JW and Jerome's Adventure on The Norwegian Escape

[LrgPizza]

Do me a quick favor, go back in and delete the "Company" name so the post will be allowed. If anyone should respond to my post in this issue, please do not use other platform company names. That is not allowed on Cruise Critic.

 

I thought it had always been allowed, as long as you aren't linking to the crappy groups you've mentioned.

 

Sorry, I didn't see your post until my window to edit had expired. If I get deleted (like 5 of my posts do daily anyway), I'll repost. :D

[cruiseguys2009]

I thought it had always been allowed, as long as you aren't linking to the crappy groups you've mentioned.

 

Sorry, I didn't see your post until my window to edit had expired. If I get deleted (like 5 of my posts do daily anyway), I'll repost. :D

 

 

You are so funny and I enjoy your humor daily! You and I would get into so much trouble on a ship and I would love to travel with you someday.

[cruiseguys2009]

So enjoying all the insight. I do have a question though as I do dabble in the Casino, I will be cruising for my 5th time on the Lovely Norwegian Gem.

Just love the ship, hoping to also like the refurbishment it has gone through also.

 

We have a first time couple coming with us and they are young but old souls and looking forward to seeing them enjoy everything a cruise has to offer.

 

In regards to the Casino, We usually go there each night sometimes during the afternoon on Sea Days. Is it worth it to get the card you speak of from the Casino Host? I do enjoy cruising and a little gambling thrown in for fun is totally worth it.

 

I do apologize if you did go over these details already, as I am enjoying all of it.

Thank you for taking the time and I look forward to more of your fabulous Vacation!

 

 

Always always always use your card inserted into the machine to track your play. You can also use your Sign and Sail cabin key card, but I prefer signing up with The Players Club and use their Casino Club card, then they get a chance to know me personally. If you spend "sit" time in the casino (for example, throughout this past Escape cruise I spent 34 hours "sitting" at one machine or another, playing over seven days) it gives the Players Club a chance to monitor your play and who knows, perhaps they like it and will send you a future offer! Sometimes, the offers are not a "Complimentary" cabin, but could be a percentage off or a flat "Casino" rate, which would be considerably lower or a savings off a normal cruise cabin, but still comes with all the promotional perks!

 

"Sit" time is just as valuable as monetary play when it comes to slots. I know plenty of avid slot players that only play minimum bet (like 40 cents a spin) and sit for hours and hours, more sit time than me, and get complimentary cruises in Inside cabins.

 

Look at is as you are investing in your next cruise and paying for it early, that is what I talk myself into!

 

So go for it. Always join the Club. Plus, another fun thing to do, is to join all the Slot Tournaments and other casino activities nightly. Not only do you have an equal chance to win, it's anybody's game, but there are some great give-a-ways just for joining. There is a nominal cost to join, but that too, goes towards your "Play" time in the casino, and sometimes, just by joining the Players Club, there are discounts too for these events.

 

And don't forget about complimentary cocktails while gaming! Once a player reaches a certain point level requirement, and if you don't have the Ultimate drink package, as long as you are playing at a machine or table, cocktails are on the house! Another great reason to join the Players Club.

 

On The Norwegian Escape, the person to fill you in the best, on all the perks, promos and prizes of the Players Club benefits, would be Christina Bica, the Executive Casino Manager. Or the Executive Casino Manager on any of the other Norwegian Ships as well. She is fabulous and runs one a heck of a wonderful Casino and her staff is totally awesome. Christina goes out of her way to accommodate a Casino Guest and will happily answer any questions you have. I love Christina Bica.

[keeponcruising]

Wow, what a nightmare.:(

[Sand and Seas]

Christina Bica is the best! We have been cruising in CAS comped cabins for several years now and she is definitely our favorite. Very personable and great at answering any questions about anything on the ship. I have been 'Golden' on a couple of cruises where no one in the casino has bothered to stop by and talk to us....not that I'm real needy about that, but it is nice for them to check on us. We have 3 more cruises booked on the Escape as it's our new favorite ship:D

[Anna32]

Thanks for the warning JW, a lesson learned here. I have joined groups on the "other" site in the past, and would never have thought it could lead to such a nightmare. Will stick with Cruise Critic going forward. Being on the high seas is really the worst time that something like this could happen.

 

Now, on with the casino stories please :D

[miataman19]

Just booked Escape for next July. Forgot how much I enjoy reading your reviews. Keep up the great work.:)

[disneygirl]

THANK YOU! I was thinking the same thing, I LOVE to cruise so this would be a GREAT way to plan our next one, also taking your advice to book or put down the $250 PP for a future cruise. That is really a great idea! Thank you for all the little tidbits! We are sailing on the Gem Aug. 20th, we also bought the cubes!!!

Looking forward to more of your Adventure fun!

[cruiseguys2009]

THANK YOU! I was thinking the same thing, I LOVE to cruise so this would be a GREAT way to plan our next one, also taking your advice to book or put down the $250 PP for a future cruise. That is really a great idea! Thank you for all the little tidbits! We are sailing on the Gem Aug. 20th, we also bought the cubes!!!

Looking forward to more of your Adventure fun!

 

 

To really make the CruiseNext deposit work for you in your favor, purchase at least two $250 certificates ($500). Then you will be receive an On Board Credit for $250 to spend (In the casino of course) on the cruise you are currently sailing on. Kind of like getting 50% returned to you but you only can use it for excursions, casino play, premium restaurants, jewelry, fragrance, booze in the gift shop on the sailing that you are on with no refunds.

 

Buy it early on the sailing, like the first night, or second day, so you can use the OBC for an upcoming NCL excursion.

 

During the year, NCL has several promotions, once you have the CruiseNext certificates in hand, to where you can combine the certificates and use more than one as a deposit. So, since we have our August 20th cruise as a Casino Comp, we still would had to pay the taxes, port fees and gratuities. Our certificates could be combined and allowed us to pay all the expenses and also, because we booked in a special promotional window that allowed us to use more than one certificate, we used both of the certificates that we purchased six weeks ago on The Adventure sailing of the Escape and not paying anything additional. That was cool, plus I got an extra $250 to spend on our last sailing. Kind of like paying $500 and getting $750.

 

We plan on purchasing 4 $250 CruiseNext certificates on our upcoming cruise ($1,000) which gives us a $500 On Board Credit and will use them to book our future cruises, perhaps during a new promotional window. If I wanted to use them for friends, I could. I can use them for every kind of promotional discounted fare and for Casino rates too. Much better than the older Future Cruise Certificates.

 

If I pay $1,000, I would get $1,500. I like an extra $500, kind of like getting a jackpot in the Casino.

[hawkman402]

To really make the CruiseNext deposit work for you in your favor, purchase at least two $250 certificates ($500). Then you will be receive an On Board Credit for $250 to spend (In the casino of course) on the cruise you are currently sailing on. Kind of like getting 50% returned to you but you only can use it for excursions, casino play, premium restaurants, jewelry, fragrance, booze in the gift shop on the sailing that you are on with no refunds.

 

Buy it early on the sailing, like the first night, or second day, so you can use the OBC for an upcoming NCL excursion.

 

During the year, NCL has several promotions, once you have the CruiseNext certificates in hand, to where you can combine the certificates and use more than one as a deposit. So, since we have our August 20th cruise as a Casino Comp, we still would had to pay the taxes, port fees and gratuities. Our certificates could be combined and allowed us to pay all the expenses and also, because we booked in a special promotional window that allowed us to use more than one certificate, we used both of the certificates that we purchased six weeks ago on The Adventure sailing of the Escape and not paying anything additional. That was cool, plus I got an extra $250 to spend on our last sailing. Kind of like paying $500 and getting $750.

 

We plan on purchasing 4 $250 CruiseNext certificates on our upcoming cruise ($1,000) which gives us a $500 On Board Credit and will use them to book our future cruises, perhaps during a new promotional window. If I wanted to use them for friends, I could. I can use them for every kind of promotional discounted fare and for Casino rates too. Much better than the older Future Cruise Certificates.

 

If I pay $1,000, I would get $1,500. I like an extra $500, kind of like getting a jackpot in the Casino.

 

Do you know if that $250 could apply towards your VIBE passes?

[vince_g]

Do you know if that $250 could apply towards your VIBE passes?

 

Yes, as the VIBE passes are charged to your OBC.

[sid_9169]

It's possible, however the logistics involved in procuring the CruiseNext, then making it to Headliners to try for a Vibe pass... Chances= Next to none...

Do you know if that $250 could apply towards your VIBE passes?

[cruiseguys2009]

Yes, as the VIBE passes are charged to your OBC.

 

 

Vibe is charged to the on board account the day you arrive. The Charges and OBC from the CruiseNext deposit is also credited to your account. In a sense, the OBC would take care of the Vibe Passes, as it all comes down to what is charged and what is credited on the last day's final bill.

[hawkman402]

Vibe is charged to the on board account the day you arrive. The Charges and OBC from the CruiseNext deposit is also credited to your account. In a sense, the OBC would take care of the Vibe Passes, as it all comes down to what is charged and what is credited on the last day's final bill.

 

Thanks! Sounds like the way to go for those of us that don't gamble much. Especially with the UBP. Now I just have to get the VIBE passes.

Edited August 5, 2016 by hawkman402

[projectorguy1]

The cruise next OBC is fully refundable, so if you don't use it all on board, you get it back at the end of the cruise. I didn't test this firsthand, since my bill was higher than the $500 though.

 

About Vibe - you can get the Vibe passes first, then buy the deposits anytime during the cruise...accounts are settled the last morning, before you disembark...

Edited August 5, 2016 by projectorguy1

[tinkr2]

Wow thanks for the great explanation of the future cruise certificates. We sailed on Getaway in May for the first time and had already booked a Sky cruise for december and our upcoming Escape in September. I did not push my hubby on the purchase bc he is pretty loyal to Royal.I was told at the desk that they were no good on the bookings I already had. But it seems like a pretty low risk 250 gamble to assume I will not cruise NCL again.

 

Anyway, my question is how do you know which cruises allow you to use 2 certificates at once? And how long do they last? And if refundable, why do they expire? And they are good through TA and NCL?

 

Oh and I might be the one tying up the slot machine you want with my minimum bids of pennies:o

[Bibble]

Both my DW and I worked for a Ross Perot organization for a number years. At one point they revised the dress code to allow tassels on your dress shoes. I pay no attention to what someone wears. Dress codes are subject change.

.

 

I have to tell you that I just laughed so hard at that!

When I describe why DH is more "particular" than I am, I actually reference when "they finally allowed tassels". I remember it personally :) (when I first met him I was working part time while finishing college, and I laughed after my review at work that I had been late 82 times, and he was truly verklempt. He just.could.not.believe that I was laughing at that. Then I continued that I still got my 50 cent raise, because that's the kind of place I worked. I think he even excused himself from the phone call, probably wondering what the heck he was getting himself into with me.)

And his mother worked for the same organization, and I believe it was right when we met that she was allowed to wear pants.

DH worked for that organization for 15 years!

[cruisegal40]

I have 8122 booked for December. How were the connecting rooms? Was there much noise from the next cabin?

[Love.II.Cruise]

Loved your review!!!!! My husband and I read it together. We are sailing on the Epic for the first time in late October and you've sold us on the Escape - so we have decided to sail her next year along with the Harmony of the Seas; it will be a new ship exploration for us.

 

I think you missed 2 types of people for the casino. ;)

 

Wanna Be Mathematician: This is the person that walks up to the roulette table and starts asking you why and how you are betting and wants to discuss the odds with you! They are annoying as hell, never place a bet and don't stop pestering those playing the game.

 

Wanna be Winners who Judge: Almost like the stalkers, these are the people that criticize you after having won jackpot bingo on gambling in the casino (even though you've been there all week). They just can't stand that someone won that wasn't themselves and when they see you in the casino they make statements about you wasting your winnings in the casino.

[cruiseguys2009]

Loved your review!!!!! My husband and I read it together. We are sailing on the Epic for the first time in late October and you've sold us on the Escape - so we have decided to sail her next year along with the Harmony of the Seas; it will be a new ship exploration for us.

 

I think you missed 2 types of people for the casino. ;)

 

Wanna Be Mathematician: This is the person that walks up to the roulette table and starts asking you why and how you are betting and wants to discuss the odds with you! They are annoying as hell, never place a bet and don't stop pestering those playing the game.

 

Wanna be Winners who Judge: Almost like the stalkers, these are the people that criticize you after having won jackpot bingo on gambling in the casino (even though you've been there all week). They just can't stand that someone won that wasn't themselves and when they see you in the casino they make statements about you wasting your winnings in the casino.

 

 

Yes, those two are definitely additions to the Casino listing. Love it. I am dropping in the final Casino Chapter shortly. Stay tuned.

[cruiseguys2009]

As many of you know, Jerome and I will be sailing on The Norwegian Escape, Saturday the 20th of August, 2016, and as of this writing....................SIX DAYS TO GO!

 

There are many experiences that I will write about that compare the two sailings, and the most important comparison will be the consistency of the Food and Beverage, the Level of Service and The Entertainment. I have withheld certain experiences to give you a side by side comparison as we continue the Adventures!

 

Of course, Jerome and I don't ever have a sailing without all the kooky, outrageous and unique experiences that follow us everywhere, so I will write about those too.

 

But since I learned one important factor regarding our upcoming sailing, most of the Senior Management Staff will be off the ship on vacation. This will include Sean (Who Rocks as The Hotel Director!), Martin (The finest Food and Beverage Manager we have ever met!) Adrian (Singularly the most outstanding Concierge in the Norwegian fleet. Anoop and Virginia take close runner-ups, but Adrian is the best!) and many, many others. I am extremely interested in how my experiences, and those of the passengers I observe, will be similar, consistent, better or heaven forbid, less than stellar. Trust me, when I come back from this sailing, it will be "Our Little Secret"!

 

Nonetheless, you most certainly can look forward to reading all about it here. It will be all fun and dandy, and sugar coated with the most colorful pictures I can paint using literary composition as my canvas.

 

My most important comparison will be the Food and Service throughout the ship. The In-Room Dining. Often overlooked. The Seafood Buffet, for instance. Was it just crab in season that provided 3 foot crab legs on our June, 2016 sailing or is that the norm? Can I report back to you that the mounds of Shrimp Cocktail really do exist, or was it a fluke? Have obvious changes (good or not so good) been made in a span of six weeks or will we be surprised with new areas of excitement? And of course, as we were already on The EPIC with a "vacation replacement" Crew and have a vivid predisposition of a less than a positive experience on that sailing, are these unknown shadow Officers up to the task of an explosion of pleasure or an implosion of dissatisfaction.

 

It is with great anticipation that Jerome and I look forward to sailing, yet again, on The Norwegian Escape. (Pronounce it with your pinky up holding a Martini, The Es-Cah-Pey)

Edited August 13, 2016 by cruiseguys2009

[Toni Wilson]

Love your review. Could you let me know when the seafood buffet is. We are on the escape on November 12 and can't wait 91 days to go

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Warm-Water Diver]

Cruise guys.

 

Did you happen to take pics of the cruise dailies? If so could you please post pics?

 

Trying to plan our entertainment/dining plans for our upcoming December '16 Eastern Caribbean sailing.

[cruiseguys2009]

The Escape Casino, The Final Chapter of The Beginning.

 

Jerome and I, after having easily won on the ATM machine, decided to play, side by side, on The Wizard of Oz machines. They are graphically exciting, bonus rich and along with The Flintstones machines on the Left and Willy Wonka's on the Right, you can pretty much guarantee that the median age for these machines will be mid 50's. Hey, all they need is to add The Brady Bunch and The Munsters and my childhood will be complete! Hi graphics, low paying, but fun slot machines.

 

So Jerome and I sit down, and magically Jazz, our wonderful Cocktail Server appears. I order a Coffee with Bailey's with a Grey Goose Shot on the side. Hey, I am Livin' La Vida Loca...............okay?

 

I put my Casino Card into the machine and I get a, "Welcome JW" "You have Zero Points" Like Duh, wait until later in the week.................tonight is the first night. Nice to rub it in fuzz ball, but just you wait.

 

Now, it goes without saying that I saw a YouTube Video of The Norwegian Escape Casino that highlighted the Wizard of Oz machines, and I guess I had too many martini's that night, because I then had a dream that Jerome and I were playing these machines next to each other and he got a Bonus and, Bazinga! (Sorry borrowed that from my favorite show BBT) we were rich!

 

Well, not so fast. Bonus yes, just like the dream. Rich? Well no. It's a penny machine, in reality, on this machine a payout of "Rich" is only about a couple of thousand if we were that lucky. And at that very moment, Jazz had returned with my Coffee with Bailey's with my shot of Grey Goose, and as he proceeded to give it to me, I was paying attention to the Bonus Jerome got on his machine and wham, without me knowing, I was spilling coffee all over me....................on my gorgeous, Tommy Bahama white shirt no less..............in my excitement, the drink dribbled all over me while watching Jerome's bonus.

 

"Oh Jerome!" I exclaimed "Oh, I had a dream about you winning on the Wizard of Oz machine, and you getting a bonus and we were rich!" "Rich, Rich, Rich" "Yippee!" Mind you, coffee all the while is drip, drip, dripping all over my Tommy Bahama shirt embroidered with Martini glasses. Drip, drip, drip. The bonus goes on and on and on. I am Tinkling in my pants. Coffee dripping everywhere.

 

The bonus was a lot of noise and excitement, the payout was $6.40. Yay, we are rich, rich, rich I tell you, RICH! Six dollars for all that noise? You have got to be kidding.

 

Jerome looks over at me and I have the Bailey's and Coffee in one hand and I am pressing the (Max Bet) buttons of the machine I am playing with the other and he is just shaking his head. He says "Oh Lordie". I turn to him briefly, not wanting to take my eyes off my Wizard of Oz machine lest I win something, and he says "Uh, JW, What the heck is wrong with you?" I shoot him the "eyes", you know, "Those Eyes". "Wrong with me?" "What is wrong with me?" My fingers are now rapidly pressing the buttons on the machine as if I am in a slot tournament not caring about the eventual outcome, "Wrong?" I am getting a bit peeved. "Now what's the matter?" "Now what did I do?" (And I know I did something, you don't spend decades with someone and not know I did something wrong, as usual, Trouble is in Trouble).

 

"JW, look what you did to your brand new Tommy Bahama shirt!" Jerome had stopped playing his machine and he was sympathetically looking at me knowing that at any moment the sounds of devastation would erupt out of me and everyone in the casino would think I was going berserk. He had fully turned towards me, as if he were a Psychiatrist waiting to console and comfort the crazy patient before the patient goes berserk. Berserk!

 

Berserk is, well, just imagine, (go ask your gay friends), what would happen if I discovered I had spilled coffee all over a brand new, very expensive, Tommy Bahama shirt with Martini Glasses embroidered all over it and I was sitting there not knowing what I had done? In a very public place where hundreds of folks would see me and what a boob I was?...........Oh sure. I could maybe get away with "Oh it was the ship rocking" NOT! Not on The Escape! The dang ship never moved once. (We were just transported from port to port by alien spaceships, now that could be the Tequila talking!)

 

You wanna know how awesome Jerome was? He went back to the room with my shirt, (I took it off at the machine, you didn't think that I was going to leave the Casino did you? That would be nuts) and I sat there, playing out my money on The Wiz machine, with a coffee stained-thru undershirt on, bink, bink, bink, constantly pushing the max-bet button shouting "Come On Wicked Witch!" "I am NOT in Kansas Anymore!" "And Toto too!" Yes, I know that I am a mess, I know what you are thinking.

 

Jerome returned with a clean shirt for me (Thank Gawd I always pack "JW's been a boob" emergency clothes) and he let me know that he was going to go and check out The Skyline Bar, located by the Casino, where they actually had an incredible live cover band, and would he hang out there for a while. I said my tootles and began my "Quest" for the hunt of the machine that pays off on the first night. Never really ever finding it on any other cruise, but as elusive as it is, there is always that one machine that creates the "folk lore" for the entire rest of the sailing, a big jackpot on the first night, to capture the attention of all the folks just dying for it to happen to them..........the elusive jackpot was just waiting to be won.

 

And I just happened to sit down at that one machine this night.

Edited August 13, 2016 by cruiseguys2009

[cruiseguys2009]

Love your review. Could you let me know when the seafood buffet is. We are on the escape on November 12 and can't wait 91 days to go

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

The Seafood Buffet is on night two, Dress Up night for certain restaurants.