Back from the Escape..some thoughts..

[300dtc]

Well, we are back from our long awaited Escape adventure..and while I'd love to type out a huge review I don't have that sort of patience...and many others have given reviews that I couldn't hope to compete with, Dougout comes to mind...so here goes with random impressions.

 

Embarkation: relatively painless, go to the port at around 11am got number 21 group for boarding, we were onboard having a drink by 11:30 and seated in Taste for lunch by noon. After lunch dropped our carry-on in the room and went exploring.

 

The room: 11284 this was an aft balcony and it was very nice. The bed was by the balcony and had enough storage for both of us with room to spare...and I am not a light packer! There were two cabinets under the mirror that had shelves, o e side of the closet had shelves including one that ran all the way across the top, and then there were hangers on the other side. I loved the glass shower. It had so much room compared to other ships we have been on lately...no shower curtain!! Woo hoo!

To be continued in next post....

[300dtc]

First negative ..there were high winds our first night out and our room was noisy! I don't mean creaking or a few pops I mean it sounded like someone hammering inside the wall around our balcony door[emoji15]. Next day I asked our room steward to check on it and he had his boss come and check it.. They got a ships carpenter to come and fix the problem and it was solved quickly! The head of housekeeping sent some treats to our room to apologize for the inconvenience and they kept checking to make sure it was t happening throughout the cruise. Great attention to guest needs!

 

Entertainment: I thought that After Midnight was a wonderful show. I don't understand the complaints and people were being rude at our show and walking out during the performance ...really?? If you weren't sure you would like it why did you plant your whole family 3rd row center? Then cause a huge ruckus leaving in the middle of a song?

Saw Brat pack too and liked it .. Was in the district brew house many times...ok many many times and saw Beau perform a lot. He was pretty funny. Tried to see dueling pianos 2 nights but never could get a seat...so we listened to a couple songs and left. Lots of Latin music in the atrium but not our thing...did see the 11 pm comedy show..they were hilarious! everyone who performed in the shows were very talented. Which brings me to...

 

Crowded: the ship felt very crowded to me..and I do t think we were at capacity either! The 678 hallways were always clogged with people and many of the venues just had no seats...we tried to watch some game shows in the atrium...no seats...howl at the moon...no seats...the pool anytime after 8 am ...no seats...but those towels sure got a lovely tan!

 

Never saw anyone sit in many of the saved seats, it was silly...we just wandered around and found somewhere to sit..one time it was smack in the middle of the jogging trail...people had started putting lounge chairs all along the edges!

 

Ultimate beverage package: or whatever it's called this week[emoji3][emoji485][emoji481]..didn't have any problems getting drinks ...very hardworking bartenders all over the ship! We loved the district brew house ...great idea...hope the don't screw it up..DH came in third in the competition ...a distant third..I think the winner drank at least 60 different beers during the week! The bartenders were wonderful in there! Sugarcane mohito bar...very nice...Bong was there a little but saw him mainly the last day in the atrium bar he made me a bushwacker with a face drawn in the chocolate syrup..what a fun guy!

Tobacco Road was very nice for a late drink after dinner. Margaritaville...for what else... Margaritas! Very tasty, never busy..they need to change this back to complementary...it's a empty waste of space. Now to my biggest disappointment ...

 

The Mondavi wine bar..I had huge expectations and they were dashed. The glasses available by the glass were not what I hoped. There was 1 Chardonnay, yes 1...on the whole ship I could get by the glass under $15!! DH drinks red wine with his dinner, the was 1 Cabernet ..absolutely a bad decision by the powers that be...very disappointed.

Continued later...

[Sand and Seas]

!

 

Bong was there a little but saw him mainly the last day in the atrium bar he made me a bushwacker with a face drawn in the chocolate syrup..what a fun guy! When your bartender is enjoying his job, everyone has fun!

 

Margaritaville...for what else... Margaritas! Very tasty, never busy..they need to change this back to complementary...it's a empty waste of space.

 

It is sad that this great outdoor venue is hardly being used.

 

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Enjoying your review! Can't wait to read more as it gets us all ready for our next cruise on the Escape:D

[BirdTravels]

Thank you for taking the time to type up a review! We're on the Escape in a few weeks for the second time. :cool:

[300dtc]

Back again...

Crew members: this was the greatest crew that I think ever sailed! You have to e pertinence the washy washy guy with the tambourine at the garden cafe...just seeing this happy person always put a morning smile on our faces! All of our waiters ( just one crabby one all week) and waitresses , the maitre'd the bartenders , customer service our room steward Rohan all were wonderful! A huge acknowledgement to Joey Lepasana the asst maitre'd ..he went out of his way to call us by name, kid around with us, sent us some great snacks, and even helped us rescue a small bird that had hitched a ride from Tortola! He truly gave a fantastic face to NCL.

 

Meet and Greet: we had approximately 60 (?) people at our meet and greet, it was attended by some of the ships officers and we were treated very well! They passed around smoothies, there were beverages and pastries too ...like I needed more calories! They sent a treat to our room later too...it was nice to feel so welcome[emoji4]

 

Slot pull: one of our roll call members..Brad..organized a pull..the casino gave out some bottles of champagne for the 2 highest scores..we didn't win, but only spent $15 and got $8 back so not as bad as it could have been...of course when we finished up we got to see a lady hit big 2 machines down on her 2nd pull! Sigh....

 

We met some great people onboard and we will keep in touch with some of them too...

Continued...

[300dtc]

Ports: went on Brenda and Franco's tours in st. Thomas ...they picked us up at the port at 10:45 and got us back at 5:00.. We did a 2 hour tour of the island, then they dropped us off at coki beach for a few hours (rented chairs for $5 each).. Then picked us up and we went to blackbeards castle on the way back . All this for $30 per person...lots of history and knowledge on the way too, very steep roads..not for the faint of heart..Franco told us they have to replace brake rotors every 3 months!

 

Tortola: went by taxi to Cane Garden Bay, $8 pp each way..rented 2 chairs and an umbrella for $15. Had a nice beach day...the roads to get there were unbelievable ...narrow and so steep we didn't think the shuttle was going to make it up to the top! The pier is shaping up and will be very nice when done.

 

Nassau : didn't feel like beach today, so just got off and wandered around a little went to the hard rock to use the wifi..had 2 beers, stupid expensive won't be going back there again! Did want to try the new pirates republic brewing co., first micro brewery in the Bahamas. Good beer!

[300dtc]

Noise: this was the loudest cruise I've ever been on, music blasting at the pool, blaring in the atrium..turn down the volume!! I could hear buffet songs from Margaritaville in one ear and the dj blasting the Cupid shuffle in the other ear. We went to the glow party on Thursday night and were looking forward to dancing but left almost immediately because it was so loud my ears were ringing!

 

In the garden buffet we felt the lines were set up in a bad fashion. Omelette lines were blocking bread area...all in a big square with people smashed together in crazy lines. Very hard to find a seat..even when we waited until 2:00 pm to eat lunch it was still packed..the staff were very conscientious in clearing the tables as fast as possible, so huge videos to them!

[Laszlo]

Noise: this was the loudest cruise I've ever been on, music blasting at the pool, blaring in the atrium..turn down the volume!! I could hear buffet songs from Margaritaville in one ear and the dj blasting the Cupid shuffle in the other ear. We went to the glow party on Thursday night and were looking forward to dancing but left almost immediately because it was so loud my ears were ringing!

 

LMAO

And I though I was the only one. Yes my wife and I found the Escape to be loud. I'm 53, still go to a lot of rock concerts and I also play electric guitar with a pretty big amp. Like you we tried the glow party, it was stupid loud. Thankfully we had Vibe passes for the week!

[300dtc]

LMAO

 

And I though I was the only one. Yes my wife and I found the Escape to be loud. I'm 53, still go to a lot of rock concerts and I also play electric guitar with a pretty big amp. Like you we tried the glow party, it was stupid loud. Thankfully we had Vibe passes for the week!

 

 

I know us too! As fans of concerts, music in general and our son plays the trumpet...this was deafening [emoji33]

[Wedgie Wedgie]

 

The Mondavi wine bar..I had huge expectations and they were dashed. The glasses available by the glass were not what I hoped. There was 1 Chardonnay, yes 1...on the whole ship I could get by the glass under $15!! DH drinks red wine with his dinner, the was 1 Cabernet ..absolutely a bad decision by the powers that be...very disappointed.

Continued later...

 

I thought The Cellars on the Escape was the exception to fleet wide wine by the glass options for UBP? I've been looking on ncl.com for a copy of the list to no avail.

[Aquahound]

I know us too! As fans of concerts, music in general and our son plays the trumpet...this was deafening [emoji33]

 

LMAO

And I though I was the only one. Yes my wife and I found the Escape to be loud. I'm 53, still go to a lot of rock concerts and I also play electric guitar with a pretty big amp. Like you we tried the glow party, it was stupid loud. Thankfully we had Vibe passes for the week!

 

Spice H20 was the single loudest venue I have ever heard on a cruise ship. Don't get me wrong...I like loud music at a deck party, but that was deafening loud. My ears rang after walking away. I feel sorry for the aft rooms right below it.

[CP3o]

LMAO

And I though I was the only one. Yes my wife and I found the Escape to be loud. I'm 53, still go to a lot of rock concerts and I also play electric guitar with a pretty big amp. Like you we tried the glow party, it was stupid loud. Thankfully we had Vibe passes for the week!

 

Please mention this in any feedback to NCL. It's so disappointing to be driven from an area by OVERLY loud music.

[anniev3]

Noise: this was the loudest cruise I've ever been on, music blasting at the pool, blaring in the atrium..turn down the volume!! I could hear buffet songs from Margaritaville in one ear and the dj blasting the Cupid shuffle in the other ear. We went to the glow party on Thursday night and were looking forward to dancing but left almost immediately because it was so loud my ears were ringing!

 

In the garden buffet we felt the lines were set up in a bad fashion. Omelette lines were blocking bread area...all in a big square with people smashed together in crazy lines. Very hard to find a seat..even when we waited until 2:00 pm to eat lunch it was still packed..the staff were very conscientious in clearing the tables as fast as possible, so huge videos to them!

 

Hi Maryann, funny you mention this because we tried to watch one of the nighttime movies on the big screen in Spice H20 and had to leave because the sound was up too loud! It was the movie "Everest" so the loud parts were deafening! I guess all of the crew have lost their hearing from all of the loud music!!

[ilovetotravel1977]

Noise: this was the loudest cruise I've ever been on, music blasting at the pool, blaring in the atrium..turn down the volume!! I could hear buffet songs from Margaritaville in one ear and the dj blasting the Cupid shuffle in the other ear. We went to the glow party on Thursday night and were looking forward to dancing but left almost immediately because it was so loud my ears were ringing!

 

This!! Same thing happened to us at the Glow Party!

[300dtc]

I thought The Cellars on the Escape was the exception to fleet wide wine by the glass options for UBP? I've been looking on ncl.com for a copy of the list to no avail.

 

Nope, no such luck..I think there were 8 wines you could order by the glass, one Chardonnay, one pino Grigio , one merlot, one Cabernet , one Shiraz, maybe some sparkling wine? then I think there was a rose, and some sweet wine that I can't remember. I like to have a glass of Chardonnay with my dinner and it was really sad that there was only one to choose.

[300dtc]

Hi Maryann, funny you mention this because we tried to watch one of the nighttime movies on the big screen in Spice H20 and had to leave because the sound was up too loud! It was the movie "Everest" so the loud parts were deafening! I guess all of the crew have lost their hearing from all of the loud music!!

 

Hi Annette! Hope you heal up quickly!

[Jenjer]

Thank You for the review. I knew it was loud by the pool all ships are but other places...eeekkkk

[kayleighbayleigh]

The Mondavi wine bar..I had huge expectations and they were dashed. The glasses available by the glass were not what I hoped. There was 1 Chardonnay, yes 1...on the whole ship I could get by the glass under $15!! DH drinks red wine with his dinner, the was 1 Cabernet ..absolutely a bad decision by the powers that be...very disappointed.

Continued later...

 

I'm confused. I'm looking at the Mondavi Wine Cellars menu right now and I'm counting 5 Chardonnay available by the glass and 8 Cabernets available by the glass (all under $15). We're you actually in the wine bar, or are you referring to wine available at dinner? Because these are not the same. The wines available in the Mondavi Wine Cellars are not available in the dining rooms/restaurants unless maybe you asked nicely.

 

 

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[Wedgie Wedgie]

I'm confused. I'm looking at the Mondavi Wine Cellars menu right now and I'm counting 5 Chardonnay available by the glass and 8 Cabernets available by the glass (all under $15). We're you actually in the wine bar, or are you referring to wine available at dinner? Because these are not the same. The wines available in the Mondavi Wine Cellars are not available in the dining rooms/restaurants unless maybe you asked nicely.

 

 

That's what I thought too. Can you provide a link to the list?

[kayleighbayleigh]

That's what I thought too. Can you provide a link to the list?

http://eatsleepcruise.com/2016/01/norwegian-escape-bars/

 

Scroll down to the wine cellars menu :)

 

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[Wedgie Wedgie]

http://eatsleepcruise.com/2016/01/norwegian-escape-bars/

 

Scroll down to the wine cellars menu :)

 

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Thanks for the link, and there are plenty of interesting UBP wines by the glass there...too bad they are not all available throughout the ship.

[300dtc]

http://eatsleepcruise.com/2016/01/norwegian-escape-bars/

 

Scroll down to the wine cellars menu :)

 

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I had seen this list before we cruised...it is no longer used in the cellars...the list there has about 8 or 9 wines available under $15.. There are also a few that they raised the per glass price to $18-$20 per glass..but that was ridiculous as I could buy an entire bottle of that wine at home for less.

 

I equate this list with Margaritaville still showing as complementary on some sites ..and it is not as we all know.

[kayleighbayleigh]

I had seen this list before we cruised...it is no longer used in the cellars...the list there has about 8 or 9 wines available under $15.. There are also a few that they raised the per glass price to $18-$20 per glass..but that was ridiculous as I could buy an entire bottle of that wine at home for less.

 

I equate this list with Margaritaville still showing as complementary on some sites ..and it is not as we all know.

Well you do know that, with the UBP, you could have ordered those $18-$19 wines and just paid the difference over $15? I am sorry to see that you, nor I, didn't get to experience their large wine list that I was expecting. CC made a huge hullabaloo over Margaritaville switching from complimentary to a la carte, but no one mentioned this :(

 

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Edited April 26, 2016 by kayleighbayleigh

[Clarea]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[300dtc]

Well you do know that, with the UBP, you could have ordered those $18-$19 wines and just paid the difference over $15? I am sorry to see that you, nor I, didn't get to experience their large wine list that I was expecting. CC made a huge hullabaloo over Margaritaville switching from complimentary to a la carte, but no one mentioned this :(

 

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I know...but I guess this had become my personnel Waterloo I don't want to use the dreaded words such as nickel and dime or horrors...bait and switch..but everyone seems to have been taken in on the so called free at sea..only to find the reality much different than the original menus, etc.

 

I haven't even talked about the complementary dining...it was different this time. Now, I'm not saying the choices we did have were bad by any means, but the quantity and variety of the food offered was definitely less than what we are used to on other NCL cruises.

Edited April 26, 2016 by 300dtc