Escape post cruisers, help me feel better please before i cancel

[john kaz]

After 20 cruises and never trying Norwegian, nor a large ship like allure and Oasis, I booked Escape, with 17 in our group. But after reading some things, not sure I made the right choice. Here are my issues, give me your thoughts please.

 

Dining: with free style, and having 17 of us, can we make reservations in one of the dining rooms so we can all sit in the same areas for dinner? And if so, how do I go about doing this

 

Shows: I am reading that we need to book shows and comedy in advance prior to sailing. Are you kidding me? How do I look up the shows, and how do I reserve for 17 people, how do I plan on what night to book it????

 

Pools/pool deck: I read decks are so crowded , small pools, and lines for water slides very long.....

 

I have never had a bad cruise, never complain, and am not complaining now. Just asking for post crusiers to give me their thoughts, and I thank you in advance. John

[Moby0215]

Just a question. Are all 17 of you really all gonna want to eat at the same time? If it were me, I would let everybody decide when they want to eat/if they want to see a show etc. I've read where you can just talk to the maitre d once onboard if you really want to all eat together.

 

 

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Edited December 3, 2015 by Moby0215

[mikesemi]

If you email special events they can make reservations for parties over 10 people. I think the address is specialeventsescape@ncl.com . You dont need to make show reservations but it is recommended. You can do this through myncl online. I was on the breakway 2 years ago, did not seem crowded to me, definately better than Disney Land.

[LrgPizza]

I can't imagine that all 17 people are going to want to be joined at the hip for dinner and shows. If I were part of that group, I'd cancel my cruise. Haha! How about contacting special events as mentioned above and reserving one or 2 dinners for the group, then letting everyone else figure out their own fun?

Edited December 3, 2015 by LrgPizza

[funat55]

I have not yet sailed on the Escape. I will be on her in February. However, my brother and his wife were on the Escape for the week of Thanksgiving and they raved about how beautiful it was and what a wonderful time they had. And believe me, my sister in law wouldn't hesitate for a minute to let you know if there was a problem.

 

We have taken many family cruises together. We had a large group of about 20 on the Oasis. For dinner, we enlisted the aid of our travel agent and she arranged for us to dine together at two tables side by side.

 

Last year we went on the Getaway. We communicated with each other about specialty dining and shows and after that everyone was on their own to get on the internet and go to the reservation page and make their reservations at the agreed upon time. It worked for us.

[perditax]

I haven't been on Escape but I feel like the challenges of 17 people will be the same on most ships. And I say that as someone who is FAR from an NCL cheerleader right now.

[denatravels]

I've only been on the breakaway, but here are my $0.02:

The pools were really bad. Too many people for too small a space-- it's the main reason that I'm trying Anthem of the seas this February.

Reservations for shows are necessary, but they don't cost, so make them for the group and let them decide later if they want to show up.

Otherwise, I had a great experience.

[BirdTravels]

I haven't been on Escape but I feel like the challenges of 17 people will be the same on most ships. And I say that as someone who is FAR from an NCL cheerleader right now.

 

 

The escape has a large section in the MDR dedicated to large groups.

 

 

 

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Edited December 3, 2015 by BirdTravels

[supertoit]

I did the first 3 day and 7 day back to back out of Miami....I am about to cancel my cruise in March and return to Allure. In short...

 

Only one pool that is way to deep to stand in at any end (my friend is a 6 3 and 330 lbs football player and the water is way over his head) and way to crowded.

 

Postings where missing for weight limits at the bottom of the slide entrance and again next to all the slides but one. Then after riding the slides multiple times for a few days my buddy was escorted off to the scale in front of the line up and then sent to do a walk a shame down the stairs past everyone. Supervisor was called and agreed that there should be signs posted but the info is missing and blamed the builder. NOT our fault. (Next day printed and laminated signs posted in all slide entrance locations). Too Late!

 

However the Bartenders where Amazing to us and the solo rooms rock!

[bigb252]

I did the first 3 day and 7 day back to back out of Miami....I am about to cancel my cruise in March and return to Allure. In short...

 

 

 

Only one pool that is way to deep to stand in at any end (my friend is a 6 3 and 330 lbs football player and the water is way over his head) and way to crowded.

 

 

 

Postings where missing for weight limits at the bottom of the slide entrance and again next to all the slides but one. Then after riding the slides multiple times for a few days my buddy was escorted off to the scale in front of the line up and then sent to do a walk a shame down the stairs past everyone. Supervisor was called and agreed that there should be signs posted but the info is missing and blamed the builder. NOT our fault. (Next day printed and laminated signs posted in all slide entrance locations). Too Late!

 

 

 

However the Bartenders where Amazing to us and the solo rooms rock!

 

 

What are the limits?

[supertoit]

What are the limits?

 

300lbs on this but if two normal sized people go together on the double tube I'm its not hard to pass 300lbs at all.

[SwissLe]

I don't think Escape is too far off Freedom class vessels in terms of size - both would be in the very large camp in my book. You can make reservations if you want but just like other cruise ships of any size crew will do their best to accommodate you.

 

The only reason booking entertainment is recommended (not required) is due the multiple smaller venues rather than one event happening at the same time.

 

As for the poster above wth the weight limits a single rider is pretty unusual to find them over 300lbs and this is set by the ride manufacturer - and happens in nearly every water park in the world. They made an oversight with the sign location and rectified it. Id rather do the walk of shame than have to do the crane of shame from the slide after a couple of hours because I got stuck!

[mjkacmom]

I did the first 3 day and 7 day back to back out of Miami....I am about to cancel my cruise in March and return to Allure. In short...

 

Only one pool that is way to deep to stand in at any end (my friend is a 6 3 and 330 lbs football player and the water is way over his head) and way to crowded.

 

Postings where missing for weight limits at the bottom of the slide entrance and again next to all the slides but one. Then after riding the slides multiple times for a few days my buddy was escorted off to the scale in front of the line up and then sent to do a walk a shame down the stairs past everyone. Supervisor was called and agreed that there should be signs posted but the info is missing and blamed the builder. NOT our fault. (Next day printed and laminated signs posted in all slide entrance locations). Too Late!

 

However the Bartenders where Amazing to us and the solo rooms rock!

 

The Getaway doesn't have a family pool like the Breakaway?

[LrgPizza]

Regarding booking entertainment... There are no assigned seats when you make reservations. Everyone can make their own reservations, then as long as you show up together and/or wait in line together, you can find seats together. No need to try to make reservations for all 17, because that wouldn't make a bit of difference.

[tjt87]

I did the first 3 day and 7 day back to back out of Miami....I am about to cancel my cruise in March and return to Allure. In short...

 

Only one pool that is way to deep to stand in at any end (my friend is a 6 3 and 330 lbs football player and the water is way over his head) and way to crowded.

 

Postings where missing for weight limits at the bottom of the slide entrance and again next to all the slides but one. Then after riding the slides multiple times for a few days my buddy was escorted off to the scale in front of the line up and then sent to do a walk a shame down the stairs past everyone. Supervisor was called and agreed that there should be signs posted but the info is missing and blamed the builder. NOT our fault. (Next day printed and laminated signs posted in all slide entrance locations). Too Late!

 

However the Bartenders where Amazing to us and the solo rooms rock!

 

Wow just wow you are hard to please.

 

There are 2 pools and I didn't drown in either one and I'm only 6' 1".

And if the OP cancels because 1 is too deep I'm lost for words.

I was on one of the same cruises and we had a great time on what was in my opinion a great ship, but really these are your biggest gripes after nearly 3 weeks on board:cool:

[Jenjer]

90 days out or 100 if in a suite the entertainment options will open up and you make a reservation, They do not cost anything but it will allow your party to get in the theater first.

 

I do not remember comedy being pre bookable maybe on ship (please correct if I am wrong) its a smaller venue that alternates between stand up and howl at the moon both are very entertaining.

 

If you have been on 20 cruises you know you never book a cruise for its large luxurious pool. Cruise ship pools are historically small and crowded.

 

I know all the negativity towards all the changed NCL has been throwing at us made me question my reservation too. In the end you have the vacation you want. Go in with a bad attitude looking for issues you will find them. Go in with a attitude of, its a cruise relax and you will.

 

No one in your party will go hungry no one will be bored. Now will you find 17 chairs besides each other on a sea day at the pool, not unless you buy out vibe but do all 17 of you really want to all sit by the pool all day? We find that getting chairs for about 1/3 or 1/2 of our party works great, if every one shows up 2 sit on one chair. The kids never sit maybe dry off get a drink or a snack and head off the slides.

[mvh]

You couldn't be more dead on. We were a little upset about the recent changes with NCL, especially M'ville, but we got over it pretty quick. First time going on NCL and we could be more excited. The last thing I want to do is go on a cruise pissed off about not getting a free burger after waiting an hour. I waited 24 hours to cool off and I am fine. Like you said, I will not go hungry. Also, is there a cruise ship out there that doesn't have a small pool? Everyone on the planet knows cruise ship pools are tiny.

[torgotom]

The escape has a large section in the MDR dedicated to large groups.

 

 

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It might be a large area, but their insistence on ten chairs to a table made us all quite uncomfortable. It was elbow to elbow.

And since it comes up, I was disappointed in the lack of complimentary venues. They sell these cruises as "enjoy fine food at your leisure". I find "I won't go hungry" a poor substitute

My cruise was 90% awesome but those dining problems are worth noting. Attitude is important as noted by others here, but simply being aware of issues isn't a crime. You are wise to ask!

Edited December 3, 2015 by torgotom
more info

[newmexicoNita]

After 20 cruises and never trying Norwegian, nor a large ship like allure and Oasis, I booked Escape, with 17 in our group. But after reading some things, not sure I made the right choice. Here are my issues, give me your thoughts please.

 

Dining: with free style, and having 17 of us, can we make reservations in one of the dining rooms so we can all sit in the same areas for dinner? And if so, how do I go about doing this

 

Shows: I am reading that we need to book shows and comedy in advance prior to sailing. Are you kidding me? How do I look up the shows, and how do I reserve for 17 people, how do I plan on what night to book it????

 

Pools/pool deck: I read decks are so crowded , small pools, and lines for water slides very long.....

 

I have never had a bad cruise, never complain, and am not complaining now. Just asking for post crusiers to give me their thoughts, and I thank you in advance. John

 

John, traveling with 17 people is bound to create some issues and one will be trying to all eat tighter, but are you sure they will all want to eat at the same time and same place each night? That is one of the advantages of cruising with a large group. You have the freedom of spending time together and yet doing your own thing, unlike land vacations. If you do want to eat together in the MDRs talk to the food and beverage manager as soon as you are on the ship or try to set something up even prior to cruising.

 

Booking shows, you can do this prior to sailing, in fact you should and you will all book separately but should be together to be seated. Seats per say are not reserved. You will have the option of being seated first so you can get seats together if you want

 

I am sure, like almost every single cruise we have been on the pool area is very crowded on sea days. And yes, the pools on NCL ships are on the small side. There isn't much that can be done about this, but remember, the ship is brand new and going out completely full every sailing so far. Of course everything is going to be very crowded. This should die down after awhile. How crowded things like the slides will be might depend on when you are cruising.

 

No one can guarantee you there will not be some problems, as I said large groups do have special needs, but our daughter cruised the Escape a few weeks ago and said, with the exception of some wrinkles still needing to be ironed out it was a great cruise; outstanding food (much improved) and the entertainment overall was great. Making reservations is a new thing for those of us who have not cruised a mega ship yet.

[rdmadm12]

I would think it would be hard to accommodate 17 people on any cruise ship pool deck at one time. We were a family of three and never had a long wait for the slides, they have it organized well. Deck chair situation will happen any where you go, I would suggest sending a representative down to the pool area early in the morning to get a few chairs for the group to share. You are really over thinking it. This is a great ship with great food and great amenities for everyone. Not everyone is going to want to eat and do all the activities at the same time because there is so much going on throughout the ship. NCL is more than accommodating for large groups, you'll be fine!

[john kaz]

To start, thanks so much for all the input. No, not looking for 17 chairs on a sea day. I am totally against saving chairs at 7 AM and have people show up at noon.

 

In 20 cruises, that were all AWESOME!!! you make your own vacation. No cruise will be perfect, but most are close according to me.

 

When it comes to dining, we will not be dining at the PAY restaurants, I am usually fine with the main dining rooms, with very little to no complaints. The group will do their own things during the day, thought a good idea to meet up at night for dinner, and all agree. I am sure we will not all make it every night. But knowing ahead how to book is an advantage. I did "ANYTIME" dining on cruise ships a couple times. Worked great for 2-4 people. But one time we had 7 and hardly ever sat together, without an hour plus wait. Reservations would be perfect and will look into that

 

How do I go about booking shows ahead of time? Do I need to wait a certain amount of days ahead of my sailing, and how do I know times and days of which shows are playing?

 

Lastly, I did not mean to sound as if I had a bad attitude, I always considered myself an expert cruiser, knowing about the ship I am sailing well in advance etc., and with this ship so new, I feel so lost hahaha. And all of you are a great deal of help!!! thanks, John

[meggybear17]

We had a party of 8 on the Breakaway and never made dinner reservations and the longest we waited to be seated was maybe 5 minutes. This was at the main dining rooms. I dont know about a table for 17 but im sure two tables next to each other would be no issue.

[meggybear17]

Oh and if you are registered on the ncl website at 90 days out you will log in. There will be a calendar showing each day of the cruise and will list the shows and times they are playing, this is where you reserve. From my experience you can only book shows for the number of people booked into your stateroom.