JW and Jerome's Adventure on The Norwegian Escape

[cruiseguys2009]

 

"Hello Vodka?", "It's Auntie JW Calling." "Jerome and Auntie will be joining you tomorrow for eight wonderful days on The Norwegian Escape, Part 2 of Auntie JW and Uncle Jerome's Adventure". "We've missed you darling and can't wait to see you." "We can't believe it's been six whole weeks since we last saw you"

 

"What's that, dear?" "Oh Vodka, we love you too!" "We are bringing Hundreds of our closest friends from all over the world to meet you baby!" "Oh, You are so sweet!" "Yes you will be in Mixed Company" "Yes, The Martini's and Gibson's are both coming". "Oh Vodka, you are naughty!" "What did Auntie JW tell you, we must be nice to The Manhattan's, Johnny Walker and to Mr. Jack Daniels, even though they are Old Fashioned!"

 

"Love You Sweetie, See you tomorrow!, Kisses to everyone!"

[Shawnkat]

Bon Voyage! Say hi to the rest of my family that will be sailing with you....I am sure Shawn will find you, as he has been following this thread [emoji3]

 

 

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Looking forward to sharing (or being) part of the adventure.

 

 

 

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[paradiseawaitsme]

Bon Voyage!! Hope your second Escape is as awesome as the first. Happy Cruising!

[vulcan1971]

 

"Hello Vodka?", "It's Auntie JW Calling." "Jerome and Auntie will be joining you tomorrow for eight wonderful days on The Norwegian Escape, Part 2 of Auntie JW and Uncle Jerome's Adventure". "We've missed you darling and can't wait to see you." "We can't believe it's been six whole weeks since we last saw you"

 

"What's that, dear?" "Oh Vodka, we love you too!" "We are bringing Hundreds of our closest friends from all over the world to meet you baby!" "Oh, You are so sweet!" "Yes you will be in Mixed Company" "Yes, The Martini's and Gibson's are both coming". "Oh Vodka, you are naughty!" "What did Auntie JW tell you, we must be nice to The Manhattan's, Johnny Walker and to Mr. Jack Daniels, even though they are Old Fashioned!"

 

"Love You Sweetie, See you tomorrow!, Kisses to everyone!"

 

Dear JW and Jerome,

 

I am just one of many of the Cruise Critic members that have stumbled onto your reviews of previous travels and have been taken on such memorable travels in a vicarious manner even though your reviews happen after your return. I cannot say that I have ever posted to any of your reviews, but I have been an avid reader. I have followed you (silently) through most of your past cruise review threads... voraciously reading, laughing, and tinkling all the way (tee hee hee).

 

I started this thread in the past two weeks and timed my completion of the stories to occur last night just as if I was getting on the ship with you. I went to bed last night giddy with envy that you were getting up today to get on a ship and I imagined (even dreamed) that I would be there, too, but knowing in reality that I would have another weekend at home and probably doing house chores and going to the office to work.

 

I'm very happy to hear that you came back to NCL and that you had an amazing cruise experience. I have learned many things from you over the years and your trip on the Norwegian Escape has made me want to check out a Breakaway Plus cruise ship experience. I have once been on the NCL Pearl and two trips on the NCL Epic, all in the Haven, so my experiences are very much different from yours, but I am ready to try something outside of the Haven after reading your stories.

 

It will be tough for me (and the rest of us) to go for such a long time without hearing from you so I do hope that you will find a way to check in with us along the way on your trip to give a few tidbits of information and teasers of the stories to come. Thanks for giving us so much to look forward to, the many laughs we experience with you, and all the information we receive.

 

As said by so many others on this thread.... Bon Voyage and smooth sailing!!! I wish you a very pleasant and memorable cruise with lots of fun and many new stories to keep us in stitches (and tinkling, too) once you are returned to land and can craft them for us to read. Maybe one day my partner and I will have the great fortune to be on a cruise with the both of you.

 

 

Walter (& Iain)

 

EDIT - P.S. At the time of my posting, I could tell that you were logged onto the system so not sure that you will or won't see my post before you get on the cruise ship. And certainly not sure if you were thinking about checking in here during your travels. I hope you do. Take care!!

Edited August 20, 2016 by vulcan1971

[stp108]

I'm booked for the Oct 8 sailing. Just completed the booking today. Going solo and looking forward to it. I'm a newbie, only having been on two other cruises on the not-so-fun ship. Looking forward to this vacation and hoping I get on board to get the VIBE passes. Sounds like a touch of heaven to me.!

 

Can't wait to read Part II.

Susan

[StlGal]

I wonder how JW and Jerome are doing with the tropical storm at/near St. Thomas? Can't wait to hear all about it.

[TheDougOut]

I wonder how JW and Jerome are doing with the tropical storm at/near St. Thomas? Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

I'm sure he's not letting it rain on his parade. And I suppose it's entirely possible that he is, in fact, leading a parade right now. :)

[ourfamilylovescruising]

Thanks for always bringing a smile to our faces.:D

and have a great cruise!!

[Sand and Seas]

Is it time yet for JW's return??? Can't wait to hear:D

[hawkman402]

I was looking yesterday too. I just remembered it was an 8 day cruise! He comes back today.

Edited August 28, 2016 by hawkman402

[Coastalbreezes]

Just off Escape an hour ago and one of the highlights of my cruise was meeting JW and Jerome. Two of the nicest and funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting!

 

LOTS of stories about this cruise, but I'll let JW tell them in the way only he can relay.

 

Tracy

[Toni Wilson]

Can't wait we go in November

 

 

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[js]

Wow!! I just got through this thread today! I started last week. JW, thank you so much! We are sailing the Escape for my 50th birthday next July! Thank you for your review!!

 

 

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[cruiseguys2009]

Hello All!

 

Jerome and I have returned home. We got right off The Norwegian Escape in true "JW" fashion, being one of the first early walk-offs at 7:30AM. Whizzed through customs. Wait, was that a correct word, Whizzed? That sounds like a Tinkle meaning word............anyway..........that's what we did............I guess I should have said Breezed (But I didn't feel appropriate to mention a Carnival ship) through Customs and we were in the car by 7:50AM and home by 9:45AM

 

Jerome is currently unpacking our steamer trunks and I now have to get to work to fill these Cruise Critic pages with some of the most unusual, funny, unique, (plus a couple of not-so-good but redeemable) moments and most important, let everyone know about our take on two totally different sailings just a few weeks apart, with two mostly different Senior Officers and new Crew Members, as well as a completely different passenger mix. A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PASSENGER MIX FROM WHAT SEEMED ANOTHER PLANET, I would like to add.

 

There were some amazing moments, several hysterical moments, a couple of Tinkle till I drop episodes, three shockingly bizarre stories to tell, along with new discoveries on this wonderful ship. I am also going to present my NORWEGIAN STARS for Outstanding Guest Service to many deserving crew who tirelessly go above and beyond every single day.

 

I just wanted to add, really quick for those sailing soon, The Norwegian Escape is an amazing ship. There is plenty to do, incredible journeys to take and the Crew is exceptional at professionally accommodating any wish you need.

 

The theme throughout Part Two will be "If you have an issue, no matter how small, SPEAK UP AND LET THE OFFICERS KNOW!" They are always visible and have a true desire to talk and really love to hear feedback, positive or not so positive. I was amazed how quickly issues were resolved, you'll get to read all about what I mean later.

 

I guess what I am trying to say is don't stay mum as an oyster and most certainly "Don't Get Off The Ship and Take It Home With You". The Crew is there to SERVE and to PLEASE. It is your hard earned vacation dollars being spent and I hope to be a positive conduit through my experiences and escapades to help ya all navigate and enjoy your time on the ship as well.

 

Remember, no matter what happens, a cruise is a cruise is a cruise, and I would rather be on a cruise.

 

And one more thing before I have to leave you for a day or two to begin to compile our "Adventures". There is one thing that a cruise line, any cruise line, cannot control:

 

The Weather. That is the big guy upstairs' responsibility. Hey, we booked during Hurricane Season and this is a very real possibility for Caribbean and Hawaiian sailings May through November (but really late August thru early October). Safety first, always. I get a kick out of the screamers banging their hands at Guest Service yelling "It's a Travesty and their vacation is ruined!", because of a weather related incident, perhaps missing a port or an incremental change (Which did not happen on this sailing). We got some intermittent showers from the developing weather system but our Captain was fabulous, and sailed us right into St Thomas and Tortola when all the other ships abandoned those ports of call because their thoughts were that the system would develop. Our illustrious Captain apparently knew how to read and calculate weather charts better than the competition. We had the islands to ourselves. It did rain, some excursions were cancelled (including ours) and like clockwork, many Guests marched right to Guest Services and loudly complained that it was raining and it was Norwegian's fault. I kid you not. I wanted to have a "Cher" moment with a couple of these boobs. You know, the movie with Nicolas Cage, Moonstruck, when Cher slaps him in the face saying "SNAP OUT OF IT!"

 

More than once on this cruise I felt the urge, deep inside my inner self, to complete this task, but sadly refrained.................................you'll see.

 

[Brooklyn59]

Thank you for posting a 'little tease' regarding your 8/20 Cruise. I was glad to read that you were safe since the online weather predictions varied each day. Looking forward to your review since we are cruising on the Escape - 9/10 sailing. Thanks again for taking the time to enlighten us and for adding a little humor to our day.

[lor74]

Welcome back! Enough chit chat, let Jerome take care of everything important, and get to posting! [emoji13]

 

 

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[liser1232]

We just got off this morning as well, and it was a fabulous cruise. I agree, the crew was amazing. They really seemed to be cohesive with each other, and couldn't do enough for us.

I was worried about the weather, but it is very obvious, this captain certainly knew how to read the weather like no other.

When we were leaving St Thomas, we saw 6 officers on the bridge obviously discussing the weather, and I was shocked that they announced we were going to tortola the next day.

I can't wait to hear your perspective (stories) from this sailing

[mehruns1]

We are just off the Escape as well. It was a great time (the service really was wonderful) and I also enjoyed meeting JW! I can't wait to read your review!

[cruiseguys2009]

A Forward, to the Completion of The JW and Jerome's Adventures:

 

First I would like to give a big shout out to Rusty (baryton) for producing an amazing and well attended Cruise Critic Roll Call Meet and Greet Event (Over 100 people) and for coordinating a fantastic slot pull. The Officers and Senior Crew of the Norwegian Escape showed up to the Meet and Greet in full force and were outgoing, generous of their time, provided multifaceted expertise, and answered the throngs of questions the group had.

 

What a week folks. We can't make this stuff up, truly. Jerome and I had so much fun, but wait, there was so much outrageous passenger drama on board, that had nothing to do with Norwegian Cruise Lines, it was hysterically one thing after another, in a "You've Got To Be Kidding" moment after moment. For once, JW had nothing to do with all the drama on board. Jerome was proud of Trouble not getting in to trouble, well too much trouble, there was a few times...............but more on that later.

 

But First, there was the free-for-all boarding disaster at the Port with so many folks, not authorized (and no one stopping them), cutting into the special Pre-Boarding lines of Back-To-Back, The Haven and Special Needs. Once they announced the numerical boarding calls, everyone pushed and rushed to the boarding area, regardless of their number and it was a chaotic mess. First time ever to witness such disarray and discourse in The Port of Miami.

 

Then there was the disappointing, disorganized VIBE debacle that allowed for one single group of 29 folks, not all present at the time, to scam the system and while they were boarding at different times, all were allowed to cut into the line in front of us, with no Officer present or position-in-line numbers given out, as had been in all previous cruises, locking most of us out from fairly getting tickets to VIBE. The rules always have been, as we understood them, were that there would be position numbers given out to form the VIBE line, until the numbers were exhausted. Total of 70 passes for each week, 50 to be sold to Guests, 20 reserved for The Haven Guest request. If members of a group were not all present, then oh well, SOL, and this was the procedure. This is not what happened. There was also, the addition of the 22 Back-To-Back cruisers that took the other half of the 50 available passes for regular Guests, leaving the other 20 out of 70 passes sold on each cruise, for The Haven Guest's. (We were glad, after all, not to get VIBE tickets, as the weather was not in our favor for most of the cruise and the Group that scammed and cut the line were off-the-chain obnoxious in VIBE.) I will address this in full, later in the continuation.

 

Oh my, there was the fashioned contentious, immaculately dressed woman (who changed outfits at least 5 times a day) calmly and meticulously walked up to Jerome while we were in conversation with a group of folks in the casino and grabbed his beejubees and simply said, as she held these jewels in her hand, "I am Hot for you Baby!" Then trotted off in 6 inch stilettos, catching up with her group. Shockingly wrong, frankly funny.

 

Minutes after our departure Tortola, we made an immediate about face and the ship turned completely around, only to find out that a guest was being medivac'd off of the ship, via high speed boat, because his cabin mate stabbed him in a jealous rage during our departure from Tortola. Can't make this stuff up, I tell ya.

 

There was this cross dressing male passenger (in really, really bad drag I might also say) who was traveling with his wife who was a sight to see. He was spotted by us only once at dinner and I wish to send a special note to him from Aunti JW: The next time you want to venture out cross-dressing, then I would suggest you become very good friends with a gay man before doing so, as you can get some really good, free, and, expert fashion advice for your next jaunt. You looked horrendous! Or perhaps was it a dare, or a losing bet? Me just thinks he likes to wear his wife's clothing. And by the way, where was she all that time? Funny.

 

Wow, this heavily imbibed (I truly hope so) passenger, in a fit of anger, punched and broke the glass door to the Smoking Room in Tobacco Road then propelled himself off the 17th floor overlook into the pool below. Needless to say he was passionately escorted by this lovely group of Security Personnel off the ship in Nassau to thankfully be permanently banned for LIFE from Norwegian. Oh, and also paying the damages to their property of two thousand dollars via his American Express before being chucked off. Yay to Norwegian!

 

Another Ultimate Drink Package Guest had so imbibed himself in The District that he literally fell over, off his chair, onto the floor, right in the middle of a wonderful show being concluded by John our magnificent British Pianist host. I will tell you that I have so much more to write on this later, but the quick thinking server, Jack, came to the Guest's aid with a wheelchair, and, I might add, him being the only crew member to do so. All the while, another "Corporate" Norwegian passenger, on company business sat idly by at her table, mere inches away from the Guest on the floor, drinking her expensive bottle of beer, perhaps on the company dime because she announced she was on "official" business, as if nothing happened and she could care less. The optics were not good on this one folks, not good at all. The company I work for, I represent 100% of the time, on the clock or off the clock, on property or off property. Reputation is everything whether it be mine or my company's. Concern and compassion for my Guest is all encompassing, all the time, ever promoting my company in these days of fierce competition, and this Norwegian "Corporate" woman desperately needs to learn it.

 

Or how about on our last night in Tappenyaki. Here Jerome and I had just enjoyed one of the best meals of the week, and this drunk, deranged, disorderly, disgraceful passenger comes in hurling dishes from another table at us because her cabin mate did not wait to have dinner with her. Dishes were crashing on the floor and against the wall behind us, as we all shockingly ducked from her demonizing outrageous behavior. This was the last night of the cruise, the last thing we did before retiring to bed, and what better way to end the vacation with a strange mad woman hurling dishes and obscenities at us? On our last night, Jerome was not having a cocktail in Tobacco Road, no siree. He was filling out security forms, still shaking from the hoopla.

 

I wish they would come out with a new cruise ship television reality series. What we encountered is the best comedic stuff that actually happened, and wait, there is so much more! Oh my gosh, I haven't even scratched the surface of our times aboard The Norwegian Escape.

 

Jerome and I actually did have an overall fun, amazing time. We also appreciated, and highly commend, the professional manner most of the Norwegian staff handled each of these situations and understand completely that they are committed to all of our safety, enjoyment, excitement and our vacation.

 

Lots of Tinkle to come!

Edited August 29, 2016 by cruiseguys2009

[cyndepet]

Oh my!!!! I just read the first cruise, now you've just got to hurry up with this. I mean really, I need more! Fantastic writing.

[hawkman402]

Glad you had a great time with all of that craziness around you. Definitely looking forward to reading the rest.

 

Wow, sounds like a reality cruise show would have gotten enough footage from your cruise to fill a whole season.

 

Would love to know what NCL had to say about the VIBE debacle.

 

We leave on the 3rd. Still trying to decide on going for VIBE. Might just come down to the weather outlook.

[stp108]

I have really enjoyed reading your first adventure and am anxiously awaiting the next.

 

Susan

[FLcruisergrl]

OMG this is BETTER than reality TV. I can't wait!

[TheDougOut]

Wow! It sounds like this could have been a chartered "People Watching" cruise. Looking forward to the details...

[TrickyRicky_n_JoJo]

Also just off the Escape on our 40th Anniversary virgin cruise. JW - I saw you vainly waiting in line for Vibe tix about 10 ppl in front of us. We were very irritated at the way that was handled but. We're not going to let that ruin things. We dashed over to make some restaurant reservations and when we were done you were gone already and I didn't see you the rest of the cruise. I wish I would have paid more attention and knew about the roll call meet and greet. C'est all vie. We still had a blast.

 

Did anyone else see Howard Stern? He and his party had dinner at Cagneys Friday night.table beside us. He even joined in singing Happy Birthday to our friend.