The Great Escape - From Way Before the Beginning Until The End

[zzdoug]

Yeah, butlers might appreciate letters, but I would not be surprised if they appreciate a $20 bill even more, as they write down your verbally dictated requirements.

 

- an opinion from way down in butlerless steerage

Edited December 30, 2022 by zzdoug

[CruzinMel]

4 hours ago, zzdoug said:

Enjoy!

 

Hopefully someone else was driving when you tapped out that dispatch. 

Oh, yes - I married the best of men, but he is incapable of allowing anyone else to drive.  Further, in Florida traffic, his NASCAR tendencies emerge, and he has to be reminded not to bump draft.  

[CruzinMel]

2 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

You will have an amazing time! David Newball is the concierge and he is so wonderful. Siva is the Assistant Maitre ‘d and I swear that is the hardest working man on the ship. I saw him do every job in the Haven restaurant, while finding time to chat with guests and to treat us like absolute royalty. He even came down to La Cucina to escort us to our table there. 

They sound wonderful!

[CruzinMel]

2 hours ago, zzdoug said:

Yeah, butlers might appreciate letters, but I would not be surprised if they appreciate a $20 bill even more, as they write down your verbally dictated requirements.

 

- an opinion from way down in butlerless steerage

For my butler letter, I'd planned to include Tip Part I - I've got dietary restrictions that could knock me out of commission, so I'm going to be a little bit extrra.  (Even a Haven bathroom would not be a fun place to cruise)  And I liked the idea of it - going ahead and putting it all down, so we are on the same page.  But we shall see - it will all be good.  

[CruzinMel]

2 hours ago, zzdoug said:

Yeah, butlers might appreciate letters, but I would not be surprised if they appreciate a $20 bill even more, as they write down your verbally dictated requirements.

 

- an opinion from way down in butlerless Also

Deleted - hit the post button twice because of a bump in the road.  

Edited December 30, 2022 by CruzinMel

[FLcruisergrl]

49 minutes ago, CruzinMel said:

For my butler letter, I'd planned to include Tip Part I - I've got dietary restrictions that could knock me out of commission, so I'm going to be a little bit extrra.  (Even a Haven bathroom would not be a fun place to cruise)  And I liked the idea of it - going ahead and putting it all down, so we are on the same page.  But we shall see - it will all be good.  

If I remember, you’re gluten free, right? Make sure you talk to Siva-he’ll make sure you’re taken care of. My daughter loved the GF kinnikinick bread and the pancakes were really good too. 

[CruzinMel]

5 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

If I remember, you’re gluten free, right? Make sure you talk to Siva-he’ll make sure you’re taken care of. My daughter loved the GF kinnikinick bread and the pancakes were really good too. 

Yes - thank you!  I am actually worried about tonight's dinner - we ate at a local spot and all I could think was, "On the ship, they will take care of me."  I'm going to make Siva my best buddy!!

[CruzinMel]

We are on Merritt Island and we can see a cruise ship from our balcony!!  (No idea which one, but it's not the Escape, so I don't care - it's a ship!!!)

 

It was a long six hours down to Cape Canaveral - between the GSP pulling drivers over right and left, and Florida drivers having one wreck after another,  we were all exhausted when we made it to our condo. 

 

Back when I thought we'd have 2 more people in the room, I got a 3 bedroom, lagoon-view condo at Cape Crossing Resort and Marina.  It is gorgeous - spacious, decorated, beautiful marina view, just perfect.  Better still, it was 200 bucks cheaper than 2 hotel rooms on Cocoa Beach, and for a one night stay, that was important. 

 

We brought pre-cruise booze with us, and after drinking and watching football, DH and the Percussionist wanted to go bar hopping, in which case the beach would have been easier.  There is only one restaurant/bar nearby, which is called Dolphins, and its walkable.  The food was adequate, and the service was meh, which is why the men are not at the tiki bar right now.  (DH at this moment is encouraging Clemson's kicker to miss his 4th field goal.....)

 

And after that, we are doing what we'd do on any Friday night, except we are 11 hours from getting on the ship!!!

 

On the drive, I called the concierge desk and got most everything settled.  The app and website stop letting you adjust things 3 days before the cruise - the ship takes over at that time, and even the shore excursions desk can't do much.  The concierge was able to adjust our meal packages to 4 each, prepay my gratuities (saves $140) and add streaming internet for DH's phone.  They confirmed that ESPN is not one of the channels the ship will have, so we MUST be able to stream the Georgia game!!!

 

The only thing left undone is to upgrade the beverage package.  Today's concierge was not a wizard like yesterday's concierge, and he told me that I'd have to upgrade everybody in the room, and then submit an insurance claim to get Mom's money back.  Why would I want to do that?  So, we will wait to do the premium plus upgrade first thing on the ship, when I am grubbing with the concierge for show times.

 

After all this time, we are sooooo close!!!  Tomorrow we will get up early, breakfast, and be at the port by 9:30.

[CruzinMel]

Added some pics - hope this works right!!

 

No idea who that is.  

Ships from the balcony.

Edited December 31, 2022 by CruzinMel

[cruiseny4life]

You have a more interesting view from your room. Ill see what our view is when the sun rises. Why am I up before it?

 

That ship looks like a Disney ship. Those funnels! 

[CruzinMel]

Boo!  Too foggy to see the port this morning!!  And also, 2 members of our party DIDNT BRING BATHING SUITS!!  So instead of a leisurely breakfast, we are headed to Target, then drive through breakfast and to the port.  

 

Foggy marina pic for tax.

 

 

[CruzinMel]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

You have a more interesting view from your room. Ill see what our view is when the sun rises. Why am I up before it?

 

That ship looks like a Disney ship. Those funnels! 

I was up at 5 and forced myself to stay abed...we are excited!!

 

I thought Disney myself but didn't see it on CruiseMapper, so not sure.  

[Cruise-mom]

Happy cruise day!!

[kruiserkatie]

Bon Voyage! Very excited to follow along as we are sailing a back to back in May in the Haven. First time on Escape but hearing great things.  Thank you for this great thread!

[SunshineGal2022]

Fortunately for the members of your party, Target just put their new spring suits out. 

 

How does the no show refund work?

Did you end up printing a new letter? 

 

I can't wait to hear about your cruise :)

[CruzinMel]

Let the LIVE begin!  Here we sit in the Haven waiting area while folks all debark the ship, so it's a good time to check off some boxes for the Live review. 

This morning, it was FOGGY!!  NO joy trying to see any ships at the port.

We hit the road looking for breakfast, and thoroughly enjoyed a huge meal at the Causeway Diner. 

And then, it was time to find the port!!  I had not figured out which terminal but I figured there would be signage, and there was. 

At the entrance to Terminal 10, there was a helpful man who gave us confusing directions, resulting in some unnecessary driving around, but we figured it out - drive into the parking garage but don't park - go to the porters first and drop off your heavy bags.  The porters will put your luggage tags on the luggage - they have staplers.  Our porter was very good to us, because apparently we are going to live on the ship for 6 months. 

Then into the parking deck, and out to find Haven check in.

On the outside if the terminal, there are lots and lots of blue Norwegian tents.  Not helpful - I wanted the gold Haven sign.  I found where the Scootaround equipment pickup is - there was a blue tent with a Scootarojnd sign.  We had no Mom, and I had canceled the wheelchair, so that was one less thing to worry about.  I had arranged wheelchair assistance for her, but I guess we'd have assigned a kid to be the pusher.  I do NOT know how a couple would have managed, if they'd been counting on a porter from Norwegian to push a wheelchair while the other person wrangled carry ons.

Haven tip - look for the last blue tent at the far right if you are facing the terminal.  There is a TINY Haven sign, and a representative sitting at a table.  They will ask to see your boarding docs, (which was the first time I told someone Mom wasn't coming) and then direct you to go up the escalator behind you. 

That takes you to the security area - first line on the left is Haven security. We were asked if we were Haven, and were directed to the first line on the left, where we  showed our passports, and were shown to the xray machines (phones in your bags for the scanner, please!)  Then through a hallway, where we saw different lines for priority boarding, etc, and the representative stationed there sent us to Haven check in, ALL the way at the other end of the terminal.

(Note here - I can totally see how someone could get confused - if you went to the wrong check in or security line, or a rep wasn't available, you could easily go to regular check in.)

ALL the way at the end of the terminal, we saw the first Haven check in sign, and encountered the lovely Haven lady, who took us to Haven check.in - after that, everything was easy as pie.  Checked in, got our gold Haven cards, and now we are waiting, with juice and coffee, and it's only been an hour.  As I type it's 11:08, and we are READY TO GO!

[CruzinMel]

1 hour ago, SunshineGal2022 said:

Fortunately for the members of your party, Target just put their new spring suits out. 

 

How does the no show refund work?

Did you end up printing a new letter? 

 

I can't wait to hear about your cruise 🙂

Yes!  Indy got 2 suits, so we are good to go.

 

I'm.totally not sure what to do about the no show - we had to get on board first, but after that...we shall see.  I didn't print a new letter....

[CruzinMel]

BOARDING!

[Seas2mountains]

Bon voyage! Thank you for taking the time to share the details. I’m looking forward to your updates.  
 

That is too funny about two in your party forgetting swim suits. Lol. 
 

I’m also curious about how all goes with your no show Mom vs. doing a cancelation.  
 

Have a wonderful vacation!!

[CruzinMel]

Trying to add some pics.... and I am not happy with how CC does pics!  

 

That said, we got onboard shortly after 1130 this morning, and I handled all our mess with the marvelous concierge David and his magical assistant Charry.  Handling the muster drill check in was a breeze - we went straight to our muster station, where our cards were scanned, and then straight to the Haven lounge.  Throughout the day so far, there have been multiple announcements to remind everyone to check in, and at 3 there's going to be a drill without a drill - the 7 short blasts and then the muster message, but we don't have to go anywhere.  

 

We did a quick bar fill up, then went for lunch at American Diner - marvelous service,  regular food, but my spinach salad with shrimp was delicious, Perc pronounced the shrimp and grits divine, and DH and Indiana shared lobster sliders and said they could eat those all night. 

 

Drumboy is crawling the ship, which is crawling with passengers- this baby is slap full.  DH is dismayed that the Crown Royal supply is low - they didn't have any at the Haven Bar when we got on, and he found some at Spice H2O (Russell says hi!) but that's a long walk.  We shall see.  Indy doesn't like the crowds, so she and I are up on the Haven sundeck taking a nap under cloudy skies while DH has crashed in the room.  Some wild party animals we are!!

 

I can already tell we are going to be unhappy with the internet- I can't even figure out how to get it on, and am on my own wifi at the moment. 

 

Across the way, I can hear one of these other ships doing s muster drill - we are looking at Disney Fantasy, which appears empty,  as does the Carnival Magic next to her.  Maybe it's Jewel.of the Seas?  It's just 3 PM, so when one of them.moves. I'll know.

 

Now, for a nap!!

[wolft927]

19 hours ago, CruzinMel said:

Trying to add some pics.... and I am not happy with how CC does pics!  

 

That said, we got onboard shortly after 1130 this morning, and I handled all our mess with the marvelous concierge David and his magical assistant Charry.  Handling the muster drill check in was a breeze - we went straight to our muster station, where our cards were scanned, and then straight to the Haven lounge.  Throughout the day so far, there have been multiple announcements to remind everyone to check in, and at 3 there's going to be a drill without a drill - the 7 short blasts and then the muster message, but we don't have to go anywhere.  

 

We did a quick bar fill up, then went for lunch at American Diner - marvelous service,  regular food, but my spinach salad with shrimp was delicious, Perc pronounced the shrimp and grits divine, and DH and Indiana shared lobster sliders and said they could eat those all night. 

 

Drumboy is crawling the ship, which is crawling with passengers- this baby is slap full.  DH is dismayed that the Crown Royal supply is low - they didn't have any at the Haven Bar when we got on, and he found some at Spice H2O (Russell says hi!) but that's a long walk.  We shall see.  Indy doesn't like the crowds, so she and I are up on the Haven sundeck taking a nap under cloudy skies while DH has crashed in the room.  Some wild party animals we are!!

 

I can already tell we are going to be unhappy with the internet- I can't even figure out how to get it on, and am on my own wifi at the moment. 

 

Across the way, I can hear one of these other ships doing s muster drill - we are looking at Disney Fantasy, which appears empty,  as does the Carnival Magic next to her.  Maybe it's Jewel.of the Seas?  It's just 3 PM, so when one of them.moves. I'll know.

 

Now, for a nap!!

Following! Wife and I are o. The escape in December, with our daughter and her friend, 17 and 18 at time of sailing. Also staying in haven, forward facing haven suite 

[CruzinMel]

Hola from the Dominican Republic!  We just had rum for breakfast!  We are pirates!

 

Ship internet is crap, so many thanks to Verizon for my phone plan.  

 

Escape is docked in Amber Cove today, next to the HAL Niew Amsterdam.  We couldn't find a ships tour so I booked with Alfredo through Viator and Andres is taking us around town.  His Englush is about as good as my Spanish, so we are stepping out in faith today.  

 

The first stop was the Macorix House de Rhum, and my lips are numb but I had 8 shots and a drunken popsicle so they feel better. Andres is taking us on a panoramic tour now, and then I need more rhim!!! 

 

In a nutshell the ship is beautiful and the crew is amazing, and that's not just the rum talking.  It is FULL.

[helene109]

We are on the Escape in April! Thanks for doing this! So appreciated!

[FLcruisergrl]

In Tortola, are you going to Jost Van Dyke? It’s the best place ever and I’ve never been so drunk so early in my entire life!

[zzdoug]

29 minutes ago, CruzinMel said:

The first stop was the Macorix House de Rhum, and my lips are numb but I had 8 shots and a drunken popsicle so they feel better.

DANG. Breakfast of champions? Might have to check out the Macorix. 

Edited January 2, 2023 by zzdoug