Cruisers who have sailed on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway or Norwegian Getaway will immediately recognize Norwegian Escape as their big sister. Launching in 2015 with a passenger capacity of 4,200, Escape is the first of at least 5 ships in the Breakaway Plus-class, all of which will build on the basic design and amenities found on the earlier ships while adding extra features — in this case, an extra deck and a more upscale, refined decor in the public areas. Escape was originally homeported in Miami, but in 2018, it will move north to New York City, where it will continue sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas with itineraries ranging from 7 to 14 nights.
Your first look at Norwegian Escape will be the hull artwork by famed marine wildlife artist and ocean conservationist Guy Harvey. Inside, the curated artwork complements a pleasing design. The ship’s hub is the three-deck 678 Ocean Place where you will not only find dining venues, lounges and shopping, but a flowing glass staircase topped by a multi-story LED chandelier that changes colors throughout the day and night. The Waterfront, a deck of outdoor dining and bars, uses the ocean itself as the ultimate design and backdrop.
Entertainment on Escape continues Norwegian’s trend of bringing broadway-caliber performances to sea, with shows like The Brat Pack: Live at the Supper Club, a post-modern mashup of music and moments from legendary 80s John Hughes movies, along with mainstage productions of Broadway hits After Midnight and Million Dollar Quartet. Smaller, more intimate venues like Headliners Comedy Club and the Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano show are also worthy of a mention.
An expanded three-story ropes course and a huge water park with four waterslides headline the onboard activities. The water park includes rides like the Aqua Racer with its tandem racing slides, the Free Fall speed slide, and a family-friendly open-flume body slide. The two-story Mandara Spa boasts a salt room, a hydro-therapy pool, 17 heated loungers and a unique Snow Room for a quick cool down. O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill offers a few arcade games and a two-lane mini bowling alley, and Spice H20, the adults-only sundeck, received an upgrade with the addition of an outdoor grotto and waterfall.
The Guppies Nursery marks the first time Norwegian offers childcare services for kids from 6 months to three years old. As on other Norwegian ships, the Splash Academy offers activities for kids 3 to 12 and Entourage brings teens 13 to 17 together for fun and social activities.
Norwegian Escape comes with a whopping 17 restaurants and food venues on board. Headlining the list is Bayamo, specializing in Latin dishes and seafood with a Cuban influence. The first ever Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea is also a huge hit extremely popular. Classic Norwegian specialty restaurants have new a la carte menus replacing the normal flat cover charge. If you’re looking for a casual drink, 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar has a large selection of drinks and a great live cover band in the evening. Try freshly muddled mojitos at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar, or District Brewhouse which has 24 beers on tap and over 50 more bottled brews.
Norwegian Escape has 2,175 cabins, including 1,130 balcony staterooms. Spa Mini-Suite/Spa Balcony staterooms offer the added bonus of complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suite. Guests staying in the 95 suites in The Haven by Norwegian (accessible only by special keycard) enjoy a luxury experience. In addition to upgraded amenities, guests have exclusive access to a private two-story courtyard area with a retractable roof, swimming pool, two whirlpools, private sundeck, private spa treatment rooms, and private sauna. Exclusive concierge and restaurant are also available for Haven guests.
