Over crowded

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

FrequentTravele

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 56

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 18, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 18126

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Spa over priced and staff under qualified.

Help desk not very helpful.

Paying extra for a Haven suite does not get you a seat in any show or a dinner reservation when you want, if you had not booked months before boarding then too bad.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Only in the main restaurant. Garden Cafe very poor quality.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Shower leaked and the carpet got wet, it smelled very bad. we were moved to a lesser cabin on deck 15 while they did repairs on day 3 when we could not take the smell anymore then we had dehumidifier going all the time.

Ship tip

Book everything the day you make your reservation or else you will be stuck in a lot of long lines.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 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

17 Comments

kenzkat 7 years ago

I guess I wonder why timing is an issue with the show times...aren't you on a ship...in the middle of the ocean? Where are you going to go that you'll be late for? Just sayin'. This will be our second NCL cruise, first on the Escape, and research and organization before hand goes a long way. I have been treated like royalty as far as I am concerned and I do NOT get more than a balcony room ð

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

ProfDen 7 years ago

We should always be kind to our hosts/the staff, AND kind to each other on these sites as well. Remember, WWWWHHD? What would Washy Washy Happy Happy do?ðð¤¡ð¶ð¹ððð»ð½ð¤ðð©ðð»ââï¸ð³ð¾ââï¸ð¨ð¼âð¤ðð¿ð¤¦ââï¸ðð½ðâï¸ð·ð¦ð¦ð²âï¸ððð¶ðð¥ððð±ð«ðð¾ð®ðð¾ââï¸ð¤¸ð½ââï¸ð¤½ââï¸ð°ð¿ððâªï¸ððµð¡ðªâï¸â°ï¸ðºð³ððððð»ð¦ðºð¸ð®ðª

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Bella0817 7 years ago

We booked a balcony. As soon as it was possible: normally 90 days out you can start making reservations for specialty restaurants. I think it's 60 days and less for entertainment and spa. Don't quote me on that. Always do your research beforehand unless you booked last minute. If that's the case. You get the leftovers:)

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

lilhkay04 7 years ago

I had the complete opposite experience as a Haven guest on the Getaway. For one of the shows, the concierge instructed us to be at the desk 15 minutes early for seating. We were sat in the front row. In another instance, my husband and I had decided against one of the specialty restaurants because we had heard that our dining package didn't cover the restaurant. We'd made mention of this to the concierge and they explained that it did cover a majority of the cost, so we asked if we could make reservations (we'd heard the food was excellent from everyone that had eaten there). The restaurant was completely booked but we were told that they would see what they could do. Two days passed with "I'm sorry I have not been able to speak with the chef Mr. and Mrs. Tilley", which we assumed was just blowing us off, but that was fine. Sure enough, the concierge caught us on day three and said that the chef said he would accommodate us 30 minutes before the restaurant opened. As I mentioned, my experience was on the Getaway, but I would have to assume that my experience would be standard across the board. I knew where to be for priority seating because I took the time to listen to the Haven "orientation", and I had exemplary service (not just in terms of a special restaurant reservation), we tipped and smiled for every service, and we took the time to take an interest in the staff - not a lot of long lines in the Haven, you have the time to ask how someone's day is going and chat a little :)

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

shawdes29 7 years ago

Spa is over priced on any cruise ship. That's how they make more money.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

thankful 7 years ago

Oops darn cell... happy cruising friends..

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

thankful 7 years ago

I have always traveled haven, and I can honestly say MANY MANY exspect to walk into the specialty restuarants when they want by just showing the haven key, and I've witnessed ppl in the haven telling at the conceirge saying they wanted a better option for dinner or the shows and why can't they give them what they want? I have found, that asking nicely, and asking if they ever have ppl cancel etc, goes along ways... I mean... yes, haven is exspensive and many people exspect to get whatever they want at the drop of a hat bc they have a haven key... but I have found a nice smile and polite words go alot further then if I just show my haven key... I hope that all of us in the haven do not seem snooty, but I know it's good for us to all try n show a smile to the employees when possible... its hard to get the shows time we all want or the eating times we all want, but let's all just enjoy the fact we r on a cruise no matter when our room is located... bc we r all blessed to even be able to travel... happy causing friends... I hope we all get I to our shows and have a great trip!!!

Thumbs Up 11

Flag

Yashu 7 years ago

agree with BC910, just because you have money to spend on the Haven doesn't mean that you can get what ever reservation you want when you want. Even i know that you still have to book ahead of time for shows and dining. The Haven gives you the Haven pool as well as the Haven dining room plus butler service and a bigger room. i guess with the money you have it also made you stupid. Do your research before hand instead of blaming the staff or NCL for your lack of knowledge.

Thumbs Up 4

Flag

dmoney68 7 years ago

I can't afford the haven. but have researched the, have my dinner reservations made and shows booked for the times I wanted. and did not expect someone to do them for me. sailing this weekend and I am a first time cruiser and did my homework can't wait

Thumbs Up 8

Flag

juliadornick 7 years ago

Sad to not get a dinner reservation but fit in my research the haven guests already enjoy a private restaurant included in the price of "booking the most expensive suites on the ship"

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

mplsheather 7 years ago

Privilege and entitlement at its finest right there.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

ICruise4Bacon 7 years ago

No cruise history.......internet troll ?

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

ehcruise 7 years ago

Absolutely loved the spa on the Escape! Had one of the best facials ever last year on the Escape!

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

BC910 7 years ago

The haven is IMHO insanely expensive. More money for a single room than I personally can imagine spending given my income, ect. Nevertheless I usually would assume that someone with that kind of expendable income would have the intelligence and foresight to investigate the ship and how things work beforehand. Maybe next time a bit of research would do you wonders.

Thumbs Up 8

Flag

qcsoccer4fun 7 years ago

Sorry but maybe a little internal reflection on how you treated those employees may help you to see a bigger picture. Simply by paying more for one of the largest suites on the ship does not give you entitlement to expect being treated better than anyone else on the ship. Didn't you learn anything from the history of the titanic!? Oh, and not getting "a dinner reservation when you want" ... Did that one singular thing ruin your entire existence!? Wow! Apparently someone forgot how to simply let go and free-style!

Thumbs Up 20

Flag

thepeacemaster 7 years ago

lol

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

TERRI1962 7 years ago

Thanks ð¡

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

very disappointed

our getaway

Escape Trip!