NCL Getaway vs Escape. Pros and cons. Thank you :)

[brittani299]

I am looking to book a cruise to the Caribbean. I have been on the smaller ships several times but not one of the bigger ones. Pros and cons on the getaway and escape would be super helpful. Thank you :)

[nexxuspr]

Have the same question!! Following

 

 

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[LrgPizza]

There are more similarities than differences.

 

Standard balconies are bigger on Escape

Escape has cantilevered hot tubs

Escape has more space around main pool for chairs

Getaway has Million Dollar Quartet - Best show at sea!

Escape has Food Republic - Best restaurant at sea!

Escape has 2 level ropes course - just one level on Getaway

 

There are a lot of things to list, I've just shared some that I think about, because I guess they matter to me.

[Two Wheels Only]

Escape Haven has a retractable roof while Getaway Haven does not. That could be a factor depending on the weather and the time of the year that you are sailing.

 

Aft-facing balconies are generally deeper on Getaway than on Escape. Since depth varies depending on deck for both ships, it would depend on which deck on Getaway is being compared to which deck on Escape.

 

There is a H8 stateroom on Escape while there is not on Getaway.

 

Escape has a much better DOS than Getaway and has more of them. (For Escape DOS, Deck 17 is better than Deck 18 for 2 reasons)

 

Escape has more passengers and more decks but the same number of elevators so wait times may be longer on Escape. (more reason to take the stairs, imo)

 

There are flaws that both ships share such as pool size/areas but I like both classes (Breakaway/Breakaway Plus) and don't think that there is a wrong choice.

[eynsteinp]

I've sailed both ships in the last year and definitely liked the Getaway better. While the ships are similar, I did not feel like the Escape added anything that made a large positive but added more people to ship, creating more congestion. I also did not care for the entertainment on the Escape as much as the Getaway. I really enjoyed the Illusionarium and felt like the shows offered on the Getaway were a better mix. The Escape only has musicals and not particularly interesting to me personally. Finally, I was disappointed in the Escape since the ropes course was one of the main activities offered and a large portion, including 2 of the 3 zip lines were closed when I sailed on her. The Escape eliminated the rock wall which was fun to do as well, making the ropes course even more important for activities. I did enjoy the Escape but definitely preferred the Getaway.

[sid_9169]

Been on both. Liked both, but Escape edges out the GA with the addition of Food Republic, The District Brewhouse, and the additional hot tubs on the top deck forward...

[PhillyTravelBug]

I did the Getaway and now I need to do the Escape!

[Nola26]

We sailed the Getaway and Escape during their first summers at sea. I like both ships, prefer the Getaway, but would sail either again. We had balconies on both and the angled balcony on the Escape, so no a fair apples to apples balcony comparison. On the Escape the bed was by the balcony and I prefer the set up. We had a cabin with the bunk over the sofa. We sail with a teen so being able to let him sleep up while retaining the sofa as common space was nice and I think kept the cabin more orderly for us. On the Getaway we didn't have a cabin with the bunk so the sofa was made up into a bed for him in the evening.

 

I loved the Supper club on the Escape so a good add to me.

Illusionarium was treat for the nephew and really fun, but it is leaving Getaway so you cannot base a future booking on that show.

I missed the complimentary Asian restaurant. They used the space to a bigger casino which I enjoy, but didn't think it was a good trade as the casino is never so busy that I couldn't play something.

 

There was a guitar player we saw in the Brew House one night and at Cellars another. I think there were more options of this type on Escape. On the Getaway those kinds of entertainers were typically just at the Mojito bar.

I love the Manhattan/Tropicana dining rooms on both ships, we loved having live entertainment during dinner.

[Two Wheels Only]

On the Escape the bed was by the balcony and I prefer the set up. We had a cabin with the bunk over the sofa. We sail with a teen so being able to let him sleep up while retaining the sofa as common space was nice and I think kept the cabin more orderly for us. On the Getaway we didn't have a cabin with the bunk so the sofa was made up into a bed for him in the evening.

 

Both configurations are available on each ship.

[stickey_mouse]

 

Illusionarium was treat for the nephew and really fun, but it is leaving Getaway so you cannot base a future booking on that show.

 

Really? When is it leaving?

 

 

 

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[xray121995]

[quote name=

Illusionarium was treat for the nephew and really fun, but it is leaving Getaway.[/quote]

 

When is this happening ????

[sjh422]

When is this happening ????

The Illusionarium show is still on. There was doubt as to whether it would continue, but it is definitely still an option. I have reservations on Nov 20 sailing on s to Getawas

[stickey_mouse]

I have reservations for January. Perhaps the poster was misinformed?

 

 

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[Jenjer]

We found Escape to feel a little bit more crowded but enjoyed the ports she went to better than Getaway. The ships are very similar so ports and costs should be a factor.

 

The entertainment keep changing so don't book for that reason because you might be disappointed.

 

Agreed Food republic is the best restaurant at sea.....Loved it... go for lunch

 

Didn't think the extra level of the ropes course added much but it was so much fun.

[TonyFred]

Sailed both and would sail either again. The Food Republic and District Brew House would sway me towards Escape. We loved both of those venues.

[blackwing]

I have been on both and loved both. I think a pertinent question would be, do you have kids, and how old are they? I think much of the ship's amenities are the same, but there are some slight differences in the outdoor activities.

 

The ships are very similar, Escape is slightly bigger due to the attention of a brew pub and the Food Republic restaurant. Here are some of the differences in terms of the outdoor activities:

 

Escape rope course has two levels, Getaway only has one.

 

Escape has a bigger "smaller kids" rope course (two feet off the ground) that includes a zip line. Getaway's is smaller and has no zip line.

 

Escape has a slide where an adult and child can ride together in a double tube. Very fun. Getaway has two slides that just corkscrew round and round and round, they are bodyslides and single rider only.

 

Escape has a great kid's aqua park. Getaway used to have something with Spongebob characters but Spongebob was pulled out so not sure what is in that space now.

 

Getaway has a rock climbing wall. Escape does not.

 

Getaway has a "spider climb". Found in many bouncy house type places. Tall cylindrical structure with four or so levels of crisscrossing heavy duty cloth straps. Kids hoist themselves up onto each level of straps. Then there is a tornado slide at the top to the bottom. Escape does not.

 

Getaway has a bungee trampoline. Kids bounce on the trampoline and are attached to two bungee cords on either side. They can bounce, flip, etc. Escape does not.

 

Getaway has a pirate themed mini golf course. Escape's is more utilitarian. The theming of the pirate course is better, but Escape has better obstacles.

 

Escape has bocce. Don't think that Getaway does.

 

 

Bottom line, kids will have a great time on either. But if you have slightly older kids (9+) they may like Escape better because of the bigger ropes course. Younger ones (7ish) might like the spider climb and bungee trampoline on Getaway better. My 7 year old was terrified of the second level on the ropes course and refused to go on it again for the rest of the trip. Depends on your kids.

[lidodeck03]

I am looking to book a cruise to the Caribbean. I have been on the smaller ships several times but not one of the bigger ones. Pros and cons on the getaway and escape would be super helpful. Thank you :)

 

We have sailed on both, and will be going on the Escape again in a few weeks. We enjoy both, but I feel the Escape has more to offer such as Food Republic and The District Brew House. Shows were better on the Getaway, but comedy shows were better on the Escape. You will enjoy either one!

[tunaman2011]

Greetings

 

We've been on both and are going back on Getaway in December. District Brew house really tilts the advantage towards Escape. Also really enjoyed Tobacco Road on Escape. We are going back on Getaway for the itinerary, both other cruises were the St Thomas/Tortola route so we wanted something different.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

[eatdrinkfly]

done both as well and i chose the Escape as the one to return to.

the district brew house and food republic edged out my love of ocean blue.

but honestly, neither are a bad choice, so i would make the call based on itinerary that you prefer.

[thatjoeguy]

I am looking to book a cruise to the Caribbean. I have been on the smaller ships several times but not one of the bigger ones. Pros and cons on the getaway and escape would be super helpful. Thank you :)

 

Two things I haven't seen mentioned are the Cellars (wine bar) and the Guppies Nursery (drop off for kids 6 months to 3 years) both only on the Escape. The Cellars ended up being out meeting place/pre-dinner drink location back in January, as they have 100+ different wines by the glass. We'll probably do the Escape again next to take advantage of both that and the Guppies nursery.

 

As stated above, Food Republic was also amazing.

 

The Getaway has a dedicated after-hours nightclub that is separated from everything. This is replaced on the Escape by an open casino bar space that functions as a dance area late night, bu is still open to the rest of the ship. I like the Getaway design more.

Edited November 15, 2016 by thatjoeguy

[Annmeat]

The Illusionarium show is still on. There was doubt as to whether it would continue, but it is definitely still an option. I have reservations on Nov 20 sailing on s to Getawas

 

The cast changes but the show is not leaving at least while she remains in Miami. Don't know how they will handle it when she leaves for Europe. I asked about Miami but not the other while on her in Sept.