11/21 - 11/28 Thanksgiving Escape to the Caribbean: A review with pictures

[LarissaRose]

 

I believe this is peanut butter cheesecake. It really smells good when you are at the pastry and dessert section

 

whaaaaaaaaaat? peanut butter cheesecake?? what venue is this served in??

[GoAndHaveFun]

whaaaaaaaaaat? peanut butter cheesecake?? what venue is this served in??

 

I wanna say it was probably served in MDR but I am not sure.

[barnacle_boy]

Unfortunately, there were no crab legs despite I saw crab legs on Instagram weeks before my sailing. Other seafood include salmon, other types of fish, some squid in the cioppino, more shrimps, mussels and that was about it.

 

NCL really went out of their way on the industry preview cruises to impress. Stone crab claws, Alaskan king crab legs, whole Maine lobsters, and a variety of raw oysters as far as the eye could see. Unfortunately, those items are far too expensive to stock for the buffet on a regular 7-day sailing.

[GoAndHaveFun]

NCL really went out of their way on the industry preview cruises to impress. Stone crab claws, Alaskan king crab legs, whole Maine lobsters, and a variety of raw oysters as far as the eye could see. Unfortunately, those items are far too expensive to stock for the buffet on a regular 7-day sailing.

 

I actually figured that much..though I know I did hope that maybe just maybe they had stocked those items for like a month or the first 2 sailings in the Caribbean :p

[GoAndHaveFun]

Haven Restaurant

 

I did briefly talk about the Haven restaurant on the first page but I will talk about it more in depth here. As previously mentioned, I like that the Haven has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think I ate breakfast 3 times, lunch twice (2nd time was just for the seafood fritto mixto) and dinner 4 times. For breakfast on sea days, the wait can be like half an hour. I only ate breakfast 3 times as I either slept in or preferred to gym instead of getting breakfast. I wasn't really a big fan of the lunch menu nor the wait time so I only had lunch once really as 2nd time was for appetizers only. As previously mentioned, I prefer not to wait too long for lunch so that's why I almost always dine at the Garden Cafe instead of Taste, Savor, Margaritaville, O'Sheehans or Haven Restaurant in this case. The reason why I don't like to wait too long for lunch is because I enjoy attending different activities during the day so if I can grab a quick bite, I rather do that.

 

Breakfast menu

 

Lunch menu

 

Dinner menu

 

Steak & eggs for breakfast

 

Scallops with bok choy for lunch

 

1.5 lb lobster tail with garlic shrimp and fries on the side. The garlic shrimp was an add-on as it's part of another entree.

[brookie848]

Were you guys in the Haven on the Epic? If so, then there's a good chance this is the same Maribeth as I imagine NCL would send Haven cabin stewards from one ship to another ship. If you don't get Maribeth as your cabin steward, you can simply go up to deck 18 and say hi! That was what I did with Miller as he was on deck 17! :cool:

 

Yes...we were in the Haven. We'll have to look for her.

 

One more question -- did they still have a Haven captain's reception and if so, what night was it?

 

Thanks!

[boopsahoy]

Really enjoying your review-thanks for taking the time!

[Merriem]

Nice to see the new Haven menu. We were on the Breakaway in September, and it was nothing like that.

[GoAndHaveFun]

Yes...we were in the Haven. We'll have to look for her.

 

One more question -- did they still have a Haven captain's reception and if so, what night was it?

 

Thanks!

 

I believe that was on day 2 at 6:30pm. You are talking about the Captain's Cocktail Reception right?

 

Really enjoying your review-thanks for taking the time!

 

Thanks for reading! :cool:

[GoAndHaveFun]

Nice to see the new Haven menu. We were on the Breakaway in September, and it was nothing like that.

 

I was on the Breakaway in August and I liked the old lunch menu as it had steak. I never ate there for dinner as I thought the dinner menu was meh. Now, I love the dinner menu and all they are on the Breakaway/Getaway in the future

[brookie848]

I believe that was on day 2 at 6:30pm. You are talking about the Captain's Cocktail Reception right?]

 

Yep...that's the one. That should work for us since we scheduled the dinner show for 8:30 that night.

[goldmom]

Loving your review, thanks for taking the time to do it. The new Haven menus look great! So happy to see that they are changing them up a bit.

 

Does anyone know if or when they will be going fleetwide? I'm specifically thinking of the Gem Haven, although I realize that it would only pertain to the new lunch menu. Thanks!

[GoAndHaveFun]

Ropes course

 

 

Ziplines and heart pounding...check!

Fear of heights...check!

Had a blast...double check!!

 

 

I love the ropes course. I love it on the Breakaway/Getaway and Escape was no exception. The ropes course on the Escape was also much bigger and 2 stories high as well. There are also 2 planks and 2 ziplines..including one zip line that has you zip lining 20 floors above the ocean! That was beyond heart pounding and I held on for dear life!! You think walking the plank 19 floors above the ocean is scary? Do the zipline that has you 20 floors Bove the ocean!! Quick side note, at Nassau, we docked next to the Anthem of the Seas. My parents commented about the observation pod thingamagit on there and I simply said "that ain't got nothing on the ropes course and ziplining 20 floors above the ocean! Unfortunately, the ropes course isn't open all day a d usually opens for 3-4 hours at a time. When it's too windy, they will close off parts of the ropes course and the ziplines. I remember one problem I did had on the ropes course was when I was on the starboard side of it, there would be times in which I felt the harness rope wasn't long enough. It would feel like it has completely stretched out and I couldn't advance forward. My way of doing the ropes course had always been to push the harness rope forward and then move forward to avoid get stuck. When I told the teenage girl behind me that I felt the harness rope wasn't long enough, she just suggested that I simply keep advancing forward and the harness rope would follow. I did that and voila, it worked! Because the ropes course is very popular, there can be long lines. I remember waiting half an hour for it when we were docked at St Thomas. And oh yeah, cannot have anything in your pockets with the exception of your room key.

 

 

 

Ropes course. I like the colors of it too!

 

 

 

Water slides

 

 

Aqua Racer

 

 

One thing I love about the mega ships are the water slides. Just like in the Breakaway/Getaway, the Escape also has the free fall slides but instead of the 2 twisty slides, Escape has the Aqua Racer! My first pool & waterslides day, I went on the Aqua Racer like 5 times as one of the free fall slides wasn't working so there was a huuuuge line. I believe the wait was an hour and ain't nobody got time for that! I remember the Aqua Racer lines would be super fast and I would keep passing the same folks waiting for the free fall slide as the lines for the two are next to one another. For the Aqua Racer, you can do singles or doubles and I did singles. Stupid me didn't see the arrow pointing forward indicating which direction the tube will go in so first 2 times, I had the arrow facing backwards as I thought maybe it be better if u have the handles facing the back (they supposed to face the front if you don't wanna go down with back facing the slide). As to say, the first 2 times I wanted to go with feet facing the front but went backwards instead.

 

Aqua racer. Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos of the Aqua Racer as whenever I went on it, I didn't bring my phone.

 

Free fall waterslides

 

Heart pounding....check!

 

Getting nervous when lining up...check!

 

Seeing someone getting stuck before the loop and double heart pounding..check!

 

I love the free fall slides as I have been on them on both Breakaway and Getaway. There's just something about being in a little pod, having arms crossed on your chest and then OFF YOU GO!! For me, I get easily nervous so what I would do is close my eyes as I am in the little pod and hold my breath before I get dropped! Unfortunately, one of the free fall slides wasn't working so this lead to a relatively long wait for the one free fall slide that is working. As mentioned above, for my 1st waterslide day, there was a massive line for the free fall slide while the Aqua Racer lines moved along pretty fast. For the free fall slide, you cannot have any jewelry, watershoes or sandals or just anything other than your beach wear. The rec staffers will get impatient and borderline furious when it's your turn and you got a ring on or a necklace on. For any rings or jewelry you brought along, you can simply leave them on a table next to the free fall slide. And oh yeah, despite the rule says you need to be a minimum of 100 lbs to go on the free fall slide, some kids still got stuck and the other rec staffer had to open the hatch and get them out. I am starting to think perhaps one needs to be like 120 lbs to not get stuck. If you do get stuck, please try your best to remain calm.

 

Free fall slides to the left and Aqua Racer to the right

[GoAndHaveFun]

Loving your review, thanks for taking the time to do it. The new Haven menus look great! So happy to see that they are changing them up a bit.

 

Does anyone know if or when they will be going fleetwide? I'm specifically thinking of the Gem Haven, although I realize that it would only pertain to the new lunch menu. Thanks!

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!

 

I am actually not sure if the new Haven menus will be going fleetwide though I should have asked the Haven waiters/waitresses but forgot. Just like you, now I also wonder if the new breakfast and lunch menus will be changed for Haven/suite dining on the Jewel-class ships and the other smaller ships.

[joelle6667]

Reviews are very entertaining .. Sailing 1/9 in the Haven .. Two questions if you don't mind.. I know you mentioned you did not use concierge, whom I believe was with us on our Getaway cruise. Did you find any difficulties reserving dinner if hadn't prior to sailing. I have read many reviews where specialty dining and shows were all booked and unavailable within a few hours after boarding.. Traveling with two daughters mid 20's and parents and it's difficult to make decisions on dinner prior to sailing ..

Second and most important .. Someone getting stuck/trap door.. don't panic ??

You mentioned weight ..?? Can you explain how one would get stuck.. ??

140lb are they going to need the jaws of life to remove me?

Love the reviews !!

[GoAndHaveFun]

Reviews are very entertaining .. Sailing 1/9 in the Haven .. Two questions if you don't mind.. I know you mentioned you did not use concierge, whom I believe was with us on our Getaway cruise. Did you find any difficulties reserving dinner if hadn't prior to sailing. I have read many reviews where specialty dining and shows were all booked and unavailable within a few hours after boarding.. Traveling with two daughters mid 20's and parents and it's difficult to make decisions on dinner prior to sailing ..

Second and most important .. Someone getting stuck/trap door.. don't panic ??

You mentioned weight ..?? Can you explain how one would get stuck.. ??

140lb are they going to need the jaws of life to remove me?

Love the reviews !!

 

Unfortunately, I am unable to answer your first question as I booked all my dinner reservations online like 2 months before the cruise. I also didn't booked any shows so can't comment on that either. From my experience with Concierge on the Jade though, he was able to get us our dinner reservations pretty fast.

 

As for your second question, I definitely saw or heard of couple people getting stuck despite they were over a 100 lbs. From some quick research, it has to do with being able to generate enough centripetal force to go through the loop after getting dropped almost vertically. As we know, F = MA in which more mass = more Force. According to this little powerpoint https://prezi.com/ycreobddnxq4/aqualoops-physics/, gravitational potential energy (when you first get dropped) and kinetic energy (when you lose height and gravitational potential energy turns to kinetic energy before the loop) also come into play. For gravitational potential energy, it's EG = m*g*h in which mass plays a factor yet again. For kinetic energy, it's Ek = 1/2 m*v^2 meaning mass is important as well. The higher the mass, the higher your kinetic energy is thus making it easier for you to pass the loop. When you don't pass the loop, that's when you get stuck.

 

For some reason, the Escape made the hatch a bit more complicated as it seems like the staffer needs to unlock a whole bunch of things first before opening the hatch. On the Breakaway/Getaway, the hatch is easily opened. In fact, I could've swear on the Getaway, the hatch is always open so when you get stuck, you just simply climb out instead of waiting for someone. I don't think someone weighing a 140 lbs would get stuck.

[joelle6667]

Thank you for the reply and your description of the whole stuck thing..

I have a great visual !! Look forward to seeing Adrian, he was great on the Getaway!

[GoAndHaveFun]

Thank you for the reply and your description of the whole stuck thing..

I have a great visual !! Look forward to seeing Adrian, he was great on the Getaway!

 

No problem! I still remember one kid in front of me got stuck and even I began getting nervous despite I am like 160 lbs.

 

Feel free to ask any more questions you might have about the Escape!

[GoAndHaveFun]

Other venues

 

Waterfront

 

Having been on the Breakaway twice, Getaway once and now the Escape, I really love the Waterfront concept. It provides for a very relaxed way to just either get drinks, dine (like Moderno or La Cucina), get gelato or just gazed into the ocean. I enjoy walking around the Waterfront and just enjoying the view of the Caribbean.

 

Waterfront during the day

 

Watching the sunset from the Waterfront

 

Waterfront at night with La Cucina to the left.

 

Carlos's Bake shop

 

I only got the macarons from here and my god were they delicious. I must have ate like 10 macarons from there. The cupcakes also looked delicious but every time I was there, I just opted for the macarons instead.

 

Picture of Carlo's delicious offerings

 

My favorite snacks from Carlos...macarons!!

[TravelingAPor]

Was there a charge for all the wonderful pastries at Carlos? Do they serve coffee or hot cocoa there?

[GoAndHaveFun]

Was there a charge for all the wonderful pastries at Carlos? Do they serve coffee or hot cocoa there?

 

Macarons were 2 dollars each while small cupcake was like $1.50. I forgot if they served hot chocolate but I remember they served Lavazza coffee

[Marion B]

GoandHaveFun,

Love your screen name; it describes how I feel reading your excellent review with pics. I especially am enjoying the Haven info, photos and menus, because we will experience it for the first time in less than a week. This thread has definitely ramped up my anticipation.

Thanks and looking forward to more.

Marion

[barnacle_boy]

As with the other partnerships formed during Sheehan's tenure as CEO, Buddy Valastro's "Carlo's Bake Shop" is out. The new venue on Escape is simply "The Bake Shop."

[GoAndHaveFun]

GoandHaveFun,

Love your screen name; it describes how I feel reading your excellent review with pics. I especially am enjoying the Haven info, photos and menus, because we will experience it for the first time in less than a week. This thread has definitely ramped up my anticipation.

Thanks and looking forward to more.

Marion

 

Thanks! It's my lil motto when I take cruises in which I try to go and have fun by myself as my parents do their own things! I definitely try to participate in as many events as I can, especially activities that are outside my comfort zone. Unfortunately, it still feels as though attending events by yourself (especially when you are a guy) can carry some negative stigma. This is odd considering NCL has been trying to target solo cruisers via the studio rooms.

 

As with the other partnerships formed during Sheehan's tenure as CEO, Buddy Valastro's "Carlo's Bake Shop" is out. The new venue on Escape is simply "The Bake Shop."

 

Oh oops, I kept thinking it was still called Carlo's Bake Ship. I supposed I got so excited by the macarons that I never ever once looked up and noticed the shop is simply called "The Bake Shop."

[GoAndHaveFun]

Casino

 

 

 

Everyone's favorite place right? I kid! Perhaps I am like the only person who thinks the following but I really like how the casino is located at the center of the ship instead of being tucked away forward of the ship like on the Jewel-class ships. I like how there's that atrium area in which deck 6, 7, and 8 meet one another. It's like...dinner at La Cucina tonight? Climb the stairs to deck 8. Dinner at teppanyaki? Go downstairs to deck 6! I always walking through the casino when there are a lot of people and it's super lively. I like that the casino is in the middle of everything...and this is coming from someone who doesn't smoke but I am used to the smoke as my parents smoke. However, I also know a lot of people don't like the smoke coming out of the casino and they definitely don't like their kids walking through the casino.

 

 

 

Table games

 

 

 

For table games, the casino has a section for smokers and also a non-smoking section. The smoking section is starboard side while the non-smoking section is across Skyline Bar. I have to really give props to the dealers at the non-smoking section as I don't know how they can stand all the music blaring from Skyline Bar during late night. I didn't really play slots but it seemed like the slots in front of the cashier allowed smoking but I am not sure about the slots near O'Sheehans or near the non-smoking table games. For me, I spent a lot of time playing the coin pusher machine. That game is seriously addicting and I can imagine a lot of people probably said "ok, 5 more dollars!" and then kept playing for an hour. Unfortunately, whenever I tried to order a drink from a waiter, it's like he said he will get me my drink but then he never came back. This also happened last year when I was on the Getaway in which I would place a drink order and the waiter never came back. And thing is, I always tip them too. I am not offended by it or anything but because this has happened multiple times on different ships, it just makes me wonder if they just thought I was just some young-looking kid playing coin machine so let's not pay him any attention.

 

 

My favorite coin pusher machine. Unfortunately those $20 and $10 bill you see will take a long to get.

 

Out of the coin pushing machines I have seen on the different NCL ships, I always like this Las Vegas machine as there's no hole anywhere that coins or bills would fall into and you can't win them anymore.

 

 

My only real complain about the casino was some of the cashier counter staffers were ehhh. Because I play coin machine a lot and would win the bills ($8 for the $5 bills, $12 for the $10 bill and $22 for the $20 bill..prolly the hardest to get!), I would always get change at the cashier as I don't want to carry 5 ones or 5 20's when I can have a $5 or a $100 bill. Basically, I don't like my wallet to look super thick as I feel a thick wallet might draw attention when I go out and take out my wallet. I was always conscientious to make sure there was no line behind me before I ask for some change. One night when I was asking for change, the cashier lady then said "...anything else?" as if there were a lot of people in line and that I was wasting her time. I then said "...there's nobody in line." I am a pretty chill and relaxed guy and I am always nice to staffers onboard..but the moment I sense you are talking to me with an attitude that I don't feel I deserved, that's when I can kinda snapped back at the person. Every time I asked for change or ask for anything onboard or anywhere, I always ask with the utmost respect and with a smile. It's because of this that when I get attitude from someone when I asked them nicely, it's like "..you serious?"