger angst. A lot of anger started to be expressed when passengers who visited guest services for answers and comps were told the decision was mad not to do anything onboard and they would have to contact corporate headquarters when they returned, and were even giving out pre-printed cards with the address! Unbelievable.

 

It didn't help when we got home and saw what RCCL and Carnival gave! After they cancelled Nassau, they really should have stepped up and had a chance to show some real customer service. We were told onboard that they cancelled Nassau to get ahead of the storm, but a previous poster said at a Q&A the Captain slipped and said it was because there was no space for us in Nassau. IF that is true, that makes it all the more worse and shows what knee jerk decisions they made.

 

All in all, we paid Bermuda cruise prices for five days at sea and two crappy ports. We noticed a definite disconnect many times between us and the crew -- who sometimes not only appeared clueless, but also abrupt. The waitstaff for the most part were awesome, however. All four of us decided we weren't sailing NCL again -- didn't like Pride of America and the Breakaway was just okay. This was not a stellar experience by any means -- cancelled ports or not. Going back to Princess and Carnival and Disney! ;)

 

So long, more room for us on NCL, and less negative vibes

[Wyoming2010]

So long, more room for us on NCL, and less negative vibes

 

My pleasure -- we tried them three times and three times is enough -- my vacation money is too valuable to waste on nonsense. My "negative vibes" (viewpoints actually) were nothing like what we had to experience onboard all week by those around us. I see that your favorite cruise line is NCL, so of course you will be loyal, just like I would for mine.

 

I'll be glad to make room for y'all on NCL -- and enjoy the better service on the other lines ;) Happy travels.

[kroozbuddy]

My pleasure -- we tried them three times and three times is enough -- my vacation money is too valuable to waste on nonsense. My "negative vibes" (viewpoints actually) were nothing like what we had to experience onboard all week by those around us.

 

I'll be glad to make room for y'all -- and enjoy the better service on the other lines ;) Happy travels.

 

Life (and events in it) are what you make of it. We were on board as well last week and made some awfully good lemonade out of the lemons provided.

[pathubia]

Life (and events in it) are what you make of it. We were on board as well last week and made some awfully good lemonade out of the lemons provided.

We were on the Dawn last week, we went to Canada instead of Bermuda. We had a great time!!! We stayed away from the negative Nellies and made the best of it!!

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

[Wyoming2010]

Life (and events in it) are what you make of it. We were on board as well last week and made some awfully good lemonade out of the lemons provided.

 

So did we, as I explained in previous posts. We were with another couple and had a blast. Doesn't mean that because I'm complaining about NCL's handling of this matter pre and post cruise, that we didn't make the most of it onboard. If I gotta spend my money on a cruise I didn't choose, you better believe I'm going to make it count. :D We even got pictures done and saw some great shows. I just don't need to go back on NCL to accomplish the cruises I want for the future. For my family, there are better choices. For you, it's NCL. It's all good.

[PATRLR]

If you've cruised for 20 years, you should be aware that cruising in the hurricane season is a gamble, NCL seems to have handle that properly by safely rerouting the cruise, this is sad, but would you have prefer to go straight into the storm?

Please - read and try to comprehend the posts. Where exactly did this person say or imply they wanted to go straight into the storm?

 

All the other affected cruise lines have done something to help make up for this unfortunate event, why is it so hard for the NCL pom-pom wavers to recognize that NCL has not handled this as well as other lines have?

 

The point is that i'm pretty sure those who complain now that NCL have re-routed out of the storm would also have complained when the breakaway went trough it in January.

And how is that at all relevant here?