Vacation escape on the Escape - LIVE report, 3-13 August 2022 from Civitavecchia to Greek Islands, Malta and Italy

[Utas2]

Leaving Naples were again a treat watching the passing by of the port then the Amalfi coast, the Vezuv and the island of Capri in a distance from the cabin balcony. 
Video is on my insta, here are a few photos, including the cruise terminal building so you find it next time, the view of the city across the port.

[Utas2]

Getting close to being really Live from the Escape now…. As we are now in the port of Livorno, which is one of the two main ports of entry towards the sights of Tuscany (the other one is La Spezia).

The vessel arrived at 09:30, by that time we enjoyed our breakfast in the extremely busy Haven restaurant (and observing some behaviours of “full of themselves” guests who did not seem to realise that the staff was working their @ss off to change the tables quickly, but still made comments that they had to wait for 3-5 minutes to get their napkins laid and iced water poured…..ehhhh)

I guess the overall majority of the guests took either a shore excursion directly from the ship to Pisa/Florence/Cinque Terra or did the same using private tours/taxis - or using the port service buses from the ship to Livorno city centre and catch a tour to one of those destinations from there.

Sorry guys, but again, as it was not the first time for us in this region, this time we decided to look around in Livorno, (you might wish to check some of my previous cruise reports from Pisa and Firenze, I guess they could be retreived).

So we headed for the local bus option. Tickets cost 5 euros pp, for return only, and payment is only in cash, be aware.

The ride takes about 15 mins. Although noone enforced the rule of wearing an FFP2 mask in all public transport in Italy on the bus, we highly recommend to consider that.

The bus stops in the city centre, which is well maintained, full of shops, cafees, restaurants. It is definitely worth a visit, the place clearly is a showcase of North-Italy richness over the less financially advantaged Sicily or Naples. There is a market place and a new fortress just to mention a few, if you have already seen enough churches and museums;-)

The buses come and leave without a schedule, so after a short, 2,5 hours walking (and shopping, as the prices are really advantageous) we caught one back to the ship. 

Edited August 12, 2022 by Utas2

[Jmustang67]

Great pictures and reports thanks for taking the time to post everything!

[Utas2]

Tonight we are booked (thank you, Dilip) to see one of the highlight, award-winning shows in the theatre of the Escape, the Malevo. Reading and expecting a lot from this high-end performance.

 

However, (at least) half of our hearts has already been stolen (and much of the European audience, too, who know this group also well) by the Attraction group’s Light and Shadow show which enjoyed a standing ovation by the Escape guests. The performance was breath-taking, driving you into a world of unimaginable fantastic visions and moves, using lights and shadow.

The group has won the Britain’s Got Talent, and you can search for them in the net to grasp what you can expect.

Sorry for this promo, but of course, being a Hungarian, the appearance of this world-class team on the Escape was really special for us, too.

 

Edited August 12, 2022 by Utas2

[Utas2]

And here is one thing that I wanted to share with the CC community as I find that important to think about maybe just for a minute ot two. As I am writing this the Escape starts to gain speed from leaving behind Napoli, and cruising along the Italian shore in the Med. I am having an iced drink, sitting by the poolbar, enjoying the casual music and the sounds and sights around as the ship is gently moving, looking at the guests enjoying the pool, the activities, the music and the view.

 

I am thinking how important is to recognise these moments. And with that also the importance to be humble towards the hundreds of people who made these moments possible. And in exchange the ability to respond to them by saying “please” and “thank you.”

 

After (hopefully it is after) COVID nothing is to be granted. Maybe some thinks we will return to what was before - well, the world and the business of hospitality have changed. And I am grateful for the staff of NCL Escape who took me on this journey, leaving behind all my thoughts and concerns at work and daily business issues, and made me feel like I am a special addition to our common spending time on this ship.

I very well know that it is an industry, fuelled by financial interest, purchase buy and costs, interests, service charges, etc. But let us remember: it is the staff that filled in the empty vessels back, the bars, the corridors, the galley, the laundry, the restaurants, the kitchens, the maintenance rooms, the bridge, the bars, the theatre and every spot on the ship that made this experience to return to our “normal life” possible. They are the ones who put back their trust into this industry and the hospitality services that they provide every day, with a smile in their eyes (as it is difficult to see their faces through the protective masks), working without a single day off for 6-7-8 months. And all the time wearing those FFP2 masks, to keep everyone safe, even when there is 30 degrees and already worked 10 hours (and a few more to go). 

 

Let’s sink that in for a moment. Not many of us are willing to do that, far away from our families, but still remembering the favourite drinks of the guests, and offering a smile every time when we just sit in for another drink or plate of food, or welcoming us at the corridor, asking how our days were. Or make you dance away during the parties. Or silently take care about your health, safety, cleanliness and comfy environment. From galley to cabin, beverage to entertainment, maintenance, officers, supervisors, waiters, everyone who put their belief that this could work again and we can have fun in cruising again.

 

To me the staff of the Escape are the heroes who made and will make my vacation as enjoyable as possible, because they believe that what they do is not just for money, or career. They believe that what they do every day makes our life better, we feel better and we appreciate what we are able to do, the places we are able to visit, the time we are able to spend. Of course, not all of them are capable to make the famous extra mile, to become “vacation heroes” that you can cast your card for the extra money they can receive, but you know what? The overall experience is already humbling to me.

 

I am thankful for the staff, and again: I understand the rules of any business relations. But we should also understand that when we no longer can take anything granted as usual, the people are the ones who make the difference, their hospitality, their recognition for the extra efforts to make you feel “at home”.

 

So I have just one request: whenever you cruise and meet these wonderful, diligent, hard working but still smiling people, just do not forget to say the words of “please” and “thank you”. Because they really mean a lot. To them and to all of us, who can have that drink by the pool or anywhere on the beautiful NCL vessels.

 

Thank you.

Edited August 12, 2022 by Utas2

[Utas2]

Daily for day 6

[Utas2]

Daily for Day 7

 

[Utas2]

Daily for Day 8

 

 

[Utas2]

Just visited once again the Spa. A lovely place to chill, relax, detox, enjoy. It is basically over the Bridge, enjoying the very same view across the horizon.

 

[Utas2]

Daily for day 9

 

[Utas2]

Some smart solutions in the ship include touchscreens on every floor where you can find, map or even book your events, locations. You can do the same using the NCL app or your TV in the cabin.

Also in the cabins to indicate your presence and wishes.

informative tables make it really easy to navigate through the compact areas of Escape.

[Utas2]

Some photos on the bathroom - well maintained by Charlie, our cabin steward.

Plenty of space and storage, double wash basin, large shower.

Bathropes are handy when visiting the Spa a few meters away, nice treat.

[Utas2]

Daily for the last day of the cruise:

 

[Utas2]

Most likely, the last post from the Escape.

We had dinner in the Haven restaurant, but I must say the service was this time unusually slow…. The food was really nice though.

Then we headed to Malevo, one of the highlight shows of the cruise, by the winners of America’s Got Talent.

As anticipated, this is a very energetic, dynamic and both visually and sound wise strong performance by the 11 or so dancers on stage. Very professionally composed and also the design of the 45 mins show is high standard. At the end there was a standing ovation by the full theater audience of the Escape.

 

However, I must make a negative comment here that I was also considering when writing about the other show we saw (by Attraction). The organisational arrangements for these shows are sub-standard. The Escape staff allows purchasing beverages even a minute before the start of the show, resulting in waiters wondering in the dark - while the show is already on - to deliver drinks. That is despite the announcement that orders are to be closed.

What is even more annoying that Escape staff does not enforce a closed door policy, leading to 20-40 late comers (even 20 mins after the show has started!!!) trying to see empty seats in the dark - blocking others’ view and destroying the experience to enjoy the show. That was really disappointing. Dear Alvin, maybe you should consider rescheduling this show to another day, when crowds of people are not busy to finish packing and placing the luggage outside their cabin - just to miss the start of the show at 2100, and ruining the overall experience.

Especially considering an attraction that involves dancers starting from behind the audience, using the stairs where late comers are still allowed to wonder around…

The third point I shall make is the unclarity of the copy-rights policy of NCL. During the Attraction show guests were frequently approached if staff noticed that they record the performance.

There was nothing similar during Malevo - there were a couple of visible recordings by phone, an noone either announced or enforced a thing.

So you can do better, NCL.

 

Otherwise, I strongly recommend  to see (and hopefully enjoy) this excellent performance of Malevo.

 

After which we went to the cabin, quickly packed and placed our luggages outside. A last drink in the Haven lounge bar, and now I am writing these final words at the balcony.

 

Thanks for bearing with me, see you ashore with the final experiences.

[Twiglet80]

Thanks for the great posts.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the best way to get to Livorno Centrale station from the port please? I think you have to get a transfer from the port, then a bus to the train station. Is that correct?

[Cruise-mom]

Thanks for the report. We were on the Epic last week but sailing on Escape in January.

[Utas2]

Greetings to all fellow CC users from ashore. I hope you took away some useful insights, tips and the overall feeling of this subjective review.

 

First of all the debarkation day:

 

After a really short night you got that “familiar” little shaking of the ship when it arrives to port and gently tells you that it is time to go. So even without the alarm clock I was awake right when we docked in the cloudy Civitavecchia port.

 

we had our final breakfast in the Haven restaurant, saying goodbye to its wonderful staff and to Dilip, the concierge who probably worked all night to make sure that all leaving guests are properly taken care of while already learning about the incoming ones.

 

Disembarkation was a breeze: excellently organised, no queuing, waving staff wishing you to return one day, and the lugagges were already waiting for us ready to be picked up.

 

Of course, there are taxi drivers waiting outside to offer a direct ride to Fiumicino airport, but we bought a train ticket, so we took the free shuttle to the bus terminal, from where we got to the train station by our means very quickly. Note that for 3 euros pp there is a direct bus from the cruise terminal to the train station of Chivitavecchia, too.

 

Leaving around 7am meant that both on the bus and then on the trains to FCO there were no crowds at all.

 

Finally, as a summary of our first cruise after COVID-19 hit the high seas, a conclusion:

 

This was an awesome, relaxing and fun cruising experience with the beautiful and modern Norwegian Escape. We thank all the staff who made it so enjoyable and especially grateful for those who did the extra mile to provide us with yet another unforgettable memory.

 

We will be back, ‘cause we like to “cruise like a Norwegian.”

🙂

 

 

[fowler9]

I was also on this cruise and what was the 1st post Covid (although we may never be post Covid!) and the 1st NCL one for about 15 years.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments made by Utas2.

 

I thought the shows were excellent. All varied. We particularly loved Choir of Man, Malevo and Howl at the Moon but thought even the others were of high quality.

 

Light and Shadow was good in terms of the technical delivery but it's all a bit the same. It's fantastic how they do it but it struggles to fill 30-40 mins as what they do doesn't really differ.

 

Like the reviewer, NCL should close the doors after 5-10 minutes of the show starting so we avoid people wandering around with their phone torches on trying to get a seat. If they can't make it on time, then tough!

 

All credit go to the staff who have had a terrible couple of years. Their enthusiasm and dedication does not go unnoticed.  How they have the patience to put with some guests is beyond me. People can see staff are working hard in the buffet to clear tables yet some feel the need to stand there and click their fingers at the nearest steward and point to the table without a please or thank you. Just rude. 

 

So a big thank you to all the staff.

 

Absolutely loved everything about the cruise and glad we came back to NCL. Fantastic from start to finish.

 

A shame we didn't make Mykonos but that's 1 of those things and Santorini was just too busy. Apart from that, I thought all the other ports were great with plenty of things to do nearby (we did all our port days indepenently as all places had good public transport links (bus\train))

 

 

 

[Jmustang67]

How available are FFP2 masks 

[diddydoormouse]

Thank you so much for your in-depth review my family will be on the Escape in a couple of weeks and are now very excited. 

Could you tell me if the Tradewinds sell Duty free Liquor and Tobacco ? I have seen different posts some say yes and some say No.

Thanks again

[fowler9]

On 8/12/2022 at 11:52 PM, Twiglet80 said:

Thanks for the great posts.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the best way to get to Livorno Centrale station from the port please? I think you have to get a transfer from the port, then a bus to the train station. Is that correct?

 

The bus from the cruise port drops you at Piazza del Municipio 

https://goo.gl/maps/Z9B44PFh4ijChNuS6

 

It's quite a walk then to the station - 30 mins ish

 

Or across the road from where you get dropped off is a shop that sells bus tickets (it's a flat rate wherever you go).

 

Then you'll need a Lam Blu to the Rail Station. Closest stop is outside H&M on Via Grande which is just a few mins walk from the cruise bus drop off

Edited August 16, 2022 by fowler9

[Utas2]

5 hours ago, Jmustang67 said:

How available are FFP2 masks 

In our cabin there were 2 masks placed by the cabin steward. So you could use them, but in fact in all convenience stores at all ports you could buy FFP2 masks. According to current health safety advisory, you are to use those in all public transports in Italy and Greece, plus in some closed places.

[Utas2]

5 hours ago, diddydoormouse said:

Thank you so much for your in-depth review my family will be on the Escape in a couple of weeks and are now very excited. 

Could you tell me if the Tradewinds sell Duty free Liquor and Tobacco ? I have seen different posts some say yes and some say No.

Thanks again

Sorry, I know this is one of the questions I have not responded so far. Not being a smoker, nor that much interested in buying booze in bottles (as an EU national, no benefits from tax free shopping within the EU), honestly I cannot give a 100% answer, but as far as I remember they were not on sale.

 

[Utas2]

Another thing - important for upgraders (or maybe it is something new for me):

 

Despite I claimed I did not receive the Latitides points for spending my cruise in a Haven Spa Suite (in fact we did). According to the response I received, I am to receive Latitudes points based on the “full fare” I booked in a “mini-suite,” and the extras I spent for the upgrade do not matter….. nickle and dime, NCL…. Ehh. Would have been a nice guesture, after all…..

[Jmustang67]

Did you receive 1 or 2 points per day?