My View: Escape 'The Storm' with us! (Semi-Live)

[APDMOM]

Storage Space in the Cabin:

TIP: Storage space is a bit limited, especially with 3 adults sharing the room.  So, see the next post for some cabin hacks.

 

There are two small cabinets below the TV:

 

Two narrow storage bedside tables - one on each side of the bed:

 

A few shelves inside the closet, one with the safe:

 

I think we had about 14 hangers.  I pack my own plastic hangers with dresses and shirts already hung.  That way I just pull the hanger out of the suitcase and unpacking goes FAST 😄 

 

A long shelf at the top - DH at 6'4" got to use that one:

[APDMOM]

TIP: A few of my Favorite hacks:

 

1. I never cruise without the over the door hanger anymore.  It helps organize my cosmetics, hair products, lotions, etc.  It was EXTRA helpful with the rocking and rolling seas to keep things secure:

 

2. I bring magnetic hooks to hang jackets and hats:

 

3. We use a gift card or store card to keep in the power slot - that way we don't forget to take our room key with us when we leave:

 

4. Put a rag inside the shower rack so that nothing slips out, especially helpful for your razor...  I also pack my own shampoo, conditioner, and soap, as the provided products are not the best for curly hair.

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

The Bathroom:

 

I LOVE that NCL has a liquid soap dispenser by the sink, rather than the gooey, gross bar soap:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They still have the washing line in these bathrooms:

 

 

[APDMOM]

Favorite Space - Deck 19

 

TIP: This is the space I posted about before - it is a little less known, but has many loungers and 2 hot tubs.  There is a bar and is adjacent to the Vibe.  You can also reach the Sundeck on 20 from here.  This is one place on the ship where you can look out the forward part of the ship, but it is often closed due to wind.

 

 

 

 

These loungers face the front of the ship:

[APDMOM]

Sundeck - 20:

 

 

[APDMOM]

A view of The Vibe from the Sundeck:

[APDMOM]

Views of the Pool Deck and Water Activities:

 

 

This view is from the Sundeck:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

Spice H2O:

 

 

TIP: This area is accessible:

 

 

 

 

The Bar at Spice H2O:

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by APDMOM
spacin

[APDMOM]

Another Favorite Space:  The Waterfront Deck 8

 

TIP: This space is ideal if you don't have a balcony.  Even with our balcony, we often sat here for the views, comfy seating, and fresh air.  You can also avoid walking through the busy shops and smoky 678 area by taking the outdoor waterfront route on deck 8.

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by APDMOM
typo

[APDMOM]

TIP: Not all elevators go to all decks.  If you need to take the elevator - be sure to get on the right one to get to the desired deck. It is indicated above the elevators which decks they go to.  

 

All of these elevators are in the same area, but one goest o 19, one goes to 18, and one only goes to 17.

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

TIP:  If you are not sure you are walking in the right direction on the decks with cabins, look at the fish on the carpet - they always swim forward.  

 

  

[APDMOM]

My View:  Our overall impression of this cruise:

 

Our previous NCL cruise was in 2018.  This past year, we cruised Celebrity, MSC (2x), and Royal Caribbean, ending our year with NCL.  Of these four, we were MOST impressed with NCL for the food, staff friendliness and service, and overall entertainment.  

 

Food - All 3 of us agree that NCL stood out for the best food, especially deserts.  The only exception is the coffee - they no longer serve the Lavazza brand and the coffee was overall not that good to really bad.  We found good coffee in O'Sheehan's, and only sporadically in the Garden Cafe.  Even though they serve Starbucks coffee, the coffee shop on 6 is not a licensed Starbucks, so you cannot use your gift cards on the ship. 

 

Staff Friendliness - We were so impressed with the friendly staff and crew.  They seem to be genuinely happy to work on this ship.  We saw them joke around with one another, and we were often approaced by staff and asked, "Are you enjoying your cruise?" After they asked, they would write down our cabin number, showing they really care to reach out and make sure people enjoy the experience.  Captain Mattias is a very caring individual.   Jack is an excellent cruise director!  Our room steward, Juevan,  was very efficient and always checking to make sure we enjoyed our day.  

 

Another thing I love about NCL is that they give passes for crew family to come onboard.  Our room steward is from Jamaica, and his 8-year-old son was allowed to spend time with his dad onboard when we were in Jamaica.  We were so happy to run into them while his son was on the ship!  

 

Overall Entertainment - Our favorite show of all our cruise experiences was on this cruise, the last night.  The "Movie Sketch Comedy Game Show" was hilarious!  We also loved "Choir of Man" and "The Other Guys".  It just shows that you don't need a huge 'Broadway' production to provide excellent entertainment.

 

A Few Disappointments:

The layout of this ship is not ideal.  The pool deck has very little splace for loungers and the upper decks were frequently closed due to wind.  

 

There is basically nothing they can do about the smoky space of 678, as the Casino is smack dab in the middle of deck 7, with open space to 6 and 8.  I also think there was probably a lot more smoking going on during our cruise due to the inclement weather and added sea day.  Unless they ban smoking, this ship will always have that problem. However, it will not prevent me from booking the ship again, as the rest of our cruise experience was very positive, and we found ways to avoid the smoke to some extent.  

 

The coffee, as mentioned above, was not good.

 

Even though we had the angled, larger balcony, there was no lounger.  We had this on Celebrity, so it was a bit of a disappointment.  The chairs on the balcony are also a very cheap brand with a very small table, so they don't even partially recline like the chairs on Royal Caribbean.  It is not a deal breaker, but it would be nice to have more comfortable seating on the balcony.

 

We are already looking at booking Norwegian for the summer or Thanksgiving - just trying to decide which ship would be best.  

 

Thank you for all the likes, views, and comments, and for cruising along - whether you devoured every word or did the skim-reading thing for TIPS.  There is no other community like Cruise Critic, and I have loved hanging out with you while sharing "My View".   Until next time - I will DV 'see' you on Carnival Horizon for Spring Break (that should be interesting)❣️

 

Wishing you a Joyful Chistmas and a Truly Blessed and Healthy 2024!

 

 

 

[wealwayswander]

I love your review format and especially the red tips!  

[APDMOM]

On 1/19/2024 at 9:56 AM, wealwayswander said:

I love your review format and especially the red tips!  

Thank you 🙂

[NikiPinkston]

@APDMOMSo glad I found your review! Although we're experienced NCL cruisers, I still got a few good tips from your review and really enjoyed reading about your experiences! Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[APDMOM]

37 minutes ago, NikiPinkston said:

@APDMOMSo glad I found your review! Although we're experienced NCL cruisers, I still got a few good tips from your review and really enjoyed reading about your experiences! Thank you for taking the time to do this.

My pleasure! 🙂 Happy cruising!

[dltvermont]

Late to the game here as we just booked the Escape for April 2025. Great review and presentation! Thanks for all of the information that will help planning our time aboard!

[Grandmafreddie]

Fyi just ask for more hangers and cabin steward will bring them. Also draw under couch for storage and i had angled balcony and asked for loung which they provided