First time NCL'er ... Epic vs Getaway vs Escape... your pick?

[mikeysed]

Hi,

 

I have sailed on Celebrity and RCCL. Looking to try NCL and want to be on one of the newer ships... for a first timer what would you recommend?

 

Would be looking between 7-9 day sailings somewhere in the Caribbean.

 

Would love to hear input. First time in this forum!

 

I am 30, my wife is 28. We are from NJ, and typically will do 4.5-5 star island vacations as well & we also travel to Vegas and Miami during the year.

 

If that is able to give a better picture of 'what we like'

[Kealy]

We have cruised on the Epic twice and the Getaway. We're going on the Escape in January. We really enjoyed the 678 area and dining on the waterfront on the Getaway, which is also offered on the Escape. We have enjoyed the entertainment, howl at the moon, comedians and glow parties as well as the day time slides. Our favorite entertainment was on the Epic which included the Blue man group & Fat cat jazz/blues club (not sure if the options are the same still today). Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to sail on the epic or getaway again. On the other hand, We're psyched to try the brand new ship and the new dining options like the food republic. You can have a fantastic cruise on any of these ships. Enjoy

[wilmingtech]

While the 678 sounds fantastic, I'd pick the EPIC 1st over the other two.

 

Even though the Epic is the ugliest of the 3, I think the new overhaul has made it attractive enough that I want to go for a ride.

 

Also, I think the smell of smoke in the common areas of the other ships due to the Casino in the middle of the ship would put me off.

 

-Sean

[nimiq]

Hello to you two first of all,

 

My first ever cruise was with NCL and they got me hook into cruising. Then in 2004 few years back after trying other lines I tried NCL again and was so disappointed about the whole cruise experience that I said never again NCL.

 

In March 2015 I couldn't pass a good deal on the new NCL Getaway and said to myself ok let's do this again. What a pleasant surprise NCL was once again up there with the big players and maybe in some aspects better.

 

So for this we have just book the Epic in November and can't wait to cruise on this monster. Yes it's ugly outside but looks amazing inside.

 

I think any one of the 3 ships mentioned will fit you perfectly.

Kudos to NCL your back.

 

Thanks

Eric

[swaterbury]

Hmmm... Good question!

 

Here's my perspective on these 3 ships:

 

Epic - I've thought about sailing on her several times because of the Entertainment available - Blue Man Group and a Cirque show. However, I'm always turned off from booking because of the bathroom layout in the balcony cabins. The toilet, shower, and sink are all separated and the toilet and shower have glass doors that are only etched in the right places. A little too public for me... But, it sounds like you two might be interested in booking into the Haven. That bathroom problem might be eliminated in those suites!

 

Getaway - We sailed on a 7-day last year and ABSOLUTELY LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! We made great friends. We watched great shows - Burn the Floor is superb. And, never had any problems with anything! My only "complaint" would be when you go to see the Illusionarium show. It's quite dark and the show starts while you are still eating. Very distracting... We are already booked for another outing on her on February 28, 2016 -- can't wait!!

 

Escape - Beautiful ship! Stayed in a Spa Balcony for the 3-day taster-type cruise out of Miami in November. Spa was gorgeous! Had some problems with accounting, but I attribute them to the ship being brand new. All of the staff were great! We went to one of the shows and left half way through - along with a few others. Didn't make it to the other complimentary show that we were really looking forward to. Not sure how I feel about returning to the ship.

 

In regards to the "smokey smell" that people mention around the casino and at 6-7-8 Ocean Place - I don't think it is too bad. It's definitely there. But maybe only a 1-2/10 on the intensity scale. Didn't make or break the area for me.

 

I've heard rave reviews - in person and on the boards - from those guests who stay in the Haven. So, if you can afford the bill....

 

Happy hunting!

 

Sara

[LrgPizza]

I've sailed on all 3, and there are way more similarities than differences. Balconies on Escape and Epic will be larger than standard balconies on Getaway. All 3 have great water slides, but Escape has the largest ropes course. Escape has better dining options (in my opinion), but the other 2 have more complimentary options... To be honest, it's probably a toss up. In order, I like Escape, then Epic, then Getaway, but I love them all and would sail any of them again in a heartbeat. Actually, I have 2 of the 3 booked to sail again!

[daisyh]

I have only sailed on the NCL Getaway, and I loved it. I have also sailed on DCL, Carnival, and RCCL. My family is sailing once again on the Getaway in June. I am very smoke sensitive, and the smoke smell from the Casino did not bother me in the least. We obviously had a great trip since we are booked once again on the Getaway.

[dans0202]

Having sailed all 3, if I were picking I would go with the Getaway. I don't feel that the Escape adds much, the large ropes course adds little to nothing, I missed the rock wall and they have fewer free dining options. Tortola is not ready for the Escape and I personally prefer the western itinerary. I might actually put the Epic 2nd depending on the pricing of the 3 options. Having just gotten off the Escape I am having trouble separating my disappointment between the Escape and NCL management however.

[ColinIllinois]

You can't go wrong with any of the choices. Saying that, I would look then to prices and itinerary.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

I've been on Epic, Breakaway, & Escape most recently.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with any of em.

 

And I would go on all again.... But if could only pick one?

 

Escape.

 

I prefer Newest. Newest beds, Most bells & whistles.

 

And since you are a young couple, they have the most Ropes courses & slides, etc.

[ilovetotravel1977]

My hubby and I (40 and 38) went on the Epic last April and we really enjoyed the Spice H20 area during the day. Having that extra pool and being separated from the kids/commotion was great! I'm still not sure why they wouldn't keep this as a fleet-wide feature on all of the newer ships.

 

We are going on the Escape in April 2016, but I wouldn't hesitate to sail on the Epic again before I try the Getaway.

[Mac4YYZ]

While the 678 sounds fantastic, I'd pick the EPIC 1st over the other two.

 

Even though the Epic is the ugliest of the 3, I think the new overhaul has made it attractive enough that I want to go for a ride.

 

Also, I think the smell of smoke in the common areas of the other ships due to the Casino in the middle of the ship would put me off.

 

-Sean

 

Smoke smell issues started on the Epic because of the open atrium concept.

[wilmingtech]

Smoke smell issues started on the Epic because of the open atrium concept.

I thought they glassed in the casino and replaced carpet at the recent dry dock for the smoke problem?

[eroller]

I've sailed all three. GETAWAY was my favorite. ESCAPE probably second and EPIC third. If you're going for the Haven I would pick EPIC. I think it's the nicest of the three. Also if the Spa and fitness center are important to you then EPIC has the nicest and largest. Otherwise GETAWAY overall was my favorite in pretty much every other regard.

[xcell]

Same GA 1st, Escape 2nd and Epic 3rd. Not sure what the overhaul on the Epic is but I'll look into it.

 

Regardless of the ship I'd purchase or pick the SDP package

 

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