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**May 28 Escape - Haven Photo Review- As live as wifi allows!!! ***

RushFan

By RushFan,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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RushFan

RushFan

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For those wanting the best drinks on the boat and since Haven Marc is leaving it's the Mojito bar. Look for Allan, he always took care of us.

 

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RushFan

RushFan

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Ok to add even more insanity to Nassau my kids saw two boats tendering in as well.. Oasis!! So that's like 15,000 people slamming the port in a few hour period... Time to skip Nassau...

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We did find a little alley but mostly crowds..

I can only imagine what Atlantis was like.

 

 

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BeachyGurl

BeachyGurl

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Hi RushFan,

 

Thank you for taking the time to write this great review, I'm loving it. My family and I will be sailing Escape in July.

 

I wanted to ask you about The Baths tour. I'm assuming you did the NCL Bath/Snorkel trip, did you feel rushed?

 

My husband, kids and I were there 10 years ago, so I thought we'd do this on our Escape cruise in July to relive it. But I'm afraid we'll be disappointed, because it was pretty deserted when we were there last. Maybe, we should just stay on Tortola.

 

My concern is with the pictures of people lined up to walk thru, can you not go on your own as in not stay with the group?

And it doesn't seem like you get that much time to snorkel at Devil's Bay after.

 

Should we stay or go? Appreciate your thoughts.

 

Thanks!

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suzycruise

suzycruise

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Wifi is better in port.. Here are some Snorkel pics with the turtles , sea urchins and tarpon...

 

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Your photos are stunning! What devise do you use for the underwater shots?

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RushFan

RushFan

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Hi RushFan,

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to write this great review, I'm loving it. My family and I will be sailing Escape in July.

 

 

 

I wanted to ask you about The Baths tour. I'm assuming you did the NCL Bath/Snorkel trip, did you feel rushed?

 

 

 

My husband, kids and I were there 10 years ago, so I thought we'd do this on our Escape cruise in July to relive it. But I'm afraid we'll be disappointed, because it was pretty deserted when we were there last. Maybe, we should just stay on Tortola.

 

 

 

My concern is with the pictures of people lined up to walk thru, can you not go on your own as in not stay with the group?

 

And it doesn't seem like you get that much time to snorkel at Devil's Bay after.

 

 

 

Should we stay or go? Appreciate your thoughts.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Definitely go. We were rushed as we did the snorkel tour and stayed with the group. We could have just went on our own but decided to stay with the group as this was our first time...

 

The baths are cool to see but the snorkeling was what made it really special. If your not into snorkeling then spend more time in the baths. Maybe just go the Baths tour by itself without the snorkel if you do just want to see them. There is a restaraunt in the baths area as well.

I will post more photos when I summarize later today.

 

I hear Jost Van Dyke is nice as well so I would definitely do something in Tortola.

 

 

 

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RushFan

RushFan

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Your photos are stunning! What devise do you use for the underwater shots?

 

 

Underwater I used a GoPro Hero 3+ and my iPhone 6s for cleanup.

 

A couple of the photos above were taken from snaps from the videos I took with the GoPro. I was suprised how well they cleaned up..

 

 

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RushFan

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In to port at 6:30... I will say this about the Captain he is on time at every port and leaves on the dot.

 

I imagine he carries one of those old stop watches ...

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RushFan

RushFan

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I am amazed at how shipbuilding has changed. Here it the Glory that looks like she's 30 years old (actually only 13)

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And this one launched this year...

 

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I think the Escape is second to Oasis. We have been on the Dream by Carnival and it really did not impress at all.

 

 

 

 

 

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RushFan

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Dinner at La Cucina last night. It was a birthday dinner so I am biased but it was really wonderful.

This is chicken...

 

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Steak

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And dessert. All delicious..

 

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And waterfront dining at sail away is the icing on the cheesecake.

 

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RushFan

RushFan

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Haven debarkation. Breakfast in Haven at 7:30. Done at 8:15.

Mosey back to room and Arnie took us to the Owner suites... Plenty of photos online but I took some anyway..

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Free booze in room... In case you are wondering other Haven guests pay for mini bar. So go to Haven bar for free drinks...

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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160604/276f47d1d178a6b854a6c90f2080fd41.jpg[/iM

 

 

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RushFan

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Anyway back to debarkation.

Asked to leave at 8:40. Waited 5 min for guests going on excursions then they shuttled us to our private elevator...

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Taking out the trash.

 

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Joined the other 4000 trying to get off. Our bags were waiting and we went right through customs and were loaded up at 9:10.

 

Next to Port Canaveral this was the fastest we have ever disembarked. All in all piece of cake....

 

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RushFan

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I forgot to post on the glow party.

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https://vimeo.com/169391696

 

You must get there early as it is packed as the video shows. The area is nice but cannot hold that many people. We stayed for a few songs but decided it was not worth fighting through a sea of people. But if you like to jump around in glow attire to extremely loud music then get their early..

 

 

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RushFan

RushFan

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Thank you for posting this awesome review and all your beautiful pictures.

 

 

Thanks for the kind words. I have a few more catchup items and hope I answered everybody's questions.

 

 

 

 

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RushFan

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Haven Summary-

It's beautiful and they spoil you, upgrade if you get the chance. Our butler was awesome, Arnie went out of the way to make sure everything was perfect. He kept the coffee machine stocked and crazy snacks on the ready. Gave us tips that made the whole trip a breeze.

 

Michael was the room steward and was excellent and I still can believe he spent so much time on my daughters pool towel birthday cake.

 

Adrian was the concierge and we just did not use him much. It seems he spends more time with the upper

Guests but I can't complain as we just did not need him much.

 

Karen was the assistant concierge and she made dinner reservations appear out of no where. She also put us in the trash elevator to get us off ship with no lines.

Great job on her part.

 

We loved the Haven pool area and it just was wonderful to "escape" the crowds.

 

Haven Restaurant was top quality. I just can't believe they can't change the menu a little bit each day. That was real disappointment. Just throw a couple of different items with the standard surf and turf etc...

Breakfast lunch and dinner were all the same items.

 

Worst thing about the escape is the elevators. Being on floor 18 it took forever. We normally are stair people but with most action on deck 5-8 we were not up for that many stairs. We were good with 5 flights or so but 12 plus was more like the scene from Ghostbusters with Bill Murray about to keel over...

Now if they converted one of those trash elevators for Haven it would have sealed the Haven deal.

 

Since that was really the only downside I have to say we are hooked on Haven at this point. We will try Epic next....

 

 

 

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RushFan

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The Mandara spa- this was another really nice area..

 

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We only used it three times so I am not sure we got our money's worth. If we did not have the Haven we would have been there more. I say if you aren't Haven then do the spa. Never crowded and beautiful area..

 

Just remember Haven has its own sauna so it's view and the snow room that make Mandara stand out.

 

 

 

 

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RushFan

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The deck/ pool area- there are so many chairs that I can't see anyone not finding one.. It just may not be near the small pool.

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The upper decks are plenty of sun and they have a wonderful mist area to go cool off..

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RushFan

RushFan

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The open atrium and smoke...

 

We are non smokers and we did notice smoke smell around the casino. It was not overwhelming and it would not stop us from dining but I can't say you did not know the casino was near.

 

There is a rooftop bar that has smoking section.

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But don't worry the smoke drifts down into the children's play area . Kidding.. I am sure it blows away but the children's area is right below.. Nice design work NCL....

 

 

 

 

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