Two_UW_Badgers

How efficient were the tenders? Last cruise we had long long lines for Great Stirrup Cay; hoping this cruise to NE is better. 

If anyone is on board now or before thanksgiving week, I would be so very grateful if you could see if the Escape Splash Academy is now 3+ as the website, chat function, and Prima reports have all stated (previously 5+). Thank you!!

Has anyone had any luck upgrading to this package if they booked last year? We are currently upgraded to the Premium Plus Package for our November cruise and I don’t see an option for this package. I don’t understand why it is only available for those who booked after a certain date? 

Bump in case any Epic experts are around

We are trying the Epic for the first time next year with two kids who will utilize Splash Academy and another couple (two cabins). We have previously traveled on the Escape a few times as well as the Breakaway and Sky.

I have a few questions about Deck 14 after looking at the NCL Epic deck plans. 

- Is the entrance to Splash Academy near the forward stairs/elevator bank or from the starboard hallway?

- Are the midship restrooms adjacent to Splash Academy for the Splash Academy kids or able to be entered from the starboard hallway?

- How are the port midship cabins (14054-14096) accessed? Is the only way to take the hallway from the starboard side? If so, the port cabins do not seem desirable, correct?

- Where in the cabins are the adjoining doors located (one family will have the bed near the balcony and the other with the bed near the door).

Thank you in advance!

Escape 

I have a Christmas cruise booked and final payment is currently due in August. My kids (8 and 10) may or may not have the opportunity to be vaccinated by the cruise... wondering what will happen with final payment dates and of there will be flexibility given this uncertainty...

I’ve enjoyed your review- thank you!

Enjoying your review as we board Saturday!

if you see any information about upgrading the beverage package or bar menus could you post a photo if not too much trouble? 
 

thanks!

38 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

Those floatation devices are for maritime safety use, AFAIK and not intended for use by kids/children in the pool.  I stand corrected but I did not see young ones wearing them in the kiddie pool last month on the Gem - around 500 souls sailing with adults on our sailing.  They are secured in lockers up on the open deck as well as promenande deck near the muster/assembly stations.  

 

Of course, I could be mistaken in understanding OP's question.  

The question was clear to me. Your answers are both incorrect. Per multiple reports, there are life vests for kids’ use at the pools on the mega ships. Your extraneous comments

were distracting and unnecessary. 

We have a kid around the same age. Whenever I’d be ordering drinks for us and a soda for him, and make it obvious, they’d just give it without charge, whether at a restaurant or a bar. 

Thanks for the report and the Splash Academy sheets. Glad you had a great cruise!

When I ordered sodas for my kids they were always given free, even when I made it explicitly clear it was for my kid and they were there with me. Obviously YMMV. 

I haven’t been on the Encore but I love the Escape and prefer Western ports. 

I have reserved the Manhattan Room for our upcoming Escape cruise. 

IME the waitstaff is not the same every night, and the tables could be assigned in different locations, but you can request a server at check in. We did that a few times and it was mostly granted. 

To prebook for my upcoming 7-my Escape it’s listed at $199pp

I once traveled with a group on the Escape in three balcony cabins in a row. Two were connected with an interior door and the balcony divider between them opened. We were in the third cabin which also had an angled balcony and it was a solid panel between ours and the two that connected. There would have been no way to open it. The balcony divider between the other two was opened on first request. 

Anyone know if this will eventually show up? We cruise on January 18th and I don’t see it available for booking yet. Was hoping to give as a Christmas present. I don’t see it on the general website either...

Have a wonderful cruise! We were on the Escape a few years ago and had a lovely Thanksgiving week, and are on her again in January. 
 

Thanks for the menus!! If you happen to walk by splash academy and can see the schedule for the 6-9 year olds (“Seals”) I’d LOVE a photo 🙂

We had it on a 9 day cruise in January and are buying it again for the 7 day cruise next January. Interesting the price is still $160! In addition to everything above, we played a lot of darts and some pool while kids were in Splash Academy. I’m hoping there are darts in O’Sheehans on the Escape too!

Dirty martini! 

19 minutes ago, davy jones said:

I have seen reports of issues with embark/debark.  There is construction in the port area in NOLA.  We arrived early and missed the problems.

Well we also arrived early (about 10am?) but were stuck in the Lyft drop off line. It was very inefficient. 

We were on the Breakaway in January and had a great experience. The only frustrating parts were embarkation and disembarkation and we did wait until our color was called (toward the end). 

I’m on the 1/17/20 Getaway so very curious as to what is happening... 

sorry for all of those whose cruises have been canceled!