big bro

Sorry for the spelling / grammar, should have proof read but didn't have time.

Background - 12th cruise for us, 8 on Princess, 3 on RCCL and this is first on NCL. We are 42 and 44

Embarkation - Simple, Quick and Easy for getting 4500 plus people onto a boat. If you don't want to wait, don't show up long before you are supposed to

Room - Balcony, 11th floor. Of course they are tight but what we expected and no different than any of the other 11 balcony rooms we have had, although the shower seemed a little more spacious and had glass enclosure rather than the cheesy shower curtail all the others had.

Buffet - we only ate breakfast a few times here and a few lunches. All was very good for buffet food on a mass market ship. if you want 5 star don't eat at the buffet.

Main Dining Room - Food was excellent. Many choices and service was great.

Specialty Restaurants - We did Tepanyaki and Cagneys. Tepanyaki was a good time and the food was awesome. Lots of small portions but we were stuffed when we left. We ate at Cagneys twice and each time food and service were excellent. We tried to get into La Cucina but were unable as they were always booked solid. They seemed to have over sold the Ultimate Dining Package as it was almost impossible to get a reservation after the first day.

Pool: We spent most of the week up at the main pool / pool bar. Pool was very busy as it was spring break but we never had to wait more than a few minutes for a drink or a bar stool. College partiers were fun to watch, nothing every got to crazy or out of hand (depending on your tolerance)

Overall we had a great cruise. I read a lot of reviews and often wonder how so many people can find so much to complain about....? this was our 12th cruise and I cant remember one thing that was ever really worth complaining about. The only thing we ever notice is the manners or lack thereof of some people. Also something that really pisses me off is those that do not wash there hands before leaving the washroom! if this is you, you should be thrown overboard :)

Both are very good. Are they worth giving up the MDR, that's subjective. It's all in what you like.

 

IMHO the down side was , O'Sheans was very busy on these nights and the portion of prime rib, way too much. The prim rib covered the plate.

Downside???

Any more pics or reviews of your meals or food venues? thx

Great review, did you find those pictures of the seafood buffet?? thx

Does NCL Escape have a deli / lunch / dessert / pastry area similar to the "International Café" on Princess ships? Hopefully separate from the buffet area? Thanks for any info provided.

Wondering if Norwegian, specifically Escape, carries Clamato Juice and Bloody Ceasar Mix? And please don't say that Bloody Marys are the same thing...;-) They don't compare! :)

We just booked our cruise for the Mar 19th sailing last week and now they have "pick 2" rather than "pick 1" ..... Our travel agent tried to have us upgraded to the new promotion but NCL said we cant??? Never had a problem with price drops etc. on other cruise lines. Has anyone else been able to get the new promo?? We are booked in a balcony> thx

Hi All,

12th cruise for us but 1st on NCL. Can someone please explain the dining?? We just booked the Escape in March. Is there a "Main" dining room as there is on RCCL or Princess or are they all individual themed restaurants? I must eat in the steakhouse at least once.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Matt

We disembark NCL Escape in Miami and fly out of Fort Lauderdale at 9:30 PM to Canada. Any ideas as to where or what we could do with our luggage for the day so we can wander around the beach area for the day??

thanks for any info you can provide.

They have a central corridor but not quite the same on RCCL - its more traditional and divided by levels instead of the high center core on the RCCL design.

 

Is it a concern for transiting the ship indoors, shopping or something else?

Not a concern, just liked the "mall" type feel of the Promenade with the shops and bars. Great place to people watch!

Hi,

Was wondering if the NCL Escape or Getaway have an indoor Promenade or Mall similar to the one on RC Independence or Liberty of the Seas??

Thank you,

Matt

Hi,

Was wondering if transfers / transportation is available from the Fort Lauderdale Beach area to the Miami Cruise Port besides taxi.

Also wondering if there is a transfer from NCL cruise ship in Miami to Fort Lauderdale airport.

Thank you for any info you can provide.

Matt

Hi,

Was wondering if transfers / transportation is available from the Fort Lauderdale Beach area to the Miami Cruise Port besides taxi.

Also wondering if there is a transfer from NCL cruise ship in Miami to Fort Lauderdale airport.

Thank you for any info you can provide.

Matt

We are considering Conquest out of Fort Lauderdale.

Hi All,

We have been on 11 cruises. 8 with Princess and 3 with Royal. This year we are looking for a cheaper vacation and was looking at Carnival. We just like to people watch and drink beer and eat good food, I am fine if we have to get that in the specialty restaurants. The price seems right. Is it really that much of a "downgrade"???

thanks for your input.

Matt

Hi All,

We have been on 11 cruises. 8 with Princess and 3 with Royal. This year we are looking for a cheaper vacation and was looking at Carnival. We just like to people watch and drink beer and eat good food, I am fine if we have to get that in the specialty restaurants. The price seems right. Is it really that much of a "downgrade"???

thanks for your input.

Matt

But how do you know what your are getting is legit, regardless of the savings...

I was shocked to see pharmacies in the cruise port selling literally any drug you wanted without a px??? And what shocked me more was what looked to be intelligent people in there buying these drugs.... what were they thinking??? how do you know what you may be ingesting??

No wonder antibiotics are over used...

Is the wine package no longer available on 5 day cruises? Doing online check-in and cannot find the wine package. Don't want the all inclusive drink package. Thank you

Hi All,

We are staying at the Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge and Denali Park Lodge. We are looking for suggestions or experiances with excursions?? We are finding the land tour portion of our cruise confusing due to lack of info on arrival and departure times from the different lodges.

Thank you!

Hi All,

We have the 3 day land tour post cruise. Should we be booking excursions or is there lots to do right from the lodges?? Bus tours, hiking, fishing etc??? Thank you.

Would anyone have the most recent dining room menus on Crown Princess for the Alaskan itinerary?? thank you

Has anyone eaten at the "Bennett Eating House" along the White Pass / Carcross railway?? was wondering what type of food it is and if it is any good... Looked for a menu online but was unable to find one.

Thank you!

Hello,

Looking for recommendations for the train / coach excursion in Skagway. How far to take the train and what tour companies people have been pleased with.

Thank you,

Matt