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My Recent Cruise Experience Aboard the Norwegian Escape

Riga

We were blown away as to how much Norwegian appreciates military passengers (active, Vets and retirees).  They had a private cocktail party in Syd Norman's.  We privately met with the captain, senior officers, cruise director, etc.  They really made us feel special.  Did you know Norwegian offers you 10% off your cruise?  Don't forget to sign up for this added benefit.

The cruise was great; we loved the entertainment and food onboard, but there's always room for improvement.  

The Quiet Zone in the thermal suite was not enforced.  People in the whirlpool were talking very loudly and it was difficult to relax on the heated stone chairs (bring ear buds)

The minimum age requirement of 18+ was not enforced in the H20 area.  I saw children, as well as parents pushing their babies around in strollers.  

The pizza in the Lido buffet tasted like cardboard.  Norwegian must improve their pizza recipe.  It's like this on all their ships that I've cruised on so far.

The soft ice cream machine on Lido deck should be available 24/7.  They shut it down when the buffet closes at night.  What if you want a late night ice cream snack?  You're screwed if you're not there by 9:30pm.

NCL should have a late night snack time.  Desserts, ice cream, coffee, etc.  Sometimes, you're just too full to eat dessert after dinner and need to digest a bit. 

Tea Time was NEVER advertised in the Freestyle Daily.  I had to ask a crew member about it and they told me it's at Lido.  What a disappointment!  It's mixed in with the lunch buffet.   A few sandwiches and 2 cake selections.  Nothing special.

I don't drink, but I never saw enough bartenders.  Always long lines for people to order a drink at the bar.

I never saw my room steward during the entire 5 day cruise.  The only time I saw him was on disembarkation day.  He was hanging around in the hallway waiting for us to leave. I still don't know his name.

Disembarkation needs improvement.  NCL needs to have cruise members walk up and down the line of passengers checking their luggage tags to ensure they are not lining up too early.  There were too many people in the line that weren't supposed to be there and it just delayed us getting off the ship.

If you need to go to guest services, it's very difficult to hear them.  This ship has most of their activities in the Atrium, where guest services, Cruise Next and shore excursion desk are all located.  These activities include game shows, music trivia, etc.  It gets very loud in there with the music and the large crowd makes is very difficult to walk through that area.  They need to move these activities to the theater.  The guest services personnel told me they can't stand having these activities in the Atrium.

Lastly, be careful ordering anything pre-cruise.  I made the mistake of ordering the Vibe Beach Club pre-cruise (Cost $398).  When we arrived on the ship on the 1st day to check it out, it wasn't anything special and wasn't what I expected.  I promptly went down to guest services and they told me they would cancel it.  The next day, they called me in my room and told me that they could have canceled it if I had booked onboard.  Since I pre-paid it, I'd have to open a case with customer service.  Customer Service refused to refund my money.  They said I had to cancel it 24 hours prior to boarding.  After back and forth emails, they agreed to credit me $100pp OBC for a future cruise within the next 12 months.  I'm still out the remaining $198.

Mini Escape review and Norwegian really appreciates the military and vets!

1) No drinking water provided, force you to buy their extra expensive sparkling water, spring water and alkaline water. They don't allow you to bring water or any drinks back to the  shop when you go on store.

2) the room has stinky drainage smell, our bathroom drainage was a little clogged and drained very slowly. On the last day of the cruise, when all rooms were opened for cleaning, a strong bad drainage smell filled the hallway.

3) beware of their FREE things offered. The FREE things are not actually free, free unlimited drinks will charge you 20% gratitude which is about $300, if you don't drink much, better don't take this so-called FREE option. And this is not including coffee and other juices, you have to buy another drink package for specialty coffee. 

The FREE specialty dinning, you also need to paid upfront 20% gratitude. When you order something like lobster tail, you have to pay extra $25. 

4) the FREE 75 minutes Internet is a joke, you have to use the Internet minutes even for checking their own NCL app. I login and start using their Internet, for only 15 minutes, I tried to logout, but their logout button is off, meaning I couldn't logout, so I turned off the wifi, disconnected the NCL from my phone's wifi. Next day when I tried to login, it said I used up all my minutes. Same thing happened to my partner. Force you to buy more Internet minutes. 

5) the "king" size bed is combined by two twins, not like other cruises, that there should be a bed connector in between, so that no edges are sticking out in the middle of the bed.

6) The elevator is another failure, for such one of the largest cruise in the world, there are only two elevators locations, one at aft, one at middle, each location has 8 relatively small elevators. Not like other cruises, when the elevator is full, it only stops on requested floor. No, it stopped every single floor! That means, the elevator is slow and cannot pick up more people because it's already full. A super stupid design.

7) on the last day of the cruise, they charged $20 per person, which is $40 a day, Total $240 for 6 days. I suppose this is service charge or something. 

8) restaurants are packed and tables are too closed to each others. At the end of the trip, half of the passengers were coughing and sneezing. 

I definitely will not choose Norwegian cruise lines anymore!

The worst cruise experience ever

This was my 3rd cruise with NCL.  I decided to take advantage of a last minute deal for a much needed solo break.  

Overall, the cruise was in line with my expectations and what I experienced on previous sailings with NCL.  

I got a basic inside cabin on the 12th floor.  The decor is a bit dated but the cabin was quiet, comfortable and spacious enough for me.  The steward Christian was friendly and checking in with me daily to ensure I had everything I needed.

I wasn't expecting warm weather sailing to Bermuda in November so I had purchased a thermal spa pass for the week in advance.  This made the experience very relaxing and enjoyable.  We did end up having one nice warm and sunny day on our second day in Bermuda so that was a bonus :-)

I am not sure what families with kids did on days when the weather was too cold and windy to be outside.  There were insufficient indoor spaces for groups and families to hang out together.  I really missed the large indoor lounge space we had on the Norwegian Encore on our last family cruise where we could play board games or read a book while overlooking the ocean.

Food was delicious but the Garden Café (main buffet) was a zoo, always noisy, crowded and chaotic. This created a stressful experience at mealtime.

The Choir of Man show was amazing! I also enjoyed walking around the Boardwalk on deck 8 when weather permitted.

The staff on board was always helpful and friendly.  I don't think this was a full cruise, so I was able to do pretty much everything without wait time or reservations needed, which is what I consider true "freestyle" cruising.

Overall, this was a good relaxing experience for me but I was glad it was a solo cruise and didn't have kids with me.

Last minute solo cruise

This was my second time on the Escape this year and I noticed many improvements and a few minor disappointments. We did the Caribbean cruise in February and although fun, the ship was packed with many, many pool chair hogs and loud drunks. The staff was friendly then but on this recent cruise, which was an older quieter crowd, the staff was downright gleeful. I heard singing, whistling and so many pleasant greetings. Embarkation and debarkation went very smooth, food was wonderful and the entertainment was pleasant. We visited the Supper Club twice for the Company of Men show and The Rat Pack show. Both were good but it would be nice if they would change up the menu for the guests that go more than once on their weekly cruise. The menu is always chicken parm, salad and carrot cake. No rolls this time but there was a roll plate and a butter knife. I did four excursions and was grateful for the $50 discount. Post-Covid, excursions fill up fast so it is wise to purchase them ahead of time. There weren’t many left by cruise day. We enjoyed hiding and searching for little ducks and my granddaughter made a killing. She loved the Splash Academy on deck five and my daughter said the kids would cry when it was time to leave. We celebrated two family birthdays on this cruise and NCL really made the birthday people feel special. No, the whole cruise ship did NOT smell like smoke. Just a little bit while passing through the casino. No, it is NOT impossible to get a show reservation (the standby people almost always get in). No the Garden Buffet is NOT always packed, just go earlier. No the guest services line is NOT always long, just keep an eye on it and maybe go earlier. When we did this ship in February there was a lot of Mediterranean food at the buffet but this time there was not and that was disappointing. However on Saturday at lunch time there was an amazing taco bar in the Garden Cafe. I regret that I was able to stuff my face with only one taco! There was also a surprise rainbow on a day when the sea was rough. It seemed like it was right next to the ship. I’m at a point in life where I’m sticking with NCL because it’s comfortable and I know where everything is. A tip for new cruisers - consider packing some Bonine motion sickness pills just in case things get rough. I took them everyday and did fine but on the one crazy ocean day my family members, who didn’t take Bonine, really struggled. Have fun on your next cruise and try to see the best of this wonderful ship.

Another great cruise on the Escape

Hi All,

This was our first NCL cruise and choose it because of the itinerary.  

Everything went as expected wrt ports and ship excursions were of a high quality (possibly a bit chaotic on the pier especially in Halifax but as it was hailing this could be expected - would have liked NCL to advise passengers before disembarking as many would have waited rather than clogging the terminal to standing room only.

The tips of booking excursions and shows prior to boarding was excellent and really helped.  The wall monitors were working and some were using these but others lined up at the Box Office for the shows.

For newbies once on board they will send you directly to your 'Lifeboat Station' to get your card scanned but then you are free to roam (your rooms will not be available and they will announce when different levels are available).

The hot tubs on same level as the Vibe (2 of them) were available to use all cruise except the last sea day (?) but did not have the 'spa bubble function' working - still very private and we didn't have to share - one the bars was nearby so great for drinks.  

The tip of asking for robes worked a treat as well.

Enjoyed the food at Savour & Taste but Taste had poorer service - did not eat in Manhattan Room,  Check out the Observation lounge (for a very late breakfast or just nice front of ship view).

My tip is to bring your own soap, shampoo and conditioner as we did not find them that good (actually purchase cake soap in Portland from a supermarket).

Did not see our room steward until day 3 but the room did get done daily.

The Super Club menu was fixed and okish but the Rat Pack Music was good.  

Choir of Man as excellent but my tip even with booking arrive early for best seats and at the start they invite you onto the stage if you wish to have a 'beer' with them so sit in the front rows and near aisles if you want to do this.

The room was good (simple internal cabin) which was brilliant for accessing everything - especially when going off ship as mostly left level 4 forward. Only 1 level below atrium and was very quiet - would stay here again.

Aussies first NCL cruise - met expectations & thanks for the pre-travel tips

We just finished the Norwegian Escape this week. We were very disappointed overall. We usually cruise with Royal Caribbean and thought they would be comparable. We did not find that to be the case at all. 

Let’s start with the positives. The cruise itinerary was pretty phenomenal. We loved 4 out of the 5 stops we made. 

Newport Rhode Island was a darling and phenomenal stop. We would love to go back. 

Portland Maine was also beautiful, specifically the Portland Head Light

Arcadia National Park was phenomenal and the fall colors in full bloom. 

Peggy’s cove in Halifax was a darling fishing village with a beautiful lighthouse.

We didn’t do any of the cruise line excursions so can’t speak to those, but ours were cheaper and we had a blast. 

The bathrooms on the escape in your individual bathrooms are much bigger than our experiences in other cruise lines. 

The food was comparable to Royal Caribbean in caliber but definitely not in variety. 

The food on Norwegian was pretty good but there is absolutely no variety. After Day 3 we were pretty sick of the food. All three included sit down restaurants have the exact same menu. The only option for late night dining had the exact same menu every night. This ship is full of pay extra restaurants and bars that are not included in your package. We didn’t appreciate such a large portion of the trip being dedicated to Norwegian making more money. We had a credit and ate at the Food Republic. It was a decent restaurant but nothing blew us away. 

The biggest disappointment was the service. No one seemed to be well cared for or enjoyed their job. Gratuity is mandatory so we met very few people who went above and beyond. It felt like we were being served by robots. No one was rude, but it was rare to find someone who was warm and friendly. No towel animals. Just do their job with a minimal smile. 3/10 here

Entertainment was pitiful. Absolutely nothing to report here. The one show they had was cancelled on the last day of sailing due to high wind and waves. This is very common according to one of the crew members. There was just nothing really offered and no thought went into this. Let’s have an outdoor movie outside with no lawn chairs out, no blankets, no way to actually relax and enjoy it. I can’t say enough how disappointing the entertainment was. This is a boat of 4,000 and lounge singer style entertainment is all it had. 0/10 here. 

Overall…phenomenal itinerary. The only things we enjoyed on the cruise had nothing to do with Norwegian. The elevators were running pretty well for this size boat. Our tender days were a nightmare. Customer service from guest services was non existent. They had so many areas on the ship underutilized. 2 ping pong tables with limited hours for 4,000 people.  Nothing was available. It was such a disappointment overall. Our family is a one and done with Norwegian. We will not make a future investment.

Disappointing Cruise

Previous sailing on NCL traveled exclusively on NCL for decades . This was last terrible 

Cut out cabin service and had no working toilet for hours. Reservations for speciality dining impossible to get. Lines to speak with anyone at desk long. Entertainment fair. The staff is wonderful but corporate has made so many cuts in past perks and buffet choices that it’s not the NCL I traveled for decades .

Tours were excellent but tender days difficult

And now reservation for tenders which is ridiculous . 

Embarking good and disembarking excellent . 

Cleaning leaves much to be desired especially during Covid in cabins and halls and in area like railings and elevator. Lots of coughing and sold out meds in gift shop 

Gift shops are either very expensive or filled with stuff that’s uninteresting so shop at ports .luggage tags and information including g billing no longer left in cabin.sry to leave NCL but corporate cut backs ruined a great line

So disappointed 

I chose this cruise for the itinerary and dates of travel. Ports of call were all wonderful, we the exception of St John, NB.  No excursion is required in any of the ports (except St John) if you’re willing to walk a bit, or navigate public transport. St John doesn’t have a much to offer after a quick wander and visit tot he old market.  Might be worth an excursion to Hopewell Rocks…  

Escape - I never felt overwhelmed by the crowds, even though it is a larger ship. Staff were friendly, and efficient in their service, we the exception being the main dining rooms. For any meals (B,L, or D) the wait staffed seemed over taxed with too many tables, and they never were able or willing to provide follow-up service. Once a dish was placed, it was rare to get a check-in, and generally I waited for dishes to be cleared between courses. When I found an exception to the norm, I requested that server and was accommodated in their section with minimal extra wait.  

The food was bland, and overall lacked any wow factor. The exception was a dish here, or there in the main dining room.  The Mexican Chocolate cake stood out as a higher quality dessert. Only experienced two speciality dining, Moderno Churrascaria, and Food Republic. I highly recommend the Poke Nachos at food republic.  Sushi was good too, with friendly waitstaff.

Entertainment was average.  The singers were sufficient, but never stood out. Smaller venues were always filled and difficult to get into, but worth it if you did get a seat. 

Bar staff were excellent at most venues, Skyline, Mixx, and Sugarcane staff did a great job.  The mojitos were very good, except when they were slammed, they got sloppy and made them with less care.  Wine tastings were offered multiple times and well done.  Head steward was informative and fun.  

Embarkation and disembarkation were well organized, and efficient for a large ship and busy terminal.

Good for a single - despite not being a part of majority demographic onboard

We recently embarked on a 7-night Canada & New England cruise on the NCL Escape, departing from New York City on October 15, 2023. We had read some negative reviews prior to our trip, which left us with apprehensions, but I'm thrilled to share that our experience was nothing short of exceptional. I promised myself I would write a detailed and positive review for those like me, looking for updated info... I'm including port reviews.  Hope this helps perfect your trip!

Dining:

Our dining journey on the NCL Escape offered a mix of delightful surprises and a few challenges. I personally had limited breakfast options due to my preferences, but the accommodating dining staff made sure we had options that suited our taste, such as a customized order at the Irish pub.

One standout experience was our visit to the specialty restaurant, Teppanyaki, where my husband and I received complimentary entry. However, when it came to our kids, we had two choices: an expensive hibachi menu or a complimentary basic dining room menu. Our 12-year-old loved the pizza, but the chicken tenders were too spicy for our children's liking, and the mac and cheese fell short. Though we opted for the complimentary menu, they generously served our kids with specialty appetizers and extra grill items, making it an even more memorable experience

The buffet had a mix of hits and misses, but we enjoyed the Indian, Jamaican, and Asian options. The carving station was hit or miss oftentimes being slightly tough or over cooked for our liking. Seating was a bit tricky during rush hour.

We didn't explore other specialty dining venues, and we only dined in the main dining room once. Room service was convenient and satisfying, though it came with a $10 service charge for each order. We did discover a hidden a la cart sweet spot which served cupcakes, gelato, chocolates and macaroons (we wish we found this sooner).

Embarkation:

Our embarkation experience was a major concern due to negative reviews about tendering, but our experience on the NCL Escape was smooth and organized. We encourage promptly reserving tender times (when available), through in-room TV or onboard touch screens as they fill up quickly.

Tendering in Newport, Rhode Island, and Bar Harbor, Maine, was efficient, with only a minor delay due to morning fog in Bar Harbor. Returning to the ship also involved reasonable waits, and the crew's thoughtful touches made it comfortable such as the handing out of warm hand towels and hot cocoa while waiting to board. Even with long lines the process was not awful.

Despite reading complaints about the New York City port, we found the process hassle-free even with children in tow, especially when checking bags on arrival. Expect a bit of a crowd when retrieving checked bags during disembarkation. Overall, embarkation and disembarkation were well-managed and stress-free.

Entertainment:

Entertainment on the NCL Escape was a highlight, but be sure to book your show spots early, as they tend to fill up before embarkation. We did encounter a show cancellation due to windy conditions, but it didn't put a damper on our evening as we found other ways to enjoy ourselves.

We didn't participate in activities like trivia, but we did engage in the soccer kick-off and basketball shootouts. Our kids had a blast with the included ropes course, complete with a zipline. Unfortunately, our very tall 5-year-old was too tall for the toddler course leading her to try the full course; here she had a slight hiccup as she didn't have enough body weight to make it from start to finish on the zipline, causing a brief moment of anxiety. However, the staff was swift in assisting her, and that was the only hiccup we encountered with the ropes course.

The ship also offered a range of enjoyable activities, including mini golf, bocce ball, a giant chessboard, and even shuffleboard. While the pools were heated, the chilly weather kept us from braving the water slides and splash pad, even though some adventurous souls did take the plunge.

One unexpected disappointment was that Spice H2O wasn't as operational as expected and was, unfortunately, designated as one of the three quiet spots on board.

Our favorite spots for entertainment included the Irish pub and Syd Norman's. For the latter, make sure to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour before the show starts to secure a good spot.

For sports enthusiasts, it's essential to manage your expectations. The staff has limited control over the games that are streamed, and we missed some of the NY Rangers games. While we didn't explore the game room, we enjoyed the games in the Irish pub, which were both fun and reasonably priced.

Family and Kids Club Review (enhanced):

The family-friendly atmosphere on the NCL Escape was truly exceptional. The kids' programs and activities exceeded our expectations, and our daughters had a fantastic time, making new friends during engaging and age-appropriate events.

Since there weren't many children on board, both of our girls were able to stay together in the Kids Club, which they absolutely loved. However, it's worth noting that during port days or tendering, the club operated from 7 pm to 11 pm, which could be a bit frustrating when we would have preferred an earlier start. On sea days, they extended their hours to 9 am - 12 pm, 2 pm - 4 pm, and 7 pm - 11 pm. While we would have appreciated an even more robust schedule, we made the most of the available time, and our girls even requested to stay late.

For an additional $5 per child per hour, they offered extra activities between 11 pm and 1 am, such as a glow party and beaded crafts, which proved to be worth the extra cost.

One noteworthy point is that the Kids Club implemented a unique system - they wanted to know our exact location at all times, allowing them to contact us in case of issues or emergencies. This was different from previous experiences where the Kids Club provided each parent with a cell phone or beeper. Keeping your location updated ensured that they had a way to reach you if needed.

We had the adult beverage package, which technically did not include the kids. According to the rules, our girls should have only had options for juice or water at the buffet. However, with a few small tips to our favorite bartenders, our girls had the freedom to order any drinks they wanted, from virgin piña coladas to soda and juice at the bars. Additionally, having a casino card allowed me to receive free containerized water in the casino, and the Irish pub honored my card. Tipping certainly played a role, as it helped prioritize our service and ensured we had a seamless experience.

Rubber Duck Cruise Exchange Experience:

One delightful and unique aspect of our cruise on the NCL Escape was the Rubber Duck Cruise Exchange. This fun and interactive activity added an extra layer of enjoyment to our voyage. Since we embarked on our cruise in October, we decided to participate in this quirky tradition by purchasing Halloween-themed rubber ducks.

The premise is simple but entertaining: passengers bring their own rubber ducks, often themed to match the season or occasion, and hide them throughout the ship for others to find. In return, you get to discover ducks left by fellow passengers. It's a charming and often unexpected surprise to stumble upon these little quackers in various nooks and crannies.

The kids and I had a blast participating in the Rubber Duck Cruise Exchange. We loved hiding our Halloween ducks in creative spots, and it was a thrill to uncover ducks left by other passengers. What made it even more enjoyable was the fact that we encountered numerous fellow cruisers who were equally engaged in this activity.

Service:

The heart of our extraordinary experience was the exceptional service provided by the staff. Contrary to our concerns, we did not encounter any overworked or stressed-out employees. Every member of the crew was genuinely welcoming and friendly, going above and beyond to make our vacation special.

In terms of value for money, this cruise was worth every penny. The memories we created as a family are priceless, and the overall experience far exceeded our expectations.

**Port Reviews:**

**Newport, Rhode Island:**

Newport, a tender port, requires some planning. Make sure to book your tender spot in advance, especially if you have a planned excursion. These spots fill up quickly, but they do have a specific waiting area for those with scheduled plans. We took the free trolley (which is actually a bus) from a short walk away from the tender pier. The bus conveniently dropped us off at the famous "40 Steps" on the Cliff Walk. The driver also acted as a tour guide, letting everyone know what is at each stop and what to see out the windows. We chose the 40 steps because we were traveling with small kids who preferred shorter walks. From there, it was about a one-mile stroll to the Breakers Mansion. We opted to visit only this one mansion, which was absolutely gorgeous. On the way back, we took the free trolley and got off a stop early to explore the shops then stumbled upon a cute pumpkin patch for some memorable photo ops.

**Portland, Maine:**

In Portland, we decided to stay local as there was plenty to see in the town. We dined at Gilbert's Chowder House, a highly-rated lunch spot (go early to avoid the crowds). Everything on the table was perfect. We savored the lobster BLT & chicken corn chowder. Don't forget the NE lobster rolls are prepared cold with mayo and not warm with butter. After lunch, we enjoyed ice cream at Coastal Creamery, just a few blocks away.

**Bar Harbor, Maine:**

Bar Harbor, our second tender stop, turned out to be much prettier than Portland. The town boasts its shoreline as a "museum in the streets." We enjoyed a leisurely walk along the water but didn't have a chance to explore Acadia National Park or the sand bar to Bar Harbor as planned. We dined at Side Street Café and indulged in the Lost Lobster, featuring butter-poached lobster atop smashed potatoes, corn pudding, and veggies – it was worth every penny! The kids enjoyed burgers and grilled cheese, and we couldn't get enough of the Bar Harbor's Best Bloody. A favorite for the girls was the air dry clay given out for the children (we asked for more colors and were given 4 packs).

**Saint John, New Brunswick:**

This port was a bit on the quieter side for us. After exploring some shops and an empty "shopping mall," we decided to find a playground near the port to let the kids expend some energy. The highlight of this stop was the "dollar" store in the mall, which was quite crowded, but we found all the Canadian souvenirs we desired, including maple leaf cookies  syrup, and stuffed animals. The park turned out to be a perfect place for our kids to meet up with some children from our cruise, learn some local history from a resident, and have an absolute blast.

**Halifax, Nova Scotia:**

Halifax was our favorite port. Instead of going to Peggy's Cove and the lighthouse, which involved a long drive, we chose to explore the local attractions. We took a $15 taxi ride to the American Museum of Natural History. Despite some reviews mentioning the museum's small size, we found it quite enjoyable for $17 (for the full family). The self-guided scavenger hunts added excitement for the kids, and our 5-year-old had a blast at the sand table. Just a block away from the museum, the gorgeous Public Gardens offered numerous photo opportunities and a chance for the kids to roll down the hills. The Public Gardens were also conveniently located just two blocks from the famous Citadel Fort. After a quick snack at the Citadel, we ventured through the fort, met the guards, watched an air gun shooting display, and did some gift shopping in their cute shop. We then walked two blocks down to the boardwalk, our most favorite spot. Along the way, we enjoyed live music, the famous whale tale, and the pirate ship playground. We didn't try the Beaver Tail treats, but they were highly recommended. At the Bicycle Thief restaurant on the boardwalk, we savored local draft beer, gnocchi, and short rib. Although they had no kids menu, our waitress was incredibly accommodating, preparing rigatoni with red sauce and garlic bread not listed on the menu. Though the sauce was a bit spicy for our girls, they enjoyed off-the-menu options like chicken tenders and grilled cheese. The visit was worth it, and we could even see our ship from the restaurant. We took our food back on board to enjoy it as a snack later in the day.

Contradicting Expectations: A Perfect Family Escape on NCL - October 15, 2023

We are a retired couple and this was our 7th cruise with NCL. Making this cruise our 21st.   We had an inside cabin.   We hadn’t cruised since 2014 on NCL.  

We live in New York State so we thought it would be a great starting port.  We flew into JFK the day of the cruise.  Arrived with no issues at 7:00AM.  We bought transfers because I thought it would be a safer way to the port.  Unfortunately, I did not read the fine print about the times for transfers.  We were met by an NCL rep at 8:30AM.  She informed me that the bus would arrive at 11:00. Sure wish I knew ahead of time that it would be a 4 hour wait to catch the bus.  We boarded the bus at 11:00 and the bus stopped at several other hubs.  We did not arrive to the cruise port till 2:30PM.  Apparently there was a parade going on which caused several streets to be closed off making it very trying for the bus driver to get over to the port. 

I had made a reservation for arriving to the port at 9:30-10:00.  Since we didn’t arrive to the port till 2:30, we were to late for dining reservations to have any availability.   We had lunch at O’Sheehans. 

Went to check in at our muster station and then we heard an announcement saying our cabins were ready.  The sail away was awesome!  Sailing past the Statue of Liberty was amazing!  She is my favorite! Then under the bridge. So crazy the boat is not too high to fit under.  

We ate dinner every night at either Savor, Taste or the Manhattan.  We had a great week and it went by way to fast.  We enjoyed all the ports.  We have been to all of them several times.  We absolutely LOVED The Choir of Men.  We wished we had seen them more than once.  

The ship was great!  The crew was great!  They all work so hard! The weather was in the 50’s during the day and 40’s at night.  Dress in layers.   Loved that there was two decks that were outside for walking. The Waterfront deck was a great place to sit in the sun in the afternoon.  Very comfortable chairs. I used the fitness room every day.  I wish the Thermal spa area wasn’t $299.per person for a 7 day cruise. We always book this but not this time.  Way over priced for us now.  We booked one shore excursion through NCL that was very enjoyable.  It was in Portland, Maine and was a drive to Kennebunkport.  

We also had booked a transfer to the airport that was flawless.  45 minutes total from leaving the boat to the airport. 

We have booked another cruise with NCL on the Star for July 2024 to Iceland.

Cruising is always a great vacation

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