We sailed on NCL Escape for 14 nights beginning November 25, 2018. I'll start by saying we aren't a fan of these bigger ships. I don't like that there isn't a promenade deck to walk all the way around. The "jogging" track is a joke (very short: 8 laps for a km) and isn't even open for the most part during the day.

With the casino in the middle of the ship in an area open one floor above and one below, the smell of cigarette smoke was noticeable. I'd hate to be sitting in the "outdoor" area of Le Bistro eating dinner where you'd smell cigarette smoke during your entire meal. The cigar lounge had a number of cigarette smokers in it. My understanding is that is for cigar smokers ONLY. I feel sorry for the cigar smokers that would not have been able to enjoy a cigar there, not to mention those of us sitting outside the cigar lounge in an otherwise nice bar, but the strong waft of the smell of cigarettes was not pleasant.

My other gripe is the lack of bar venues where you could meet with others an have a normal conversation. Nearly everywhere there was live music and it was much too loud. Background music during dinner or in a bar is nice, but blasting amplified music such that you have to shout to be heard is not. That was the experience most everywhere we went. There were times we just left, because it was pointless to try to talk. Read more