Escape Tips for a first timer

[LeslieLea]

I am going on my first cruise NEXT month. On the escape. I am starting to get curious about the little things..How do you carry things around on the boat? Where do you put your key cards? Do the pools close at certain times... I would love some feedback and any advice that you see helpful!

 

Also Hotels in Miami near the port that are nice but not too expensive would be helpful.

[cb at sea]

I bring a small purse. My room key goes in there, along with comb, lipstick, tissues, etc....

 

Hubby's key goes in his pocket! You don't need to carry a wallet around the ship, so something small is fine.

 

There is usually a pool or hot tub open all the time.....they do close one at a time for cleaning...usually late at night.

[ColinIllinois]

For hotel information check out the Florida Departures forum. Tons of good info.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

[Two Wheels Only]

I keep my key card in my pocket. Some wear them around their neck. Others have them attatched to their wrist. It's up to you. No need to worry about the "proper" way to do it.

 

Just have fun.:)

[BirdTravels]

Enjoy the Escape. We have sailed on her twice since she came to Miami last November. Brand new ship. Lots of things to do and see.

 

I posted the daily programs from our cruise in May. The program and entertainment changes constantly, but this will give you an idea on what a typical day on the Escape will be

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2358689

[17cruisesnsl]

The Escape is a wonderful ship -ENJOY!

 

Things I wish I knew for my first cruise (oh so long ago!)

Remember to bring a beach tote or backpack, not only for shore excursions but for hanging out on deck all day and storing your cover-up, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, iPad, iPhone for iConcierge texts, taking photos, etc.

 

Large colorful clothespins to secure your towel to your pool chair -- it gets very windy up on deck 19 on the Escape. On deck 19, there is a nice hot tub, mister and bar but it can be windy. The clothes pins also help identify your chairs on an excursion

 

Many excursions to beach locations, especially if you go on your own, charge extra to rent a pool chair and or umbrella. Usually $5-10 per person and they don't take charge cards. You may also want to purchase food or drinks and either they don't take credit cards or you may not want to use one.

 

Small bills - I go to the bank and get a hundred dollars in one dollar bills and a hundred or two in five dollar bills. I separate the singles into 5 or so bank envelopes so I'm not carrying a silly amount of singles at any time. Works well for tips with the UBP and for shore trips, tips for cab drivers, etc. There is an easy to use safe in every cabin to store cash, wallet, passports

 

Seasick meds - highly unlikely that you will need them, but they are much less expensive at your local pharmacy than on the ship. I found that sea bands and Quese-Ease, a product I learned of on Cruise Critic to work wonders and I am prone to motion sickness

 

On the Away ships - book whatever dinners, shows, etc that you can in advance, as soon as the 90 day window opens. Download iConcierge before you leave home and once you are waiting in the terminal, you can activate it and book anything you may have missed. But note what you booked, somehow I lost mine

 

many posters do a fantastic job reviewing various excursions and/or do an extensive amount of pre-cruise research which they share. Mitsugirlys does an extensive amount if research and has found and shared some wonderful locations. Gambee provides very detailed reviews so you know what to expect on each ship.

 

Mini-bar in room can be emptied by your room steward, probably not requested much since July when NCL prohibited bringing water or soda onboard.

 

Go to the Meet and Greet - you'll meet nice people and on the Escape, almost all of the ships senior officers came and mingled with guests.

 

If you gamble, more than a few dollars, sign up for a Casino at Sea card

 

O'Sheehans is great for breakfast or lunch, in addition to those late night snack attacks

 

There is no room service charge for the basic continental breakfast, choices on the menu in your cabin.

 

The waterfront is a great location to enjoy a drink as you sail away from the various ports.

 

If you fall in love with cruising, consider the cruise next certificates - they can be a good deal.

 

Using porter services at disembarkation is worth it - they know the quickest lines thru customs.

 

Most of all enjoy yourself - you're on vacation.

[easyboy]

How do you carry things around on the boat? Where do you put your key cards?

We carry our key cards on a lanyard around our neck. We used to put it in my DW's purse but its magnetic lock demagnetized the cards magnetic strip.

[Thrilled2012]

The Escape is a wonderful ship -ENJOY!

 

 

 

On the Away ships - book whatever dinners, shows, etc that you can in advance, as soon as the 90 day window opens. Download iConcierge before you leave home and once you are waiting in the terminal, you can activate it and book anything you may have missed. But note what you booked, somehow I lost mine

 

 

If you gamble, more than a few dollars, sign up for a Casino at Sea card

 

 

 

Very helpful tips. Thanks! I am going on the Getaway in Nov and I just wonder why you specify "On the Away ships" for booking in advance? Do shows and dinners sell out/get fully booked on these ships vs. the Escape and others? Also what is the benefit of the CAS card? Thanks so much :D

[Escaping2016]

You can wear your key card, put it in a small wallet or bag or keep it in your pocket. As far as hotels go, we usually stay at the Holiday Inn port of Miami. The intercontinental is nice but can be pricey. There is a marketplace right near both that has shopping, dining and even some entertainment.

 

 

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[ohhhmycher]

I just got off the Escape yesterday. It's a wonderful ship. So much to do that you can't do it all. I also wear my card on a lanyard around my neck.

 

I agree to go to the cruise critic meetup. If you are a solo traveler go to the solo meet ups. There was an amazing bunch of people in our meet up. I had a blast.

[LrgPizza]

Here's a tip: If you plan to do the ropes course, you must have fully enclosed shoes, like tennis shoes. No open heels or toes are allowed. Also, no jewelry of any kind on the drop slides.

 

 

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[LrgPizza]

 

 

 

Small bills - I go to the bank and get a hundred dollars in one dollar bills and a hundred or two in five dollar bills. I separate the singles into 5 or so bank envelopes so I'm not carrying a silly amount of singles at any time. Works well for tips with the UBP and for shore trips, tips for cab drivers, etc. There is an easy to use safe in every cabin to store cash, wallet, passports

 

 

There is a bill breaker machine in the middle of the casino on deck 7 right near the main hallway and spiral staircase. You can simply break large bills for smaller right on the ship as you need them. There is no reason to go to the bank to carry a large stack of ones on board with you.

 

 

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[DeanDeeDee]

There is a bill breaker machine in the middle of the casino on deck 7 right near the main hallway and spiral staircase. You can simply break large bills for smaller right on the ship as you need them. There is no reason to go to the bank to carry a large stack of ones on board with you.

 

 

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Good to know for the future. I always went to the bank before the cruise for singles and fives!!

[Nola26]

I am going on my first cruise NEXT month. On the escape. I am starting to get curious about the little things..How do you carry things around on the boat? Where do you put your key cards? Do the pools close at certain times... I would love some feedback and any advice that you see helpful!

 

Also Hotels in Miami near the port that are nice but not too expensive would be helpful.

 

In the evening I had a small purse (key, phone, comb, lip balm, glasses). During the day onboard I may have simply kept the key card in my pocket.

 

I played in the casino so I had a couple of cards for that. I also used a wristlet to fit the cards, money, machine tickets, etc.

 

Here is an elevator tip: hit the button on both sides, the banks may not be connected (one set goes up to 16 and the other to 17).

[TenForward]

There is a bill breaker machine in the middle of the casino on deck 7 right near the main hallway and spiral staircase. You can simply break large bills for smaller right on the ship as you need them. There is no reason to go to the bank to carry a large stack of ones on board with you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Good to know! thanks

[bon91324]

There is a bill breaker machine in the middle of the casino on deck 7 right near the main hallway and spiral staircase. You can simply break large bills for smaller right on the ship as you need them. There is no reason to go to the bank to carry a large stack of ones on board with you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

This is the best tip I have read yet!

[easyboy]

There is a bill breaker machine in the middle of the casino on deck 7 right near the main hallway and spiral staircase. You can simply break large bills for smaller right on the ship as you need them. There is no reason to go to the bank to carry a large stack of ones on board with you.

Thanks for this info.