TommyBoy2016

Another con: the Theater shows were limited. The Brat Pack was very good, if like me, you love 80s music. But they tried to intertwine movie plots, which didn't work for me, and hard to follow if you don't know all the John Hughes movies by heart. The ship just had 3 shows, that they kept replaying each night in the main theater. And only 1 was good as stated. And this was first ship I've been on, that didn't have a theater balcony! Just 2 aisles on main floor and took 15mins to leave the theater. Bad design. Tip: go see the juggler comedian in the smaller lounge. And go see the newlywed game and passenger dance competition....both in Atrium. And replayed on ch 13 next day on your room tv. Over and over and over again.

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Background: We've cruised the 6 major USA cruise lines for past 6 years. No loyalty upgrades, we choose based on: value, destination and ship design. Escape has some definite pros and cons. And it was only launched in Oct-2015. New, clean and modern. But imo, does not come close to compare to our gold standard: the Oasis. Not close.

Arrival: Miami airport is the closest airport to any cruise port, I have have ever cruised. Approx 10miles. You can taxi it, Uber it, or at baggage claim NCL has a desk to take your bags for $16 pp(bags delivered to room at 4-6pm) on a large tour bus. We did the NCL bus to pier for $32 one way, and Uber it back to Mia a/p for $15h, which is what I recommend each way. Uber picks you up directly across from taxi line. Super easy.

Checkin: NCL gives you an assigned check in time. But I did not see or hear any of the slotted times being announced. We just walked up to counter at 2pm. And in our room at 3pm. Fast and easy. Note: terminal looks like it was built in 1970s. Needs some updating. Walking onto ship, nobody there spraying passenger hands. Unusual.

Room: Got minisuite for $899pp, guarantee, so NCL assigns room. Great Locn, mid ship on 12th floor. Room is new, big, couch, large shower in bathroom to fit 2 people and wall jets. TV channel line up is limited and lacking. No CNN or espn? Have bbc, Fox News and msnbc. And a bunch of in ship channels for excursions. Watch channel 13 for the newlywed and dance competition replay.

Insider tip: you don't have to use your room key to have electrical on. Use any plastic card, I used my old United Airlines FF card. Lights stay on--you'll see what I mean.

Food: Others on websites complained of food quality. I will say, NCL has the best variety and quality of any cruise line ever sailed! Hands down.

Smoking: Finally NCL does not allow in rooms or balconies. But there are several smoking areas. 1/2 of casino is nonsmoking designated. As others commented, the atrium Locn, does result in smoke wafting up thru ship. Wasn't awful, but we could smell it.

Water slides: best on any ship, if you're into that kind of thing. Note: water slides attract a lot of families and kids. There were hundreds of children on this cruise.

Ports: don't bother with Nausau. 5 ships docked, 20,000 tourists, it was terrible. Tortula: get a private taxi suv for $55 per hour. Ask for "Danny".

Bars: Fav was 5 o'clock outside area. Tv showing sports.

Gym: very good, big, great window views, lots of equipment. Never had to wait.

Cons: I didn't care for ship layout. And just 2small pools for 4300 guests, 6 small hot tubs, only 1 with working jets! Use the aft starboard hot tub near H2O.Only 2 elevator banks aft and forward. We waited 5mins each time for elevators, or just used stairs. The H2O adults section, frequently had a sign up claiming "private party". But not being used. Very frustrating, occurred on 3 days. And the staff start stacking chairs at 330pm each day! Annoying.

Overall: a great value trip, with nice room and food. Not sure we will go again on Escape tho. But glad we did this 1 time. Shout out to Tyler G our cruise director. Great energetic guy.

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The mini-suite bathroom on NCL Escape is awesome. Wife loved it. Sink has 2 faucets and large common 3' long rectangular sink basin. Shower (no tub) is large enough for 2 people, with rainfall shower head, AND 6 horizontal body jets. Highly recommend to get a minisuite for the bathroom alone. Room is large too with full size couch. Balcony is not large tho in our 12th deck minisuite. If you have a large balcony on your aft angle room, then you have to decide what you prefer.

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Been on both. As others have said: Oasis is the Cadillac of cruise ships. Book it!

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I have an International pkg with ATT. I found out the hard way, international does not apply to "Cellular at Sea" coverage. Ie, International is not international. $900 bill waiting for me when I got home. Turn off all connections and put your phone in "Airplane Mode". And just use at Starbucks joints in the ports. That's enough.

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