An Okay Cruise with Multiple Issues
Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 6
7 Night Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay & Cozumel (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 27, 2024
Ship: Norwegian Escape
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 15862
Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Reviewed: 9 months ago
Review summary
My recent cruise experience with Norwegian Cruise Line left much to be desired. While there were some highlights, such as the kind and wonderful service from certain staff members and the beautiful port at Falmouth, Jamaica, several significant issues marred the overall journey. Dining experiences were inconsistent, with standout meals at Bayamo and Savor contrasting with disappointing experiences at Cagney's and Taste. The ship felt severely understaffed, leading to slow service and frustrations in various areas, particularly in bar areas and free dining options. Entertainment options were limited, with few show productions and a disappointing policy of charging cover fees for comedy shows and other performances. Conversations with other passengers revealed frustrations with partially refunded excursions and safety concerns at certain ports of call, such as Great Stirrup Cay. Boarding and disembarking processes were marred by delays, bottlenecking, and difficulties in locating luggage, further exacerbated by a system that favored passengers who opted for porter assistance. Ultimately, these issues, along with the overall feeling of being nickel-and-dimed for various services, have led me to the decision that I more than likely will not be sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line again.Embarkation
Everything went smoothly and quickly and we were right on the ship. But... So was everyone else. They were not prepared for this many people in public areas.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
While the ship offered a variety of dining options, ranging from specialty restaurants to buffets, the overall culinary journey was a mixed bag.
Bayamo: One standout meal was at Bayamo, where the culinary experience was nothing short of fantastic. However, it's worth noting that this level of excellence wasn't consistent throughout the voyage.
Cagney's: Unfortunately, my experience at Cagney's fell short of expectations. The prices were high, and the service was disappointingly slow.
Manhattan Club: The Manhattan Club offered a mediocre dining experience, lacking the wow factor expected from a cruise ship of this caliber.
The Supper Club: While the first meal at The Supper Club was delightful, subsequent visits left much to be desired. The repetition of the set menu dampened the overall impression.
Buffets: The buffet options were on par with what you'd find on any typical cruise ship—neither exceptional nor particularly disappointing.
Savor: Among the dining venues, Savor stood out for its exceptional breakfast offerings and the warmth of its staff. It was a delightful place to start the day, and I found myself returning multiple times.
Taste: Unfortunately, my first impression of the ship's dining experience was tarnished by a lackluster meal at Taste. The quality fell short, leaving me with no desire to return.
O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill: Serving as the sole option for late-night dining, O'Sheehan's provided a welcoming atmosphere. However, the limited healthier options were a notable drawback for those seeking lighter fare during late hours.
Overall, while there were moments of culinary brilliance, the dining experience aboard the Escape was inconsistent. While some venues shone brightly, others failed to meet expectations.
Onboard Activities
While most things we did onboard were enjoyable, it was
Entertainment
Entertainment aboard the Escape offered a mix of highs and lows, providing insight into the variety of options available to passengers.
Entertainment Highlights:
The Choir of Man: A standout performance, The Choir of Man captivated audiences with its energetic and engaging show.
Raul's Performances: Raul's performances were a highlight, showcasing talent and charisma that left a lasting impression on spectators.
Entertainment Lowlights:
Limited Show Productions: While some performances were stellar, it felt like the number of actual show productions was few and far between, leaving passengers craving more entertainment options.
Cover Charges for Comedy Shows: It was disappointing and unacceptable to discover cover charges for comedy shows and other performances. This policy created an unnecessary barrier to enjoying onboard entertainment, detracting from the overall experience.
In summary, while certain performances shone brightly, the overall entertainment experience left something to be desired. The need for more varied and accessible entertainment options, along with reconsideration of cover charges for certain shows, would greatly enhance the onboard entertainment experience for passengers.
Service and Staff
My recent cruise experience with the Escape was marred by severe understaffing issues. While the service and staff were generally kind and friendly, the ship felt drastically understaffed, especially in bar areas and free dining options. It seemed like there were far too few staff members to efficiently handle the demands of the passengers. This led to frustratingly slow service and difficulties in finding assistance. In many instances, it was nearly impossible to find a table server in the bar areas. It felt as though only the areas requiring additional payment received adequate staffing, leaving the free dining options and bars neglected. Overall, while the staff were pleasant, the understaffing severely impacted the cruise experience, highlighting a need for better staffing levels to ensure smoother service and customer satisfaction.
Ship Quality
My experience aboard the Escape was overshadowed by the ship's poor design. From the cramped and small-feeling layout to constantly running into other passengers, the ship's design left much to be desired. While the rooms made good use of the available space, they still felt cramped and claustrophobic. Additionally, the understaffing issues further exacerbated the situation, with areas often being left dingy, wet, or untidy due to lack of maintenance. It's evident that this was a result of the company's staffing decisions rather than the efforts of the hardworking onboard staff. Despite everyone's best efforts, the ship's layout and maintenance shortcomings persisted throughout the voyage.
One particularly perplexing design flaw was the pool, featuring a hole in the middle nearly 7 feet deep, which made little practical sense and posed safety concerns. Overall, the ship's poor design, compounded by staffing issues, detracted significantly from the overall cruise experience, leaving much room for improvement in future voyages.
Cabin / Stateroom
Despite the ship's shortcomings, it's important to highlight the exemplary service provided by the individual responsible for cleaning our room. They consistently went above and beyond to ensure that our room was immaculate and everything was in place as expected or even better. Their dedication and attention to detail stood out amidst the challenges posed by the ship's design and staffing issues. It's clear that their hard work and commitment greatly contributed to our overall comfort and satisfaction during the cruise.
Ship tip
If you have a gluten or any other allergy, it's essential to inquire at the beginning of your trip about how to navigate the dining options safely. This proactive approach allows the ship's staff to accommodate your dietary needs effectively and ensure a pleasant dining experience throughout your journey. By communicating your allergies upfront, you can work with the staff to identify suitable menu options and any necessary accommodations, minimizing the risk of exposure to allergens and ensuring a worry-free dining experience onboard.
Thumbs up
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Ports of call
Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas
It's disappointing to reflect on my experience at Great Stirrup Cay during my recent cruise. Despite my anticipation for this excursion destination, I encountered several limitations and disappointments throughout the visit. The lack of available activities and understaffed bars significantly impacted my enjoyment of the excursion. Additionally, I found it frustrating that the cruise line's policy only offered partial refunds for excursions that couldn't be completed. Conversations with fellow passengers further revealed similar sentiments, with some sharing anecdotes of receiving only partial refunds for incomplete excursions. These experiences highlight the importance for cruise lines to ensure that excursion destinations are adequately equipped to provide a fulfilling and enjoyable experience for passengers, along with clear and fair refund policies to address unforeseen circumstances.
My experience at the port in Falmouth, Jamaica left me with mixed feelings. While the port itself was undeniably beautiful, I found that once you ventured outside its confines, safety became a concern. Unless you were solely interested in shopping, there seemed to be a lack of options for activities or exploration. This limited range of activities outside of shopping made it difficult to fully enjoy the port experience. Despite the allure of the beautiful surroundings, the safety concerns and lack of entertainment options detracted from the overall enjoyment of my visit to Falmouth, Jamaica.
Disembarkation
My experience with both embarking and disembarking from the ship presented its own set of challenges. While boarding the ship had its issues, including delays and confusion, the process of disembarking was further prolonged by bottlenecking and difficulties in locating our luggage. Additionally, the practice of nickel-and-diming passengers resurfaced, with those who opted for porter assistance receiving faster and more efficient service. This disparity in service based on whether or not one hired a porter was disappointing and highlighted the cruise line's tendency to prioritize additional charges over providing equitable service to all passengers.
9 Comments
Cruiser1995 9 months ago
Thank you for your detailed, well written review. I wholeheartedly agree there is intentional understaffing happening aboard NCL ships. Cruising is "hot" right now and with almost all ships full, they think they can get away with this cost saving measure. I fear for the future of cruising once this post covid rush is over and standards have sunk so low.
donald1lane 9 months ago
Confused about the cover charges at the comedy club as I did not experience that on the Escape or any other NCL ship. Do agree that the ship appeared understaffed with service at main dining rooms and most specialty dinning restaurants were slow and wait staff unattended to needs of the passengers.
Sogmoore 9 months ago
Great review. I have heard from a lot of Norwegian cruisers that there nickel and dimming has got out of hand. I have only cruised on Norwegian once and it did feel that way. We have cruised on other cruise line and they are also picking up the nickel and diming. I just have to be aware because they are all doing it now since Covid.