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Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

lawandaI

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 11

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 16, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 10808

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Our favorite part of the cruise was the endless choice of excellent food. There are tons of options on this ship and you dine alone (with family) at each of them...there's no group seating. We also enjoyed the entertainment. There's so much to do that we simply couldn't do it all. My children truly enjoyed the Splash Academy, in fact they never wanted to leave as they were always thoroughly entertained and were thrilled about meeting new friends.

For the most part everything about the Cruise/ship was perfect. If I had to select one negative it would be the salt water pools. That was new to us and it was bothersome to our eyes. In addition, both pools are deep (5ft and 6ft) which doesn't account for non-swimmers and/or beginners. The pools were also very crowded during the days at sea (which should be expected).

Word of advice: select your excursions ahead of time and only choose to go out during 1 or 2 of the port days as many of the options for all three ports of call are similar AND many of them are expensive. Lastly, there's a $13.50 per person per day gratuity charge which can add up quickly so plan for it. However, you do have the option to request your money back at guest services (on Thursday morning). If you choose this option be sure to tip as you go as it is well deserved.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Larger than expected, especially the bathroom and always clean. There's also a bed that comes down from the ceiling as needed.

Ship tip

Bring nice clothes to wear during the evening. Save on excursions by choosing to go out only once or twice (they're expensive and most times not worth the fee).

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

1 out of 5

8 Comments

DFromATX 8 years ago

Even carnival charges about that for tips. It also goes to the people you don't see that are working hard behind the scenes to make sure your trip is great.

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bluecaroline 8 years ago

Oh no I would give less if its optional not like a complaint situation thing

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nickman684 8 years ago

They won't take the gratuities off the bill anymore. They'll give you a form for you have to fill out and send to them to formally ask for your money back. They do send it to you. I did it once because I tend to lay out a lot in tips as I go but I regret doing it now. If you were to read a little about what these people in the background go through, work condition wise, you might think twice about it.

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bluecaroline 8 years ago

Yeah I understand completely rip off the bad aid type of thing Lol

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sjohnson44 8 years ago

Lol...I'm telling you...it's better to pay it all ahead of time - you forget about all the little extra money u pay out early. thus, it doesn't feel like u spent a lot of money. I also pay for the excursions ahead of time...when I step on the ship I step on at $0- I call that freedom! ...when I leave my bill might only be $300..$400 which I know is for drinks...shopping...photos..specialty restaurants etc. If I didn't pay anything upfront the bill would this... $300/400 +excursions + service charge+...I've already paid $189 for hubby and I and our cruise is all the way in Nov. But that's just me...I'm anal like that I guess.

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bluecaroline 8 years ago

I think I read mine was $18 a day but I can't remember I chose not to pay for it ahead because I was having chest pain about it haha thank you!

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sjohnson44 8 years ago

It's per person..and I think the amt depends on your cabin so an indoor cabin moght be less vs suite....I usually pay mine ahead of time before I cruise...this way at end of trip my final bill doesn't overwhelm me lol

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bluecaroline 8 years ago

Is it 13.50 per person or per cabin? I think $13.50 is quite a lot per person (Not that I'm stingy lol) just on budget. Did you request yours back? I thought you pay that at the end

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