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On 7/7/2019 at 8:38 PM, cruisinmeme said:

 

 

I just got off the breakaway June 9th. Although I wasn’t on deck 9, i had the second cabin to the end on deck 8.  The stairs and elevators are around the corner. Yes, everyone coming down the hall has to pass your cabin but that part never bothered me.  What was awful (only subject to deck ) was there was no inside cabins in that area, it was the alley way for workers. They slammed that door across from me 24/7. 

You scored a good cabin. Go down one deck and take the outside walk way, nice!

We were on the Breakaway twice.  The second time we got an upgrade to a spa balcony and were two or three cabins away from the front of the ship.  We could actually see inside the bridge when the curtain wasn't closed.  Didn't realize that there was an access door for staff across the hall.  All night long this door slammed.  So much for a peaceful spa cabin.

Thank you everyone for your responses to my concerns!   I am going to book!

We love cruising and are especially fond of the freestyle concept.  We have sailed on the Breakaway twice to Bermuda and more recently, on the Escape  (loved the Escape!!!).  I was going to book the Encore for Bermuda next year.  After looking through the threads and deck plans, I am having some second thoughts.  We cruise to enjoy the food, drinks, shows and relaxing places on the ships.  It seems the Encore is trying to attract families with adolescents and teens (thinking race track, laser tag and VR games).  Those things don't interest us much.  We can't afford Haven suites and really want to make sure there will be places to unwind, have a drink and read a book.   For those of you who are following the building of the Encore, do you think there will still be enough places to kick back and enjoy some quiet time?  Thanks to all!

On 6/30/2019 at 4:55 AM, perditax said:

 

During disembark, you will frequently end up standing in a queue that winds around the entire ship (on deck 7, I believe). Sometimes it can take an hour or two to disembark. All elevators will be jam packed at this time, so if you’re doing self walkoff you’d better be able to carry your suitcases up and down stairs. I usually see this blamed on the number of customs/immigration officials available, but I’ve never seen it happen so badly as on Escape in Miami, and apparently it’s the same now that Escape is in NY. 

 

I’ve more or less walked off every other ship I’ve been on (including GA, on my first cruise ever, and RC’s monster Oasis). 

We got off the Escape two Sundays ago.  It was the fastest and easiest walk off we ever experienced.  Yes, there was a line on deck 7, but it moved very quickly.  We stayed on deck 6 until our color group was called, so only had to go up one flight of stairs.  Was very surprised that the atrium bar and Starbucks cafe were open that morning (and yes - lots of people were having their last drinks that morning!)

4 hours ago, Nola26 said:

So glad you shared that update.

 

It will be interesting to see if the race track lasts through the first drydock.

We will be on the Encore next June for a Bermuda cruise.  Would be willing to bet a lot of people will be willing to pay for at least one trip on the track.  Sad that all the great stuff is extra $!

How much is each ride?  And can you buy a "package" of rides?    Thanks!

On 6/24/2019 at 8:11 AM, JuneauMe said:

Hi,  I was wondering if there are still no umbrellas up on Spice. The first trip I took on the Escape, There were big comfy chair & lots of umbrellas up on Spice. It was my favorite place to relax.. The next year there were lawn chairs & loungers and no umbrellas. The sun was unrelenting and I really didn't (couldn't) enjoy the space. Thanks for any info

D

 

Just off the Escape.  I don't remember seeing any umbrellas at Spice H2O.  It was very hot up there from mid-day on .  Just a heads up.  Even though the area is supposed to be adults only until the evening, there were still kids running around and no one told them to leave.  For the most part, they were pretty good.  However, I don't think there were a lot of school aged kids on this cruise. 

On 6/17/2019 at 4:54 PM, maryann ns said:

Here is information about Halifax for Cruise ship passengers

 

Check out the Halifax waterfront or consider renting a car and going to a nearby beach.

 

The Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg would be ideal but it is about an hour each way by car.

Great information on this website!  Thanks for posting.

On 5/28/2019 at 11:33 AM, cft8 said:

This page has some information about parts of the park you can walk to from downtown Bar Harbor, but   the main part of the park, including highlights like Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond are not walkable. https://www.nps.gov/acad/traffic.htm. That page also has information about the Island Explorer bus route, if that will be running when you are there.

Thanks for the link.  If we sign up with Ollie's Trolleys do they provide the pass to get into the park?

2 hours ago, PRH said:

On board right now.  First two days pretty rough.  Hit the gulfstream so now fairly calm. 

Weather along East coast has been stormy so that probably why

8 hours ago, KShuman said:

Charles, if I go to the Dockyard Visitor's Center and buy either a day pass or a book of tickets (still not sure yet which I will buy) can I pick up the bus schedule there?  I would prefer to have a nicely printed bus schedule versus the sub-par printing that happens on my own printer!  Weeks ago I printed a Bermuda map at home and I like all the details on the map, but I almost need a magnifying glass to read some of the small print.  OLD age issues!  I am hoping to get a bus schedule at the Visitor Center, but if they aren't readily available than I can always print a copy.  I appreciate your input on so many of our CC posts.

There are bus and ferry schedules available just off the ship.  Can't remember off the top of my head where I saw them, though.

On 5/5/2019 at 7:38 AM, Charles4515 said:

Bus-Schedule-May-2019.pdf 1016.15 kB · 45 downloads

Thanks for posting.  Going in June.   Do you think the schedule will be the same?

We have always sailed to Bermuda between mid to late June and never had a problem.  Even at that date, the water in Horseshoe Bay was a little cool.  Keep in mind that Bermuda really isn't that far south.  It's off the coast of the Carolina's.  It is not a Caribbean island.

Hello all, I am helping a friend who has never cruised before.  She chose the dining package for her promo.  I have never used this promo before, so I wasn't sure how to make reservations online.  Once we complete the online check in, I know I can go to the planning section.  How do we make the reservations from there?  Thanks so much for any advice you can give.  I don't want her to get charged extra for a promo she already has.

Thanks so much for posting!   Were those show selections in your cabin or did you have to do to one of the screens by the stairways to select the shows?

56 minutes ago, beerman2 said:

Last I saw it was 209.00 per person for the week.

Spa passes pre boarding are still $199 pp.  Since this is also adults only, IMO - a better option than the Vibe.  Guess it depends on whether you want to be in the sun or not.  I am not a sun worshipper and don't like hanging out at the pools or sun decks.

3 hours ago, suzy2 said:

Its four days in port 

www.ncl.com/cruises/7-day-bermuda-from-boston-GEM7BOSWRFBOS?numberOfGuests=4294953449&state=null&embarkationport=4294953360&destinations=Bermuda_Cruises&cid=DI_TSI_PRO_PRO_INS_BKN_LKA_FREEATSEA_BOSDESTRTG_HR3PRO_NA-23843288137900784&itineraryCode=GEM7BOSWRFBOS

The itinerary is written poorly.  If you look more closely, you will see that you arrive in Bermuda on Sunday, Overnight for a full day on Monday and leave Tuesday at 5:30 (3 days).  You are at sea on Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday (4 days).  The chart has an extra line after Sunday that shouldn't be there.

17 hours ago, suzy2 said:

Going to Bermuda for 7 day cruise. 4 full days in port, free at sea package. Is drinking package different for Bermuda?

There is only three full days at sea, and 4 land in Bermuda.  I'm worried if I pick the drinking package and then only have it for 3 days.

I think you have the itinerary mixed up.  You are at sea four days and in Bermuda 3 - though technically it's not a full day on the third day.

I believe Taste and Savor are also open for a sit down breakfast.

3 hours ago, ns0302 said:

found this on facebook

NCL_Escape_April19_Bermuda_7Day(1).pdf 15.02 MB · 10 downloads

Thanks so much!!!!

Thank you so much for posting!

53 minutes ago, jng said:

Thank you Escaping2016.

Hope you are having a great cruise!

 

And looking forward to seeing the other dailies 🙂

We are leaving this sunday.

Enjoy your cruise.  Just looked at the port cam in Bermuda.  Looks windy, but nice!

1 hour ago, salzdt said:

Thank you for the fantastic review and photos of you cruise on the Escape.  Your family is beautiful.  We are thinking of doing a Canada/New England cruise in September.

We are doing the Canada/New England cruise in September.  Can't wait!

Nice to see the towel animals.  Thought they had been discontinued.

Looks like you had a beautiful day on the island!  Quick question from a previous post - you mentioned there was a $10 bag sale.  What was that for?  Thanks!