First cruise couple! Will be on Escape and have a couple questions.

[D_And_K_gocruising]

We'll be going on the Escape 12/2-9 for our first cruise and we couldnt be more excited!!  (First time that's ever been said I bet!)

 

Anyway, we kinda understand that on port days the casino is closed etc etc. But any other things closed on those days?  And on sea days, seems silly question, but are anythings closed on sea days?  I wouldnt think so since EVERYONE is on board, but being newbs, have no clue!  

If you dont want to be in the thick of the crowds, where are some nice places that tend to be "less crowded" on sea days.. If you want to be out and about, but not at like the pool decks etc etc. 

[AKR2011]

16 minutes ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

We'll be going on the Escape 12/2-9 for our first cruise and we couldnt be more excited!!  (First time that's ever been said I bet!)

 

Anyway, we kinda understand that on port days the casino is closed etc etc. But any other things closed on those days?  And on sea days, seems silly question, but are anythings closed on sea days?  I wouldnt think so since EVERYONE is on board, but being newbs, have no clue!  

If you dont want to be in the thick of the crowds, where are some nice places that tend to be "less crowded" on sea days.. If you want to be out and about, but not at like the pool decks etc etc. 

Welcome to Cruise Critic! The Escape is a great ship with lots of great entertainment on board. On port days, the main dining rooms are not open for lunch, and sometimes the buffet closes right when the crowds are returning to port too, so check your dailies if you will need a late lunch on board. O'Sheehan's will be open all day. There will also be less bars open on a sea day, but plenty will be available. Same with activities; less but still so,e things to do like crafts and trivia. There are plenty of loungers above the pool deck away from crowds, and the waterfront is also great during the day with seating all around deck 8. The District Brew House is often not as crowded during the day and they have some nice cocktails in addition to many beers and a few ciders. I wish you a wonderful cruise! ❤️⚓️

[schmoopie17]

1 minute ago, AKR2011 said:

The District Brew House is often not as crowded during the day and they have some nice cocktails in addition to many beers and a few ciders. ️

This is our go-to happy place on the Escape. It's usually not crowded, especially when it first opens.

[D_And_K_gocruising]

Thank you so much!!!  I guess in my mind it seems like more stuff would be open on sea days as far as bars and stuff, or is it just because since the ship is moving certain bars and stuff are harder to have open?   

[AKR2011]

Just now, D_And_K_gocruising said:

Thank you so much!!!  I guess in my mind it seems like more stuff would be open on sea days as far as bars and stuff, or is it just because since the ship is moving certain bars and stuff are harder to have open?   

I mis-typed and I apologize!  Less bars open on a PORT day, but still lots of places to get adrink. My apologies! 

[D_And_K_gocruising]

1 minute ago, AKR2011 said:

I mis-typed and I apologize!  Less bars open on a PORT day, but still lots of places to get adrink. My apologies! 

Ok THAT makes more sense 🙂

[jcollin]

Order Vibe passes.  No crowds up there.  Always open on both sea and port days.  Spa passes are nice too.  The spa on Escape is awesome, very large and lots of choices of spa stuff to do, or do nothing at all while laying on the heated lounges.

[hallux]

19 minutes ago, jcollin said:

Order Vibe passes.  No crowds up there.

On the Escape, the port half of deck 19 forward and all of deck 20 is open sun deck.  Shhh, don't tell anyone.  It's generally going to be easier to find open chairs than on some other ships.  These can be accessed on the port side from the deck 17 sundeck if you don't mind stairs, or there's one elevator in the forward elevator bank that will go to 19 (need to take stairs to the very top).

[mcmomny]

Make sure to pre book your dinner reservations online as soon as they become available, typically 130 days before sail date as the popular places fill up fast!

 

We found lots of great places on The Escape, H2O the included adult only area was fun, has a bar and water features to cool off and plenty of chairs.

 

Right outside the door to The Vibe is open deck space that is also included and a bar and bathrooms right there.  The Vibe is not free.

 

The Waterfront has lots of tables, chairs and couches to hang out on and relax.

 

The District Beer House was also our go to.

 

When at sea everything will be open but some dinning only at certain times, these will be posted on your NCL ap, The paper dailies they leave in your cabin each night, on your cabin TV and at all elevators are nice screens with all info.

 

When in port all shopping and the Casino will be closed

 

Have fun, we relaly enjoyed The Escape

[RocketMan275]

41 minutes ago, mcmomny said:

Make sure to pre book your dinner reservations online as soon as they become available, typically 130 days before sail date as the popular places fill up fast!

You're referring to specialty dining, correct?

Is there a need to reserve the MDR?

[mcmomny]

We went during Spring Break and the ship was packed! so we found it easier to make reservations for the MDR's but it might not have been necessary, I really don't enjoy the buffet for dinner so wanted to make sure to avoid that happening!

 

For my upcoming Jade we also booked MDR's for same reason, comfort of knowing we don't have to wait in line or eat at the buffet.

 

There is nothing wrong with the buffet, many great dinner options I just prefer to quietly sit and be waited on for dinner!  I'm on vacation and like to be spoiled 🙂

[hallux]

56 minutes ago, mcmomny said:

Make sure to pre book your dinner reservations online as soon as they become available, typically 130 days before sail date as the popular places fill up fast!

Suites and tier levels get 130 and 125 day reservation availability, regular folks don't get those until 120 days...

[mcmomny]

22 minutes ago, hallux said:

Suites and tier levels get 130 and 125 day reservation availability, regular folks don't get those until 120 days...

Yep, sorry! 130 days out!

[mjkacmom]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

You're referring to specialty dining, correct?

Is there a need to reserve the MDR?

We sat at an 8 top every night and never had a reservation. 

[2Cruise4Ever]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

You're referring to specialty dining, correct?

Is there a need to reserve the MDR?

No need to reserve the MDRs.  It works like a regular land-based restaurant.  Walk up, put your name in and they give you a beeper if there is a wait.  We've never waited more than 15 minutes.

[2Cruise4Ever]

2 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

 On port days, the main dining rooms are not open for lunch, and sometimes the buffet closes right when the crowds are returning to port too, so check your dailies if you will need a late lunch on board. O'Sheehan's will be open all day. ️

I think the MDR for lunch on port days varies.  We've been on cruises where one is open and we've been on cruises where they are all closed.  So, yes, check the dailies.

[schmoopie17]

57 minutes ago, mcmomny said:

Yep, sorry! 130 days out!

I believe you meant to say 120 days. Earlier would be for higher Latitudes levels.

Edited June 27, 2023 by schmoopie17

[hallux]

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

I believe you meant to say 120 days. Earlier would be for higher Latitudes levels.

Yeah, their acknowledgement of their error and attempt to correct was still wrong.  I put the days higher up...

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

We'll be going on the Escape 12/2-9 for our first cruise and we couldnt be more excited!!  (First time that's ever been said I bet!)

 

Anyway, we kinda understand that on port days the casino is closed etc etc. But any other things closed on those days?  And on sea days, seems silly question, but are anythings closed on sea days?  I wouldnt think so since EVERYONE is on board, but being newbs, have no clue!  

If you dont want to be in the thick of the crowds, where are some nice places that tend to be "less crowded" on sea days.. If you want to be out and about, but not at like the pool decks etc etc. 

fwiw the following is my live post from our Escape cruise last month. You can check out the dailies to see what happens on port days and sea days. And see photos of the ship. The menus are pretty up to date, but may change by December. 
 

 

[mcmomny]

16 hours ago, hallux said:

Yeah, their acknowledgement of their error and attempt to correct was still wrong.  I put the days higher up...

Sorry guys, probably shouldn't have been on CC after minor surgery yesterday and still under the effects of anesthesia! 

 

[schmoopie17]

2 hours ago, mcmomny said:

Sorry guys, probably shouldn't have been on CC after minor surgery yesterday and still under the effects of anesthesia! 

 

It can be argued that many on CC are a bit loopy, even without anesthesia...present company included.

[DrUrsula]

3 hours ago, mcmomny said:

Sorry guys, probably shouldn't have been on CC after minor surgery yesterday and still under the effects of anesthesia! 

 

Just don't try to balance your checkbook..

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, DrUrsula said:

Just don't try to balance your checkbook..

Anesthesia makes balancing your check book very easy.

Of course,  you'll have to do it again the next day.

[LloydJr]

5 hours ago, DrUrsula said:

Just don't try to balance your checkbook..

Do what to what now??!🤣

[RB9643]

7 minutes ago, LloydJr said:

Do what to what now??!🤣

 

What's a "checkbook"?  😆