Our Fabulous "Escape" review w/lots of pics, information & dailies 12/12/15

[swfun2fly]

We sail the Escape in three weeks and your detailed review is perfect. You touch so many areas of interest. We also have the 4 speciality dining restaurant package and I didn't realize we can use the supper club as one of our choices. I've read several reviews that the 80's production is awesome but the food isn't anything to brag about. Can't decide now if we want this as one of our choices. Have already booked restaurants but I'm sure we can make changes online.

[SNJCruisers]

We sail the Escape in three weeks and your detailed review is perfect. You touch so many areas of interest. We also have the 4 speciality dining restaurant package and I didn't realize we can use the supper club as one of our choices. I've read several reviews that the 80's production is awesome but the food isn't anything to brag about. Can't decide now if we want this as one of our choices. Have already booked restaurants but I'm sure we can make changes online.

If you book the Supper Club on your own, it'll cost 29.95 pp, plus 18% grat. If you use up one of your 4 allotted dinners, it'll be 15.00 pp, plus 18% grat. Seeing the pictures of the prix fix menu and what the apps looked like, it does not look too appealing. Probably a late lunch combined with a 530 show and O'Sheehans afterwards might be the ticket.

Another option if you do not wish to dine in the MDR is to purchase a three day SDP to combine with the 4 day you got as a promo. With the added 18%, it's 69.62.

[VegasChic]

Woke up in Tortola to a perfect day!! It was so nice outside and although I could not do what I wanted to do which was go to Jost Van Dyke or The Baths as all the excursions were sold out when I booked. So our plans were to go to Cane Garden Bay for another beach day. Port time was 7am - 2:30pm (not much time). So I was up nice and early ordered our daily room service coffee and assorted pastries. I went by the Garden Cafe and my daugther and I had a bagel and I grabbed some snacks for her for later (banana, apple, cereal).

 

View from Balcony....

 

 

 

Off the ship we went....

 

 

 

 

The port is still being developed and there was construction going on. As we walked out to the taxi area we noticed only a few stores open. We got in an open air trolley/bus and the ride was $8 pp kids were $4 and kids sitting on your lap were free. The ride was a little scary, very steep hills and fast driving. I had my daughter sit in the middle of the row and my husband by the window. I had read about a deadly accident on this island a week or two prior where two tourists died in an accident so I was cautious and quiet during the ride (I hadn't told my husband about it).

[VegasChic]

On the way to the beach.....

 

 

 

Almost there!! View of Cane Garden Bay...

 

 

 

 

We arrived at the beach and were quickly escorted to some loungers! It was a gorgeous day and beach and I was in heaven.

 

 

]

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

 

 

[vampiress]

your pictures are vibrant and beautiful. what camera do you use?

 

looks like a delightful beach. i try not to think about the driving, it is crazy.

[newcastlemam]

Thanks for your awesome review so far defiantly be following along.

You mentioned you would like to sail Harmony of the seas, that is what we are doing this year. We will be sailing the 13 night transatlantic on Harmony then switching to the Escape when we dock in Fort Lauderdale and sailing the same itinerary that you are reviewing. Your review has made me even more excited. We usually sail Royal Caribbean however we left the children at home for the first time last year with their grandparents and sailed Getaways 12 night southern Caribbean itinerary loved every minute of it.

So glad someone has done a review including all the family stuff as we will be sailing with my two girls(aged 10 and 7).

We loved Coki beach in 2014 when we were there also went to coral world to swim with the sea lions which the girls loved. We stopped in St Thomas last year too but with just myself and my hubby and a pretty port intensive cruise we just relaxed at senor frogs for the day and used the pool.

Tortola looks gorgeous can't wait to visit a new island for us.

We have been to the Bahamas twice but only on Royal Caribbean's private island so looking forward to Nassau kids are determined we must go to Atlantis [emoji23].

Great review keep up the good work [emoji3] xx

[CruisinHarvey]

Great review! As I posted before, we were on this cruise too. But we don't take the nearly the time to record it, as you do. Based on your pics, now I'm thinking we should. We'll be back on this cruise Feb 6th. My SIL is going with us, and it's her first cruise. You review is the perfect travel brochure for this ship. Thanks!

[VegasChic]

We sail the Escape in three weeks and your detailed review is perfect. You touch so many areas of interest. We also have the 4 speciality dining restaurant package and I didn't realize we can use the supper club as one of our choices. I've read several reviews that the 80's production is awesome but the food isn't anything to brag about. Can't decide now if we want this as one of our choices. Have already booked restaurants but I'm sure we can make changes online.

 

 

Yes the show was great I loved it food was okay it wasn't terrible just okay not worth the extra charge. We paid $17.50pp using the dining package. If you really want to see the show then I would splurge. It was a nice experience and I was fine with the food this did not at all ruin my experience. Enjoy your cruise!!!

[VegasChic]

your pictures are vibrant and beautiful. what camera do you use?

 

looks like a delightful beach. i try not to think about the driving, it is crazy.

 

Hi! Thank you for the compliment!! Most of the pictures in this review were taken with my cell phone camera I have a Samsung Note Edge, it takes great photos. I always have it on HDR and before I start talking pictures I always wipe the lens it makes a huge difference. When the lens is dirty the pictures can come out cloudy. I also play with the settings. I brought my Pro DSLR and you will see more of these pictures on day 6 and arriving in Nassau on day 7. It's so much easier to carry around my cell phone than my camera:) Hope this was helpful!

[aquarianne11]

Love your review and the gorgeous pictures! Thank you! :)

 

We are in the same sailing and had an amazing time as well. The Escape is a great ship and we were sad to leave.

 

Cane Garden Bay looks great and I wish we went there instead. The Baths was good but we did not have time to enjoy the beach at all. Oh well, maybe next time.

[aquarianne11]

Great review! As I posted before, we were on this cruise too. But we don't take the nearly the time to record it, as you do. Based on your pics, now I'm thinking we should. We'll be back on this cruise Feb 6th. My SIL is going with us, and it's her first cruise. You review is the perfect travel brochure for this ship. Thanks!

 

 

 

Wow lucky you! I'm so jealous! :D

 

We had an amazing time as well and we were so sad to leave. The week flew by so fast. My family had a blast.

 

I hope we can sail again on the Escape in the near future.

[tartan cruiser]

Yes the show was great I loved it food was okay it wasn't terrible just okay not worth the extra charge. We paid $17.50pp using the dining package. If you really want to see the show then I would splurge. It was a nice experience and I was fine with the food this did not at all ruin my experience. Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

I just wanted to mention to swfun2fly that if you want to experience the supper club and not use 1 of your specialty dining days, it's actually cheaper to do it without the package. The price is 35.34 including the 18%. If you figure the 1 day value of the dining package at 21.83 (87.32 divided by 4) and add $17.50 upcharge is $39.33. So you save $3.99

 

I was considering buying the dining package but decided to just do the Supper Club (husband's Christmas gift) and Moderno instead since we didn't have the package included. I was hoping to use my OBC for these but was afraid I wouldn't be able to get times I wanted if I waited until we boarded. Not really "freestyle" anymore but that's a whole other issue.

 

Thanks for a great job on your review. We too are considering Cane Garden Beach in Tortola. Looks lovely. Enjoy your pictures. Such a short time in port. Very few want to get to the beach or leave the ship by 7:00 am.

[Starflyr3]

 

As a local, this is our favorite beach hangout, it's called South Point Park/Beach or South Pointe Pier, it's a great spot we like to come here on the weekends and watch the cruise ships go by there's a small park and water feature for kids plus there's a Smith and Wolensky restuarant right on the water. 1 block down there is a Nikki Beach club if you want to have drinks/party! It's nice to see it from the ship!!

 

 

 

Aw! My grandmother spent her last years living in South Pointe Tower! On outlet last Norway cruise, she stood on her balcony waving a Texas flag towel to wish us well as we sailed away.

[calgaryhhr]

[/url]

 

My kid is playing in the water in this picture.

 

We hung out down past the loungers to get away from the people and crowds.

[tartan cruiser]

Thanks for pointing our the name of the park that can be seen by the cruise ships leaving. Is there any parking nearby? We always wave to the people from the ship as we are leaving port. When in Miami it would be fun to visit the park and wave to the lucky people leaving on their cruise.

 

Were you the only ship in port in Tortola? The beach looks a little crowded. Also considering Brewers Bay but not sure if they have chairs. Do you remember how much the loungers were? How were the drinks and food?

 

Looking forward to the rest of the dailies and the rest of you review. Really enjoying your style.

[calgaryhhr]

Were you the only ship in port in Tortola? The beach looks a little crowded. Also considering Brewers Bay but not sure if they have chairs. Do you remember how much the loungers were? How were the drinks and food?

 

Looking forward to the rest of the dailies and the rest of you review. Really enjoying your style.

 

One of the German Aida ships arrived in Tortola in the late morning or early afternoon. I believe that everyone at the beach were off the Escape.

[mj cruiser]

Love all your pics and dailies

[VegasChic]

Drinks in hand and our feet in the sand...

 

 

My pretty island girl - she loves the beach as much as we do!

 

 

I'm very particular with pina coladas and this one was very good loved the cinnamon sprinkle on top but I can only do one sweet drink and I'm done! I can however, drink 6 beers with no problem, lol!!

 

 

Got in the water for awhile, it was perfection! Then back to relax, a little reading and a little red stripe!

 

 

Meanwhile my hubby is making mini beer castles....

 

 

I decided to play with the panorama mode on my cell phone and here is the result....

 

[VegasChic]

Thanks for your awesome review so far defiantly be following along.

You mentioned you would like to sail Harmony of the seas, that is what we are doing this year. We will be sailing the 13 night transatlantic on Harmony then switching to the Escape when we dock in Fort Lauderdale and sailing the same itinerary that you are reviewing. Your review has made me even more excited. We usually sail Royal Caribbean however we left the children at home for the first time last year with their grandparents and sailed Getaways 12 night southern Caribbean itinerary loved every minute of it.

So glad someone has done a review including all the family stuff as we will be sailing with my two girls(aged 10 and 7).

We loved Coki beach in 2014 when we were there also went to coral world to swim with the sea lions which the girls loved. We stopped in St Thomas last year too but with just myself and my hubby and a pretty port intensive cruise we just relaxed at senor frogs for the day and used the pool.

Tortola looks gorgeous can't wait to visit a new island for us.

We have been to the Bahamas twice but only on Royal Caribbean's private island so looking forward to Nassau kids are determined we must go to Atlantis [emoji23].

Great review keep up the good work [emoji3] xx

 

Wow sounds like a fabulous and long vacation!! My friend also did the southern caribbean on the getaway and she loved it too! Last year on the getaway we did the dolphin swim at Atlantis (it was great!) I'm sure your girls will love it!! Thank you for your comments and following! Hopefully you will do a review of harmony that I can enjoy, lol!:)

[VegasChic]

Great review! As I posted before, we were on this cruise too. But we don't take the nearly the time to record it, as you do. Based on your pics, now I'm thinking we should. We'll be back on this cruise Feb 6th. My SIL is going with us, and it's her first cruise. You review is the perfect travel brochure for this ship. Thanks!

 

Well now you have a 2nd chance to record it, I cannot believe you will be back so soon, that is so great! The second time is better because you already know anything!!

 

Thank you for the kind words and reading along!

[VegasChic]

We left the beach at approximately 1:30pm the ride back seemed faster but took longer because when we got near downtown, there was traffic at least 15 mins worth. We made it back on time!

 

The driver stopped for a minute so that everyone could get in a picture! View heading back....

 

 

This was the first time I didn't go through a security check before getting onboard. I found it strange just a guy asking to see ID but everyone was just walking by (so bizarre).

 

Went straight to O'sheehans as we were hungry and I think this was the only place open and perhaps the garden cafe. We ran into this cute Christmas display. Throughout the week the crew were making preparations for the week ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

[swfun2fly]

Thanks to all for the feedback on the supper club. One more question I have is with the unlimited beverage package. Can we obtain the drinks at any bar or at any dining restaurant? Also the surcharge that we prepaid does that cover the gratuities? Of course we will tip extra for good service. Looking forward to the remainder of your awesome review. Thanks a million!

[newcastlemam]

Wow sounds like a fabulous and long vacation!! My friend also did the southern caribbean on the getaway and she loved it too! Last year on the getaway we did the dolphin swim at Atlantis (it was great!) I'm sure your girls will love it!! Thank you for your comments and following! Hopefully you will do a review of harmony that I can enjoy, lol!:)

 

 

I will certainly try my best I can confirm however there is no way it would be as good as yours [emoji4].

We swam with the dolphins in St kitts at dolphin discovery last year but the girls want to do it this year maybe Atlantis maybe dolphin discovery Tortola.

[aubreyc1988]

Curious, do you have a pic of the spa specials throughout the week or remember what they were/how much??

 

Thanks :)