Ship is too big with too many people

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 67

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Escape

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 22, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 14409

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This was our third NCL cruise and I was very disappointed.  This ship was the largest that we ever cruised and you could tell- it was also filled to its capacity and it was not okay.  I understand the fact that you are on a ship with a lot of people but in the past, it never seemed as daunting as this one. Most of the staff always seemed peeved and rushed and extremely unhappy.  We also happened to be on "code red" due to a recent Norovirus outbreak which made the dining experience HORRIBLE; no one could serve themselves at the Garden Café so that created lines that made each of our meals no shorter than at least an hour and fifteen minutes- it was tedious and frustrating to wait on these lines for food that was LOADED with salt and always tasted sub par.  The coffee was burnt and watered down- we had to go to the pricey café every day for a good cup of coffee which we had to pay out of pocket for (I never remember the coffee being so disgusting on the past ships).  We splurged and bought thermal passes to the spa and we were upset when we found out there were no "finger foods" as promised and half the time they took away the water, hot water and teas.  For two days the hot tub wasn't even filled so the only real reason we went to the spa was to get away from the Overcrowded ship and lay down.  The temperature of the ship was always too cold, especially at night, where I had switch out my nice dinner dresses that I brought with the same pair of jeans and sweater every single night to every single dinner.  People were shivering and would have to sneak outside to warm up.  Every dinner- even and especially at the 'nice' restaurants were LOADED with salt; so much that I had a headache every night from the sodium content.  One night I had ordered carved turkey at the Manhattan Room only to send it back in replacement of a simple salad.  The staterooms were about the same as they always have been but I noticed that they shampoo and body wash that were given were completely ineffective.  They were both watered down and you needed to use 10x the normal amount just to get suds.  It looks like NCL is cutting corners everywhere they can and it is NOT acceptable.  We were planning to be lifetime cruisers but this was the last one and we are no longer recommending to our friends and family.  Not until NCL starts realizing that if they put quality on their boat, they will actually attract more people. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5
some were patient and understanding (considering they knew the food was horrible) and some were horrendous, rushed, pissed off and unpleasant. I was very surprised at some people's behaviors and their small comments about how their living conditions are

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
you need to start using better quality shampoo, conditioner and body wash. And why are the "king" sized beds just two twins pushed together? It is uncomfortable

Ship tip

Don't bother cruising on NCL. Go to an all inclusive resort instead; it wont be as crowded, the staff will be friendlier, the food will be MUCH BETTER and the accommodations will be nicer

Ports of call

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 67

10 Comments

jmark1982    8 years ago

I can't stop thinking about the movie Office Space.... https://goo.gl/images/ZXGjZS

onetrugem    8 years ago

I was on October 29, which is when you got off. We had 3 days of Norovirus precaution at the beginning of our trip that carried over from your week. During this time we mainly avoided the Buffet, however when we did wander up there, the lines were minimal and the staff was excellent. As always the spa was awesome. I'm salt sensitive and never noticed anything like you describe.

nick684    8 years ago

Hahahahah I like the added salt touch.

capeman    8 years ago

We were on the Escape in September and had no trouble, Super friendly staff, great food, and we ate only in the main restaurant.   Again, I have said it before: there should be an age or crotchety test before one can board the ship, and I am old so I can talk.  It sounds like you have never been on a cruise before or was the Queen Mary not available that week?  They push two twin beds together for a king bed, give me a break, no , no they should have carried a king bed up from the storage just for you.   Wow folks, disregard this first timer, or take what they said with a grain of salt.  Ha!

dors1    8 years ago

We were on the escape in September loved it . staff were all amazing. I just think you are moaning for the sake of moaning

lvhlzCT28rVaVAXImbqCx0G5i    8 years ago

I think people should be able to post their experience good and bad without ridicule but it seems like your complaints are ridiculous. All the food too salty? I highly doubt that. No one has ever complained about saltiness. Maybe you don't salt your food at home or something. Too cold? You must he sensitive to temperature again no one has complained about this stuff in the past. You are doing NCL a favor and becoming some other cruise lines problem

jmark1982    8 years ago

I can tell you one thing, I'm going on the boat to have fun! If it rains, shines, if it's too warm or too chilly IDGAF!

davidratz    8 years ago

I was also on the Escape in September and had a great time. Food was great,staff was friendly and ship was very clean and comfortable. We also rebooked for next September. We really enjoyed our experience on the Escape!

bigmac9054    8 years ago

Was on the Escape back in September.... TOTAL opposite! LOVED it!!!!! Going again in January!

cruisincouple06    8 years ago

Was the ice cream,to cold also How was the water, was it to wet

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