Mixed Feelings

Item: Norwegian Escape
Rating: 3.1
Author: DMMarks

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

DMMarks

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 3

Overall rating:

3.1 out of 5

Verified Review

9 Night Mediterranean: Italy France & Spain (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 20, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10848

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 22 days ago

Review summary

Overall the ship is pretty. The food was acceptable unless you went to the high class Cagney's. They really need to provide water to all guests, not just the desalinated stuff they take out of the ocean. They booked our flights a day earlier than we asked for and refused to change our flights, which in addition were crazy and ridiculously arranged. (central NY to Newark to Toronto then to Barcelona! And gave us a 5 HOUR layover after the 8.5 hour flight from Europe. It took a total of exactly 24 hours just to get home! I probably wouldn't cruise with them again.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Fast, but didn't get our luggage until after 10PM...no changes or freshening up for dinner! Should be getting some credit back for that day without our belongings.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Dining rooms were just ok food. Buffet was just ok as well. We did do a premium dining at Cagney's which was really enjoyable. Drinks package was included, but not water! basically 9 dollars for a large bottle of water and You couldn't bring the water back on the ship if you bought one off shore, even if it's a half a bottle..They stand there and make you dump it out! Insane! Water is essential for life for heavens sake!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Music and Comedy

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

no kids with us

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

It was fine, although we didn't get our luggage until 10 pm... so no change or freshen up for dinner the whole day!

Ship tip

Maybe try Royal Carribean :)

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

3 out of 5

Cannes, France

3 out of 5

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

5 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

4 out of 5

NAPLES (POMPEII), ITALY

4 out of 5

Messina, Sicily

3 out of 5

Valletta, Malta

3 out of 5

Cagliari, Sardinia

3 out of 5

Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

1 out of 5

excursions were cancelled due to transport strike. The port is almost an hour walk to town, no assistance from Norwegian to help transport people who had trouble walking that far

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

chaotic but got it done

9 Comments

Sogmoore 6 days ago

Just don’t have them do your flights. If you do it yourself it is cheaper and a better route. Thanks for sharing

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Cruisers4Lyfe 20 days ago

Thanks for sharing

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Gwbigdog 21 days ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

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javawoody 22 days ago

Thanks for the feedback

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natelorip 22 days ago

Thanks for sharing. I always buy the water package so that I can have water I like while cruising.

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1960cruiser 22 days ago

I enjoyed my cruises on Norwegian and found the food to be very good with no issues. I think you're making way too big of deal over water. You can get water all over the ship, including at all bars. You insist on having bottled water, then you need to pay for tge privilege like everyone else unless you get a drinks package where bottled water is included. If you need to have water close by so badly, then get yourself a water bottle and problems solved, instead of filling out oceans and landfills with plastics.

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HeavySeas 22 days ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience

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Jerrec 22 days ago

Never use the cruise line air. It’s cheap for a reason. If you want better flights, book it yourself. There is also absolutely nothing wrong with the tap water. It’s as good or better than what you would drink at home. Unless of course you pay for bottled water, which you are welcome to continue doing on board.

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cruising2004 22 days ago

Thank you for your review.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Disappointed at how much Norwegian has changed

horrible experience for first time