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Get ready to sail on one of the most exciting ships on the seas! Norwegian Escape is ready to whisk you away to The Caribbean from Miami and Orlando, Canada & New England from New York, and the Mediterranean from Rome. Indulging in every whim is what unforgettable vacations are made of. Get ready to chase sunsets on The Waterfront. Build a pink sandcastle in Bermuda. Sip on some of Napa's best blends at The cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar. Or try our unique speciality hand-crafted cocktails. Discover a new world of freedom and flexibility on Norwegian Escape.
We went on this cruise to celebrate our honeymoon and overall it was a very positive experience. I found both the NCL website and app to be laggy and not easy or intuitive to use, so the check-in process was a bit challenging. Once we checked in, I noticed that a fee had been added to our account of $3000, and it stated that the fee had been due a month ago when I first booked the cruise. I called NCL in the morning (after a sleepless night of worrying) and they apologized, removed the fee and even gave us a $500 refund. When I looked at the invoice they sent me afterwards, I saw that we had essentially been charged an additional cruise fare per person for no conceivable reason, but NCL honoured this new fare because it was lower than the original fare we paid, hence the $500 discount. In sum, something is really wrong with their website, but customer service was good and efficient when we called about the problem. Embarkation: We chose a later check-in time (1-1:30 pm) because we wanted to spend more time exploring Miami before getting on the boat. However, when we showed up at the port a bit early (12:30), we had no problem proceeding immediately to the check-in area. We chose to carry-on our luggage, and this is good because I saw no signs indicating where we would have dropped it off (although there were lots of people around who we could have asked if needed). We spent about ten minutes waiting in the wrong line because it turned out there were two different lines based on the floor of your stateroom, but there was no signage indicating this until the very front of the line - would recommend asking someone or going to the front of the line to check before queuing up. The check-in staff were probably the least friendly of all the staff we encountered. One staff member did not accept a screenshot of our boarding pass, but luckily I had a print copy - something to note if you don't have mobile internet access (I am from Canada and did not want to pay roaming fees for the day). My husband is present in the US on a J-1 visa and the staff at the counter asked for extensive documentation that US customs staff never ask for at airport or land borders - luckily I always travel with more documents than I need and was able to present the required letter, because he only brought the documents that CBP officers ask him for. If you are in the US on any kind of visa (e.g. ESTA for European visitors), I would bring all the documents you can possibly think of in hard copy. Once we got through this process, we were assigned a boarding group and ushered to a pre-boarding area where cold water, seating and washrooms were available. We didn't wait very long before our group was called. Once we got on the ship (just before 2 pm), food was available at the buffet and our state room was already ready when we went to check. At Sea Days: During our at-sea days, we tried out the ropes course and aqua racer slide (we didn't try the aqua loop slides). The aqua racer slide was fun with lighting effects and not intense at all, so would be good for all audiences. The ride ends in a shallow pool of water, so swimming is not necessary. The ropes course was extensive and one of the levels allowed you to choose your own path through the obstacles. However, the staff member who checked my harness on the ground before getting on the course was not helpful and very rude when she found that I had twisted the harness while putting it on the first time (with no help from her). When I got on the course, another staff member remarked that my harness was a bit loose and that ruined the experience for me, as I was concerned the rest of the time that it was not properly fitted. I would recommend asking multiple staff members to check your harness before you leave the ground. We never used any of the pools or hot tubs as they were rather small and always crowded with kids. We did enjoy the rock cavern waterfall area in the Spice H2O section, it looks very scenic despite being faux rock. There weren't any chairs available near the pool (most were empty but saved), but we found empty chairs a deck above. Entertainment: We did not attend any shows or parties as it isn't in our sphere of interest, but we really enjoyed all the trivia and game shows hosted in the atrium. We were able to participate and win prizes in a couple of the game shows and that was one of our most memorable experiences. We would have loved if more of these were available on sea days and in the later evening. All of the cruise director staff running these events were cheerful and enthusiastic, and we loved interacting with them. The only issue was there was never enough seating in the atrium - it's wise to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early for all events. Cabin: We booked an inside cabin and were amazed at how much space and storage there was. Soundproofing must also be good, as we never heard any noise from neighbours or the hallway. Bathroom was large and water pressure and temperature were excellent, better than most hotel rooms on land. Our cabin was cleaned every day, although not until the late afternoon (past 4 pm). Bed was large and comfortable. The only thing we were disappointed about is that we were not able to obtain additional towels from housekeeping (I like to have an additional towel for my hair). We should have maybe asked at guest services or just borrowed a pool towel. Dining/Food: I am not really a foodie, and was just hoping for extensive options to keep things interesting throughout the cruise, and this was fulfilled in both the main dining room and buffet. The one exception might be breakfast, where similar items are presented everyday across all different venues. We never had to wait for a table anywhere we went, and we never had to sit with other people, which we really appreciated. We also loved that we could eat any time we wanted, as it allowed us to attend any of the activities without worrying about missing dinner. My husband is a big foodie, and he was impressed with several of the items in both the main dining room and the buffet. Waitstaff were always attentive and efficient. We had one meal at a specialty restaurant as part of the free at sea promotion and I would skip this in future - the food at La Cucina was perfectly lovely, but similar to what was on offer at the main dining room. We did not opt for the drinks package, but bought a few drinks a la carte. Ports of call and excursions: Cozumel: We didn't see the actual port area or the island of Cozumel as we were on an all-day excursion to the Tulum Mayan ruins. The time at the ruins felt rushed, but this is to be expected, given the distance and time constraints. We were a bit disappointed with this tour, as a lot of time on the bus was spent with the tour guide subtly promoting businesses from whom he and/or the company clearly receive a kickback. We would have liked more info on Mexico and/or the site we were visiting. Nonetheless, the excursion was highly organized and time management was impeccable. No food is offered on this excursion other than a granola bar after the return to the bus (and the guide tries to convince everyone to waste time ordering food from a restaurant he clearly partners with), and you are not allowed to bring prepared food from the ship (dogs at the port sniffed every bag before we got on the ferry to the mainland). However, we brought pre-packaged granola bars from home and this was fine (although no food can be brought into the actual archaeological site). Plastic single-use water bottles are also not allowed, so it's best to bring a reusable bottle filled with ship water or water from the plastic bottle you are provided on the bus. There is a lot of sun exposure at the site, so sunscreen is also key. We were provided with a one-hour walking tour from the guide and then had an additional hour to look around ourselves and make it back to the bus (or eat/shop in the vendors village outside the ruins). Our tour also featured an hour of free time in Playa del Carmen (the mainland port where the ferry from Cozumel docks), but this is not always the case if traffic is bad. The ferry to and from the mainland is very rough - I enjoyed this as it felt like a 45 minute tilt-a-whirl ride, but if you suffer from seasickness, I would come prepared. Locals boarded the ferry trying to sell their wares, and some people on the ride there got scammed by a man insisting we needed to buy water bottles as it would be our only opportunity (as noted previously, water bottles were provided once we arrived at the bus). Tulum itself is gorgeous and fascinating, but a better guide would have elevated the experience. Harvest Caye We didn't really experience Harvest Caye as we took the Kekchi Chocolate and Culture excursion to the Belize mainland. This was an outstanding excursion, with a fantastic guide who spent the bus ride there answering questions from the group about any aspect of Belize that we wanted to know about. Although of course there is a touristic element to the places we stopped at, throughout the hour-long bus ride there, it felt like we got to see an authentic glimpse of rural Belizean life, and it was fascinating. The tour of the cacao farm was very interesting and it was great to see how modern-day Mayan people work to keep traditions alive. Another of the mainland excursions was delayed, so the shuttle boat back to Harvest Caye departed late and we arrived back to the port 15 minutes past all-aboard time, but of course the ship waited. Roatan: We signed up for the excursion to Gumbalimba Animal Preserve and this was another outstanding tour. Along the way, our guide told us about life on the island (both good and bad), and we saw the contrast between living conditions for native Hondurans near the port and wealthy foreigners/tourists in the west end. The natural beauty of the island is stunning, and we enjoyed experiencing the Honduran flora and fauna at Gumbalimba. This was only a half-day excursion, but I would have liked if it lasted all day. We attempted to leave the port area on our own afterwards, but were overwhelmed by people attempting to sell us tours and didn't walk around for long. If I had done more research about where exactly we should go and we had a plan, I think it would have been fine. We walked around the port area a bit but it is small and mainly consists of tourist shops and eateries. Costa Maya We took an excursion to the Kohunlich Mayan ruins, and it was fantastic. Although it is a two-hour drive from port, and the scenery is not super exciting, the ruins are worth the trip. We were provided with a water bottle, a bag of interesting Mexican prepackaged snacks, and a ham and cheese sandwich (upon our return to the bus). We were the only people at the site and it felt like we were the ones to rediscover this forgotten city in the jungle. New tourism infrastructure had literally just been built at the site, so it may see more visitation in future. Our guide was fantastic, and provided lots of information at the site and on the bus ride over. We arrived back to the ship about 2 hours before all-aboard time and walked around the port area, but it was basically a larger version of Roatan, just shops and restaurants. Disembarkation: We carried our own bags off and it was smooth and efficient. Customs consisted of standing for a photo, no passports or other documents were shown.
Just got back from the 3/23 sailing to Bermuda on the NCL Escape. If was our first cruise on NCL and we had a forward-facing Haven suite. This was not are first cruise. That was on the Home Lines Oceanic in the late 70’s. It was my first cruise and my wife’s second. Things have certainly changed a lot in the cruise industry over the years. When I was a young child, every few years mu grandmother would travel to Europe on an ocean liner. In those days, you could board with the passenger and visit the ship with them. I can remember walking around such ships as the Hanseatic, United States, Ile de France and others. I remember them as having a classy elegance. The Oceanic was something like that. Every evening you dressed for dinner. Always at least in a suit and some times a tux. I was never big on dressing up, but onboard it seemed right. A house and a child ended our cruising plans for a while. We still liked to vacation but went mostly by car to places on the East Coast. Skiing in New England. Beaches up and down the coast and of course Disney World. When our daughter was old enough to stay with her grandmother and aunt, we returned to cruising. It was still a time when you dressed for dinner but not formally or possible one formal night. We started back with Princess and did Alaska and a number of Caribbean cruises. We got to sail on the old and the new Star Princess. I tended to like the “old” better. We live in NJ so when RCL started sailing from Bayonne, it was a no brainer to give them a try. We did several Caribbean cruises from them. One was a notable “Norovirus” shortened cruise that drew news trucks from NY. We traveled in balcony cabins and suites on both lines. As time went by, it seemed that more things to do were added and formality declined. I am not sure that was a good thing. We hadn’t cruised since Covid and we saw a great deal on a Haven suite so we booked it. Going to Bayonne was a lot easier than going to Manhattan but since we used a car service it was not too bad. With NCL we did online check in and got a 10-10:30 check in time. We had read that there is not problem checking in after your time but you can’t check in before. This was not a problem. We got out of ride, gave our bags to a porter (and tipped him of course) and walked into the terminal. Check in for the Haven was easy. At any place where you had to show your boarding pass, they would see it was for the Haven and direct to the Haven line. They had to take our photos and scan our boarding passes. I don’t think this took 5 minutes. Then we joined a group and they led us on to the ship. General boarding had not begun and we were the first on the ship. They had an elevator reserved for Haven use and they took us directly up to the Haven lounge. Out suite was not ready yet so we sat in the pool area. Drinks and snacks were available while we waited. We had the More at Sea package so drinks were included if we wanted them. I don’t know how they knew who we were, but in about 20 minutes they told us our cabin was ready. We were escorted to the reserved elevator and went down to our cabin. If you have difficulty walking, you might want to stay in the Haven proper. It is a fair walk from the forward elevators to the forward-facing suites. The Haven is adjacent to these elevators. It will be a much longer walk if you are in an aft-facing suite The common Haven areas are very nice. On deck 17 you will find the concierge, a bar and lounge area. Next to this is the Haven pool area. We never found the pool area be very busy. There is also an elevator to deck 18 where the Haven restaurant is located and deck 19 which is the upper level of the pool area and has access to the Haven sundeck. Whenever we were there, there was always staff available to get you drinks or snacks. All of these areas were very nice as was the staff. We were really impressed by the staff. They were great. We were very pleased with the Haven restaurant. We took a liking to one of the waiters, Louie, and we asked the hostess for him each subsequent time we went there. After the first time we did this, she knew us by name. She would check to see if there as a table available in his area. Sometimes we would have to wait a few minutes but she always found a place with him. You may have to wait for lunch on day one. It seemed like everyone was getting to their cabin and then going to the dining room about the same time. We waited about a half hour for a table the first day. Most days we didn’t wait at all or just for a few minutes. We used our butler for room service for breakfast daily. We were able to get breakfast from the Haven restaurant. We even did this on disembarkation day. The restaurant is open at 6 am for that. We went there for lunch almost every day. One day we had lunch from regular room service. Be sure you contact your butler if you do this or they will charge a service fee. No charge by butler. One day we went to the Garden Café which is a buffet. We used the Haven restaurant each night for dinner except for one night at Le Bistro and one at La Cucina. The menu in the Haven does not change but we found it to have plenty of variety to suit us. We found the food to be very good and the service to be impeccable, of course that may be in part due to Louie. We were never rushed. If we have a complaint, it would be with the soft rolls. My burger roll in the Haven fell apart as did my hotdog roll in the Garden Café. The regular bread and rolls were fine. The wines that were included in our plan were fine and you could have essentially any drink that you wanted. The lack of elegance in the Haven only exists with the guests. Men in shorts and t-shirts for dinner seemed a bit out of place to us but hardly compared with the woman in the bathrobe. You really can wear whatever you want. Although it is not required, we tipped the hostess on the last night and of course, Louie. Le Bistro is their French restaurant. There was a good variety of food. It was the first time in a French restaurant that my French was better than the staff. It was not Paris, but it was also very good. Same attentive service. Never rushed. Again, it was not required but we tipped the waiter. Our other specialty restaurant was La Cucina. It is their Italian restaurant. My wife and I both love Italian food. We spent a few weeks in Italy and really enjoyed ourselves there. There is a good selection of dishes. I had shrimp fra diavalo and it was excellent. Just enough hot pepper to make my mouth warm without being over powering. Again, it was not required but we tipped the waiter. Our only other food experience was in the Garden Café. Personally, we liked the buffet on Princess and RCL better. We liked their layout better. We found it easier to find things and their rolls did not fall apart. It was also easier to find condiments. On the plus side, they have both hard and soft ice cream available. There were more things to do on the Escape than on the other ships we had sailed but a lot was weather dependent. Other than the kiddie area, we never saw the water slides or the ropes course open. The pool areas were pretty busy on nice days. There was never a problem with crowds in the Haven. The pool area is small but never busy. There was always room in the hot tubs. There was entertainment in some common and a number of bar areas. There was a show in the theater that unfortunately did not fit into our schedule. I think it was only done on two nights. This was significantly different than the nightly shows we were used to in the past. We don’t know if this was a change after Covid. We enjoyed the musical acts in several locations. We really enjoyed the quality of the crew. They were certainly as good as on any ship we have sailed. Always friendly and always willing to help in any way they could. Disembarkation day always seems to be a zoo. At 8 am we had t wait for several elevators to get from 10 up to the Haven on 17. Once we got there it was easy. We were taken to a crew elevator and taken directly to the disembarkation deck. Immigration check was by facial recognition and took all of maybe 10 seconds. If you left a bag out to be picked up and taken to the dock, it was marked with a priority tag. These were in an area closest to the exit and there not a lot of them so it was easy to find yours. Not having to wait for an elevator was a blessing. I see the question asked a lot, “Is the Haven worth it?” For us the answer is Yes and we would do it again.
Very friendly, hard-working crew. Bar staff at Tobacco Road were incredible, especially Erika, Roby and Freddie. Entertainment was excellent. Choir of Man is a must-see, simply amazing show. The band in Syd Norman's Pour House was incredible! The two comedians were very funny. Food was fine. Nothing that wowed us but all good. We ate at two specialty restaurants, Cagney's and the Italian restaurant. Both were good. Ship was completely sold out but the crew handled it well. Sea days featured bad weather so we were all inside all four sea days. Cabin was comfortable and our steward Jose kept it clean and tidy. The service in the main dining room and specialties was impeccable. Enjoyed O'Sheehans for a casual change of pace. Our bus tour in Nassau was good but the walk to get from the ship to the bus was long and not suited for folks with mobility issues. The tour was ranked as "easy" but getting to the tour bus was not. They should warn people about that.
The Haven
Hidden at the top of the ship, The Haven features our most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations as well as 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundeck.
Club Balcony Suite
Whether it's the two of you or your family, our mini-suites are accented with the finest touches. And enough room to make memories forever.
Spa
Pampering begins here. The Haven Spa Suite, Spa Mini-Suite and Spa Balcony provide a more pampering spa experience at sea with easy access to the Spa and Fitness Centre. Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite can be enjoyed during regular business hours.
Balcony
Soak in breathtaking views together or with the family. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your own private balcony. Stylish and sophisticated appointments accent these modern rooms.
Oceanview
Experience comfort all around you. These stylish staterooms feature fine appointments, which are highlighted by nice touches and clear views of the ocean.
Inside
Relax in lively style and smart sophistication. Our modern inside staterooms are highlighted with appointments like a TV, sitting area and more.
Studio
Specifically designed and priced for solo travellers, our Studios feature a full-size bed, separate bath area and access to the private Studio Lounge - no single supplement required.
More than 25 Dining Experiences
Dine like nowhere else at sea with all of the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining. Travel somewhere new with familiar favourites and unique additions from around the globe at Food Republic. Or indulge in premium cuts with a side of delicious Parmesan dusted truffle fries at our American steakhouse, Cagney's. Whatever you're in the mood for, we have something for everyone.
COMPLIMENTARY DINING
Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include three main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.
Every cruise fare includes beautifully crafted menus in our three main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. From fresh-baked breads, desserts and pastries to our chefs' original dishes made with the freshest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or fun as you want.
SPECIALITY DINING
Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Find your inner foodie at Bayamo by Ocean Blue, featuring delicious seafood eats. Bring a hearty appetite to our Brazilian steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria. And see shrimp fly at Teppanyaki. Whether you're dining inside or oceanside on The Waterfront, our speciality restaurants feature the tastes you'll crave.
Dining aboard Norwegian is about having choices. Enjoy delicious comfort foods as well as more exotic choices from our many complimentary dining options. Or widen your palette further and choose from our speciality restaurants for a cover charge or á la carte. Whether it's a cheeseburger you have a desire for, or Coq au Vin, your dinner is ready when you are. And if you book a Speciality Dining Package, you can savour an array of our speciality restaurants for one special price.
Listen and learn in a lecture held by a guest speaker, Norwegian Cruise Line ships have much to offer to enhance your learning and senses.
14 Bars & Lounges
Pull up a stool at The Cellars, Norwegian's first ever wine bar. Let your hair down in the District Brew House, offering more than 50 different bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap. Sip on a hand-crafted mojito at Sugarcane. Or reminisce about the good 'ol days at Miami's oldest bar, Tobacco Road! Grab your glass, make some new friends, and let the good times roll!
With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days. Pull up a stool on The Waterfront and pair your favourite vintage with soothing waves at The Cellars - A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar. Sip on a hand-crafted mojito at Sugarcane. Or Let your hair down in The District Brew House, offering more than 50 different bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap. Whether you're looking to meet up with friends or make new ones, there's always an opportunity to mix it up.
Entertainment
When it comes to the entertainment on Norwegian Escape, you won't believe your eyes or even your ears. Pull up a chair at The Choir of Man and raise your glass to high energy dancing and hit songs that flow as freely as the beer. Or tickle your funny bone at Headliner's Comedy Club by Levity Entertainment Group's roster of top-notch comedians.
Activities
From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Norwegian Escape has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Think you're brave? Splash around at Aqua Park with Free Fall - the fastest waterslides at sea. Or visit our multi-level Sports Complex and walk The Plank, which extends 8 feet over the side of the ship. Wanna get lucky? Bet it all at our award-winning Casinos at Sea®. With so much excitement, you'll have to come back for more.
Onboard Shopping
Forget to pack something? No worries! Our gift shops onboard carry everything you'll need for fun in the sun. Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty-free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewellery, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco. Norwegian Escape is the first at sea to have acclaimed brands LACOSTE and Carolina Herrera. These are the first boutiques to be designed specifically for a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.
Feel free to follow your spirit, whether that takes you to a superb fitness centre, a sun lounger by the pool or to the serenity of a luxurious spa. Get the adrenaline soaring by conquering the climbing wall or ropes course high above the ocean. Flex your muscles on the sports court or treat yourself to something special in the boutiques. Catch a fun, informal lecture. Take the plunge in the Aqua Park.
Families play better together on Norwegian. From dodgeball to cupcake decorating, there are lots of activities all over the ships. Plus, with complimentary youth programmes, kids can learn to juggle at Circus School in Splash Academy and teens have the coolest themed parties in Entourage. Add exclusive NickelodeonTM entertainment at sea for kids of all ages – even the grown up ones – and your family holiday gets awesome. While the kids are having fun, so can you, indulging in a spa treatment, enjoying a leisurely meal or just switching off. And when it comes to bedtime, family-friendly accommodation gives everyone the elbow room they need. Night, night.
