Using my perks on Escape

[Jenner9]

Could someone help me understand how the perks work? I have all of them. I am sailing on Escape. So, for dining is there any restaurants I cannot use the dining perk and how do I redeem it? Best choice for the dining perk?  How do I redeem the wifi and shore excursions? Lastly, will the beverage package be active as soon as we get on the ship or do we need to do something to activate it? Same question for the soda/arcade packages that we will buy for the kids. Thanks!

[Harratine]

Dining reservations are available online based upon room type (suites 100 days? ), other rooms about 10 days after that.  The rumor is that there are only 25% of the total reservations available online.  You can book more reservations on the boards (near elevators) or in the comedy club deck 6 when you board.  As for how the dining works, make a reservation, and when you get there the wait staff will ask how you are paying.  They will adjust the bill based on that.  Last cruise on Escape we had a four person table with two platinum dinners, one 5 day package and guest  four paying.  

 

Dining works at all the pay restaurants, some do require and up charge like Ocean Blue.

 

Your beverage and arcade packages will work as soon as you board.  The port you sail from will want to collect tax on the value of the drink ($15 drink at 6% would be just under $1).  NCL needs to collect the tax and this goes away when you sail far enough.  

 

For the Wifi, I will let my 16 yo dd explain,,,, go to “login.com” with device, login with your NCL account, the device will ask you for a plan, select the plan, hit okay and you should be good.  And if that doesn’t work the Internet cafe can help.  You can also upgrade to unlimited from the 250 minutes if you have that.

 

Shore  excursions can be booked and not paid for through the excursion line (phone number on website).  If you have a stop at Great Stirrup Cay and get a cabana, pay attention to the price as it can drop like cruise fare.

 

Same daughter recommends Cagneys on the waterfront (eat outside weather permitting).  Also Teppanyaki remains a favorite.

 

There is a free restaurant (noodles or shanghai) that is open during sea days, is complimentary and no reservations available that is really good.  It’s located next to the casino.  Queue up about 15 minutes early to get a seat as it fills up quickly.  When you order each person fills out and order.  Multiple items can be ordered, which can be good,  or bad, depending if you want 4 orders of noodles.

 

Escape is a fun ship for families.  Enjoy.

 

[Jenner9]

Thank you!! Do you know how much the upcharge is for Ocean Blue is?

[Harratine]

1 minute ago, Jenner9 said:

Thank you!! Do you know how much the upcharge is for Ocean Blue is?

$9 per person last December

[KeithJenner]

Just a couple of small corrections.

 

Dining reservations open online at 120 days out, or 130 if you are in a suite.

 

Also, not all venues are covered by the dining package. For example, you can't use it at Food Republic.

 

The actual exclusions and upcharges are listed on the NCL website. You should be able to find the T&C's by following the links from the offer details (I can't do a link as I am in the UK).

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, Harratine said:

Dining works at all the pay restaurants, some do require and up charge like Ocean Blue.

 

 

You cannot use your specialty dining credit at Food Republic on the Escape. Also, while you can use it at Margaritaville, I would highly advise against doing so, because it's only $15 to eat there anyway and you will get more value out of using it at one of the more expensive restaurants. Finally, Escape does not have Ocean Blue. She has "Bayamo".

 

If you are unable to book via My NCL ahead of time, do not stress. You should be able to book restaurants on the first day of your sailing without issue. You can use the touch screens on the walls near the elevators, the TV in your stateroom, or go to the special restaurant reservations table they will have set up out side of Le Bistro on Deck 6 on embarkation day.

[BirdTravels]

 

2 hours ago, Jenner9 said:

Thank you!! Do you know how much the upcharge is for Ocean Blue is?

It’s $10 + 20% gratuity = $12 per person. 

 

The reataurant ant name is Bayamo by Ocean Blue. 

 

To help with your dining decisions, I posted Menus from the Escape on the link below. 

 

Also, to ensure your desired dates and times, you should make reservations exactly 120 days prior to departure (prime time will sell out fast). 

 

 

[Hockeydad1972]

3 hours ago, Harratine said:

Dining reservations are available online based upon room type (suites 100 days? ), other rooms about 10 days after that.  The rumor is that there are only 25% of the total reservations available online.  You can book more reservations on the boards (near elevators) or in the comedy club deck 6 when you board.  As for how the dining works, make a reservation, and when you get there the wait staff will ask how you are paying.  They will adjust the bill based on that.  Last cruise on Escape we had a four person table with two platinum dinners, one 5 day package and guest  four paying.  

 

Dining works at all the pay restaurants, some do require and up charge like Ocean Blue.

 

Your beverage and arcade packages will work as soon as you board.  The port you sail from will want to collect tax on the value of the drink ($15 drink at 6% would be just under $1).  NCL needs to collect the tax and this goes away when you sail far enough.  

 

For the Wifi, I will let my 16 yo dd explain,,,, go to “login.com” with device, login with your NCL account, the device will ask you for a plan, select the plan, hit okay and you should be good.  And if that doesn’t work the Internet cafe can help.  You can also upgrade to unlimited from the 250 minutes if you have that.

 

Shore  excursions can be booked and not paid for through the excursion line (phone number on website).  If you have a stop at Great Stirrup Cay and get a cabana, pay attention to the price as it can drop like cruise fare.

 

Same daughter recommends Cagneys on the waterfront (eat outside weather permitting).  Also Teppanyaki remains a favorite.

 

There is a free restaurant (noodles or shanghai) that is open during sea days, is complimentary and no reservations available that is really good.  It’s located next to the casino.  Queue up about 15 minutes early to get a seat as it fills up quickly.  When you order each person fills out and order.  Multiple items can be ordered, which can be good,  or bad, depending if you want 4 orders of noodles.

 

Escape is a fun ship for families.  Enjoy.

 

Does Escape have a Noodle Bar?.. I knew Getaway does but don’t remember one on the Escape..

[KeithJenner]

6 minutes ago, Hockeydad1972 said:

Does Escape have a Noodle Bar?.. I knew Getaway does but don’t remember one on the Escape..

It doesn't. Food Republic offers some similar items.

[dexddd]

20 minutes ago, Hockeydad1972 said:

Does Escape have a Noodle Bar?.. I knew Getaway does but don’t remember one on the Escape..

no

 

closest I can think would be Food Republic if you check the menu and it is ala carte.

Edited May 19, 2019 by dexddd