Norwegian Escape - A Review
Published Sunday, June 19th 2016 - Updated Sunday, November 6th 2016
Categories
In a continuing effort to stay familiar with the products we sell, we took the opportunity to sail on Norwegian's newest addition to their fleet - The Norwegian Escape.
Here's what we discovered:
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We stayed in a balcony cabin for triple occupancy. We found our cabin to be long and narrow. Space between cabinets and bed was a little tight. Making it awkward for the person sleeping on the sofabed to go to the restroom at night without bumping the bed. The balcony was adequate and comfortably accommodated two chairs and a table. The restroom and shower was large. Much larger than what we customarily see on other ships. Our rating: 4 out of 5
FOOD AND BEVERAGES:
Excellent! It didn't matter if you ate in one of the included dining venues or in a specialty restaurant. The food was delicious and delightful! Service excellent and attentive. Our rating: 5 out of 5.
Included Restaurants:
The largest included dining venue for dinner was the Manhattan Room. It is also the most popular. It offered a fine dining experience similar to what you'd expect in old New York City. Entertainment was available in the evenings so that you can sit and enjoy the music as you dined or dance to the music as you waited for your food. The music planned was jazz/blues. The menu changed daily. There are some popular/people favorite items that are readily available daily. Reservations in advance are recommended for this dining venue, but not necessary. Located at the rear of the ship, it would be possible to get a table by the window that may enable you to see the sun set at night if you come early enough.
Savor and Taste are two other dining venues that are included for dinner. Featuring a more relaxed contemporary feel. The menu did not vary from that in the Manhattan Room. Offering a guieter alternative to the Manhattan Room without the entertainment.
O'Sheehans is also an included dining venue with an Irish Pub casual atmosphere. It offers its own unique daily menu that is the same for lunch and dinner. It will offer special dinners each night that may feature prime rib, pork ribs, and more. So be sure to walk by and see what the special of the day is going to be.
The Garden Cafe is the buffet located on the Lido Deck (pool deck). For breakfast made to order eggs and omelets are available. Along with a multitude of other breakfast food delights. It is also open for lunch and dinner. During dinner it will feature a themed cuisine menu (ie: Tex-Mex).
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Sea, is a casual dining venue that offers a menu with a Caribbean flair. Open for lunck and dinner. This venue is so popular on this ship it is being added to every NCL ship in the fleet.
Optional Dining (Specialty) for an additional fee:
The most popular of all the venues for dining was Le Bistro. It was difficult to get reservations for this French restaurant. So once you have booked, I'd recommend that you book this venue as soon as possible.
La Cucina, Italian, is where we opted to dine for our optional night out. We were given the option of dining inside or outside on the Waterfront. Dining on the Waterfront will provide you with the feel of being at a beachside cafe. It features a multi-course a la carte menu. The food was marvelous. My recommendation would be the rack of lamb.
Cagney's Steakhouse, Teppanyaki (Japanese/Asian)i, Moderno Churrascaria, and Food Republic, the Supper Club (show included) are other venues available. We did not eat at these venues.
Beverages:
We took advantage of selecting the Unlimited Beverage Package that came with our promo at the time of booking. Please note that service fees will be added to the cost of your cabin at the time of booking when you select this option as your perk of choice. So it is not completely FREE.
There are bars located throughout the ship and it is highly unlikely that you will go dry unless you opt to. Our personal favorite was the wine bar. Called The Cellars by Mondavi. This particular venue did not open until late afternoon.
There were also some other specialty bars featuring a mojitto bar, a beer bar featuring craft beer, and of course Margaritaville for those margaritas.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The ship is your resort on the ocean. The highlights of the ship are the Ropes Course and Waterslides, along with many other activities to while away your time at sea by day or night.
The ropes course was a popular amenity. Great for the adventurous individual who is not afraid of heights. Want to get that adrenaline flowing? Be sure to walk The Plank and take the zipline that goes over the side of the ship.
The waterslides are a lot of fun! You can spend hours going up and down all day.
The kiddie area featured its own swimming pool, waterpark, slides and ropes course. It will be sure to entertain your young ones as they splash, swim, climb and play all day.
There are supervised kids and teens club on board with age appropriate activities. Most activities are included without a fee. Activities and clubs are segregated according to age. Available for those that are 3 up to 18. Please note that your children are expected to be potty-trained.
The main pool area consisted of two pools. Both of them I consider to be small in size and not in proportion to the size of the ship. One is allocated to be an Adult Only pool.
In general, finding a lounge to sun on is not a problem. There are loungers that can be found along the upper decks around the ship.
The pool area featured a big IMAX screen which presented movies, sports games, and more for your enjoyment by the pool. A calypso band would come to play for a couple hours at a time to give everyone a little something to listen or dance to. Line dancing anyone?
The Atrium, was the place to be for most activities. Here is where dancing classes were held, games played, a place where bands or singers performed, and more. There is an arcade, and a bowling alley (extra charge) near O'Sheehans. The bowling is not to regulation size, but still a lot of fun for avid and not so avid bowlers. Who's interested in having a bowling competition with a group of your bowling friends?
The majority of the bars offered some type of live entertainment/dancing. Each featuring their own unique genre or style of music. What's your style?
The themed parties are a blast! "GLOW" was the big party of the cruise. Turning the venue into a gigantic nightclub with a neon glow. A great place to let loose and as you become immersed in the show.
There is a casino, spa and salon on board for those who like to indulge. Who doesn't love a massage to rub out the tension of what you left behind?
PORTS OF CALL:
Our voyage was roundtrip Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. We visited St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau, Bahamas. I'm a beach bum. I love the beaches at both St. Thomas and Tortola. We didn't search out a beach in Nassau because the air was very cool at the time of our visit. Instead we walked around town and paid a visit to the Basket Market. Ask me about what we did at St. Thomas and Tortola. I have some suggestions and tips for you!
SUMMARY:
A great ship that doesn't feel big. So much to offer for everyone of any age, and most any interest. Whether you are single, a couple, a family or a group, there is something for everyone. Affordable, but one must be prepared for unforeseen optional expenses for activities that are not included.
Would I do this ship again? YES!!
For pictures of the ship, accommodations and some of the activities on board, please visit my Facebook business page www.facebook.com/pages/Cruiseprosplus. We have a photo album entitled Norwegian Escape.
If you are interested in taking a cruise on this or any other ship, please let us know. We have special rates on select sailings.
Let us know how we can help you. We will strive to help you book the right cruise that will bring you the most satisfying experience with outstanding personalized service and support. Our firsthand experiences and extensive knowledge will be a priceless value to you as we save you time, hassles, and offer you peace of mind.
Contact us today!
In a continuing effort to stay familiar with the products we sell, we took the opportunity to sail on Norwegian's newest addition to their fleet - The Norwegian Escape.
Here's what we discovered:
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We stayed in a balcony cabin for triple occupancy. We found our cabin to be long and narrow. Space between cabinets and bed was a little tight. Making it awkward for the person sleeping on the sofabed to go to the restroom at night without bumping the bed. The balcony was adequate and comfortably accommodated two chairs and a table. The restroom and shower was large. Much larger than what we customarily see on other ships. Our rating: 4 out of 5
FOOD AND BEVERAGES:
Excellent! It didn't matter if you ate in one of the included dining venues or in a specialty restaurant. The food was delicious and delightful! Service excellent and attentive. Our rating: 5 out of 5.
Included Restaurants:
The largest included dining venue for dinner was the Manhattan Room. It is also the most popular. It offered a fine dining experience similar to what you'd expect in old New York City. Entertainment was available in the evenings so that you can sit and enjoy the music as you dined or dance to the music as you waited for your food. The music planned was jazz/blues. The menu changed daily. There are some popular/people favorite items that are readily available daily. Reservations in advance are recommended for this dining venue, but not necessary. Located at the rear of the ship, it would be possible to get a table by the window that may enable you to see the sun set at night if you come early enough.
Savor and Taste are two other dining venues that are included for dinner. Featuring a more relaxed contemporary feel. The menu did not vary from that in the Manhattan Room. Offering a guieter alternative to the Manhattan Room without the entertainment.
O'Sheehans is also an included dining venue with an Irish Pub casual atmosphere. It offers its own unique daily menu that is the same for lunch and dinner. It will offer special dinners each night that may feature prime rib, pork ribs, and more. So be sure to walk by and see what the special of the day is going to be.
The Garden Cafe is the buffet located on the Lido Deck (pool deck). For breakfast made to order eggs and omelets are available. Along with a multitude of other breakfast food delights. It is also open for lunch and dinner. During dinner it will feature a themed cuisine menu (ie: Tex-Mex).
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Sea, is a casual dining venue that offers a menu with a Caribbean flair. Open for lunck and dinner. This venue is so popular on this ship it is being added to every NCL ship in the fleet.
Optional Dining (Specialty) for an additional fee:
The most popular of all the venues for dining was Le Bistro. It was difficult to get reservations for this French restaurant. So once you have booked, I'd recommend that you book this venue as soon as possible.
La Cucina, Italian, is where we opted to dine for our optional night out. We were given the option of dining inside or outside on the Waterfront. Dining on the Waterfront will provide you with the feel of being at a beachside cafe. It features a multi-course a la carte menu. The food was marvelous. My recommendation would be the rack of lamb.
Cagney's Steakhouse, Teppanyaki (Japanese/Asian)i, Moderno Churrascaria, and Food Republic, the Supper Club (show included) are other venues available. We did not eat at these venues.
Beverages:
We took advantage of selecting the Unlimited Beverage Package that came with our promo at the time of booking. Please note that service fees will be added to the cost of your cabin at the time of booking when you select this option as your perk of choice. So it is not completely FREE.
There are bars located throughout the ship and it is highly unlikely that you will go dry unless you opt to. Our personal favorite was the wine bar. Called The Cellars by Mondavi. This particular venue did not open until late afternoon.
There were also some other specialty bars featuring a mojitto bar, a beer bar featuring craft beer, and of course Margaritaville for those margaritas.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The ship is your resort on the ocean. The highlights of the ship are the Ropes Course and Waterslides, along with many other activities to while away your time at sea by day or night.
The ropes course was a popular amenity. Great for the adventurous individual who is not afraid of heights. Want to get that adrenaline flowing? Be sure to walk The Plank and take the zipline that goes over the side of the ship.
The waterslides are a lot of fun! You can spend hours going up and down all day.
The kiddie area featured its own swimming pool, waterpark, slides and ropes course. It will be sure to entertain your young ones as they splash, swim, climb and play all day.
There are supervised kids and teens club on board with age appropriate activities. Most activities are included without a fee. Activities and clubs are segregated according to age. Available for those that are 3 up to 18. Please note that your children are expected to be potty-trained.
The main pool area consisted of two pools. Both of them I consider to be small in size and not in proportion to the size of the ship. One is allocated to be an Adult Only pool.
In general, finding a lounge to sun on is not a problem. There are loungers that can be found along the upper decks around the ship.
The pool area featured a big IMAX screen which presented movies, sports games, and more for your enjoyment by the pool. A calypso band would come to play for a couple hours at a time to give everyone a little something to listen or dance to. Line dancing anyone?
The Atrium, was the place to be for most activities. Here is where dancing classes were held, games played, a place where bands or singers performed, and more. There is an arcade, and a bowling alley (extra charge) near O'Sheehans. The bowling is not to regulation size, but still a lot of fun for avid and not so avid bowlers. Who's interested in having a bowling competition with a group of your bowling friends?
The majority of the bars offered some type of live entertainment/dancing. Each featuring their own unique genre or style of music. What's your style?
The themed parties are a blast! "GLOW" was the big party of the cruise. Turning the venue into a gigantic nightclub with a neon glow. A great place to let loose and as you become immersed in the show.
There is a casino, spa and salon on board for those who like to indulge. Who doesn't love a massage to rub out the tension of what you left behind?
PORTS OF CALL:
Our voyage was roundtrip Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. We visited St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau, Bahamas. I'm a beach bum. I love the beaches at both St. Thomas and Tortola. We didn't search out a beach in Nassau because the air was very cool at the time of our visit. Instead we walked around town and paid a visit to the Basket Market. Ask me about what we did at St. Thomas and Tortola. I have some suggestions and tips for you!
SUMMARY:
A great ship that doesn't feel big. So much to offer for everyone of any age, and most any interest. Whether you are single, a couple, a family or a group, there is something for everyone. Affordable, but one must be prepared for unforeseen optional expenses for activities that are not included.
Would I do this ship again? YES!!
For pictures of the ship, accommodations and some of the activities on board, please visit my Facebook business page www.facebook.com/pages/Cruiseprosplus. We have a photo album entitled Norwegian Escape.
If you are interested in taking a cruise on this or any other ship, please let us know. We have special rates on select sailings.
Let us know how we can help you. We will strive to help you book the right cruise that will bring you the most satisfying experience with outstanding personalized service and support. Our firsthand experiences and extensive knowledge will be a priceless value to you as we save you time, hassles, and offer you peace of mind.
Contact us today!
Leave a Reply
indicates a required field
