Escape Review -- Dec 10th Sailing

[MsTabbyKats]

1 hour ago, PATRLR said:

In November on Encore, we went ashore a couple hours after arrival and there were hundreds of loungers available.  Unless they have multiple ships stopping on the same day I can't imagine there ever not being available loungers. 

 

Let me clarify....lounge chairs in a location we liked.  I used to love GSC before they upgraded the island. At that time we'd take the shuttle to a different area...it was like being at a private resort.  They even had a separate food area.  I used to think....they could sell this as an excursion.  Too bad they read my mind.  Now GSC is just rows and rows of chairs...in the sun...with a long line to eat.

[DebQ5]

On 12/24/2022 at 11:43 PM, resetjet said:

Dec 17.  Ship sold out.  Food was good,  buffet lousy as usual.  Malevo and internet get a zero.  Speaking of zero there is no covid protocol at all.  I got a cold as usual.  Choir of men was good.  Rock the pour house was outstanding. Ropes course was scary as hell.  We stayed in haven,  lots of kids which is fine with us.  I was able to get in a hot tub for first time on a cruise in 20

years as they drain the hot tubs nightly.  Ships has an odd shudder every once in awhile as if an engine blew up. Overall an average cruise.  Haven made it much better with some escape from the overly crowded main pool.  

 

Can you add anything about Rock the Pour House?  I've heard it's difficult to get in.  Do people line up ahead of time?  Do you know if you can go in early and just sit and wait?  This seems like my kind of place and I don't want to miss out 🙂  Thanks in advance!  PS - Haven is the best!  Not doing it this time and I'm sure I'll miss it 😞

[resetjet]

15 hours ago, DebQ5 said:

 

Can you add anything about Rock the Pour House?  I've heard it's difficult to get in.  Do people line up ahead of time?  Do you know if you can go in early and just sit and wait?  This seems like my kind of place and I don't want to miss out 🙂  Thanks in advance!  PS - Haven is the best!  Not doing it this time and I'm sure I'll miss it 😞

They have several shows.  Be 1/2 hour early and have some drinks.  All seats are good,  not too loud anywhere.  Incredible sound.  

[DebQ5]

7 minutes ago, resetjet said:

They have several shows.  Be 1/2 hour early and have some drinks.  All seats are good,  not too loud anywhere.  Incredible sound.  

Thanks!  Hoping to catch a few... appreciate the response!

[ShadowRegent]

We were on the 12/10 sailing and it was our first cruise and we had an absolutely amazing time.  I have nothing to compare it to, but I expected it to feel more packed than it did with how busy it was.

 

We were in a Family Oceanview (O5) and were pleasantly surprised with the amount of storage.  We had our expectations for room size set very low, but left saying we'd be willing to do that size room again.  One bathroom is probably the biggest issue, and as our kids grow we'll undoubtedly move to 2 rooms or a suite (they're 5, 9, and 10 now).

 

I can't agree more on the Stateroom steward-- my wife and I were both in awe at the attention to detail and eagerness to help.  The crew overall was fantastic-- huge shout out to the kids club staff who were so great with our 3 kids-- they never wanted to leave.

 

We found the food to be pretty good!  I had a NY Strip which was very overcooked (ordered Medium Rare and came out well done), but that's the only bad food experience.  We had a dinner at Cagney's where we wished we could eat more.  I didn't think it was possible to gain 10 pounds in a week-- I was wrong.

 

The kids said it was the best vacation ever (topping Disney World), so now we're planning our next cruise for June!

[Southerngal410]

On 12/17/2022 at 5:08 PM, coldflame said:

Hey folks,

 

Just off the Escape this AM after a fantastic week. This was our 15th cruise in the last 10 years, 2nd in NCL. First and foremost, I'm stunned how many people were in the ship this time of year. Normally, this past week is the lowest-demand week of fall-winter season as kids are still in school and folks are still not on vacation. Other cruises we've taken this time of the year are like half-empty. Not so this year. It was PACKED TO THE BRIM with people. I don't thing I've ever sailed with so many people in the same ship. Really crazy how the slingshot effect of 2 years w/o cruising is having on demand.

 

Stateroom service: I don't think people give enough credit or importance at having a good stateroom steward. Our was amazing. Always courteous, prompt and knew all of our names since day one. Unlike many of our past cruises including 9 on Disney, she seemed actually genuine and always happy to be of help. Our rom was kept impeccable. Without question she was our "Vacation Hero".

 

Stateroom: Forward balcony. For the price was good. Fit 4 of us and our luggage without problems -- although we are notoriously light-packers. The noise insulation, however, left a lot to be desired. We could literally hear our neighbors to either side talk, sigh, etc. Not a deal breaker, but definitely deserves note especially since I'm a ridiculously light sleeper so got woken up when one of our neighbors would go to their bathroom at night.

 

Ship condition: Ship was mostly kept clean. There were a few areas, especially the Waterfront where you could always find drinks/food that had been sitting there for a a while. To be clear, nothing gross, but just stuff we noticed.

 

Complimentary food: great. Good selection, very good quality --- not quite Disney, but close and much better IMO than Royal's.

 

Paid food: We tried Le Bistro and La Cucina. Le Bistro was the gastronomic highlight of our trip. In fact, I'd say it was the gastronomic highlight of the last 5 years. I've had the privilege to eat at several Michelin-rated restaurants in Copenhagen, Bilbao and Lyon and I would say my meal at Le Bistro was within spittin' distance of those. So damn good. I can still taste the dark chocolate dessert in my mind. La Cucina was good. Nothing spectacular, but good choice for the dining plans.

 

Overall service: the service throughout the ship was really good. Savor/Taste service was always prompt and attentive. The few times I needed someone at service desk, were  very quick and easy going.

 

Great Sh***up Cay: I would say if there's any derogatory remarks to say about our trip is the absolute SH*TSHOW that is the tendering "process". Incredibly frustrating and puzzling why would NCL ever screw this opportunity so badly. We've done half dozen tenders in DCL Fantasy and Oasis of the Seas (which is a bigger and more pax capacity that the Escape). It has always been a non-issue. Super simple, no "tendering groups", no massive tenders, really quick. In NCL the process felt like agony at times -- WHY?! It's hard to comprehend how they've shot themselves in the foot so badly. And GSC is an absolute delight. Gorgeous beaches, the zip-line was SUUUUPER fun, great food and yet the tendering process left a bad taste in our mouths and very unlikely we will try sailing on an itinerary with tendering involved on NCL.

 

Drinks: we don't partake. So no comment.

 

Internet: speed varied from slow as molasses to 'decent'. Never felt there was a time in the whole trip when I felt the connection was worth the cost, frankly, but YMMV.

Thanks for the review! Did you happen to get a picture of your room made up for 4 people? Am curious what that looks like. How was it space wise?