Norwegian Escape

The 2015-built Norwegian Escape cruise ship is the first of the four Breakaway Plus-class NCL vessels, followed by the sisterships Norwegian Joy (2017), Norwegian Bliss (2018), and Norwegian Encore (2019). This class of liners is approximately 7000 GT larger than the line’s previously biggest vessel, Norwegian Epic. The construction cost of Norwegian Escape was USD 920 million (based on October 2012 shipbuilding rates).

The vessel (IMO number 9677076) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000341) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, the company is publicly traded on NASDAQ and listed on the NYSE (New York). NCLH’s major shareholders include Apollo Global Management (USA), Genting Group (Malaysia), and TPG Capital (USA). In 2017, the NCL brand held an 8.7% global cruise market share (passengers) and 8.4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) also operates the brands NCL, Oceania, and RSSC-Regent.

The 4300-passenger Norwegian Escape received her name through a USA TODAY contest. Guy Harvey was selected in 2014 to create the ship’s hull artwork. Norwegian Escape features the innovative amenities found on Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, plus several new interactive experiences. The 4200-passenger vessel introduces an expanded Haven — NCL’s signature “ship-within-a-ship” complex — accessible only by keycard. The Haven includes an outdoor terrace, private restaurant, courtyard with retractable-roof pool, whirlpools, spa treatment rooms, a separate sauna, and private sundeck. Additional enhancements over the Breakaway class include more Haven Suites (42 increased to 55), 26 additional Penthouses, 14 Spa access suites, and an increased number of Studio cabins (59 to 82).

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Escape staterooms (2174 total, in 42 categories) include 1717 outside cabins, 407 Inside, and 82 Studios for solo travelers. Most staterooms measure 160–170 ft² (15–16 m²). Balcony cabins total 1168, Oceanviews 114, Insides 407. Wheelchair-accessible staterooms are 47. The largest accommodations are The Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suites (900 ft² / 84 m², with a 190 ft² / 18 m² wraparound terrace).

The 82 Studios feature virtual views and exclusive keycard access to the Studio Lounge. Numerous connecting family cabins are available across different categories.

The ship has 20 decks, including 16 passenger-accessible decks and 12 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

NCL Escape’s à la carte dining concept gives passengers the flexibility to enjoy gourmet dishes, international flavors, and custom course selections. Signature at-fee restaurants include Le Bistro, La Cucina, Cagney’s, Moderno Churrascaria, and Bayamo. In addition, guests may choose from 11 complimentary dining venues.

Below is the complete list of Norwegian Escape restaurants and food bars:

• Private Room at Taste (100-seat group private dining venue)
• Savor Restaurant (forward dining room, complimentary)
• Taste Restaurant (forward dining room, complimentary, with Your Time dining)
• Le Bistro (French dinner-only restaurant; reservations required; US$20 cover charge)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi-style; reservations required; US$25; open for lunch and dinner; live cooking demonstrations)
• Manhattan Room (aft dining room; complimentary; Freestyle dining, dinner only)
• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill (sports bar; 24-hour American fare; complimentary)
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar (Asian complimentary venue inside O’Sheehan’s area)
• Food Republic (specialty restaurant in partnership with Pubbelly Restaurant Group; international cuisine; iPad ordering system; open lunch–dinner)
• Pincho Tapas Bar (Latin cuisine)
• Wasabi (sushi bar)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (premium prime steaks and seafood; reservations required; US$30 cover charge; complimentary kids’ menu)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations required; US$20 cover charge; outdoor seating available)
• La Cucina (Italian restaurant; reservations required; US$15 cover charge; outdoor seating available)
• Bayamo (Cuban/Latin seafood restaurant by José Garcés)
• Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea (initially complimentary fast-food venue; converted to à la carte pricing in Nov 2015 for crowd-control reasons)
• Garden Café (complimentary buffet restaurant with multiple stations)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The ship’s godfather is musician Pitbull (Armando Christian Perez). “Mr. 305” performed at the christening ceremony on November 9, 2015. Norwegian Escape also serves Pitbull’s signature vodka brand “Voli,” featured in themed cocktails such as “Mr. Worldwide.”

The vessel features an expanded 55-suite Haven complex with a spacious sundeck, two whirlpools, private dining and specialty restaurants, enlarged courtyard, outdoor terrace, Thermal Suite, treatment rooms (14-suite Haven Spa), and a fitness center.

Entertainment options include NCL’s FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), “Rock of Ages,” “Cirque Dreams,” and “Illusionarium.” Additional amenities: complimentary 24-hour room service, supervised kids’ program (“NCL Kids”), Internet/WiFi access, and laundry services.

Below is the complete list of Norwegian Escape lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults:

• Escape Theater (900 seats; Broadway-style productions; two grand shows nightly)
• The Supper Club (dining with theatrical performances, including aerial acrobatics; surcharge US$30–40 per person)
• Atrium (“678 Ocean Place”; midship, 3 decks; LED screen, dance area, live entertainment)
• Atrium Café & Bar (specialty coffee and tea)
• The Library; Card Room; Internet Café (24-hour)
• Headliners Comedy Club & Lounge
• Mixx Bar (live piano; pre-dinner cocktails); Bar 21; 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar; Tobacco Road Liquor Bar; The Humidor (cigar lounge); The Cellars Wine Bar; Sugarcane Mojito Bar; Prime Meridian Bar; Studio Lounge; Svedka (ice bar); Shaker’s
• Carlo’s Bake Shop (premium bakery/patisserie by Buddy Valastro)
• Art Gallery
• Escape Casino (large gaming lounge with smoking/non-smoking areas, giant LED screens, Escape Casino VIP Room; served by Skyline Bar)
• Skyline Bar (cocktails, pre-dinner drinks, bar-top gaming)
• Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub
• The District Brew House (craft beer hall; keg room; 24 draft beers; 50 bottled beers; partnership with Wynwood Brewing Company, Miami)
• Dolce Gelato (Italian ice cream)
• Atrium Boutiques (tax-free shopping; exclusive NCL boutiques Carolina Herrera and LACOSTE; plus shops by Bvlgari, Hublot, Tissot, Uno de 50, Ulysse Nardin, and Columbian Emeralds)
• Photo Gallery & Shop
• Waterfront Promenade (402 m/1320 ft outdoor dining and entertainment area)
• Aqua Park (3 decks; two pools; two racing slides; five waterslides)
• Kids venues (Kids’ Aqua Park, Splash Academy for ages 3–12, Guppies Nursery for infants 6 months–2 years)
• Mandara Spa & Fitness (Thermal Suite, Snow Room, Salt Room, Medi Spa, 24 treatment rooms, beauty salon, barber shop, fitness classes)
• Spice H2O (adults-only; served by Breezeway Bar & Grill)
• Entourage Teen Centre (jukeboxes, table football, video arcades, teen disco)
• The Haven (suite-passenger complex: Court­yard, Haven Restaurant, Haven Lounge)
• Rock Climbing Wall; Jogging Track; Sports Complex (Spider Web climbing wall with spiral slide; Bungee Trampoline; 9-hole mini golf; the largest-at-sea ropes course; zip line; The Plank overhanging platform)
• Vibe Beach Club (Deck 19; adults-only; surcharge; cantilevered whirlpools, loungers, cabanas, outdoor bar)

Itineraries

Norwegian Escape’s itinerary program is based on roundtrip Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Miami, Florida, featuring ports such as Saint Thomas (USVI), Tortola (BVI), and Nassau (Bahamas).

Since April 2018, New York City has served as Norwegian Escape’s new US homeport, with departures from Midtown Manhattan. As the largest cruise ship ever homeported in NYC, Escape was repositioned from Miami to operate 7-night Bermuda roundtrips (through September 2018) as well as 7-night and longer itineraries to Florida–Bahamas and other Eastern Caribbean destinations.

NCL Escape ship design changes (Breakaway vs Breakaway Plus class) include one additional passenger deck, an increased number of Haven Suites (from 42 to 55), expanded Haven and Courtyard areas, 26 additional Penthouse Suites, and more Studio cabins for solo travelers (from 59 to 82). A fun fact is that the name “Norwegian Escape” was selected through a Facebook contest featuring 10 proposed names. The contest, traditionally titled “Norwegians Name Their Ships,” allowed NCL’s Facebook fans to vote. The same process was used to name the Breakaway and Getaway. Escape’s hull artwork is designed by Guy Harvey, a renowned marine wildlife conservationist.

On September 18, 2015, the vessel began its 24-hour conveyance along the Ems River, sailing from the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany to Eemshaven, Holland. The ship’s christening ceremony took place on November 9, 2015, led by godfather Pitbull (Armando Christian Perez). The event was attended by NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio and featured an opening act with Parkour performers using trampolines hidden within the stage. Froggy from the “Elvis Duran Morning Show” introduced performers and VIP guests, including Carlos Gimenez (Miami-Dade County Mayor). At PortMiami, Pitbull performed a live concert featuring several of his hits, such as “Don’t Stop the Party,” “Fireball,” and “Give Me Everything,” followed by DJ-led sing-alongs.

The ship’s Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) departed on October 29, 2015, on an 11-day Transatlantic crossing from the UK to Florida (Southampton to Miami). On March 1, 2016, NCL announced a schedule change for Escape’s departures from Miami—from 4 pm to 7 pm. This later departure time accommodates passengers arriving on later flights and applied to all Eastern Caribbean 7-day itineraries between May 7 and December 31, 2016.

NCL Escape is equipped with the world's largest marine scrubber system, consisting of five units manufactured and installed by Yara Marine Technologies. These scrubbers reduce sulfur oxide emissions by 99%. At maximum cruising speed, the ship’s engines consume approximately 11 tons of diesel fuel per hour. In March 2015, Yara Marine also installed its latest scrubber technology on the Brittany Ferries ship Normandie.

The vessel was built with the new in-line exhaust gas cleaning systems (“scrubbers”), which reduce roughly 1500 tons of sulfur oxide emissions. These five lightweight units can operate in dry mode, as well as in open and closed-loop configurations.

In 2018 (starting April), Norwegian Escape was homeported in New York City, sailing from Midtown Manhattan. As the largest cruise ship homeported in NYC at the time, she was repositioned from Miami to operate 7-day roundtrips to Bermuda (through September 2018) along with 7-day and longer itineraries to Florida–Bahamas and various Caribbean destinations.