Simples

Greetings all, long time no see :D

 

Thought I would pop in and say hello :p

 

Hello :cool:

 

RR

Never met you though I was on the IE 4 times, I shall miss the old girl as she was my first intro into cruising. Anyway just spotted your name and thought I would say hello.

Hi Jan, I have read many comments about the Escape but I have been on it 4 times and been more than happy. I thought that perhaps a bigger ship meant better quality and service. The shows were more professional but I don't go on cruises to sit in a theatre every night. But the thing I missed most of all was the friendly, almost family atmosphere, that is found on the Escape. On deck the Escape waiters are always there asking if you want a drink but on the Jade we went to the bar ourselves and even though we had a long wait it was quicker than trying to get a waiter. We went in one restaurant on the Jade that someone recommended and when our order arrived we both looked at each other speechless, a guy on the next table said "You weren't expecting that were you"? I said no and he said they weren't either. It was a joke. Another time I asked reception why gratuities appeared on my receipts when I have paid them up front, I was told that they are shared amongst different waiters, bar, restaurant, cabin etc, I said I have already paid these but she just kept repeating the same line. In fact all though it was on the bill I wasn't actually paying it, but she could not explain that to me and we went round in circles until I got fed up and walked away. At one point I told her to stop talking over me, to shut up and listen, reminding her she was supposed to be helping me. Perhaps because it was nearing the end of the season and they were all tired, either way I won't be on there again. Regarding tips although we paid them up front I still tipped the cabin steward and the restaurant waiter. but definitely not the bar staff.

Having sailed on IE a few times I decided that for our Golden Wedding we would try another ship, so we booked the Norwegian Jade. I thought that the food was not nearly as good as that on IE, and I did not think that the staff were as friendly. Having paid roughly £3000 for the cabin for a week and £250 each for the drinks package it was a bit dearer than the IE. Also I like to choose who I tip but decided to pay for the gratuity package which was £98 for the week. I would not do that again. The bars were understaffed and one afternoon we waited thirty minutes to get a drink, being particularly worse when the excursions end and everybody returning heads for the bar. The wifi was expensive at $110 for 250mins and was also very slow, so being priced by the minute and not by the speed it soon uses up ones allowance. The flight to Venice was booked through the tour operator but we had to download our outward bound ticket off the internet ourselves, the return ticket could only be booked two days before returning which meant using the ships wifi and PC, that cost me another $13. I was not happy leaving the UK without a return ticket, But apparently this is the modern way.

The lifeboat drill was a laugh, we were not even required to bring our life jackets, though a demonstration of how to put them on was given, we just sat in the lounge and watched. Nothing like the professional life boat drill on the Escape where everybody has to stand in line at their station.

I must say though that the ship was clean and the food was I suppose adequate, though the bacon at breakfast was awful , just strips of fat. So please forgive me little Island Escape and take me back next year, I won't desert you again.

It is better to regret trying something than regret not trying it.

Yes, the great hairdryer question... I had one in 2011, Ecko had one this year, Mallorcachap didn't. I am awake at night worrying about it. :eek: (I've got no hair from worrying about these things)

Both 8526 and 8026 both had hair dryers