Too Crowded

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 51

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Escape

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 01, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 9435

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Our room steward Clifford was great. This was our 1st time on  one of Norwegian's Large ships, and will also be our last. Over our many years with NCL cruising, we've grown accustomed to their "freestyle" cruising and this ship is way too big and way too crowded to pull that off. You have to reserve most of the evening shows that you'd like to see and then add in planning reservations for dinner. This is just WAY too much planning for vacation. There is only 1 small pool on this huge ship to accommodate all these people, most of the week you could not even see the pool let alone get even so much as a toe in it. This is pretty ridiculous for the mass of people trying to fit in this small pool and a pool chair.... forget it. They do have an adults only area called Spice H2O on the ship, though no pool there either, just 2 small hot tubs and also a neat "grotto" type structure to cool off in under the man made water falls. Oh and they must feel that all their guests are deaf, all the announcements and music were SO loud. If you weren't hard of hearing before, you probably will have effected your hearing by the time you leave. We are frequent cruisers and NCL is our main choice, but will be sticking to the med and smaller ship in the future. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Most of the staff were very helpfull and went beyond the call. our room steward Clifford was great. Only down side was long waits to get a drink, and staff needs to be talked with about wearing Cologne especially in the dining areas. There are many respiratory sensitive people, that are greatly effected by this.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Typical small interior cabin. Good for sleeping and changing. Our room steward was great.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

1 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5
Cane Garden Bay is just beautiful.

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 51

11 Comments

MLCBuckeye    7 years ago

Most reservations can be made online. Check 45 days before trip. Even spa passes are sold online then.

Mickers    7 years ago

it's a vacation. Enjoy it and the people. We have all our "regular" lives to complain. It's a ship it will be fully booked and there will be people everywhere. Unless you can afford your own yacht this is how it is lol :)

surinsquared    7 years ago

This is my first NCL cruise and I am already dreading the crowds!! EVERY post, review, person that I know that has cruised NCL has stated that it is wayyy over booked!

eazybreezy    7 years ago

I don't think she was complaining. She simply gave her opinion of her experience. I appreciate the honesty.. we too are sailing in Sept and some of these reviews are helpful as first time cruisers on NCL.

jboy80    7 years ago

cyclops32 - How big is the pool in the haven?

boldpro    7 years ago

if you want a completely different experience book that haven great

savaryhazell    7 years ago

I agree with klcarr all hear is complain complain complain

davidphs1955    7 years ago

We agree with you!!!

cyclops32    7 years ago

they do have an adult's only pool as well. there are actually 2 pools on this ship and if you count the Haven pool then there is actually 3

klcarr    7 years ago

What's so hard about making reservations for a show....absolutely nothing!!! We go may 6 and have had everything reserved and prebooked for a month or more. Some people just make things so dramatic.

TraceyJ907    7 years ago

We're going in September and was disappointed when I found out that you had to make reservations for the shows. I'm also disappointed to find out that it seems like they nickel and dime you for everything. It's a shame they don't have a pool for adults only. I guess I'll just prepare myself.

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