JandC_Cruising

As mentioned, "Sail Away" rates are sometimes offered for inside, ocean view, and balcony categories. They are the lowest rates for each category but, you do not get to pick your cabin and you do not get offered the free at sea drink, dining, or internet package.

If you make reservations early, you will get the biggest selection of time slots for all those things. The carts have both single and double seaters. I think there may be a minimum height, but not sure what it is. All that said, in March we were on the Joy and was able to make a reservation at noon mid-week for later that afternoon without issue. Also saw several walk-ups for our race. Check the dailies to confirm when the racetrack is open each day. It varies on port days.

This happens to us EVERY time I book a cruise online. I've had to call each time after booking to tell them that my account doesn't have my wife's correct account. They tell me they will merge accounts and that usually takes about 1 week. While the newly booked cruise does get fixed, the other account never goes away. Unfortunately, it is NEVER fully fixed as my account still shows her bad accounts to choose from and not her correct one. I don't know why they don't show the Latitudes number or allow you to enter the companion's number in order to ensure the proper account is used. If it's not fixed in a week, call again and ask to speak to a supervisor since it's your 2nd attempt to correct.

Le Bistro and Ocean Blue are our favorites on every ship. We have not had a bad meal at Le Bistro. Filet with Fios Gras, Dover Sole, and Coq au vin are our favorite entrees. Ocean Blue is our close 2nd. The scallop appetizer with pork belly is great. Any of the fresh fish with a variety of sauce choices are always wonderful. The Cioppino was a bit salty one time, but the other time was perfect... Cagney's has become a skip for us. It's not that we've had a bad meal as much as it has been just OK.

Do the Parasailing! It is super fun. You go up in tandems. There were 6 pairs when we went and the ages ranged from 12 to 85yo! I'm sure the teens would like that. Also, they have jet skis there. You go on a "Follow the leader" tour. They let you go as fast as the jet ski governors are set (maybe up to 25-30mph if I recall. You can do a single or a double.

Our last cruise on the Joy we went twice in large part to just share some food and listen to the live music (which was great, btw). The first time we got the Platter. The brisket was too salty, but the other meats were good, especially the Chicken and Sausages. There is a lot of food, so the 2nd time we went we just split a salad, the chicken with sides, and the peach cobbler. We would not go there and burn two specialty meals there however.

I thought I read somewhere that you can get a medical exemption with proper documentation. I'm sure someone here has some experience with that (yes or no). I would call and ask.... However, if they do say no, you could also call them and remove the drink package from both you and your husband up to 48hrs(?) before cruise. They will credit the gratuities back and he can pay by the drink. If he drinks 4 drinks per day it's a wash.

The Escape has Moderno,

Wait...you put the money there for them to "grab"....now your upset they "grabbed it"? You said it yourself... You are aware how the program works, so it seems disingenuous IMHO that you are upset you got exactly what you knew you could get. I don't know if this would work, but perhaps you can call NCL and try to outright pay the going rate (adder) to put yourself into a balcony....I mean, since you know NCL will "grab" the money you put in front of them, call them up, and see if you can just pay for a new cabin. (so much for your "budget trip comparison") Worst thing that can happen is they say "no"...

We've been on both (Haven and regular cabins). All things being equal we would pick the Escape every time moving forward. The Escape is newer and cleaner in our experience. The Escape has a Waterfront like the other BA+ ships and that is a wonderful feature that the Epic does not possess. We do not like the Epic bathroom setup. That's just our preference and influences us. The only exception to this are Haven rooms. The updated Haven in the Epic is nice and the cabins (Spa Haven cabin for our last time on her) addressed that issue. But, the Escape Haven is just as nice. Both ships have Thermal Spa's, which we get every time. The Epic's does have the feature of an aft patio. But both have the other fun features that make the Thermal Suite special. The Escape has Pinchos Tapas which is one of our favorites in the fleet and only on that ship. Great for lunch on sea days. So, unless it were the Haven (then it would be a price point decision) we would choose the Escape hands down.

Unfortunately, no...The benefit of the Sail-away rate is that it is less expensive, but it comes with the risk that you do not have any input on final cabin location. You may not find out until days before your cruise (or even embarkation day) at which point, if the ship is sold out of your category, there isn't anywhere to move you. If you NEED to have cabins close by to one another, your only method to ensure that is to book a cabin fare that allows you to pick your cabin. You will be offered the Free at Sea benefits, but you can always decline the drink and meal package if you wish.

Yes...Everyone in the cabin (regardless of fare discounting) receives the latitude nights. Took our adult children last summer in a 2BR and all five of us received 14 nights.

Are you an engineer?!?!?!🤣 Did you take into account the age and height of those on the video? My son was 22yo and 6'4" when we were there last year, and he did that ramp in about 20 steps....But he was Very Excited for the cruise!

@skittl1321 Based on what you have said, I would suggest Le Bistro as one. In our experience they have a better steak than Cagney's. There is an upcharge for their Filet with Fios Gras, but I think you can ask for it without the Fios and avoid the upcharge (sorry if I'm wrong on that front). You will be able to order One Appetizer, One Soup or Salad, One Entree, and One Dessert. More than enough food I'm sure. I would then suggest Food Republic over Los Lobos. While the guacamole is good and fresh, everything else was just fine in our mind and nothing better than a chain Mexican restaurant. Food Republic has a HUGE variety of foods (dumplings, sushi, noodles, skewers, etc.). You can pick any four dishes and typically that is enough for two of us to share for dinner. Enjoy!

Not really a mystery. The ones that have disappeared have likely sold out. We are on the Getaway in two weeks. We booked our excursions just after final payment to be sure we could do what we wanted. Many fellow passengers have been left without excursions to pre-book through NCL and have turned to independent excursion companies.

Agree that it may be a challenge, but it is definitely less than a 20% grade, which is steep! Passenger Ship guidelines for ramps are 1:8 or 12.5% ADA ramp guidelines on land are 1:12 or 8.3%. My guess is that it cannot be greater than 12.5%, but may be as low as 8.3% to ensure they are ADA compliant in the terminal. If there is any concern at all, you should arrange a wheelchair.

@7Trainguy1951Boarding the Escape in NYC will be onto deck 7. Here is a video I found that you can see the whole boarding ramp. You can see if it is too steep for your needs.

You said you were solo, but didn't specify what cabin type....If you are in a Balcony or above, you will get 2 meals. If you are Ocean View or below, you will get 1 meal.

Bookings for specialty restaurants open 120 days prior to departure. Our favorites on Escape are Le Bistro and Bayamo. Pinchos Tapas is great for sea day lunch.

Maybe one of them pours stronger Rum Swizzles! 🍹

I think these two got their tickets just a few minutes before departure, IIRC.

There are two options via NCL for what you are asking. The least expensive option is by booking a "Sail Away" room. However, they do not always have thos available. With this fare, you simply get to pick your stateroom category (Inside, Ocean View, Balcony, for example) You will not get to select your exact room. One in that category will be assigned to you (anytime from just after booking to just before the cruise) You will not be offered the "free at sea" options. They are excluded from this fare type. (except for the $50 shore excursion credit) The other option is to pick whatever cabin you wish within whichever category you wish and simply de-select the Drink Package and the Specialty Dining package in the appropriate screen. This will remove the Free at Sea Gratuities associated with those program benefits. You will still get Wifi and shore excursion credit benefits. I've seen the CABIN RATE pricing for these two options be apart anywhere from $30pp to $150pp depending upon the cruise. Here's an example of the option on a cruise we are on at the end of the month:

No. The "Free at Sea" is a promotional program attached to your booking. If you "declined" the beverage package at the time of your booking, you can add it back to your booking up to 48hrs(?) before your departure. You can call NCL and have them change your Free at Sea selections up to that point. If you wait past that time, you will have to pay full retail for any drink package you are considering.

No...The only Haven guests who get "free" access to the Thermal Suite are those who have booked a Haven Spa Suite Cabin. Everyone else in Haven must purchase the Thermal Suite pass if they wish to use that facility.

You are correct that you cannot see it via the App. But you can do this without calling if you login to your account through the website, you can see all your plans/reservations and numbers via the "print booked items" button.