Kdiamond55

What is this earlier port check-in time you speak of? I haven't heard of it.

Le Bistro is good!

I have also heard iConcierge is the way to go. I plan on getting it for my phone and my kids' phones in March.

The only times you really have to book in advance is if you are adamant about eating during the prime times of 6:30-8. I have been on a ton of NCL boats (Escape included), have only actually made reservations a couple of times and have never not eaten at a specialty restaurant on any given night that I wanted to. Sometimes I had to wait until 9 or go early but I got in.

If you need a certain night and you need 7:00 then yes you should make advanced reservations. Otherwise you'll be fine waiting until you get on board. They have to keep a certain amount of reservations open for people who don't go online, etc.. Go to the restaurants when you board and book it then.

Don't let it worry you! Enjoy your cruise!

There is plenty of fun to be had for all age groups.

However, assuming you're not bringing kids along I would avoid going in March or April because it was be infested with kids! Pool area and such.

Great review so far! I loved Pincho and Food Republic as well (how cool is it to order on an iPad?). I was on the Escape for a 3-day quickie in November with hubby (living in So Fla has its perks as you know!) and we're taking the kids in March for spring break.

Did you see Bong at the Sugarcane bar next to Pincho?

We also spent so much time in District Brew House and The Cellars. Both were great and barely ever had any people in them. Weird?

My son is turning 13 on the cruise so he has the option of staying in the last group of kids' club with his friends who are 12 or moving up to the teen club. I don't know what we'll do but it's good to know SA was good on the Escape.

Look forward to reading more!

And he just gave me a larger drink of my favorite mojito. I know why people like him.

 

 

sent from the interwebs

That's awesome! Bong is so great!

According to the Escape review thread by CoffeeGoddess, Bong is at Sugarcane Mojito Bar.

Yes! You cannot know how happy this makes me! I'm coming for you Bong!

Testing my Sig because I have no idea! Soon though!

I am so incredibly happy Bong will be on the Escape. I've told everybody about him! He is so much fun. He makes up celebrity names for everyone on the first night and then you get called those names the entire cruise. We were Pamela Anderson and Alec Baldwin. LOL!

Love it so far. We have surprised the kids with cruises a bunch of times also. One time we didn't tell them until we arrived at the port...boy were they surprised. I love doing that but I agree it's soooooo hard to keep it a secret! :)

I'm also 38 and like you, enjoy the same things. I've been on both ships. I'd say the Allure has a slight edge overall, however I know NCL is giving away some nice offers like the beverage package, etc., so I'd probably book the Epic if the cost worked out better or I could get a nice cabin for the same price as Allure. It's a great ship, and the dining and bar options are plentiful. You'll have a good time no matter which ship you choose. That's an awesome itinerary!

Just an FYI, the Premium includes bottled waters as well, just not the sparkling waters.

I have the same fears, but I have been told I can upgrade to the Ultimate package once on board if I see fit.

Thanks for the review! Going on her next weekend.

I'm warning everyone out there - if there are chair hogs and unmanned chairs I'm snitching to the staff! ;) It is very irritating when people do this! Get some manners people! <rant over>

Hello all recent Oasis and Allure cruisers, hoping you can answer a question for me.

I've seen reviews and posts recently saying people are having problems booking specialty restaurants once on board - that they're filled to capacity. I've never had issues booking last minute in the past. I'm on Oasis in a couple of weeks, and I'm not booking anything ahead of time because I have a bunch of OBC I want to use for the specialty restaurants.

We have no scheduling issues (not doing any shows) and we like eating late, so we don't mind going to dinner at 9pm. Most of the time it will only be the 2 of us, and a couple of times we'll have our 2 (older) kids with us.

Do any of you recent Oasis or Allure cruisers who did specialty restaurants think I'll have any problems booking specialty restaurants once on board?

Thanks in advance!!!

My kids who are 11 and 13 have been going since they were 6 and 8 and they still love the kids' club now! It's a great program, they like it much better than NCL's program. The staff is very involved and they often want to stay until 1 am because of the fun stuff they have planned.

I've also heard they have a few hours of jazz during the Prohibition Party.

This post has more information on the topic. Hey, I'm hoping maybe it isn't published in bold letters anywhere - then it will be less crazy for us! ;)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2170769&highlight=oasis&page=2

Welcome! We are on the same cruise. If you haven't done so already, make sure to head over to the Roll Call and check in.

I will try to answer the questions I know the answers to.

People get dressed up, but not all people. We usually go about 1/2 way. Dressy sundress and heels for me, nice dark jeans and button down shirt for DH, kids will wear same as us basically. We look nice and cleaned up but we are not in cocktail dresses or suits.

We haven't booked anything either. We like to play it by ear. We will take the kids to specialty restaurants a couple of times as well, but we always book once on board. Never have any problems unless you care about times. We eat later, so never an issue for us. My hubby and I are going to do CP 150 for us, and probably Chops and Giovanni's with the kids.

You can usually get into your rooms around 1. And yes, the buffet is crazy packed when you get on. You can try the cafe in Central Park or the cafe in the Promenade. I don't think there is anything at the pool deck, unless Wipe Out is open, but I'm not 100% on that.

The kids will get lanyards in Adventure Ocean when they register the first day.

Several people in a different thread said it was open, as is Sabor.

Great review so far! That bread at Bimini Boatyard looks awesome! I need to go there more often. :) Have fun today!

Giovanni's has a cover charge. Park Cafe is great but frankly the secret is out. If there is a line up WJ, there will be a line at Park Cafe. The line moves well and you won't wait long for your food. What I found was the issue with Park Cafe was finding a table. I think best thing is grab a snack at Promenade Cafe or a slice at Sorrento's and then wait until after the rooms open and you should have an easier time anywhere.

Giovanni's is open on embarkation day? I wasn't aware that any specialty restaurants were open for lunch on the first day!

The Getaway is great for the kids. Nothing beats the water slides if your 6 year old is into them. Plus it's a one year old ship as opposed to a much older ship. I've been on both and I'd go on the Getaway again before Navigator if it came down to cost and same amount of days, etc.

Never! I find people walk around with their drinks all of the time!

Hi,

There's a good amount of info in the below thread including an extensive drink menu with prices.

Short answer is, most cocktails will fall into the $12 and under range. Only some expensive wines and rare liquors will be above it.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2152951&highlight=drink+package+includes

You can also bring a bottle of Caymus from home, I've done that with the expensive celebratory wines and champagnes.