January 18th Escape- Good, Bad and the Ugly

[gmbhardy]

2 hours ago, jimbob22 said:

we were on this ship a few months ago and thought the food was good, had no issues with O'sheehan burgers.  I do notice that on their newer ships, the actual forward elevators are dedicated to the Haven, so that the rest of the ship only gets 2 banks of elevators, which is indeed annoying.  It's also annoying being in a forward cabin and having a really long walk to the 'forward' elevators.

 

There are no elevators dedicated to the Haven other than one single elevator on embarkation day.

[jimbob22]

8 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

 

There are no elevators dedicated to the Haven other than one single elevator on embarkation day.

 

Based on the deck plans, and a prior thread on the topic, it has its own dedicated elevator(s).  I was not in haven and had no access to it (them).   I can't prove it (they) exist, but supposedly it does exist and it's off limits to those not staying in haven.  And it is where they 'forward' elevators would typically be.

 

 

[NickCanadian]

2 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

FYI "prime rib" is beef from a specific cut ("primal cut") between specific ribs of the animal.  It does not imply USDA "prime" rated beef. 

Thanks, I did not know that. that explains a lot!

[Heckah]

15 minutes ago, jimbob22 said:

 

Based on the deck plans, and a prior thread on the topic, it has its own dedicated elevator(s).  I was not in haven and had no access to it (them).   I can't prove it (they) exist, but supposedly it does exist and it's off limits to those not staying in haven.  And it is where they 'forward' elevators would typically be.

 

 

 

Completely untrue.  I was just in the Haven on Escape, and while there may have been an elevator that the Haven passengers could use to bypass the other floors (we wouldn't have used it anyway) it was in no way off limits to anyone else.  When we were escorted off ship, or down to a show we used the crew elevator.

[jimbob22]

4 minutes ago, Heckah said:

 

Completely untrue.  I was just in the Haven on Escape, and while there may have been an elevator that the Haven passengers could use to bypass the other floors (we wouldn't have used it anyway) it was in no way off limits to anyone else.  When we were escorted off ship, or down to a show we used the crew elevator.

OK.  We were staying on deck 10.  Where could we access it on deck 10?

[Heckah]

Access what?  There were 8 elevators forward and aft.  The only "special access" elevator we had was when the concierge took us to a show or off the ship...and again, that was through the crew elevator.  Outside of that, we were in the same elevators everyone else was.

[Heckah]

Oh, there was an elevator specifically for the Haven, but that stayed within the Haven complex going between 17-19.  We couldn't use it to access the rest of the ship.

[PistolPete13]

5 minutes ago, Heckah said:

Access what?  There were 8 elevators forward and aft.  The only "special access" elevator we had was when the concierge took us to a show or off the ship...and again, that was through the crew elevator.  Outside of that, we were in the same elevators everyone else was.

 

I think the confusion may be that a few of the elevators (2 or 4, I don't remember) in the forward bank went up floors 17 and 18 (Haven).  The other remaining elevators in that forward bank topped on of the 16th floor.  Of course the crew elevator is a nice perk especially for before/after shows. 

Edited January 27, 2020 by PistolPete13

[NickCanadian]

5 hours ago, Lem_On_Ade said:

I was on this sailing too. This was my first NCL cruise, with all my others being on Carnival. I'm feeling a bit indifferent. I didn't hate it by any means but I didn't necessarily love it either. I will say that embarkation and disembarkation were good. The food was excellent in my opinion. We ate at Moderno, Cagney's, La Cucina and Food Republic. We loved having the drink package and were also pleased with the flights that NCL arranged for us. Having a cabin on the front of the ship was a nightmare for docking. The entire room rattled like a jackhammer and we were on deck 11. We were very disappointed with Harvest Caye, that was a wasted day for us. All in all I liked the ship but found myself missing the "fun ship" vibe of Carnival. I would sail NCL again if the price and itinerary were right but I'm not wowed by them enough to be searching for my next cruise with them either. 

I like the 'indifferent' which is what I felt overall. Disappointed because I usually feel every cruise I am on is amazing.

 

We are all the way forward on deck 9, and jackhammer is a great descriptor about the bow thruster. Maybe it has some damage or is really dirty.

[Heckah]

3 minutes ago, PistolPete13 said:

 

I think the confusion may be that a few of the elevators (2 or 4, I don't remember) in the forward bank went up floors 17 and 18 (Haven).  The other remaining elevators in that forward bank topped on of the 16th floor.  Of course the crew elevator is a nice perk especially for before/after shows. 

 

I'm almost positive all 8 elevators went to at least 17 which is the only place you can access the Haven.  I think the confusion is the one elevator that is specifically in the Haven.  But that Haven elevator stays in the Haven proper.  You can take it from the bar to the sundeck etc...but you couldn't use it to go to the 8th floor for example.  Believe me, we would have killed for a special elevator after the muster drill... 😃

[jimbob22]

3 minutes ago, Heckah said:

Oh, there was an elevator specifically for the Haven, but that stayed within the Haven complex going between 17-19.  We couldn't use it to access the rest of the ship.

 

that's pretty bad design then.  If they let those elevators go to the other floors, it would have lessened the traffic at the two banks of elevators.   Basically, ncl creates more of a bottleneck at the 2 banks of elevators so that there can be a haven elevator that only goes to 3 floors.   I guess the extra elevator shaft would have eaten into cabin space.

 

We just got off of a super crowded carnival breeze, but it had 3 banks of elevators and they were always really quick.

[Nyc2tropics]

I agree about the elevators on Escape. Wife and I travelled with a toddler in a stroller and it was nearly impossible to get an elevator that would accommodate us all on sea days. Elevators were always packed. 

[NickCanadian]

9 minutes ago, Nyc2tropics said:

I agree about the elevators on Escape. Wife and I travelled with a toddler in a stroller and it was nearly impossible to get an elevator that would accommodate us all on sea days. Elevators were always packed. 

Pro tip. Push both up and down buttons and get on no matter the direction you are going.

[darla250]

Very much enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the Escape...but I'm wondering..Are we the only family out there that chooses to use the stairs on vacation? Even my 74 year old mother loves to walk them! I find it good exercise considering the food we consume on a cruise is decadent compared to our normal eating habits.  The hassle with the elevators and dodging scooters just doesn't sound like much fun. Walking the stairs will give a good workout and no doubt i will be out of breath a few times but it's worth it to me.

[Two Wheels Only]

 

*misquote*

Edited January 27, 2020 by Two Wheels Only

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, jimbob22 said:

 

Based on the deck plans, and a prior thread on the topic, it has its own dedicated elevator(s).  I was not in haven and had no access to it (them).   I can't prove it (they) exist, but supposedly it does exist and it's off limits to those not staying in haven.  And it is where they 'forward' elevators would typically be.

 

The person in that thread was asking about the elevator INSIDE of the Haven complex. There is an elevator for the lounge/restaurant/sundeck levels. 

 

This thread is referring to the 8 main elevators that everyone can (usually) use. 

[jimbob22]

7 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

The person in that thread was asking about the elevator INSIDE of the Haven complex. There is an elevator for the lounge/restaurant/sundeck levels. 

 

This thread is referring to the 8 main elevators that everyone can (usually) use. 

The op stated, "the ugly- the elevator waits were atrocious. I didn’t pay the most for a cruise I have ever paid (good news as shareholder that prices have been going up) to walk flights of stairs when that is what I do all day at work. It called vacation. Escape added a floor to the getaway design and added no new passenger space or elevator capacity and it shows."

 

I stand by my statement that the fact that NCL has replaced the typical forward elevator bank with a (largely useless) Haven elevator that only goes to three floors is the reason the two banks of elevators are frequently crowded.  Even though I did not stay in haven, I'd have preferred that they have their own elevator(s) that go to all the floors because that would offload traffic from the 'forward' (really mid) and aft elevator banks.

 

We've cruised ncl thrice, we like many aspects of it, but they have some of the smallest inside cabins at sea, narrowest hallways at sea, and now they seem to be replacing elevator space with cabins too.

Edited January 27, 2020 by jimbob22
typo

[mjkacmom]

30 minutes ago, darla250 said:

Very much enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the Escape...but I'm wondering..Are we the only family out there that chooses to use the stairs on vacation? Even my 74 year old mother loves to walk them! I find it good exercise considering the food we consume on a cruise is decadent compared to our normal eating habits.  The hassle with the elevators and dodging scooters just doesn't sound like much fun. Walking the stairs will give a good workout and no doubt i will be out of breath a few times but it's worth it to me.

My family never uses the elevators on cruise ships, it’s not allowed. I even ask for a low floor at hotels because I hate elevators (but don’t feel like walking up over a dozen floors, down is fine).

[NickCanadian]

52 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

My family never uses the elevators on cruise ships, it’s not allowed. I even ask for a low floor at hotels because I hate elevators (but don’t feel like walking up over a dozen floors, down is fine).

I walk 40-50 flights of stats every single day at work. I want and pay for elevators to use. It’s called vacation.

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, jimbob22 said:

I stand by my statement that the fact that NCL has replaced the typical forward elevator bank with a (largely useless) Haven elevator that only goes to three floors is the reason the two banks of elevators are frequently crowded.  Even though I did not stay in haven, I'd have preferred that they have their own elevator(s) that go to all the floors because that would offload traffic from the 'forward' (really mid) and aft elevator banks.

 

If the Haven elevator went through the ship, it would punch a hole in the gym and would either eliminate or be directly next to the interior staterooms. If the Haven elevator was open to all decks, anyone could get on and ride into the Haven. 

[jimbob22]

5 minutes ago, darla250 said:

Very much enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the Escape...but I'm wondering..Are we the only family out there that chooses to use the stairs on vacation? Even my 74 year old mother loves to walk them! I find it good exercise considering the food we consume on a cruise is decadent compared to our normal eating habits.  The hassle with the elevators and dodging scooters just doesn't sound like much fun. Walking the stairs will give a good workout and no doubt i will be out of breath a few times but it's worth it to me.

I used to be in incredible shape and would do them more--but now I figure 4-5 flights is about as much as I want to climb at a time, and in my family we climb at different speeds.  

 

Just now, Two Wheels Only said:

 

If the Haven elevator went through the ship, it would punch a hole in the gym and would either eliminate or be directly next to the interior staterooms. If the Haven elevator was open to all decks, anyone could get on and ride into the Haven. 

What type of talking point is that?!? numerous ships have 3 banks of elevators--and also have a gym and interior staterooms.   If they wanted to secure the third bank for just Haven cruisers, they could do so quite easily.   The reality is that the third bank is replaced with rooms and a seldom-used Haven elevator, causing the other two banks to be quite crowded.

[Greenpea2]

1 hour ago, darla250 said:

Very much enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the Escape...but I'm wondering..Are we the only family out there that chooses to use the stairs on vacation? Even my 74 year old mother loves to walk them! I find it good exercise considering the food we consume on a cruise is decadent compared to our normal eating habits.  The hassle with the elevators and dodging scooters just doesn't sound like much fun. Walking the stairs will give a good workout and no doubt i will be out of breath a few times but it's worth it to me.

No you are not alone. We almost always walk the stairs. I will admit if it's more than 5 flights I do get a bit winded. So I either rest or I get the next elevator up the rest of the way. Have to have exercise! I realize for disabled or strollers that is not possible, But the average person COULD do a bit of stair climbing without killing themselves. The elevators would be a whole lot less crowded that way too. 😉

 

And no I am not some young gym freak. I am 66 and could be in better shape, although i do walk about 18 miles a week. On purpose.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Greenpea2

[Love my butler]

Thanks for the review.  Seems like what you are saying is NCL is declining rapidly.  Most of us non-cheerleaders have been saying that for years.

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, jimbob22 said:

What type of talking point is that?!? numerous ships have 3 banks of elevators--and also have a gym and interior staterooms.   If they wanted to secure the third bank for just Haven cruisers, they could do so quite easily.   The reality is that the third bank is replaced with rooms and a seldom-used Haven elevator, causing the other two banks to be quite crowded.

 

If there was a "Haven Guest Only" elevator, what would the response be when non-Haven guests still have to wait for an elevator?

 

If you believe that the ship(s) in the BA/BA Class should have 3 banks of elevators, that's fine. Thinking that a Haven Guest Only elevator would solve the problem isn't realistic. 

[GettotheSun]

1 hour ago, NickCanadian said:

I walk 40-50 flights of stats every single day at work. 

 

Wow, are you a delivery person at the Empire State Building...that's a lot of stairs!  

To each their own, I spend too much time at a desk and riding elevators at work, so I welcome the opportunity to get my fat ass up as many stairs as possible.  

 

Not that I want to start the great "prime rib" debate of CC (or maybe I do), but while I understand there is a defined cut of meat, I think regardless for the prices being paid the quality should match the 'name'.  If I ordered prime rib and received what has been described on this board, I would be very disappointed.  Is it factually true they served "prime rib", I guess so.  But I'd rather eat a good tuna salad sandwich on nice bread than a crappy prime rib...but that's me.