firstmickey

We went last week and we did the Hidden Gems tour! It was amazing. We explored a dry cave, a wet cave, a cliff jump into a crystal clear lagoon (10 ft or 15 ft) and then lunch and ice cream. Then we were supposed to snorkel but the water was too rough in that area so they took us to the turtle sanctuary and we snorkeled with the turtles. The snorkeling part was the shortest part. The other activities were amazing. I'd highly recommend.

I just saw this show last Saturday and it was fabulous! The food - not so much. It was traditional English Pub food three courses - a salmon cake appetizer, bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) and dessert of bread pudding with a jar of meringue and some type of cherry fruit sauce to eat with it. They also served lots of beer but you could get other drinks too. The Supper Club is the venue and it is the model of an English pub. We saw the first week of the new cast but they were outstanding. The show is fun and funny with much audience interaction and the music is great. It costs 19.09 per person to see it. We ate dinner before going and then had drinks and dessert. Still worth it. I saw it the last night and if I had seen it the first, I probably would have gone to see it again (like the people who were sitting at the table next to us).

On the last night, all the cast goes to Howl of the Moon piano bar and they do a few numbers. Very fun time.

Great review! I'm cruising on the Escape in three weeks!

Great pictures! Looks like you have the whole ship to yourself! Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I spotted the Haven pear crumble!!! Love that dessert!!

And the Will sightings and comments are cracking me up!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Harvest Caye is nice if you go early and leave by noon when it’s so crowded that you can’t move. I walked off the ship at 8:30 and found chairs near the pool and beach entrance. It was nice for about two hours then it was packed! Eventually the pool was standing room only -both around the ledge sitting and in the water. By 11 there weren’t any free chairs and people were asking to put their stuff either behind or under our chairs and tables. The beach is just ok and the chairs are so packed close together that it was not enjoyable to me. We packed up and headed back to the ship for lunch and had free rein of the pool and slides. If you live the beach experience, I’d say pass. If you want a nice pool morning , go early then enjoy the ship! Some pics from our trip last August:

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Cracking up at the pub crawl antics and pictures! Hope it’s as fun as it looks! Start drinking water too!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Haven aft 12306! Awesome room! Huge balcony. Only hear noise from Spice on Glow part night and it was only when on the balcony. I was afraid the aft would be a lot of ship movement but it was fine. Also had the best view!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Laughing at your commitments in the DBH!

Everyone else needs to remember that he’s on vacation!!! Let him have a beer and relax! He organized a boatload of stuff and delivered 100’s of invitations.

Enjoy Home, Doug!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Looks amazing so far!! Have a wonderful time!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Finally caught up! As always- entertaining and amazing pictures!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sorry...Getaway, 06/10/18 - 06/17/18, Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Roatán, Cozumel

Routan- I recommend Looking at Ronys tours on trip adviser and on the Routan boards. We did that in August and it was amazing!

Costa Maya, we did a private tour to the ruins and lunch meal with a Mayan family using Native Choice. Our favorite tour!

Cozumel has a fun dolphin swim in Chankanaab Beach Park. We did that several years ago when my kids were little then went to Paradise Beach.

Harvest Caye - walk off the boat to the pool and grab chairs early.

I did a trip report detailing all of these experiences with pictures if you’d like to see. We loved the itinerary.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Love the Haven! And the Haven restaurant was our favorite for breakfast and dinner! The food and service were amazing and you don’t need reservations.

There were always seats by pool and on top deck but the Haven area was a little quieter than Vibe I imagine. There are waiters who circulate for drinks but I know some people really like the bar at Vibe.

If I were going back to Harvest Caye, I’d get a cabana or the villa. If you don’t, go very early to get chairs. (Before 9). By 10am, it was packed. We went early and left by 12:30 then back to the nice quiet and empty ship and lunch In The Haven.

Enjoy!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks!! Thinking of trying this one this time!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We did a Haven cruise on the Escape last August and the Haven restaurant was by far our favorite! We also liked Cagneys. Haven every morning for breakfast even though we stayed in the aft penthouse. (Good way to get your steps in every day)! Lol

Although the food doesn’t change, it’s amazing and so is the service!

We are going in July and plan to also try Le Bistro, Cagneys and maybe one other but I could happily eat in Haven most nights!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

How long was the ride to the ruins? we are on this itinerary in November. THanks

I think it was about 90 minutes.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

One of the best ways to learn is to take advise from those who know.

 

 

 

 

 

Not everyone knows that wine can be checked and the corkage fee paid in a much easier way than putting the wine in a suitcase and being called to retrieve it. Someone giving advise of an easier way is actually doing a good thing.

 

 

 

 

 

Not everyone knows that bottled water (even water purchased on the ship) cannot be brought back onto the ship. Someone stating the policy is actually helping to prevent problems and confusion in the future. Not just for the OP but for everyone reading the thread.

 

 

 

 

 

Not everyone knows that reservations can be made for most restaurants at dinner. Someone stating that reservations can be made, when, and how to make them, etc. is actually trying to help.

 

 

 

 

 

Not everyone knows that the concierge usually has VIBE passes. Haven guests who cannot take advantage of priority boarding might appreciate the information.

 

 

 

 

 

Why some people take that information as some form of insult....I have no idea.

 

 

 

 

 

Nobody is being insulted or talked down to because they don't know something. The people who are unaware (whether the OP or a lurker) should be happy to receive the correct information.

Two Wheels, your posts helped me tremendously prior to my cruise. I appreciate you taking the time to post correct information to help others!

OP, thanks for your review!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm curious about the trouble you had in Aruba, as we've been considering doing a vacation at a land-based all-inclusive resort in Aruba. Was your room robbed by someone off the street or beach or was a hotel staff member suspected? Did the hotel(s) assist you in any way during this ordeal?

We were in a private house and not a hotel. We actually had lawyers involved at one point and I'm not permitted to say the location. All I can tell you is that the police told us that the private homes are frequently robbed. Apparently people know when guests move in and when they leave to go to dinner or something, they break in. While we were there, there were three other robberies reported in the paper. Once we moved to a resort, we felt perfectly safe.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Can you please tell me about the motion you felt the last few days? WAs it rocking?? I am very sensitive to movement and did similar itinerary and on last sea day we had 10 foot seas..horrbile feeling.. wasn't sure what summer waves were l like.

I get very seasick and I can tell you that I didn't feel anything on this ship like I have on previous smaller ships. You could feel it slightly but for the most part we were unaware of the movement. I wore a motion patch (with herbs - not scopolamine) and would take ginger pills if I started to feel movement and I never had a problem.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes, I am! :p

 

Remember, the aft Butler only works that section. He/she isn't running down and back from the Haven and neglecting other Haven guests. There were probably other H6 guests who wanted coffee just like you did so it wouldn't have been an inconvenience to bring one more set.

 

As for wasted food, don't worry. The fish that end up eating it are happy to get it.

Will remember that next time! I always consider the first time the learning cruise then you figure it all out!

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

All I can say is you should be ok at a resort or time share versus a private house. Aruba is beautiful and I would go back to one of those places! In fact both the Divi and Costa Linda were extremely kind to us after our misfortunes!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Unlike some other cruise lines, booking in the Haven provides a lot of nice benefits. Whether they are worth the price difference depends on you. As a family who doesn't get to vacation as often as we would like, and prefers to have as relaxing and stress-free vacation as possible, we see the benefits as worthwhile.

 

 

 

Some of the benefits that matter for us:

 

 

 

 

 

• 
   
  
• Priority Embarkation - Being able to arrive at port and pretty much walk onto the ship without waiting, and have your luggage waiting for you in your room right after you board, is a really nice benefit. We feel like we get an extra day on the boat at the beginning of the trip because of it.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Disembarkation - For disembarkation, they take you down in the ship's service elevator whenever you are ready and you get to walk-off whenever you feel like it. No hassle, and no stress.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Concierge - Having a concierge available to help you with everything without having to wait in lines is a really nice perk.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Shore Excursions - Instead of battling for the public elevators when everyone is rushing off the boat, the Concierge escorts you down in a private service elevator whenever you are ready without any wait, hassle, or delay. Does it look like rain? The Concierge provides ponchos.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Haven Pool - The Haven pool is a really nice benefit. Chairs are plentiful, and -- other than possibly the spa -- there is no better place on the ship to quietly unwind after shore excursions and / or family chaos. I think that it is all a matter of taste with some people preferring the vibrance and noise of the main pool, and some people just preferring to relax and not have to hunt for lounge chairs. We prefer to just relax on vacation, and when things get busy and chaotic, the Haven really is a quiet shelter from the storm.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Haven Restaurant - While the Haven suites come with the specialty dining package, the Haven restaurant (and the fact that you can just walk in whenever you want without a reservation) is just wonderful. We never experienced a wait, and the food and service was consistently amazing. The onboard specialty restaurants never disappoint, but the Haven restaurant is a nice alternative.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• The Haven Lounge - Having a quiet bar that is not crowded right down the hall is never a bad thing, right?
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Haven Rooms - The Haven rooms and room amenities are just amazing. The rooms are as nice as any hotel that I have stayed at and all have plenty of storage. Prior to sailing, you are provided a suite selection list in which you get to select three bottles of wine and / or liquor, pick which beverages that you would like in the suite, and specify your pillow and bedding selections.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Butler - Once on board, you have a butler who goes out of his way to make the trip wonderful. Just as an example of the lengths that they go to to make your stay a wonderful experience, our butler on a recent cruise either saw the kids going to the Haven pool to get cookies and M&Ms (or saw remnants in the room - ha). From that point of the trip onward, we had a cookie platter and a bowl of M&Ms in the room every day. Where else can you find such service?
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Room Service - Being able to order anything on the ship at any time is a huge benefit to us. Some people prefer to eat breakfast in a restaurant, and love grabbing junk food at O'Sheehan's after a night of fun. We far prefer quiet breakfasts and late night munchies in the room. Being able to order whatever you want, whenever you want, and not be limited to the ships regular room service menu is a real benefit from our perspective.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Preferred Seating - Being able to walk down to the main theater's Haven section right before showtime and not have to arrive 40 minutes early to save seats is a nice benefit. With the other venues that we have been to (the Supper Club on the Escape and the Illusionarium on the Getaway) you are escorted down in a service elevator, and given your choice of seating in the venue before the doors open. Great seating, no stress, and no hassle.
   
  

 

• 
   
  
• Other Misc. Benefits - On day one, NCL threw in free lunch at Margaritaville, and gave us half off dinner at Food Republic. Nice little surprise perk!
   
  

With the Haven, you are definitely paying a lot more up front. Whether the price difference is "worth it" definitely depends upon your perception of value. We believe that the Haven benefits are worth it, and I completely understand why others say that they are not. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing, stress-free experience while at sea, the Haven is definitely the way to go from our perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

- M

Agree with all of the above!

And As Two Wheels Only said- the aft penthouse is amazing!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Firstmickey thanks so much for taking the time to do your review.

My family and I are first timers on the Escape in 7 short weeks to celebrate my dad's 80th and looking forward to a great trip.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Have a wonderful time! Happy birthday to your dad. Make sure you make a note at the restaurant that day so they can have a cake for him'

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Final Cruise Thoughts....(*all just my opinions)

• We loved NCL and the freestyle dining. We put a deposit down for the next cruise. (Wooo hoo).
  
• Loved the Haven - especially the restaurant and the getting off the ship perks. I could live without access to the Haven pool and sun deck. I liked the activity of the main pool but we really only spent one whole day there so maybe it was more crowded earlier in the cruise. The space in the Haven aft penthouse cabin was outstanding.
  
• I was worried about being seasick especially in an aft cabin but I felt very little ship movement except for a few days at the end. I wore a motion patch with herbs and took ginger pills a few times but don't think I really needed them.
  
• The Escape is a beautiful ship and it's impossible to do everything. (good thing we booked again).
  
• Loved all of our excursions. Go early to Harvest Caye!
  
• If you stay in the Haven, call the butler down to meet you to see what he could do for you and tell him what you want. That's why you have a butler. We got lots of food - some of it went to waste (I hate that) because it wasn't something we liked. Also, order coffee to be delivered to your room. Since we were aft, we ran up to Garden Cafe and would bring it back down. (Two Wheels is probably shaking his head at me...lol).
  
• Look on trip adviser and the port of call boards for trip excursions and reviews.
  
• The three of us all think this was our best vacation. We made a pact at the beginning to go with the flow if things went wrong and literally - nothing went wrong until travel home day.
  
• Be nice to the staff. I can't believe anyone has to say that out loud but I witnessed all kinds of stuff. They work so hard and their every moment is about making it a dream vacation for you. I thought the whole ship service was outstanding!
  

Hope you enjoyed traveling with us....I had fun writing and reliving it all.

DIsembarkation day.....time to get off, go back to reality, and ruin all your nice relaxation with difficult airline travel....;p

Haven guests get priority disembarkation. We could walk off if we wanted to carry all of our luggage starting at 7:30am or we could put our luggage out night before by midnight and then be escorted off the gangway between 8a-9:15am. We chose that option.

We had to have one last breakfast at the Haven - Tahitian Vanilla french toast with berries. Then we went down to the lounge and walked off the ship around 8:30am. Pretty easy to walk off and find our luggage and the Washy washy guy was there and singing his song one last time. Our flight wasn't until 4pm so we decided to rent a car and we headed to Ft Lauderdale to a hotel that we love there called Sun Tower Hotel and Suites. We've been there several times (most recently in March for a quick leave the snow getaway). Pretty small, not very fancy place but they have an oceanfront restaurant with wonderful food and an awesome view. For $25, he let us use chairs and an umbrella also. We didn't have a lot of time but it was a quick beach break and nice way to spend time until our flight.

Difficult to tell in this picture but the water was crystal clear blues...

Headed to the airport ...learned our flight wasn't really a direct flight (went through Atlanta to Pittsburgh) - they didn't have the stop listed when we booked because we didn't get off the plane. (blaming Dan for this..lol).

Won't bore you with our airline troubles and flight delays but we got home safely after a wonderful trip by 11pm. I was too tired and too sad to take a picture of Franco's face in the airport. I like his butt much better! :D