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Spring Break Chaos

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 25

Overall rating:

4.8 out of 5
Norwegian Escape

7 Night Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay & Dominican Republic (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 25, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 9792

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Although we enjoyed it for the most part, we did meet 3 new friends from Michigan & Florida: we definitely will not go anywhere near spring break again, though every state is different with it. It was chaotic to have 2 schools from Michigan on it and most of the teenagers were unruly, ignorant and running around a lot without any parent supervision. Definitely will not sail again on the Escape as way too many people and not enough amenities such as pools to accommodate that many. We had great weather and enjoyed our balcony a lot to get away from chaos. As for the spa: services are for the rich and famous: couples massage was $600 for 60 mins …. Plus a tip on top…. If u can be without the spa: on the cruise: save your money. The Thermal suite tour was free but for $300US per person for the week wasn’t worth it in my opinion and on port days: the pass for the day was $80 per person, as we are Canadians we have to add 40% on top of those prices. So definitely not worth it …. Lol 😊

Embarkation

2 out of 5
It was over an hour standing in line at the cruise parking lot, 3 other ship’s passengers were also waiting. They had said the ship was delayed in getting passengers off so of course it delayed us. Once we got there, still a long line that moved a few steps every 30 mins. Seniors had a hard time standing for long periods of time and no chairs for them to sit down till we got to the part where we got our sail cards. After that, it was another long walk back and forth to actually get on the ship, another 30 mins. Not impressed by how slow everything was, definitely not smooth at all. So much for picking your times, as the shuttle bus went well over those times.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
We enjoyed the complimentary restaurants, especially Taste, Savor, Manhattan and O’Sheegans. We don’t like buffet especially on a ship, so many people touching the food etc. we had some amazing servers at the restaurants, but when they have a dress code in effect: follow it. O’Sheegans has a code that no men wear tank tops, and yet that rule was broken several times. As for the specialty restaurants they weren’t worth the price for the same meal, as friends of ours ate there. Overpriced just to walk in, and then to pay $60 and up is crazy. Don’t waste your money …..

Savor

4 out of 5

We had breakfast and dinner in here a few times, same as the Taste. Same everything about it…. They don’t refill your water glasses when we asked several times. Their blueberry pancakes were delicious, we noticed a lot of tables ran out of butter. Take a light jacket or sweater as the air was so cold, lots of ladies were using their napkin to cover their arms.

O'Sheehan's Bar and Grill

4 out of 5

After a few days in, we enjoyed going here for breakfast and dinner. The maître d lady was exceptional, she recognized us right away which was nice. We always got great service, if they allowed takeout: they would of gotten 5 stars. I had requested food for takeout and the lady out front flatly refused, an hour later as we were eating in the restaurant: a child and his parent left the restaurant with takeout. So apparently some passengers can while others can’t.

Atrium Café

2 out of 5

This cafe was busy but of course: they serve Starbucks, wasn’t included for your drinks. Ship should reconsidered as we paid for a drink package: all drinks should be included. Starbucks I don’t drink personally as it’s too expensive and it was the case on the ship as well. Servers were friendly as I was sitting in the area but I didn’t see any one ordered the desserts they listed. Overpriced as well

Taste

4 out of 5

Always good food, but they take forever to refill the water glasses, and when ordering a dessert: we ordered 2 on the last night of the cruise and only got one dessert. Wasn’t impressed by that. Some servers are hard to understand as well.

Atrium Bar

2 out of 5

First drinks was from this bar, but the fact that you can wait for 40 mins to getting a drink we weren’t impressed. The bartenders walk right by us, new people approached and got served. You practically had to wave money in their face to get served. Poor service

The Manhattan Room

5 out of 5

We enjoyed dinner here 3 nights in a row, we always got a window seat looking out over the water. Live music played ….. very talented musicians Our server Daniel Chriswanda was simply the best, joking with us: always with a smile. We always requested him every time we went. We had some amazing delicious meals: halibut, chicken, dill potato salad with shrimp and those yummy desserts: top notch goodness

Skyline Bar

5 out of 5

Our favourite bar by far: we were here every night, listening to music especially by the brother & sister duo team. Our bartender: Allen was the best in making a very dirty martini, my hubby tipped him well. They also made a Mud Slide well with unique chocolate designs on top. Definitely worth 5 stars

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Tradewinds Shops

4 out of 5

Enjoyed going there everyday to pickup my presentation charms free, and for my bracelet: charms were normally 3 for $10 …. Gift shop was overpriced with everything so no buys there. Wait till the last day of the cruise and they drop prices on watches and shirts.

Jogging Track

2 out of 5

Enjoyed it but after dark when everything was closed up as it was so crowded during the day to use it. Another concept that NCL needs to rethink about moving it to its own deck without having to run or walk around people.

Vibe Beach Club

2 out of 5

Someone mentioned about this place: but we are not sun worshippers so it was overpriced in our opinion to get your lounge chair everyday. Another money grab …..after paying such a high price for a cruise: I don’t want to pay another $600US to use this club.

Sun Deck

2 out of 5

Again, overcrowded ….. we preferred it after hours. Still not big enough for 4000 plus passengers

Sports Complex

3 out of 5

Busy with kids and closed mostly due to weather permitting

Ropes Course

2 out of 5

Crowded with kids and usually closed due to high winds everyday

Mini Golf

4 out of 5

We played golf a few times, usually at night about 9pm as it was more quiet out. Though it was crazy windy, it proved to be a challenging course.

Hot Tubs

2 out of 5

Way too crowded so we never venture near them. Ship doesn’t have enough hot tubs for 4000 passengers

Escape Casino

3 out of 5

Would of been nice to play without having to smell the smoke, couldn’t stay too long in the casino due to the smell. It drifted to other decks which wasn’t pleasant walking around.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
As for the shows: make sure you book them when u get on the ship, as they are sold out quickly. We did not book any shows as we didn’t want to go to any, we had our own agenda. But we did go see the other musicals shows that didn’t require a booking. They were all very good but to get a seat, come early like 45 mins to get a seat so u can actually see them without having to stand for long periods of time.

Spice H20

4 out of 5

We had a good time during an Abba musical show, but the crowd and the kids ….OMG!! So nuts with people bumping into each other and the spring break kids drinking. It’s crazy that the legal drinking age is 18 on the ship where on land it’s 21. These kids were well beyond drunk and ruined it for other passengers who wanted to enjoy the music without seeing non controlled kids.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
We had amazing bar service by Allen from the Skyline Bar, our room steward I Wayan Simpen from Indonesia: he made our amazing towel animals. The first day we didn’t get any and I asked about them: he said they don’t do them anymore: but I requested them: he made them everyday till we left for both rooms. We tipped him as well, as we asked for them. Room number was 9792 and 9790 They definitely were on their toes at doing everything, always cleaning the ship.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
We definitely loved our room, with balcony….our shower was large though for someone tall like me I was about an inch from the ceiling. The double sinks were a nice touch with plenty of drawers. Our bed was hard, and shake the first couple nights from the ship/ waves. Hubby loved the couch to sleep on, more comfortable than the bed. Balcony was a good size but the table is too small to put food and drinks on it. We had to sit with cushions on the chairs as the railing on the balcony was right at eye level so you couldn’t see anything unless you stood up or sat on cushions. Even though we had adjoining cabins, the balconies doors could not be opened according to the steward. You can also see your account on the TV, and get about 5 channels outside the ships programs.

Ship tip

Book shows as soon as you get on, as for excursions: we booked prior to sailing in our currency. You will still get great food at the complimentary restaurants so save your money. Bingo and Deal or No Deal is expensive ….. we played bingo: it was $59 for 3 games and no one won the jackpot of $5000 as you have to win in less than 47 numbers. Lots of stuff is extra…. Bowling is $6.99 per person per game

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5
I have been to this port before and this was my hubby’s first cruise: so I got to show him around the area without taking a taxi. Paradise Point has always been one of my favourites but pricey now: $24.95 per adult return/ you can ride up and down as much as u want, but really we went up once and down once. Still it was fun … the taste bar on top was expensive with 2 drinks: one being a beer and the other a bushwacker drink: lots of booze, plus they charge a $3.00 service charge. We enjoyed the stunning view from the top. We then walked around to the various shops where we bought 3 shirts for $30, a sterling sliver “sandal” pendant for $75. Lots of great deals to be had for sure, we also won bamboo towels so we picked them up at one of the shops where del sol was. Del Sol shirts were $30, found that they didn’t like putting prices on their stuff.
Thumbs Up

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

5 out of 5
We booked an excursion to Ocean World, cost was $130 Canadian, we booked it prior to sailing. We had a great time, motor coach from pier We got to see the dolphin show and shark feeding…. Also got the chance to feed 2000 lovebirds. You could also pay extra to swim with the dolphins, but it was like 15 to 30 mins in the water with them and it was expensive so we opted not to. Water bottles were $2 and the lunch buffet was included in our package: it was delicious definitely recommend. Wear sun lotion as the sun was extremely hot
Thumbs Up

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5
Port Canaveral: didn’t visit anywhere on this trip but we have been here before. Definitely check out the space centre
Thumbs Up

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5
It was beautiful like St Thomas, we didn’t get off as we were delayed in getting here and not enough time to do an excursion.
Thumbs Up

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
Definitely delayed once again, we picked 9:30am time to get off the ship. Our colour was called, at 9:50am we headed to embark through the Manhattan restaurant, we didn’t officially get off the ship till 10:20am. Then it was chaos trying to find our shuttle bus back to the cruise ship parking lot and no attendants seem to know where the shuttle bus was. Chaotic in the sun
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8 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe     5 months ago

Thanks for sharing
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AuntPinkie    1 year ago

Appreciate your very detailed and informative review. Spring Break is usually problematic. It now seems to last all of March and half of April. You’ll also want to avoid Thanksgiving (US in the 4th Thursday in November). A crew member told me that’s even worse than Spring Break. Glad you managed to enjoy your cruise anyway.
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Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise
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BiddySue711    1 year ago

You will definitely enjoy Ocean World for sure… we had planned to use our credits for the port excursions as well. We didn’t want to do any beaches as we aren’t beach people.
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LoFu    1 year ago

Was waiting for your review! Sorry to hear about all the drunk kids. We’re going 1st week of May so hopefully most of them will still be in school. We booked the skyline through the cruise since we get the $50 free per port so even know my wife is $35, still a net $15 savings and get priority off the ship since we booked an excursion. We’re also doing Ocean World so nice to know the food was good. Once again with the $50 free we’re paying only $100 total for both of us, so pretty good value with food, beach, pool and all the animal attractions. Thank you for you all your great reviews and sorry to hear about some of the problems you had with your cruise!
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lsbs    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing.
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javawoody    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing
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cruising2004    1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your cruising experience.
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Other reviews of this sailing

Disappointed
Great Ship, Great Staff, Nice locations
Overall disappointed. Great food, selection, and service, but nothing exceptional. Nothing special about room make-up, was expecting animals made of towels and little chocolates. Disembarkation to Dominican and St Thomas was chaotic and dangerous.