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New NCL Cruiser Review Escape 9/24-10/1

drvmywifecrzy

By drvmywifecrzy,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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drvmywifecrzy

drvmywifecrzy

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Welcome all as I attempt to give a review of my NCL Escape cruise. Participants are myself 48 , my son 15, and my step daughter 27.

 

To preface this story I am a gambler and received a promotion through Caesars Total Rewards in Feb 2016 for a free cruise for two on a variety of NCL offerings in 2016 as long as I booked by early April. The offer included free drink package for two adults and an interior stateroom. Upon deciding upon this particular Escape sailing I was informed I could add a 3rd and 4th passenger free as that was part of a NCL promo at the time. I added the third person and hoped we would not be too cramped in our interior room.

 

I will post more later today as this was quite an adventure.

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drvmywifecrzy

drvmywifecrzy

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So here is more background for this trip.

 

This was supposed to be a trip for my wife and my son, but unfortunately my wife passed away a few weeks before the trip from our battle with Stage IV breast cancer. We had been fighting this stage over 3 years and breast cancer itself for 13 years. My wife and I had discussed her passing many times so in her honor I kept the trip and added my step daughter in her place.

 

Thankfully NCL was easy to swap out and Southwest airlines honored the airfare I purchased many months ago in a refund/ new purchase deal. It took a supervisor to get things moving on short notice but it was done.

 

So now that all was I set I proceeded to call the upgrade line several times starting 2 weeks out. Only Havens were available but told to call 3 days out. Well 3 days out I call and get offered The Haven Courtyard Penthouse with Balcony for $500/person for 1st two guests and 3rd guest no charge. I jumped at this and got room 18124 in the Haven. Given my cruise was free other then port fees I was shocked to get this price (to compare same sailing in Sept 2017 for 3 Guests is $5,898) so $1,000 total seemed awesome to me.

 

Oh and I didnt tell the kids I upgraded.

 

More to follow later

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TSUmom

TSUmom

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First let me say I am sorry for your loss. I did the same thing several years ago. My sister and I always dreamed of Hawaii so we booked. Unfortunately she passed 6 weeks before the trip (breast cancer also) so like you I worked hard to make changes and her best friend shared our dream vacation.

 

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to do a review and I look forward to more!!

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drvmywifecrzy

drvmywifecrzy

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So now you know the preplanning stuff.

 

So packing for this trip was an adventure since as a man, my wife used to always pack. But I managed and hindsight nothing was left behind.

 

We were flying in day of on Southwest and since I live an hour North of Atlanta and Im on vacation, I use Limo service to take me to the airport. Net of parking for over a week its only a few bucks more and so worth no having to drive, especially on the way home after a weeks vacation. The kids enjoyed that perk.

 

Airport on time and flight leaves and arrives on time in FLL. Again taking the easy way again I arranged NCL shuttle service to and from POM and it was $25/pp/way. After gathering our luggage the moment of truth approached. LUGGAGE TAGS!!!!!! would my son notice????? I reach into one bag for the small stapler I brought when the NCL agent says here I can do that. I think to myself yessssss, the surprise may continue. But after attaching them he goes here you can wheel them to the bus. DRATSSS!!!! My son looks at the tag, looks at me, looks at the tag, looks at me, and is like Dad what did you do. I dont know what your talking about. Anywho the beans are spilled and now my son and Step Daughter really cant wait to get on board and get this show started.

 

The bus ride is easy although we dodge an accident as the driver knows back roads. We get dropped off at terminal C and enter our special HAven entrance area. A few seconds and we are checked in and have our keys. Moments later our lady linebacker blitzes thru the crowds and escorts behind the ropes and pass the throngs of people and onto the rampway to the ship. As we enter we are pointed the right direction to our private elevator up to the HAVEN. Escorted inside. Given a brief summary from the concierge. We then go into our room and enjoy the luxurious look of a spotless room. (I mean Im a man and have a son 15, this room will never look like this again for us LOL).

 

We decide to go have lunch in the HAven restaurant. Mostly too fancy for my kids taste but enjoy what we get. We decide to explore the ship some. Additionally Margaritaville is free for Haven guests day 1 so Im like we gonna go enjoy that perk. We order Nachos, COnch Fritters, and couple other items. I order a drink or two. The service is subpar and the food not nearly as good as the full service Margaritaville restaurants. My advice dont ever pay for this place.

 

Day 1 to be continued

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js

js

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So sorry for you and your family about your wife.

 

LOVE your review. Cannot wait to read more. I am sailing on Escape in July in the Haven and can't wait to see your pictures and hear all about it!

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lastchamp64

lastchamp64

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I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. My wife is currently facing breast cancer herself. Back in April she was first diagnosed; it was caught early and the outlook is positive. She begins her rounds of followup this week. I'm looking forward to reading all about your recent trip.

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