Tips for 1st NCL Cruise on Escape

[mimosas123]

We aren't interested in Vibe passes as we have a B1 on deck 9.

We just had 9920 last week! The balcony was huge and amazing, but if the ship wasn't moving it was STIFLING out there. Very nice on sea days though.

[Kath2me]

I'm sailing Escape 7/1/2018 and I just think planning on a vibe pass is too much pressure. If you don't get it, and that's a real possibility, then you have disappointment within the first hour of what should be a joyous cruise.

While I know hanging out at the pool is almost impossible with such a limited amount of space, there are other areas to enjoy the sun.

Everyone is aware of Spice H2o, which sounds wonderful and there's also an area on deck 19 in the front of the ship outside of vibe that looks great too. There's 2 whirlpools there and I believe there's a bar there too. I'm actually thinking this could be my go to place to sunbathe if there is really a bar there. Anyone know this to be true?

Anyway, I want this to be a casual vacation with as little stress as possible and unless my other people really want to get crazy and run for vibe passes, my choice would be to pass on them.

On this Deck 19 Area outside of the vibe, you mention that a bar and hot tubs, is these any water misters also ? Are the water misters only in the Vibe Area ?

[taylortime05]

Do you get vibe tickets at headliners on the Escape?

[Kath2me]

Do you get vibe tickets at headliners on the Escape?

From what i read on the forum , that would be a YES

[bkrickles1]

On this Deck 19 Area outside of the vibe, you mention that a bar and hot tubs, is these any water misters also ? Are the water misters only in the Vibe Area ?

I've been told there is a mister

 

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[beerman2]

I've been told there is a mister

 

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Didn't notice a mister outside of Vibe but there are area to rinse off ( shower type)

[beerman2]

From what i read on the forum , that would be a YES

In Oct. Vibe passes were sold in Headliners!

[mimosas123]

On this Deck 19 Area outside of the vibe, you mention that a bar and hot tubs, is these any water misters also ? Are the water misters only in the Vibe Area ?

There's a giant mister in Vibe with lounge chairs actually in it and also a row of chairs in front of it (so the loungers in front of it get misted too).

 

The deck 19 sun deck (other side of Vibe) has a mister, but it's about half the size so it doesn't have chairs or anything and it's kind of in a corner so the mist doesn't reach anywhere else from what I saw. Still nice to stand in for a minute and cool down!

[mimosas123]

Do you get vibe tickets at headliners on the Escape?

Vibe tickets sold in Headliners on Escape as of last week!

[riclop]

Get ready to be nickled and dimed.

[taylortime05]

Get ready to be nickled and dimed.

 

What do they nickel and dime us on? Any tips on what to avoid to not keep spending money and still have a great cruise? Thanks for your feedback.

[UFMOM]

What do they nickel and dime us on? Any tips on what to avoid to not keep spending money and still have a great cruise? Thanks for your feedback.

 

 

I would say watch your drink prices if you have the ubp so you don't go over the limit. Don't worry there is plenty included. Don't pay for Vibe, use H20 instead. If you have the dining perk, don't do Food Republic, Margaritaville or the up charge restaurants. Again, there is plenty included. Don't buy the fancy coffees, treats or gelato. There is free coffee, ice cream, and desserts available in the buffet. Take advantage of all the free food at O,Sheehans. They have lots of great snacks and treats, including ice cream and all included, but don't pay for the games in there. And here's a big one if you don't want to spend extra money: Stay out of the casino!:D NCL does not charge for anything that the other mainstream lines don't. All charge for specialty restaurants, fancy coffees and treats, spa, cabanas etc. To me having the ubp and sdp perks are the opposite of nickel and diming, even with having to pay the gratuities. I will be paying for both of those myself, including the gratuities, on my up coming RCL Harmony cruise in December. I consider NCL to be a bargain.

 

 

 

Mary Ann

[beerman2]

Get ready to be nickled and dimed.

Only if you don't research and understand what you pay extra for.

 

Never felt nickled and dimed. You can go on NCL and not spend any extra, they don't have hidden expenses .

[bkrickles1]

Could not agree more with all of this.

You could have the best vacation ever and never spend any additional money.

So many things are included.

It's all about personal preference and your priorities.

Best tip is to expect to have a fabulous time and you will!!

 

 

I would say watch your drink prices if you have the ubp so you don't go over the limit. Don't worry there is plenty included. Don't pay for Vibe, use H20 instead. If you have the dining perk, don't do Food Republic, Margaritaville or the up charge restaurants. Again, there is plenty included. Don't buy the fancy coffees, treats or gelato. There is free coffee, ice cream, and desserts available in the buffet. Take advantage of all the free food at O,Sheehans. They have lots of great snacks and treats, including ice cream and all included, but don't pay for the games in there. And here's a big one if you don't want to spend extra money: Stay out of the casino!:D NCL does not charge for anything that the other mainstream lines don't. All charge for specialty restaurants, fancy coffees and treats, spa, cabanas etc. To me having the ubp and sdp perks are the opposite of nickel and diming, even with having to pay the gratuities. I will be paying for both of those myself, including the gratuities, on my up coming RCL Harmony cruise in December. I consider NCL to be a bargain.

 

 

 

Mary Ann

[Warm Breezes]

Get ready to be nickled and dimed.

 

hmm....not sure about the OP but we are going on the Escape in Sept and the only charges I am expecting while on-board is any spending we do in the casino and if I purchase anything in the shops....just like any other cruise we have been on with other cruise lines. Oh except on this cruise we have UBP promo which means there will be NO beverage charges on our bill. AND we also have SDP promo which means there will be NO specialty restaurant charges on our bill. AND we have a $200 OBC from our TA which means NO gratuity charges for us to pay. Where exactly is the nickel and diming??

[tonit964]

We just had 9920 last week! The balcony was huge and amazing, but if the ship wasn't moving it was STIFLING out there. Very nice on sea days though.

 

Thank you for the info! :) I'm super excited!

[clskinsfan]

We just had 9920 last week! The balcony was huge and amazing, but if the ship wasn't moving it was STIFLING out there. Very nice on sea days though.

9920

 

I am in 9920 in October. Do you have any pictures of the balcony by chance?

[mimosas123]

9920

 

I am in 9920 in October. Do you have any pictures of the balcony by chance?

I do not, but tripleboom was by chance in the same cabin the week before me and has fantastic pictures!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2519529

 

There was also a great YouTube video I'll try to find and add.

 

Hm, I'm having a hard time finding it, but the room layout and balcony size is exactly the same as this one:

 

[cruzqueen518]

Get ready to be nickled and dimed.

 

What are you nickle and dimed for?

[adam_s_allen]

I've been on 5 NCL cruises and have never felt nickle and dimed. I've paid extra for things like specialty coffees and restaurants but they were by choice, definitely not required.

 

There's also been times where I've ordered things that should have an up charge like specialty coffees in the MDR or drinks over the $15 dollar UBP limit and not charged for it.

[FitchburgWIFamily]

Use Savor/Taste for a relaxed breakfast and skip the hub bub at the buffet. Sign up for Escape the Big Top, but if you forget, just show up and you will most likely get in on stand by. I know others advised to do the specialty dining, and there is merit in that. However, between Savor, Taste, The Manhattan we never had to make a reservation and never had to wait long for a table...Freestyle at its best.

 

The waterslides are worth it, even for adults.

 

Food Republic is a must.

 

If you don't get Vibe passes, Spice H2O during the day is lovely, and very quiet. The grotto is an excellent place to cool off.

 

Figure out how the elevators work: eight elevators are really two sets of four: each set of four is two elevators facing each other. If you press the buttons between two elevators you are calling those two elevators and the two across the hall. You need to press the buttons farther down the hall to call all eight elevators.

 

I loved this ship, and I can't wait to get back on it.

[barb65]

I always get a spa pass. The Escape spa is awesome! Well worth the extra $. If you don't get a spa pass prior to your cruise, when you board, go to the spa for a tour and decide then if that's what you would like to do. You won't regret it!

Edited July 19, 2017 by barb65
changed wording

[tonit964]

We just had 9920 last week! The balcony was huge and amazing, but if the ship wasn't moving it was STIFLING out there. Very nice on sea days though.

 

I forgot to add to my previous reply to you, we are in 9320! Again, thanks for the info on the heat on the balcony, I'll plan accordingly. :)

I'm so excited!

[taylortime05]

I would say watch your drink prices if you have the ubp so you don't go over the limit. Don't worry there is plenty included. Don't pay for Vibe, use H20 instead. If you have the dining perk, don't do Food Republic, Margaritaville or the up charge restaurants. Again, there is plenty included. Don't buy the fancy coffees, treats or gelato. There is free coffee, ice cream, and desserts available in the buffet. Take advantage of all the free food at O,Sheehans. They have lots of great snacks and treats, including ice cream and all included, but don't pay for the games in there. And here's a big one if you don't want to spend extra money: Stay out of the casino!:D NCL does not charge for anything that the other mainstream lines don't. All charge for specialty restaurants, fancy coffees and treats, spa, cabanas etc. To me having the ubp and sdp perks are the opposite of nickel and diming, even with having to pay the gratuities. I will be paying for both of those myself, including the gratuities, on my up coming RCL Harmony cruise in December. I consider NCL to be a bargain.

 

 

 

Mary Ann

 

Thank you for the tips. I haven't sailed yet with NCL, but it does sound like all the extras are extras on the other mainstream cruise lines. I will let you know what I think after our trip in November. Thanks again.

[BNBR]

I was checking menus for the upcharge restaurants, even outside of the UDP - the prices seem entirely reasonable and not an issue. Considering you get free drinks, who cares if you spend $10 - $15 or whatever to do a special lunch vs buffet? It's trivial. If you have OBC, even better. I'm not sure if the menus posted online are still accurate, but at Margaritaville, conch fritters are $3.99, Nachos $5.99, etc. So you get a few items and enjoy for a pretty small some of cash. And it sure beats typical cruise lunch food. Food Republic, same thing. Most items seem in the $5 - $6 range. I'm really looking forward to trying these venues without that "ugh, why am I paying for this when there is free food" feeling since the prices are so reasonable.