Food on Escape!

[oreilln]

Welcome to a wet mid Atlantic! The quality of the food was my main concern coming on this TA so I thought I would provide an update so far, with the usual provisos that everyone is different on food, blah, blah, blah...

First the context. We were on the Norway many moons ago and were on a few other NCL ships since, we always found the food fine, not brilliant but fine and better than Royal Carribean. After a gap of a few years, we went on the Sky last summer to find the food more than disappointing. The speciality restaurants were just ok, we thought most of the food in the MDR was inedible and so didnt eat it, very disappointing, much worse than years ago...

We thought we would not cruise NCL again but then along came a great offer on the TA, it was a new ship, we decided to give it a try, and thought if the food in the MDRs was awful, we would just eat in the speciality restaurants...

So here we are...day 4....and heres my thoughts.

Lunch in the MDR on departure day confirmed our concerns, my meal was ok but not great, my husbands fish and chips was poor...

But then came dinner....and the surprises began...We ate in the MDR and my crab souffle was very good, everything else was good, just fine for a cruise ship, what a surprise!

Day 2 and breakfast in the buffet was great, who could complain with such a great choice, beautifully presented. Lunch in Margaritaville was goodish, not super but the location is great, I predict it will be popular in hot weather!

Dinner was in Le Bistro, really very good again, the pastry fish starter is to be recommended as is the Cote de Boeuf, creme brulee is excellent.

Day 3 and it was lunch in the Food Republic, the best food we had since we came on board, and well worth the upcharge, very popular. Dinner was again in the MDR, not brilliant but fine and again much better than the Sky. BTW, both MDR dinners were in the Manhattan and for those who havent been on Breakaway or Getaway, its an excellent venue, great atmopshere and music.

Day 4 and its lunch in O'Sheehans, again it was fine, the venue doesnt appeal to me, too much noise from the screen, the slot machines, the music etc etc!

Its off to Teppanyaki tonight, I will let you know how we get on if I can get the internet to work, its beyond slow, most of the time it doesnt work at all....

In summary, I would now see food as a positive for NCL, something that would bring me back, service is great, and if they get this level across the fleet, it will be a big positive!

This is really about food but a few things about the ship...its stunningly beautiful, very clean and new...the cantilevered hottubs are awesome, those wider balconies a real plus.

Dont like the fact that you end up walking through the casino and or shops to get anywhere but you cant have everything. The Waterfront is truly amazing and a wonderful plus for those who feel they want to actually be on the ocean.

We are very pleased, you will be too...PS - very impressed by the huge turnout for the CC M&G!

Edited November 1, 2015 by oreilln

[3DBeach]

Thanks for the info, can't wait to try for myself in Jan :)

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip, enjoy!!!

[SeaWatcher65]

Thanks for the review! Looking forward to hearing more! We did all specialty restaurants for dinners on our 1st NCL cruise but hoping to hear more about the main/included dining choices -- buffet, Margaritaville, OSheehans, Manhattan.

[oreilln]

Still doing well on the Escape! The MDRs are fine, not spectacular but good enough and the atmosphere in the Manhattan is great. Devotees of prime rib might be annoyed that theres now a $15 charge for it in the MDRs. O'Sheehans is fine too if you like the atmosphere, its too noisy for us, they had a pork ribs night last night but no sign of the prime rib night! The weather is not great on a TA so its hard to fully appreciate Margaritaville, food is what you'd expect and I think the location will be good in sunny weather!

We think the buffet is a good standard, had excellent Indian lunch there. We really miss the Great Outdoors though, the small outdoor area will be boiling hot in the Carribbean! Breakfast in the buffet is excellent, everything there you could possibly want and good service.

As you might expect, the Speciality restaurants are a higher standard, Teppanyaki was great fun and good food. Cagneys last night was very good, service a little slow. If you are going to Cagneys or Le Bistro without a dining plan, be prepared for higher prices, hard to have a 3 course meal in either for less than $35 or $40.

Funnily, the two speciality restaurants we have enjoyed the most so far are Food Republic and Pinchos (havent been to Bayamo yet). Food in both is original and inventive and prices are low, you will get lunch or dinner for two for around $20 - $25 if you dont eat too much! Chorizo prawns in Pinchos are delicious as is the rock shrimp sushi in Food Republic. If these two were on land, I would be going regularly!

Some great bars on board too....the atmosphere in Sugarcane is fun, outdoors in the wine cellar is beautiful....

All in all, this is a wonderful ship, elegant and really quite luxurious. Off now for a walk to justify eating another lunch!

Good luck to all who sail in her...

[cmdchiefthom]

Thanks for the info. I'm sad to here there's no scheduled Prime Rib in O'Sheehan's but it seems all in all, the food is acceptable, to good for cruise ship fare? Thanks for taking the time to post.;);)

[LadySpoilt]

Thanks for the info. I'm sad to here there's no scheduled Prime Rib in O'Sheehan's but it seems all in all, the food is acceptable, to good for cruise ship fare? Thanks for taking the time to post.;);)

 

I hope this isn't the "future" of O'Sheehan's. We loved prime rib night there. I have wondered if this would be the outcome (no prime rib in O'Sheehan's) since the MDR upcharge for prime rib was implemented.

[dolita22]

Thanks for posting! We're on the 3-day next week and a 7-day in January, and I've got a list of dining venues I want to try on both cruises. :)

 

Also, completely agree about not liking the food on Royal. I know food is subjective, but my DH doesn't want to sail RCCL again because of the food. We like NCL and freestyle concept (other lines just don't do it as well, IMO), and have always enjoyed our meals on NCL. Can't wait for next week!

 

Enjoy your time on the TA!