Not Impressed with NCL Escape

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

1 out of 5
Norwegian Escape

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 12, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 10100

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Normally, I do not leave comments but this cruise deserved one. I noticed many people on multiple sites have mentioned the emergency incident for the March 12-19 cruise.  There is obviously a concern about the ill person; however, after the individual was taken off to care for, the rest of us should of received better customer service. I have traveled by cruise before and understand emergencies happen.  My disappointment was with the overall customer service. We were not told "let me see what I can do to help as I know this is difficult for everyone that has spent a lot of money". Instead we received "I can't help you. No refunds. That's all". 

 

The food was not the best and I expected more for such a elegant ship. Numerous times, I had to tell my waiter for refills or silverware.  For those that say, there are thousands on the ship...yes, there are, however, if waiters do not know how to work in a fast pace environment...a new job is needed. 

 

My father and I won received this trip due to our player status at a high end casino. We are dedicated customers and have traveled with Norwegian before and have another trip planned at the end of the year. While in NCL casino, my father placed a bet at the craps table and the lady working the table moved his bet somewhere he did not ask her to. Then when his number hit, she claimed he was off. He plays the same way every time and explained it to the supervisor who ended up siding with the employee.  Afterwards, my father asked them to review the video and audio because it was the principle. After all of the "we know our employees are right and you're wrong" they realized my father was INDEED RIGHT! There was not apology made by the lady. 

 

For the amount of money we all spent that week, it was not worth it. NCL has tight slot machines, rude employees, bland food, excessive charges and bad customer service. This is my experience and there's no need to express rude responses. To each their own. Please respect my own opinion. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Over priced entertainment and games with very little winners.

Service and Staff

1 out of 5
Their mentality is the ship employees are right, not the customer.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Ocean view was beautiful. Always clean and nice location to see out to sea.

Ship tip

Upgrade to an ocean. view. It is worth it. The wifi unlimited is a great deal. Take advantage of all free activities and DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY IN THEIR CASINO!

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

1 out of 5
No shopping areas with diversity. All jewelry stores.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5
Baths at Virgin Gorda was the BEST! Must do the snorkeling to see what I am talking about. Great experience!
Was this review helpful? 53

30 Comments

nickman684    8 years ago

It's as simple as this. They had a bad week at the tables and the machines and somebody's gonna pay.

macaroonmania    8 years ago

and I agree with the other comments, why would you get money back because someone had a fatal heart attack? that's just not right... at least they made up for it by giving you an extra day at sea!

macaroonmania    8 years ago

what if it was you that was sick on the ship? I think you would want them to bring you to the nearest port... emergencys happen don't blame the ship!!!! consider that persons life!

chiumento5    8 years ago

The only refund you would be entitled to would be the port taxes for the missed port or any cruise-booked excursions you had scheduled. What kind of compensation would have made you happy?

tzntay0208    8 years ago

Wait I'm confused. Why would you get a refund bc someone else had a heart attack? Did you have a heart attack? Or your dad? Sorry you had a bad experience. That sucks. We went on the escape last December and had a great time service was a little slow one time at O'sheehans but that didn't ruin our cruise of course. We just didn't eat there again. Lots of choices. It's a beautiful ship.

cfaithh    8 years ago

I was on this trip and agree 100% with you

huntersh2    8 years ago

I know it's not ..I just meant I never did or heard of on a cruise critic before. .always on face

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Not related to Face

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Go to Cruisecritic.com use the roll call tool

huntersh2    8 years ago

Roll call on cruise critic ? We usually have on face. .I found weird no group there. dilubvsdisney

huntersh2    8 years ago

I am disney!!! 5/7

huntersh2    8 years ago

Raf? Pain in button getting off. Everyone states disembark is great ....I hope was just a bad week

nickman684    8 years ago

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Cruisecritic.com then use roll call tool.

askoleern    8 years ago

I like the idea

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Hope to see you there!

askoleern    8 years ago

I think that would be nice..

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Askoleern, join the roll call on cruise critic, there will be a meet and greet on 5/8.

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Emergencies happen. I hope the poor review does not stem from not getting compensation. With thousands of people on board, the odds are pretty good someone will get sick. To expect a refund because of someone elses misfortune is not right.

askoleern    8 years ago

Yes ,there will be 7 of us three of them are grandchildren.See you there,.

diluvsdisney    8 years ago

Is anyone going on the 5/7-14 sailing?

RAFoschino    8 years ago

Sailed on the Escape Jan 16 was the best food n service the entire week only getting off on sat was a pain in the butt but ship was fun n employees were awesome my very 1st cruise too

huntersh2    8 years ago

Or know when to fold em

beerman2    8 years ago

Op and father WON the cruise due to player status at high end casino! So free cruise + bad experience in casino on board ( losing??) = bad revue? Gambling as Kenny Rogers sang " Some times you win, Some times you lose."

askoleern    8 years ago

Don't believe everything that is posted some people are just plain complainers

rhonda08    8 years ago

Sorry to hear this. My husband and I have recently booked our first NCL cruise. We have always been loyal RCI cruisers. I totally understand the disappointment of bad customer service, especially when you are a loyal cruiser and spend so much money for a nice vacation. The thought that a dealer would change a bet on a table is totally mind blowing. My husband works in a las vegas casino, any player who would even attempt to do what that dealer did would result in being detained by security and very possibly criminal charges being filed. To imagine a dealer cheating should be treated the same. Did your father ever receive his winnings? Hope your next cruise is better.

JusMe    8 years ago

Thanks for a good review.   I will agree that NCL is lacking in customer service.  The food in the free MDR is not great,  I'd say with food and service MDR rates POOR.

 

I hope your next cruise is better and on a better cruise line.

heatherbutler    8 years ago

Blah.. Blah.. Blah.. Cry me a river... Lol..

vanessaxutley    8 years ago

I was on March 12-19, there were two heart attacks.

ehenry2201    8 years ago

I'm going April 16th-23rd hopefully it will be as good as carnival.

Other reviews of this sailing