Long time cruiser, first NCL cruise

Item: Norwegian Escape
Rating: 4
Author: nannylas

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

nannylas

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 39

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 21, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11218

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Long time Royal cruiser, with some cruises on Disney and Carnival. For the price, decided to try NCL due to their excellent reviews. NCL does offer a lot of dining choices, but they also charge for many restaurants, some that should be free/included. Only 2 pools for guests, which doesn't equal a lot of pool space for a full boat, on 3 sea days. Some shows were good, some not, to each their own. Rooms were nice, just not as big as Royal. Restaurant service Fair, but not as attentive as someone truly earning their gratuity as on other ships. Short beds. Over 6', expect to hang off the end. Would choose NCL again, but not as our first choice.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Why were shows with large audiences held in The Atrium when they should've been held in the theater, even if it had to be at off times to work around the theater's schedule. When you have to break out folding chairs for standees, it should tell you something.

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Restaurant servers in free dining rooms were some what inattentive, not wowing us with attention, as they did on Royal. Maybe because they aren't assigned to you and aren't working for their tips. They are getting tips at any rate, good or bad service delivered.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Standard balcony stateroom was not as wide as those on Royal. Bed was not long enough for anyone over 6 feet tall (I'm 6'4", and I asked other tall men to make sure). Why not more national channels (ABC,NBC,FOX,CBS)?