Not worth the money we spent this time. Going back to Royal next year. But not saying I'm done with Norwegian for good.

Item: Norwegian Escape
Rating: 4
Author: akajay2830

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Bermuda

akajay2830

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Bermuda (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 12, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13292

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I enjoyed Norwegian last year so we booked again on a different ship. I was very disappointed this time. You spend too much money to have to say that. Sad thing is that it was the set up of this ship that was disappointing. Way too over crowded. Forget going to enjoy any party held at spice h2o. Forget eating at a normal hour if you like hot food and forget the pool area ( BUT THATS NORMAL) unless you stay on the ship the first day it docks at your away destination. Good thing for the drink package! I definitely needed to abuse that this time.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Ship didn't leave until after 8 PM with no explanation and we still got charged port tax for drinks. They discounted them, but still charged us. The ship was supposed to leave by 4

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food sucked at the buffet. Buffet was always overcrowded and lines too long. Never a place to sit without waiting. Food was always cold by the time we got to eat. Complamentry restaurants were easier but only select times that were too early or too late and a select menu in which I didn't eat. So I was stuck at the buffet or Osheenans. Osheenans was excellent if you dont mind eating there every night. Specialty dining was great if you had that package but after already spending 7 grand, who wants to pay more while on the ship. Im not saying that because I'm cheap, I did tip out extra for the bartenders and housekeeping. Both were excellent and great stories if you talk to them.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Great shows. Hard to book if you wait until last minute. I booked early and had my times but for people in the standby line most of the time got in due to many people not showing. Just a heads up with that

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Very friendly and overworked. Great conversations and what amazing people. Overworked but always had smiles

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

Pay attention to time! We watched 2 people get left behind. Very sad to watch people running crying as the boat is just pulling away. But then again they warn you over and over to pay attention to the time. The ship has gone straw free. If you like straws, pack your own. Or, if you want to "save the marine life" then bring organic straws like twizzlers lol. If you really need a straw and forgot to bring your own, you can get one at the atrium Starbucks but that's only with a ice coffee or ice drink purchase.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York

3 out of 5

Easy and very organized if you get there early. Parking went up. Cost $280.00 for the week

Thumbs Up 2

Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Traveler Photos

Best bartender ever! He's usually in Spice H2O (less crowded bar)

12 Comments

akajay2830 6 years ago

JanetAndLarry I booked all my specialty dining 4 months before we left and had early or late times only. I will do it sooner next time. This is my 3rd cruise, I'm slowly learning new things. I'd rather eat at the buffet because I'm picky but unfortunately unlike RC Anthium and NCL Breakaway, I just had a bad experience with dining and crowds this time. Everything else was great! It definitely hasn't ruined my love for cruising. I only have 2 cruises beside this one to compare it to so I'm definitely not an expert. I love reading reviews I find them very helpful. Thank you for reminding me about the fine print. I did go back and you're right about that. I know for next time not to be upset about that and take it easier lol

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akajay2830 6 years ago

DRR24 Best room we've had yet! With the corner room you get more balcony space and don't pay extra😂. I will always book a corner room now. The room was the size of any other normal balcony room. Hopefully you get the same stewertest as us. He was extremely nice and very accommodating. Loved being at the aft, very quiet. I posted some pictures of the room for you. Enjoy your trip! It was great, I think I'm just ready to try a smaller ship. With school starting back up you should have a less crowded ship. Unfortunately I have to cruise vacation times due to two kids in high school.

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DRR24 6 years ago

How was your room? Looks like we are staying in the same exact cabin next week!

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floatersunited 6 years ago

Nice

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JanetAndLarry 6 years ago

Ships are always crowded when the kids are out of school. Leaving from NY where the choice of cruise ships is limited you will always have a lot of people especially in the summer. If you read all of the reviews why wouldn’t you reserve your dinner times before you left or as soon as you got on the ship. I do agree about the port taxes for drinks for delayed sailing but I bet somewhere in really small print is something about NCL not being responsible for port taxes if leaving port late. Leaving in 38 days and all the kids will be back in school 😁🍸

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alanathep 6 years ago

I love cruising, but after being on this ship twice, I finally figured out that I don't care for mega ships like this one. I love the more intimate ships and when I can actually participate in the activities. There are 175 people showing up to trivia every day! That's crazy! Smaller ships may be for you too.

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patiow 6 years ago

I was on the Escape three weeks ago and while I enjoyed the cruise overall I agree that the ship was way overcrowded. I heard that there was over 5200 guests when the ship is rated for app 4300.

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Charlou 6 years ago

Sorry if I upset you. It was not my intentions. I read ALL of your review. Not only the negative parts. NCL is all about freestyle cruising. It’s not for everyone. Escape is a big ship. And that too, is not for everyone. At least you have it a try. And it seems that aside from the little hiccups, you had a good cruise. Sorry again and i wish that your next cruise is the best one ever. ⚓️🍾🎉☀️

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IkeDeb 6 years ago

Great

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akajay2830 6 years ago

Charlou I'm aware of port tax. This was the ships fault for a 4 hour delay and I felt after 4 I shouldn't have had to pay port tax maybe as a sorry for the late sail. But that's just my opinion. Maybe someone like you wouldn't mind that. I just did. 5 is too early for me to eat and 9 is too late. Those were the options I usually got...maybe because nobody else wanted them either! MDR if you're meaning Manhattan dining room then that one I did end up taking the 5pm and was handed a menu with things I might like. When asked if I can get something without the sauce they used I was told no. Sorry I dont have allergies I'm just a picky eater. Again...my choice and that didn't ruin my trip it just sucked that the buffet was more for a picky person like me yet I couldn't even eat there if I wanted to sit it have a hot meal. Glad you had a great time. I was just telling people about my experience. I like Norwegian, I just had a bad experience on this ship. I'm just going to try a smaller ship next time I decide to use Norwegian due to also reading other peoples experiences and reviews. Thanks for your response anyways but it wasn't needed. Seems you only read the negative and didn't realize I said good things as well.

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missnotanlines 6 years ago

Sorry to hear that

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Charlou 6 years ago

You are charged an extra tax for every drink when at port and until you get into international water. It’s always been like this for every cruise line. I’m baffled that there was not a single thing that you could eat at the MDR. Between fish, pasta, chicken, beef...there’s something for everyone. And if you have allergies ...it’s on you to have a note put into your account and have a talk to the Maître D. You can go eat at the MDR between 5 to 10 pm approximately. How can that be too early or too late?sorry, but I don’t get it. Been on the Escape twice and absolutely loved the ship. Unfortunately, since it’s been cruising from NY, I’ve been reading a lot of people complaining about the ship being way too crowded.

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