Inscrutable

Interesting and thanks. We have only cruised NCL and sometimes think about trying someone else. But our preferences seem to match up well with yours, and we’d be a bit disappointed in RCCL.

We were fortunate to have sailed Bliss in her first year, and Joy in late 2019, so both looked totally new. Loved them both. We did Escape Dec 21, and not fond of that ship at all in comparison, so we are back on Bliss this Feb. Sounds like that is due for refreshing soon, so hopefully still in good shape … guessing the Covid layoff makes it a little ‘younger’ than her actual age. Can’t say that’s worked for me 😀

Hopefully they can keep a few shows on each sailing, even if they are scaled-down. Honestly, out of our 3 cruises I think our favorite was Choir of Man, which seems like a low cost production(?) I would miss nightly decent live music more if that is also being severely stripped down. But I can still eat, drink, and be merry.

We did Joy out of LA in ‘19 … LA is always LA … generally a PITA … whether by land, sea, or air. But the cruise was great.

Seems I tended to get there maybe 30min ahead and had no problem. I should point out this was 2018, Bliss first year of operation, so maybe the word wasn’t out entirely. Although Seemed same on both Bliss and Joy and next year (though the band on Bliss was better … not sure who plays on what now). The BBQ place was our least favorite specialty in 3 cruises, by a large margin … and I love to bbq/smoke at home very very frequently. Comedy clubs not our thing so can’t help you there.

No. Bliss and Joy have an enclosed area (but don’t sit opposite the doors when they open/close). Escape does NOT and I literally could not be in the casino. And that was when running half-capacity.

The Escape is in their Breakaway+ class, along with Bliss, Joy, and Encore. We have sailed all but Encore. They all had good food, entertainment, and activities. Escape was my least favorite for 3 reasons, which may not apply to your preferences: 1. I missed the Cavern Club (Beatles) on Bliss and Joy … not on Escape. 2. I missed the Observation Lounge on Bliss and Joy … not on Escape. I get up very very early, and that was my ‘home’ until the rest of my party awoke. Nowhere like it on Escape. 3. I HATED the casino … there is no set aside area for smokers, so the entire casino had awful air quality … I literally could not be in there. They try to sanitize each night … early AM there’s just faint odor, but very strong within just a few hours of normal occupancy (and this was while still sailing at half-capacity … can’t imagine how bad it will get now running full) 4. On the plus side, the Choir of Man was best show we’ve seen on these 3, and Howling at the Moon (dueling piano bar) is a real hoot. I am sure others will jump in soon.