Is It Possible To Truly Cruise Freestyle? - A NCL Escape Review - March 17-24, 2018

[robmac330]

The Man

CruiseCritic Member RobMac330 - Male - 30 - Cruising Solo

 

The Mission

See if it is, in fact, possible to cruise "Freestyle" on Norwegian

 

The Methodology

• No reservations of any kind were made in advance of boarding
  
• No dining reservations were made until I decided where I wanted to have dinner that day
  
• If a reservation wasn't available at a time I was willing to eat, I would try the walk-up method. My logic was if they had a table for 1, that table could also be used for 2 (making this a lot more relevant to a lot of you)
  
• Show reservations were made on the big screens, otherwise I would do the standby line
  
• Watches are not allowed to be worn, Freestyle Daily back page is to be carried in your pocket
  

The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of Embarkation Day

Scheduled Arrival Time: 10-10:30am

Actual Arrival Time: 10:22am

Boarding Group Number: 4 (this would have been too late to get Vibe passes, had I been so inclined)

On-Board Time with Frosty Beverage in Hand: 11:36am

Drinks consumed while still in the taxable zone: 14 (according to my in-room statement)

What Worked

• Beau Tahana in the District Brewhouse; the guy had the entire crowd engaged and partying like no other musical act I've seen on a ship (including Howl at the Moon). He has the right combination of humor and sarcasm to accompany great talent on the piano that allowed his crowd to grow as the night went on, even as he took set breaks
  
• While I wasn't able to find dinner reservations to my liking, I was able to walk-up to Moderno (Day 3), Cagneys (Day 6), and La Cucina (Day 7) and get a table for dinner between 6pm and 8pm with no wait.
  
• I never had to wait for any of the main dining rooms or O'Sheehans, more than just waiting to get to the front of the (usually very short) line at the hostess stand.
  
• The shows I saw (Brat Pack, Scotty Cavanaugh: Comic Ball Tosser, and Company Men) were, for the most part, very good. I'd see both musical shows again, but would probably pass on Scotty.
  
• The nighttime crepe station at the Garden Cafe
  
• Bar staffs across the entire ship, always working hard with a smile on their face
  

What Kind of Worked

• The stand-by line for shows; I get the concept and never didn't get into a show but it feels like it would work better if they offered maybe 1/3 fewer advanced reservations which would make the stand-by line more "freestyle"
  
• The solo traveler meet and greets. There was almost a dozen of us at the first one, but apparently that dwindled off as the week went on. I heard from a back-to-back sailor that the prior week's host was far more engaged with a less enthusiastic group, while our host got a very outgoing group but didn't know what to do with us.
  
• Margaritaville; between an appetizer (conch fritters), entree (Cheeseburger in Paradise), and dessert (Key Lime Pie) I think it justifies the $14.95 cover charge, but as others have said it's not worth it if you just want something like an order of nachos. They would probably drive a bit more business if they made all menu items available ala carte with a prix fixe menu option of any one app, entree, and dessert for $14.95.
  
• Karaoke; The cruise staff worked through the list of people efficiently and there were good crowds, but for having such a massive song list it was missing some major karaoke staples. They would also have a bunch of lesser known songs from an artist but not have their biggest hits
  

What Didn't Work

• Having both top-deck outdoor bars allow smoking in the seating area. I get it, people need a place to smoke, but to have both outdoor spots (upstairs pool bar on 17 and Spice H2O by the bar) where you could actually grab a seat in the sun and people a bit watch allow smokers was a bit of a buzzkill. In fairness I met some interesting smokers, but my lungs are paying for it this week a bit.
  
• My plan to amass incredible wealth playing Craps in the Casino
  

Conclusion

 

Overall, YES, it is possible to cruise "Freestyle" and have a fantastic time. Would it be tougher with a family? Yes, but you have kids so your carefree and spontaneous days are far behind you, if I'm to believe television and the internet. In the future, I'll continue to book restaurants/shows/excursions that are must-do's ahead of time, but this was a fun experiment that still allowed me to shut my brain off and wear flip flops for the entire week, so it's all good in the end!

Inebriatedly Yours,

RobMac330

Written, but not proofread

[Amby8]

Loved this! Interesting observations. My last cruise was solo and I agree that it is much easier to truly freestyle it when you're alone, but I can't imagine the frustration of trying to get seats for a group without advance planning.

 

I have to ask... are you an engineer? :D

[robmac330]

I have to ask... are you an engineer? :D

 

No, just a video editor. Same process-oriented sort of mind as an engineer, I suppose.

[buddylover]

Loved it...... great synopsis and LOL!!! :D

[detroitlions]

Great review .

I liked the introspect on what you can walk up and do and what you should book ahead of time.

[PTC DAWG]

Good stuff, I’m sailing the Escape 4/7...maybe the Craps plan was waiting for my week. :)

[rmurray847]

This was a lot of fun to read. While I enjoy reading most reviews, and most reviews follow one of just a couple of standard "templates" (mine included)...it was nice to read something with a different spin to it. Thanks for taking the time.

[Booth44]

Highly entertaining and informative. Kudos!

[robin13]

I'm going solo on the 4/14 sailing of the Escape so I was glad to read your post. This will be my first solo cruise on NCL so I was wondering what happens at the Studio lounge meetings. I also didn't book any specialty restaurants as I hate to eat alone and I had heard that some of the solo cruisers would go to dinner together. Someone said that the coordinator could make reservations for the specialty restaurants. Did that happen on your sailing?

 

I'm not much on the shows and from what I read none of them sound very good to me. I would rather attend Howl at the Moon or see the dude in the District Brewhouse. I am also a Blackjack player so I do plan on spending some time in the casino.

 

Thanks for posting your thoughts on your cruise. I can hardly wait to go on mine!!

[robmac330]

I'm going solo on the 4/14 sailing of the Escape so I was glad to read your post. This will be my first solo cruise on NCL so I was wondering what happens at the Studio lounge meetings. I also didn't book any specialty restaurants as I hate to eat alone and I had heard that some of the solo cruisers would go to dinner together. Someone said that the coordinator could make reservations for the specialty restaurants. Did that happen on your sailing?

 

Yes, the cruise staff member assigned as solo host for the week can help you with dinner reservations, and also arranges an MDR table each night for any solos interested. I didn't partake after the first one, only because the meet and greet was at 5pm each day, which is a bit too early for me to eat dinner. The solo host can also help you reserve any shows you want to see.

 

Enjoy your solo trip, it is what you make it!

[Sand and Seas]

Thanks for your review! Heading back to the Escape next month and loved your style:cool:

[HowardK]

Thanks for your review- 14 drinks in the taxable zone is impressive! I'll probably only get 4 in from NYC in May. I'm going on the Escape then and in September. I always enjoyed the studio lounge and gatherings. I always found on my 3 cruises (Epic and Breakaway 2x) that around 20% of the studios participated.

 

I was going to get a 4 meal SDP with some of my OBC but found in the past most people prefer as a group eating in the MDR- so I really only got a meal or two in tops at a specialty . However, I might just get the 3meal one and use it the last 3 nights

 

During breaks at the District did they play prerecorded music? I usually get up an play at Howl at The moon (and fat cats on the other ships) but was wondering if people played at the district as well.

[OceanBlueWaters]

Super informative!

 

Quote of the week and which I thoroughly agree with:

 

"but this was a fun experiment that still allowed me to shut my brain off and wear flip flops for the entire week, so it's all good in the end!"

 

(y)

[Carnac767]

Fun review to read. Good stuff

[ronrick1943]

Nice report, enjoyed reading it---maybe next time in the casino.

[robmac330]

Thanks for your review- 14 drinks in the taxable zone is impressive! I'll probably only get 4 in from NYC in May. I'm going on the Escape then and in September. I always enjoyed the studio lounge and gatherings. I always found on my 3 cruises (Epic and Breakaway 2x) that around 20% of the studios participated.

 

I was going to get a 4 meal SDP with some of my OBC but found in the past most people prefer as a group eating in the MDR- so I really only got a meal or two in tops at a specialty . However, I might just get the 3meal one and use it the last 3 nights

 

During breaks at the District did they play prerecorded music? I usually get up an play at Howl at The moon (and fat cats on the other ships) but was wondering if people played at the district as well.

 

I was a little surprised it was 14, but as I mentioned I was on board by 11:30a, so I had a solid 5-6 hours in the taxable zone.

 

I had received a 4 meal SDP as a gift, and in addition to the 3 restaurants I walked up to, I burned my last one on lunch at Margaritaville on the last day. A bit of a waste but better than not using it at all.

 

If District played prerecorded music no one heard it as during Beau's breaks everyone went back to talking and congratulating the winners of whatever "contest" Beau would run (dance contest, emoji contest, etc.)

[chapo31]

The Man

CruiseCritic Member RobMac330 - Male - 30 - Cruising Solo

 

The Mission

See if it is, in fact, possible to cruise "Freestyle" on Norwegian

 

The Methodology

• No reservations of any kind were made in advance of boarding
  
• No dining reservations were made until I decided where I wanted to have dinner that day
  
• If a reservation wasn't available at a time I was willing to eat, I would try the walk-up method. My logic was if they had a table for 1, that table could also be used for 2 (making this a lot more relevant to a lot of you)
  
• Show reservations were made on the big screens, otherwise I would do the standby line
  
• Watches are not allowed to be worn, Freestyle Daily back page is to be carried in your pocket
  

The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of Embarkation Day

Scheduled Arrival Time: 10-10:30am

Actual Arrival Time: 10:22am

Boarding Group Number: 4 (this would have been too late to get Vibe passes, had I been so inclined)

On-Board Time with Frosty Beverage in Hand: 11:36am

Drinks consumed while still in the taxable zone: 14 (according to my in-room statement)

What Worked

• Beau Tahana in the District Brewhouse; the guy had the entire crowd engaged and partying like no other musical act I've seen on a ship (including Howl at the Moon). He has the right combination of humor and sarcasm to accompany great talent on the piano that allowed his crowd to grow as the night went on, even as he took set breaks
  
• While I wasn't able to find dinner reservations to my liking, I was able to walk-up to Moderno (Day 3), Cagneys (Day 6), and La Cucina (Day 7) and get a table for dinner between 6pm and 8pm with no wait.
  
• I never had to wait for any of the main dining rooms or O'Sheehans, more than just waiting to get to the front of the (usually very short) line at the hostess stand.
  
• The shows I saw (Brat Pack, Scotty Cavanaugh: Comic Ball Tosser, and Company Men) were, for the most part, very good. I'd see both musical shows again, but would probably pass on Scotty.
  
• The nighttime crepe station at the Garden Cafe
  
• Bar staffs across the entire ship, always working hard with a smile on their face
  

What Kind of Worked

• The stand-by line for shows; I get the concept and never didn't get into a show but it feels like it would work better if they offered maybe 1/3 fewer advanced reservations which would make the stand-by line more "freestyle"
  
• The solo traveler meet and greets. There was almost a dozen of us at the first one, but apparently that dwindled off as the week went on. I heard from a back-to-back sailor that the prior week's host was far more engaged with a less enthusiastic group, while our host got a very outgoing group but didn't know what to do with us.
  
• Margaritaville; between an appetizer (conch fritters), entree (Cheeseburger in Paradise), and dessert (Key Lime Pie) I think it justifies the $14.95 cover charge, but as others have said it's not worth it if you just want something like an order of nachos. They would probably drive a bit more business if they made all menu items available ala carte with a prix fixe menu option of any one app, entree, and dessert for $14.95.
  
• Karaoke; The cruise staff worked through the list of people efficiently and there were good crowds, but for having such a massive song list it was missing some major karaoke staples. They would also have a bunch of lesser known songs from an artist but not have their biggest hits
  

What Didn't Work

• Having both top-deck outdoor bars allow smoking in the seating area. I get it, people need a place to smoke, but to have both outdoor spots (upstairs pool bar on 17 and Spice H2O by the bar) where you could actually grab a seat in the sun and people a bit watch allow smokers was a bit of a buzzkill. In fairness I met some interesting smokers, but my lungs are paying for it this week a bit.
  
• My plan to amass incredible wealth playing Craps in the Casino
  

Conclusion

 

Overall, YES, it is possible to cruise "Freestyle" and have a fantastic time. Would it be tougher with a family? Yes, but you have kids so your carefree and spontaneous days are far behind you, if I'm to believe television and the internet. In the future, I'll continue to book restaurants/shows/excursions that are must-do's ahead of time, but this was a fun experiment that still allowed me to shut my brain off and wear flip flops for the entire week, so it's all good in the end!

Inebriatedly Yours,

RobMac330

Written, but not proofread

 

We were on the same cruise. Observations are on point and 100000% agree with you about Beau. We were there every night.

[amygutman]

wonderful review....love your style.

agree that freestyling with kids or any set agenda is difficult - but that's the wonderful thing about vacations IMHO...NOT having any agenda.

:) hope your next cruise is as fun as this one seemed to be - we are on the escape in 81 days...could not be more excited.

amy

[Briji04]

Great review!

 

Myself and my son were on this cruise too. My son (against my better judgement) smokes cigars. I spent time in the two outside bar areas you mentioned. As a non smoker I didn’t care for the smoking areas but the best chairs in Spice are in the smoking section. My son said it was unbearable in the cigar bar as it was filled to overflowing with cigarette smokers. The bartender told him to go to Spice.

 

Beau was great. We went every night.

[Maraprince]

Yes, the cruise staff member assigned as solo host for the week can help you with dinner reservations, and also arranges an MDR table each night for any solos interested. I didn't partake after the first one, only because the meet and greet was at 5pm each day, which is a bit too early for me to eat dinner. The solo host can also help you reserve any shows you want to see.

 

Enjoy your solo trip, it is what you make it!

 

 

Solo dinner reservations made by the host are at 5 pm...seems to be very early!

 

MARAPRINCE

[Clarea]

Very informative and well-written report, thanks!

[jdvmd]

Absolutely loved your review! Thanks!

[VillaHappy]

Excellent review! We are trying Norwegian and the freestyle in less than 6 months. I was a bit nervous, but reviews like yours definitely helps with that :cool::cool:

[lisakoivu]

I loved your review. I'm with you, it's freestyle, so I'm not planning ONE THING eating when I'm hungry, drinking when I'm thirsty, exercising when I feel the need (let's say never). It was great to read.

[packer99]

We went on the Escape 2 years ago. I think we had dinner reservations once and made a reservation for one of the shows. Otherwise we walked right up and got a table. We didn't do the specialty restaurants though either. Didn't feel the need. We went with a group there was usually 5-9 of at dinner.