Practical Escape Review

[ginger123snaps]

We are 40 and our boys are 7, 7, and 6. We have sailed in the Haven suites before. We travelled with another family (also 3 children) and two of my girlfriends.

 

Room 17120: We had plenty of storage. I usually take over the door storage but did not need it. I actually had empty drawers and that has never never happened! We don't pack lightly with little kids...trust me. Ladies the hairdryer is excellent and you don't need to bring yours from home. The lotion and shower gel they provide is also great. I didn't need to use mine from home.

 

The Haven on the Escape is set up a bit different from the Epic. The lounge/bar area is larger and more inviting and located on deck 17. The Haven restaurant is located on deck 18 and has a outdoor eating area with a great view.

 

Service at the Haven pool was wonderful. We were able to get food and drinks by the pool anytime we wanted. They have a small menu to choose from.... they were very accommodating and willing to bring more kid friendly food for the kids.

 

Nonrefundable onboard credit: We had $350 in nonrefundable onboard credit. I was not allowed to use this towards service/gratuity charges. I got some conflicting answers so I went down to guest services and was told there that I also could not use it in the casino. I am not liking these new rules with the onboard credit. So, we bought a waterproof camera.

 

Main Pool: This was not designed well at all for the size of the ship and number of people onboard. There was never a place to sit and those that were sitting were practically stacked on top of each other. Forget about any personal space. Of all the ships we have sailed this pool was the most crowded. It was awful. Even as far as getting to the garden cafe...to get there from the outside you have to walk across wet floors. The number of elderly walking across these floors made me so nervous for them. I worry there will be some bad falls here. The only way you can avoid this is by going back down....across...and up again. If I were not in the Haven suite (which is at the front of the boat) then I would pick a room closer to the back as to avoid having to walk across wet floors.

 

Splash Academy: Loved the location...midship on floor 5. It was so convenient to get to this...finally they got it right! They are closed twice a day from 12 to 2 and from 5 to 7. They do allow you to keep your kids here free of charge until 10:30. After this its $6/hour for first child and then $4/hour for each sibling thereafter. My kids enjoyed their time at the club. Mine only went from 7pm onwards.

 

Food: We ate at La Cucina, Moderno, Cagneys, Haven, Teppenyaki, Garden Cafe, O'Sheehans. No complaints it was good...we are not foodies though.

 

Outdoor activities: Loved the rope course/zip line. The water slides were a blast! They have one slide that is lit up the entire way down with LED lights...very neat. Do it all....you won't regret!

 

This boat is so large and there is so much to be done...I know there are restaurants we missed. I'm sure there are places we missed also. If you have any questions reach out.

[summer0621]

Thanks for the great review. It's very helpful to me, as I am trying to decide between 2 ships for our cruise in the future and this is 1 of the 2.

[cruisestan2]

Thanks for information. We will be in the Haven 2/20 and we are so ready.

[acharris1]

We are 40 and our boys are 7, 7, and 6. We have sailed in the Haven suites before. We travelled with another family (also 3 children) and two of my girlfriends.

 

 

 

Room 17120: We had plenty of storage. I usually take over the door storage but did not need it. I actually had empty drawers and that has never never happened! We don't pack lightly with little kids...trust me. Ladies the hairdryer is excellent and you don't need to bring yours from home. The lotion and shower gel they provide is also great. I didn't need to use mine from home.

 

 

 

The Haven on the Escape is set up a bit different from the Epic. The lounge/bar area is larger and more inviting and located on deck 17. The Haven restaurant is located on deck 18 and has a outdoor eating area with a great view.

 

 

 

Service at the Haven pool was wonderful. We were able to get food and drinks by the pool anytime we wanted. They have a small menu to choose from.... they were very accommodating and willing to bring more kid friendly food for the kids.

 

 

 

Nonrefundable onboard credit: We had $350 in nonrefundable onboard credit. I was not allowed to use this towards service/gratuity charges. I got some conflicting answers so I went down to guest services and was told there that I also could not use it in the casino. I am not liking these new rules with the onboard credit. So, we bought a waterproof camera.

 

 

 

Main Pool: This was not designed well at all for the size of the ship and number of people onboard. There was never a place to sit and those that were sitting were practically stacked on top of each other. Forget about any personal space. Of all the ships we have sailed this pool was the most crowded. It was awful. Even as far as getting to the garden cafe...to get there from the outside you have to walk across wet floors. The number of elderly walking across these floors made me so nervous for them. I worry there will be some bad falls here. The only way you can avoid this is by going back down....across...and up again. If I were not in the Haven suite (which is at the front of the boat) then I would pick a room closer to the back as to avoid having to walk across wet floors.

 

 

 

Splash Academy: Loved the location...midship on floor 5. It was so convenient to get to this...finally they got it right! They are closed twice a day from 12 to 2 and from 5 to 7. They do allow you to keep your kids here free of charge until 10:30. After this its $6/hour for first child and then $4/hour for each sibling thereafter. My kids enjoyed their time at the club. Mine only went from 7pm onwards.

 

 

 

Food: We ate at La Cucina, Moderno, Cagneys, Haven, Teppenyaki, Garden Cafe, O'Sheehans. No complaints it was good...we are not foodies though.

 

 

 

Outdoor activities: Loved the rope course/zip line. The water slides were a blast! They have one slide that is lit up the entire way down with LED lights...very neat. Do it all....you won't regret!

 

 

 

This boat is so large and there is so much to be done...I know there are restaurants we missed. I'm sure there are places we missed also. If you have any questions reach out.

 

 

Do you recall what was on the pool menu?

[USFSU11]

Was it necessary to make reservations prior to the trip for the speciality restaurants? Such as Cagney's and the Brazilian steak house?