AVOID NCL!!!

Item: Norwegian Escape
Rating: 3.2
Author: funsploring

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review

funsploring

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 3

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 09, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 9 months ago

Review summary

If we could have gotten our money back, we would have left the ship the second we embarked. Musty, dirty, smoky, nothing to do on the ship, less than average entertainment, app never worked, and they try to nickel and dime you for everything. Sure, the price to book is nice but you end up paying so much in charges and service fees that you’re not told about.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We were on quickly. The boarding port did fill up quickly and was crazy loud.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Enjoyed the food.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Nothing unless you like origami, gambling, drinking, trivia, or staring at the ocean.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Choir of Man was soooo good, as was the house band at Sid’s. Other than that? Nothing. The ship was very boring.

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

The folks over the kids area are rude and one lied about the actions of our 10 year old child. The manager pulled up the video and saw that they indeed lied. They make the kids stay a minimum of two hours before they can check out. Both of our kids (other is 7 years old) went to first day for a couple of hours and then never went back.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

They acted like everyone was a burden all over the ship.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

The design isn’t bad but the second we walked on the musty smell smacked you in the face. The atrium and open levels smelled like cigarettes. We had to call guest services because our bathroom had mildew near the toilet and in the shower.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

It would have been 4 stars if it were kept clean.

Ship tip

Bring your own games and activities to have when you’re not at port for entertainment.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Harvest Caye, Belize

4 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

4 out of 5

Miami, Florida

4 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Quick and efficient.

Traveler Photos

Unless you are up before dawn, you won't get a chair. No one follows the rule about saving chairs all day.

I hope you don't want to be near or even see the pool

14 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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Sogmoore 9 months ago

A cruise is what you make of it. Thanks for sharing

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RogueWaveRider 9 months ago

For Activities you list Gambling, Drinking, Trivia and Staring at the Ocean All Day along with Origami but then gave it only one star?!? Honestly sounds like the absolutely perfect cruise for the vast majority of passengers

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funsploring 9 months ago

Actually, we love to cruise. We had taken a Disney Cruise the month before and it was far and away beyond our expectations. We’ve been on another Disney Cruise since and had another amazing time. We are trying our Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas and Virgin’s Scarlet Lady this year. As for NCL, we’ve worked with travel agents since that have stated they never recommend NCL to anyone. We loved the ports we visited and I gave credit where credit was due in the review.

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enjoyurdaysmile 9 months ago

If you want to cruise go on another ship with Norwegian. We had a cruise last year the Florida Bahama run from Manhattan and two ports were taken away from us Virginia Beach and bermuda. We were supposed to stay overnight in Port Canaveral and that was scratched. Couldn't go to the Private Island because the ocean was too strong for the tenders that was nobody's fault obviously. I am sorry you had a really hard time on your cruise and I'm very surprised about the splash club and how rude the counselor was that wasn't right and I'm glad they found that the issue was corrected

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JaySon99 9 months ago

Sorry to hear that! NCL has been the best in my opinion, loved the Escape and every other ship I’ve been on, all have been spotless as if the were brand new😍🥰

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Niavlys 9 months ago

Not the type of vacay for you...

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1960cruiser 9 months ago

Something tells me you wouldn't have been happy no matter how great the cruise was. It appears that you had a issue that was remedied to your satisfaction and that turned into the basis for the rest of the cruise. Its been a few years since I was on the Escape, but I had a great time, with no complaints. Maybe a land based resort woukd be more to your liking, since cruising can't meet your standards.

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Gwbigdog 9 months ago

Oops sorry 😞 thanks

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Brittni1223 9 months ago

Thanks for the review

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javawoody 9 months ago

Appreciate the review

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enjoyurdaysmile 9 months ago

Edit= the $20 service charge goes to your cabin Steward and the restaurant Department not apartment as I use my voice to write my post I'm very sorry about that. I I'm very sorry that you had difficulties in the children's club and as far as the counts as being rude that should not be allowed at all and should have be taken up with management. To keep a child there for 2 hours and the child doesn't want to be there that's not right either. Did you have any kind of walkie talkies that you can get in touch with the splash area Department? If you do go on another Cruise Line pick one that you feel would be better for you or maybe another Norwegian ship.

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enjoyurdaysmile 9 months ago

It says that it cost $20 for the cabin stewards and restaurant Apartments when you made arrangements for your cruise. You are drinks and soda packages are not included so you're not you're not nickel design for that if you want it you get it. Specialty restaurants you're not nickel done for it's if you want it you get it it is a 20% service charge. As far as entertainment that goes to the entertainment Department which is your cruise director and your assistant Cruise director and whatever else that's going on around the ship. I've seen the choir of man it was great. As far as the cigarette smell I'm sorry yes it's all over and the areas basically I did not smell it in the atrium yes in the casino. Nobody is supposed to be smoking except in certain places and not on the balconies either. The next time you do cruise with any other Cruise Line please make sure that you read everything and what your service charge is for restaurant and cabin stewards. The money goes towards the restaurant Department the cabin stewards and that's what it's all supposed to be for. People say behind the scenes I don't think it goes to behind the scenes because I learned that laundry department does not get it

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cruising2004 9 months ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

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Other reviews of this sailing

A great cruise during a hot time of the year.

Never Again