Just off The Escape

[2hearted]

Just back from the Escape and thought I would give my two cents. First off, let me give a little info about myself. I hate when I read a review and I have no idea if the person is 20 or 90. My DW and I are both 49 with twin 18 year old daughters. This was out 10th cruise, but first with NCL. (4 Carnival, 4 RCI and 1 Princess). We were traveling with six adults, four 18 year olds and two 12 year olds.

 

Embarkation was kind of a joke. Very few people to direct anyone and pretty disorganized. We arrived at 9:15 in terminal C and we assigned group 4. They then proceeded to load groups 1 through 16 in terminal B before they even stated terminal C. We arrived 45 minutes before our friends and boarded 30 minutes after they did since they were in terminal B. This was nothing to get too upset about, but I don’t understand why this was so difficult to control.

The ship was beautiful from the outside and very nice on the inside, Although, there was really no wow factor. I really thought the layout was not good. It seemed way too chopped up with a lot of hidden areas. The ship was a little difficult to navigate, especially on the pool decks. The stair cases were kind of hidden to get to the top level and there really was not a good flow to the ship.

The food was good to very good, but again, no wow factor. Typical cruise food, including the specialty dining. We had the SDP as a perk, which was nice, but I don’t think any of them were worth an upcharge.

The bars were excellent. Every bar we went to was great with great service and a great selection. Everything I read about poor slow service because of the UBP was false. Even at the pool bars, we never waited more than a few minutes. My two favorites were the District and Sugarcane.

We loved our cabin. We were upgraded from a balcony to a mini suite. The only difference was the bathroom/shower. Than was nice, but again I doubt we would pay extra for it.

The smoke and movement issue. Yes, it was there, but honestly if I had not read so much about it, I probably would not have even noticed it. My DW, who always get motion sickness never complained about it.

The entertainment was somewhat disappointing.

Rat Pack (show was very good, food was not)

Vocal Overdrive (made about 10 minutes before leaving)

After Midnight (fell asleep)

Comedians (good)

Howl at the Moon (poor)

District piano guy (excellent)

Ports were good. St Thomas we did The Champaign and Snorkel to St John’s which was great, but short. Tortola we took a cab to Brewer’s Bay which we loved. Nassau we went to Cabbage Beach.

Debarkation went fine. We had a late flight, so we were in no rush.

 

Overall thoughts.

We did have a great overall time. We are not partial to any Cruise Line so we do not bash any of them. That was not the case on The Escape. On more than one occasion I heard a comedian or other employee bash Carnival. I find that very class less especially when I honestly thought the Carnival Breeze was a much better cruise and much better value than The Escape. As far as RCI, there is absolutely no comparison. The Oasis Class is in a class of its own and NCL and Carnival cannot compare. Yes, I would cruise on NCL again if the deal were right. I find them very comparable to Carnival, however I like having the same wait staff every night. IMO.

[FranknBeans]

Don't take it too personal but you seem to be a hard one to please.

[LrgPizza]

Thanks for the report. I'm getting excited to sail her again!

[2hearted]

Not at all. Just a very honest review. This was just a very so, so cruise. Nothing bad, just nothing great. Please tell me what you thought was great. Do you disagree that this ship is chopped up? What do you disagree with? Just curious.

[Yorkvillain]

Thanks for the review. I'm glad the bar service was great for you as well. They were very fast for us also.

[FranknBeans]

I have not been on the escape as yet but have been on Breakaway and well on the entire older ships in the fleet.We only eat at the specialty restaurants and we also know good food and presentation and would put any of the dishes at Le Bistro up against some of the best restaurants. All the restaurants are the same from ship to ship on NCL because the menu's are put together in Miami for the fleet.

 

NCl Is known for it's entertainment and some of the shows have been around awhile including howl at the moon which is hard to get a seat.

[2hearted]

I'm sure Howl is usually good. However, the group on the Escape were just not very good. The solo pianist in the District was much better.

 

 

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[2ManyCruises]

Thanks for the report. I'm getting excited to sail her again!

 

I'm with you LrgPizza. 48 days to go and we'll be on her again.

[LrgPizza]

I'm sure Howl is usually good. However, the group on the Escape were just not very good. The solo pianist in the District was much better.

I hear ya. Howl at the moon is always going to vary based on the performers, and also based on if the crowd is fun. Some of the players only sign contracts for 1 or 2 weeks, so they change all the time - some are amazing, and some suck. On our Epic cruise, one dude was so drunk all the time, he couldn't even sing. I've had the same thing happen on land. At our local Howl, I went on a Friday and had a blast. I went the next day, and it royally sucked. Ya just never know.

[Sunshine2U]

Don't take it too personal but you seem to be a hard one to please.

 

I thought this review was well thought out. This is what we've all heard before - food and entertainment are so-so, pretty much cruise standard. Not spectacular. When you compare Escape to Oasis Class, things are more chopped up. However, I think this is something we will actually LIKE on our upcoming Escape cruise as we like more intimate spaces. For 2hearted, not so much. I'll be posting my opinions of our upcoming cruise and will try to give an honest review like OP has shared here.

[Cruzinbabe06]

Thank you for posting your review.:)

 

I'm looking forward to the Escape next month.

[Jim The Lizard]

Good comments. I thought the ship was laid out very well. But, I have no variance or observation about Oasis class to compare. We were in an aft balcony and went to Vibe everyday, which is a hike. I was always surprised how easy it was to walk on a ship with 4200 cruisers. I thought decks 6, 7, and 8 were laid out well with bars and restaurants everywhere. I like that you provided your honest opinion rather than drinking the kool -aid!.

[deladypilot]

Thank you for taking the time to review your cruise.

 

Question for you. Did you have any trouble getting a taxi back from Brewers Beach? Were they just there or did you make prior arrangements

[2hearted]

I can see why some people love this ship and some do not. I just happen to be smack in the middle.

 

 

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[CP3o]

Thanks for your review. If had to do it over again would you pick a different excursion in st Thomas bc the champagne sail was so short? Do you suspect they offer two sailings now and that's why it's short? Do you remember about how long the excursion was and what time you got back?

 

I believe the excursion lists it as 4.5 hrs but it may be significantly shorter than advertised. Is there anything fun to do around port for an hour or two after finish excursion?

 

 

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[2hearted]

We left at 8:30. About a 20 or 30 minute open air taxi, then a 45 minute boat ride. Snorkeling for about an hour and a half, then return around 1:00. Snorkeling time was enough, but it would have been nice to spend a little time on the beach.

 

 

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[need2cruisesoon]

"Although, there was really no wow factor."

 

What ships have you cruised that gave you that "wow" Impression?

I'm guessing Allure/Oasis?

[beezer248]

We were on the same cruise and I agree with everything that the original reviewer mentioned and I think that they did it in a clear and concise manner that doesn't deserve bashing by other CC posters. The layout of the ship is odd in that too many crowded venues are in tight areas- Atrium area has O'Sheehans, the Casino, Guest services, shops, photo studio plus Le Bistro and in the evenings, the areas are packed and smoke filled. The activities in the Atrium- game show type things- were great and very entertaining, but they had to bring out lots of folding chairs to accommodate the number of people and even with those chairs, there were many people standing to watch. They need to move some of those activities to the main theater which would also clear out the Atrium a bit. The food and service in the speciality restaurants was good but it did feel as if the dining venues ( Haven included) were a bit understaffed. I don't really like to compare cruise lines but will say that RCCL seems to have the formula down on how to spread the guests out around the ship so that no one area feels too crowded. Worth mentioning is that the bed was the most comfortable one I have ever had on a ship.

[2hearted]

Yes, Oasis and Allure. However, the Carnival Breeze and Liberty of the Seas also had a little wow factor. Nothing bad about the Escape, I just personally did not like the layout.

 

 

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[Biz64]

The best show on the Escape (really one of the best I've seen on any cruise) was the Million Dollar Quartet. The rest of the shows were only so-so at best. Now that MDQ is no longer playing it certainly would make entertainment below average IMO.

[Biz64]

Yes, Oasis and Allure. However, the Carnival Breeze and Liberty of the Seas also had a little wow factor. Nothing bad about the Escape, I just personally did not like the layout.

 

 

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I agree with this...the pool deck was probably the worst of any cruise I've been on.

[purpletequila]

Embarkation was kind of a joke. Very few people to direct anyone and pretty disorganized. We arrived at 9:15 in terminal C and we assigned group 4. They then proceeded to load groups 1 through 16 in terminal B before they even stated terminal C. We arrived 45 minutes before our friends and boarded 30 minutes after they did since they were in terminal B. This was nothing to get too upset about, but I don’t understand why this was so difficult to control.

 

Oh, you might be upset if you were trying for Vibe passes. That's ridiculous and if I had been in your position, and found out groups through 17 were allowed on before me in group 4, I would have lost my mind...because of the Vibe pass situation which I wish they would just change already.

[purpletequila]

I can see why some people love this ship and some do not. I just happen to be smack in the middle.

 

 

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Totally fair. Thanks for taking the time. I'm an NCL newbie going on the Escape in November so I'm taking in all the info I can, good, bad or indifferent.

[2hearted]

I would never suggest that someone should not go on this cruise. We did have a great time and a cruise is as good as you make it. I just think I am starting to expect too much. If I had never gone on the Allure or Oasis, I'm sure The Escape would have blown me away, which I'm sure it will and has done for some people.

[TheDougOut]

Your review seems perfectly appropriate. Some items simply come down to preferences.

 

It's unfortunate the ship is going through an entertainment transition so early on. MDQ was fantastic, but we also loved After Midnight.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!