willsears94

Love hearing from you! You always have a nice perspective on things!

Escape is such a wonderful ship with nice features like the District, Howl at the Moon, Food Republic, and Pincho Tapas. 

Slightly sad to see the menu at La Cucina. Guess that means we may be dining twice at Cagney's, potentially

Never missed a port throughout my cruising. That being said, I don't sail in the middle of Hurricane Season. 

I would definitely consider this insurance for future cruises given the low cost and potential for big pay-out. Better chance of getting a pay-out through NationWide vs. NCL Casino 

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I usually consider the difference between Sail Away and non-Sail Away as being able to choose my room. On most of the sailings I have been on or booked, the difference in price is about $100-150 per person. I have been able to book a nice angled balcony on all three of my upcoming cruises. Had I booked Sail Away, I could have been in any balcony on any deck. For me, the extra balcony space and choice of deck is well worth the extra cost. Plus I usually get the SDP as well, and even that by itself is what? $80 per person or something? We did purchase the SDP out of pocket on one cruise and definitely felt it was worth what we paid. So I could reasonably subtract the cost of that from the price difference between Sail Away and non-Sail Away as well.

Wow, are we siamese twins :o I had done the same thing my first cruise with NCL paying for SDP, but that was because I was an IC. Then, after booking OC and above, I received the 2 perk offer which led me to start booking Angled Spa Balcony. In my opinion, NCL has the best spas of the big 3 (and it is not even close).

My point is the slightly higher price that NCL proposes has been made null-and-void in my experience due to the included perks that I now consistently use. In actuality, the higher price (if there is one in my class) is a good thing given that is detracts the annoying children of RCCL and the obnoxious drunks/ annoying children of CCL. Sure, you are still going to encounter those groups on NCL, but in my experience, it has been of a lesser degree.

Millennials like the entertainment and late night that is not offered so prominently on MSC, Celebrity, and Regents, and I am not ready to give up the ghost. Who hasn't seen a show or gone to the nightclub and ended up at O'Sheehans..that's part of the magic. As stated before, for the millennial, NCL offers the best bang for the buck (for now...).

Wow, really??? Maybe you should try the lines before you knock them.:rolleyes:

That wasn't a knock, more of a compliment. It was another way of saying that these lines are prone to fewer children and a more subdued environment, along with a higher price point which edged up the median-age on the ship.

I look forward to my later years, and potentially cruising those lines. It could happen sooner than later if RCCL and NCL continue down their path of providing a lesser product at a higher price :confused:

The rewards programs may not mean a lot, necessarily, but they do mean something. Platinum on Carnival and you get priority boarding plus your room ready when you board. I think that's a nice benefit. On Royal, Diamond get free drinks every day, which may not be enough for you, but for many, it saves the cost of the drink package which is a huge benefit.

Absolutely, and I understand if it important to other people. It just is not to me and the large majority of Millennial folk who started into Rewards programs as they began to tighten up the past ~10 years.

Like I said, by the time I give up on life, I will be at these higher-tier rewards levels anyways (not far now) or just give up on cruising all-together. Cruising is no exception to another industry Millenials may decide to destroy. After all, we pride ourselves on it ;p

Can't say I care for the price increase of $2 a day given that a lot of drinks are pre-made. It is obnoxious to have to instruct a bartender how to make a drink from scratch. They should know and or should do it every time, given the menu cost/drink and the 20% service fee.

Being in my early 30s, I am not going to cry a river. I will continue to sail RCCL and NCL as they do not have a cap on the number of drinks you may have.

When I give up on life, I will go the way of Celebrity, MSC, and Regents. Rewards Programs today literally mean nothing other than the individual person to feel important and/or they achieved something. In the end, it is not worth the bang for the buck.

Robbie O'Malley is awesome! He recommended the 'Extended Balcony' for my Trip on the BREAKAWAY :D

At least you have the WaterFront. Sounds like you chose a great port trip!

 

Hope your mom stays well. She will appreciate your posts.

 

We are on BreakAway next spring so show us the good stuff!

To each his own. The pianist/rhythm musician's name is Allen who is 'European.' I enjoyed him, and yes, he is more mellow. This coming from a late 20yo couple.

The Dawn has ALWAYS been a more relaxed ship.

Another Allen on NCL is 'Slam Allen,' a very talented 'African-American' guitarist.

We liked Los Lobos, it's not expensive so you may want to just pay for it and keep your freebie for use elsewhere.

^Right. We had 3n-specialty and decided to not use it at Los Lobos and only spent $29 which was paid for by OBC through Latitudes (y)

I love NCL having the "pay-to-play option." It essentially dissuades young families who want freebies and the low-rung class who were a part (and still are) the "sneak alcohol on board age." While cool to see, 'Flowrider' is not what drives my vacation. But I will pay 10 bucks to drive a go-cart a few times on a cruise ship for the sake of saying I've done it and/or just for pleasure.

Rest of the menu. They do offer appetizers in there.

Amazing, you are (y) Some decent additions I see. Still not giving way to the Full Body Cab Sauv :wine-glass:

We loved Los Lobos on the Dawn after Refurb. Didn't even need to use UDP as it only cost $29 and we choose to use OBC. :ship:

Sailing BA in 2019 after refurb. I hope they get a "new" restaurant in there!

So the Observation Lounge bar menu is the same as the Skyline Bar I posted above. However, since I forgot to post the wines, here it is. Along with what they have for lunch.

 

I have to say people have found this place and it's pretty full.

Thank you so much for this! Usually, the Robert Mondavi Wine Bar has a more expansive wine menu :wine-glass: Escape had ~50 wines by the glass and Dawn had 39 by the glass. Could you please check and take a picture if it does?

The Local/O'Sheehans the next morning means one thing (Too late for another dining) :p Been there done that. My recommendation: Start with Baileys and Coffee, drink a light beer like Dos Equis, and then head to the Spa to detox.

Between 2016 and March 2018, we had 2 different type of hashbrowns on different ships so it may be a ship thing.

Wonderful pictures! Love the Platinum wine list at La Cucina.

May you please take pictures of the wine list at the Robert Mondavi WineBar?:wine-glass:

Did you use UDP at Los Lobos? On the Dawn, we did not, and our bill was only $29. The steak alone looks worthy of using UDP:D

We’re sucking at food photos tonight...

I can tell you that Starbucks has straws. Last night at Food Republic my first drink had a straw but my second drink didn’t and I don’t have much memory after that.

 

 

Right! Wait.. how many did you exactly have!

Very nice, Doug.

It is weird. We literally intentionally/unintentionally copying your cruise schedule as newer cruisers. Escape in March 2017. Dawn March 2018. Namely due to District BH and Robert Mondavi WB. :wine-glass::beer-mug:

THanks all. We're going to pull the trigger and go NCL this year. Probably book a Spa balcony room.

 

I look forward to learning all about NCL here in the coming months.

Spa Balcony is the way to go on Breakaway, UBP and 3UDP. Deck 14 and the spa is down the hall. We may see you on this one ;p

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I agree with your observation of "Away" class. I will definitely be looking into Oasis-class.

My only concern is drink service. I desire to lay out in the sun during the day and still be served drinks like I have on "Away" and "Jewel" classes, along with other classes on RCCL. I always tip at least $2 on pool-side service per round. I don't want to get lost in the mix on such a big ship. Is there any issue of this on such a large ship? I could care less for a robot making me a drink :rolleyes:

Oasis-class is not remotely in the same category as Escape. Escape feels crowded and you absolutely notice the extra 2,000 people because the ship is marginally bigger than a mid size ship and packed full of extra people. Oasis is totally different from the ground up. You wouldn't notice the people because it's actually designed well. So when you say "what is the draw" - it's the extensive entertainment and venues, including lots of quiet, serene spots like Central Park and the Solarium. The draw and all the rave about Oasis is that it's probably the least crowded mass market ship you can sail on, despite having so many more people and things to do.

 

I'm about the same age as you. I have sailed multiple times on Oasis-class ships then went to Escape. Escape has narrow hallways, low ceilings, lots of chokepoints, way overcrowded upper decks, etc. Oasis is the opposite. Lots of space, soaring venues, room to breath and walk around, relax, etc. I wouldn't sail -Away class again but I already have my next Oasis booked, can't wait.

If you are interested in the Oasis class, then that is the draw. If you are not interested in the Oasis class, then there is no draw for you. Choosing a cruise ship is like choosing a restaurant, home, or auto. You pick the one you like and you let others pick the ones that they like.

 

That does not quite answer my question. Let me rephrase: How would you "sell me" that I should be interested in Oasis class? What does it have that makes it competitively better than other classes?

What exactly is the draw to "Oasis" class of RCCL? If you can tell me what, I'd be happy to listen.

I am in my lower 30s and have sailed Escape and other "Away" classes, among others in the Jewel class (which I much prefer). The only value Escape even offered me was the District Brewhouse and Robert Mondavi Winebar. The water slides only attract the kids and families which causes disruption and chaos.

There is a difference in serenity on larger cruise ships than those of mid-size ships. I'm not buying that I don't notice the extra 1-2K of extra people. I do notice :confused: