Everything.. ESCAPE (live 29 Oct 2015!)

[barnacle_boy]

Oh and as much as I love Epic Escape really really takes the crown as best largest ship in the fleet.

 

Which ship is 2nd best? Not sure if it will be Epic, any opinions? Giving Getaway a try in '17, never experienced the Waterfront in a warmer climate LOL.

 

NCL did really well with Essie. :D

 

The Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes really shine in warmer climates. There are so many outdoor venues and activities that can't be fully (if at all) utilized in cold weather. The Waterfront will be a completely different experience for you in the balmy Caribbean instead of chilly Northern Europe, I can guarantee it :D

[Heartfelttraveler]

Guy Harvey is on the 11/14 cruise. He is panting a work of art on the ship. He also participated in the Salsa dance lesson and the Family Feud game. Great guy. And this has been a great day on the ship.

[LadySpoilt]

It is back to "normal" (unfortunately). There are designated non-smoking sections (which are not well enforced). If you have been on the BA or GA, at the back side of the casino is a Noodle Bar. That area on the Escape is suppose to be a non-smoking slot and pit. As well as non-smoking in the slots in the main aisle.

 

Having the non-smoking at the backside of the casino would seem to be rather stupid. It seems it would defeat the purpose. I thought that one of the biggest complaints according the NCL, Stewart or Del Rio, was that cruisers were complaining about all the smoke smell in the Atrium. So why in the world would they leave the smoking section in the front of the casino for the smell to continue to stink up the Atrium? And non-smokers would have to walk through the smoking area to get to the non-smoking. Seems the better idea would be to build a smoking area or at least put the smoking area all the way in the back instead of making that area the non-smoking area.

 

And as far of the non-smoking sections not being well enforced, Let a smoker sit down beside me or near me and light up, I will be one of those people complaining to everyone, bar people right up to the Hotel Head. If we have to put up with the smoking then NCL could at the very least respect and keep to their own rules!

Edited November 15, 2015 by LadySpoilt

[Golfin55]

Guy Harvey is on the 11/14 cruise. He is panting a work of art on the ship. He also participated in the Salsa dance lesson and the Family Feud game. Great guy. And this has been a great day on the ship.

 

 

I read there is a large group of TA's and reps from various cruise lines onboard this week for a conference for some travel consortium of about 1000 people.

 

Is this causing any problems to the other guests that you may be aware in regards to accessing areas of the ship? Just curios because we are on in two weeks and there is supposed to be another large group on that sailing as well.

 

Thanks.

[motleyfan]

Having the non-smoking at the backside of the casino would seem to be rather stupid. It seems it would defeat the purpose. I thought that one of the biggest complaints according the NCL, Stewart or Del Rio, was that cruisers were complaining about all the smoke smell in the Atrium. So why in the world would they leave the smoking section in the front of the casino for the smell to continue to stink up the Atrium? And non-smokers would have to walk through the smoking area to get to the non-smoking. Seems the better idea would be to build a smoking area or at least put the smoking area all the way in the back instead of making that area the non-smoking area.

 

And as far of the non-smoking sections not being well enforced, Let a smoker sit down beside me or near me and light up, I will be one of those people complaining to everyone, bar people right up to the Hotel Head. If we have to put up with the smoking then NCL could at the very least respect and keep to their own rules!

 

As a smoker I am glad that I was not marginalised or treated like a leper

[SuiteCruiser]

Having the non-smoking at the backside of the casino would seem to be rather stupid. It seems it would defeat the purpose. I thought that one of the biggest complaints according the NCL, Stewart or Del Rio, was that cruisers were complaining about all the smoke smell in the Atrium. So why in the world would they leave the smoking section in the front of the casino for the smell to continue to stink up the Atrium? And non-smokers would have to walk through the smoking area to get to the non-smoking. Seems the better idea would be to build a smoking area or at least put the smoking area all the way in the back instead of making that area the non-smoking area.

 

And as far of the non-smoking sections not being well enforced, Let a smoker sit down beside me or near me and light up, I will be one of those people complaining to everyone, bar people right up to the Hotel Head. If we have to put up with the smoking then NCL could at the very least respect and keep to their own rules!

 

I agree 100%, it makes WAYYY more sense for the back pit to be smoking and not allowing the smoke to drift down to Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, O'Sheehan's. Whoever made the decision to go totally no smoking for the TA and then smoking in the worst parts after the TA needs to give their head a shake. It's one of the dummest things I've heard.

[BirdTravels]

And as far of the non-smoking sections not being well enforced, Let a smoker sit down beside me or near me and light up, I will be one of those people complaining to everyone, bar people right up to the Hotel Head. If we have to put up with the smoking then NCL could at the very least respect and keep to their own rules!

 

So there were soooooo many complaints about the Casino being non-smoking during the TA, that they gave in and had a cart pile high with ash trays, setting them out at the start of the 11/11 cruise.

 

The smoke was awful.

 

They don't enforce the non-smoking areas. And they don't enforce the "rule" that smoking is allowed for active players. Everyone stands around using the casino as a smoking lounge.

Edited November 16, 2015 by BirdTravels

[GypsyCarrol]

We have been on the Getaway 5 times with another one booked.

The smoking section is the same on it, as described on the Escape.

I am a CAS guest and spend probably half my time in the casino. I am a non smoker.

I don't like the smoke, but I do like to gamble. I will not sit beside a smoker. If someone lights up beside me, I move. I just hope the Escape has machines I like in the non smoking area.

We sail December 5th, which is a slot tournament cruise.

[motleyfan]

We have been on the Getaway 5 times with another one booked.

The smoking section is the same on it, as described on the Escape.

I am a CAS guest and spend probably half my time in the casino. I am a non smoker.

I don't like the smoke, but I do like to gamble. I will not sit beside a smoker. If someone lights up beside me, I move. I just hope the Escape has machines I like in the non smoking area.

We sail December 5th, which is a slot tournament cruise.

 

Yeah you don't like to sit near smoke while you gamble your family's fortune away. Like I said on my last Cruise, casino at sea members don't get free Cruise you have to lose sufficient amount of money before they start getting anything so they pay for the cruise with the money they lose.

[funat55]

We have been on the Getaway 5 times with another one booked.

The smoking section is the same on it, as described on the Escape.

I am a CAS guest and spend probably half my time in the casino. I am a non smoker.

I don't like the smoke, but I do like to gamble. I will not sit beside a smoker. If someone lights up beside me, I move. I just hope the Escape has machines I like in the non smoking area.

We sail December 5th, which is a slot tournament cruise.

 

I have a small battery operated hand held fan that I use when I am in the casino. I just blow the smoke away from me. Sorry if it goes back to the one who produced it.

[motleyfan]

I have a small battery operated hand held fan that I use when I am in the casino. I just blow the smoke away from me. Sorry if it goes back to the one who produced it.

 

That's when an rational smoker gets up and blows it directly into your face

[maywell]

I have a small battery operated hand held fan that I use when I am in the casino. I just blow the smoke away from me. Sorry if it goes back to the one who produced it.

I just bring small bottle Downy and/or Lysol - it just makes it smell better.

 

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[NoahtheRed]

That's when an rational smoker gets up

 

Yeah, I mean when I do things that are clearly bothering people around me, I typically try and be courteous and move somewhere that it's more welcome. That or I just refrain from doing it until it's not going to bother people around me.

 

and blows it directly into your face

 

Oh, I thought we were talking about rational people.

[motleyfan]

Yeah, I mean when I do things that are clearly bothering people around me, I typically try and be courteous and move somewhere that it's more welcome. That or I just refrain from doing it until it's not going to bother people around me.

 

 

 

Oh, I thought we were talking about rational people.

 

The smoking area and non smoking area of the casino is separated pretty well on the escape, its to the point to where if you go near the smoking machines you deserve the smoke in your face.

[maywell]

 

Oh, I thought we were talking about rational people.

 

 

Rational people and Cruise Critic NCL board? Might want to try the Carnival forum, they're way more rational than over here.....

 

 

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[NoahtheRed]

The smoking area and non smoking area of the casino is separated pretty well on the escape, its to the point to where if you go near the smoking machines you deserve the smoke in your face.

 

Rational people don't take normal interpersonal conflicts and immediately turn them up to 11. A rational person, smoker or not, would not respond to what Funat55 described by being an unrepentant clod. A rational smoker would simply say "I'm sorry if my smoking is bothering you, but this is the smoker's section. Perhaps you'd be more comfortable in the non-smoking section?" Because....ya know...this is a vacation and getting in fights is everyone's favorite vacation pass-time.

[funat55]

My hand held fan allows me to sit where I want without having to ask anyone next to me to put out their cigarette which they shouldn't have to do if they are sitting in the smoking section. If the machine I want to play is in the smoking section then that's where I will go. I'm just redirecting the smoke away from my space. And the fan is small enough to be effective without blowing out my neighbor.

[motleyfan]

Rational people don't take normal interpersonal conflicts and immediately turn them up to 11. A rational person, smoker or not, would not respond to what Funat55 described by being an unrepentant clod. A rational smoker would simply say "I'm sorry if my smoking is bothering you, but this is the smoker's section. Perhaps you'd be more comfortable in the non-smoking section?" Because....ya know...this is a vacation and getting in fights is everyone's favorite vacation pass-time.

 

You are actually correct, that's probably something I would have said. But like I said before I did not encounter any negativity or conflict on the cruise.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Thanks Keith! I wonder if I can get a glass of either champagne, cava or prosecco there.

 

I'm not sure about the cava, put they do have prosecco and champagne by the glass.

[Heartfelttraveler]

Golfin55 - several really large groups onboard. Have not been affected by them at all. There are some hiccups, but overall no long lines or waiting for elevators, food, or lounge chairs. We see "private party" signs, but mostly in venues that would be closed at that time.

[keeponcruising]

I'm not sure about the cava, put they do have prosecco and champagne by the glass.

 

Thank you!

[MichelleDavison]

How much does bowling cost? What about video games?

 

Thanks.

[motleyfan]

How much does bowling cost? What about video games?

 

Thanks.

 

Idk about bowling and it verys based on the game

[Golfin55]

Golfin55 - several really large groups onboard. Have not been affected by them at all. There are some hiccups, but overall no long lines or waiting for elevators, food, or lounge chairs. We see "private party" signs, but mostly in venues that would be closed at that time.

 

 

Thank you for the feedback[emoji41]

[macruise]

Currently on Escape and heard that Richard Janicki will be replacing Sean as Hotel Director. I know that some people are always in the know about schedules, does this sound accurate or is it just a rumor?