Escape 8/6, Haven LIVE-ish

[davencl]

On 8/7/2023 at 9:34 PM, Monica887 said:

 

CHOIR OF MAN

 

For the 9:30 show, Haven guests are asked to gather in the Haven lounge at 8:45. They bring us down a service elevator into the empty theatre to sit wherever we like. I had a nice aisle seat in the second row.

I sure hope this is a regular thing.  Hope the GEM does this.  In the past Haven got a section off to the side.  Not front and center.

[Monica887]

Just now, davencl said:

I sure hope this is a regular thing.  Hope the GEM does this.  In the past Haven got a section off to the side.  Not front and center.

 

It was a nice perk! That said, at Company Men (which doesn't take reservations) the Haven section was 2 rows in the left section, though the room wasn't crowded and you could pretty much get whatever section you preferred. 

[Monica887]

DAY 4 CONTINUED: Lunch and Harvest Caye

 

After Monkey River we returned to the ship for lunch. I requested a plain old veggie burger, which was no problem. Our favorite waiter, Imam, is always suggesting things for me to try. He recommended the couscous that usually has shrimp, without the shrimp. It was delicious! 

 

 

 

After lunch, back to the Island for some pool time. I really wanted to hit the swim up bar!

 

 

We have been to HC before, and it was a bajillion degrees, so we didn't explore much this time. But if you haven't been there before, leave plenty of time for walking! It really is a fun one. 

 

I did take some time to check out the ocean before going to the pool. This was at the first and main entry area, and it seemed like there were plenty of seats scattered throughout. I'm sure it would be even easier further down. 

 

 

If you've ever been tempted to get a pool cabana, here's what they look like. Shade. Padded loungers as opposed to the brown wicker ones at the pool or blue mesh ones at the ocean. But we had no problem getting pool seats with a large umbrella, and I'm not sure the added extra expense would be worth the cabana for me. 

 

 

The pool is HUGE and had some little shaded spots around the edges which is nice. There's a bridge down the middle. Here are the 2 separate halves, as seen from the bridge. 

 

 

 

The blue roof in the first pool pic is the restaurant. We didn't go in, but there's also a limited menu you can order from the pool chairs. I should have taken a pic, but I believe burgers were under $15, and chips were $7 with a few other items. 

 

That's also where the swim up bar is. Here's where I complain for a minute. The edges of the pool were absolutely LINED with littered cups. Even worse at the edge of the bar itself. It was gross. Even at each stair entry way to the pool, there were PILES of flip flops where people couldn't bother to keep them at their chairs or tucked in a corner. At our chairs, there were empty cups when we arrived that were never taken. I didn't see a trash can anywhere close by and no one ever came around to collect them, though there were several servers taking drink and food orders. So I decided to skip the pool bar, and eventually headed back to the ship. 

 

 

 

Waiting for us in the room were more treats, including those based on our requests for chips and salsa, and cheese and crackers. 

 

 

We had a few bites and then hit the Haven pool where I got a Mango Meltdown. 

 

 

Later: Dinner at Haven, and Howl at the Moon. 

[Shidah]

Yum!  We usually request chips and salsa everyday.  

[Monica887]

Day 4: Dinner and Howl at the Moon

 

Dinner in the Haven. You're able to order something from the lunch menu for dinner, if you let them know during lunch so they can set it aside. So my Aunt got the shrimp scampi with lobster instead of shrimp, as recommended by the waiter. And I got the spaghetti squash, also from the lunch menu. I also got the risotto appetizer. And the chocolate cake which was actually good - not just "cruise ship good", and better than Cagney's. 

 

After dinner we went to Howl at the Moon, the dueling pianos show. All 3 were very talented, musically, but 2 had better chemistry together and seemed to have a lot more fun. So some sets were better than others. Still, always fun and a good mix of music. 

 

 

Tomorrow: Costa Maya. We're going to Hayhu beach club, a private beach that I found through CC posts. 

 

[Monica887]

Day 5 Daily

 

 

 

 

[Monica887]

Day 5 - Costa Maya: Hayhu Beach Club

 

For this one I did a full post in the Costa Maya forum, because when I was planning it was hard to get answers to the questions I had, so the full post is below.

 

But basically, it's a beach club about 20 minutes away from the port. We did the very basic package which was $60 per person, and included $30 food credit each (so 120 total and the first 60 of food is free). Transportation is included - they contract with a cab company, so you're in a regular yellow cab. It was not crowded at all, and much better than any "beach break" type excursions I've done. 

 

A few pics and then the link to the full post. 

 

The VERY crowded port. All I bought here was some vanilla, as I always do. 

 

The seating area for the a la carte package. 

 

My view for the day. 

 

 

Mezcal sour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Shidah]

How was the water?  In the picture it looks like the Jersey shore. Drink looks good though!

[Ellis1138]

52 minutes ago, Shidah said:

How was the water?  In the picture it looks like the Jersey shore. Drink looks good though!

 

It's so funny you say that. When my husband and I went, the water was very nice (and we went in a February). Like Monica887, I did research and for $30, we spent the day at a beach club in Mahahual that had beachside massage for basically $1 a minute. Great lounge chairs, shade under palm leaf hut things, tasty food and coconut water. 

 

But it reminded me of Seaside Heights, due to how each beach club touched the next. Crowds, hawkers and such. But we enjoyed it so much.

[Monica887]

@ShidahYeah, the water was more north east than Caribbean due to the sargassum. We didn't swim. There was some kids playing in it, but it was not a swimming kind of spot. That varies throughout the year due to seasonal and environmental changes. 

 

I have also been to the area that sounds like what @Ellis1138 mentions. The water there was blue and beautiful on the several occasions I was there. Yes, each restaurant/bar/club touched the next and everyone wanted to sell you something. I have had some SUPER fun beach days there, as a couple, with older family, with kids... I've never had a bad time in Costa Maya. For this trip we wanted to get out of the crowds, and this place is secluded! The ONLY negative I can think of was the sargassum, which is a problem in that whole general area, if you read some of the port boards. It was the trade off to be in a quieter more relaxing atmosphere.

 

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who has recently been to that main drag area, to hear how the water has been!

[Monica887]

Day 5: Dinner and Evening

 

I'm exhausted. The relaxed, happy kind of exhausted. I was going to go find a spot for music tonight but realized I didn't want to, so it's a quiet night for me. 

 

Haven restaurant, for the last dinner there (specialties the next 2 nights). I pre ordered and they made me the shrimp scampi minus the shrimp, from the lunch menu (so basically just a garlic pasta with extra zucchini. I added the broccolini that I had the other night and it was tasty, but not overly exciting. 

 

 

Aunt started with the ahi tuna and then had the surf and turf. 

 

 

 

I couldn't even imagine another heavy dessert so I asked for some cookies, and brought them back to the room for later. 

 

 

And now it IS later, and I just sat myself down by the pool with a book and those cookies. 

 

 

Goodnight, all. 

 

Edited August 11, 2023 by Monica887
Forgot a picture

[Monica887]

Day 6 Dailies

 

 

 

 

[DMH15]

I have not been on Cruise Critic in a while and your post / review is my return and could not be more satisfying and delightful.  
 

I have not cruised since before the pandemic and now I would except my dog is over 15 with health issues. So, for the near future i am living vicariously through Cruise Critic.  
 

I agree 100%.  Once I went to NCL full suites and Haven I was hooked.  
 

You are a great writer.  I feel like I am there.  I am the Aunt to my Vegan niece who I have cruised with twice.  NCL were superstars with her.  
 

Have fun. 

[Monica887]

Day 6: Cozumel and The Chocolate Experience

 

It's finally actually my birthday!! In my family, birthdays mean ice cream in your cornflakes for breakfast. (don't knock it til you try it...) And of course my butler made it happen in my room. 

 

 

Breakfast continued with the French Toast in the Haven dining room, because it's my birthday and I'm on vacation, so there. Also some poached eggs, because it was going to be a long day and I should be sort of responsible in my old age. 

 

 

I don't usually do ship excursions like this one, but we chose Island Discovery & Chocolate Experience, becuase it was not just chocolate, but also honey and tequila. I'm a little jaded and don't care for the ones that just go to touristy shopping villages, which I assumed (correctly) that this was. As long as your temper expectations going into it, and know what to expect, it's a nice day. 

 

We met at the pier, and boarded a bus. It was a bajillion degrees again today and the bus cooling system was lacking. 

 

 

First stop was the Mayan Bee Sanctuary. A shaman blessed us in a "traditional" (?) ceremony. And we went on to see the local stingless bees. We tasted the honey which was lovely and floral, and quite unique. The space was all outdoors and very pretty. Bought my kids some honey candies. 

 

 

 

Then off to a tourist beach bar for lunch. This wasn't included in the description of the tour (I had brought a protein bar in case all that was available from 9:30-2 was sweets and alcohol!) I had a quesadilla and some guac. They were also selling and tasting tequila there, so I had 5 or so tastes. YOLO.

 

 

 

Next up was the chocolate, which was very much in a tourist complex. A brief video, a brief demonstration, and a gift shop. Also a sample of a taco, made with seeds and spices. Not super educational, but there was about 10 chocolates to taste, so no complaints. 

 

 

 

 

And then, tequila! I'm not a huge tequila drinker but it's always fun to taste. This also, was in a tourist restaurant. I think I ended up tasting 10 different types (tiny pours!!) There's a 15 minute talk followed by some shopping time. I was crazy hot, and bought a frozen horchata that was delicious.

 

 

 

 

Headed back to the port. Tried to get my free birthday Starbucks but was denied (still used their wifi and ac for a bit though) and am back to sitting in my butt, trying to motivate for dinner. Moderno and 18+ comedy (the only way I could get Aunt to join me at comedy was by playing the birthday card!)

[Monica887]

Day 6: Moderno and Comedy

 

As a vegetarian, I have avoided Moderno for the 20 or so years I've been sailing NCL. Because it's a meat restaurant. And vegetarian choices are usually an afterthought in these places, so why bother? OMG I've been missing out! I wish I could have gotten some good pics of the salad bar, because I had a hard time finding any when I was researching. But it's probably 90% vegetarian (including cheese). Fresh salad veggies, marinated antipasto type veggies, cheeses, cous cous salads, bean salads, tabbouleh, sushi. I filled one plate with salad and then went back for the others salads and things. Took only small scoops of each and had plenty of food. All the sides they bring to the table are also veg - rice, mashed potato, black beans, plantains, mushrooms.

 

They do come around with all the meat, and Aunt said it was all delicious. They also came around with a hot, juicy, cinnamon-y roasted pineapple that was next level. After that we didn't really need dessert, but we split a few bites a mango rice pudding. 

 

 

I've traveled a lot with Aunt, and she has never come to a comedy show. But I wanted to do all the things, so I told her it was my birthday, my rules. She was especially hesitant because of the 18+ rating and she doesn't find much humor in that. But we went and she didn't stop laughing the whole time. (Thanks, Quinn Patterson!)

 

Onto the dreaded final day....

[goldmom]

Very much enjoying your report.  Happy Birthday!  Sounds like it was a great day!

[Monica887]

Day 7: Daily

 

 

 

 

[Aldeya]

Thank you so much for such a great review! Much appreciated because of our upcoming Escape cruise. Not in the Haven, just a balcony but seeing there pictures and dailies help tremendously to plan our days!

I will need to have Internet to check on work a few times. I don't want to pay $279 for the whole cruise. I wonder if there are some promotions for the day purchase. I didn't see any in dailies.

Edited August 12, 2023 by Aldeya

[Monica887]

1 hour ago, Aldeya said:

Thank you so much for such a great review! Much appreciated because of our upcoming Escape cruise. Not in the Haven, just a balcony but seeing there pictures and dailies help tremendously to plan our days!

I will need to have Internet to check on work a few times. I don't want to pay $279 for the whole cruise. I wonder if there are some promotions for the day purchase. I didn't see any in dailies.

I don't remember the price, but it wasn't $279. I didn't get the package the allows video streaming, just the regular unlimited one. It's been completely fine. Only one afternoon was it glitchy. I could post here, check my regular email etc, use What's App for texting. When video chatting on what's app, the video wasn't great but we had no problem having a conversation. 

[Monica887]

Day 7: At Sea

 

It's coming to an end and I don't want to go home! 

 

A Haven breakfast, and I tried what I think were overnight oats that were very tasty. On the small breakfast buffet they have a variety of parfait cups including the oats, fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese. And I had yet another almond croissant. The first day I think they were stale, but perfect every day since. 

 

Spent the morning at the pool (yes, there are chair hogs in the Haven - several chairs with only one personal item for hours on end without us seeing them at all). 

 

Lunch in the Haven. I've run out of menu items there for the most part, vegetarian wise. I could request something, but after a full week of getting creative the menu has run it's course. I just had a salad, which is fine, because my body hates me for trying to eat everything. 

 

I had to have dessert though...I had the pavlova earlier in the week and have been dreaming of it. It's light and fruity and exactly what I want lunch dessert to be. Plus, it's mostly eggs and fruit, so it's healthy, right? 

 

 

People are coughing all over the pool area. One person even brought a full tissue box to the pool. We relocated to the upper deck area which is 2 stories up and overlooks the pool, still enclosed but next to the outdoor sundeck and far less crowded. 

[Monica887]

Day 7: Afternoon and Dinner at the Bistro

 

Spent the afternoon doing a lot of nothing. Shocking, I know. Aunt NEEDED to order the ice cream sandwiches from the pool menu while we lounged. 

 

 

She ended up getting another massage, because she remembered she had credit to use up, while I packed. Sigh. 

 

Bistro for dinner. So last night we were in Moderno and Dilip the concierge came by to greet us. I mentioned to him that I heard I could ore order a vegetarian version of the mushroom soup in the Bistro, and he was immediately on the phone, making sure that happened. After he left I had 3 Moderno staff stop by to ask if I had enough vegetarian food, which I did, so he must have said something there too. And when I got to the Bistro tonight, the soup was waiting for me and it was absolutely delicious. 

 

 

I also had the vegetarian Napoleon, which is good, though I've had it many times before. 

 

 

I spent a lot of time debating which dessert, especially since it was the last night and we wanted it to be perfect. 

 

 

We went with the ile flottante and marquise au chocolate. Honestly we were disappointed by both. I do avoid gelatin, and I always forget how much of it is used in cruise desserts. Aside from not being vegetarian, it ruins the texture of so many things. The meringue seemed to have it, as did the chocolate coating. Neither was my taste at all. But I've clearly eaten enough dessert this week, so it's ok. 

 

 

 

The perseids meteor shower peaks tonight, and I'm hoping to stay up late to catch it. But....there's lighting and clouds right now. Sad. Oops, and now thunder too! Gotta rethink that plan. 

 

Going to enjoy the lounge for a bit, and then if it is raining, call it an early night. 

[cruiservictor]

I should have asked you this earlier in your trip, but is Dilip’s last name Lopes?  We had Dilip Lopes as our butler on the Escape in 2018. (I keep track.). Could it be the same Dilip?  

[mking8288]

It's been a joy to follow and read your Escape Haven report - and see that Kivanc is still GM (formerly HD titled) onboard, he runs a tight ship and has a great team then, look forward to meeting him & perhaps the rest of his team from the older days ... soon.  Thanks you and much obliged.

 

Was the ship sailing at / above capacity this week - Haven and spa cabins for our upcoming one already sold out, apparently no further "chance" for bidders to upgrade (unless, no-shows or last minute cancellations, etc.)  

 

Have a great disembarkation, safe travel and getting home, etc. Cheers 👍

[Coastalbreezes]

6 hours ago, cruiservictor said:

I should have asked you this earlier in your trip, but is Dilip’s last name Lopes?  We had Dilip Lopes as our butler on the Escape in 2018. (I keep track.). Could it be the same Dilip?  

Yes Dilip is currently concierge. One of my favorites!

[Chesneygirl]

Thank you for your wonderful LIVE from the Escape!

I'm curious to know, who was your concierge?