Just OK

Item: Norwegian Escape
Rating: 3.2
Author: winterre

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

winterre

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 20

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 23, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin number: 5100

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 10 months ago

Review summary

Overall just ok. Kids loved it (13,14) for the freedom of the ship and meeting friends. Nothing impressed me for the cost. Learned a lot, after the fact. Was most disappointed with service or lack of. We are used to all inclusive resorts where service was extraordinary. We had difficult time getting any assistance or anyone being accommodating. We thought our cruise might be last and we caught staff on tail end of their work schedule but that was not the case. Staff was just unhelpful and provided bare minimum of service.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

First time cruising. Not impressed.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Food was mediocre. Restaurants you “paid” for were not worth it. Service levels at those restaurants were often worse than the buffet.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Utilized fitness center. Outdoor run track was a joke, too many people walking around allowed for no running.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Comedian was funny.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

We travel every year. By far worst service on any trip in the last 5 years. No one is helpful, smiles or willing to go the extra mile. One restaurant (we paid for, sushi) was even rude.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Design was ok. Cleanliness was ok.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Cabin was an initial concern (size etc) but was good. Plenty of room to get ready, closet space etc.

Ship tip

Plan ahead. No one told us. We couldn’t get into many of the accommodations as we didn’t book in advance (we tried day 2) and most everything no longer available.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

4 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

2 out of 5

We have 2 hours by the time we got off the ship. Not enough time to go anywhere but the downtown area directly off the ship.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

2 out of 5

Luggage situation is joke. Why you wouldn’t treat like a airport with conveyor as opposed to walking isles and searching for luggage seems archaic

9 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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Cruiser1995 10 months ago

We had many of the same issues you described on Escape. You sound like seasoned vacationers who have reasonable expectations because you KNOW was is available out there and you KNOW Escape did not measure up for you this time. I urge you to try another cruise line. They are not all like this. We are seasoned cruisers (since 1995) and like Royal Caribbean much better in terms of attentive service, food, and the wow factor. We were swayed to Escape this year due to the great sales. We like NCL pre-covid, but its now 2024 and they are still grossly understaffed. I fear this level of staffing is now their new model. You give an honest review, and some will react like you called their child ugly and say things like "maybe cruising isn't for you" or imply you are somehow the problem because you have had great experiences elsewhere and this one didn't measure up. We hear you and we agree. Crusing in general is better than this, and much more in line with your all inclusive resort expectations. I hope you try again on another line or ship.

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Gwbigdog 10 months ago

Oops sorry 😞 thanks

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Sogmoore 10 months ago

You learned a lot this cruise so next time you will have a better cruise

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bubbles60 10 months ago

We are always pleased with our NCL experience. Sorry you were not. Sorry, your travel agent did not tell you about reservations and other tips when cruising.

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cruising2004 10 months ago

Thank you for your review.

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javawoody 10 months ago

Appreciate your comments

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karlgrgurich 10 months ago

Yup. When anyone pays all that money for any vacation, you certainly want to be treated well and fed well. Totally understandable

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Niavlys 10 months ago

Maybe cruising aint for you... That's ok...

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Other reviews of this sailing

mixed review

Awesome Week Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Mediocre Norwegian Experience