!!! NORWEGIAN ESCAPE !!! ^_^ The Ultimate Review and Complete Pictorial Guide

Gambee, I will be on this boat in 2 days, May 28. My 2nd ship in my lifetime.

 

The picts of people sitting in the sports car and the traffic, is that taken at the port?

Hey, I leave on the Escape on Saturday as well and it's my 2nd cruise too!

Take a look at the Norwegian Sky - Nov 21-25.

I'm taking the whole family - three kids...and all kids get to bring a friend.

It would be an honor to sail with you!!

We're also doing Escape on July 2nd...the wife and I....loved your review and pics. Learned a lot about Escape....man I hope all those great folks that worked on the boat are still there in July...but am guessing some vacations are coming up.

Such a sweet boy! Not all men would notice or offer the shoes to mom, so nice to read!

Silly question, do you specify what sort of liquor to use in your martini's and gin and tonics so as to get "better" than house brands?

I don't drink much liquor buy I'm disappointed in the wine list and with it being so hot out, the gin and tonics looked very refreshing (but as I recall I don't love gin so maybe time to try again).

There was also some cucumber clear drink that looked refreshing in another review, any idea what it might be? It looked alot like your gin and tonics but I think used clear tequila.

Thanks for the review!

Fabulous review! Thanks so much for taking the time to be so thorough. It's definitely made me more excited for my first cruise this October!

Such a sweet boy! Not all men would notice or offer the shoes to mom, so nice to read!

 

Silly question, do you specify what sort of liquor to use in your martini's and gin and tonics so as to get "better" than house brands?

 

I don't drink much liquor buy I'm disappointed in the wine list and with it being so hot out, the gin and tonics looked very refreshing (but as I recall I don't love gin so maybe time to try again).

 

There was also some cucumber clear drink that looked refreshing in another review, any idea what it might be? It looked alot like your gin and tonics but I think used clear tequila.

 

Thanks for the review!

I was drinking their top shelf on all my drinks, both the vodka martinies and their gin. Usually grey goose for vodka or titos, and hendrixs or organic gin. The cucumber is in the gin drink, I usually get one on my drinks.

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Nice to see the Escape rated very highly especially for food and service. I may have to try her out one day :)

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I really should have known better than to eat week old oysters… I would pay dearly for that later that day and the next day…

 

 

Thanks for the great review and all the fabulous pictures. I was sorry to hear you had stomach issues. How did you know the oysters were a week old? Did you complain to NCL?

Thanks for the review Gambee. Devoured every word as we leave on her next Saturday!

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Thanks again for your great review. I enjoyed this so much that when I realized you were still writing it I went and read some of your other reviews. You have a great writing style and I hope you get to cruise again soon so I can read another great review. Thanks for all the pictures and details. You and your mom are so lucky to have each other. See you next time you write a review.

Candi

Thanks for the great review and all the fabulous pictures. I was sorry to hear you had stomach issues. How did you know the oysters were a week old? Did you complain to NCL?

I am just assuming, no I don't complain.

Thanks for the update. Do you specify the tonic water too or is there only one available?

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Thanks for the update. Do you specify the tonic water too or is there only one available?

 

 

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just one available, you can also do club soda.

Thanks for the great review and all the fabulous pictures. I was sorry to hear you had stomach issues. How did you know the oysters were a week old? Did you complain to NCL?

Toward the end of the week hasn't most of the food been on the ship a week?

Hi Gambee,

 

I know it will be difficult in your situation to plan a next cruise. What with your schedule, breaks etc.

 

Just a little food for thought though:

 

I see you haven't done the Epic yet. It is actually one of the more controversial ships in the Norwegian Fleet. There is a 7 day cruise over Thanksgiving leaving November 19th from Port Canaveral with 4 ports Western. Maybe because it is close to you, and maybe you might have a little more time in your schedule due to the Holiday, it might be something worth considering.

 

And it really has nothing to do with the fact that I will be on that particular cruise! :D;):)

What is controversial about it besides that it is butt ugly?

What is controversial about it besides that it is butt ugly?

Besides the looks of the ship from the outside...probably the most controversial thing is most (maybe all except suites, insides and studios have a layout where the bathrooms are broken up strangely. The sink is quite small and in one area close to the maim part of the cabin..the shower is immediately inside the door to the cabin on one side and the toilet on the other side and somewhat tight. A lot of people complain that it gives them no privacy..but there is a curtain that can be drawn..and the showers are frosted. I actually like it as it gives people options to do different things at the same time. For people that aren't real close though I could see where they might get a little shy about the accommodations.;)

Many Europeans seem to love it while many Americans not so much.

The ship itself though is very nice and just out of drydock.

Gambee, while reading about your sleeping arrangement, I wondered if you ever tried wearing ear plugs to bed. I use them, and while they're not a perfect solution (you still hear a little snoring), they really do help.

Gambee, while reading about your sleeping arrangement, I wondered if you ever tried wearing ear plugs to bed. I use them, and while they're not a perfect solution (you still hear a little snoring), they really do help.

My ex uses them, I can't stand them. It is kind of odd, I need a steady noise to sleep. Like a fan, actually I have one loud air filter and a fan in my room. It rocks me sleep. It is when I have random noises that I have issues sleeping.

Day 8

 

 

 

As much as I used to dislike Del Río, I think that he has created a good product. The big question is when will the sailings stop selling with all the sudden product changes. That is the main problem with NCL, that they have so many changes so often and the dissemination of information within the company is not the most efficient. I wonder what will be the boiling point?

 

 

 

 

Day 8, End.

 

I still dislike him and agree with you 100% on this. Too many abrupt policy changes and rate increases with little regard for the customer. I wrote off NCL for many years, came back and was impressed, but I think after my EPIC crossing in the fall it's time to write off NCL again for a while. Guess I reached that boiling point! LOL I would just rather spend my money elsewhere. It's too bad because I think the onboard product is pretty good (and Sheehan really started this trend), but I can't support the policies of the head office and Del Rio. I'll give it a few years and revisit NCL again, perhaps when they have a new design hopefully with improved pools and lido deck. It's the main reason I have little desire to return to ESCAPE or the Breakaway Class. Vibe of course helps, but there is no guarantee of getting a pass nor should you have to pay extra for a decent lido deck experience. Sounds like you also had better bar service on your ESCAPE cruise. On the inaugural crossing getting a drink could be a challenge. Glad to hear this has improved.

Have fun planning your next cruise whenever that may be. Next for me is a week to Cuba on fathom in June, then back to my favorite ship of all time QM2 in August. She will have just completed her first major refit since being introduced 12 years ago. I can't wait to experience the result.

Awesome review as always. Thanks for the hard work, time and effort you put into your reviews. When I get to the end of your reviews I'm always sad that it's over...just like I feel on the last morning on a cruise when I have to get off the ship. Thanks for sharing your pictures. I liked the underwater shots, and who doesn't enjoy a hefty helping of food porn. Delicious!

 

 

 

Your mom seems so sweet and she is very lucky to have a son as thoughtful as you are.

 

 

 

I booked the Escape months ago for October, and I have to confess to you that about half way through your Oasis review I was inspired to book that too.

 

 

 

I do have a Vibe question. Is there any shade there? From your pictures it looks like full sun. I easily burn and don't want to rush for a pass if there isn't any shade.

 

 

 

Thanks again and good luck with school.

I spent last week in there. There is plenty of shade sitting at the bar. [emoji3][emoji3]

There are lots of umbrellas, but they will put them away when it gets too windy.

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Thanks for the awesome review

Have done a week in the vibe. If you are a not a big sun fan I'd save my money. It is always pretty windy where vibe is and they couldn't ever use the umbrellas unless we were in port. True only shade usually will be sitting at the bar. And full shade at bar determined by location of the sun at any given time.

Nothing compares to Vibe! And I know I am screwing myself here by over selling a limited area. But I am honest in my reviews, it is simply the way it is. Someone even suggested that vibe should be larger, but I responded saying that the rest of the cruise would be even smaller.

Gambee, we spent last week in Vibe, based mostly on your review. (We didn't do it on our previous Escape cruise or our Getaway cruse). I can echo everything you've said about the service. Rowena, Rommel, and Roberto (The 3 Ro's) were amazing! They all knew our names within 5 minutes of entering, and didn't forget all week. Rowena would bring around fruit skewers to those of us in the hot tub, and carafes of ice water to all the chairs. Once when I was lying on my belly she put ice cold washcloths on my feet, and she was always ready with a pillow to put under your head. It was truly outstanding and worth every dime.

I must say that I feel bad for those who were looking for a serene, relaxing, quiet area. It was just a huge party. There were days when every single person in there was gathered around the bar doing shots! I lost count of all the shots we did. I think I met every single person in there. It was truly so much fun, and added a lot to our cruise experience.

FYI-- We just got back from the May 21-May 28 sailing aboard the Escape with the same itinerary--in Tortola, I would go to Brewer's Bay--by FAR the best stop of the trip for me. Beautiful beach, not more than 50-60 people there, and the snorkeling was awesome.

Gambee! I just wanted to let you know that reading your great review of Escape, sealed the deal for me for my next year cruise:D I have gone ahead and booked myself a studio on Escape for next September! I still like Carnival, but have been wanting to try something different now for a few years. So....long wait ahead for me, though I have one Carnival cruise coming up this fall, to break up the time. I may just have to go through your review a few more times between now and then LOL. Thanks again! and best wishes for you with Grad school.:)