We boarded the Escape, aptly named for its escapist allure, and sailed through Europe for a few days, only to remember, even briefly, that sanity exists on the other side of the sea.
These are tough times for Israelis, and many are seeking escapism. This month, we boarded NCL’s Escape, which, true to its name, provides the necessary escapism for the summer.
The ship currently sails through the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, stopping at destinations such as Trieste, Split, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Malta, Naples, Rome, Livorno, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona. It "sews" back and forth across the Mediterranean, whose waters are warmer in summer than the oceans, as are the people living along its shores.
On the Escape, we found many Americans who enjoy this type of vacation, but also several dozen Israelis who came to change the scenery, including a few evacuees from the Hula Valley who decided to take a break from their temporary residence and try to relax by the vast blue sea, watching the Euro games, Wimbledon tennis, and more. This disconnection was quite successful, we must admit.
70,000 Eggs Weekly
The Escape accommodates about 5,000 guests and another 1,700 crew members from 70 countries, though we did not encounter any Israeli crew members. The ship has a captain on one hand and a CEO on the other. The captain is responsible for navigating the ship and ensuring its safety, while the CEO functions like a hotel manager, overseeing the staff, housekeeping, service, food, and more.
On the bridge, on the 15th floor, we met Captain Matko Kanderlic from Croatia, who is responsible for steering this giant vessel. We asked him what is the most intimidating part of piloting a ship the size of a giant canyon. "Weather is the main challenge for the captain," Matko replied. But how does the ship maneuver at a speed of about 35 km/h without "colliding" with a small sailboat or fishing boat? We pressed. Matko added that, in addition to radar and GPS, there are human eyes that spot smaller vessels. Indeed, during our brief time on the bridge, crew members stood by the windows, looking out to ensure there were no boats or other threats that could pose a nuisance to the Escape.
Five engines propel this enormous ship, which weighs 170,000 tons and stretches 350 meters wide and 18 stories high. It has a helipad for medical evacuations and three doctors "on board," in addition to nurses. The quantities of food it holds are simply staggering. For example, each week, the ship uses 70,000 eggs, 5,000 liters of ice cream, 20,000 kg of vegetables, 20,000 kg of fruit, 11,300 kg of beef, and 4,000 kg of fish. Yes, each week!
Food Republic
All this food is served in a spacious buffet on Deck 16, featuring various food stations, as well as in numerous concept restaurants on the ship—like Cagney's, a fantastic American steakhouse serving filet mignon, or Food Republic, offering Asian cuisine; "La Cucina," the Italian restaurant with excellent risotto and tiramisu; Pincho, a Mexican tapas bar; and a French restaurant called La Bistro, which we weren’t fond of, possibly because it’s situated not far above the engine room.
These restaurants are, of course, separate and require reservations, allowing you to choose à la carte. Additionally, there are free restaurants like Oceans Bar and Grill, an American diner serving burgers (including vegetarian), omelets, and other American favorites. "Manhattan Room" is also good and free, with friendly waitstaff.
Overall, the staff is very attentive and courteous, and there’s a feeling of familiarity, as most crew members are Filipinos. They are polite, speak good English, and many are familiar with Israel, having friends who have worked or are working there, making for pleasant conversations.
You can burn off the food you’ve indulged in at the gym with the most beautiful view or relax in the excellent spa area, which includes hot pools, a salt room, various treatments, and even a salon for trimming or tidying up. The spa, which incurs an additional charge, is for adults only and is a great way to spend half a day, especially on a day when the ship is not docked at any port.
Bring Dollars, Even Though You’re in Europe
In terms of activities, the Escape is packed with options, and even after a month of sailing, you might not get to experience them all. From bingo and trivia games to art workshops, dance classes, health lectures, weight loss seminars, and acupuncture, there is something for everyone. This is in addition to the sports courts on the top deck, the pool (which is always quite small on these ships), and a children’s water park with slides and a pretty cool and colorful area, unlike NCL’s newest ship, the Viva, which has only one water slide.
The evening is also filled with "a lot to do." For example, there are performances and musicals at the Escape theater that could rival those at Habima. This summer, you can watch a show about the band ABBA, held twice daily at 18:00 and 20:30. There are also live music performances in bars with bands covering Fleetwood Mac songs (a favorite among Americans aged 40+), classical music concerts, and of course, a casino for those who want to spend a little more money. A tip for smokers: Smoking is prohibited on the ship, except in designated areas in the open bar or on certain balconies. However, smoking is allowed in the casino. So even if you’re not gambling, you can pass through the casino to smoke freely while watching poker or blackjack. A tip for currency exchange in the casino: Bring dollars, as that’s the currency used in American cruise ship casinos. If you exchange €100, for example, you’ll lose money on the conversion. But you’ll lose it anyway, so it might not be as significant.
“Check Off” Destinations You May Never Visit Again
If you tire of the ship, you can go on one of the dozens of tours (for a fee) in the cities where it docks: Dubrovnik in Croatia, a catamaran cruise in Corfu, or the Campania region in Italy—the Mediterranean options are endless. However, to ensure you’re choosing the right tour, sometimes an independent exploration is preferable to paying a significant amount for a guided tour starting at $100 per person. For a family, this adds up quickly.
Guided city tours include a guide and transportation that picks you up and returns you in time for departure, so you’re safe. When exploring independently, you’re subject to traffic, travel times that can vary, and unfamiliar local traffic conditions, which can cause you to miss the ship, which won’t wait for anyone and will continue to the next destination. In Split, Croatia, for instance, the ship docks very close to the port, so it’s quite possible to walk to the old town (about 10 minutes) and return on time.
The Mediterranean destinations where the ship docks for 11 days are fantastic. In the summer, they are crowded with tourists, which should be considered. But for those who have not visited them before, it is a quick and superficial chance to "check off" a few destinations you might never reach again. For instance, Malta is a blend of hummus and pasta. On one hand, it is European and close to Italy. On the other hand, it is African and close to Tunisia, with Arab architectural influences, despite being filled with churches—365 of them, "one for each day" (as the local guide humorously put it).
Ship of Oblivion
An 11-day Mediterranean cruise starts at about $1,500 per person, depending on the room type and additional packages you may purchase (internet, drinks, restaurants, etc.). There are also numerous deals for a third or fourth passenger free or at a discount. However, keep in mind that the major expenses may come from these additional packages. For example, without the ship’s internet package, you will have no internet at sea. On the other hand, not everyone needs their own internet package—just one person can use it on behalf of the group (one user). Another factor to consider is the cost of flights from Israel. The cruise departs from Europe, which means additional costs and sometimes a night in a hotel before departure—an additional expense to factor in.
In “all-inclusive” terms, a cruise, especially these days with the need to fly to Europe, is not a cheap option for Israelis. However, when considering the extensive and continuous offerings on the Escape, it provides a solution and, more importantly, peace of mind knowing you have everything you need without seeing your wallet for many days. Most of all, the Escape provides the escapism we all need sometimes, and perhaps it should indeed be called the "Ship of Oblivion" (La Nave del Olvido), as Julio Iglesias sang about in the '80s.
The author was a guest of NCL on the cruise.