boang1971

when is your sail date?

6/24/18

The upsell desk was closed and replaced with the automated system. You can always call and pay the difference in price for a better room, and pick your room.

 

The balcony and MiniSuite room size is nearly identical. The extra space all goes to the bathroom. If you want a full size shower and bigger sink, bid on the mini. If the bathroom doesn’t matter. Stay where you are. We like the bigger bathroom and always book a mini.

We have a room with angled balcony....I am thinking that I am risking loosing that extra room on the balcony and spending more...maybe I will be better to stick with what I have!

We are on the Escape in balcony 10296....is it worth risking to upbid for mini suite in unknown location? (Bids start at $25/pp to $400/pp) Thanks

Mine is still showing and I don’t see an email 6/24 Cruise. What/who is the sender of the email or subject so I can search?

Sailing on Escape in June and just received an upgrade bid offer (first for us-so I apologize for the questions) We are booked in a balcony room (myself, husband and 15 year old son) Our offers are mini suites and havens (not bidding on haven) Is it worth the “risk” to not know what/where my cabin will be to bid on a mini suite? ($25:$400 pp? Am I better off to call the upbid number?

Thanks for your help!!

Thank you!

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We are going in June and would like to know if there’s free ferry?

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thank you! Theyre on deck 19! One is in front of vibe with a bar. You will see it right when you walk up the stairs. If you walk down a bit, you’ll find another jacuzzi. :d they were a viable 4 out of the 5 times i checked.

woot woot!

Intro:

Sorry this review is late! It'll all be posted today though. I am new at this, so i am trying to figure it all out. Since so many people posted great reviews on the Escape, I decided to join! I am Allie, a vacation-lover. i love all vacations, but cruises are my fave. I traveled with my husband (Tay) and 2 other couples (Jean, Adam, Nancy & Joe). Us six always travel together (sometimes even with more people) but I think this was perfect with us 6 “besties” ! We range from 23 to 32 years old. We are from Staten Island, New York. We all flew to Miami the day before. Us 6 like to do it all. We are nonstop & always need a vacay from our vacay. I cruised w/ NCL a few times before (Breakaway & Epic) & a few times w/ Royal Caribbean (Oasis, Anthem, Adventure, Explorer of the Seas). I recently have been booking w/ NCL instead of Royal because I love all the perks you get !!! I’m not sure what cruise line I like best, I guess it depends on the boat. For this booking I got the beverage package, 3 specialty dining package, $200 OBC & free gratuities. You cannot beat that !! =)

 

 

 

 

Day 0:

Our flight landed at 9am! Everyone wanted to get a full day in Miami. We stayed at the Beacan hotel. I recommend staying at this hotel pre-cruise ! It was right on South beach, walking distance to great restaurants, nightlife, across the street from the beach, 5-10 minutes to the cruise port. It was perfect! Great customer service as well.

 

 

 

 

Day 1:

We were SOO excited the day was finally here!!! I couldn’t wait to get on the Escape!!

The hub & I had a BE Balcony on the 13th Floor & had the choice of 2 perks when we booked. We picked the Ultimate Beverage package & 3 Specialty Dining. Unfortunately, we had terrible weather today!! It was chilly, rainy, gross… Wah. I couldn’t complain too much though since NY was getting hit with snow! After our $20 dollar Uber, we got on the boat around noon.

 

Check in was painless! 1, 2, 3! As soon as we boarded, we went to Headliners to make all our ressys. It didn’t work that way.. We could make our 3 specialty dining ressys there (Us 6 all did Moderno, LeBistro & Teppanyaki) Then we went to 1 the touch screens & made our show reservations. We only made our reservations for After Midnight & for the Record prior on NCL.com. Lastly, we headed to the Box Office to reserve Escape The Big Top. The line for the box office was long & intimidating, but it moved quickly . As you can tell, we like to keep busy. I will talk about all the shows/dinners throughout the review.

 

 

I got a little bit of everything, Coleslaw, asian & pizza together? Uh - why not.

 

 

We all enjoy the buffet !! We ate at the buffet a few times after for breakfast & always enjoyed it. It was never too crowded. We always got a good seat right away. I don’t know how full our boat was. It always seemed full, but never too full. It was never an issue to get reservations, seats, spots by the pool, etc.

 

After the buffet, we went to our 1st bar – Margaritaville! I actually loved this spot & I wish they did more w/ it… It’s such a nice area & the drinks were GREAT! You cannot get some of the drinks you get here at the 5 o'clock somewhere bar on the waterfront FYI.

 

 

The bartenders here were soo nice!

We never ate here & yes I confirm it’s a $16 pp charge now (or is it $17?? – somewhere around there) No more al a carte menu – bummer. I would of defiantly just ordered the nachos and some margaritas if it was al a carte.

 

 

 

 

The muster drill was painless, which was great because no one really wants to do it. It was the quickest muster drill i’ve ever done! We sat down in Savor & it went by in no time!

 

Next up – more drinking! we checked out the bars on Deck 8. We went to The District, The Cellars & the Mojito Bar!! I enjoyed them all but only went back to the District a few times during the cruise. At the District I enjoyed my favorite drink of the cruise – the Red Light District!

 

 

 

 

The Red Light District

 

 

Ladies got cocktails - Men got beers

 

 

Hubby & I having fun in the photobooth - $5 for 3 strips

 

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At The Cellars I got a wine cocktail – I wasn’t too crazy about it. You can only get wine cocktails on the waterfront, not inside Cellars. The Cellars is a beautiful spot. If you’re a wine lover, I can see you really enjoying that bar.

 

 

Forgot the name because they weren’t memorable =-l

 

 

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I really enjoyed reading your review...now I have a question!

Can you give me a little more info about this secret Jacuzzi? Where can I find this much needed spot?

I find April way too early for my preferences, of snorkeling. Those trips I don't go prior to Memorial Day.

 

But there is plenty else to see and do. I've been going twice per season the last couple years- due to the cheap last minute deals. :)

 

Very easy to go independent. and a very cheap place for me, to tour.

 

Not sure- if' it will be offered this season, but last, NCL had their own contracted ferry running to St. George, for free. :) So, perhaps, at least consider 1 day there and see the various sights. Head to your library for a Fodor's Bermuda as example.

Where / how will we know if NCL will be offering the free ferry to St. George? Having been there so often...what re your MUST see/DO's for first timers with a 15 year old, and best places to snorkel from shore? We are thinking the caves, exploring a couple of forts and of course BEACHES! Is the night time event in Hamilton worth the time and expense to get there?

The best way to get to Tobacco Bay on a weekday would be to take the NCL dedicated ferry to St George's and then walk or take a taxi to TB.

 

SBtS

WAIT?! There is an NCL dedicated ferry? Where do we find this? Do we need to reserve a spot....so exciting!

We’re looking for the same in June 2018! Nice beach with place to snorkel

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It’s fine to drive into NYC, the tricky part is driving in the city. Don’t forget to include the tolls along the way if you decide. We drove from Dover, Maine to NYC and the tolls were something like $22.00 one way and about 18.00 going back to Maine. Once we arrived in NYC we parked the car several blocking from an apartment we rented. I checked the internet in advance and found a good deal on a parking garage. We paid $45.00 for four days. We seen other garage parking spots charging over $100.00.

 

We used the underground subway (train) to get anywhere we wanted to go. We stayed near Central Park and took the train to the bronx and got off on the stop for Yankee Stadium. It was about a 10 minute train ride. I would say from leaving the apt to getting to Yankee Stadium was 30 minutes total time.

 

 

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Thank you so much

The OP has questions on two threads going and as a result is getting scattered answers. Apparently driving from Maine is one option and flying is another. The OP needs to put his or her cards on the table to describe the considerations for the trip including exact dates, number of people, hotel/parking budget, and sightseeing requirements in order to get reasoned responses from all contributors. Folks answering one-off questions is not going to help the OP develop a big picture strategy and solution.

We are considering both options, flying and driving, but it appears that flying will be a lot more convenient and cost about the same. I am not a city girl and honestly the subway intimidates me a little bit. Narrowing down the choices at this point. Thank you all for your help!

I don't see where the OP mentioned having a vehicle. If OP did my apologies.

 

I would stay in Manhattan and I would look at the link to the subway system that has been provided.

 

The key is you plan to arrive to the park about ninety minutes before the game. You will see a lot of Yankees Fans on the subway.

 

When the game ends just walk with everyone back to the subway.

 

Yes, you will be able to enjoy time before the game and then the next day in Manhattan.

 

Go Yankees

Keith

Great thanks! We are considering the most convenient and economical way to make the most of our family trip! Considering both driving and flying...sorry for confusion.

I don't see where the OP mentioned having a vehicle. If OP did my apologies.

 

I would stay in Manhattan and I would look at the link to the subway system that has been provided.

 

The key is you plan to arrive to the park about ninety minutes before the game. You will see a lot of Yankees Fans on the subway.

 

When the game ends just walk with everyone back to the subway.

 

Yes, you will be able to enjoy time before the game and then the next day in Manhattan.

 

Go Yankees

Keith

Great! Thanks! I think just for convenience and to save parking fees we are flying in the morning of the cruise (arriving by 6:45...is that safe? I figure leaving on a first flight there is less chance of delay) planning to stay Sunday/Monday to enjoy the game and the city. Found what appears to be a great deal on the Park Lane Hotel by Central Park, the Paramount or the NYMA all under $200.

What are the MUST DO’s in the city...with a day and a half I want to hit as much as possible!

$40/day.

 

We drive into NYC 5-6 times/year, but always on weekends. This works for us, might be different on a weekday:

 

Mass Pike (I-90) to I-84 to I-91 to Route 15 (15 has a few names including Wilbur Cross Parkway, Merritt Parkway, and Hutchinson River Parkway). We get off of 15 in New York near New Rochelle on the Cross County Parkway and take that to the Saw Mill Parkway to the Henry Hudson Parkway, which crosses a bridge in Riverdale into Manhattan. That road becomes the West Side Highway, and the terminal is on that road.

 

 

If you have a GPS on your phone, or WAZE, check it out every now and then (or constantly) to make sure there aren't any tieups.

 

On weekends we've never had traffic issues

PERFECT! thank you. We are still trying to decide if we are driving or flying. Cost wise not much difference and it would save us a ton of time to fly...leaning towards that and just staying two nights in Manhattan to explore the city

I am a big New York Yankees fan. Always have been.

 

Although my wife is originally from the Bronx and I lived in the suburbs I would not stay over in the Bronx.

 

 

Rather we stay in Manhattan and take the subway to and from the stadium. Very easy to use the subway.

 

 

Keith

I AM NOT a city girl...how can I figure out what hotels are near a direct train to the stadium? Reading all of these comments I guess we will stay in Manhattan and take the train in. That will allow us to explore the city a bit on Sunday before the game and Monday before we fly home!

We return to NYC on Sunday July 1 and are planning to stay the night to catch a Yankees/RedSox game...decent, safe hotel recommendations? Parking on site? I assume just Uber or cab to the game?

We are driving from Maine to NYC...what is the best route to get directly to the terminal? Is parking still $30 a day?

We always get the transportation pass. It’s the hassle free, stress free way. No need to worry if you have tokens or exact change. Plans change and you are good to go!

 

There is so much to do at Dockyard, especially if you like water sports and boats. You like boats, right? You’re traveling on a ship [emoji13]

 

We like the Famous Homes and Hideaways Tour. It’s about 2-2.5 hours and about $50 pp depending on whether you book directly or through your ship. It’s great fun, with a great and knowledgeable crew and a fantastic way to see parts of the island you can’t see any other way.

 

I also love parasailing there. Another great way to view the island!

 

Your plan sounds workable, but I wouldn’t do both Admiralty Park and Horseshoe Bay on the same day. Just seems like you will be spending a lot of time getting from place to place. Just my opinion.

 

If you still plan to do that, don’t take the #7 bus. Take the $7 pp shuttle to Horseshoe Bay. It will take you right down to the beach and save you the walk down and up the steep hill to and from the road.

 

I haven’t taken the Hidden Gems tour, but I’ve heard from many who have and they recommend it highly. We are thinking of booking it for our trip to Bermuda in July.

 

Enjoy Bermuda! It’s fantastic!

 

 

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Ok....parasailing? Tell me more!!!

I just wanted to add that if you had one week there it would not be too long.

 

Lots to do.

 

Keith

Hi Keith! “Must Dos” for a family with a teen? Would like at least one day on the beach/snorkeling (with bathrooms and umbrellas) and was thinking caves and.....

I’m seeing LOTS of fabulous reviews from cruisers that have visited the island....we are sailing late June with a 15 year old on NCL Escape. HELP! First time to Bermuda...what MUST we see and do in those three days? We would like beach/snorkel time preferably on a not overcrowded beach (Tobacco Bay?) and we’re thinking visiting the caves and maybe some historic forts. I understand there is some sort of night celebration one night as well? :cool:

Thanks in advance

Traveling with hubby and 15 year old son. Would like a quieter beach with snorkeling from shore, umbrellas/chairs and a nearby bathroom. Suggestions? We were thinking Snorkel Park on day 3 but would like another as well (not Horseshoe-too crowded):cool: