Introduction: A 14-Day Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian Escape

• Introduction: A 14 Day Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian Escape
• Delta Air Lines Premium Select Experience (Premium Economy) – What has Changed?
• High Risk – I Flew to my 14 Day Cruise Departure City on Embarkation Day!
• Using Caesars Discount Plus Amex Offers and More to Lower the Cost of Cruising Norwegian
• Starlink Internet Performance on Norwegian Cruise Lines Escape Review
• Bidding for Haven and Suite Upgrades With Norwegian Cruise Lines is no Longer Cheap
• What is the Weather Like on Transatlantic Cruises. Will you get Seasick?
• Comparing the Norwegian NCL Vibe Beach Club to Spice H20 Experience
• The Impact of Time Change on Transatlantic Cruise Crossings – The good and the bad
• Family Balcony Cabin 15862 On Norwegian NCL Escape Review
• What to Expect from the free Main Dining on Norwegian Escape
• Comparing the old Norwegian NCL Cruise App to the New App – What has Changed
• Entertainment on the Norwegian NCL Escape – Choir of Man is a Must See
• Final Thoughts on another NCL Atlantic Crossing

I am just back after another simply amazing Atlantic crossing at sea. As you can see from the above I have a lot of topics to cover from this latest adventure but I thought I would give you a quick overview of what to expect.

This cruise was not booked a long way out. In fact is was, in cruise booking terms, a rather spur of the moment last-ish minute choice because I learned a number of friends I know would be onboard this ship and I really wanted to see them and I never turn down a crossing if I have the opportunity to take one.

If you are keeping track then this was my second Atlantic crossing for 2024 as I also took a “free” Carnival cruise this past April from Barcelona as well. I will say being back onboard NCL was such a breath of fresh air after my disastrous first (and likely only ever) MSC sailing in January and gosh the overall feel on NCL is so much better than Carnival to me and my wife.

While I always try to fly out of my hometown airport SBN or South Bend International I chose ORD or O’Hare this time and it just worked better because I was able to find cheap, at least cheap in Delta points land, premium economy (called Premium Select) seats for just 74,800 miles each plus $5.60 in fees. I was really curious what the current state of the seat and the experience would be like since the last time I flew the seat on the inaugural premium economy flight in 2017. So we rented a cheap one-way car for just $68 from Enterprise and overnighted at the Avid ORD (right around the corner from rental return), thanks to a free night benefit from one of our IHG cards.

I also risked it big time on this trip but due to obligations I could not change I simply had to fly in the same day the ship departed. How did things go? Did my luggage make it? Did I have to fly to the next port because the ship left without me? We shall see just what happened!

I love stacking deals to max out value but I have to tell you that the once ultra cheap bid-for-upgrades is over. Cruise lines are making more money than ever and it seems folks are flush with cash and ready to spend it. Gosh, I miss the old days but such is the new reality of cruise life.

As just mentioned I did hope for a Haven upgrade (and did not win) but had a sweet balcony already booked and had reserved space on Vibe beach club that can be, at least for me, considered a Haven-lite experience. How much was it and what is it like. Yeah, I cover that and trust me you want Vibe if you book a cruise with many sea days on NCL!

Anyone who does not like main dining room food on NCL has questionable taste IMO. The food onboard is just really good and honestly almost as good as their now expensive upcharge for specialty dining. I will show you the comparison.

NCL has, oh and at long last and about time, upgraded their APP. The old one was a joke compared to the simply outstanding Holland America app they had a very very long way to go. The new one is so much better but has room to grow even more. I compare and used both the old and the new on the crossing.

Many folks would not even consider an Atlantic crossing because they are afraid they will get sea sick on such a sailing. Just what is the weather like? Are you likely to get sea sick? What about getting bored with so many days at sea? I share the facts in this series of posts coming up.

One of the things I love love love about NCL is the entertainment onboard. Unlike MSC that has 20-30 minute shows (that are bad on top of that) NCL has block buster shows. If you have not seen The Choir of Man – you have been missing out big-time. But there were some odd disappointments this sailing and I, as always, am totally honest what was really bad this time.

Another issue with Atlantic crossing is the time change. Changing your clock ever other day can really mess with you. There are also, clearly, big differences with West-to-East vs. East-to-West. I will share what you should expect from both.

Bottom line this was one of the best crossings I have ever taken and that is saying a lot. Not THE best but a very solid memorable one that I would take again in a heartbeat. I hope you follow along over the coming weeks and see if you find that booking an Atlantic cruise crossing is right for you as well! – René