My View: NCL Escape - Did she top the charts?

[APDMOM]

This is the Kids’ Aqua Park. Although the Freestyle Daily mentioned the Aqua park opened around 7 most mornings, they did not open this area until 10 a.m., when the slides opened:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

Early mornings are always very quiet in the Garden Café. It is during these early morning walks that I found this ideal spot to sit. It is a table for two where you can see the bridge, as the window is angled:

 

 

While we are on the topic of the Garden Café, this is the best ship buffet I have experienced in our 21 cruises. The food was excellent. I loved the layout, with dividers that created a more relaxing atmosphere, as it seemed much less hectic. There were times when the Garden Café was packed, but we always managed to find a table within about 5 minutes. People were constantly coming and going during "rush hour".

 

During breakfast, we always beat the rush by being there by 8 a.m. (except Tortola morning, when the Garden Café was very busy due to our early arrival).

 

Tip: Do not miss the crêpe station, which runs every night during dinner and is open until 9:30 p.m. They had the best crêpes, and you could choose your own filling. My favorite was Nutella and banana.

 

The Garden Café:

 

 

I liked the fact that clean cutlery and napkins were available at the table:

 

 

I preferred washing my hands at the sinks, located at every entrance to the Garden Café. The hand sanitizer had a strong chemical smell, but the sinks had very nice soap:

 

 

Washy! Washy! (You had to be there)

Edited July 29, 2016 by APDMOM

[APDMOM]

Once the rest of the family woke up, I participated in some activities and took my daily ‘Live from Escape” picture. This is one of the fun ’secrets’ I learned here on Cruise Critic. On Escape, there are TV monitors with cameras to take a ’selfie’ and e-mail for free. The one in front of La Cucina enabled you to send a message too. We used this to send a daily free e-mail to my parents to let them know what we were up to. Here is an example of the picture I took on the way to the meet and greet:

 

 

Norwegian does the meet and greet differently than other cruise lines. A roll call member sets up the Meet and Greet by contacting Norwegian. Our meet and greet was scheduled in Cagney’s at 11 a.m. As mentioned in the summary, I really felt like the staff took sincere interest in every individual who attended.

 

Here are those smiles - which I frequently saw as I cruised the ship throughout the week:

 

 

Not the best shot of Tyler - sorry! My timing was poor on this one. (Tyler was the cruise director)

 

 

 

Here is Jovo (pronounced “hovo”), the hotel director. He did an excellent job and even sent us chocolate covered strawberries during the week.

 

This mailbox can be found at Guest Services on deck 6. I think it is a great way to keep up with guest needs. We wrote him a thank you note and sent it through this mailbox. Escape has excellent customer service!

Edited July 29, 2016 by APDMOM
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[APDMOM]

Chocolate covered strawberries… Yum!

 

 

Another way to express your opinion is to use these comment cards at dinner. We had exceptional service one night in the Manhattan Room from Roshan and his assistant, John. We completed the card and returned it to the mailbox at the Manhattan Room. We saw these cards in Savor/Taste, as well as O’Sheehans & The Supper Club. I think we completed 4 for the week. It never hurts to acknowledge exceptional service.

 

 

The staff:

 

 

Edited July 29, 2016 by APDMOM
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[APDMOM]

That is it for now. Time to go back to my word processor to compile the next bunch of posts. Thanks for following!

 

:)

[Victorious8]

Thanks! Loving this! I can't believe I get to get on her so soon!!!

[cincicruisers]

Enjoying your review.

[APDMOM]

Would you believe it? Day 3 (Sea day) greeted us with a beautiful rainbow, again!

 

 

[APDMOM]

Let’s go explore the ship! It is early morning on a sea day…

 

The Vibe (the door was propped open early morning, so I snatched a few pictures):

We were not interested in passes, but may splurge one day when our son is older…

 

 

 

 

Outside the Vibe is this set of stairs to a sundeck. From there, you can get a bird’s eye view of The Vibe:

 

 

Edited July 29, 2016 by APDMOM
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[APDMOM]

In keeping with ‘adult only’ venues, let’s take a quick peek Spice H2O. I recently saw a review that stated there was no rule posted about "adults only”. Although it was not listed inside Spice H2O that I could see, there is a sign at the entrance that states only 18 and over are allowed from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

Let’s go down for our stroll today, and visit the Waterfront. We enjoyed using these binoculars (powerful!) on the Waterfront. There are two on each side:

 

 

This does not really give you any idea of the quality of the binoculars. The real life picture is much clearer:

 

 

Early in the morning, you can pick up your coffee on the Waterfront. Like I said before, “shop around” as the coffee was very strong when I tried it. Free coffee is very "hit or miss" on this ship:

 

 

Cagney’s and Moderno on the Waterfront:

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2016 by APDMOM
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[williecruz]

Love the pictures!! Your rainbow pics are really special! I have to say I was a little concerned when you posted that your view from the balcony was slightly obstructed--was this only when you stood at the railing and looked down? Pure water view while seated on balcony???? We were on deck 13 in June (great view!) and will be on deck 10 this September.

Loving your review!

[APDMOM]

Due to the inconsistent nature of the coffee (at least, that sounds like a good excuse to me :) ), I splurged and had a cappuccino or latte every morning from the Atrium Café.

 

 

On this day, we enjoyed one of the unique, new activities that we had not seen on other ships before - the balloon twisting workshop:

 

 

If you follow the directions of the staff, you will end up with a sword and a puppy.

 

 

If you don’t follow the directions, you might end up making your wife a flower :) (My DH is not very good at following directions... LOL!)

[APDMOM]

The Latitudes Rewards party was at the Skyline Bar. The music was great, and staff went out of their way to mingle with everyone, just like at the cruise critic meet and greet. The entertainment was, once again, top notch. There were some free drinks and a presentation regarding the Next Cruise program

 

 

One of our unforgettable highlights of the cruise was “Oh, What a night!” in The Supper Club. The group was very entertaining, and true to the style of the music. The food was excellent too.

 

Tip: Be sure to make reservations for this in The Supper Club as soon as you get onboard, or within the first 24 hours of your cruise. You can not book this in advance.:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2016 by APDMOM

[APDMOM]

On the note of entertainment, I will throw in a few more pictures of entertainers on the ship.

 

Howl at the Moon is not to be missed! No reservations are required, but you have to show up 10 to 20 minutes early to get a seat.

 

Entertainment in the Manhattan (some of the entertainment with the singers was a bit loud, but most of the evenings in the Manhattan were filled with very pleasant dinner music):

 

 

This guy on the saxophone was excellent!

 

 

More entertainment in the Atrium:

 

 

Edited July 30, 2016 by APDMOM

[APDMOM]

Tonight, even the chandelier was rainbow-colored:

 

 

With that, I end with my view of day 3 (sea day):

 

[mabones]

Enjoying your review. We'll be on her in December. I usually lock my phone in the safe for the duration of the cruise. I just may download it the App in case I decide to use it.

[TenForward]

 

Coffee with a view:

 

 

 

Aaahhh... THIS. Really looking forward to this.

 

Glad to hear Frankie Valli tribute is still there. Someone who cruised in June had said they were gone. That would be the icing on the cake if they're still there for our Anniversary cruise in October. *fingers crossed* :)

 

Great review.

[APDMOM]

Love the pictures!! Your rainbow pics are really special! I have to say I was a little concerned when you posted that your view from the balcony was slightly obstructed--was this only when you stood at the railing and looked down? Pure water view while seated on balcony???? We were on deck 13 in June (great view!) and will be on deck 10 this September.

 

Loving your review!

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

The seated view of the ocean was fine. We got used to the obstruction while standing by the rail, and it did not bother us after the first day. It became a game to see what people "lost" on the Waterfront roof - like a pair of shades. We still prefer the direct water view, but overall the balcony was very enjoyable! I will post a picture in a moment of another view.

 

 

 

Since your upcoming cruise is off season, you may be able to switch to a higher deck, but if you can't, don't worry about it. :)

 

Edited July 30, 2016 by APDMOM

[CruiseFun56]

Once the rest of the family woke up, I participated in some activities and took my daily ‘Live from Escape” picture. This is one of the fun ’secrets’ I learned here on Cruise Critic. On Escape, there are TV monitors with cameras to take a ’selfie’ and e-mail for free. The one in front of La Cucina enabled you to send a message too. We used this to send a daily free e-mail to my parents to let them know what we were up to. Here is an example of the picture I took on the way to the meet and greet:

 

 

Norwegian does the meet and greet differently than other cruise lines. A roll call member sets up the Meet and Greet by contacting Norwegian. Our meet and greet was scheduled in Cagney’s at 11 a.m. As mentioned in the summary, I really felt like the staff took sincere interest in every individual who attended.

 

Here are those smiles - which I frequently saw as I cruised the ship throughout the week:

 

 

Not the best shot of Tyler - sorry! My timing was poor on this one. (Tyler was the cruise director)

 

 

 

Here is Jovo (pronounced “hovo”), the hotel director. He did an excellent job and even sent us chocolate covered strawberries during the week.

 

This mailbox can be found at Guest Services on deck 6. I think it is a great way to keep up with guest needs. We wrote him a thank you note and sent it through this mailbox. Escape has excellent customer service!

 

 

"Live from the Escape" selfies...what a fun idea! Thanks for the reminder. Enjoying your review. The pictures are great. Can't wait for more.....

[sjnyc323]

Loving your pictures and review

[James_Elmore]

Loving your review new to cruising we got our first on the dawn in March I'm hoping someone does this kind of review from her. You said you've done the dawn. I'd love to hear your opinion of that ship I do understand it's had a recent dry dock and things have changed but I enjoy your attention to detail which is awesome for first time cruisers.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[ssaville0124]

Following. My husband and I cruise on the Escape in December.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[LuCruise]

Great review! I remember reading your Royal reviews, and am interested in your NCL review. We've been on Allure as well, but with pricing I am always looking at others and the Escape catches my eye. It looks fantastic for kids with the waterpark areas (younger and older kids).

 

One question...how do you find the entertainment compares to Oasis/Allure? That's the one area I wonder if I'll be disappointed if we stray to NCL...especially after Allure.

[seminole95]

Loving your review! December can't get here fast enough. Thank you for taking the time to share pics. I loved the water slide video. Now I'm not so afraid [emoji15]