I had a great time. The weather was nearly perfect. The ship was very crowded, as families tried to squeeze the last drops of summer out before school. The crowds made it hard to find a quiet venue, but three days docked in Bermuda allowed folks to get off the ship and explore.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Showed up at Pier88 at 11, and things were already well underway! Took longer to snake through security than check in. It definitely helps checking in online ahead of time.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Ate at Taste, Savor, Manhattan, Le Bistro, O’ Sheehans, Teppanyaki. All were quite good. Plan on over an hour for dinner, especially with a large group. Buffet selection was broad, but it was typically very crowded.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Escape has a large gym & spa. Waterslides & pool area were very popular and fun. Lots of games going on around the ship, along with small bands playing in bars/ pubs.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Spice h2o dance parties were great! 80s night, glow party, etc. Choir of Man & After Midnight were great main shows, along with dueling pianos, and other small band shows around the ship.
Children's Programs
4 out of 5
I don’t have kids, but this cruise had tons of kids, and they were kept busy in Entourage & Guppies
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Great service from staff, especially given almost 5000 passengers this cruise
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Ship was kept clean and in good shape, and crew did a good job of cleaning up after lazy passengers leaving dishes around the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
I sailed alone this time and wanted to try the Studio. Cabins are small, but funky, and NCL tries to make the Studio an experience by creating a private area, including an exclusive studio lounge. They also host solo cruiser events, encouraging solo travelers to make friends and go for group dinners/ shows. There were several repeat Studio guests, and the other first-time solo cruisers like me won’t hesitate to book again.
There was a slow start/ crowded due to delay in docking, but the first wave was still off by 8am. CBP is testing new facial recognition software at pier 88, making it very fast getting through customs for most passengers.
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