Escape, Escape - Two Times the Escape. Live Review B2B NCL Escape, Dec 9-16 & Dec 16-23

[wilmingtech]

3 minutes ago, macewank said:

 

Errr. That's not the weather reports I'm seeing. It's supposed to be heavy rain and mega windy. 

[slavetoabunny]

1 minute ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

Only 25 mph and 2.5 inches of rain.. 

Weather for tomorrow:

 

[macewank]

1 minute ago, wilmingtech said:

Yeah I don't think that's right. Everyone's talking like this is some crazy "hasn't happened in decades" storm. Wind gusts 40+ and an inch+ of rain. Coastal flooding and gale warnings in effect until Sunday. 

[D_And_K_gocruising]

So you STILL may want the umbrellas but not for sunshine.. but for liquid sunshine 😄 

[D_And_K_gocruising]

not to make it even more exciting for you.. but.. 

 

Active Weather Alerts

WIND ADVISORY

ISSUED: 9:18 AM DEC. 15, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...East winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Coastal Indian River, Coastal Saint
Lucie, Coastal Martin, Mainland Northern Brevard, Northern
Brevard Barrier Islands, Mainland Southern Brevard and
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands Counties.

* WHEN...Until 4 AM EST Sunday. The strongest wind gusts are
forecast Saturday evening and overnight.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

GALE WARNING

ISSUED: 3:26 AM DEC. 15, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...East winds 25 to 35 knots with gusts up to 45 knots and
seas 11 to 17 feet.

* WHERE...Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet out to 60 nm.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions.
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the
vessel for severe conditions.

&&

HIGH SURF ADVISORY

ISSUED: 3:22 AM DEC. 15, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
SATURDAY...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST SUNDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning, significant coastal
flooding. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of
5 to 12 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk,
dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Coastal Indian River, Coastal Saint
Lucie, Coastal Martin, and Coastal Brevard Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 1 PM EST Saturday.
For the High Surf Advisory, until 10 AM EST Sunday. For the
High Rip Current Risk, through Saturday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Coastal roads may be closed. Low lying property
including homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure
will be inundated. Significant shoreline erosion will occur.
Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach
erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Coastal flooding is occurring or imminent. Coastal residents in
the warned area should be alert for rising water, and take
appropriate action to protect life and property. If travel is
required, do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth.

High surf will affect the beaches in the advisory area, producing
localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions.
Swimmers should remain out of the water due to large breaking
waves and dangerous surf conditions.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

&&

COASTAL FLOOD WARNING

ISSUED: 3:22 AM DEC. 15, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
SATURDAY...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST SUNDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning, significant coastal
flooding. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of
5 to 12 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk,
dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Coastal Indian River, Coastal Saint
Lucie, Coastal Martin, and Coastal Brevard Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 1 PM EST Saturday.
For the High Surf Advisory, until 10 AM EST Sunday. For the
High Rip Current Risk, through Saturday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Coastal roads may be closed. Low lying property
including homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure
will be inundated. Significant shoreline erosion will occur.
Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach
erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Coastal flooding is occurring or imminent. Coastal residents in
the warned area should be alert for rising water, and take
appropriate action to protect life and property. If travel is
required, do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth.

High surf will affect the beaches in the advisory area, producing
localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions.
Swimmers should remain out of the water due to large breaking
waves and dangerous surf conditions.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

&&

[Stealthdog]

6 hours ago, www3traveler said:

WOW!!  Impressive as always!!  

Here is another view of it from the stairs going to Deck 7. 

[Stealthdog]

5 hours ago, macewank said:

Any announcements about the return to port tomorrow? I see Holland America has already adjusted some itineraries sailing out of Port Everglades for tomorrow because of the weather. News says it's going to be *foul* tomorrow. 

I haven’t heard any announcements of any change to return to Port Canaveral tomorrow.  We are fairly close now already - don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be there. 

[www3traveler]

46 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

Here is another view of it from the stairs going to Deck 7. 

On the upper level, is that supposed to be a football (futbol-soccer) stadium?

[D41]

On 12/14/2023 at 6:16 AM, Stealthdog said:

When we play trivia, I usually provide 1-2 answers and he handles the rest. 😂

Sounds like my husband and I as well 😉

[Stealthdog]

54 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

On the upper level, is that supposed to be a football (futbol-soccer) stadium?

it looks like it from the pic, but it’s just a train track with other things underneath it.  

[APDMOM]

Arrived in Titusville to board tomorrow.  🙂 💃

[cat shepard]

On 12/12/2023 at 4:33 PM, wilmingtech said:

There are 2 rowing machines.  To the left of the 3 stationary bikes in the first picture.  Both are in good working shape.  My wife and daughter used them last night.

 

Thank you!

[cat shepard]

14 hours ago, Stealthdog said:

Already answered by @wilmingtech, but here is a little more detail. When you enter the gym go to the right towards the cardio machines.  It’s all the way at the far right.  The brand they use is called concept 2. 

Thank you for the visual!

[Robbie555]

On 12/12/2023 at 1:51 PM, Stealthdog said:

Earlier today Eric represented in the speed trivia completion.  We like to participate in some of these games and trivia.  People had to answer as many trivia questions in 30 seconds as they could to accumulate points.  All questions were multiple choice and contestants had to hit one of 4 buttons that matched the right answer.  If they got one wrong, their game ended.  Eric brought me home the coveted Norwegian playing deck of cards for his 4th place, so we got off to a good start today! 

What were the prizes for first, second, and third?

 

When I played this on another sailing, one of the buttons malfunctioned.

[Stealthdog]

1 hour ago, Robbie555 said:

What were the prizes for first, second, and third?

 

When I played this on another sailing, one of the buttons malfunctioned.

I think first prize was a NCL bag and 2-4 was a deck of cards. 

[Robbie555]

20 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

I think first prize was a NCL bag and 2-4 was a deck of cards. 

Okay. Usually in other cruise lines and possibly NCL as well, in the library there's a cabinet that contains stacks of playing cards. Unlike the books in which you are expected to sign out and return, for playing cards passengers usually just usually take it and keep it with the implicit assumption that they are for the free taking.

[wilmingtech]

On this 12/9 sailing there were 4750 passengers and 110 of them were teenagers.  I dont have counts on kids 12 and under but there were not many.  At 51 I often felt younger than most in the room on this cruise.

 

There are supposed to be over 5400 passengers on the 12/16 sailing and my son told me the manager up in Entourage told him there are 750 teens on this next sailing (not kids but 13-17 y/o teens)

 

[Stealthdog]

7 hours ago, Robbie555 said:

Okay. Usually in other cruise lines and possibly NCL as well, in the library there's a cabinet that contains stacks of playing cards. Unlike the books in which you are expected to sign out and return, for playing cards passengers usually just usually take it and keep it with the implicit assumption that they are for the free taking.

One of the first places we went was the library.  They didn’t have any playing cards available in there.  We checked every unlocked drawer, shelf, and cabinet.  We had to earn them the hard way!  And when I say we, I obviously mean Eric.  😂

 

We always laugh and joke about the prizes from the trivia and free games because they are always so silly - pens, coasters, cards, etc.  For us, getting a worthless prize is part of the fun.  
 

NCL does have an activity card that gets stamped every time you play in an activity.  At the end of the cruise you can trade your card in for prizes, coincidently in the library (so maybe they do have cards locked in one of the cabinets there).  We didn’t even know about the activity card until day 4.  We will get it filled on the 2nd leg to see what they give away. 

[Stealthdog]

Debarkation day for the first cruises. It’s been nice knowing you all, now get off my ship!!!!!

 

One thing about yesterday (Day 7) I noticed was the ship was still one hour ahead.  There was a small reminder on it the Day 7 daily about time changing back overnight last night.  The reminder wasn’t bold and obvious, so I wonder if people forgot.  Switching off airplane mode immediately changed the clock - yay, 1 extra hour before we have to go to breakfast!!!!

 

Yesterday we ate at Pincho for lunch, Bistro again for dinner, and Eric made Pearl status at the casino. 
 

Today, I’ll do a Good, Bad, and Ugly for Cruise 1.  Will do some overall thoughts at the end of the B2B.

 

Thanks for all the contributors and assistance from those onboard for this thread. It’s greatly appreciated and I wish safe travels to the Dec9-16 cruise critic community who sailed!

[Stealthdog]

Some more pics of the gym.  I ended up going 4 of 7 days.  There didn’t appear to be any trend - some days it was busier than others (including sea days).  There was never more than 25 people in there (combined doing cardio and weight training), which was great.  I often saw same 2-3 people there every day.  On other cruise ships, the gym got really packed with 50-60+ people circling for a good cardio machine or all the weight stations and machines in use at the same time.

 

They did have a class schedule (pic attached), so if you are looking for that while on board, go to the gym to get your schedule.  There was a separate spin room and another room with mats to do core or stomach workouts.  
 

Overall, it’s a nice gym.  Will probably be there 4 days in cruise 2 as well.

Edited December 16, 2023 by Stealthdog

[Stealthdog]

Got the pictures from Eric, and wanted to show the new star of the Choir of Man.  
 

The Choir of Man cast did a Q&A in the atrium on Day 7, which was interesting to hear them.  I don’t know if that is planned every cruise, because they had to redo the activities on Day 7 when it turned into a sea day. 

[Stealthdog]

Sitting out on the balcony (with only a minimal amount of occasional cigarette smoke), and really pretty views of the pier area.  It looks really calm here - overcast but no rain yet.  Same 3 ships are in the same 3 spots - Carnival Vista, RCL, and Disney.

 

They are making debarkation announcements so people are leaving the ship.  
 

Waiting for a certain night owl to get ready so we can go to breakfast and plan our reservations plans for cruise 2.  Looking forward to seeing the Dec 16 Cruise Critic Meet and Greet people on board!

[Stealthdog]

11 hours ago, APDMOM said:

Arrived in Titusville to board tomorrow.  🙂 💃

Safe travels to the port today!!!

[Stealthdog]

20 hours ago, slavetoabunny said:

When you get in to port in the morning can you please post which terminal you are at?

We are docked in the same spot that we left last cruise - Terminal 10.

[slavetoabunny]

1 minute ago, Stealthdog said:

We are docked in the same spot that we left last cruise - Terminal 10.

Thank you. Bags are in the car and I'm sitting here waiting until it is time to leave for the port!