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NCL Escape to the Bahamas

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 5
Helpful Votes: 270

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Norwegian Escape

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 10, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 12535

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Amazing and peaceful time on the Escape!

Embarkation

5 out of 5
I thought sailing out of New York would be chaotic and extremely busy. However, this has to be one of the smoothest embarkation’s I have experienced. I arrived around 10:30am and was through security and checked in within 10 minutes or so. We had to wait until around 11:30am but then we were able to board and since I was early I had a low boarding number.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
There really is not much to say about the food on Norwegian other than it’s simply amazing! I typically have dinner in the specialty restaurants because I prefer the quality of food there rather then the buffet or MDR. Occasionally I will have breakfast or lunch in Taste or Savor if I want table service, or I’ll grab something quick at the Garden Cafe. There is definitely something for everyone with all the dining options that are available.

Bayamo by Ocean Blue

5 out of 5

This is another specialty restaurant I dine at least once at during my cruise. On some ships it’s Bayamo and on others it’s Ocean Blue. The seafood is fresh and prepared in an elegant fashion. The filet is also tender and cooked perfectly. When using the dining package there is a small up charge but I feel it is worth it. You will also need to wear appropriate attire as they do have a dress code, but it’s nothing too formal.

Le Bistro

5 out of 5

Le Bistro is one of the specialty restaurants that I need to dine at least once at. Primarily because the have the best French Onion soup that I have ever had. The broth has so much onion flavor that it seems like it’s been cooking for days and then you have the gooey cheese that makes it even more amazing. The other food is just as good and I highly recommend trying it at least once. This is one of the restaurants that has a dress code so make sure you are dressed appropriately.

District Brew House

5 out of 5

If you love beer or want to try ones that maybe you have never had, than District Brewhouse is the place to be! They have over 20 beers on tap and many many more in bottles so there is sure to be one that will please your taste buds. The atmosphere is also relaxing as there are tables along windows with a view of the ocean as you are sailing the blue waters. Or sit at the bar and socialize with fellow passengers or the extremely friend beertenders. They do have a limited selection of liquor but this is the place you go for beer! At night there is also a piano player to take your requests and sing a long with.

Cagney's Steakhouse

5 out of 5

Cagney’s has to probably be my favorite restaurant in the NCL fleet. The steak is high quality and always cooked to perfection. I also never receive anything less than superb service and because I dine many times on each trip, I get to know the service staff and Maitre’d. Another thing I like is the atmosphere of the restaurant as it’s dark and has a warm feeling. On a couple occasions I’ve dined on the Waterfront and enjoyed the sounds of the waves as I was eating dinner. If you want an absolutely amazing meal then I would highly recommend Cagney’s.

Studio Lounge

5 out of 5

The studio lounge is a nice perk for those staying in a studio room. You have access to water, juices, coffee, and pastries throughout the day. You can even meet and socialize with other solo guests in the comfortable lounge seating. This space is also where you will meet every night for a social hour before heading to dinner or a show with the group if you choose.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
There is always plenty to do on a Norwegian cruise ship for all ages. One can relax by the pool, participate in games, trivia, casino, working out...if you are bored then it’s because you want to be because from 7:00am to 1:00am there is something going on.

Escape Casino

5 out of 5

Cruise ship casinos always get a bad rap for not paying out because they are not as regulated as land based casinos. This might be true, but if you’re gambling to win a jackpot than maybe you should not be gambling. The casino on Escape has many table games, craps, and roulette for those who want better odds. There is also a large amount of slot machines in a variety of denominations. Some people have luck and others do it for entertainment. Always use a players card though because you can get free perks like premium beverages while gambling, additional OBC, priority embarkation, or a free cruise...etc. Some of those perks are worth losing some money here and there!

Hot Tubs

5 out of 5

The thermal suite is always a must for me while on vacation. It is a nice place to just lay and relax while watching the world pass before your eyes. Then you can go into the hydro pool or a hot tub to relax even more. After that you can go into the steam room, sauna, salt bath, or even a snow room to cool off. One can easily spend a half a day just getting away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the cruise.

Pulse Fitness Center

5 out of 5

The fitness center on Escape has a large variety of machines, weights, treadmills, elliptical’s or anything else you could want to try and keep the weight down from all the delicious food. There are even classes you can sign up for.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
The entertainment is always plentiful on NCL ships and the theater shows are some of the best at sea. I will typically see each show on both nights because they are so good, and it’s included! On Broadway you’d have to pay a lot of money to see these shows. Even the piano players or bands throughout the ship are talented and entertaining. So go find your favorite cocktail and enjoy some of the amazing entertainment around the ship.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
The staff on NCL is always going out of their way to ensure you are having the best vacation possible. They work hard all day and still have a smile on their face. It’s a shame that some guests have to complain about the littlest things about the service or ship. I bet they would not survive a day in the life of one of these workers! No matter how crowded the ship is they always seem to remember you name or what you like to drink, or your room steward will remember how you like certain things. It is just absolutely amazing that the staff works day in and day out and just a simple hello will make their day.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The ship is always being cleaned and if a glass or plate is laying around it is picked up quickly. I just don’t understand why people leave their dirty dishes out in the hallway! We don’t want to see that when we are walking to our room. Leave it for your steward in the morning or bring it to a restaurant yourself. I like the design and feel of NCL ships because each area is its own space. On some ships everything is all together and open and when you have a lot of people it can get busy. On NCL everything is spaced out and because of that the crowds are dispersed.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
The studio rooms are a decent size for a solo traveler with plenty of storage space for your belongings. The best part is we no longer have to pay 1.5 or 2 times the amount for just one person!

Ship tip

Make sure to explore the whole ship as soon as you can as it is quite a big one. You will probably find your favorite hangout and will know where to go.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5
This was my first time in Port Canaveral and it is a decent port. I’m not sure how it is to embark or disembark from though. I did the NASA and Space Center excursion and it was fun being able to see that piece of history.
Thumbs Up

New York, New York

5 out of 5
New York was actually a fun city to cruise out of because you could see the skyline, the river, the bridges, and the Statue of Liberty. I always thought it would be busy and take a long time to get on the ship but it was actually quick and painless. I did not get to spend any extra time in New York this trip but I will definitely cruise out of the city again.
Thumbs Up

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Disembarkation was as smooth as it could be getting off the ship. There are always those people who are going to block stairs or elevators with their luggage but it’s not their time to disembark so it slows things down. If everyone would just wait in a public area away from the exit and wait their turn it would run much smoother. Once off the ship it was a quick walk to the terminal to collect my luggage and walk to the shuttle bus to the airport.
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4 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe     5 months ago

Thanks for sharing
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cruisereckoning    4 years ago

Thanks for the review.
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cruisereckoning    4 years ago

Thanks for the review.
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lizsmets    5 years ago

That was an awesome review. Love positive posts. Leaving on Sunday for mine. I’m going to enjoy every minute. Also have thermal spa booked. Last cruise I loved it.
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