Mini Escape Review, 8/26-9/2/18

[lightingafire]

I wanted to give a review of the Escape, but don't have time to write out every single detail so I've narrowed it down to some pros and cons.

 

To give you some background, I have been on RC and HA before, though it has been over 10 years since my last cruise. My boyfriend also cruised with Princess almost 20 years ago. Since it has been so many years, it would be unfair to compare those other cruises to this one. We had heard excellent things about NCL from people who sailed with them previously and decided to book with them, especially since we live so close to the NY port.

 

Pros: The ship is impressive; An adult only area is available (Spice H20); Every cruise employee was friendly and eager to please; The room steward (Jerome) always had our room in great shape; A variety of food options available; It was nice having 3 days in one port (Bermuda); The self-debarkation was fast.

 

Cons: Food was only a step above cafeteria food (I don't blame the chefs, but believe NCL purchases cheaper items to keep costs low. While I've eaten in high-end restaurants before, I also love a good Costco hotdog and Kraft mac and cheese and those items would have been better than what we ate.); Service was very slow in restaurants (wait staff was friendly and eager to please though-maybe the kitchen was far?); It is difficult to get reservations at the specialty restaurants (which often remained empty even when they said they were booked); Crowds were overwhelming (It was difficult to get around the ship at times. Elevators were impossible. The first day especially was unpleasant with so many lines and people crowding in different areas.).

 

Overall, we had a great time together and in Bermuda, but found the cruise to be just okay. We probably wouldn't cruise NCL again unless they had some unbelievable deal available. As I mentioned earlier, other people have said great things about NCL, so maybe your experience will be different. Just wanted to give my 2 cents!

[Laszlo]

Interesting review how/why do you believe NCL purchases cheaper items to keep cost low?

[lightingafire]

For example, all of the meat products (steak, bacon, chicken) were very fatty.... Probably half fat, half meat on average. One night my boyfriend ordered a steak in the Manhattan room and he said it was the fattiest and worst steak he has ever eaten.

[MS52]

We’re platinum on NCL. We just returned from an Alaskan cruise on the Jewel and I think the food was the worst I’ve ever had. Sadly I agree with the OP

 

 

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[Cheezus]

While I didn't have the same experience with the food on Escape, I thought it was great. I would agree that the ship is very overcrowded. The worst crowding we have seen on a cruise ship by far.

[Two Wheels Only]

The Breakaway/Breakaway Plus ships have bottlenecks which make the ship feel more crowded than it actually is. When mobs of people converge in one place when trying to get from point A to point B, it's best to take alternate routes and avoid the crowd.

 

 

 

I can understand if someone isn't familiar with the ship but with time/experience, people can learn to avoid the traffic.