This was our second voyage on the Escape, after one in December over the holidays. The experience is much improved, with many more pro’s than con’s. The lack of entertainment option has largely been fixed, with two very high-quality shows, Brat Pack and After Midnight. Both were flawlessly executed. There are also free minor shows, a hypnosis act that was very entertaining and a comedy show. I did not see the comedy show because a sample was offered in the introductory show that was just not funny. Back in December Norwegian offered the worst comedy show I had ever seen.

Where Escape really shines is with their food and with the spa. Even complimentary meals are pulled off well, with the food almost invariably delicious. I did have one meal that was sub-par but that’s not bad odds. I did not experience the additional pay dining as I do not think that one should have to pay twice for a good meal. Most people who I heard had good things to say about those venues.

The staff was very warm, professional, competent and friendly, almost without exception. There was one occasion when Norwegian booked us and other guests in our line for dinner at 5:00 pm. The hostess robotically told us that dinner was at 5:30. When we asked why they booked us at 5:00 she picked up her laptop at the hostess desk where we were waiting and left without a word. I asked another worker who passed by the same question and he said “dinner is at 5:30.” I followed up with the same question and he said, ask the hostess. More explanation. Then he dashed off to find her and neither of them returned before 5:30 pm! (When they did return, they they simply acted as if the question had never come up). That was the only bad experience but it shows that some staff members think that customer service is an option, or a complete unknown. Read more