WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot

Solipsistic? I think you are being very selfish.....

Good one!:D

I am enjoying this, our last two cruises were on Celebrity Reflection and we leave on the Escape on Saturday. I am trying to be optimistic but I'm worried :D

You have nothing to be worried about...the Escape is an incredible ship!!

Jefferson was our butler back in November....we were in a Forward-Facing Penthouse.

We were very happy with him. In addition to the awesome snacks every afternoon, we'd see him at least one other time a day, checking on us. He never complained about being busy.

Sorry to hear your experience with him was different.

Wow. What a great review. Didn't make me want to go on any cruise to Mexico ( or I should say convinced me you couldnt pay me to go) but does make me look forward to the Haven on our Alaska cruise.

 

Question: do you think you would have enjoyed eating most nights in the Haven? Too repetitive?

Mexico has some good points... just not in Cozumel.

I’d have no problem eating in the Haven nightly..Even though the menu doesn’t change much, it’s high quality fare.

Vulcano di Capelli d’Angelo alla Sorrentina: Angel Hair Pasta, Fresh Mozzarella, Herb-Infused Pomodoro Sauce

Scampi alla Griglia: Grilled Garlic Shrimp, Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables, Sweet Red Pepper Pesto

SEAGULLS! STOP IT NOW!

Side note: If you rent a clamshell, make sure you get one with the mesh panels. The solid panel ones will roast you. The ones with mesh panels will allow air to circulate, and keeps out the sun.

Nov. 10th

Great Stirrup Cay

So...where was I? (2 1/2 months ago?)

The last day of our magnificent cruise was spent at NCL's "private" island, Great Stirrup Cay. A day fraught with excitement and expectations, a day in the sun, and, sadly, a day before returning to the cold reality of the Northeast.

We arose early again, and took in the sunset. Our sleep in the comfortable King bed was without dreams or restlessness, and we were refreshed and ready to take on the world. As usual, we took first breakfast on the balcony, and then retreated to the Garden Cafe. This was our last day aboard Escape, and we wanted to enjoy our favorite breakfast one last time. It did not disappoint.

After all of the morning rituals, we headed, one last time, to the Escape's theater for Priority tender boarding. Of all the Haven privileges, this has to be at the top of the list. I can't even tell you.... about 20 of us were led down the back passageways by our Concierge, and we boarded the Tender. After shoving off, approaching GSC is a bit of a conundrum....cement seawalls, a mix of construction supplies, where are you taking us?? However, after the pilot navigated the circuitous seaway in, the island paradise unfolded.

A nice gangway awaited us, and we were soon off of the boat. Mind you, I had pre-paid $36.00 (or was it $39.00, I can't remember now) for a "clamshell" on the beach. There are several areas of GSC with different amenities...it's not divided by class, it's just where stuff is. Except for the cabanas. You pay premium for them, and from what we witnessed, totally not worth it. After we talked to a lifeguard who told us how to get there, we walked for 5-10 minutes to a sea of clamshells and loungers. Since we were on the first tender to the island, we had our pick. So, we picked a nice clamshell in the back, set up shop, and I went swimming in the bay. As the morning progressed, so did the entertainment. Several groups took over the clamshells, only to be confronted by NCL's beach patrol. No ticket? No clamshell. Get out. The group of 8 or so in front of us were visibly, and quite verbally, upset. "We thought this was all-inclusive!!!! This is bullsh!t!!!!" Yeah, no.....pay up, bucko. I have to admit, I was very satisfied seeing these louts removed.

After awhile, I went to get Ultraviolet and myself some drinks. It was 0900, and we wanted some water. Guess what? Nothing on GSC opens till 1000 hours. The guys in line before me were all like, "this is bullsh!t, we want water!! W T F is going on here?!?!?!" Yep, they were the louts. Sorry not sorry, I'm with them on this one. NCL, if you send tenders to the island at 0800, you really need to have services like selling water bottles open at 0800. Returning empty-handed to UV, I described our plight...and swore to hydrate us at all costs, life or death. Then I went swimming again till 1000.

By then, she and I were ready for a walk, so we went over to the "beach bar" nearest us. There was now a line of people wrapping around the place, and the 2 or 3 bartenders were jumping through their respective buttholes to serve us all. We were in line for about 5 minutes, when we noticed all of the umbrella tables were empty. We got out of line, and sat at one...in minutes, a server came to us, we ordered some water bottles and a couple of sugary Rum drinks, and were back on our way to the clamshell.

We took a walk over to the straw market, which was a complete waste of time. There was nothing of interest, and most of the vendors were lethargic and uninterested. OK, we saw it, and went back to our spot. One final dip in the bay....

After some more swimming and chicanery, we got dressed and headed back to the tender. Surprisingly, there was no Haven line. Rather, everyone just piled into an area. Granted, it wasn't real late in the day, maybe that occurs then, but still, I expected it. Anyways, we boarded the tender boat, and after waiting for it to fill up, we shoved off.

Back aboard Escape, we cleaned up and took a nap. Tonight was dinner at La Cuccina, rescheduled from Night 1, in lieu of the Hard Sell Captain's Reception. *eyeroll* That's OK, because as you've read so far, NCL's specialty restaurants are exceedingly underwhelming. To recap: Le Bistro, just OK. Gagney's Steakhouse: Pure and utter bullsh!t.

I will say, La Cucina was our favorite specialty meal. Everything was great. The service was excellent. The food was very, very good. The ambiance, perfect. I laugh when I read on CC that Gagney's is so good....these folks wouldn't know a good steak if it bit them on the a$$. The same people say that La Cucina is Olive Garden at sea....Yes, food is very, very, subjective. I get it. Here's the thing. I grew up in Pittsburgh, home of some of the best Italian food on the East Coast (New York, right here!). I lived in Europe. I visit Europe frequently. I've had Neopolitan pizza in someones's living room in Naples. La Cucina is solid, Italian Fare.

We both started with the Mozzarella di Bufalac Caprese, which we found to be excellent. For the second course, Ultraviolet had the Tortelloni di Ricottae Spinaci al Burro Fuso,Salviae Cuoredi Pomodoro....she loved it! I had the Scampi alla Griglia which was also delish. The breads and oil were a welcome appetizer touch.

After dinner, we made way to Tobacco Road to visit SomeSnacks one more time, and tip him out for his excellent service all week long. A bittersweet ending to our weeklong adventure, but reality calls. A few glasses of wine to the suite, and it was off to dreamland one last time.

NOV 11th

Disembarkation

Not much to say here, other than our vacation was, sadly, over. We gathered in the Haven Lounge (our bags were taken away the night before.) We were escorted off by the Concierge before everyone else, and we found our bags quickly in the designated area. A quick Lyft ride to the airport, and we were settled into our 5 hour wait for the flight home. I really need to get better at coordinating that.

All in all, this was an amazing cruise. I really think that if we'd have been in a balcony cabin, we'd have had as much fun. Being in the Haven was just so much more. I think Norwegian does a great job...the crew was very happy and the service all the way around was incredible. I think the upsell is a bit much, but, apparently, that is now the industry norm.

I'd happily cruise Norwegian again, even if not in the Haven. but, let's be real....it'll be in the Haven.

Hey, you might enjoy it... we just felt it was a letdown compared to Trikes Aruba ( same company). I detailed why in my Escape review.

This was pretty great...thank you.

On Norwegian, there are life jackets in the room, but you’re told at muster that you can go to your muster station without a life jacket in an emergency (if you’re not in your room) and they will have extras there. I’ve never understood why they have 2x the life jackets. Keeping them where the staff could hand them out at the muster station seems more reasonable - especially since you never try them on at muster drill.

 

 

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Not on Escape there isn’t... at least not in the Haven.

What about Pepper Grinders? Are they on the table or available?

 

 

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They're over by the bananas and apples.

You would definitely not want to be at my table. A bunch of loudmouth NJ,NY litigators who never stop working.

 

 

 

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Sounds like a rude table to me. And if your wife works on a laptop in the MDR during a meal, she's rude.

I get it. She's special to you, and can do no wrong. But this type of behavior is rude. Period.

INVICTA watches sell for $300-$800 on most cruise ships. I bought the same one I saw on NCL Escape on Amazon....$89.99.

Never buy watches aboard ship.

And it's not gaudy, as one poster here inferred.

Gee, referencing the Walmart of the Seas, where dressing up means wearing a ball cap with the bill in front.

:'):'):'):'):'):')

Great review!

Although, it’s “ Trikes Aruba”...tons of fun!

Trikes Cozumel kinda sucks.

We love Columbus, Martini Modern Italian is one of our favorite places ( Pittsburghers)

If you click on the NCL Escape review link in my signature, you'll read about our experience....with photos.

Trikes Aruba is a lot of fun.

 

http://www.trikes-aruba.com/

I second this....it’s a blast!

Jamaica is getting more dangerous every day.

Citation needed, please.

All of this Zip Line nonsense makes me feel happy that I'm afraid of heights!

This is awesome!

Just as an FYI- We saw Bowser on our Alaska sailing a few years back. VERY talented and very entertaining. Highly suggest if you have the opportunity to see him entertain, do so.

Erika

Bowser?? As in, Sha Na Na Bowser?

We just took the Seaside to celebrate new years. The food was awful. The service was terrible. The most rude crew I have ever seen on a ship. Some of the food was actually spoiled and old or served raw. The lettuce was served old and brown. Food at the buffet was cold. It did not pay to complain. They did not care. I believe we had food poisoning. We spent three days in bed sick from eating a salad that was served brown and warm. Even the hotel director took an attitude when I complained. My advice. Stay away from MSC.

Found the Norwegian employee, lol. :')

So...when I sail in the YC aboard Seaside, I won’t be permitted into the MDR if I want to try it one night?

What makes my eyes roll, is when waiting on hold, they invite you to check out their "Award Winning Website"... I wonder what award they received...

 

 

dp

Hilarious!

:D:'):')

Celebrity is doing the same with The Retreat on Edge. Restaurant, bar, lounge, sundeck, pool, etc.....all exclusively for suite guests.

 

The misconception of Haven/Yacht Club guests is disturbing and often stems from ignorance or a misunderstanding of what those guests want. For the vast majority of those guests, it is about enjoying the big ship fun with the ability to enjoy a secluded area with luxury service.

 

When people try to invite extra non-Yacht Club friends into the exclusive area, the area is no longer exclusive. Everyone thinks "one or two extra people won't hurt..." but if EVERYONE tries that, there's no point in even having that area and those who pay for that area are having their experience ruined/damaged by those who did not pay for that experience.

Exactly. If OP wants to visit her friends, then she and her family need to go visit in the friends’ cabin area.