Need Help Deciding...Epic vs Escape Vs. Jade

So, I live in Tampa, Florida and thinking of going on my second NCl cruise in October/November. I will be going solo and have gone on about 4 Carnival cruises. But, with the free drink package im being Drawn back to NCL. These are the three cruises im deciding on. The price are all within my budget.

1. Escape. 7 day out of Miami. going to St Thomas (been here, but want to go back), St Marteen (Never been here) and Nassau (Been here 4 times, but each time haven't gone past Senior frogs, damnit I will one day!. This port is about 4 hours from my home. New ship and leaves Oct 22, nice plus. Price out the door $1,098

2. Epic. 7 day. Going out of Port Canaveral. Stops in Grand Cayman (Been here once and LOVEd it, one of my favorite ports), Ocho Rios, Jamacia (Never been here), Cozumel (Never been here), and NCL private Island. Nice bonus is it the cruise is about an hour from my apartment. So no real driving at all, a friend would drop me off. Negative is I have to wait till November 19th, which very well could be torture, if I can stand it though this is about $150 cheaper than others. Price out the door for me, $1,033.

3. Epic same departure port, but leaving November 12th, alittle earlier. Going to same stops as the escape. Only negative to this is its alittle more expensive than the others. Price out the door, $956

4. Finally, the Jade. Leaving November 12, out of Tampa. This one goes to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan Island, and Belize. Never been to any of these ports, which is nice. Pluses, I could literally walk to the port, honestly its that close. Negatives, its ALOT more expensive almost $250 more. Price out the door, $1, 323.

Any thoughts, opinions and advice would be greatly appreciate. As of right now, I literally have no clue which one to choose. Which one has the best nightlife for solo traveler? I enjoy shows, casinos, clubbing, and the pool. IM 35 years old. Thank you again.

Solo studio on Epic or Escape. With a slight lead for Escape for having more bars/night life but Epic's 7 day is a 3 and 4 right? So that might attract a more party type crowd..

Solo studio on Epic or Escape. With a slight lead for Escape for having more bars/night life but Epic's 7 day is a 3 and 4 right? So that might attract a more party type crowd..

Sorry, Im not sure what you mean by 3 and 4?

Sorry, Im not sure what you mean by 3 and 4?

A back to back cruise, a 3 day and a 4 day itinerary?

edit: I understood that Epic was doing short runs, I might be wrong :)

A back to back cruise, a 3 day and a 4 day itinerary?

 

edit: I understood that Epic was doing short runs, I might be wrong :)

Ohhh No, I apologize if it wasn't clear. I is not a back to back cruise. They are two separate cruises. One to St Thomas, St. Marteen, and Nassau. The other one to Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand cayman, and NCL private island. One is alittle cheaper than the other, but the latest date.

I am not a big fan of the "megaships" - but I would choose the Escape over the Epic any time, the Escape have a much nicer design on board than the Epic. At least in my opinion (I have tried them both).

If you can, look into flying to Barcelona Spain before Oct 30 to catch the Jade's Transatlantic to TAMPA - 14 days, stopping in Cartagena Spain, Malaga Spain, Madeira, Bermuda and Miami. It arrives in Tampa on Nov 13th (so you are wrong about the 12th Nov).

The T/A and repo (repositioning) cruises are often cheaper than normal R/T cruises, why don't you take a look?

Cheers!

P.S. Escape over Epic, but from Tampa, Jade is good!

Ohhh No, I apologize if it wasn't clear. I is not a back to back cruise. They are two separate cruises. One to St Thomas, St. Marteen, and Nassau. The other one to Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand cayman, and NCL private island. One is alittle cheaper than the other, but the latest date.

Yes, it's called a B2B - it's 2 cruises combined. If you book it as a 7 day cruise, it's still B2B. Trouble with them is you return to the original port and need to get off the ship to go thru US Imm and customs before getting back on ship. AND also, if you think you'll have the ship to yourselves before new pax board , then you're lucky ... for 30-45 mins only.

The 3 and 4 day cruises often attract party people.

So, I live in Tampa, Florida and thinking of going on my second NCl cruise in October/November. I will be going solo and have gone on about 4 Carnival cruises. But, with the free drink package im being Drawn back to NCL. These are the three cruises im deciding on. The price are all within my budget.

 

1. Escape. 7 day out of Miami. going to St Thomas (been here, but want to go back), St Marteen (Never been here) and Nassau (Been here 4 times, but each time haven't gone past Senior frogs, damnit I will one day!. This port is about 4 hours from my home. New ship and leaves Oct 22, nice plus. Price out the door $1,098

 

2. Epic. 7 day. Going out of Port Canaveral. Stops in Grand Cayman (Been here once and LOVEd it, one of my favorite ports), Ocho Rios, Jamacia (Never been here), Cozumel (Never been here), and NCL private Island. Nice bonus is it the cruise is about an hour from my apartment. So no real driving at all, a friend would drop me off. Negative is I have to wait till November 19th, which very well could be torture, if I can stand it though this is about $150 cheaper than others. Price out the door for me, $1,033.

 

3. Epic same departure port, but leaving November 12th, alittle earlier. Going to same stops as the escape. Only negative to this is its alittle more expensive than the others. Price out the door, $956

 

4. Finally, the Jade. Leaving November 12, out of Tampa. This one goes to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan Island, and Belize. Never been to any of these ports, which is nice. Pluses, I could literally walk to the port, honestly its that close. Negatives, its ALOT more expensive almost $250 more. Price out the door, $1, 323.

 

Any thoughts, opinions and advice would be greatly appreciate. As of right now, I literally have no clue which one to choose. Which one has the best nightlife for solo traveler? I enjoy shows, casinos, clubbing, and the pool. IM 35 years old. Thank you again.

Jade all the way. My wife and I have done that run twice so far. Looking at the 10 day January 2017. Love Tampa the city and the cruise port!

Yes, it's called a B2B - it's 2 cruises combined. If you book it as a 7 day cruise, it's still B2B. Trouble with them is you return to the original port and need to get off the ship to go thru US Imm and customs before getting back on ship. AND also, if you think you'll have the ship to yourselves before new pax board , then you're lucky ... for 30-45 mins only.

 

The 3 and 4 day cruises often attract party people.

Hold your horses! How can you make thos itins in three and four days?! Surely it must be two seven day cruises going to those ports. ;)

I don't know how the OP could have been any clearer; these are 7 day cruises. She is correct. Unfortunately, others thought she wasn't.

Hold your horses! How can you make thos itins in three and four days?! Surely it must be two seven day cruises going to those ports. ;)

For me, I'd chose the Jade because you said you hadn't been to any of the ports and that would likely sway me. I have been on Epic and Escape. I have never been on Jade nor researched what they have to offer as far as entertainment and nightlife.

So, I live in Tampa, Florida and thinking of going on my second NCl cruise in October/November. I will be going solo and have gone on about 4 Carnival cruises. But, with the free drink package im being Drawn back to NCL. These are the three cruises im deciding on. The price are all within my budget.

 

1. Escape. 7 day out of Miami. going to St Thomas (been here, but want to go back), St Marteen (Never been here) and Nassau (Been here 4 times, but each time haven't gone past Senior frogs, damnit I will one day!. This port is about 4 hours from my home. New ship and leaves Oct 22, nice plus. Price out the door $1,098

 

2. Epic. 7 day. Going out of Port Canaveral. Stops in Grand Cayman (Been here once and LOVEd it, one of my favorite ports), Ocho Rios, Jamacia (Never been here), Cozumel (Never been here), and NCL private Island. Nice bonus is it the cruise is about an hour from my apartment. So no real driving at all, a friend would drop me off. Negative is I have to wait till November 19th, which very well could be torture, if I can stand it though this is about $150 cheaper than others. Price out the door for me, $1,033.

 

3. Epic same departure port, but leaving November 12th, alittle earlier. Going to same stops as the escape. Only negative to this is its alittle more expensive than the others. Price out the door, $956

 

4. Finally, the Jade. Leaving November 12, out of Tampa. This one goes to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan Island, and Belize. Never been to any of these ports, which is nice. Pluses, I could literally walk to the port, honestly its that close. Negatives, its ALOT more expensive almost $250 more. Price out the door, $1, 323.

 

Any thoughts, opinions and advice would be greatly appreciate. As of right now, I literally have no clue which one to choose. Which one has the best nightlife for solo traveler? I enjoy shows, casinos, clubbing, and the pool. IM 35 years old. Thank you again.

Epic and Escape have the solo studios - Jade - I just booked my cousin with us on the 14 night Jade cruise - he has paid double for the cabin - unlike Epic with solo studios - single fare. Solo lounges have various options for "get togethers, dinners etc" - join in if you wish, don't if you don't, but you also get that solo lounge coffee etc facility!

I'd choose Epic - its been refurbished - has the new Bliss lounge and the new Cavern Beatles club - Book the SPA (AMAZING!) with the $150 you save - and when you get to Grand Cayman grab a taxi to the Yacht Club for lunch - its wonderful! Not expensive - the Yacht Club runs a shuttle to the airport - its just got a great ambience - very reasonable - and great views!

If you opt on the other and go back to Nassau - do go to Atlantis - its a fabulous day out!

Must be wonderful to have cruises on your doorstep - let us know what you decide on!

Epic and Escape have the solo studios - Jade - I just booked my cousin with us on the 14 night Jade cruise - he has paid double for the cabin - unlike Epic with solo studios - single fare. Solo lounges have various options for "get togethers, dinners etc" - join in if you wish, don't if you don't, but you also get that solo lounge coffee etc facility!

I'd choose Epic - its been refurbished - has the new Bliss lounge and the new Cavern Beatles club - Book the SPA (AMAZING!) with the $150 you save - and when you get to Grand Cayman grab a taxi to the Yacht Club for lunch - its wonderful! Not expensive - the Yacht Club runs a shuttle to the airport - its just got a great ambience - very reasonable - and great views!

If you opt on the other and go back to Nassau - do go to Atlantis - its a fabulous day out!

Must be wonderful to have cruises on your doorstep - let us know what you decide on!

This is exactly what I ended up doing, booking the EPIC. The price when I booked was $962 and the other ships, ESCAPE and Jade price both went up some. I saved something like $150 bucks and will use that money to book extra excursions and maybe the UDP or something. Money is alittle tight, but im happy I was able to pay this off and now I just wait!

I am excited about going to St. Thomas, where I have been before, but never was able to really do much. I have never been to the British Virgin Islands before, heard it wonderful, any inexpensive, fun excursions you all recommend? Finally, I was mistaken the last stop isn't Nassau, its the Private island in Bahamas. I have been to Carnivals, but never NCL.

I have cruised on Carnival 3 times but never NCl, so im interested in seeing how this goes. Thank you everyone!

Epic is a wonderful ship, have a great cruise and please report back afterwards! :)

Excellent choice.having sailed on both the epic and escape as a solo,I prefer the epic.

It has a better nightclub and casino.I also prefer the spa and spice h2o on epic.

Escape has better slides and ropes course.looking forward to seeing the

Changes made to epic in its refurbishment when I sail in nov.

This is exactly what I ended up doing, booking the EPIC. The price when I booked was $962 and the other ships, ESCAPE and Jade price both went up some. I saved something like $150 bucks and will use that money to book extra excursions and maybe the UDP or something. Money is alittle tight, but im happy I was able to pay this off and now I just wait!

 

I am excited about going to St. Thomas, where I have been before, but never was able to really do much. I have never been to the British Virgin Islands before, heard it wonderful, any inexpensive, fun excursions you all recommend? Finally, I was mistaken the last stop isn't Nassau, its the Private island in Bahamas. I have been to Carnivals, but never NCL.

 

I have cruised on Carnival 3 times but never NCl, so im interested in seeing how this goes. Thank you everyone!

Fantastic! Have a great time and remember to come back here and tell us all about it! Bon Voyage!

Go to The Baths in Virgin Gorda if you are docking in Tortola. One of the coolest places in the Caribbean.