A HAVENly week on Escape - January 16 - 23, 2016

[jmele999]

Behind-the scenes tour

 

There is a special behind-the-scenes tour which is free for platinum latitudes member. You will receive information in your cabin about the deadline for signing up for the event. Here is the invitation we received in our cabin and some information about the tour.

 

 

The tour started in the Supper Club where we learned a lot of details about the three major shows onboard - For The Record, After Midnight, and Million Dollar Quarter. One of the most interesting thing that we learnt was that they do not have any additional cast members for any of the show. So if a principal cast member is sick, they have to cancel the show. We also had an opportunity to visit the dressing room in the Supper Club.

 

 

 

After visiting the backstage area of the Supper Club, we visited the galley. During the tour the executive sous chef shared a lot of information about how much food is consumed every week and how they keep food fresh for a whole week.

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Behind-the-scenes tour

 

Dessert anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Behind-the-scenes tour

 

Our last stop on the tour was a visit to the laundry facilities.

 

Here is the machine they use to dry sheets.

 

 

 

 

And a separate machine to dry pillowcases.

 

 

 

Towel folding machine

 

[jmele999]

Behind-the-scenes tour

 

 

 

 

Overall, the tour was great and very educational.

[jmele999]

Lunch at Pincho Tapas Bar

 

After the tour we decided to get some lunch at Pincho Tapas Bar. Is it an a-la-carte restaurant ($7 additional charge with the UDP or SDP) located on deck 8 next to the mojito bar and Bayamo. It is only open for lunch (12:00 - 2:00 pm) and dinner so plan accordingly if you wish to go there for lunch and dinner.

 

 

 

 

Bayamo

 

Sugarcane Mojito Bar

[jmele999]

Pincho Tapas Bar

 

 

 

 

We decided to start our lunch with the Bee Charmer and the Tie me up tie me down.

 

Bee charmer

 

Tie me up tie me down

[jmele999]

Iberico Jamon and cheese.

 

 

 

 

Crab Montadito. Very tasty - 4/5

 

Lamb. We were very impressed with the presentation. 5/5

[jmele999]

Our favorite item on the menu - the scallops.

 

 

 

And a glass of Cava to complete our meal.

 

 

The service and the food were excellent. One of the best restaurants on Escape.

[Rosethorn40]

My goodness, but your review and photos are making me feel that December 2016 will NEVER get here fast enough. Your food porn photos are some of the best I have even seen, and you took some great photos of the Haven and the spa area.

 

I realize that you took many of your photos early in the morning (I'm an early riser myself), but once others started waking up, did you find the Haven area to get crowded? I noticed that your photo of sail-a-way the open deck area seemed fairly empty, but not the hot tub. Is it difficult to get a turn, or did a few manage to hog it most of the time?

 

Anyway, keep the great pictures coming!

[Blazen]

Day # 3 - Sea Day # 2 - A great start to the day

 

Due to the time change I managed to wake up shortly after 6:00 am and decided to walk around the ship while waiting for the sunrise. I love walking around the ship early in the morning as it is a great time to take pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seat hogs out early...

 

Greg

[Rosethorn40]

Seat hogs out early...

 

Greg

 

Wow! You have a good eye. I didn't even notice until you pointed it out. However, that does appear to be the main pool area. Looks like that group at least had a person there to give the illusion that they were not "hogs"

[dolita22]

Thank you for your review! Your pictures are fantastic and I really like your writing style!

 

We embarked on the Escape the day you disembarked and had a great cruise. Sailed in an angled balcony on deck 14, but I noticed lemon sorbet on the Haven menu. Jealous! :) That is my favorite thing for dessert, and I thought NCL has completely taking it off the menus. Told my DH we need to sail in the Haven sometime just to get the lemon sorbet!

 

Looking forward to the continuation.

[jmele999]

My goodness, but your review and photos are making me feel that December 2016 will NEVER get here fast enough. Your food porn photos are some of the best I have even seen, and you took some great photos of the Haven and the spa area.

 

I realize that you took many of your photos early in the morning (I'm an early riser myself), but once others started waking up, did you find the Haven area to get crowded? I noticed that your photo of sail-a-way the open deck area seemed fairly empty, but not the hot tub. Is it difficult to get a turn, or did a few manage to hog it most of the time?

 

Anyway, keep the great pictures coming!

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

The Haven was never crowded. Even on a sea day there were lots of loungers on the sundeck.

[jmele999]

A lazy afternoon on a sea day.

 

We enjoyed a lazy afternoon at the Haven. Around 2:30 pm, I went down to the District Brew House to meet up with some friends for a beer, but they never made it. And since I was there I decided to get a beer. More about the district brew house later on.

 

 

Maduro brown ale

 

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the Haven and the Spa.

 

Afternoon snack from our butler

 

 

[jmele999]

Before dinner we opened a bottle of sparkling wine that we had in the room and went up to the Haven to enjoy the sunset.

 

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Dinner at Bayamo was not until 7:30 that night and since we were early we stopped by Tobacco Road for a drink. Besides a few signs and pictures on the wall, I don't think that there is anything special about this bar, but the drinks were very good.

 

 

 

 

Eastern Legacy - very refreshing

 

Smoke Fashion

Edited February 7, 2016 by jmele999

[jmele999]

After Tobacco Road we made a quick stop by 678 Ocean Place to look at the chandelier. Here are some of the pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Bayamo

 

 

 

I was really looking forward to Bayamo because I have been to one of Jose Garces' restaurants in Philadelphia and because we really enjoyed our lunch at Pincho Tapas Bar.

 

We arrived at 7:30 and were promptly seated. The restaurant is not very big so make sure to make reservations as soon as possible if you want to dine at Bayamo. Also note that there is a $15 additional charge with the UDP/SDP.

 

 

To start we were offered a croquette complements of the chef.

 

 

For appetizer, DP had the Salpicon de mariscos and I had the Salinas.

 

Salpicon de maricos - Chilled lobster salad. Excellent - 4.5/5

 

Salinas - Ecuadorian style ceviche. Very fresh and tasty. Excellent - 5/5

[jmele999]

Bayamo - Cont.

 

Vieiras con rabo encendido - Scallops with braised oxtail. DP said that he enjoyed the scallops - 4.5/5

 

Enchilado de langosta - Roasted Maine Lobster - The dish does not look great, but it was perfect. The lobster was perfectly cooked and the sauce was light and tasty. 5/5

 

Milhojas de cafe y chocolate - Hazelnut, coffee, and caramelized rice. DP said that it was one of the best desserts he had all week. 5/5

 

Tarta de cítricos - citrus custard tard, ginger ice cream and tres leches cake. Without a doubt my favorite dessert of the cruise. 5+/5

 

Overall, we had a great dinner at Bayamo. It was one of the best dinners we had onboard. It is definitely worth the price of the meal or the uncharge if you have the UDP/SDP.

[jmele999]

To conclude day 3 we stopped by the Haven bar. The drinks prepared by Marc and Pranko are exceptional. After that night we stopped by the Haven bar every night to either say hello to old friends or to meet new friends while enjoying the wonderful drinks prepared by Marc and Pranko.

 

The Haven bar is not very big, but they have some spirits that you will not find anywhere else onboard.

 

Marc with one of his famous drinks - Margarita with Jalapeño-infused tequila.

 

After a quick trip to the casino we went to bed early as we had to get up early for our excursion in St. Thomas.

 

[jmele999]

Day 4 - St. Thomas

 

 

 

[Irene225]

Great review so far - thank you so much for taking the time!

[Jenjer]

Love it so much. Thank You for doing this

[Shocked91]

Wow love your review and photos.I was on this cruise with you did b2b 9th Jan till the 23rd.Can't believe it's been one month since I boarded the amazing EscapeLooking forward to Breakaway next Jan for 2 weeks.

[_beachgirl_]

This might be a really silly question. Sorry about that. I noticed that the Haven food looks mighty delicious and is only for Haven guests. Is some of the same food available in the regular dining room as well or is it a completely different menu?