barbl123

PM me - let's get a drink!  (barbl1209@gmail.com)

We are on the Star 9/1- haven't been notified by NCL about changes but it is what it is!  I you actually read the many pages of info on your documents (I don't) they do say they have the right to change itinerary for any reason.  All in all -it's not the end of the world, we will still have a great time.   (drinks anyone?)😊 

We did it on one of the ships (can't remember which one!) as others said, it's cute, corny, wine is ok, food good -if you are a vegetarian or don't eat meat (like me) it's no problem to get a meal you want. I actually had some delicious salmon!  I'm not sure I'd do it again, but a fun way to pass some time on sea day

thank you for this - we are doing this Sept 1-9.  We are platinum so understand that in some ways , the ship is the ship -I am amused by those who worry about the food menus etc.  Or maybe it's just me!?🤨

Anyone on the Sept 1-8 sailing -come over to our roll call!

I have set up several -actually have one set up for Getaway 8/5 - I'm finding that they seem to be less & less people interested -and then even if they say they are coming -many don't! My last one on the Dawn we had 50+ sign up but only about 24 showed -what people don't realize is if the organizer tells NCL we have "x" amount of people -they use that as a guide for how much food to put out -I'm guessing they also realize that a certain percentage don't show and use that in their planning.

But as an organizer all I can say is - If you sign up to go -please at least come for a few minutes -you might be pleasantly surprised and even make some cruising friends!

We did this cruise last August (VERY HOT!) loved it - we just got off the ship- walked to the square where there are many cars & drivers waiting to take you on a tour -it does help if you speak/understand some Spanish -you can bargain -don't take the first offer -but much better (and less expensive) than the NCL excursion and as someone said -the money goes directly to the person doing the tour. We signed up for a 1 hour tour which wound up being 2 hours and we paid the driver more than the asking price as it was so good (and still less than NCL) -Just saying!

Question about the Director's Cut tour on Kauai - where does this stop at and specifically did this stop at Waimea Canyon? We are thinking of doing it the 2nd day so we'd be sure to get back on time. We're renting a car the day before, and didn't want to hit the same places twice if possible!

We're sailing POA Sept 1 and this would actually be our only NCL excursion (so far). Renting a car in Maui for Ka'anapali beach, OLL, part of RTH, Mama's Fish House etc., then Mary Lou both days on the big island 😁

W

We LOVED that tour -it was well done -and so interesting to see the places movies were made & some great behind the scenes info! Our guide was well versed and very entertaining.

WOW-That just makes me want to go even more - May is very far away! Thanks :p:cool:

Same here - new silver has lost some of the old gold perks

Boarding time- started at 11:30ish -we were on the ship by noon & had a drink in hand by 12:15! easy peasy! Our tag time to get off was 8:45 - they called our color at 8:10 -we were through customes by 8:50! at the airport (Ft Lauderdale) by 10- unfortunately I listened to my TA & had a 1:30 flight- next time I will trust my judgement & book earlier (especially since this cruise put us in gold latitudes)

Yes, comfy padded chaises & chairs along waterfront -and it was nice & peaceful.

Excursions -St Thomas -we did Champagne Catamaran Snorkle -really nice boat to a nice (not the best -but good) snorkle site /w beach you could swim up to. Tortola -Gorda Baths -beautiful beaches at each end of a somewhat strenuous downhill (then uphill!) walk of about 15 minutes. The caves were amazing to walk thru -again not for the faint of heart or claustrophobic- but well worth the walk thru. Both were booked thru the ship just for the ease. We did not book an excursion for Bahamas -been there -just walked thru town. All good.

Just got off the Escape yesterday - this review will not be pages & pages, just a short info review. First let me say that I enjoyed the cruise & ship very much. It was my 8th NCL cruise -but the biggest ship we have been on -prior to this it was Gem class, Sky, Pride etc. -but to be honest this is not my favorite ship-too big for me!

Embarking was quick & efficient - we were on the ship by noon. Headed to lunch at Garden Cafe -unlike the other ships there was no "outside" eating on the back of the boat -there were some outside tables along poolside. Food was good & plentiful-gourmet? no but good none the less! you can always find something there to eat. We did eat in 2 of the specialty restaurants -the Japanese & sushi -didn't need reservations for sushi -yes for the Japanese. Both were excellent and well worth the extra expense.

Getting around is a bit more complex due to the size -there are numerous bars all long the 2 main area levels -the atrium in the middle is the main game show spot -seating always at a premium.

Speaking of shows- the theater of course cannot accommodate the full ship (nor can most on other ships -so most have 2 nightly shows)this ship has 2 other smaller venues for smaller shows (comic, magician) but for most in all 3 reservations are recommended & strongly suggested. I found the entertainment ok -nothing special -EXCEPT for the Howl at the Moon - 3 musicians -mostly piano-who play & sing all requests -along with laughs & they were fantastic -we saw them 3 times! A must not miss!

The one thing that I really didn't like was the pool -as mentioned in several other reviews -one small pool for a ship this size -??? on sea days it was pretty much impossible to get into the pool -the area around it was jammed -people would "reserve" a chair by 8am! 2 large screens were usually playing soccer games or music blasting -it was overwhelming. We did find a somewhat quieter spot -Spice H2O -smaller -no pool but a waterfall like spot to cool off -a bar (of course) and some (not enough) umbrellas -also large screen but quieter.

There also was the "waterfront" on deck 8 -along the outside -at night one could eat at certain restaurants outside -during the day it was a quiet spot to read/drink/nap -in chaise & chairs. These spots also filled up quickly at times -but there would always be the bars chairs -

The crew & staff were as always attentive & efficient -always visible -The ship was clean- (washy-washy) and everyone was friendly. In talking to the staff it is apparent they all work long days -usually 7 days a week and yet always a smile -

So- would I sail on this (or others of this class) again? Probably if it was the only itinerary/ship combo I could get -but as said in the beginning I would prefer the smaller ships -Bon voyage to all who sail after me -as someone said "If you can't have fun on a cruise -there is something VERY wrong with you!"

Home from a great 4 day on the Sky -not going to post day by day -but overall general post!

1- - we had GREAT weather -just missed the hurricane! One of the smoothest cruises ever!

2--great staff all around -very helpful for anything you needed/wanted

3-Since we had the Beverage package (was a free upgrade!) we did drink a lot -and possibly that made it more fun!?

4-GSC -best beach day in a long time! Clear, warm waters, lots to do, eat (and drink!)

5-The ports are standard Caribbean type ports -seen one you've seen them all -but fun to walk around

Would highly recommend this as a quick mini-vaca -gotta love NCL!

We did a beach club 4 yrs ago in CM - can't remember which one -Maya Chan looks great - but I am concerned about the apparently limited huts? As much as I like the sun - still need some shade and it appears you are not guaranteed a shade hut?

:rolleyes:Last year we were on the Jewel during Spring Break time! Great entertainment from the college kids! The best were the 2 girls I ran into in the ladies room one day at sea. THey had clearly been drinking (!) and the conversation I overheard went something like this: Girl1 to girl2 - OMG - I really have to make a decision about which guy I want to do tonight! As I tried to not laugh the 2nd girl says to me "don't hate me" I responded -I don't hate you - I just want to get out of this bathroom!

Then there were the guys who jumped off the railing of the hot tubs into the pools -until security took them to thier rooms and we heard they were locked in to sober up! O to be young and stupid!