NCL Escape casino review

[eldrima]

T minus 8 days until I'll be sailing on the Escape and I plan to spend some time in the casino. I've yet to see a decent review that goes into much detail of the Escape casino so I plan to fill that gap with this thread to pay back all the information I've gathered from all the other Escape reviews and threads I've read.

 

Despite some of the initial negative reviews I've read, I'm really excited about this trip and expect it to be one of my favorite cruises. I truly believe everyday experiences are determined more by the the lens you use to perceive them through than by any other influence.

 

This won't be a live review (how can anyone follow Doug's act) but more of a post-cruise thread about the casino. I prefer to play Blackjack, Pai Gow, Baccarat, some craps and Video Poker. I suspect the Pai Gow and Baccarat might not be offered but who knows...haven't seen a thread to confirm that. If you have any questions about the casino, pay tables, minimum bets, etc, post them here and I'll get them answered for you when I update the thread on my return.

[dboff123]

I would be interested in finding out if they have any Let It Ride tables. Also, what the min bets are at the tables. I'm a slots person but my father in law, who'll be traveling is a card player. I'm hoping they'll have items he likes so we can get him hooked on cruising.:)

 

The casino is part of the "whole package" for me so I will be thrilled to read you casino review upon return. Thanks!

[Missymo]

No let it ride tables seen. I don't remember seeing 3 card poker either. If they did if was 10.00 per bet table They did have ultimate holdum min $5.00. Which I learned and played. Blackjack one 5.00 table others 10.00 and up. Two roulette wheels, $1.00 and a $5.00 table. Two crap tables. They had live poker tournaments and live games. Beautiful casino. dH played poker til 4am.

[Moby0215]

I can't speak for the escape but the breakaway definitely had Pai Gow.

 

 

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[jimp1266]

We cruised on her earlier this month and I can say that the have both three card (I played) and let it ride. The table minimums are $10 or higher on all tables including roulette (and they did not offer a low limit day). We thought the ship was great, in fact we felt this was our best cruise in a long time, but the casino was a low point. I like to make smaller bets to extend my casino time while maintaining a budget, the table limits made quick work of the allotted funds.

[dboff123]

Thanks for all the updates everyone. I will pass this info on to him and let him plan his gambling budget accordingly.

[SuiteCruiser]

No let it ride tables seen. I don't remember seeing 3 card poker either. If they did if was 10.00 per bet table They did have ultimate holdum min $5.00. Which I learned and played. Blackjack one 5.00 table others 10.00 and up. Two roulette wheels, $1.00 and a $5.00 table. Two crap tables. They had live poker tournaments and live games. Beautiful casino. dH played poker til 4am.

 

There is one LIR table that is right beside the roulette table in the Atrium part of the casino. There is a 3 Card poker table next to it, then a UTH table.

 

There is another 3 card Poker table and UTH table in the other area.

 

3 Card is $10, LIR is $5 and UTH is $5 unless it's a really busy sailing, then they jack the prices up.

[eldrima]

There is one LIR table that is right beside the roulette table in the Atrium part of the casino. There is a 3 Card poker table next to it, then a UTH table.

 

There is another 3 card Poker table and UTH table in the other area.

 

3 Card is $10, LIR is $5 and UTH is $5 unless it's a really busy sailing, then they jack the prices up.

 

Can anyone confirm seeing Baccarat/mini Bac or pai gow on the Escape?

[Moby0215]

We cruised on her earlier this month and I can say that the have both three card (I played) and let it ride. The table minimums are $10 or higher on all tables including roulette (and they did not offer a low limit day). We thought the ship was great, in fact we felt this was our best cruise in a long time, but the casino was a low point. I like to make smaller bets to extend my casino time while maintaining a budget, the table limits made quick work of the allotted funds.

 

 

$10 is actually one of the lowest minimums one can usually find in most mainstream casinos. I know that some places will offer $5 on some games like blackjack etc but $10 is usually the lowest I see.

 

 

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[sjbdtz]

No let it ride tables seen. I don't remember seeing 3 card poker either. If they did if was 10.00 per bet table They did have ultimate holdum min $5.00. Which I learned and played. Blackjack one 5.00 table others 10.00 and up. Two roulette wheels, $1.00 and a $5.00 table. Two crap tables. They had live poker tournaments and live games. Beautiful casino. dH played poker til 4am.

 

Really? There are both LIR and 3 card tables.

 

 

There is one LIR table that is right beside the roulette table in the Atrium part of the casino. There is a 3 Card poker table next to it, then a UTH table.

 

There is another 3 card Poker table and UTH table in the other area.

 

3 Card is $10, LIR is $5 and UTH is $5 unless it's a really busy sailing, then they jack the prices up.

 

 

I see you already answered. What was the table minimum at Yell At The Dealer?

 

 

Also, they do have Pai Gow, if there's demand. The tables they have near Skyline are flippable. They have 1 game on 1 side, and another game underneath. You sometimes have to request the game you want.

 

 

 

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[jimp1266]

$10 is actually one of the lowest minimums one can usually find in most mainstream casinos. I know that some places will offer $5 on some games like blackjack etc but $10 is usually the lowest I see.

 

 

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I have visited many casinos (Vegas, Atlantic City, Native American) not sure what makes one "mainstream," in my experience $5 tables are quite common. I also cruise most of the cruise lines marketed to North America and $5 is absolutely the norm.

[SuiteCruiser]

Really? There are both LIR and 3 card tables.

 

 

 

 

 

I see you already answered. What was the table minimum at Yell At The Dealer?

 

 

Also, they do have Pai Gow, if there's demand. The tables they have near Skyline are flippable. They have 1 game on 1 side, and another game underneath. You sometimes have to request the game you want.

 

 

 

.

 

Yell at the Dealer AKA Three Card :) may have been $5 for that sailing, hmmm. I was thinking $10 though.

Edited February 5, 2016 by SuiteCruiser

[jingle5616]

Yell at the Dealer AKA Three Card :) may have been $5 for that sailing, hmmm. I was thinking $10 though.

 

Do tell....."Yell at the Dealer" Why? Bad Odds?

[Nola26]

Are there Wonder 4 machines? Are Pompeii or Indian Dreaming included on any of them? Is Pompeii offered as a stand alone machine?

 

Is non smoking section like? Is part of it in the hall, perhaps as you leave O'Sheehan's?

[sjbdtz]

Do tell....."Yell at the Dealer" Why? Bad Odds?

 

 

If you're playing a hand 'blind', and the dealer is amenable to opening the cards slowly, to draw out the suspense, the enthusiastic player might spend their energy vocalizing the cards they'd like to see next.

 

Really....yelling near the dealer, not AT the dealer.

 

 

Sally introduced me to the game, though I think I've played it without realizing it had a name. :rolleyes:

 

 

Stephen

 

 

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[leapingpenguin24]

I was on the Jan 16 Escape sailing. There was one pai gow table (had a margaritaville theme felt-top). However, during my three trips to the casino, the table was never open.

[Sand and Seas]

I enjoyed the Escape casino on our January cruise. The Executive Casino Host was so friendly and very nice to explain things. I believe her name was Cristina. I played mostly video poker and the pay-tables weren't great but still fun. Several rows of machines which had a number of different games on them. Multi-line games are my favorite and there were lots of machines with Ultimate X, Super Times Pay and Spin Poker. Although quite a few people were playing you didn't have to wait long to find a machine like you do on smaller ships. Denominations varied depending by game. I saw everything from 2cents to $5 in the area I played at.

 

The Escape is a wonderful ship. Have a great time!

[sjbdtz]

I enjoyed the Escape casino on our January cruise. The Executive Casino Host was so friendly and very nice to explain things. I believe her name was Cristina.

 

The Escape is a wonderful ship. Have a great time!

 

And if you're in the Haven and Adrian is the concierge....yes, they're brother & sister.

 

 

.

[Oren]

I am on the same cruise as you (Feb 13-20) and am looking forward to some fun play on the Flintstones, Wizard of Oz, and Wonka slot games. Someone has already posted a video of the Escape slot floor at:

 

I have been on over 50 cruises and this slot floor looks like the best variety of slots I have seen. I also plan to do a complete slot floor review for other Slot Fans when I get back.

 

Also, "Slotspert" from Slotfanatic.com has several slot floor videos from other cruise ships to compare at

http://slotfanatics.com/showthread.php?16494-Back-From-QE-Cruise-with-Slot-Floor-Report

Edited February 6, 2016 by Oren

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

If you're playing a hand 'blind', and the dealer is amenable to opening the cards slowly, to draw out the suspense, the enthusiastic player might spend their energy vocalizing the cards they'd like to see next.

 

Really....yelling near the dealer, not AT the dealer.

 

 

Sally introduced me to the game, though I think I've played it without realizing it had a name. :rolleyes:

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

 

 

Too funny. I have also played this game without realizing it had a name!!

[SuiteCruiser]

Too funny. I have also played this game without realizing it had a name!!

 

We *may* be a little louder than usual and usally drew a crowd. My friend Mindi and I would play and others who normally played the regular way would join in and it was really fun :)

[eldrima]

I am on the same cruise as you (Feb 13-20) and am looking forward to some fun play on the Flintstones, Wizard of Oz, and Wonka slot games. Someone has already posted a video of the Escape slot floor at:

 

I have been on over 50 cruises and this slot floor looks like the best variety of slots I have seen. I also plan to do a complete slot floor review for other Slot Fans when I get back.

 

Also, "Slotspert" from Slotfanatic.com has several slot floor videos from other cruise ships to compare at

http://slotfanatics.com/showthread.php?16494-Back-From-QE-Cruise-with-Slot-Floor-Report

 

Glad you got the slot review covered for all the slot players...I don't ever end up playing them.

[shelbymac19]

No let it ride tables seen. I don't remember seeing 3 card poker either. If they did if was 10.00 per bet table They did have ultimate holdum min $5.00. Which I learned and played. Blackjack one 5.00 table others 10.00 and up. Two roulette wheels, $1.00 and a $5.00 table. Two crap tables. They had live poker tournaments and live games. Beautiful casino. dH played poker til 4am.

 

 

We were on the Jan 23rd sailing and there was absolutely Let It Ride and 3 Card Poker tables. Not sure about the minimum on Let It Ride but 3 Card had a $5 min table AND a $10 min table.

[BirdTravels]

The Executive Casino Host was so friendly and very nice to explain things. I believe her name was Cristina.

 

Christina is one of the best Executive Hosts. She's moved around a bunch. In the past 18 months, I have seen her on the Epic, Getaway, Sky, Jewel and now the Escape. A couple of her contract changes were the result of backfilling vacancies/opportunities.

[saigonsister]

Christina is one of the best Executive Hosts. She's moved around a bunch. In the past 18 months, I have seen her on the Epic, Getaway, Sky, Jewel and now the Escape. A couple of her contract changes were the result of backfilling vacancies/opportunities.

 

If it was the same casino host from the Getaway in August and November of last year, she was not good in my opinion. In fact almost all of the guests that i spoke to around me also commented on the poor casino host service and I won several jackpots on both of those cruises and not once did she come over to introduce herself or any member of the team. Every other ship I have been on, people were amazing. As I said, not sure if it is the same person or not.