NCL Escape - Review of Cruise 6/25 - 7/2/2016

[MaineYachtClub]

First, something about us. Self, 63 and DW, 64 are an active, professional couple nearing retirement. We enjoy each other's company, meeting new people, seeing/trying new things and getting away. We like good food and good drink, though have fairly simple tastes. We prefer discovering natural or historic sites on our own to planned tours. That said, here we go on my first attempt at a review.

 

Rather than a minute-by-minute diary of our week on the Escape, I'm going to review more by categories and throw in some impressions along the way.

 

Embarkation

Without going into the whole story, we were at the Port of Miami in plenty of time to be at the very head of the line for embarkation. Watching all of the activity as a port "comes to life" to prepare for a cruise ship turn-around is really very fascinating. The security folks were very friendly and as soon as they could, they let us inside to wait in the air-conditioned lobby.

First Impression - not unlike any other TSA waiting room that I've ever been in. Glad we had a puzzle to keep us busy.

They started allowing people through security at 9:30. No need to remove your shoes and belt. Even small change was okay to keep in your pocket. The only hold-up was some meds in the bottom of my backpack that they could not identify on the x-ray. Next stop was NCL check-in.

First Impression - nice, big, airy, open room. The people corrals had not been set up yet and there were about 10 check-in positions open. Nice!

We had been given the health form while waiting for security, so we just needed a couple of quick pictures, a credit card signature and in what was a very short time, we were on our way to the waiting area where we scored boarding group 2, which is actually the first boarding group in Terminal C. Just as an aside, our cruise incentive package included $200 OBC which we had decided to use to get Vibe passes. From reading CC we knew that once boarding started for The Haven and for the special/wedding groups, we should move forward to the general boarding gate. We did and were some of the first "regular" passengers to board.

First Impression - the walk up the ramp and seeing the hugeness of the Escape and the Guy Harvey artwork was awesome. The first area of the ship which you see was just, meh, not very impressive. However rounding the corner into the main hallway of deck 7 with that magnificent chandelier was really impressive.

Contrary to the exagerated reports from other reviews, there was no running to get to Headliners first. We didn't stand around taking in the sights, but there was no running, and yes, we got some of the first Vibe passes. Headliners was also the place to make or adjust reservations to any of the specialty restaurants and the shows.

Overall Impression - Security and Embarkation were well organized, quick and easy.

 

Stateroom

First Impression - The room seemed a bit more narrow than our previous cruise, but there was plenty of room for the 2 of us. The layout was pleasing and efficient. The bed was near the balcony which we were hoping for.

We were in stateroom 12290, somewhat aft on the port side. It was our first cruise in a balcony cabin and while we did use it and enjoyed sitting there while the other was showering, it would not be a requirement on a future cruise. The bed was incredibly comfortable. The A/C worked great. Can't comment on the TV; it probably wasn't on for a full hour the whole week. Mini-fridge was nice for keeping Nalgenes cold. We drank the water right from the sink and it was fine. Would probably have preferred being a couple of decks higher so we could get to the track and Vibe decks without having to use the elevator. Deck 12 is quiet and our steward Alvin kept us very comfortable and always greeted us with a smile.

 

Food and Restaurants

Our package included 4 specialty restaurants. One had to be La Cuchina and Food Republic was not an option. All of the food, everywhere on board was flavorful, plentiful and properly prepared. Hats off to the Chef Fernandes and his staff. Our order of preference of the ones we had dinner at is:

Le Bistro

Teppanyaki

Manhattan

La Cuchina

Bayamo

Savor/Taste

Le Bistro stands alone in service, menu and elegance. It was **** all the way. The only way our meal may have been more enjoyable would have been if we could have eaten "outside", but the smoke smell from the casino made that impossible.

Teppanyaki is fun, flavorful and filling. Definitely, go hungry and be ready to be entertained.

The Manhattan Room simply amazed us. It is elegant. The food and service rivaled the specialty restaurants. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Add dancing and a show and the Manhattan Room is the full deal. Way more than we expected in an included dining room.

Our first specialty restaurant was La Cuchina and it set the bar. The food and service was outstanding. Dining outside on the Waterfront was an added feature.

We chose Bayamo and the upsell for a couple of reasons. First, we wanted a seafood option. Second, it was the rare opportunity (for us) to dine at an Iron Chef restaurant. To be fair, the menu at Bayamo offered options that we would not normally choose. Were I to do it again, I would make a meal of the appetizers and simply skip the main course. The lobster salad was incredible.

That Savor and Taste bring up the bottom of our list in no way indicates anything inferior. As I said before, the food everywhere was excellent. Again, the servers were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. We preferred Manhattan simply because of the chance to dance between courses.

Overall Impression - Wow! There is no reason for anyone to not be able to find a restaurant that will please their palate. Congratulations on a fabulous dining product, NCL.

DW suggested adding a couple of notes on O'Sheehans and Garden Cafe. We had lunch at O'Sheehans a couple of times. Both were quick and tasty. I really enjoyed the wings. DW could not finish her burger. My only comment was that we thought the menu was somewhat limited. Also, note that while O'Sheehans is supposed to be open 24 hours, there is about a 1/2 hour down time during the switch-over from breakfast to lunch. The buffet at the Garden Cafe had a wonderful selection. We went for breakfast most days - loved the Eggs Benedict and extra bacon - and a couple of times for lunch. I would think you could eat there pretty much as often as you like and always find something new. It is a busy place, especially right after All Aboard from one of the islands. With the number of people and the amount of dishes and the mess, I was amazed at how efficiently and quickly the staff cleared tables and kept the place tidy and clean. And I would be negligent to not mention the Washy-washy singers.

They drew a sing-along crowd every time we passed by. What a great

way to remind kids (and some adults) to be attentive to hygiene.

 

Bars and Beverages

We had the UBP, which is the only way to go. Most of our drinks were from the Vibe bar where Rommel, Roberto and Reinze were wonderful. Other bars that we visited were, in order of preference:

Sugarland

Atrium

O'Sheehans

Upper Pool

Sugarland is not to be missed. I was never much of a mojito fan, but Allan converted me. He makes some great drinks. And check out the forearms on him from all of that mulling.

The Atrium bar was convenient for a quick beverage while attending one of the games or other Atrium events. I had one of the best Bloody Marys there.

O'Sheehans was also convenient while passing through. Good place to look down into the Atrium, and people watch, also.

The Upper Pool bar would have been much higher on our list if it was not smoking. As is we only stopped there until someone lit up and we had to leave. Too bad, because it is a perfect location.

We also enjoyed a wonderful glass of wine at The Cellars and wondered later why we had not spent more time there.

Overall Impression - Sugarland was the only place that we ever waited for a drink, but mojitos are so labor intensive. Elsewhere, the bartenders where quick, efficient and friendly. The drinks were good and with UBP we were always ready to try something new. Even as busy as they were, the bartenders would chat with us and were always smiling. A+, NCL!

 

Entertainment

Planning our shows before the cruise was daunting. There are so many choices. The daily Latitudes was a page full of things to do. Some of our highlights...

Brenda Kaye - Fun show. Ms. Kaye is a talented hypnotist and entertainer. One is never sure where this show is headed. Where did that belly button go, Patty?

Levity Comedy Group - We saw the late night show that included all 3 comedians who were on board. The humor was adult, but not vulgar, which to me is the best.

For the Record: The Brat Pack - Talented group of dancers and singers weaving together the stories of the Brat Pack era. Huge production, very entertaining, but honestly, I got confused.

Dance Parties - Spice H20 is a happening place when the dance parties are going on. Cruise Directory Tyler Gray keeps things pumped up. Unfortunately, the 80s party got rained out just as thing were really going strong. The Glow Party is not to be missed!

Atrium - The only games that we joined in the Atrium were Trivia. You better know your stuff for these games. We also sat through a discussion with Michael Mondavi about his family vineyard and wine. He was personable, interesting and informative.

 

Toys

We shared ports with 5 other ships during our week. None had the upper deck candy to compare with the slides and rope course on the Escape. After a day in St. Thomas, I took the opportunity to ride the tubes. It was awesome! Wait time was 5 minutes. The next day we returned early from Roadtown, Tortola and DW and myself almost had the tube slide to ourselves. We went up, came down and went up again with no wait at all. It was the only slide that we did, but it was great fun. Later that day, the ropes course was scheduled to open 1/2 hour before All Aboard. I got there 20 minutes early and was one of the first 6 people in line. DW doesn't do heights, so I was on my own and it was incredible. Once you get on the course there are umpteen different paths that you can take. An hour later, I was worn out and had to come down. Yes, I did walk the plank. The entire experience is amazing. What a great feature!

Other features that we did not partake in were the main pool, kid's pool, the Grotto and the Casino. All looked very inviting, but with Vibe we did not feel any need to join the throngs, or in the case of the casino, endure the black lung. I do wish we had checked out the Grotto. It really looked cool.

 

Ports-of-call

The ship made stops in 3 ports, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Roadtown, Tortola, and Nassau, Bahamas. We had decided before the trip that the ship was our destination. Where it stopped was secondary. We had no excursions planned and intended to leave the ship but return early. For those who know what geocaching is, that is what we did in each port. We found a couple of caches, checked out some of the historical sites and then went back to enjoy the empty ship.

Charlotte Amalie is very pretty. Check out the 99 steps and the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Drake's Passage was kind of quaint, also.

Roadtown seems to be brand new to the cruise game. Right now, it still has the small town, Caribbean feel. I fear that will disappear very soon. Interesting gems are Noel Lloyd Park and the Caribee Spice Shop.

Nassau is Nassau. If you've been there you know what I mean. Getting away from the tourists, we walked up to the top of the hill to the water tower and Fort Frederick. Coming down through the Queen's Staircase was very cool.

Overall Impression - If you've been to the Eastern Caribbean, you've probably been to these ports. All have something to offer, but being on the Escape was more fun.

 

Crowds

OK, so I guess we have to talk about how 5000+ people all fit on 1, be it very large, ship. Simply put, it's tight. There are very few (read that, no) areas outside of your stateroom where you will be alone. Some are less inhabited than others, e.g. the Waterfront. Others, like the main pool on a sea day, were like New Delhi on market day. I didn't make it aft to Spice on a sea day, but folks we talked to said it was busy, not main pool busy, but busy. I'll have to let others comment on The Haven. People we talked to said it was a quiet, relaxing, uncrowded area, but then, they spent an awful lot of time in Vibe :) Vibe was great, loungers and bar seats were pretty much always available. Of course we all wanted to soak our toes in the single hot tub at the same time, but that is where the party was and we got to meet some really great people. Walking along the open, upper decks there were usually a few open loungers, but there was a lot of dodging and stepping around other people.

Overall Impression - The Escape is a huge, beautiful, well-organized floating resort with a lot of people all wanting to be in the same places at the same time. There are places to find some quiet, but who wants to be in the library on a sunny, blue-water, Caribbean cruise? So if you want the fun and the sun, it seems you'll need to take the multitudes, also. But, who knows, you may meet some new interesting people, like we did, or at the worst you've still got the UBP.

 

Smoke

Oh, yeah, it's there. From the moment we entered 678 Place on day 1 the stale smell of cigarette smoke was present. Those who say they don't smell it, don't want to smell it, because it permeates all 3 decks all of the time. On deck 8 go outside to the Waterfront to go forward or aft and avoid the smell. Maybe if NCL realizes that people are by-passing the shops and art work, they'll do something about the casino.

 

Crew

There are not enough superlatives to describe how great every member of the crew is. Everyone -- officers, deck hands, room stewards, waiters, bartenders, shop salespeople, entertainers -- everyone, was super friendly and always smiling and approachable. We were walking the track one morning and encountered a couple of deck hands cleaning the windows. They smiled and wished us a good morning. At the restaurants, the maitre d' would seat us then stop and ask what we had done that day and what were our plans. The passageways on deck 12 from aft to forward are incredibly long. Every room steward that we passed along the way greeted us and wished us a nice day. On day 2 we attended the CC M&G (thanks for putting that together, Carol) where we met many of the hospitality staff, right up to the head of hotel operations, Sean. The next day we attended the Latitudes M&G. Many of the same officers were there and they remembered our names!!! Whatever NCL is doing to obtain this level of personable employees, they need to keep doing it, because it works.

 

A Couple of Other Random Thoughts

iConcierge - I had no one to keep track of so there was no need to purchase anything extra on iConcierge. The rest of the app was unimpressive. I used it a couple of time to check my account. I was hoping to be able to access the Daily Latitudes to help plan our day. Nope, that's not available. So, if you need to be able to check in or check up, it might be useful, otherwise, don't bother.

 

Elevators - I really don't get the logic of the elevators. Having to push the button on both sides was just silly. It just causes every elevator to stop on every deck often with no one there. They had already caught the elevator on the other side. The designers just didn't think this through.

 

Pools - Speaking of designers not thinking things through, what could possibly have made NCL think that 1 small pool was enough for 4000 adults? This has been beaten to death on other reviews, so I'll just leave it there, scratching my head.

 

Debarkation

I don't even want to write about debarkation. Not because it was a problem, in fact it was almost too easy. I just didn't want to leave. We were in no hurry. We ate a leisurely breakfast at Savor then went to the Atrium to wait our turn. All too soon our color was called. As we started to the forward gangway, an officer announced that there was no line aft. We headed that way, scanned our cruise card one last time and it was over.

[echohun]

Wow, such an awesome detailed review! We will be cruising on the Escape possibly May of 2017. It will be our first time with NCL. This review has increased my excitement level tremendously! I cannot wait to go down the tubes and walk the plank! My husband won't do those so I will be solo as well. Thanks so much for your amazing review!

[Sand and Seas]

Thanks for sharing your review with us all. Really enjoyed it!

[ttnc4me]

Agree 100% with regard to the elevators. It became a running joke to see if we could make it more than 2 floors without stopping for nothing.

[sctexan]

I was on the same cruise and I completely concur. We had a fabulous time! The food was great and the staff were even better. If I have any negatives from our cruise, they are my fault and not that of NCL. ☺

 

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

[Mom2labs]

Great review, makes me impatient for our cruise on it in May 2017!

[meltingmoments]

What a great review! Thank you for sharing. I'm getting ever so slightly excited for ours now! :)

[Clarea]

Enjoyed the review, thanks.

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing your review with us.

[Keith1010]

Excellent review.

 

Keith

[clarkg]

Thanks for the review.

[Daghis]

Thank you so much for your review!

 

Food and Restaurants

Our package included 4 specialty restaurants. One had to be La Cuchina

Is this something new? I wasn't aware that the Specialty Dining Package had any such requirement, or are you saying that it was your preference that you definitely wanted to dine at La Cucina?

[MaineYachtClub]

Is this something new? I wasn't aware that the Specialty Dining Package had any such requirement, or are you saying that it was your preference that you definitely wanted to dine at La Cucina?

 

We received the 3 meal SDP from NCL, then our travel agent threw in dinner and a bottle of wine at La Cuchina. I probably should have been a little clearer on that point.

[MaineYachtClub]

I was on the same cruise and I completely concur. We had a fabulous time! The food was great and the staff were even better. If I have any negatives from our cruise, they are my fault and not that of NCL. ☺

 

sctexan, did you have Vibe passes?

 

--Kevin

[sctexan]

I was on the same cruise and I completely concur. We had a fabulous time! The food was great and the staff were even better. If I have any negatives from our cruise, they are my fault and not that of NCL. ☺

 

sctexan, did you have Vibe passes?

 

--Kevin

 

We did not have Vibe passes. We had a 10 year only attached to us as he didn't care for the kids club. :(

 

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Edited July 12, 2016 by sctexan