2hearted

Thanks for all the positive responses. Sounds perfect, plus it is a few hundred less than a ocean view balcony.

I am looking to book a boardwalk balcony on the Oasis or Allure. Can anyone tell me if I book the last room on the end on deck 10 or higher if I can see the shows in the Aqua Theater or if I can see the ocean?

The package on offer is $39 per day plus 18%, I would like to know the upto date drink prices

That is great price since you only have to buy one per room. Which I'm sure most people do and then just get the other person drinks when they can.

I agree the Escape looks amazing on the outside, I just prefer the Carnival layout better and RCI a million times better.

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I would never suggest that someone should not go on this cruise. We did have a great time and a cruise is as good as you make it. I just think I am starting to expect too much. If I had never gone on the Allure or Oasis, I'm sure The Escape would have blown me away, which I'm sure it will and has done for some people.

Yes, Oasis and Allure. However, the Carnival Breeze and Liberty of the Seas also had a little wow factor. Nothing bad about the Escape, I just personally did not like the layout.

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We left at 8:30. About a 20 or 30 minute open air taxi, then a 45 minute boat ride. Snorkeling for about an hour and a half, then return around 1:00. Snorkeling time was enough, but it would have been nice to spend a little time on the beach.

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I can see why some people love this ship and some do not. I just happen to be smack in the middle.

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I'm sure Howl is usually good. However, the group on the Escape were just not very good. The solo pianist in the District was much better.

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Not at all. Just a very honest review. This was just a very so, so cruise. Nothing bad, just nothing great. Please tell me what you thought was great. Do you disagree that this ship is chopped up? What do you disagree with? Just curious.

No need to make reservations on Escape. There was always at least half the theater empty for the shows. They were that bad.

Just back from the Escape and thought I would give my two cents. First off, let me give a little info about myself. I hate when I read a review and I have no idea if the person is 20 or 90. My DW and I are both 49 with twin 18 year old daughters. This was out 10th cruise, but first with NCL. (4 Carnival, 4 RCI and 1 Princess). We were traveling with six adults, four 18 year olds and two 12 year olds.

Embarkation was kind of a joke. Very few people to direct anyone and pretty disorganized. We arrived at 9:15 in terminal C and we assigned group 4. They then proceeded to load groups 1 through 16 in terminal B before they even stated terminal C. We arrived 45 minutes before our friends and boarded 30 minutes after they did since they were in terminal B. This was nothing to get too upset about, but I don’t understand why this was so difficult to control.

The ship was beautiful from the outside and very nice on the inside, Although, there was really no wow factor. I really thought the layout was not good. It seemed way too chopped up with a lot of hidden areas. The ship was a little difficult to navigate, especially on the pool decks. The stair cases were kind of hidden to get to the top level and there really was not a good flow to the ship.

The food was good to very good, but again, no wow factor. Typical cruise food, including the specialty dining. We had the SDP as a perk, which was nice, but I don’t think any of them were worth an upcharge.

The bars were excellent. Every bar we went to was great with great service and a great selection. Everything I read about poor slow service because of the UBP was false. Even at the pool bars, we never waited more than a few minutes. My two favorites were the District and Sugarcane.

We loved our cabin. We were upgraded from a balcony to a mini suite. The only difference was the bathroom/shower. Than was nice, but again I doubt we would pay extra for it.

The smoke and movement issue. Yes, it was there, but honestly if I had not read so much about it, I probably would not have even noticed it. My DW, who always get motion sickness never complained about it.

The entertainment was somewhat disappointing.

Rat Pack (show was very good, food was not)

Vocal Overdrive (made about 10 minutes before leaving)

After Midnight (fell asleep)

Comedians (good)

Howl at the Moon (poor)

District piano guy (excellent)

Ports were good. St Thomas we did The Champaign and Snorkel to St John’s which was great, but short. Tortola we took a cab to Brewer’s Bay which we loved. Nassau we went to Cabbage Beach.

Debarkation went fine. We had a late flight, so we were in no rush.

Overall thoughts.

We did have a great overall time. We are not partial to any Cruise Line so we do not bash any of them. That was not the case on The Escape. On more than one occasion I heard a comedian or other employee bash Carnival. I find that very class less especially when I honestly thought the Carnival Breeze was a much better cruise and much better value than The Escape. As far as RCI, there is absolutely no comparison. The Oasis Class is in a class of its own and NCL and Carnival cannot compare. Yes, I would cruise on NCL again if the deal were right. I find them very comparable to Carnival, however I like having the same wait staff every night. IMO.

I just got off of the NCL Escape and I think I'm heading back to Royal Caribbean. NCL was ok, but it really can't compare to the Oasis Class. Can any one tell me if RCI has an upsell dept like NCL? If so, what is the number. That was one nice thing about NCL. You could call up to the day before departure and get a great deal on unsold cabins.

We had a group of 8 at the Manhattan, waited about 10 min. Not bad at all.

 

We never made a reservation for anything, and really never had problem getting in. We were told they only make reservations for about 20% of the restaurant. We tried to make one the first night and were told just come down.

What about for specialty restaurants? Did you have reservations for those with a party of 8? I have reservations for the specialty restaurants, but they are not the greatest times.

That sounds great. Thanks for the replies. Leaving Friday, can't wait. Tomorrow will be a long day.

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How long can we expect to wait at one of the MDR on The Escape for a party of 8 during prime time (6-7pm)

We just got upgraded to a BX GTY last week and we are 18 days out and have not been assigned our cabin yet.

 

Is it typical for it to be so close to sailing without an actual cabin assigned?

We were upgraded from a balcony to a mini suite guarantee about two weeks ago and just got our room yesterday and we sail this Saturday on The Escape. I was nervous about making the right decision but I am happy with the room.

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The OP was lit up for asking to do something completely legal on NCL. I couldn't imagine this thread if the OP said they had a 17 year old she was going to give alcohol to, which also happens.

Thanks for the honest answer. I'm sure that 45014 had their first drink at 21 and never drives over 70 miles an hour since those are the rules. I hope too many people don't get on the elevator with 45014 or he/she will report them to NCL police. Thank God I didn't say I was going slip her a drink.

Has anyone really purchased the UBP for $79 per day? Anyone who claims to drink $79 everyday for seven (or more) days straight is flat out lying. Not to mention paying for both people in the room, so now you both have to drink $79 per day. Maybe a few sea days, but no one would break even. I'm sure people will reply saying they have done it so they can impress people, but come on, be real. Yes it is very convenient to have it but $79 is ridiculous. There are a lot of people who end up paying more for gratuities than they would paying cash for drinks. NCL knows what they're doing by increasing it every other week and saying it's free. Good marketing.

Does your 17 year old have any problem getting into spice H2O during the day or the adult pool? I am going with four 17 year old girls next week and I am hoping they are not stuck with all the little kids. They are all beautiful and look much older than 17 and they hope they are not carded getting in to Spice. Obviously, they will be carded for alcohol, which I am not too concerned about. Although, I don't want to be naïve either.

That worked great when we were on the Carnival Breeze. If you were gone for more than 40 minutes they would move your belongings to the towel return desk. Then you could pick up your stuff and do the walk of shame.

I'm glad you liked Vocal Overdrive. I've heard the are terrible. To each there own.

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Wow, unbelievable. NCL should be embarrassed. I thought Carnival's shows were bad and NCL was supposed to be top notch. I guess I will be stuck in the District.

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Perfect. Now I don't have to waste an hour on my cruise in the theater. I don't think I would make 5 minutes of that.

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