From this point forward, I've decided I will write a review for every cruise that I take because I don't normally, and if you report the bad, then I will need to make it a point to report the good. I've taken two in the past...1998 when the Carnival Ecstacy was pretty new and 2014 for Christmas on the same, much older, ship. The ship was older but the staff was amazing...the staff can make or break a ship...anyway, I digress. This was my first time on NCL and OMG what a disappointment! Maybe I should have waited a few months for everyone to get used to being on this new vessel, I don't know....at this point I don't think I will take another NCL cruise. I know for sure it wouldn't be a new ship and it would have to be one with lots of reviews that says the staff is on point.

I chose NCL since my good buddy had a great time on the Getaway, so I figured I would have a great time as well on the Escape. I was a bit concerned when I read a few of the reviews prior to my Thanksgiving sailing, but I really thought that many were probably being over critical, and that most people probably enjoyed their cruise, but didn't bother to give a review....Well, I have to agree with what many have stated...the most glearing issue was how unhappy the staff seems to be. I deal with clients daily via phone, so I make it a point to sound cheery and upbeat during my training sessions. If you're in customer service, it is your job to smile and be engaging. I literally would ask those that looked especially down troddened how their day is going and tried to start conversations. Majority of the staff seemed just downright stressed and unhappy in their roles and most times I felt like I was a bother. The only person that I can say was pretty nice and consistent was our steward Gary. I will say, Thanksgiving day and the last day of the cruise was a bit better, where you actually got smiles and greetings. I had a couple run ins where some of the staff were just terse and rude...I totally was taken aback, but hey I didn't let any of it ruin my day.

The food in The Manhatten was so so, but the service was very good. The Savor breakfast was good, but the service...we waited an extended amount of time for our meal, he got my girls orders completely incorrect, and never bothered to stop back by. I had to hunt someone down to bring cream. The food was not good enough to tolerate the wait and lacking service, so I didn't go back, nor did we bother trying Taste. We did go to O'Sheenans a few times...the hot dog and burgers were gross but the wings are good. What I found pretty consistent, they take your order but rarely return to see if you need more water or if you'd like anything else. No one ever asked if everything was ok. Oh I even questioned them about the cheese on the nachos which looked like watery mustard and the response was "that's the way it is today." One of the visits, I sat there for a really long while before anyone came over and it wasn't that busy. What really annoyed me was the Maitre D walked right by my table (though I was looking right at him) and went to the table behind me to ask how their food was. Read more