Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 #1 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Yep, I'm one of the lucky ones who are the first paying customers on the Escape for her maiden voyage out of Hamburg! "What is 'Live-ish'?", you may ask. That just means I'm not going to be tied to the screen and keyboard all the time. My plan is to upload and update my review at the end of each day before I head to bed but I'll probably post picture and/or video while I'm waiting for food or drinks as well. I'll be enjoying this trip and don't want to spend precious exploring-the-new-ship time looking at a screen. Of course this is all predicated on there being reliable wifi on the ship. If there isn't then all bets are off on when things will actually post. I know Kikki21 also has a review going for this one as well so we'll probably cover a lot of ground between us. My reviews are pretty straight forward and I have no special camera or equipment; since I need to upload pictures they'll all be coming from my S3. Instead of downloading my pictures to Flickr and then posting the link I'll be posting directly with Tapatalk so some of the pictures may be huge depending on which app I use to take them. I'll be stopping the live-ish after I disembark. I'm not doing the transatlantic but I'll be spending 4 days in London including Halloween. I'll come back here and post about that as well for anyone who's interested in London, but most likely after I get home. While the Hamburg/Southampton was available as a 3 day in the UK, it was only available as a 2 and 1 in the US. So I'll be in a Forward Facing Penthouse for the 2 nights and then move on down to a Studio for the last night. I wanted to check out the Haven and also see a Studio which, as a solo traveler, is the room type I'd most likely purchase. Our CC Roll Call is also doing a cabin crawl on Monday so I'll try and post some pictures of other cabin types. Speaking of the Roll Call, looks like we have a good group for this. We'll be having a pre-cruise meet up for drinks and dinner at the Hafen Hotel (where most of the group is staying) and then schluppi1404 offered to take us on a walking tour of Hamburg since he lives there. The hosts have been awesome with getting things set up and Rocky4ever even did a webpage for both our sailing and the transatlantic. Our Meet & Greet is set for 11am on Monday in Cagney's, and the organizers have been hinting at special things and surprises so it sounds like we're going to have fun! They opened shows and all the dining you could do reservations for to be pre-booked close to sailing so it looks like everything there should be up and running. I reserved After Midnight and Bayamo; I'm looking forward to them. Here's a gratuitous shot of my packaged luggage for those who like that kind of thing: packed by Coffee Goddess, on Flickr"][/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted October 23, 2015 #2 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Looking forward to your review and pic's. Hope the wifi works.:D Enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmdchiefthom Posted October 23, 2015 #3 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I'll be hanging on your every word and waiting to see every picture. Have a great trip!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Thanks! I hope I get some good pictures. I'm just hanging out at the airport lounge since Super Shuttle was early and there was no line at bag drop. I think I'll test Tapatalk pics here. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texangal39 Posted October 23, 2015 #5 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Following like a greedy little troll ... I don't sail for 4 more weeks so I'm gobbling up everything Escape right now! Best wishes for a lovely trip and thanks, in advance, for the pics and review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted October 23, 2015 #6 Share Posted October 23, 2015 If anyone happens to know or is able to locate the URL for Escape's bridge webcam, please let me know. I was planning on doing the time lapse thing for a couple of folks who asked, but so far, I am unable to find the URL for the cam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikki21 Posted October 23, 2015 #7 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Hello to another fellow traveller!!! [emoji106]🏻[emoji2] safe travels ahead! We hope to have a lot of fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #8 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Hello to another fellow traveller!!! [emoji106]🏻[emoji2] safe travels ahead! We hope to have a lot of fun!!! Indeed! I'll see you soon.[emoji74] Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DachshundsRule Posted October 23, 2015 #9 Share Posted October 23, 2015 CoffeeGoddess, one of the early Escape suite photos shows the Lavazza machine has been replaced with Nespresso. When in your Haven room, could you report on whether the N machine includes a milk frother so one could make a cappucino? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sand and Seas Posted October 23, 2015 #10 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Looking forward to your pictures from your two cabins and any others you have from the cabin crawl. And please let us know about any interesting restaurants you try. Have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR_T Posted October 23, 2015 #11 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Looking forward to the pics & updates [emoji4] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #12 Share Posted October 23, 2015 CoffeeGoddess, one of the early Escape suite photos shows the Lavazza machine has been replaced with Nespresso. When in your Haven room, could you report on whether the N machine includes a milk frother so one could make a cappucino? Thank you! Absolutely. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #13 Share Posted October 23, 2015 subscribing, safe travels and see you on board To you, too! I'll see you there. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted October 23, 2015 #14 Share Posted October 23, 2015 If ever there was a worthwile 3 day cruise, this is it! We have to wait for March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #15 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Made the first flight so now I'm chilling at Heathrow waiting for my Hamburg flight. I love that they don't have enough gates so you sometimes need to go down the stairs and get bused to the terminal. I was going to put a picture here but Tapatalk seems to be having issues with it. I'm recharging at EAT while waiting. It's not bad and they have outlets at the seats. Well it did that one. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #16 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Now it did the airplane picture. I hope it behaves when I start loading Escape pics. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 23, 2015 Author #17 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Oh, I'll be instagraming this, too so if you want to see all those my user name is goddessocoffee over there. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 24, 2015 Author #18 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Made it to the hotel about 11:00pm and went to sleep soon after. Now I'm at 6am, ah jet lag. I got a room at Hotel Hafentor which is on the opposite side of the park from the Hafen Hotel most of the rest are staying at. It was an excellent price for a single room and right by an S baun station. I followed the signs to baggage claim, customs was quick with a stamp and baggage came fairly quickly. Once I left the baggage claim I followed the signs to the train. They had a bank of automated booths to buy your ticket with multiple language choices. The stairs and escalators down were right across from it. It was 3,10€ to get from the airport to the Landungsbrucken station. It reminded me of the Barcelona trains. It was pretty busy but I had enough room to keep my luggage right in the seats with me. While the exit for the Landungsbrucken station had escalators up, I did not see a lift. And the second escalator wasn't working so I had to carry my luggage up. Then there was another shot staircase to get up to main station area, no ramp, and you needed to go down the stairs to get out. So not a great station for heavy luggage or the mobility impaired. A quick walk around the station exterior and there was my hotel. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asubaru Posted October 24, 2015 #19 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I envy you; 2 wonderful cities plus the new Escape! Look forward to hearing about your adventures and thanks for the updates. Made it to the hotel about 11:00pm and went to sleep soon after. Now I'm at 6am, ah jet lag. I got a room at Hotel Hafentor which is on the opposite side of the park from the Hafen Hotel most of the rest are staying at. It was an excellent price for a single room and right by an S baun station. I followed the signs to baggage claim, customs was quick with a stamp and baggage came fairly quickly. Once I left the baggage claim I followed the signs to the train. They had a bank of automated booths to buy your ticket with multiple language choices. The stairs and escalators down were right across from it. It was 3,10€ to get from the airport to the Landungsbrucken station. It reminded me of the Barcelona trains. It was pretty busy but I had enough room to keep my luggage right in the seats with me. While the exit for the Landungsbrucken station had escalators up, I did not see a lift. And the second escalator wasn't working so I had to carry my luggage up. Then there was another shot staircase to get up to main station area, no ramp, and you needed to go down the stairs to get out. So not a great station for heavy luggage or the mobility impaired. A quick walk around the station exterior and there was my hotel. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikki21 Posted October 24, 2015 #20 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Glad you made it to Hamburg! [emoji4] we'll be on our way from Berlin later on today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 24, 2015 Author #21 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Glad you made it to Hamburg! [emoji4] we'll be on our way from Berlin later on today! I look forward to meeting you! Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 24, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted October 24, 2015 The single room is small but just perfect for one person. Since both Trip Advisor and Yelp little to no pictures of the hotel and none of the breakfast I declined the breakfast at check in. However when I went down there this morning to check it out I was pleasantly surprised at what they had available for 9€. Thankfully the lady let me add it and I enjoyed a tasty breakfast before heading out to explore. Buffet with cold and hot items. Delicious! I was also surprised they had a little bar as well. I'll be uploading all my pics to Trip Advisor for a review when I get back. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted October 24, 2015 Author #23 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I took a morning stroll and enjoyed the river front while very little people were around. Thankfully they did have a coffee shop open so I grabbed an espresso on this chilly morning. Then I took some pictures of the scenery and shops. Now I'm just back at the hotel trying to figure if I should nap or go out exploring some more. I did walk by Hafen Hotel and as I expected it's an easy walk from my hotel. It'll be nice to meet a lot of roll call members tonight. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peachy2me Posted October 24, 2015 #24 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Wow! Thx for updates! Safe travels...we sail her Dec 2015!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreestyleNovice Posted October 24, 2015 #25 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Following!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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