At first glance, Norwegian Escape looks like the party ship
of the Norwegian fleet. But after further review, the ship is so big that it
offers a little something for everyone.
It is no mistake that Miami-based recording artist Pitbull
was picked as the ship’s godfather. His high-energy “Don’t Stop the Party”
anthem seems a fitting theme song for Escape.
“Mr. 305” pumped up the crowd before a preview sailing of
Escape, which is the first in a line of enhanced “Breakaway Plus” vessels
largely based on the Norwegian Breakaway platform of 2013.
Later, at a performance of “For The Record: Brat Pack Live”
in the Escape’s Supper Club dinner theater, the edgy, sexual themes of John
Hughes’ teen films were prominent and the cast wasn’t afraid to show some skin.
Escape has more hot tubs than its predecessor ships and a
water grotto has been added to the Spice H20 adults-only area.
But look a little closer and there are additions and
features that cut across the image of Escape as mainly a party ship.
Water slides on the Norwegian Escape.
There’s a new nursery for kids ages 2 and under, as well as
an aqua park for children too young for the thrill-style water slides. On a trip through the ship midday there were
children learning to juggle and perform circus tricks in the atrium.
So Escape is a family ship, as well.
Norwegian is also improving the quality of its food to match
the quantity of choice. The Food Republic by Miami’s Pubbelly Group serves
sharing-type menus, while the District Brew House will make some serious craft
brewing waves with its two dozen draft selections, most of them undiscovered.
Everyone I spoke with who had eaten at Bayamo, the new
high-end seafood restaurant, said good things. “It was delicious. I was really
surprised,” said Patrick Luciani, owner of TravelOnly, Toronto.
So it is a foodie ship, too.
It’s even a bit of a nature educational vessel, with its Guy
Harvey hull painting of stingrays, sharks and other Caribbean marine life.
Harvey gave a well-attended talk, largely about sharks and the dangers they
face from man.
The most impressive thing I saw on Escape in the 24 hours I
had to look around was After Midnight, a Tony-award winning Broadway review
inspired by 1920s Harlem that had great costumes, compelling music and
sophisticated dancing.
The District Brew House has several craft beer selections.
The biggest letdown was Margaritaville, which had long wait
times and whose theming seemed thin, at least in comparison to the
Margaritaville Resort that recently opened in Hollywood, Fla.
Travel agents aboard were pretty satisfied overall.
“I think it’s really nice,” said Chris Lackstrom, director
of supplier and market development for Ensemble Travel.
“I love the ship,” said Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise
Planners.
Fee, who was hanging out in the lounge in the ship’s two-story
Haven, said the ship will only enhance the brand’s reputation as one that gives
guests a lot of options.
“What Norwegian does best is that there are choices,” Fee
said.
The truth is that any
ship that caters to 4,200 passengers like Norwegian Escape can’t really be one
thing and survive. It has to have a multiplicity of appeals to draw on three,
or four or six different types of customers.
Norwegian President Andy Stuart summarized the pitch at a
news conference aboard the ship: “For every size and shape of family and
pocket, we have something,” he said.