poona1

Hello..this is my first time sailing on the Escape from Miami as well but I am a platinum member of NCL so I think I can help you a little...boarding at 10am is unlikely even for Haven and Suite guests as that is the last time to leave the ship for the previous cruisers....From first hand experience, the boarding usually begins around 11 am for haven members and the handicapped and then usually an hour after for the regular passengers...so you have plenty of time to board with the regular passengers if you are one of them...I would say book you and the kids first so you get an early boarding pass time and when your husband comes back, he can book himself and board with your early boarding pass time...however with that said, I have never been to the miami port so I don't even know if there is a waiting area for you in case you feel its safer for you and the kids to wait for your husband and then book...

so I think book early with an early pass, wait within the safe confines of the NCL cordoned area along with other passengers and board with your husband, an hour or two later...just my opinion...good luck

Thank you so much Dave&Ronda....I will be sailing with my DW in two weeks on the escape...can't wait!

great review stungazed...having been on the Breakaway three times over the past 2 years, I know just how you feel...I am hoping the Escape leaving from NYC next year is better

closely following...does anyone know if the Original Poster Keith great efforts are for the latest menu on the Escape sailing in october...thanks so much

OMG...POA1, you are one funny M@#$%%$R...Please excuse my french!

awesome...you can bet I will be all over this...thanks

great read....closely following...thanks

I am also sailing with dw on 10/28..really love reading this

great read...me and my dw will be sailing 10/28 on escape....can't wait

following....thanks

keep going please...great review!

Hello, I will be sailing the gem on 5/20...will leo still be there?

for those who have sailed the gem recently, are the specialty restaurants at full capacity...or should i just wing it and take it night by night?

also, for the regular folks, is there a behind the tour or an officers dinner?

thanks

Amazing day to start your cruise...I hope Leo stays on till may 20 when we sail her...thanks

thanks so much keith...following closely

Thanks for all this info everyone...i'm inclined to travel to Europe as thankfully the glaciers have not fully receded and when I can afford to take this trip...a special thanks to papa for all his great links

For those who have sailed on both or either one, how do they compare to each other...for instance, I know the NCL Star belongs in the dawn class and does not have the spinnaker lounge or the great outdoors as the Spirit....but is there any other difference?

Do both offer warm tiled loungers in the thermal spa? Thanks

I know this is a very broad and subjective question but considering Alaska's Glaciers are slowly melting away while the cruise fair for Europe has reached its lowest, If I am sailing in the fall, where do experienced cruisers suggest I go?

Also, What does one do in Alaska besides admire the majestic scenery...please advise me

thanks in advance

Thanks for the info...Could anyone please tell me about the spa abroad the Star and Spirit?

what are the typical ages of those sailing to canada...how are the ports...is it exciting or should i look somewhere else?

any news if star might have any further dry docks...

how is the thermal spa compared to other ncl ships...thanks

simply google..."escape" or "breakaway" menus...beyondships.com has a bunch of these updated ones

I would love to know from those who have sailed on the jade, how was the thermal spa experience...did they also have those warm tiled chairs...thanks

has anyone been on jade tell me about their thermal spa offerings compared to other ncl ships...

do they have any of those warm loungers?

I usually book with my PCC...they have the ability to add on benefits, choose cabins etc.

following...thanks