Escape Bermuda Halloween 10-28-2018 Preview ... Semi-Live, an limited (Sunday) ed.

[mking8288]

Here we are sitting in Savor, our cruise tradition for disembarkation morning. Ship just clear for self walk off at 7:30 pm, we aren't in a hurry.

 

Cigarettes we're on sale, just not poared, buy 4 and 1 is free.

 

Will comment & post a few missing one later, and answer questions. Thanks all for following & find this fun and informative.

 

Using up our remaining ship's 7 WiFi minutes.

[mking8288]

One of our quickest disembarkation, in a taxi, homeward bound.

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

Great review, thanks for the tips, we are leaving on her today. Can't wait!

[shof515]

How did the ship handle that weather, how high did the waves get?

[mking8288]

26 minutes ago, shof515 said:

How did the ship handle that weather, how high did the waves get?

 

Escape handled that weather nicely, Chan. 21 showing 12' large waves when it was probably closer to 15' and when displaying 15' sea & large sea swell, it was probably between 15' to 18' & everyone felt the sideward movement, even for us on Deck 5, but it wasn't bad.  We took those pictures, Deck 8 Fwd @District B.H. so it looked bad, Outdoors/Waterfront & Deck 16 Pool & Deck 17 obviously closed for safety reasons, wet - windy - rain for about 6 to 7, maybe 8 hours, mid-morning to early evening, calming down after 4 to 5 pm - especially the strong Gale cross-wind, sideway onto the ship ... sometime I saw on my Apps but at ship captain's 10 AM morning briefing.  My BIL on deck 15 with their mid-ship balcony, most definitely felt movement & getting bounced, but nothing terrible.  Waves probably came up to deck 8, 9 and even 10 Fwd, the water splashed & wave mist definitely hit deck 16, probably turned on their wipers on the bridge.  Mrs. M took a video of it, should tell the story - give us a chance to rediscover our house & I will upload - link to it.  

 

Besides, we're doing 21 to 22 knots, slowed down at times to 15 knots but even with the stormy sea, going at 18 to 19 knots - last night, we're about 120 nm from NY harbor by late evening, slow down & I believed by 3 AM EDT (new clock) - just 12 to 15 nm off Ambrose/Sea Bright ... waiting, then speed up around 5  AM to sail under the VZ Bridge, 6 AM and we're turning north on the Hudson.  

 

I don't know what happened to CC yesterday, able to post a quickie update in the morning - then, was unable to reply/post - couldn't quote or multi-quote ... satellite WiFi worked fine, used our minutes to check email, news & weather but no matter what I tried - CC site was down for me, read only & couldn't even post anytime to alert/ask their online help, etc.  It appeared that none of the CC forums were updating or posting.  

[mking8288]

45 minutes ago, Nclgetawaymenhoney said:

Great review, thanks for the tips, we are leaving on her today. Can't wait!

 

Enjoy, hope this has been good & ship is in fine shape, wonderful crew & find the MDR choices good, some new items - and it wasn't crowded for us, except for the Fwd atrium lobby, always something going on.  Have a nice run to Bahamas/PC and hopefully, can tender to GSC.  Disembarkation was smooth & seemed like, many were in a hurry since we returned early.

 

We used porter's services & that was a quick/easy - took us in elevator upstairs to a line of waiting yellow taxi ... being Marathon Sunday, didn't want to mess with our usual car service.  Got home in 40 minutes - NE Queens, passed LGA airport, traffic was light as many drivers stayed off the highway & city streets, and we opted for the best but longer route to come home.  

 

P.S.  if you are among those on the CC Roll Call, M&M - go there & enjoy the comp'd beer samples & light snacks, they did a great job hosting us & making us feel welcomed at home, away from home - no matter how big or small the turnout is going to be.  

Edited November 4, 2018 by mking8288

[dexddd]

4 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

And, we are now on the Hudson, almost there ... what the heck happened to CC yesterday, couldn't post reply or updates, etc.

 

More later, good morning.

Based on those pics - guess slides would be closed.  CC has been having some tech issues the last few days where it is down.

[dexddd]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

And, we are now on the Hudson, almost there ... what the heck happened to CC yesterday, couldn't post reply or updates, etc.

 

More later, good morning.

Based on those pics - guess slides would be closed.  CC has been having some tech issues the last few days where it is down.

 

HMMM... trying to do another reply but it wants me to edit prior post.  Anyways, from looking at NCL page and what MSC folks are saying, CC went down to posting around 24 hours ago and came back about 4-5 hours ago.

[mking8288]

23 hours ago, dexddd said:

Based on those pics - guess slides would be closed ... 

 

Yes, outdoor activities were closed on the last sea day (Saturday) with the stormy weather.  Got the videos of the sea swell & big waves (figure out a way to upload & post it.)  Slides were open as scheduled during the week, my understanding is that the lines weren't bad at all ... there were a fair # of pre-schoolers sailing along, and some elementary aged, 2 CC families brought along theirs to the CC to a fairly packed DBH.  Never got around to do the rope & walk the plank ... certainly nobody is going to be up there with the gale force wind & rain to get soaking wet - hence, the MDR and lobby/indoors were packed.  

 

With the relocated i-Connect / i-Cafe, the design for the Fwd atrium lobby is much improved, and they setup plenty of extra folding chairs alongside the "slim-line" chairs & sofa.  But, it was often standing room only for events like Deal or No Deal & the contests with audience playing.  

 

Mrs. M stayed away from the casino by midweek, machines were tight & not giving up anything - it was the consensus among the players (especially the ladies from the Slot Pull ... hi, all) even on day 1 once we're out to sea - made a bit of donations to NCL.  We got tied up for Slot Pull #3 on Saturday with the rough sea conditions elsewhere & still no luck - playing the WOF, $10 a pull ... and, many chances for that $40,000 JP prize but no can't do - not even with the backhanded mode.  The casino wasn't as busy as the Breakaway and without the tournaments scheduled all week, the place be even slower, I believe.  It wasn't as smoky, for whatever reasons - better HVAC system running ?? dunno and they're trying to limit smokers actively playing & seated (asking those to go to "designated" area outside as posted.)

 

Waterfront /outdoors on Deck 8, this remained to be our quiet oasis when we wanted to (never had problems find a couch and if desired, shaded spots) sit back, relax & feel the ocean and people watch ... many joggers and walkers found this to be a great place to stroll along, not for runners, going all the way around the back of the ship.  Deck 7 where the lifeboats are located is mostly deserted and the downside being the absence of chairs or seating (bring one's own bamboo mats, inflatable pads or cushion, or camp chair, etc. LOL.)

Edited November 5, 2018 by mking8288

[dexddd]

You made mention and maybe were more specific somewhere, but in regards to posting photos from phone, how did you do it?  I used to use tapatalk but it sounds like apps are no longer supported.  Did you just take photo and post via web browser CC normal page and pick picture?  Are you able to take picture then post without having to go into CC and picking picture?

[mking8288]

15 minutes ago, dexddd said:

You made mention and maybe were more specific somewhere, but in regards to posting photos from phone, how ... ust take photo and post via web browser CC normal page and pick picture? ... 

 

Tapatalk is no longer supported, I just use Chrome browser to open CC's website & bookmarked thread from history to quote, reply & choose pic or camera, etc. Select unlimited # of pix, not just 6 per post. Not so easy unless you have a large touchscreen device - easier to type with an external bluetooth keyboard, which I typically carry on a trip (not in town ...)

 

Cut-n-paste, copy & move function isn't easy on a mobile device, like before.  I use PicCollage to compress & merge 2 or 3 photos first, reduce those hi-resolution pix for faster upload, especially when on ship's satellite connection at sea, on our limited "free" plans, used up all 310 minutes of it, by disembarkation morning.  Cellular signal is poor inside the terminal & while ship is docked at the pier, nothing new.  

 

See screenshot.

Edited November 5, 2018 by mking8288

[Rasedist]

Thanks Henry for all of your posts and for organizing the room crawl. It was lots of fun we met some really nice people.  It was fun walking around the ship running into people that we knew from the meet and greet.  We also had a lot of fun at the slot pull.  We had a lot of laughs !  We are planning on going back on the Escape on March 24 th. Maybe some return cruisers will be on that sailing! Until we meet again my friend ! Posted slot picture is unfortunately not our jackpot! 😂😂😂

Edited November 5, 2018 by Rasedist

[Beer Belly]

25 minutes ago, Rasedist said:

Thanks Henry for all of your posts and for organizing the room crawl. It was lots of fun we met some really nice people.  It was fun walking around the ship running into people that we knew from the meet and greet.  We also had a lot of fun at the slot pull.  We had a lot of laughs !  We are planning on going back on the Escape on March 24 th. Maybe some return cruisers will be on that sailing! Until we meet again my friend ! Posted slot picture is unfortunately not our jackpot! 😂😂😂

 

873E16CC-9082-46F5-BBE2-8CCF5D6E50B3.MOV

Choir of Men ?

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, Rasedist said:

... It was lots of fun ... walking around the ship running into people that we knew from the meet and greet ... Maybe some return cruisers will be on that sailing! Until we meet again my friend ! Posted slot picture is unfortunately not our jackpot! 😂😂😂

 ... 

 

Thanks for pitching in on the Slot Pull and I think, especially, newbies learned a bit about different categories of staterooms and got ideas for their next cruise.  It was a heck lot of exercises walking around the length of the ship, up & down the stairs, riding the elevators to see the cabins - within the time frame ... the wow's from seeing the Studio cabins and the nice "Lounge" area.  Let's see if someone took photos or videos to share/post & upload them to CC - special recognition to EggsyH for sharing/showing us their nice, cozy Haven AFT corner suite,  and that oversized & comfortable balcony.  But, I'm still surprised that the bids for those that wanted a chance to move up to Haven, didn't succeed ... however, now that the "insider's secrets" are out with deck #5 ... he he.  

 

Thanks for the pictures/uploads - going to merge them into our CC collection, to look back upon.  I'm going to send a brief note - on behalf of the entire Roll Call - of appreciation to NCL Group Events & others involved in the effort, just to say thank you.  

 

We aren't sure when we are cruising next but definitely going to sail on the Escape again, probably sooner than later - very likely, just going to an attendee & join in - looking at last minute ones with deals (could sail sooner than yours.)  Till we bump into others, take care & cheers !! 

 

Well ... my NCL post-cruise eSurvey arrived about 2 hours ago, here I go again with feedback. 

[mking8288]

A few loose points, notes & comments about the Escape and Bermuda:

 

Post-cruise, NCL was offering airport transfer for flights after 1:30 PM - $35 p/p one-way to LGA, $45 p/p one-way to JFK or EWR.  The transfer buses (motorcoach) were marked and near the arrival area, reps were holding up signs.  Sign-up & ask at the ShorEX desk.  

 

Once we arrived and anchored at Dockyard, it was clear that customs and/or local BDA police were alert and on the lookout for "violations" - K9 team on patrol duty, high profile visibility on the pier, inside the restricted area.  Likewise, agricultural inspections were in place but only randomed done on the spot - violators are subject to a sizable fine.  

 

For those who might be curious & wanted to hook-up to the stateroom's interactive TV, the "Sole" HDTV used a regular HDMI connection, the input source cannot be changed - and if you can reach behind it & safely re/connect - having a (minimum) 6' HDMI cable would be useful for playing back your own sources.  It was especially easy as our TV was mounted on a swivel.

 

NCL's ferry ran on its schedule, available onboard at Guest Services, ask for one, it is complimentary and the ride is about 30 minutes between DY & SG, and we had full cellular services on the ferry, 4G LTE from "DigiCel."  Deluxe seating upstairs were nice, air-conditioned and there're charging 110 volts outlet along the walls, just look under the table, if ... 

Edited November 5, 2018 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Come along for our Escape's Bermuda stormy video ride at sea ... probably about 375 to 400 nm northwest on Bermuda, en route on 310 degree heading - speed is about 19 or 20 knots, straight for NYC.  Large waves of 15' as reported (at times, higher "slightly"), sea swell & gale force (cross) wind, with the splash & salt water spray in front of the ship's bow hitting as higher as deck 15 or deck 16, including the bridge.  Video taken inside the District Brew House, Deck 8 Fwd, portside ... come along & enjoy.  

It didn't (to us) feel all that bad, really - just hold on to the railings (used them for your own safety, it's there & provided for good reasons)

 

Dropbox link - it's been edited to about under 2 (1:45) minutes and 100 MB file size in MP4 format, optimized for Android devices ... lower the audio/mute if you wish to skip the Ooooo's and Aaaaa's "sound" effects.   CC's direct upload would've restricted the file to about a minute instead.  If this is no longer accessible, please kindly alert me via email.  

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jkp3n9y7biv0o5v/Escape Bermuda's stormy at sea - Nov 2018.mp4?dl=0

Edited November 5, 2018 by mking8288

[dexddd]

Thanks for posting pics tips.

[SailBreakaway]

Great thread and photos and info as always. Quick question for you, as I know you’re savvy on the ship broadband, does the social media plan include access to iMessaging for iPhones via WiFi? How’s is the connectivity with the social media plan? Anyone who can weigh in appreciate it. 

 

Welcome back. The countdown to the next voyage begins! We’re leaving again on Saturday. Thanks for sharing your voyage. 

Edited November 6, 2018 by SailBreakaway

[mking8288]

Cruise/trip summary & final thoughts, pictures and comments ... some unique & specific for our "Upgrade Advantage" bidded GTY oceanview, accessible stateroom on Deck 5 Mid/Fwd: 

 

This Halloween "Escape" cruise to Bermuda was originally set as a Bahamas 7 days sailing and apparently with a shortened stay on the islands due to berth (un)available on ship's typical Wednesday AM arrival ... some folks apparently just book it & there're still a bit of confusion in the Roll Call.  Started getting worried about 7 to 10 days with the forecast of possible TD (tropical disturbance) & maybe a Nor-Easter, it faded and aside from a brief morning passing shower, lasting at most 15 minutes - nice, comfortable temp's in the mid 70's, sun & clouds, not windy and the golfers in the Roll Call got their wishes.  

 

"Token refund issued" everyone on this cruise should've automatically gotten a $14.00 p/p OBC posted to their account by NCL ... dunno what exactly it was for, maybe - I'm only guessing & too busy to ask & find out (BIL's got theirs $14 x 3 for their cabin occupany = $42 USD) - a nice gesture, wasn't expecting nor looking/asking for one.  The port charges/taxes & surcharges for this sailing was - I believed - already lowered & adjusted for not docking at 8 AM. 

 

Embarkation was delayed & messy, folks were stopped from entering the cruise terminal by 11:30 or 12 noon - multiple NCL robo-calls were made starting Friday afternoon into Saturday to inform & ask passengers to not arrive before 12 to go thru security & begin check-in, but ... "some" (many) claimed never got the voice mail (it's true - in fairness - NCL could've done text messaging/SMS and/or pushed emails to everyone in addition.  

 

The Platinum waiting lounge, opposite Special Needs toward the back/far end of the building were filling up quickly by 11:30 (I would say, about 100+ with some standing only) behind the roped off area & others were turned away to wait elsewhere, if they managed to get past port security.  Cellular signals inside for us (T-Mobile & Google Fi) remained poor & spotty for us over the years (they need to install signal boosters ... better yet, port operator should provide free WiFi, as there are often international travelers, as a public service, like the rest of NYC).  Otherwise, I would've used the spare/idle time waiting to board to post a little more about what was going on "live" - but, unlikely many would be reading about it, just for the next batch of cruisers going there & running into the unexpected as these will happen again.  

 

Back-tracking, coming from NE Queens (further than LGA Airport) - we opted to go across (closer) to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, onto the I-95 South (Cross Bronx Expwy) & took the lower level of GW Bridge ("under the apartments" in upper Manhattan/Heights) for the Henry Hudson Pkwy south direct to Pier 88, trip time was under 30 minutes ... our BIL in downtown Flushing took the same car service & went thru the Queens Midtown Tunnel and didn't run into any unusual cross-town delays.  Base fares, tolls & tips minus discounts (and airline miles earned, LOL) rounded up to $60 for our 4 door sedan, upgraded free to a Toyota minivan.  Coming home on Marathon Sunday, with the smooth disembarkation - we didn't want to walk across 12th Avenue, porter took us upstairs to level 2 (with a long line of yellow taxi, including minivans & plenty of those new Nissan NV200 with great luggage space) - hop in, quick check with Waze for real-time traffic navigation, had the driver take us across the RFK Bridge to Queens, passing LGA with very light traffic, and got home in 30 minutes, total came to $75.  

 

Back about Day 1, I've learned (later in the week) that the Escape passed with a perfect 100 score on the USCG inspection ... the downside being that, carts of checked luggage were still lined up on the pier, waiting for the giant folk-lifts to load them onto the ship at 5 pm, along with provisions (likely freshly frozen seafood, meat & whatever).  Look at the pictures from the Waterfront of the dock below with the safety netting, the gap in opening could explain how previously, luggage fell into the Hudson River below. 

 

Nevertheless, the mandatory muster drill was moved back to 4:30 pm and we reported to the Escape theater, it was more detailed & extensive than the ones on the Gem & BA recently ... I also noticed the life jackets (floatation devices) are of a newer, different & enhanced design.  

 

While our bags were already outside the hallway for us, which we unpack with ease, others were still lined up at 5 pm on the pier ... amazingly, however, we're underway by 5:15 pm and sailing down the Hudson, before we knew it - passing the SOL & soon the VZ Bridge, heading out toward Bermuda, hugging fairly close to the New Jersey shorelines as we could still see lights from land, slowly at 10 knots - waves at 5' to 8' and only for a brief period at 12' - for much of the outbound journey, until we got very close to St. George's on the east end of the islands.   

 

On our return to NY, clocks were turned back 1 hour on Friday night, switching back from Atlantic/Bermuda local time to Eastern time; and, turned back 1 (more) hour on Saturday night/early Sunday morning - with the EST/EDT change at 2 AM ... and, favorable weather conditions (there were discussion/rumors among some of the passengers, overhead in the MDR) that the captain delayed sailing by 2 hours on Friday to 5 pm to make up for the extra time lost on Wednesday; and, to avoid/stay away from a weather system/storm in the area.  Well, we still experienced sea swell & large waves for 8 to 10 hours on Saturday, starting mid-morning - no monster waves & nothing broken, good laughs among those of us with good sea legs, etc.  It is true that we're hightailed out of BDA doing 21 to 22 knots for the most part, just about doubled the outbound speed or running almost full speed & in a fairly straight and direct heading to NYC, slowed down to 18 or 19 knots at times ...  As we approach midnight on Saturday evening, it was obvious reading the Nav. Channel's data - that we're closing in at 120 nm from home, slowing down further & if necessary - could be sailing up the Hudson River by 3 or 4 am, with daylight savings time to our advantage ... no problems coming in early at all.  Packed our checked luggage, put them outside in the hallway & went to bed around midnight, woke up around 3 (4 AM EST) and we're just barely moving, hovering just outside Seabright/Ambrose area.  By 5 AM, we resumed speed to 15 knots & I dozed off again, next I knew when the alarm clock went off - we had slipped past the SOL & turning north onto the Hudson at 6.  

 

This past week onboard went quickly, too fast for us to explore the Escape, our first time, and we definitely plan to sail her again, top to bottom, end to end.  Got out of bed, wash up & finished packing on hand-carried items, and walked up one deck to stroll AFT to Savor MDR for our sit-down disembarkation limited-full breakfast, said goodbye to the friendly dining room team, some of whom we've gotten to chat & know.  Meanwhile, ship docked about 7 am & was cleared by 7:30 am, Express Walk-off began their journey toward the gangway as well as those in Haven ...  We returned to our cabins, a final sweep & vacated it - turning over to Gerardo, nice/friendly/efficient Room Steward (helped clean & prep'd our room for the cabin crawl) - and, found a spot to sit & wait, met up with our BIL coming down from deck 15 just a little after 8:15 am, only waited briefly as more colors were being called already.  

 

Escape's crew got this one done right, managing the flow of passengers on the ship instead of letting hundreds of them onto the pier in a long line - from the Fwd gangway to the escalators & elevators took just about 10 minutes, found our luggage in the Priority Disembark area, the next available porters (plentiful around, ready & waiting) - all 6 checked bags onto his cart, head up the middle following the porter, and with less than a 3 minutes wait, breezed thru with a friendly CBP officer and out to ground transportation.  Disembarkation was smooth, organized & well-managed, unlike our last time on the Gem or even with the Breakaway - job well done by the NCL along with those in the port.  

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by mking8288

[mking8288]

6 hours ago, SailBreakaway said:

... does the social media plan include access to iMessaging for iPhones via WiFi? How’s is the social media ...

 

Cisco hardware/server and dual band NEC WiFi routers have very good to excellent coverage & solid signal, bow to stern with speed tested between 1 to 4 MB, quite usable for most users, not for gaming & could be sluggish for streaming videos even at 480p. 

 

i can't really rate the $15 daily plan but it support FB, Facetime, What'sApp and I used Hangouts, Mrs. M used WeChat just fine, and I used our VoIP (Ooma) App just fine for audio calls at sea. As long your iMessaging is set-up, active & working, I don't see any reasons to not get it working. 

 

Uploading these tech screenshots for the geeks to go over.  Dockyard's paid WiFi was weak in the ship, as expected as I think they might've relocated  the nearest antennas. 

 

Good luck on your pending upgrade bid(s) on the Gem ?? That's our favorite sized ship but ready to re-visit the refreshed Dawn coming home to NY next season. 

Edited November 6, 2018 by mking8288

[SailBreakaway]

Thanks! Great info and thanks for those screenshots. We had some days off that fit between wife and I (were busy bees usually) so we jumped on the short voyage. I’m not expecting much out of those bids though, but thanks for the well wishes. 

 

The weather forecast and GFS for our voyage is becoming more and more grim for the later half of the voyage. Low forming off the coast of the Carolinas, we may find ourselves in similar conditions on the return northbound. Just give me one good day of mid 70s on the island. SailAway will be a bit chilly, but ‘‘tis the season here in NY!

 

I belive we on the same BA voyage some years ago, as I recall. 

 

Thanks again and thanks for all the great info share on the voyage. Hopefully some new to NCL will appreciate what you and I appreciate in our frequent NY voyages with them. 

 

👍🚢

Edited November 6, 2018 by SailBreakaway

[mking8288]

This post will discuss mostly - specific & perhaps unique to ours and similar "accessible" Oceanview staterooms on the Escape, there are 4 of these on Deck 5, two starboard (5706, 5708) & two port-side.  There are also 4 accessible Family Oceanview staterooms on Deck 5, it seemed as we walked passed them - sleeping up to 5 and even closer to the Fwd elevators, super roomy.  Whereas ours are just as big, much larger than the typical balcony or even mini-suite in terms of square footage, our specific sub-category, roughly 240 sq.ft. by my "rough" estimates (sorry, didn't bring along a tape measure)

 

It was released & assigned by NCL to us within 6 hours of the Upgrade cutoff, and, we understood full well that they could bump us and reassign us elsewhere if they needed these cabins.  

 

The entry door has 2 peephole, one at "regular" height and the second one is lowered & suitable for someone in a wheelchair or scooter's height (and, we saw many motorized scooters stored in a special, designated storage area, behind a set of double doors, down the corridor ... I'm not sure if they were being re-charged or not; but, none blocking the hallways for safety/egress reasons)  The con's for our specific cabin is that while the door is wide open for entry & exit, before it timed out & closed automatically - anyone walking by & down the hallway connecting to port-side, passing by can peek into the cabin, especially when lights are on ... privacy can be a concern for some (thus, carefully if changing inside when a spouse/partner/cabin mate is coming & going)  Also, the door cannot be doubled-looked from the inside (no "deadbolt" feature for emergency/safety access in case the panic/help button is pressed/activated from within the room by the occupants ... Room Steward & others can quickly and easily enter without "knocking" or "breaking" down the door.  Those help/panic/emergency buttons are strategically located inside the room.  

 

Otherwise, the In Room, Make Up & Do Not Disturb status (LED) lights outside all function as normal, like any other staterooms on a NCL ship - we took an used Amazon Gift Card to insert into the Room KeyCard slot to turn on/off the electricity, by simply lifting the card slightly off (Steward had a plain white plastic card for it.)  

 

There are no USB charging outlets by the bedside, we looked for it & found none - despite the LED reading lamps - but, with three 110 volts outlets and one 220 volts outlet near the desk/dresser, next to night/end table - no extension cord really necessary - unless you needed it on the far side of the bed (by the picture window).   We took a 110 to 220 adapter plug & connected our Anker USB charging port, plug in an USB 3.0 shielded extension cable & was able to charge/use our device easily (and safely ... disconnected when we are out of the room, as requested.)   With 4 outlets, plentiful for most & no need to do another extension/power tap.   

 

Just behind/next to the entry door, alongside the powered door entry/exit switch is a 110 volts outlet, which is great & designed for charging a scooter or motorized wheelchair, etc.   The outlet inside the bathroom with a flat entry floor is rated for shaver & low amp. devices only (i.e. fine for a smartphone or tablet charger ... no hairdryers, etc. as that's right under the desk/dresser/table next to the bed.  

 

Plenty of closet space for 2 person & 6 drawers, we just tossed our eBags & Eagle Creek packing cubes into them, hanging up some of the clothes also.  

 

The refrigerator is smaller than the BA's (a little taller for wines) so a smaller desert plate will barely fit, glasses & tall insulated mugs, etc. and water bottles aren't problems either.  

 

The mini-safe, unlike the BA again - not even my Sony 11.6" Viao notebook PC can fit inside, probably not a full size "classic" iPad either, the "mini" would fit, things like small digital cameras would do - not sure about a DSL camera (what's that ... LOL) 

 

Oh, one last thing on this - somewhat annoying & could be a problem for early sleeper - is that there're almost nightly noises around 11 pm to midnight, sometimes as late as 12:30 am, of heavy items like furniture & likely theater equipments behind moved above us, coming from deck 6 ...  as per deck plans, we should be further ahead of the Supper Club & below the Escape Theater ... thus, after the late show.  Didn't really troubled us as we don't go to sleep at 10 am, but ... wished I had talked to the HD or Asst H.D. about what was going on.  Just a heads-up if you are booked into one for meeting needs.  (Being a GTY upgrade assigned, we really shouldn't mind ... so, not going to hold NCL against this "negative" score).  

Edited November 6, 2018 by mking8288

[miranco]

Thanks for the great review & pics. We will be on Escape to Bermuda in 2019. I have a question on the NCL ferry to St George. When can you board the 9am Ferry? Was there a long line waiting to board?

[mking8288]

9 hours ago, miranco said:

... will be on Escape to Bermuda in 2019 ... question on the NCL ferry to St George. When can you board  ... Was there a long line waiting to board?

 

Typically, the first morning ferry (capacity of up to 500 ?) will have those on shorex NCl-booked tours joining and/or ahead of the general pax from the ship.  We got there very (too) early for the 11:15 run to SG - expect folks to start showing up 30 minutes early but form a long line, but I believed everyone got onto the boat - for the fast & smooth ride, about 25 minutes.  

 

The regular SG ferry from Dockyard during the summer season (check their website for detail dates) begin its AM run early for local commuters, it might be worthwhile to do that instead, especially if you can go on Thursday & just pay the nominal fare vs. NCL's free ferry, and, get an early start.  If you are planning a DIY tour & visit to SG, there should be a free guided walking tour (wear comfortable walking shoes to head uphill & it's a good, informative one) that meet near/outside the local VIC by the ferry pier ... we did that in 2016 & it was very nice. 

 

Ask for the NCL ferry schedule at Guest Services on the Escape, they didn't put it out for everyone, but it's kept in their drawers behind the counter. 

[miranco]

Thanks for your quick reply & great information. It is always helpful to talk to someone that's been there & done that.

We are planning to go to SG on Thursday to visit Crystal Caves on our own & also walk around SG. Thanks again for your help.