We find pros and cons on different size/scale of ships and different cruise lines in the past, but sorry, no 3rd chance to Norwegian. Escape was still new and clean, but nothing was "wow!" for us. It looks big ship, but many places on this ship was small including the main theater.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Smooth and very helpful check in baggage when our taxi arrived outside. Check in process was kinda slow with a new/intern? rep. After check in counter, everything was smooth.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Sorry, but food was not for us. Well, we actually noticed that many guests in supper club for fly boy show (course dinner was included complementary) tasted a couple of bite from each plates and left large portion of food on their plates too. We cruise different cruise lines once or twice a year last 10 years and this was the second Norwegian since 2011. We noticed many food were just repeated many times during 7 days. No lobster, no tiger shrimp & steak nights.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Adult only pool was very small and deep (2m), Difficult to get in, out, move there full of people. Kids were well confined in kids area. Nice, large shaded area around pool. Aqua tube slide was nice feature and not so many cruise lines/ships don't offer it yet. Wish increase distance n use clear walls like Disney ship. Celine Dion world tour video by pool was nice, but it was old from 2008 - sun beating on screens most of the time. Movies- poor! Ghostbusters...after Thanksgiving )-: Sunset yoga was done in a small room in fitness center since they didn't know what time the sun set )-: No enough activities were provided for the cancellation of the 4th port of call, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas by reason too windy for tenders.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Not impressive or memorable.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Staffs seemed new and still excited, always smile, very nice overall.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
We like new and big ship. Escape was very clean every where. Escape is advertised as "The biggest ship" , but it is only the biggest for Norwegian, never be like RCC Oasis of the Seas class. We still expected "large ship" on Escape, but they made it too EFFICIENT to feel "the biggest ship". prob most of space were spent for staterooms? Mini suites on Escape seem about the same size as balcony staterooms, so we chose a balcony. We felt every public spaces were much smaller than 2500 guests class ships. We have never seen such a tiny autrium area where 1/3 was used a part of specialty restaurant )-: Bathrooms were always clean, conveniently located.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Escape stateroom was still new, clean and well maintained by nice service staff in Nov 2017.
Tag "purple" was located just behind lined people disembarkation and we had to go through all the way to the end, then asked one of staffs. No big deal, we had plenty of time to walk around, but may need to provide better sign(s) in baggage claim. Custom was smooth and fast.
Royal is much more expensive if u want to do the Oasis class ships. Plus they don't give you all of the extra freebies that NCL offers. I paid $360 for the alcohol & internet pkg on the Harmony. I have free alcohol & 250 mins of internet on NCL. Different cruising experience. If you want to relax and not have to get dressed up every night for dinner, although u can, cruise NCL, if you want to get all dolled up every night, RCCL may be more along your lines. Both are great ships for their own reasons. We enjoyed both thoroughly. Going on both again in 2018.
@jo1313. Enjoy Harmony. We were on her in June. Have been on both Harmony & Escape. There is a plus & minus for both ships. My time dining worked on NCL, it was a nightmare on Harmony. NCL had no true atrium area, nothing beats RCCL Promenade, the mall @ sea. We did feel the staff on the Escape were much more positive and helpful then on the Harmony they seemed less smiley and more withdrawn, but it could have just been that week or maybe even just us, Lol. One noticeable difference. Harmony of the seas is so huge that the wind blows the ship back and forth. Everytime we went up to the kids camp @ night, we felt like we were on roller skates. Both are great ships in their own ways. We enjoyed them both. Going on both again in 2018.
We have one last Cruise Next certificate to use with NCL and then we’re hoping to book a royal cruise. We definitely want to check out one of the oasis class ships. Their suites look amazing.
We’ve been on many royal Caribbean ships including Oasis and just went on the Escape last year . We had a blast on the escape and there were things we really liked but nothing compares to Oasis class ships for us. We love all the open space. Going on harmony in march - can’t wait !
Lol that’s kind of unfair Ken. They are just reviewing based on their feelings/experience. The kids “well confined” was funny though.
Island I think the OP is comparing NCL to Royal Caribbean. They have some pretty big ships. :)
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