Norwegian Escape Review
Rating by category
Additional details
BOOKING: This was a group trip planned almost a year ago. We were a group of 7 of various ages. I booked directly through NCL and booked a studio (solo) cabin to myself. We didn't give a thought to the fact that this might be during spring break. I like the fact that you can pay towards your balance, so I split my bill by the months I had and paid a little each month. Then I paid my gratuities (and air fare). That really took the sting out of paying for vacation! Also, I got the UBP booze package included as well as $75 in OB credit. Prior to leaving, we all downloaded the iConcierge app.
BACKGROUND: I'm 41, but look much younger (which I'll allude to later). I usually get along with anyone and like talking to new people, but I really dislike crowds and foolishness. This was my 4th cruise and 2nd on NCL. Others were RCCL and Princess. We're from New England where snow was still on the ground.
ARRIVAL: We went down a day early mostly to avoid any issues with flights and weather. We pub crawled around FLL and had a great time. I (traveling alone at this point) took the Port shuttle the next day from FLL to the docks for $20. There's some bad reviews on google, but the experience was great. I even called an hour and a half early and asked for a pickup which they did. That means I was THE FIRST PERSON IN LINE to board the ship. First. Period.
Cabin Review
Studio Stateroom
The cabin was awesome. It could easily handle two people. There was a lot of storage and it was efficiently laid out. The toilet was in a little closet and the shower was in a corner of the main room. I think it's common of all cruise ships, but the toilet stunk. Also one of the sliding closet doors was very squeaky. Besides those faults, I loved my place. I liked having my privacy. Though the studio lounge came in handy on some rough mornings when I could go a few doors down and get a tea and pastries. There was never more than 1 person in there when I went. I even ate in there once after bringing a plate down from the buffet.
The TV in the room was a disappointment. Besides the 4 news channels, there was only 1 channel with real TV on it, 1 with Guy Harvey (which was actually great), and 1 with movies of which I watched about 4 of in total- right before or after sleep. I think there was a sports channel too, but sports suck. The rest were ship channels and fairly unwatchable.
PRO TIP: I brought along a gel air freshener. It's nice versus hot boxing your room after the on-board food.
Port Reviews
Miami
FLL shuttle to the port is a great value. The port itself was nice.
Falmouth
I went on shore, visited the shops, bought a bottle of rum, and went back on board in a few minutes. Nothing to see here, move along.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Months prior we rented a cabana on 7 mile from a hotel. We took a taxi there and enjoyed the beach, buckets of beer, great food, and spotty internet. It was great though very crowded, especially with the spring breakers monopolizing the pool.
Nassau
The first night, I went out and was offered weed as soon as I left the gates. Then a block later, I was offered cocaine. The latter of the guys was more pushy. I went to the local brewery and met up with friends. Beer was decent.
The second day I walked solo and far to the gardens/zoo ($16?) and then to the national museum of 3 forts ($5). Both were wonderful and worth the walk and expense. I'm sure you could also take a taxi, but I was trying to kill time. I went to some liquor store and got a beer to drink along the roads. I went through some very sketchy parts but the people were very nice. I got caught up in some save-the-planet march which was actually fun. Then I went to a dive restaurant and had 2 more beers, jerk chicken with rice and peas- By FAR better than anything I had on the ship.
Great Stirrup Cay
CANCELLED due to weather. Which was GREAT because I had zero interest and have been there before. Instead, we went to nassau early and stayed overnight. That was awesome!