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

[Utas2]

The sail away party….famous for Norwegian… Alvin, the cruise director, and his assistant, Jeff, made the day for everyone.

Again, the relatively small space around the pool stage did not feel crowded, dance and dance away…. I congratulated Alvin for his dancing moves, only to be surpassed by Jeff….:-)))€

[Utas2]

The evening we concluded in the Haven restaurant and then we headed to the casino….with a small amount of win at the roulette. And then we call that a day (before stopping at the Tradewinds shops….. )

[Utas2]

The sea day:

 

After having the “traditional” Eggs Benedict in the Haven restaurant for breakfast we went on to explore the ship, also booking some treatments in the Spa….:-))

At 11 we had a CC Meet and Mingle in the Brew House Distillery, with quite a lot of senior officers from the ship greeting us there.

Thank you Anita for organising the event!

[Utas2]

When you wake up in the sea day and see this…

And then having your Benedict while passing along Sicily….

 

[schmoopie17]

People are saying the Escape removed the mini-golf. That sucks...was looking to have a diversion while on sea days for our November TA 😡

[Utas2]

17 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

People are saying the Escape removed the mini-golf. That sucks...was looking to have a diversion while on sea days for our November TA 😡

That area is indeed closed now, undergoing reconstruction.

[Utas2]

Apparently my post on visiting the Teppanyaki (a must for us in every cruise) did not appear, so I resend it.

The place is quite big now, with 6-8 tables and cooking places, and the guests are coming continuously. Usually you spend around 60-75 mins in there, but the show and the food worth that. Very delicious and more than enough (3 courses).

[Utas2]

[Utas2]

I forgot to mention the Captain’s VIP Coctail party for Haven guests at 19 hrs which is a usual treat and another opportunity to mingle with the officers. Just nicely fitting before the Teppanyaki booking.
The sea-day evening was completed with the 80’s party in the full H2O spice. It was total and wild fun!!!! Of course Rick Astley could not miss the place….:-)

 

[Utas2]

Before I continue: now in the Haven…..

[Utas2]

[graphicguy]

Thanks.  Loving your review so far.

[Utas2]

So on the day to Santorini the clocks must be set one hour ahead to match Greek time. I still managed to grab a late breakfast in the Haven, before just enjoying the vibe by the pool under the sun.

[Utas2]

Around noon the Escape was slowly cruisin’ into the picturesque set of islands of Santorini, sailing over a former volcano. There is something special when you just think of that. 
Tendering was easy, as Haven guests we did not have to make any booking, leaving amongst the first ashore. There are local boats to take you to the port of Fira (approx 10 mins) from where the cablecar takes you up to the small city (3 euros per person, 5 mins ride.) 

Please leave the donkeys alone….they deserve better….

[diddydoormouse]

Loving your pictures and Review could you possibly post the Daily News letter ( I would like to book my meals around the show times) thanks in advance.

[Utas2]

We decided just to stroll around the small streets of Fira, full of shops and tavernas that cater for the regular tourist. The place seemed to have recovered from the pandemic, shops after shops and various categories of restaurants. 
After the usual buying of small gifts we sat in a small family restaurant to have lunch: chicken gyros with pita and tzatziki of course, and despite the hot weather we also risked a glass (or two) of Tsipouro….while really enjoying the view. 

 

[Utas2]

Soon we headed back to the ship with the cablecar again and then the tendering boat. The rest of the afternoon we spent on board with chilling on the sundeck, enjoying the relative calmness.

After dinner we took on our dancing shoes, and “entertained” a few amused other guests in the H2O spice party (apologies for any incinvenience that might have been caused by our energetic moves on the dancing floor:-))))))))) I better not include those photos, and promise to take a few dancing lessons next time….

[Utas2]

In Piraeus we decided to stay on board, since we had been to Athens a couple of times before.

So we chilled in the Haven, on the Haven sundesk and when it was really hot, we retreated to the cabin to watch a movie before we headed back to the sundesk and also to the Haven jacuzzi. Also visited the Vibe Beach club, and in all these very quiet times on the vessel are relaxing at all places, ‘cause so many of the pax usually gets off to visit Athens.

For lunch we grabbed a few snacks in the Haven.

We had a reservation in Moderno for dinner and I guess for a couple of days we filled in ourselves with the required amounts of meat….(or more.) A quick visit to the Headliners to see a bit the duelling pianos show and then closing the day for a night cap at the poolside bar.

[Utas2]

Correction, not perfection:

the cablecar in Santorini costs 6 euros pp, (not 3) and no return tickets are sold, so you have to buy them before entering.

 

 

[Wyachb100]

I am on this cruise in September in a Spa Cabin.  If possible, can you tell me if there is any Tonic Zero anywhere on the Escape.   I don't like the taste of normal Tonic and want to limit the calories.  No big deal if not, as I will drink Wine and Soda but I like a G&T in the evening.

[tolansp]

On 8/6/2022 at 1:01 PM, diddydoormouse said:

Loving your pictures and Review could you possibly post the Daily News letter ( I would like to book my meals around the show times) thanks in advance.

I too am on this itinerary in September in a Haven Forward Facing cabin.  I bought the bait on paying for an upgrade from a Club Balcony when they lowered the price to just a bit more than my high "Good" bid.  Thanks for all the updates, looks like you are having a great time, I am also wondering if you have copies of the Freestyle Daily from the trip?  If you do, would you mind posting pics?  Thanks!

[diddydoormouse]

Could you please tell us what days and times are the Choir of Man show - thanks

[mast3rn8]

On 8/5/2022 at 2:58 AM, Utas2 said:

I'm not familiar with this ship; what is this?

[Elsammo46]

4 minutes ago, mast3rn8 said:

I'm not familiar with this ship; what is this?

Not OP here, but I was on that ship in April in the Caribbean. It’s a ropes course! I really wanted to try it, but it was too windy when I was on her 

[Utas2]

Sorry folks for the delay, but some changes occurred in the ininerary. We had to skip Mykonos, due to high winds and in anticipation of even higher ones (gusting 60-70 knots), therefore just before entering the harbour the captain decided not to risk the vessel. On that day no other ships docked in the port and tendering was also not an option.

So we turned to the south in a very slow speed (10-12 knots) and in a bit rough windy conditions we had an extra sea day.

Alvin and his staff quickly reorganised the activities menu. We spent the majority of the day on the Haven sundeck and also in the balcony.

Lunch in O’Sheehans, dinner in Taste, followed by a bit of casinoing and then a hilarious 70’s  party in the Spice H2O.

Jeez, it was really fun!