dongordon

Question: RE: Long Bay / Beef Island

NCL offered this as an excursion but made no mention of the ability to rent beach chairs or umbrellas there. Are they available?

Are there food and bathroom facilities there?

How would you rate this beach?

Thank you.

Don:cool:

Thank you.

My wife was very scared when we traveled to Cane Beach the last time we visited Tortola.

Don:cool:

Long Bay (Beef Island) or Long Bay West End Tortola?

Long Bay (Beef Island)

Don:cool:

Has anyone been to Long Bay Beach?

Comments?

Are the roads to get there "scarey" like other beaches in Tortola I have visited in the past (narrow, close to cliffs, etc.)?

Don:cool:

Thank you everyone for this information.....greatly appreciated.

So many choices on the Escape for dining!;)

Don:cool:

I have two questions on the Escape's Food Republic Restaurant:

1 - Is it open for lunch?

2- Is there outdoor seating?

Don:cool:

What a great place to cool off on a hot day.....

Great video Laszlo!

Looks so nice!!

Don:cool:

Thanks so much everyone!!

Don:cool:

Love the outdoor seating in the restaurants once I reach warm weather.

Going on the Escape this January and wondering what restaurants have the outdoor seating.

Don:cool:

Has anyone been to Dominica recently or had it changed to another port?

I only viewed 2 excursions listed for our upcoming January cruise....that doesn't seem like enough to accommodate a huge cruise ship's number of passengers.

Don:cool:

Pearl is coming to NYC in 2020.

Does NCL have any plans for the ships in NYC in 2021.

Is the Pearl staying in NYC?

Don:cool:

We loved the updated Dawn and the addition of Los Lobos. However we missed the Great Outdoors.

 

Its been several years since we were on the Gem and then we were in an OceanView. Can someone give us some advice about the Aft Balconies on the Gem? Are they large enough for a lounger or two?

What changes / updates were made on the Dawn?

Did they change the aft suites in any way?

Loved this ship when it was new.

That being said, I love the Great Outdoors on the GEM like everyone.

Also, does anyone know what ships will be cruising out of NYC in the winter of 2021? (I'm booked on the Bliss in 2020)

Whatever ship does the longer itinerary, that's the one I'll be on....love those sea days!;)

Don:cool:

The only two places that I've found to make chocolate martinis are at the Atrium bar and if you happen to be in the Haven, they will make one for you there. I agree it is strange. Also difficult to find a bar that will make espresso martinis.

 

 

Tracy

Oh no Tracy....

Espresso Martinis are my favorite. I thought all NCL bartenders were trained to make these yummy martinis!;)

Could be that the coffee is not readily available at a particular bar.

Don:cool:

I have always used the concierge, never had a problem for any dinner or show reservation.

You paid plenty for the Haven....this is one of the great perks of staying in the Haven.

Here is another tidbit. My wife and I always loved the chicken parmigiana in La Cucina and they took it off the menu. I mentioned this to the Haven restaurant's Maitre 'D. Twice on my 14 day cruise she made the outdoor dining reservations for us there and we had our chicken parm as requested. Also loved the Prime Rib end cut (well done) in the Haven restaurant and when I requested it the day before, always had it ready in the Haven restaurant whenever we dined there.

The Haven is fantastic....take advantage of all the perks there.

Don:cool:

I know that Dawn Beach took a big hit from the hurricanes.

It was my favorite beach in St. Maarten.

Any word if it is back?

David.

 

There are roped off areas on Escape on the left side. One of the two assistants would take groups down.

I believe David was the concierge on the Breakaway last year.

The lady that was his assistant was great, but I did not have much interaction with him as you mentioned.

The best NCL Concierge I have ever met on all my cruises was Elvina De Menese. This wonderful lady was on last January's GEM 10 day cruise. They do not come any better than Elvina!;)

Don:cool:

I'm only guessing based on our experience a few weeks ago but I'd say slim. It was Wednesday before concierge could muster a "hello" to us who were in Haven.

WOW...very surprised.

Who is the Concierge on the Escape?

I've been very lucky with the concierge on all the NCL ships.

I have booked restaurant reservations, but not shows.

I thought there was private seating for Haven guests for the shows....you should have been able to sit in that section. I believe they have them roped off on many NCL ships.

Don:cool:

If you are Platinum Plus, do you think you can count on the Concierge to secure reservations for the shows once onboard?

Don:cool:

I’m booked on the Escape in December. So far, they’ve dropped Puerto Rico, but we still have Dominica and St. Thomas. I will be very disappointed if they switch the itinerary to Western again.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Just curious....was Puerto Rico a full day port or do you arrive at 3:00 PM which is when we are scheduled to arrive on our 14 day Escape cruise?

Don:cool:

We are sailing in the fall, not winter, but our itinerary was changed. We were supposed to go to St. Thomas and also Tortola now we are doing western Caribbean again :(

What ship....early or late Fall?

How long is your cruise? Sometimes, it is easier to change islands on longer cruises that switch from eastern to western on shorter cruises.

I can see why you are disappointed...I would as well.

Don:cool:

I'd try Mixx on deck 6. One thing I didn't like about the Escape was that many of their bars only catered to certain alcohols...like one did mostly tequila drinks, or mostly rum drinks. I was able to get some really yummy cosmopolitans at Mixx.

Thanks...Mixx it is for my Espresso Martini!!;)

Don:cool:

Due to last year's devastating hurricanes, has anyone sailing this coming winter had their itinerary changed yet?

 

We are scheduled to go to Tortola and Dominica and were concerned if these two ports and others are still in play.

 

"My NCL" for my upcoming January 2019 Escape cruise is offering excursions to these two islands. Is that an indication that the itinerary is set?

 

Don:cool:

OOPS!!

Sorry...

Title should be "Dominca and Tortola";)

Due to last year's devastating hurricanes, has anyone sailing this coming winter had their itinerary changed yet?

We are scheduled to go to Tortola and Dominica and were concerned if these two ports and others are still in play.

"My NCL" for my upcoming January 2019 Escape cruise is offering excursions to these two islands. Is that an indication that the itinerary is set?

Don:cool:

(y)

 

 

Heading back to Royal next summer where they are more respectful of smokers.

There are still a few designated areas but there are comfy couches and chairs in a covered area.

 

If we had known that the escape isnt allowing smoking on the Waterfront i doubt we would have booked:o

 

 

Reason being is that our first cruise with NCL was on Breakaway last summer and it was so nice to be able to smoke at the high top tables and have a waiter get you drinks and it was covered in case of inclement weather. So we were spoiled LOL

 

 

So as an aside we have sprung for the Haven and will be curious about how many people will complain about the smoking on deck 19 forward which is a designated smoking area.

 

 

And little OT~~~ and the kids running amok in the Havens pool and Jacuzzi area but sorry i digress ;p

 

Liz:D

Liz...do you know if cigar smoking is allowed in the Haven on the Bliss or Escape?

Don:cool:

They all have only cabins below and above, so there won't be any direct noise from venues on any of those decks. We just got off last week and had an AFT facing balcony on 12 and we were able to hear the music from H2O since it is an outside venue, so that's something to consider location wise (aft/mid/front). I would look at the specifics of the individual cabins to compare the balcony sizes. Depending on where you are they are sized differently.

I guess I'm different from most and always took the Aft-Facing cabin below H20.

We are usually there at night when it closes or if going to bed earlier, we sit out on the balcony for awhile before hitting the sack and look at the stars. In fact, the engine props in the back create a sound like a waterfall and makes it easy to fall asleep.;)

Don:cool: