This was the worst cruise I have been on

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

thairsto2003

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 61

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 10, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 8114

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

The food was bad, service sub-par, ship was beautiful but did not seem to have enough room to accommodate the number of guests. Way too many unruly kids. I was quite glad when it was over. Big waste of money, I wish we had done anything else for vacation.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Not very clean (finger prints all over wood cabinetry and cobwebs/dust) and upholstery already looked shabby. Stateroom attendant refused to leave enough face towels, although we asked.

Ship tip

Pick something else

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

19 Comments

topguy 8 years ago

wow. I just sailed the Escape, and didn't have any of your issues. I rarely saw any kids, except at the pool and very few there. Our service was excellent.

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susanne1966 8 years ago

Can agree about the smoking areas. Would have been nice with a shaded smoking area outside. And a bigger pool. But other than that - fantastic! I was worried before we left because I had read so many negative reviews about the ship. Let me reassure everyone excited about their cruise that if you stop looking for faults and just focus on enjoying your holiday you will have a fantastic time! Bon voyage! :)

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askoleern 8 years ago

Some people don't remember when they were kids....,

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bigboatbill 8 years ago

Autocorrect go me twice! Big screen Volume!

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bigboatbill 8 years ago

Big screen column, not column. Also at Waves many times all the seating was occupied forcing me and my senior father to stand. I like Norwegian, just think they failed to consider shade and quiet.

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bigboatbill 8 years ago

Both waves and spice h20 are almost completely shade free. In these areas you are also subject to loud music or big screen column. The cigar lounge is small and is like sitting in a smoke filled closet. Many folks enjoy a smoke while watching the sea in tranquility while being shaded. Many ships recognize this and offer some great areas. In my opinion Escape was lacking.

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tbeidameff 8 years ago

Just got off the Escape this morning. My partner is a smoker and I'm thinking you just didn't know all the places allowed to smoke. You can smoke at the Waves Bar on Deck 17 along the side & front row stools with best view of the adult pool & 2 large screen TV Monitors. You also have a great smoking area at Spice H2O (adults only from 6am - 7pm). There is also a cigar/smoking lounge inside ship.

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perditax 8 years ago

Yikes, not cool to imply that people who don't like *out of control* kids must be miserable people.

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soflatechie 8 years ago

Caperman you are on a boat with 4000+ people with a cruise line that caters to families. So, yeah, there are going to be kids, and how do you guarantee Some of the parents won't be bad parents? I don't think this is ncl's fault. If you don't want kids around then maybe this was not the right choice as far as vacations? Kids will be kids, so if you choose a cruise line with a place called splash academy on it, and a huge water park, you gotta be ok with kids.

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soulswiper610 8 years ago

Kids didn't bug me so much. But I agree with the staff. A very small few were fun and nice but the rest were not friendly,never smiled and sometimes acted as if you were a burden to them

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capeman 8 years ago

I was on the ship at he same time, I can understand the complaint about the kids being left on the dance floors unattended or worst was the kids playing on the Atrium floor when a show was going and the performers present. Love to see kids dance with a parent, but to place your child on a dance floor then walk away to have a meal OR DRINK, that is B/S. I came from the NYC Projects and would have never got away with that crap, nor did my kids. AND NO I AM NOT A GRUMPY OLD MAN.

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soflatechie 8 years ago

I guess your are that guy! Sorry life has treated you that badly that you dislike children that much. Hope things turn around for you but until then maybe a different vacation destination is in order.

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bigboatbill 8 years ago

Yep! And that guy is right!

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soflatechie 8 years ago

You sound like the guy in the neighborhood that is always saying "Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!"

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bigboatbill 8 years ago

Would have drunk more if the bartenders had been friendlier and faster!😉I like NCL and my experience on the Escape hasn't stopped me from booking with them as evidence by my booking four cruises with them this year. There were some real stars on the ship. There are limited areas if you prefer to sit outside in the shade. If you enjoy a smoke, they force you into one spot on top deck where there is no shade and no escape.from loud pool music. Smokers may be second class citizens but there are a lot of us. Ship is beautiful but I prefer the smaller ones. Parents who let their kids run wild and unchecked should be thrown overboard!

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sarah218 8 years ago

Apparently you didn't drink enough. ...

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susanne1966 8 years ago

Wow! Sorry you had such a poor experience. We sailed September 10-17 and had a brilliant time. The staff was friendly and the food fantastic. Lots of room and the only space we saw that was sometimes crowded was the adult pool. There were always sun deck chairs available and the (few) children on board were well behaved. Can't wait to book a new cruise! :)

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smilin64 8 years ago

Our experience on the ship last Christmas was great. Kids yes but unruliness is in the hands of the parents. Too bad your trip was less than stellar. We've done 3 NCL cruises in just over a year and we're hooked!

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bigboatbill 8 years ago

Agree. Kids were out of control. Most spaces very crowded and loud. Some staff were superior while others should be disembarked immediately. My least favorite cruise. Glad when it ended.

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