Live from the NCL Escape - 12/23 Sailing

[bassmaster150]

2 hours ago, bassmaster150 said:

Scratch that…Puerto Rico is stricter on mask requirements.  It is a $100 fine if you do not wear one.

Scratch that again…you must wear it in the port area…or there is a fine…most restaurants and bars require to enter…but walking on the streets of old San Juan…it seems kind of optional

[bassmaster150]

For those of you wondering about NFL games, they are broadcasting them in the staterooms (I have not checked the outside big screens at this point.  Not sure how they do the selections for the Sunday afternoon games though….when we returned from port, the KC - Steelers game was on.  They did show Sunday Night Football (Go Cowboys!!), and tonight they will be showing Monday Night Football.  I also expect them to show the CF playoff games as well.  There is only one station that shows sports on the TV

[AnitaVacation]

We are 7 days away from our 'Escape'... all this travel news (flying in, etc) is getting more stressful everyday... we are trying to hold it together..

 

We are taking the shuttle arranged by NCL from the airport, so even though we signed up for a check in time, I guess it's really going to be whenever we get there, right??

[Oceanwench]

I was on Escape 12/18-23. Masks were required then, unless eating or drinking.

The crew was outstanding.

Our food was always very good. No disappointments.

I'd say less than half capacity for our cruise, but the demographics were completely different from any other NCL I've been on.

It felt like a spring break cruise.

 

[Corbin630]

7 hours ago, Oceanwench said:

I was on Escape 12/18-23. Masks were required then, unless eating or drinking.

The crew was outstanding.

Our food was always very good. No disappointments.

I'd say less than half capacity for our cruise, but the demographics were completely different from any other NCL I've been on.

It felt like a spring break cruise.

 

Announced capacity for 12/18 to 12/23 was 2,883.

[AnitaVacation]

1 hour ago, Corbin630 said:

Announced capacity for 12/18 to 12/23 was 2,883.

where do you find this number? How many are onboard now?

 

I have a feeling that a lot of passengers have  canceled/will cancel upcoming sailings...between the new mask mandate, the closed sports deck and now all the panic porn news about covid cases.  It will be interesting to see how many people will be on our sailing next week.

[Suna]

Hope you have a great cruise - thanks for sharing 

[AnitaVacation]

11 hours ago, Corbin630 said:

Announced capacity for 12/18 to 12/23 was 2,883.

Also, is this number total passengers and crew or just passengers?  The capacity for this ship is 4266 passengers, 1733 crew for a total of 6000 souls.

 

Just trying to figure out what percentage ships are sailing at now.  I can imagine that since re-opening and covid numbers were going down and onboard cases were dropping and confidence was high, the percentage went up...but now, with another surge upon us, will these numbers be reduced?

[The Traveling Man]

On 12/26/2021 at 12:12 AM, JCDCA said:

Best steak on board lately in my experience has been the tenderloin at Le Bistro.  Much more flavorful than the ones at Cagney’s.  

We also have had really remarkable steak in La Cucina.  I agree with you that there are much better steaks on board than at Cagney's.  In fact, we now usually order the grilled seafood platter at Cagney's.

[davencl]

10 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

We also have had really remarkable steak in La Cucina.  I agree with you that there are much better steaks on board than at Cagney's.  In fact, we now usually order the grilled seafood platter at Cagney's.

Best steak on board our august Alaska Encore cruise was in Ocean Blue.  Go figure....

Edited December 28, 2021 by davencl

[Happycrafter123]

I would love to hear more details about your excursions especially the DR one—i am travelling in March and was looking at the option for horse/kayak/hiking and wonder if that is the one you took, if you’d share more…

[bassmaster150]

On 12/27/2021 at 9:09 AM, AnitaVacation said:

We are 7 days away from our 'Escape'... all this travel news (flying in, etc) is getting more stressful everyday... we are trying to hold it together..

 

We are taking the shuttle arranged by NCL from the airport, so even though we signed up for a check in time, I guess it's really going to be whenever we get there, right??

Don’t worry….you are correct, as a

soon as you arrive they will get your luggage and then you will go through the testing process…don’t stress out as it is simple…just takes a little time.

[bassmaster150]

On 12/27/2021 at 12:16 PM, Oceanwench said:

I was on Escape 12/18-23. Masks were required then, unless eating or drinking.

The crew was outstanding.

Our food was always very good. No disappointments.

I'd say less than half capacity for our cruise, but the demographics were completely different from any other NCL I've been on.

It felt like a spring break cruise.

 

All correct for us…except the demographics…slightly older on this cruise and slightly subdued.

[bassmaster150]

On 12/27/2021 at 10:40 PM, Suna said:

Hope you have a great cruise - thanks for sharing 

It has been great so far….one of the best Caribbean itineraries we have ever done and the boat is simply amazing.

[bassmaster150]

17 hours ago, davencl said:

Best steak on board our august Alaska Encore cruise was in Ocean Blue.  Go figure....

So for us it has been Teppanyaki.  Fillet at Cagneys could have been better…but they got it right at Teppanyakis

[bassmaster150]

15 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

I would love to hear more details about your excursions especially the DR one—i am travelling in March and was looking at the option for horse/kayak/hiking and wonder if that is the one you took, if you’d share more…

We did….long drive to a ranch, then horseback riding followed by kayaking in a river.  We had fun 

[david_sobe]

On 12/27/2021 at 9:12 PM, AnitaVacation said:

where do you find this number? How many are onboard now?

 

I have a feeling that a lot of passengers have  canceled/will cancel upcoming sailings...between the new mask mandate, the closed sports deck and now all the panic porn news about covid cases.  It will be interesting to see how many people will be on our sailing next week.

 You keep hoping and telling others to cancel. If you are so upset about a mask policy then cancel yourself. Dont be negative towards others about their cruise.  Are you not the same as the panic porn you speak about?   How many posts have you written in the last week about wanting to cancel, encouraging others to cancel because of the "panic porn."  You cant have it both ways.  Its not healthy to complain about your upcoming cruise every day expecting the sky to fall and world come to an end.  

Edited December 29, 2021 by david_sobe

[AnitaVacation]

1 hour ago, david_sobe said:

 You keep hoping and telling others to cancel. If you are so upset about a mask policy then cancel yourself. Dont be negative towards others about their cruise.  Are you not the same as the panic porn you speak about?   How many posts have you written in the last week about wanting to cancel, encouraging others to cancel because of the "panic porn."  You cant have it both ways.  Its not healthy to complain about your upcoming cruise every day expecting the sky to fall and world come to an end.  

You must have me confused with someone else.  At think at one point I may have thought of cancelling but have since changed my mind.  I was only voicing my opinion that I think many people will cancel if they can and that we will be on an empty ship.  And how the nightly news has turned all this into panic porn.  

My posts have been mostly about testing, staying safe, wear your mask and washy washy...

Our bags are out and ready....and our fingers crossed for the best possible outcome.

PS....please show me where I ever encouraged others to cancel.... 🤨

 

Now....on the other hand....if Caribbean ports are closing to cruiseships... and NCL follows Carnival in the announcement of 'no fee cancellations'...some of us may need to reconsider....I'm not sure I want to be on a 12 day cruise to nowhere....just sayin.

[Analog187]

I assume you haven't heard anything about entertainment being canceled?

[Brandy14]

1 hour ago, Analog187 said:

I assume you haven't heard anything about entertainment being canceled?

The Choir of Man has been cancelled for the rest of this sailing. As of right now After Midnight is still on as well as the various other performers and comedy shows. 
i would say the biggest piece of advise i would give anyone on the next cruise is be prepared to just go with the flow. Things have been cancelled, times have been changed. It’s still a great cruise!

[AnitaVacation]

39 minutes ago, Brandy14 said:

i would say the biggest piece of advise i would give anyone on the next cruise is be prepared to just go with the flow. Things have been cancelled, times have been changed. It’s still a great cruise!

that's our plan.... just go with the flow!!

[bassmaster150]

5 hours ago, Analog187 said:

I assume you haven't heard anything about entertainment being canceled?

No entertainment has been canceled as of yet.  All shows and all venues are open and operating

[bassmaster150]

3 hours ago, Brandy14 said:

The Choir of Man has been cancelled for the rest of this sailing. As of right now After Midnight is still on as well as the various other performers and comedy shows. 
i would say the biggest piece of advise i would give anyone on the next cruise is be prepared to just go with the flow. Things have been cancelled, times have been changed. It’s still a great cruise!

Did not know Choir of Man was cancelled

[Brandy14]

2 hours ago, bassmaster150 said:

Did not know Choir of Man was cancelled

We got a notice in our stateroom. We had it booked for 7pm Saturday and there were no other times offered. It shows sold out on the app but someone else said they canceled them all. They mentioned another show called something else at 9pm that same night. 

Edited December 30, 2021 by Brandy14

[bassmaster150]

Haven’t posted a current review yet as we have been way too busy, but so far we have made all of our ports and have been allowed to disembark in all of our ports.  These ports were:  Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St Maarten, St Lucia, and Barbados.  We are currently pulling into port at Antigua, and tomorrow is St Thomas followed by a Sea Day, NCL private island in the Bahamas, and then back to Port Canaveral.  Hopefully will have more detailed write up tonight.