TA: Pearl or Escape?

[TACoor]

I'm looking at a transatlantic for the coming fall and it comes down to two choices - Pearl or Escape - with similar itineraries, although Pearl has a couple of more interesting ports of call. I've read good and bad reviews of both ships (maybe I should say glowing and scathing) so it's a tough decision. Anyone have personal insights as to which ship would be a better place to spend two weeks?

[schmoopie17]

We spent two weeks on the Escape for a TA in 2022. We loved it. We are going on the Escape for 10 days later this year. That should tell you something.

 

Having said that, we haven't been on the Pearl, but we were on the Jade (Pearl's sister ship) for 14 days a couple of months ago and loved it. Everything was great, other than the smoke pouring out of the casino. 

 

The Escape is a bit bigger, so more space (but also more people). They also have a District on the Escape, if you're a beer aficionado. 

 

Either one would be a fine choice.

 

 

Edited June 4 by schmoopie17

[mcmomny]

I have been on both and enjoyed both ship.

 

The Peral was nice and we had a great time. We like the smaller ships as you really get to know the crew quickly. It is a much older ship than The Escape

 

The Escape is a fun ship with lots to do and I really liked the adult only area.

 

We always choose our cruise based on ports of call so maybe let the ports of call be your deciding factor?

 

Enjoy!

[Grumpella]

I agree with mcmomny.  Choose the cruise based on the ports of call and maybe the price as the 2nd criteria.

 

I just came back from 3 weeks on the Escape (B2B) and had a wonderful time.  However, my first criteria is always the ports and the 2nd is the price.  

 

 

[dexddd]

Escape.

[zqvol]

Pearl - Escape is too big. 

[CSkupin]

Today we just debarked Pearl after 18 days , b2b Med Cruise.  We loved it.  Excellent service.  Great entertainment.  We were in Haven then Suite.   We would strongly recommend a Suite or Haven if available.  

[bluesea777]

With 30 NCL cruises under our belt, and 7 TAs ....

 

We prefer smaller ships (like Pearl et al) for port intensive/few sea days, no matter how long the cruise is.

 

For the TAs with lots of sea days we prefer bigger ships - Epic and above - more space, more dining venues, bars, activities, etc.

 

We did one TA on the Jade (sister ship to Pearl) and we found the ship a bit too small for the 14 days TA with many sea days. But we went on the Jewel (another sister ship to Pearl) for 19 days Singapore to Sydney and loved it.

 

 

[Laszlo]

I love the Jewel class ships. However if you are staying in the Haven I would be on the Escape

[TACoor]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm still on the fence but will try to make up my mind and book soon!

 

[fredflint]

OK I did a lot of comparison for you, there is a small difference in cost and Gibraltar is an interesting stop.  If you have not been to Gibraltar it might be a reason for that cruise.

Also TAs are usually very different from a "normal' cruise since the ship is repositioning. Some crew is coming on for the cruises that they will be making on my last cruise it ended in South America and there were a lot more Portuguese  speaking staff.  The entertainment is sometimes brought on board in  Europe and some staff are also getting off at the end of contracts in the US.  The passengers are also very different in that you have large amounts of seasoned cruisers very few first timers and few children overall. 

r you

[bluesea777]

After seeing the two itineraries, I would pick the Escape one - more southerly route, and warmer!

 

 

[BirdTravels]

On 6/4/2024 at 12:31 PM, TACoor said:

I'm looking at a transatlantic for the coming fall and it comes down to two choices - Pearl or Escape - with similar itineraries, although Pearl has a couple of more interesting ports of call. I've read good and bad reviews of both ships (maybe I should say glowing and scathing) so it's a tough decision. Anyone have personal insights as to which ship would be a better place to spend two weeks?

I would pick the Escape. It is bigger with more to do. When the weather is nice, the Deck 8 waterfront offers comfy sofas to sit, read and watch the sea. 

[Laszlo]

Yup.... Escape all the way

[The Traveling Man]

On 6/4/2024 at 11:31 AM, TACoor said:

I'm looking at a transatlantic for the coming fall and it comes down to two choices - Pearl or Escape - with similar itineraries, although Pearl has a couple of more interesting ports of call. I've read good and bad reviews of both ships (maybe I should say glowing and scathing) so it's a tough decision. Anyone have personal insights as to which ship would be a better place to spend two weeks?

We have done three Trans Atlantic cruises, all on NCL big ships.  We were on the Epic for one and the Getaway twice.  We had options to do similar journeys on smaller ships such as the Pearl, but always preferred the larger ships.  My original thinking was that the big ships would be more stable if we encountered rough seas.  What we came to realize, though, is that five, six, or seven sea days can get pretty boring and monotonous if you don't have enough variety in your options for activities.  The larger ships have a significant number of additional venues, more different places to hang out and enjoy your time on board.  The Waterfront on the Escape is a great place to spend a quiet afternoon, reading, sipping a cool beverage, and watching the world go by.

[schmoopie17]

1 hour ago, The Traveling Man said:

We had options to do similar journeys on smaller ships such as the Pearl, but always preferred the larger ships.  My original thinking was that the big ships would be more stable if we encountered rough seas.  

Ditto.

[txskier]

We have been on both and like both ships.

Are you booking for itinerary or ship?

I will say this, the Escape has a killer hot therapy pool with loungers that are above and  overlook the bridge, so if you happen to want a quiet place on sea days, get the spa pass (or whatever they call it).

[fredflint]

On 6/3/2024 at 11:49 AM, Laszlo said:

These adapters work great. Been using them for years on cruises and when we travel abroad

 

https://amzn.to/4aLecEj

 

On 6/1/2024 at 11:22 AM, fredflint said:

You do not need internet to use the find my airtag it can use Bluetooth and  NFC.  we were able to find our bags on the other side of the shop and probably  10 cabins  down two cruises ago.

 

https://www.apple.com/airtag/