New does not mean great!
Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 23, 2016
Ship: Norwegian Escape
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 13846
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
Escape in NCL's new ship. 4,000 plus passengers and not enough crew to handle the load. The ship is poorly designed and more like a prison with little access to outside areas since the rooms occupy most of the available space. Bars shut down usually before midnight and dining options (other than the horrible garden buffet) limited on time. Not a good thing for the cruise line that boasts anytime dining freestyle cruising. We did not even get turndown service on our last night...lack of crew size. They nickel and dime you everywhere. Order room service after 10AM...surcharge. Specialty restaurants are all a la carte so prepare to pay New York or Miami prices unless you pick up the dining package. Drinks are very expensive and watered down. If we were to get a FREE cruise...NEVER AGAIN!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Stay away from this ship....too many options for cruising in South Florida!
Ports of call
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
33 Comments
the2matts 8 years ago
william648 8 years ago
Exactly the problem. Largest does not always translate to better and in many cases translates to worst. Ship was not meant to accommodate 4,000+ passengers. And since you took a low shot at me not knowing what I'm talking about, I have one piece of advice for you. You should try: Azamara - Crystal - Viking Sea - Regent - Oceanina - Silversea - Seabourn - Windstar, just to name a few smaller much nicer cruise lines, all of which we have cruised in the past. Of course, for those who cannot afford any of the above or have small children, yes, NCL, Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean are the way to go.
william648 8 years ago
To rushour15...if you scroll up, I did respond to floydwonder6. My reviews are negative on this particular ship because when you spend the $$$ we did on a 4,000 plus passenger ship, you certainly expect a lot more. Thank Goodness for the beverage and dining package, the only time we felt special and out of the madness of the crowds. Unlike the new Royal Caribbean ships, all activity decks are enclosed on this ship. Not a lounge chair to be found...ever! Pool filled with toddlers in diapers. Bars all closed by midnight...Casino was open!
Oh, and a deluxe balcony stateroom the size of our walk-in closet. Peaked into the interior staterooms that looked like jail cells. I have posted super reviews on better ships with awesome itineraries. 3 days at sea...inexcusable. Sorry!
huntersh2 8 years ago
floydwonder6 8 years ago
huntersh2 8 years ago
huntersh2 8 years ago
william648 8 years ago
To floydwonder6...yes, there are 2 cabaret shows, Almost Midnight (Jazz) and Million Dollar Quartet. Make sure you reserve early cause there is no room for 4,000 seats and they only schedule the shows twice during the week.
The specialty restaurants are very good, however, the food at the main dining room leaves lots to be desired. The pool area is very crowded and unless you're up at dawn prepare to fight for deck chairs. (The bad part of so many days at sea).
The ports are just OK. St Thomas has great shopping and nice beaches, Tortola shopping not so nice but has a couple of nice beaches. If you have time they have a trip to Virgin Gorda (nice). Nassau, is just OK. There are some nice beaches and Atlantis if you like to gamble.
As a seasoned cruiser, my reviews are accurate about the ship. We have been spoiled by cruising on Windstar, Oceania, and Celebrity. Were talked into this cruise by in-laws. Do not feel a 4,000 plus passenger vessel with maybe 1,000 staff is a formula for excellent sailing. I would ALMOST prefer Carnival.
Would love to hear your feedback when you return...