First time on NCL and wanted to offer our views for those looking to compare to Royal Caribbean (liberty, allure, rhapsody) and Carnival (Panorama and Breeze). We sailed on the Dec 27-Jan3 NCL Escape leaving from Galveston and visiting Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Roatan and Cozumel with 1 day at sea at the beginning and one at the end.
The predeparture online check-in process was frustrating. They did it now allow you to link the two rooms together, so there was no way for them to know that our kids were on a separate reservation, so we needed to have people from both rooms create logins and go through the check-in process. Because one of our children was under 18, it required consent forms to be signed by the other children for that child, which was weird.
Online reviews said that you needed to book some of the specialty restaurants and shows ahead of time — which were not available. Once they became available around 21 days out, we were only allowed to book 2 people for shows or dinners in our reservation and could only book 3 people in the Kids’ room reservation, so we never knew if we were going to get one table for five people or not until we got onboard. Kind of stressful
I generally try to steer clear of ships that have more than 4000 guests based on our experience on the crowded RCCL Allure. Timing, cost and ports won out and we thought we’d give it a shot. Overall, I was very impressed with the operational side, given how many people were onboard (rumor has it that it was close to 5000 with all of the children). I was afraid that we’d be waiting in long lines for everything, but NCL handled it well.
Overall, I would say that NCL did a fine job, and I would consider going back. However, given the choice between RCL and NCL, I would return to Royal Caribbean first (and, if with the kids, perhaps one of the newer Carnival ships also ahead of NCL).
Booking/Pre-Departure Day - D (below average)
I find that the NCL website made it very difficult to shop for 2 rooms for the 5 of us. (Me+wife and 3 kids 21,18,15).
Seemed like I had to try every permutation on my own and then start all over to see which rooms could accommodate what. I finally gave up and used a travel agent. We ended up on the 14th floor with a balcony room and an inside room across the hall (for the kids).
We were told that they couldn’t really “link the reservations”, so it basically looked like the 3 kids were traveling together in 1 group and my wife and I were together. Not a huge deal, except for booking dinners, shoes, excursions, checking in.
Because we had a minor traveling without parents (as far as they could tell with their sophisticated systems) it would not let their room complete the check-in process, but would also not tell us why we had a problem.
Based on online reviews, I was somewhat stressed about ensuring that we had a reserved time for our specialty dinners and choir of man. For the dinners, I logged in and called repeatedly and finally found some availability. However, since my room only had 2 people, they would only let me reserve dinner for 2 people. Strangely, the room with the 3 kids was able to reserve for larger parties but couldn’t choose a table for 5. The only option was a table for 8, so we ended up reserving for 8. When I called to tell them that we only needed 5, they said that we’d need to take care of it onboard. I generally found the technology and processes to be very frustrating and create undue stress.
We also each received about 8 emails (not exaggerating). asking us to rewatch the muster/safety video again (on YouTube) despite the fact that we couldn’t check in on the app until we watched it the first time.
Boarding (A-Excellent).
Through the check-in process, we ended up with different boarding times for almost everyone. The time didn’t end up mattering and nobody checked. We arrived around 12:15, and kept moving up the line. Luckily, we had edocs for 1 room, which allowed us to print bag tags and have something to show. They said that as long as we had eDocs for 2 that they would let the 5 of us go through. Not sure what would have happened if not. Overall, they kept people moving and had us on the ship pretty quickly. The people in Galveston were friendly and efficient.
First day (B-Very Good)
Just had to show up at muster station for them to scan your room card and ask if we had watched the video. This was fast. People were already in the pool and hanging out deck (but everyone still had whatever bags they carried on).
We went to eat at the buffet and didn’t have to wait more than a few mins to find a table).
Throughout the next 2 hours, they would announce when people on certain decks could go to their rooms. Overall, this seemed very efficient. Went to change our dinner reservations at one of the restaurants and didn’t have to wait more than 5-10 mins to do so. They still seemed to have lots of spots available, but not sure why they didn’t just allow all that to happen online.
Technology/APP/Website/Processes D
Have already discussed pre-departure app and website. Onboard, they were transitioning to the new app. We’re unable to look for rooms close to each other or book everything in one reservation. We were unable to book reservations for shows or dinner for our entire party. APP didn’t allow for messaging each other like on other cruise lines. Internet inconsistent (review of that below). Received 8 emails each asking us to watch safety video, after we had already verified that we watched it.
Internet D
Onboard, they were transitioning to the new app. We had a package that included 150 internet minutes per person. Their set up was confusing enough that there was a long wait at the “Internet cafe” where they helped people configure their phones. We needed to turn off iCloud relay, vpn and something else to get things to work. Most annoying thing compared to others, is that there was no option for messaging with others in your group. They said that the old app had this feature, but the new improved app does not. This created some issues in being able to find each other. Internet access/speed was very inconsistent. Typically, it would take 3-4 of our package minutes to log us in, then the service was sporadic (might take 5 minutes to send/receive a Snapchat). Some iMessages didn’t go through, and some went right away. Sometimes it would take another 2 minutes just to be able to log off the wifi.
Value /usability of Promotions. D
We had a promotion that included 2 specialty meals for the balcony room and 1 meal for only 2 passengers in the kids room. (Total of 6). We ended up only going to 1 specialty for the 5 of us, but we were not allowed to use the unused meals from our room to “pay” for one of the kids meals, so that cost us $75 for the kid specialty meal and we ended up with 2 unused meals.
The package also included a $50 excursion credit for 1 person in each room, but we were not allowed to use it for excursion that we wanted, which was less than $50, so despite technically having $109 in credits, we still had to pay ~$125 for the Placencia ferry for all us.
The package also include buy one get one free flights, but our travel agent said that the flights they typically use could involve long connections or long airport waits and weren’t worthwhile, so we made our own arrangements.
Bathrooms. A
Bathrooms in both rooms were spacious, good water pressure and overall amongst the best in the cruises that we’ve taken. Bathrooms in both the balcony room an inside room were the same.
Balcony rooms A
They have lots of balcony rooms and they were vary spacious. Lots of drawers and cabinet closet space for our stuff.
Interior rooms C-
We don’t expect much with the interior rooms, although if you get an interior room on RCCL overlooking the promenade, it doesn’t feel as small. However, in this case, the room was very tight, but the biggest issue is the lack of closet/cabinet/drawer space. Our 3 kids were able to hang a few items, but essentially needed to live out of their suitcases for the week, because there wasn’t anywhere else to put their stuff.
Room Stewards/Process B
The people themselves did a decent job. I think that they work very hard. Not a complaint, but merely an observation, that on RCCL and Disney and Carnival, it seemed like the staff cleaned the rooms when you left in the morning and then again while you were at dinner – without having to ask for it. In our case, they just cleaned the rooms in the morning and there was no turndown or replacement towels. We didn’t care – but just noticed the difference. Also, since there was no turndown, there were no towel animals like on the other cruises. Again, didn’t care, but noted the difference.
Dinner , Food, waiter service (B-)
We only got to breakfast once. We must be the only ones that like to sleep in on our vacations and still eat breakfast, but if breakfast generally ended by 930-10, so we missed it most days.
We at lunch most days at the buffet and decided to try the American Diner one day.
As opposed to most ships, that have a quick place poolside for people to grab some fries, and a burger or a pizza – NCL didn’t offer this. You had to either get a table at the American Diner or make your way to the Buffet. Would have been nice if American Diner was simply a grab and go for the poolside staples.
Also, most of the ships that we’ve taken in the past have a soft-serve ice cream that is accessible close to the pool at almost all times. NCL only had them in the buffet during their open hours.
For dinner, we at Savor, Taste, Manhattan Main dining rooms and did a specialty dinner at Cagneys. The food was not bad in the main dining room (MDR), but it was also nothing special. They had some cruise staples that were on the menu each night, which was probably a good idea. If you want the feel of a quiet, more private restaurant, then Savor and Taste are probably for you. We felt like it lacked atmosphere and attention. If you like the more open feel of a cruise restaurant, then Manhattan seemed more traditional and more open. Not a complaint, but an observation, but since there were no set dinner times for anyone, you also didn’t get the same table or same waiters each night. You also don’t get the waiters performing or engaging. It seemed pretty robotic and I felt that the service was not as good as on other cruise lines, because there was no engagement with the staff. Given how many people were onboard, they were likely also overwhelmed.
Shows/Bingo A
We attended a few of J. Alexanders Magic shows and workshop and enjoyed those (A). As many will tell you, the Choir of Man is awesome (A). We went to Wheel of Fortune (B), Bingo (B), Deal or no Deal, a Canvas by U painting class(A), the Casino, Howl at the Moon (A), Karaoke, the NYE party, the 80s party, used the slides, the ropes course (B), the arcade (B), and some of the atrium game show/competitions. The prizes at Wheel of Fortune don’t seem to justify paying for a card, but it was fun to watch those that got on stage. The energy at bingo was very dependent on who was running it. One of the times, it just seemed like waiting for an automated system to call numbers -with no energy at all. Howl at the Moon was lots of fun. Karaoke was very dependent on who was singing. Other than the NYE parties, which were held in 4-5 different locations, the parties on the other nights just seemed buried in the back of the ship and you really needed to make a point to look to see what was happening.
Kids Afterhours B
My 18,15 year olds mentioned that if they didn’t feel like dancing or listening to music, that there really wasn’t anything else to do after 10P. Pretty much everything (golf, ropes course, slides,) other than the arcade, was closed by 10p. The kids clubs were overwhelmed the first night and most anyone will tell you that if you don’t go on the first night, that it’s almost not worth going later because it’s hard to make friends.
Gym B+
For a cruise shape and the space that they had, this seemed well equipped. 3-4 adjustable benches with dumbbells, barbells. A smith machine, a chord machine, lat pull down machine, some chest, hip adductor machines and tons of treadmills and bikes. They had 2 rowing machines and 0 Stairmasters. I found 1 foam roller. They also had a room with bikes that were not in use other than for a class and I never saw a class in there – seemed like maybe wasted space and equipment. The first day at sea was crazy busy, as were some mornings – but a few days in, you could usually get what you needed without waiting too long.
Walking/Running track F
This was a terrible design. Most ships will have a track off the beaten path on 4th or 5th floor. On this ship, the track was in a heavily trafficked part that was usually blocked by people waiting in line to check into the American Diner, that had deck chairs or that had people going to/from the pool. It was also a small track that required about 20 laps to complete 1 km. Probably better to go to deck 7 or 8 and run back and forth (since you can’t loop).
Casino B-
Wide range of tables and games and machines. Seemed like they chose our cruise to train the dealers at the Craps tables. For any of you who play, you know that sometimes the table gets in a groove, gets some energy and that’s what makes it fun. For 2-3 of the nights that we went, the dealers were very slow at placing the bets and it would often take 4-5 minutes in between dice rolls.
Ports/Excursions C
Costa Maya Mexico (pretty much just a cruise port with nothing to do nearby). You’ll get to say that you went to Mexico at the Cozumel stop, so I would suggest staying on board.
Harvest Caye Belize – This is pretty much a private NCL area. However, as opposed to every other cruise line’s private island, where you can use whatever packages you’ve bought onboard (unlimited food, drink packages, etc.), NCL did not set this up in the same manner, so you have to pay for food and drinks. The pool area is magnificent and free (however NCL didn’t think to let you check out or trade towels by the pool), so you must have them with you. We did a small excursion first and didn’t want to hassle with towels, so when we got back to the pool, we didn’t have towels. We took a ferry to Placencia to experience more traditional Belize. However, NCL sold us tickets for a 1030 ferry, that really was the 11a ferry, that didn’t actually leave until 1130 – so we wasted lots of time. I also didn’t find the trip to Placencia to be worthwhile and wish that we had just stayed pool side at Harvest Caye. Our breakfast meal at Brisa's Tapas Deli-si-o-so was delicious. It was about 12 noon, but they still made us some stuffed jacks that were the highlight of our Belize visit. Not much other ambiance, since we were the only ones there.
Roatan Honduras – We did the King Kong Ziplines and Monkey/Sloth experience. For this one, there is no point in booking anything via the cruise line. If you walk out of the port and make a left, walk about 4 minutes, you get to the King Kong Ziplines. The monkey sloth experience is attached to it. If you see any bundles that also include a rum factory or chocolate factory tour, then when you are done, they will drive you 10-15 minutes away from the cruise dock to a store where you can buy chocolate, then another 5 minutes to a store where you can buy rum. In retrospect, I would have just walked to the ziplines and back. The guys running the ziplines (Howard and Marvin) for us were great. We got there about 930, were done with ziplines by 1130 and done with zoo by 1215 after holding the sloths and letting monkeys crawl on us.
Cozumel – This was our most disappointing visit to Cozumel. We used to stop here on a cruise, take a taxi to beach for $30, eat a good meal and then return a few hours later. All of the beaches that are close to the port are now beach clubs that charge at least $20 per person to enter. We had 5 people, so our taxi was $60 each way (these rates are all posted at the official taxi stand), our beach entry fee was $100. So we were in for $220 without any food or drinks. We usually go to Playa Palancar (which used to be free to enter), but we were told that they were closed (Jan 1). Not sure if true, but we settled for Palm Beach/Punta Francesa. The service was very slow and the food was mediocre. Not your authentic Mexican food experience. They had hundreds of visitors there, but only 1 toilet for men and 2 for women, with no toilet paper. I would definitely not recommend a return visit.