NCL Escape, Ep 6, Athens Quick Tour

[@christopherbarnes4518]

I am enjoying watching your blogs on this trip while I "work" the late shift. I am going on this ship on my honeymoon next year. I'm really looking forward to it. It will be my first time in Europe, out of Barcelona. The ship looks great. Basically just needed a good floating hotel as we have a port everyday. I appreciate the close experience you are having and I "get" your humor. Very entertaining!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Very good choice for a honeymoon, congratulations Christopher 😎 One golden tip: skip 1 or 2 ports to enjoy "a day off". European cruises that are port-intensive can get tiresome. And having the ship to yourself, along with the service and the amenities, will enhance it all. Happy to hear you enjoy tagging along. And thanks for the motivating kind words!

[@christopherbarnes4518]

@@BRAMSEASTHEDAY thank you! That is a great tip and one we will most definitely do!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Now back to work Mr Barnes!

[@roomreviews-cmonin2029]

@@BRAMSEASTHEDAY 😂 all done!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jimdatlenRealEstate]

I chuckled at 10:05 when you talked about the typical tour bus guide's comments & questions. Another great video!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Hey Jim, thx. But it's true isn't it? Alot of the guides think they're on stage when they grab the mic. 🤣

[@Melanie_Herget]

While you've been sweating in the sun, I relaxed in spice H2O 😂 and now I know how Athens looks like. Thanks to you... Great "excursion". Exactly how I like it too. Important and useful information, and not a lot of pointless and stupid talks in a bus...right,allright, right 😅😅 Thank you for another great video! 😊

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

You're welcome. Happy to have been of service to you. 😂

[@fushk001]

Bram, you perfectly captured the feeling of the heat at the Acropolis. I had to go in the kitchen for a soda after watching that portion of your vlog.😄In addition, I enjoyed learning about the Greek guards and all the requirements imposed on them so they may perfectly execute their duties of honor. Fascinating stuff. Additionally, thanks for the heads-up on taking private tours by cab. I despise the group bus tours and the false cheerfulness of the guides. This is definitely a better alternative. Another great travel presentation--keep 'em coming, my friend!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Thx Kim as always, for yoir amazi´g comment! 😎

[@johncrawford8485]

Hey Bram, I really like your videos! Because of this particular video, Athens by Taxi, I now want to see the changing of the guards which I did not know about before. I will be in Athens next month and taking a cruise on Norwegian Getaway through some Greek Islands as well as Turkey. May I ask what time of year you and your buddies made this trip? You commented on how hot it was, and we are so hoping for it to not be as hot in September. Thank you in advance, and thank you for providing the world with these great videos. Cheers!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Hi John, thanks for the kind words! The changing of the guards was not on our list but it ended up beeing a highlight. Also the location (we were almost the only ones there) was a huge bonus. This was early June. Not sure if September will be that much cooler. When the driver said it would be 10 degrees warmer up there we were laughing. But he was right 🤣🤣🤣

[@raisafrancisco7323]

It was a very good deal, indeed. The change of guards amazing!! Thanks for sharing.

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

You're welcome Raisa, thank you in return!

[@cruisingandexploring]

Great video again Bram 😉🛳

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Thanks!

[@ClaRistoff]

Hey, Bram! Me and the husband love your videos! We will be on an NCL Cruise in september. Do you have Kostas' contact?? Would love to go on a race in Athens with him! PS. If we find the church they moved in Valletta, we will let you know😂

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Did you manage to find Kostas? 🤣 Or that church? 🤷‍♂️

[@Crusinwithkeith]

Great video keep up the amazing work

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Thanks Keith, you too!

[@kendrawaterbury2328]

I’m so thankful you did this tour- now I don’t have to endure that excruciating heat or the terrifying 🚕 ride!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

The ride was most of the fun Kendra!

[@kendrawaterbury2328]

@@BRAMSEASTHEDAY yikes!!!!!

[@lynnzopatti8642]

I do love your vlogs. What is next?

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Thanks Lynn! Next stop is Valletta Malta!

[@brandicruises]

I’ve thought about cruising with three people in a cabin, but am wary of being the one stuck on the couch. Was the comfort level comparable to one of the cabin’s twin beds in your opinion? Changing of the guard was cool and not what I expected. You got a private city tour for a great price. Though, I was holding my breath through the hands-free driving scenes.

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

It was for me, comparable to the bed I think. The big downside was the flow of the ac would land right there, it made me sick. Normally I put the ac on "icecold" all day so I can turn it off at night. But one of my cabin mates turned it off everytime he was in the cabin during the day, which made it impossible to sleep without ac at night. So I ran around with a cold for most of the cruise 🤷‍♂️ Besides that, storage is tight when sharing a cabin with 3 people. But that was my only 2 issues really.

[@servaastaelman191]

Changing of the guards reminds me of the episode of Fawlty Towers! Don’t mention the war 😂😂😂

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

I hear they were inspired by Fawlty Tower yes 😅

[@denismccarthy9189]

Bram. Great video. Spent 2 days in Athens after the cruise so saw more. But great idea to see the main sights by using a cab. Hope you stayed hydrated

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

That's what I like about cruising, you sample many places. At some of them a couple of hours is enough and at others you realize you need to go back for much more. Athens is on my "more" list. 😎

[@merlijnboden8884]

damn this guide is so fun hahahaha

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

He was pure perfection Merlijn! Thx for the comment, I hope you're doing well!

[@moeyaertdieter3008]

Bram een Griekse heuvel op zien puffen... It never gets old! ;-)

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

🤣🤣🤣 I appreciate your support Dieter...

[@rgruenhaus]

The changing of the guards made me think of Monty Python! Silly party

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Exactly Robert.

[@cazman2580]

need a sweat towel (cooling)..i am a big guy...i never leave the ship with out one..

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

I'm not a big guy but I needed one too. You should have told me this "before"! 😅

[@erickav72]

Can I ask what month is this? I will be on the Breakaway in the middle of September and I am hoping it will be a little cooler... LOL

[@chriscliffordCH]

I just got off the Breakaway today (May 26th) and earlier in the cruise, Athens was already pretty hot. Brilliant cruise.

[@rgruenhaus]

Living in Florida I wouldn't have a problem with that heat as long as water was available.

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

My biggest issue was my sunscreen 🤣

[@rgruenhaus]

Was this video created last year? NCL changed to Coca-Cola last year and you said you had a Poopsi!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Yes, June 2022

[@TeresaMormile]

Bram I have a dilemma. I want to do this itinerary in 2024 but going forward it looks like it’s only on the Epic or the much pricier Viva. I know you weren’t the biggest fan of Epic. Any thoughts?

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Did you search under "Greek Isles"? Because from what I see both the Escape and the Getaway are doing this itinerary. The NCL Escape is sailing these exact same ports and schedule. The Epic is an amazing ship but the cabins would hold me back from booking again.

[@TeresaMormile]

@@BRAMSEASTHEDAY 2024 escape doesn’t do Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, but it does do some other wonderful stops. I’m undecided at this point. I just don’t think I can do epic. Getaway has great itineraries in 24 but doesn’t depart Rome. Appreciate your feedback and loving the series.

[@moeyaertdieter3008]

Athene is altijd de max. Volgende keer moet je de barscène eens verkennen.

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

Dan als citytrip. Cruisen is sampling.

[@zarlorz]

So let me get this straight, you spend the entire video complaining about how hot it was, but congratulate yourself on waiting until the crowds getting off the ship are actually coming back to the ship which means you leave the ship at the HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY! Did I get that right? ;) And I think I'm with you on wanting a tour guide who's a lot more to the point and sticking to the actual details, and all of that from what is a taxi driver rather than some kind of "official tour guide"? I like their style!

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

You got it exactly right Lenny 🤣. Exept: it was hot no matter what time.

[@russellthomas4587]

I will bet that the cabin stinks in the morning due to the array of nocturnal emissions.

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

You would think so yes, and I was afraid for that, but in all honesty it was nothing like that. The cabin felt cramped though. Not enough storage for 3 people, that was the surprising "big issue" for us.

[@lynnzopatti8642]

The changing of the guards look like they are wearing clown shoes. 😂. I cant imagine what your cabin smells like with 3 men who have been sweating in 90-100° temps in Athens. 🫤

[@BRAMSEASTHEDAY]

It was actually not bad at all (to my surprise 😅) but we avoided beeing in the cabin together as much as possible.