Questions on NCL and the Escape

[NOSaints1]

1. How does the UDP/ UBP work, what is included and what's not?

 

2. Does the freestyle dining still work on the newer ships

 

3. The Escape is it a smoke free ship, if not what areas to stay away from.

 

4. What parts of the spa are included and what's not, like the snow room, the salt bath.

 

5. Is it crowded on sea days at full capacity and easy to find a lounge chair.

 

6. Does NCL have an adults only area like Carnivals Serenity deck, or is the Haven the only area.

 

 

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[Seatbelt_Bag_LOVE]

I can answer a few... 1. UBP: anything under $15 is included except energy drinks, fancy coffee without alcohol, & water bottles. If the drink is more than $15, it works like a $15 discount. You hand card to bartender & they swipe. If you are ordering for your cabin mate a drink, you can usually do so with one card. We also were able to get drinks for our friends (at least 4 at a time) with one card, once they know they have the UBP. UDP: I would read the terms and conditions for when you got the package. As a party of two, we were usually able to get into a restaurant with little notice. The ala carte prices are tallied up and put on the receipt with showing a 100% Dining package discount for restaurants such as cagneys that have now gone ala carte. It would just be best to check the NCL website to see the applicable up charges for the other ala carte restaurants.

2. We were a party of 2 or 4 and mostly able to walk into restaurants. Using the iconcierge app is very easy to check for available times for shows and restaurants as well.

3. Escape is unfortunately not smoke free. There is smoking in Tobacco Road and the Casino. I am very sensitive to smoke and didn't have a hard time with the smoke. I couldn't really tell unless I walked right past someone smoking. There are designated smoking spots on the upper deck as well.

5. The upper deck did seem crowded during peak times. Not sure how easy it was to find a lounger.

7. Yes, spice H2O is adults only. It does open up to all ages for night time parties, though. It is a pretty nice area, and never seemed too crowded.

[jamesh6]

My wife and I were on the Jade and one problem I noticed with the UBP is that you have to go to a bar to get your drink, even a coke. Your frig is EMPTY !

[NOSaints1]

My DW is a former smoker and now can't stand it.

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

Did you find you had to pay for more things or cover charges?

 

 

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[LrgPizza]

1. How does the UDP/ UBP work, what is included and what's not?

Specialty Dining Plan terms/FAQs

UBP Terms

 

2. Does the freestyle dining still work on the newer ships

Yes

 

3. The Escape is it a smoke free ship, if not what areas to stay away from.

Not smoke free. Some report casino area is smoky. This varies based on personal tolerance level. Stay away from whatever bothers you.

 

4. What parts of the spa are included and what's not, like the snow room, the salt bath.

 

5. Is it crowded on sea days at full capacity and easy to find a lounge chair.

Very easy to find a lounge chair. If you want one in a prime location, get up early and go sit in one.

 

6. Does NCL have an adults only area like Carnivals Serenity deck, or is the Haven the only area.

Haven is not adult only - many cabins are 2 bedroom family suites. Spice H2O is adults only and Vibe Beach Club is a for-pay adult only sundeck areas. Not all ships have these.

 

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Some of your answers in red Edited January 31, 2016 by LrgPizza

[BirdTravels]

The ship is not smoke free. Don't think that any ship is smoke free. Smoking is allowed in the casino which surrounds the central chandler which extends 3 decks. Smoking is also allowed in areas of the open deck and in the cigar lounge.

 

You must purchase a thermal suite pass to access the spa facilities. That includes the hydrotherapy pool, hot tub, wet sauna, dry sauna, steam bath, salt bath, and snow room. The Escape has a lot of loungers and heated stone beds (more than the GA, BA, and Epic). Helps prevent crowding. They only sell a fixed number of thermal suite week passes. If the passes sell out, there are no daily passes.