eyoreblu

We got to the port right at 11:30 or 12 ish. Literally was on the boat within 15 minutes. DO NOT go this late if you want to try for Vibe passes. I think that people were in their rooms by 3 or so. Seemed earlier than what I had previously read.

Leslie

Thanks for your awesome review! I board the Escape next week. So excited and your review added more!

I'm also staying in Ft Lauderdale the night before and thinking of taking an uber to port. What time did you did you get to the port?

 

 

 

 

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Sitting here in the airport for 8 hours gives me plenty of time to write a review of our Thanksgiving week on the Escape. I just want to thank everyone who posts reviews and helpful information as it always proves invaluable! This was our first NCL cruise and I have to admit I was worried about the size of the boat. Come from Princess and Holland ships and knew it would be different. I will definitely cruise NCL again!!! Never felt the effects of a sold out ship and loved the huge variety of things to do on board.

We flew out of LAX Friday before the cruise and stayed the night in Ft. Lauderdale. We stayed at the Courtyard at Ft. Lauderdale beach. Great location and great hotel. Took Uber to Miami port Saturday morning and was on the ship within 15-20 minutes. Easy Peasy!

Went to Taste for lunch and had the popcorn shrimp on a recommendation from another post. LOVED the popcorn shrimp and had it another two times. Already miss it! We got Vibe passes and I have to say it is worth the expense. Everyone there was so friendly and nice to talk with. My husband loved that he could sit at the bar and watch some football without such a crowd.

Food - we had the UDP and used it! Cagneys - great steakhouse. We ate there for Thanksgiving and loved it! Had the surf and turf and ribeye. Both cooked perfectly and great flavor. La Cucina - this was not my favorite but that was not because of the service or the food. Just that I am a picky eater and the sauce on my fettuccini and shrimp wasn't to my taste. The shrimp was huge and tender! Moderno - this was different for us. We have never eaten at a Brazilian steakhouse type restaurant before. As stated before the salad bar is amazing and the meat choices were awesome. My husband tried them all and the lamb chop was his favorite. My favorite was the lemon herb chicken breast. The bacon wrapped filet was tasty too! Teppanyaki - really had a good time here. Fun presentation and such good fresh food! Ate at Taste our first night and for a couple breakfasts. Always good hot food prepared how I asked for it. Ate at buffet a few times and it is buffet food. Nothing bad just buffet food. Ate at O'Sheehans for a quick lunch but it was not my favorite. Would have rather had my popcorn shrimp! Also did the Supper Club one evening but the food was so far out of my comfort zone I cannot honestly give a review as I hardly ate anything. Again my fault for being so picky! Food Republic - OMG so, so good. I really felt the prices were low! Had the wings. The Korean beef tacos Yummy and the sliders were so juicy and flavorful! Hung at the District Brewhouse for some different beers. Great vibe to the place.

Entertainment - LOVED, LOVED Howl at the Moon. Went three different times. Stayed hours each time. I truly think the sign of good entertainment is when the crew shows up to hang out. That happened every time. Tyler Grey, the cruise director, would show up and play the drums. They let an 11 year old play drums with them several times. He was amazing! Didn't do the dance parties, not our thing but talked with people and they said they had a blast! Went to several things in the atrium. Probably my only complaint, the seating situation sucked! Tyler was so funny and good with guests. It was hysterical to watch him. We got to watch someone win $1000 during Deal or No Deal.

Ports - St. Thomas. Did the Snorkel Champagne Catarman - crew was great and took us to a beautiful beach! Tortola - did the Ultimate Adventure Jost Van Dyke this was so worth every penny! Took a small rapid inflatable boat (RIB) with 7 of us completely around Tortola. Stopped at Jost Van Dyke for an hour. Such an awesome beach. I was worried about the boat but our guide was so good navigating that I never once felt nervous. It was awesome! Nassau - we took a taxi to the Atlantis hotel and walked forever. It is an amazing hotel and should be checked out. We went where we probably shouldn't have but we just walked around the pools and beach. Was a fun but tiring trip!

Overall we had an amazing trip. Yes the pool area is crowded. Yes there kids who need manners but so do some adults. We met so many friendly people. I never had trouble with finding a table or places to sit. I would recommend making reservations early if there is something you really want to try! I would recommend the Escape to anyone, I feel it met the needs of such a large, diverse group!

Take it and run!

We wanted the open balcony, which ones are directly over the stage? Those would be forward right?

Sailed last year on CB had D729 Mini Suite, loved the room and bigger cabin. Cruising next on Crown but those rooms already taken. As this is only my second Princess cruise, input on best and worst mini suites would be greatly appreciated!

We just got off April 5th and had D733. LOVED the room, was worried about the bathroom as there is no tub, it was originally set up for handicap. The beds do not go together which was fine. Never bumped into each other and the balcony was awesome. Loved the small hallway mostly quite. Pretty heavy seas the first day, did some rolling the first night but never felt much else. I have pictures of both the room and the balcony if interested, totally forgot to take pics of the bathroom.

If you can get D732 or D733, they don't have the tub, just a shower, but they have a fantastic balcony that is about twice the size of the others and has an aft view as well as the side view.

Not even a question of ship, the ports cannot be compared! I live in So Calif and have been to Catalina and Ensenada and you will never get beaches at either place like in the Caribbean.

Boarding on the 29th. Thanks so much!

Actually since we are returning on Saturday there were 16 flights that day JUST on Southwest alone, 5 of them non-stop. My friend traveling with me really wanted to get home as early as possible and I agreed on this time even though I am skeptical. The only reason I am not too freaked out is the fact that there are 8 flights that leave after this one so I figure the chances are good that we will get something!

There is no way I will let the airport experience ruin my post cruise buzz!!!:p

Thanks so much, totally know we are rolling the dice on this one. I was concerned about the statement that Southwest needed luggage 4 hours BEFORE flight. I have never heard that before.

Thanks for info, but little panicked! We are on the 3/29 sailing and are taking a gamble with a 9:55 a.m. flight out of Houston on the return with Southwest. Is that not an option at all??? Thanks!

 

 

Southwest will only take your bags 4 hours before your flight

!

Does the Sanctuary have loungers in the sun or is it all shade? Loving your review!

I can't wait for this! :-)

Hi,

We arrive at Ft Lauderdale the evening of March 30th to board HAL on the 31st, which is Easter Sunday. Any recommendations about a nice hotel that might be near a Catholic Church?

Thanks in advance.

Oh my, I read fiction quite a lot, but this was by far one of the best things I have read in quite a while!!! Thanks so much for making me laugh!!! Not sure yet if I should show my husband as I really would like to take a cruise for this length!!!

I also was on the 3/31 cruising. I had a very forward cabin on deck 4 and never really noticed a "vibration" problem. I felt vibrations when we were getting ready to leave ports, never felt anything at the Tamarind or in Lido Cabana. This was only my third cruise and I just thought everything I felt was because of being on a ship? :D