SullytheBFG

We were on the Epic in the H20 area and the chair hogging was terrible. We saw sets of loungers left for hours, on one occasion 4 loungers with towels on were empty from when we arrived to when we left a total of six hours!

If I see loungers empty for a long time I will move the towels into a pile and use them. Going swimming, to the bar, toilet etc is completely acceptable and even lunch as long as it is not hours. Just hogging chairs and loungers for hours with no one using them is not.

It is called manners and respect for other people, every one is on holiday and wants to enjoy themselves.

We had ours added on when we booked and pre pay. Booked directly with NCL in British Pounds at todays exchange rate that makes it $8.92 per day.

The exchange rate has hardly changed either just a few cents so not sure why it's so cheap!!

Founders All Day IPA was on the board and is a great choice. It's a great IPA and only a little over 4% abv so not too heavy. Also, if they put anything from Bell's on tap, especially Bell's Two Hearted Ale is another great choice. Both Founder's and Bell's are Michigan Beers and are both pretty big in Florida and NY. Obviously, this is just my opinion and means nothing if you don't like a good hoppy IPA.

Sounds good will give it a try, is IPA the same in the US as here i.e India Pale Ale?

The UK offering is Newcastle Brown Ale, Strongbow and Magners all mass produced. We have some wonderful beers and ciders and this is the offering!!

The British beer and cider choice is horrible and embarrassing! Will have to try some of the American beers in January.

Any recommendations???

Funny you said that, since my price dropped below book in price today, called, and was told I would have to cancel (at 75% penalty) and rebook. So, I'm not exactly sure what perk you are referring to about US price drops.

Just based on what other US posters have said - the price dropped so I called NCL or my TA and got the new price. We are the same as you have said you want the new price you cancel and re-book and lose whatever you have paid.

I am in the UK and booked through the UK for two weeks on the Escape we got the UBP and DSC included. We do not get any price drops as the US does, also if you want to upgrade the price will be as when you booked not any new prices.

Prices vary per country as do the T&Cs, just the way the things are. We also don't tip the way Americans do it's a cultural difference.

I am English but speak reasonable French and some German. My other half is Swedish and speaks Swedish, English, German and Norwegian.

You book a holiday and that is the price.

Just my opinion ;-)

Put lots of people together, give them booze and things are likely to happen.

Maybe there was/is room for security improvement.

As for the comment of our country v your country and the security forces. People other than Americans do travel on your ships even out of the US!

If they are ex Gurkas you are in good hands!

Welcome to the sea! Pitching and rolling would be usual in those conditions.

I regularly sail 40-50 ft yachts in the UK solent Once it gets above a force 7 it gets a bit fun!!!

We have sailed NCL multiple times and will be again in January, also Royal Caribbean. My wife and I are 44 and 45, we have never had any issues. As you say we are not slobering over each but if we want to hold hands, or give her a brief kiss we will. There are quite a few gay couples generally on board.

We also have looked at Olivia the price is too high for the ships and to be honest I don't think we could put up with so many gay girls in one place! When we are in the Caribbean Islands we are much more cautious than on ship.

We were hesitant our first cruise however it was the best thing we ever did! Our cabin is made up as a double and never had any issue with stewards or anything.

I think by "normalising" our relationships it's the best thing you can do. In Sweden and the UK it is illegal to discriminate against gay people at all. I know the US is not quite there yet......

We did the drive there and back to Key West on two motorbikes. While Key West was fun the drive gets boring and VERY hypnotic.

I think there will be less "sitters" there in the Caribbean. It has nice big glass windows and was a good space to watch the sea.

The boat is not built for October in Europe!

We found Chilean wine really cheap in Florida what I would pay £10-£15 ($15 - $22.50) we found for $6-$9 plus corkage was a no brainer.

This January we are on a 2 week B2B with UBP with no gratuity so weeeeeeee.

We would have paid for it, it's worth nearly $2k for both of us for the 2 weeks.

We were on an aft balcony 9320 for the two day. You could easily fit loungers on there big balconies.

I would think the draft beer would be ok as it is cheaper. I am the same if something is out I get to try something new.

This is a new ship and a new bar I would think NCL are probably getting to grips with the data of what is selling or not so they can control their stock better. This is going to take them quite a few weeks to get this.

I agree with people sitting and reading in the comfy chairs it is a lovely place to be. Drink beer or goodbye!! ;-)

We did witness 6 German chaps getting into the photo booth which was very entertaining.

Check with NCL if you can change cabins to an accessible one or one where there is a recess in the hallway. They are really helpful with requests we have had one on board for my Dad and with the big ships they are a God send.

The staff are always really helpful as well.

Hmm, maybe I've only seen it on European cruises? I took that photo on Spirit in the Med, right after this one:

:p

MARMITE!! yes...

Did anyone else notice there aren't any balcony lights on Escape? Is it just me? We couldn't find a switch to ours, so we went outside and there was none.

Yes, we looked and couldn't find one either.

We ate in the Manhattan on the two night trip from Hamburg to Southampton with the new menus. Food was excellent and the ceviche was very tasty.

Steak et frites is a staple at any French restaurant and is a steak cooked however you want it with the thin chips (fries).

Poutine aka chips n gravy in the Northern part of the UK!

Stick some curry sauce on the chips as well and half the country would be happy!

We did the two nighter and ate in the Manhattan both nights. If there is a queue book a reservation and ask for a buzzer. Go to the bar and when your table is ready the buzzer vibrates and flashes to let you know your table is ready.

We had no problems at all and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ate one night at 7pm and the other at 7:30pm.

Also we had my Mum with us who is in a wheelchair, the staff could not have been more helpful with her on all occasions including getting on and off the ship.

We did the two nighter and thoroughly enjoyed it! Friendly, good service and no complaints. Loved the boat and all the new bars and restaurants.

The luggage was a port issue, so should be no problem in Miami.

Looking forward to our two weeks in January and Escaping miserable British weather!

Having seen all 3 shows on the 3 night cruise from Hamburg to Southampton - I would say see the Supper Club first then Million Dollar Quartet.

 

There was nothing really wrong with After Midnight - singing, dancing & costumes were great but it just lacked oomph in my view.

Spot on! After Midnight didn't have the energy of Million Dollar Quartet.

We were only on for two nights so no chance to see the Supper Club leaving that until january.

Really enjoyed Million Dollar Quartet, After Midnight not so much.

Just my opinion.

Will go back and see Million Dollar Quartet again.