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Escape on board

shanefm3

By shanefm3,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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shanefm3 "Live from...." Rare

shanefm3

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Just a quick review of my trip so far . Background , traveling solo . Taken many solo cruises on NCL. I am pretty laid back and happy to be in the sun and away from work .

 

Boarding was easy , I got there at 9am to try get a Vibe pass . I got group one and was still one of the last to get a pass (#58 of 64)

 

I am in a studio cabin. I sent 90% of my clothes out to be pressed at a 50% discount . They were to be returned the following night(sun). I didn't get them back until Tuesday and I was charged full price . No big deal, but I had to spend 20 mins trying to get charge corrected.

 

I also added $500 obc to my account . Only $400 showed up. No big deal , but another twenty minutes trying to explain this ( even though I had an amentity email showing the $500 purchase).

 

Day three, I finally met my cabin steward which was the first time this has happened. Normally they introduce themselves first day . Again , no big deal.

 

I bought the spa pass in advance . Compared to other ships, I find it incredibly loud. When it's busy, the people in the therapy pool/ hotubs obliviously yell over the sounds of the jets. Not their fault, but it's loud for everyone else. The quiet area isn't so quiet. Again, no big deal, I'm traveling solo and can adjust my schedule to a quieter time. Just bear in mind, it's not a tranquil place during the day .

 

I have also found it a bit congested due to the large number of scooters, especially around elevators and the tighter corridors on 7 and 8. I have found it to be one of the older cruises I have been on . I've been clipped by drive by motorists on a few occasions . Ankles beware !!

 

I have a 4 udp and each has been fantastic. Cagney without doubt was excellent . Service was great and good excellent

 

After meeting my cabin steward , she is fantastic and I have not gone without anything , either before or after meeting her. It was just unusual not to be greeted . Either way, she's doing a great job.

 

The shows are ok, nothing special. The casino isn't too smoky . I've only been there a few times and unfortunately not for too long each time !!

 

Again, I'm grateful to be away in the sun, enjoying great food at beautiful locations. Little things going wrong are not going to bother me.

 

The staff are friendly , the ship is clean . I've gone to bed with a full tummy every night and slept like a baby . I'm relaxed and haven't shoveled snow in a week . I'll take that any week

 

 

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shanefm3 "Live from...." Rare

shanefm3

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Thanks for sharing. I thought they sold 100 Vibe passes each cruise, why only 64 on yours?

 

 

 

I am not sure, I think there was a large group doing back to back . Possibly some from the haven also. There was quiet a few turned away

 

 

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shanefm3 "Live from...." Rare

shanefm3

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Thank you for your review. I'm traveling solo on this ship too. Did you take advantage of the services offered from the host assigned to solo travelers?

 

 

 

No. I found the majority of the solos to be way older than me. Not my cup of tea to do group dining. I am sure they are lovely people and it seemed like the coordinator was diligent but I didn't want to be tied down to a schedule

 

 

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shanefm3 "Live from...." Rare

shanefm3

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Could someone tell me what a Vibe pass is? What is it for?

 

 

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Private area with loungers and a hot tub , a bar and generally quieter ( depending on the crowd). I left a few times as it was just too windy . I loved it during port days as it was almost empty

 

 

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alysonofagun

alysonofagun

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Thank you for your review. I'm traveling solo on this ship too. Did you take advantage of the services offered from the host assigned to solo travelers?

 

I was on the Escape in early January in a solo cabin... Our host (Sharon) gave us a timetable of what was planned on the first night - sorry I only have the the first half of the week, I didn't realise it was a double sided doc [emoji23]

 

On the last day there was a group trip on the ropes course in the morning - great fun even if only 2 of us turned up!

 

I am early 30s and tbh most of the solo travelers were much older than me so I didn't join in any of the dinners etc... 5pm is prime "catching the last of the sun" time IMO so I generally ate alone much later on. Whenever I did see her though, Sharon seemed really engaging and always had time for everyone.

 

It was nice to have the option of activities though - I'd been on the Epic the week previously and the solo activities were non-existent (whereas the host on the Epic last summer was phenomenal!) and we didn't get a welcome letter or anything... Did not like the lounge as much on the Escape though, mainly due to lack of a bar in it [emoji6]

 

 

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Edited by alysonofagun
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shanefm3 "Live from...." Rare

shanefm3

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Just an FYI, I have been buying the spa pass for years and have watched it go from $99 to over. $200. A day pass has gone from $20 to $59 ( today). You used to receive a scrubbing package and now they are sold for $30.

 

I still feel this is the best vacation you can take and I see many threads here advising you what to take with you. I advise you NOT to take these with you, stress, anger , poor attitude. Allow yourself to go with the flow . Relax, unwind and take time to watch the beauty of the water, the storms off in the distance, a beautiful sunset . Even without setting foot onshore, you can take in so many cultures . It's a wonderful way to refresh your mind.

 

This morning, I saw a man get upset and angry that his omelette was taking too long . Perspective folks!!

 

I know come 6am Monday , I'll be rolling down a street responding to a structure fire or a car accident . Enjoy your time away :)

 

 

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nancydow

nancydow

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I've been on other cruises where some folks would tag along to dinner with the group and just have cocktails, then go out to dinner later on. I agree with OP that there is still too much going on at 5:00 or 5:30 to stop the action!

 

I've been trying to get some folks to meet later for dinner, but most solos seem to want to follow the coordinator ...

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IrishCowboy

IrishCowboy

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J

I still feel this is the best vacation you can take and I see many threads here advising you what to take with you. I advise you NOT to take these with you, stress, anger , poor attitude. Allow yourself to go with the flow . Relax, unwind and take time to watch the beauty of the water, the storms off in the distance, a beautiful sunset .

 

You have a great attitude and the right perspective on cruising.

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Warm Breezes

Warm Breezes

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Just an FYI, I have been buying the spa pass for years and have watched it go from $99 to over. $200. A day pass has gone from $20 to $59 ( today). You used to receive a scrubbing package and now they are sold for $30.

 

I still feel this is the best vacation you can take and I see many threads here advising you what to take with you. I advise you NOT to take these with you, stress, anger , poor attitude. Allow yourself to go with the flow . Relax, unwind and take time to watch the beauty of the water, the storms off in the distance, a beautiful sunset . Even without setting foot onshore, you can take in so many cultures . It's a wonderful way to refresh your mind.

 

This morning, I saw a man get upset and angry that his omelette was taking too long . Perspective folks!!

 

I know come 6am Monday , I'll be rolling down a street responding to a structure fire or a car accident . Enjoy your time away :)

 

 

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Really need a "love" button for this one. My philosophy exactly. Life is too short to worry and get upset over little things. This becomes more abundantly clear to me as each year passes. Especially the last few years where I have lost loved ones who passed away too soon and have been battling life threatening illnesses myself at 50. The 2 cruises DH and I took last year were the most relaxing vacations I have taken and I believe it stems from that same type of attitude. Just chill and relax people. You're on vacation.:cool: Thanks for you review OP. We will be on the Escape in September and I am so looking forward to that break from life again.

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alysonofagun

alysonofagun

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I had the same thought! And in what dining room are they dining?

 

 

It was always one of the main dining rooms. The excuse for the early time

was that they couldn't get a table for a larger group later on... never tried more like... I am certain that they could have a later meet up, take numbers and get a buzzer - those that want to wait to eat together would.

 

As I said though, on the Epic they didn't even offer an early dinner for solos. The meet up was at 6pm and everyone was left to sort themselves out - even on Christmas Day and NYE!!

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Jim The Lizard

Jim The Lizard

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I'm going solo on the Escape in a few weeks and I'm planning to try and get a Vibe pass as well. When you arrived at 9:00, where you able to check in at that time or did you have to wait outside?

 

 

Even though we didn't go solo, I think I can help. The actual foyer and waiting area is quite small, but the steps outside are covered. There are three lines inside the embarkation doors. Very few seats. The middle section is roped, right and left sides are standing room. All three lines pass through three separate scanning machines. Once you get your keycard, you will walk upstairs and be handed a boarding group number. From there, it's a race.

 

 

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alysonofagun

alysonofagun

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:confused:Is there a bar in the Escape Studio Lounge? If not, what exactly is in the lounge?

 

 

No bar - there is a wine machine but it's not included in UBP. A waiter comes during the meet-up to take a drinks order though.

 

There's a coffee machine, juice and water and snacks that are replenished throughout the day...

 

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