NCL Escape NYC

Last weekend some of our Starstuff Travel Planners were lucky enough to attend a ship tour on this awesome ship docked in NYC. The 164,600-ton Norwegian Escape is packed with so many restaurants, activities, and bars onto its decks, it seems like it could be almost impossible to try them all in one trip.

We entered on deck 7, which I thought was slightly underwhelming. Deck 7 is the deck home to their casino, the theater and box office, as well as a bar and restaurant. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE this ship, I just personally enjoy walking into a grand foyer when I step foot into a ship. Norwegian’s largest and most innovative casino (next to the Bliss) is impressive. We love to gamble at sea and this casino does not disappoint. It is large and spread through out the deck which I personally appreciated, rather than being stuck in a smaller space. 

The Mid Ship Balcony has a ton of storage space, the bathroom was a decent size (with a glass shower door) and it even has a coffee maker inside. As you can see on the last Balcony cabin picture above, you can even purchase a birthday celebration so your family or friends can be surprised when they enter their cabin

The Inside cabin is small, but efficient with plenty of storage. Its the perfect option for the couple who is not going to spend much time in their cabin. The Oceanview cabin seems pretty spacious.

NCL Studio Cabins are the first accommodations specifically designed and priced for solo travelers. Running up to 100 sq. ft, solo cruisers can have access to the most affordable and stylish way to cruise. As a Studio guest, you have access to an exclusive key card to enter the Studio Complex and Lounge. This shared private area is where you can stretch out, have a drink, order room service, watch the big-screen TV and meet your neighbors. The Studio cabins look so comfy! They are also perfect for those traveling with groups if someone wants to be on their own, now they wont be penalized for it. 

Hidden away at the top of the ship is The Haven, home to our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you'll enjoy the personal service of a concierge and 24-hour butler throughout your entire stay. On top of that, complete privacy and tranquility are just steps away on a sundeck reserved exclusively for guests of The Haven. Above you will see a video of The Havens private indoor pool area. Below you will find some pictures of their outside pool deck area. We did not have time to tour any of the Havens suites during this tour but I have seen them before and they SCREAM luxury. If you have the means, you should definitely take advantage of booking a Haven suite at least once in your life!

Vibe Beach Club, an adults-only sun deck on select Norwegian Cruise Line ships, offers a limited number of passes on each sailing, that usually runs about $99.00 per person per day. The Beach Club is an exclusive space for adults only and manages to achieve a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Passengers who book Vibe are pampered with padded loungers, whirlpools and  ocean views. You get to stay refreshed with complimentary chilled towels, fruit skewers, water spritzers and a bar serving up a wide range of cocktails. If you are not able to take advantage of The Haven area, this is another great option that will make you feel spoiled during the time you are there.

This is a picture from the main foyer of the ship (this is what I like to see when I enter a ship) this is where you feel like your on a cruise, they have some great seating and a bar to grab a drink and meet up with friends when you are ending your busy day.

Below you will se pictures from their video arcade, which is one of the larger ones I have seen on any ship. Tons of room so kids do not have to feel overcrowded. 

The Entourage Teen Club hosts teens 13 to 17 years old. Teenagers hang out in a place filled with video games, movies, arts, music, sports and people their own age. We snagged a calendar for the week while on our tour and this club looks super fun. From activities like Pictionary, Foosball, Dodgeball under the stars, Open Mic and more, this place will keep your teens busy doing things directly related to their age. 

Enhance your cruising pleasure with the sense of serenity and Mandara's commitment to your well-being. From hair treatments for men and women, nail services, to tooth whitening treatments, there is something for everyone here to enjoy. I personally found the Salt Therapy chamber and the Snow Room intriguing!

Norwegian worked with staff at sister line, Oceania Cruises, to create the menus onboard Escape. The nice thing about this ship is the variety of restaurants and menus onboard means passengers who don't want to spend extra on meals will have plenty of choices. Escape doesn't have a main dining room like many other ships, it has a larger restaurant, called the Manhattan Room, and two smaller venues, Taste and Savor, which all offer the same menus. I have been lucky enough to dine in all three at this point and have been happy with each experience.

You will find the Aqua Park for kids and adults, along with the pools hot tubs and sun deck on deck 16. I thought the separation of the children's pool and adults only pool was a nice touch, putting them close enough together if families are going to split up but with enough separation so the kids are not overcrowded with groups of adults. They also have the Ropes course and Miniature golf two decks above, on deck 18. 

We enjoyed our time aboard the ship. This is the perfect option for families looking to cruise locally out of the Tri-State area who do not want to fly. With the different itinerary options to Bermuda, Canada and New England, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, and Bahamian cruises you can not go wrong. You could even do a few different cruises on this same exact ship to make sure you get to experience everything it has to offer!

For more information on how to book your next cruise, contact a Starstuff Travel Planner today!

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