Escape & Getaway B2B Photo Review Nov. 28th to Dec. 13, 2015

[loupana]

Back up to our room for a bit, then we ventured out to CVS to pick up a few items for the cruise. We don't have the drink package for the Escape cruise so we picked up some wine, soda and water to bring onboard with us.

 

Then we went to ToroToro the restaurant inside the hotel for dinner. It was very dark so photo's are not the greatest.

 

I start with a Blood Orange Mojito (which was awesome so I may have had more than one)

 

 

They gave us some buns...

 

 

Then for our Appetizers we had the Heirloom Tomatoes (burrata / watermelon / hearts of palm / herb salad / avocado / chipotle vinaigrette)

 

 

and Ceviche Nikkei (ahi tuna / sweet potato / cucumber / quinoa / avocado)

 

 

For the Main Course we had Braised Short Ribs (orange coriander / hoisin adobo / broccolini / papa con queso)

 

 

and Prime Ribeye with Yukon Potato Mash

 

[loupana]

Yes, Uber does not offer a way to tip the driver through the app. Although Uber says tipping is not required, we always tip our Uber drivers with cash, which they greatly appreciate.

 

Next time I will tip, I should have googled what everyone else does instead of just going by what uber says onsite.

[loupana]

Went to bed early and both slept well, and woke up to this view on November 28th

 

 

 

Left the hotel room at 9:30, waited forever for the elevator, needed to go up before we could go down...Hotel did say elevators are not usually like that (thank goodness, don't want that mess when we leave for Getaway in a week). They took a bit off our bill, which was nice.

 

Lost my checkin document, went to concierge to print off a new copy.

 

Pinged Uber, he was there in a minute of two, quick ride to port for $11.26.

 

Walked into terminal at 10:30, Checkin was fast. They seemed annoyed that I was bringing wine onboard. I had 4 bottles and security said "all that for just you two", I didn't think it was a lot but whatever, paid the $15 per bottle corkage fee and away we went. No big lines yet and we got boarding group #3

 

The view of Escape from Terminal C

 

 

 

Here is DW ahead of me at 11:24 AM boarding (Camera metadata show 12:24 I did realize I didn't change it to EST earlier in November, arrrgh)

 

[loupana]

Walking up to the ship...

 

 

 

 

 

 

WooHoo we are onboard

 

[loupana]

Went up to Margaritaville just to see if there was a line, I've never had a burger on a cruise (I can have those at home) but I did have the nacho's in Margaritaville in Jamaica before but I had no intention on paying their fee just out of spite.

 

Margaritaville line at 11:36 AM on November 28th.

 

 

Then off to Savor for lunch

 

Mixx bar outside of Savor

 

 

Inside Savor

 

 

 

[loupana]

Here is what we had for lunch

 

 

 

 

[loupana]

 

 

 

The Roasted Leg of Lamb was very good

 

Some pics from Deck 19

 

 

 

[loupana]

More from deck 19

 

 

 

 

I peeked into the Haven area

 

 

and into Vibe

 

 

 

I have to stop here for now, I need to get more photo's uploaded to flickr

[destaw7182]

Enjoying your review so far

[loupana]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I already posted the Freestyle Daily from the Escape Cruise here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2286362&highlight=escape

 

I used the "Genius Scan" app so they're not perfect but not bad.

[MandyMommyof2]

I am loving your review so far! Your pictures are amazing :) We sailed the Getaway in July and love her! I am always tempted to use Uber, but have always chickened out. Those chicken nachos...look delicious! Can't wait to read all about your vacation!

[FreestyleNovice]

No money transfer, just setup Uber account online and use the app to call the driver. They even helped with luggage.

 

Little more background why I would not take a cab...

Last time I cruise out of Florida I used a cab from Port Everglades to FLL the cab ride was just over $20 and all I had was 2 $20's and driver just shrugged his shoulders and said I don't have change and walked away and left. Also had bad local experiences here at home and other locations not just Florida, so I told myself after that no more cabs for me.

 

Our worst cab ever was in Puerto Rico, we came in by small plane next to the Pan American pier in San Juan, where Celebrity and Royal dock(ed). Had a beautiful week on a smaller island next to PR. We were way too early so dropped the bags, ship was still disembarking and we joined the line for a cab, got in and cab driver began swearing in Spanish and later on hitting his sun visor out of frustration as we requested old San Juan instead of his hope for a longer airport or even longer ride. The line of cabs was a three hour wait for him and he got us. We tried to consider his behavior as normal, ending up giving a normal tip but only after some Dutch spoken consideration between the two of us about his actions..

 

edit; we prefer rentals or prebooked private cars now ;)

Edited December 15, 2015 by FreestyleNovice

[Hawks LOB]

Thank you very much for your review, I'm looking forward to seeing more! We are booked on the Escape in April and have never cruised NCL before. The ropes course and water slides were the big draw!:)

[Dave85]

Little more background why I would not take a cab...

Last time I cruise out of Florida I used a cab from Port Everglades to FLL the cab ride was just over $20 and all I had was 2 $20's and driver just shrugged his shoulders and said I don't have change and walked away and left. Also had bad local experiences here at home and other locations not just Florida, so I told myself after that no more cabs for me.

 

Ugh, the cabs in Fort Lauderdale are THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Hands down. I live in NYC and have taken many cabs here, and still haven't had as many poor cab experiences as I have had in Fort Lauderdale, which I only visit occasionally for short pre-cruise stays.

 

Vent over, back to the review. :)

[SenatorsFan]

FYI...love your name and avatar...

 

Thanks, I am a happy fan after tonight's game! :):p Really enjoying all your food pictures. We've never eaten at the InterContinental, but that steak looked delicious.

Heather

[loupana]

Our worst cab ever was in Puerto Rico, we came in by small plane next to the Pan American pier in San Juan, where Celebrity and Royal dock(ed). Had a beautiful week on a smaller island next to PR. We were way too early so dropped the bags, ship was still disembarking and we joined the line for a cab, got in and cab driver began swearing in Spanish and later on hitting his sun visor out of frustration as we requested old San Juan instead of his hope for a longer airport or even longer ride. The line of cabs was a three hour wait for him and he got us. We tried to consider his behavior as normal, ending up giving a normal tip but only after some Dutch spoken consideration between the two of us about his actions..

 

edit; we prefer rentals or prebooked private cars now ;)

 

Ah yes, I know exactly where you mean. We sailed Celebrity Summit out of San Juan and watched planes come and go from that small airport. I don't like flying so I don't think I could fly in on a small plane...

[aubreyc1988]

Wish I knew that before, that would have been awesome

 

:( about the Uber.Lyft - but also, make sure you check their social media for promotions and make sure to open the app whenever you are in cities you want to uber - last time I turned on the app in Miami, got LOADS of free codes for 10.00 off rides in Miami - and if you share your specific Uber or Lyft codes with friends, you get a discount on rides too :) Sharing is caring haha

 

Great review, can't wait to read more

[TSUmom]

Enjoying your review and pictures. Following and thank you for doing this review!!

[loupana]

We booked an inside cabin months ago and 4 days before we left I called the upsell department and upgraded to a balcony cabin for $100 each ($200 total).

 

Cabin 14176

 

 

Loved these buttons, wish every ship had them...

 

 

 

 

 

[loupana]

 

The cube to sit on just under the desk does not open for storage like they do on the Breakaway or Getaway.

 

 

 

The night lights on each side of the bed have usb ports, very handy to charge you phone at night and you can quickly check the time if you wake up in the middle of the night...

 

 

 

[loupana]

Cabin was midship so we got a bigger balcony because it was located right where the hump begins...Even if it wasn't at this location they are bigger than they are on Breakaway or Getaway.

 

 

 

View from our balcony

 

 

Our Muster Station was the Internet Cafe on deck 6

 

[loupana]

Some pics of the pool area

 

 

 

 

 

 

[loupana]

Top deck for sailaway...

 

 

Us enjoying a cold one during sailaway

 

 

Ships behind us

 

 

Miami scenery

 

 

 

[loupana]

Touring the Spice H20 area

 

 

 

 

 

 

[loupana]

 

 

The District Brewhouse

 

 

 

Adults only sign...