DebQ5

14 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

I will be testing this theory in February. I've heard the same thing, drinks at the brewhouse and munchies delivered from next door at FR.

Me too!  Heading out on the 4th... I'll report back

If I remember correctly you could order some items from Food Republic while you were in District Brewhouse.  This was several years ago. Does anyone know if this is still possible?

Thanks for your review!  I'm glad you had a good cruise.  We sail in a few weeks.  I've been on Escape before and loved it.  Looking forward to going again 🙂

On 12/17/2022 at 10:02 AM, IronRobi said:

Just off the escape a few weeks back. They would only allow you to book 2 shows out of all the theatre shows, comedy shows and supper club. Not 2 from each category, but 2 total. They want to "ensure space for all guests". 

 

I was disappointed when we could no longer do this pre-cruise, and even more disappointed when I was told this once boarding. Ultimately we were able to get in to any venue we wanted via the standby line. But that involved showing up 30mins prior and standing in line for 15+ minutes before every show.

Only two shows?  That's not good... If you don't mind a few questions... we have 8 people in 4 cabins.  Can one cabin book 2 shows for 8 people and the other book 2 shows for 8 people (or something like that).  I confess I've been sailing in the Haven and haven't had to deal with this so it's all new :(.  Where do you go to book once you get on?  Thanks for any help!

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!

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 😞

Has anyone ever used a car service or Uber to get from Kissimmee to Port Canaveral?  I'm concerned about parking at the Terminal as we leave on a Saturday and I read that the parking has been full due to mid-week departures.  Off-site parking is possible, but the Shuttles don't start until 10:00 or 10:30 and I like to get to the terminal as early as possible.  Someone suggested an uber from the off-site parking spot, which is possible, but with luggage, etc. it could get complicated for 4 of us.  

I've looked up a few services and they are upwards of $500 :(.  Has anyone had any other experiences/success?  

And one other question, can some passengers be let off at the terminal, with the luggage, and get the luggage off with the porters, or do all passengers need to be present for that?  I seem to remember needing to show cruise documents.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom! 🙂

On 12/4/2022 at 11:42 PM, CruzinMel said:

I will have to think of a clever way to direct you, once I remember which group it is (I'm following 4.)  This particular one is named for the ship, and a kind lady named Cathy just posted the ones from the Nov 26 sailing. 

 

Actually, I ust looked and she has replied directly to your post, so yay!!

Yes, I did get them :).  Thank you though I appreciate it.  It helps calm me, reviewing those lol!

On 12/2/2022 at 1:50 PM, scooter6251 said:

 

https://parkncruiseportcanaveral.com/  As you said, we, too, have used this lot several times but not for 4-5 years.  We would drive in, stop under the canopy, unload the baggage, board the shuttle and they would park our car.  We plan to use them next Apr and wondered if their procedure was the same.  I appreciate your response.

This Site says their shuttles start at 10:30 am.  Is there no way to get to the terminal before that if you park off-site?  I've only ever parked on-site, but read recently that if you have a Saturday departure, it might be full 😞

On 11/29/2022 at 10:07 PM, CruzinMel said:

On That Site That Shall Not Be Named, I found dailies for the first Caribbean sailing - it was enough for me to figure out that Malevo is twice in the week, starting on the first sea day, and then Choir of Man picks up I think on Puerta Plata night and then. . . well, I gave up.  I learned my lesson with this crew (detailed planning ahead is useless), and while I have a couple of must-do's that involve the Pour House (aka, karaoke and Rumours night, because it's Indiana Jones' favorite album of all time), and we must see Malevo because we have a percussionist. . . otherwise, I'm going with the flow and not planning too much.

 

Any hint on where I might find these?  I'd really like to start micro planning my trip 🙂 

Can NCL passengers rent the cabanas?  I don't see it offered as an excursion.  Thanks for any help!

3 hours ago, CruzinMel said:

GEN POP!  I love that!  If we weren't cruising with Mom, I wouldn't have booked the Haven - it's one of those things that are VERY nice to have, but not essential for me - all I need is a balcony room and a good bar.  (Well, the Haven *does* have the best bar . . . )  The last time I was there, it was on an upgrade bid from a cruise that someone else paid for (DH got a cruise as a work reward).  Any room on a cruise is a good room!

I usually stink at sharing Dailies, but I will do my best.  Not knowing when the shows are likely to occur is really messing up my planning, and since Escape won't hit the Caribbean for a couple more weeks, I have to just wait.

Maybe someone else will share them from an earlier sailing and save us both :).  I agree, it's really hard to plan specialty dinners, etc. not knowing what's going on... We just guessed really.  Hopefully things can be changed if need be.

I'm going to miss the Haven bar... sigh... but it will be fun to be with this group of people so I'm sure it will make up for it.  I agree with you, any room on a cruise is a good room :).  

I also can't figure out what is going on with the pour house.  It's on the deck plan, but not on the list of "activities" or bars... It used to be 5 o'clock somewhere or something like that and my kids (adults) did Karaoke there. Seems like the shows are lacking, I hope they have something good in this venue.  Anyone have any updates?

I'm on this cruise in February, I'll be following closely!  I've been on the Escape before, in the Haven, and loved it.  I'm in "gen pop" this cruise as I'm traveling with others who didn't want to spring for Haven.  Me too actually, the prices seem crazy high, but I know it will be worth it for your crew!

I feel like it's been ages since I've cruised, and things have changed.  I'm not even sure how the embarkation works at Port Canaveral anymore.  There is something about choosing times for check-in?  These are the things that make me long for the Haven :).  

I also can't figure out what shows are going to be playing, so will look forward to finding those dailies from the early sailings.  

17 hours ago, cardbucfan said:

Thanks @dogs4fun-I got it!!

 

@Tom O.-we are not.  We are on the NCL Escape.  I've sailed on the Zuiderdam before though (long time!) and really enjoyed it though!

 

Oh I hope you'll do a review of your trip!  We are on the Escape in September and would love to hear any tips/tricks, etc.  and of course the dailies would be wonderful 🙂  Have a great trip!

On 11/13/2019 at 12:19 PM, fastpitchdad said:

 

We used the Spa every day and definitely felt it was worth it. It was unseasonably cold much of the trip (meaning it was high 40s low 50s instead of high 50s low 60s) so returning from port to the Thermal Spa was very nice. I believe it was open until 10PM but we were never there when it closed. The public hot tubs on deck and the Haven hot tubs went almost completely unused. I think I saw one person in a poolside hot tub all week and a only a couple of groups took advantage of the Haven hot tubs during the entire cruise. 

 

We barely used the balcony. We would peek out and take some pictures but never did anything like sitting in the loungers with a glass of wine. But as always, it was nice to be able to get some fresh air into the room. 

Longsx3 the Escape Haven has a retracting roof over the Haven courtyard, so you may get more use out of the Haven area.  We used it all the time going from NY to FLA Thanksgiving week (Think COLD). 🙂

fastpitchdad thank you so much for your review.  Like Longsx3 we'll also be on the Escape for this itinerary but in September.  I appreciate all the tips and tricks you point out!  So glad you had a great trip.

56 minutes ago, salty dingo said:

I think it will be my favorite place too. Not so sure about my better half, as she is not a beer drinker, but I hope they will have sodas and wine like any other bar. I can always fetch her a margarita before we go there if necessary.

This was my son and I's favorite place as well!  My daughter is not a beer drinker, but there were several specialty drinks on the menu and she found her favorite new raspberry (I believe it was) mojito!  The bartenders in District are the BEST and there's usually live music or a game on.  

I've not yet eaten at La Cucina (we aren't huge Italian fans) but Teppenyaki is a favorite of ours!  It's definitely a bit loud, but fun and the food is awesome.

On 9/17/2019 at 12:29 AM, trosebery said:

Date of visit: August 2019
Tour company: Red Sun Tours
Tour: Private tour (for 3 people) with customized itinerary

 

Practical information: Elena at Red Sun Tours always replied to our emails promptly (or as promptly as she could, considering the time zone difference!). We received our tour tickets months in advance and had no trouble at Russian immigration. No deposit was required; I paid for the tour in U.S. cash at the end of the first day (and tipped U.S. cash as well). 

 

 

Thank you for the great information!  I've been interacting with Anastasia tours for a private, 3 person tour,  and they've been wonderful, but they do require payment upon booking, as we are receiving a "special" offer.  It is refundable but I believe in native currency.  Does anyone have any thoughts on pre-paying or Anastasia tours?

In my experience tipping in the haven during the cruise is awkward (perhaps with the exception of the random servers in the courtyard).  Our first butler actually said "no no wait til the end".  We learned the 2nd time.  Even at the bar they did not seem to expect a tip during the cruise.  We also tipped the bartenders at the end (we "discovered" this bar a bit late as there was a group that sort of took it over for the beginning of the cruise".  I'll probably tip the bartenders a few times during the cruise the next time and then at then end, but waving dollars around after each drink didn't seem to be the think to do.

We had servers come around during out time in the Escape Haven over Thanksgiving last year.  There were servers taking drink orders and also servers who had a special "pool area" menu that you could order from.  I know that people say that the butlers can bring you things to the pool area, but this is really much more convenient.  And, as mentioned before, the bar inside is steps away, if a server doesn't happen to be right there.  

23 hours ago, Chesneygirl said:

I think you already know the answer to that question. 

It's a great video but I can't get over the plastic cork going into the ocean.  😞  Hopefully that won't happen in the future?

I also didn't think I'd use the Butler for much, and I didn't on our first "suite" cruise, but last cruise was somewhat different.  Although we didn't ask him for too much (a few breakfasts in the room and one dinner), when I mentioned that my son was a bit seasick (they always were asking about him) the next thing I knew there was ginger ale and crackers and seasick medicine.  I didn't ask for any of that.  He and our steward really just wanted to make sure everyone was having a great trip. When he learned what snacks the kids (adult kids) liked that's what was brought afterwards.  We didn't ask for anything special.  It was all sorts of small things like this that made our trip extra special.   

Really enjoying your review!  Thanks for taking the time to do it.  Enjoy!

18 hours ago, hansolosmom said:

Thank you so much for the lovely review. Sounds like you had a great time.  My dh & I are sailing on her in late Feb. 

Also thanks for mentioning the shows. I had been wondering about them.  I hadn't heard much about 'choir of man'  so glad you mentioned it. 

I highly recommend Choir of Man, even with the extra charge.  I would not count on loving the food! 🙂  Have a great trip!

15 hours ago, SDcnm said:

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to write your lovely review.  My husband and I sail on the Escape in 28 days wohoo!  I opted to purchase the Thermal Spa pass as leaving from NYC in January leaves a number of days without being able to use an outside hot tub.  Besides the noise at times, did your daughter have any other issues?  or note any rhyme or reason to crowds?  Thanks again!

 

Sheila

Oh I'm jealous!  It seems like it was a year ago already that we sailed.  I completely agree with your thoughts regarding getting a thermal pass for this departure port.  I might have even gotten one if we didn't have the Haven area to hang out in. My daughter really loved the Spa, but as you noted she reported that it was pretty noisy at times.  Apparently there are also thermal lounge hogs in there as well.  Drove her absolutely crazy that people would "claim" these loungers and then go off and enjoy other parts of the spa.  Apparently there are signs that say you can't do this, and you can only use one for xx amount of time but it was not enforced.  She started going early, around 9:00 am or at dinner time, around 5:00 or 6:00.  She said it was less crowded during these times.  

Have a great time!