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Login 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.
First time cruisers. excellent service. Douglas at the Pool took great care of or group Larry Jim at Pour House outstanding larrys group Ann at buffet. buffet bartenders room attendants need variety new items on breakfast buffet. Osheehans excellent food. Rumors Tribute - outstanding Cabins clean, great bed. nice balcony. Mix bar tenders outstanding we will book our own flights going forward I thought both embark-debark were logistically sound considering it is basically a cattle call. All transportation was quick easy professional on time overall- first time our group has travelled together really good time for our group of 15 from Gretna, NE met group from jefferson City MO fun times wish pool was bigger with more shallow sitting areas with more shade Spice H2O grotto was neat, floor was so hot it was awful. hopefully when ship is renovated that will change nice group seating areas Thank You NCL!
Ship: NCL Escape Dates: May 3, 2026—May 10, 2026 Cabin: Category M4, Family Club Balcony Suite Cruise Director: Alexis Itinerary: Leaving out of NOLA going to Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, México; NOLA Our Cruising Experience: Total Cruises: 58, Total with NCL: 4 Intro: My reviews are written in sections so you can skip over anything you don’t care to read about, or if you need a break, you can pick up at the next section without having to go through the whole thread. This review is written to be objective with both issues and likes & dislikes. I hope that it will be beneficial to those who are looking to cruise NCL Escape. I apologize for the long review, but I’m a detail person and want you to have as much knowledge about this ship and cruise as possible. Ready? Let’s go… Embarkation: We flew into NOLA on the morning of the cruise from Charlotte, NC, and took a taxi to the cruise terminal, arriving around 10:00. We got into line and it was already moving inside the terminal, and got checked-in. We were directed to a section where we waited about 30 minutes; our check in time was for 10:30. They never announced embarking had started, but people were headed that way, so our section all got up and followed them. We checked our carry-on in the Casino so we could explore the ship without lugging it around. From there we went directly to Headliner’s to reserve our three specialty dining restaurants, then to the buffet for lunch. After lunch, we explored the ship since this was our first time on Escape. Our past cruises on NCL were Norway, Pride of America, and Gem. My favorite is still Norway, long since retired, she was so beautiful and quaint, and helped get us addicted to cruising. Ship: The ship is beautiful and we enjoyed it overall. The venues were easy to find, as well as the shops. For those who like to know the stats, etc., here is an AI overview I found that gives all that info. “The Norwegian Escape is a 164,998-gross-ton Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. Built in 2015 and refurbished in 2022, she measures 1,069 feet in length and accommodates 4,266 passengers (double occupancy) alongside 1,733 international crew members.” We actually had no complaints about anything regarding the ship or our cruise, except for Wifi/Internet, more about that later. We only went to Guest Relations twice, and both times the wait was minimal, and our questions were answered immediately, and we left happy! No real complaints at all. Cabin: Our cabin was category M4, Family Club Balcony. We chose it for its proximity to the elevators and balcony size. Here are the stats for that cabin: ~Balcony Size: 44 sq. ft. ~Total Room Size: 251 sq. ft. ~Occupancy: Up to 4 guests ~Bedding Configurations: Two lower beds that convert to a queen, a sofa bed, and potentially a Pullman or bunk bed. ~Bathroom: Larger than standard balconies, featuring double sinks and a luxurious spa-like multi-jet shower. We loved the cabin size, and the double sinks in the bathroom. We also loved the length of the shower and roominess, and that the bathroom was a little larger than most other cabins we’ve had in the past. Lotion is not provided, so if you need that, bring your own. There is a soap dispenser at the sink and shampoo/conditioner combined, and body wash dispensers in the shower. The bed was pushed together for us to make a queen size, and there is only a comforter, so we asked for a top sheet, as well. Storage was adequate, we had plenty of hangers in the closet, plenty of shelving behind doors at the TV and desk, and inside where the safe is. The safe uses a four digit number to program. Be sure to take everything out the night before and check under the felt pad for anything that may have gotten under that, speaking from experience. We had a safe once that wouldn’t open the night before an excursion and we waited hours for an electrician to come and tell us it needed new batteries, then had to wait for the mechanic to come drill it open, then the electrician to come back to change the batteries! This happened twice! Needless to say we missed our excursion. I can’t imagine going through that on debarkation day… There is a small mini fridge, but if you need meds that have to be refrigerated, order a medical one before the cruise from Special Needs; it is colder than the one in the cabin and better for your meds. Our Cabin Steward was Ryan, and he was wonderful. I only saw him once after embarkation day, but I communicated with him via Post It Notes® left on the mirror, about the top sheet, and a Sharps container, which were in the cabin after we returned for the evening. We told him to only clean in the evening, so we left the DND sign on during the day. We’re pretty neat and don’t need twice a day service. Food/Restaurants/Dining/Bars: ~Complimentary Restaurants: We ate at Taste and Savor, mostly Savor, on the nights we didn’t go to a specialty restaurant. The food was good, not great, but the only night I couldn’t eat what I ordered was the first night; it was Mahi Mahi, and it was overcooked and tough. ~Specialty Restaurants: Specialty restaurants that we reserved were Cagney’s Steakhouse, Teppanyaki, and Le Bistro. Cagney’s was very good. My husband got a prime rib and I had a filet Mingnon. He loved his prime rib and my filet Mingnon was excellent! It was cooked to perfection, and melted like butter in my mouth while my taste buds danced happily! My sides were truffle mashed potatoes and ceamed spinach, with raspberry crème brǔlée for dessert. Teppanyaki was good and we got a small demonstration from the chef, but not as much as other tables got from their chef. I had the shrimp and steak with garlic fried rice, and it was a good meal. I would not book Teppanyaki again, though, it just wasn’t as “fun” and good as I had hoped for. Your experience may be better. Le Bistro was excellent! I ordered mushroom soup, and the beef tenderloin, and again, it was cooked to perfection, exactly as I ordered it. It was as tender as my filet from Cagney’s and just as flavorful. I would definitely book this restaurant again! ~ O’Sheehan’s is a great place to go for those late night bites! It’s open 24 hours and is usually quite busy. You may have to wait a little, for not for too long. I loved the pretzel bites I got there, and we split a hamburger one night that was very good. My husband had chili a couple of nights from here that he liked. When we were on Gem, we would get breakfast in O’Sheehan’s which was good. ~Buffet We ate at the buffet on embarkation day for lunch, and for lunch during the cruise, except for one day when we ate in the MDR. I mostly got salads from the buffet, but my husband got other items, some he liked, some he didn’t. We both loved the hand dipped ice cream, as well as the soft serve. ~Food we Liked from MDRs: Shrimp Cake appetizer, which was excellent, lava cake, Belgium waffle, Mahi Mahi (better this night), Bang Bang chicken & shrimp, white cheddar cheese potato soup, BBQ ribs, brisket, cream of asparagus soup, and hush puppies. We actually loved all of the soups we ordered except for the French Onion on the first night—it was terrible, so we stayed away from that. All of our desserts were delicious and I loved all the different flavors of crème brǔlées. These crème brǔlées were just the right amount of sweetness, not overly sweet like most crème brǔlées. ~Bars: We loved MIXX Bar before dinner since it is situated between Savor and Taste, two of the complimentary restaurants. We loved MIXX since it was smaller and you get to know others easily, and it opens at 5:30 and we like to go to dinner around 6:00. The bartenders, Freddy and Ferris were both really great at mixing drinks, and I have found a new favorite – Mango Meltdown. I love that drink and both Ferris and Freddy could make some really good ones! My husband is particular about his drinks and he had no complaints on this cruise. Atrium Bar is located in the Atrium at Guest Services and Shore Excursions desk. It is a bigger bar than MIXX and is always very crowded and hard to find a seat at the bar. There is usually some sort of entertainment going on in the Atrium area as well, so it was very loud and noisy. I couldn’t hear myself think there! Another reason to go to MIXX! Skyline Bar on deck 7 was another good place to go in the evening after dinner and shows – if you can get in! It had a band called One4One, and they were very good! We were able to get seats a couple of nights there and enjoyed listening to them. They also played in the Atrium one evening before dinner. Entertainment: The Choir of Man was performed twice in the main theatre. It is a group of men set in a pub. A Narrator gives the story of each of the characters in the pub. They sing and dance and it’s nice to watch once. They do offer free beer at the very beginning to anyone who can come up on stage to get it. I think that’s why everyone seems to love the show. Rumours was a very good show, with songs by Fleetwood Mac and stories about each artists’ romances with each other, songs written by whom and how the song came about. It was a very good show, if you don’t already know the history of this band and its members, or even if you do. I have no pictures or video as we were asked not to take any. The performers were very good and did a good job. Guest Entertainers: Guest entertainers were two comedians, one very funny, one okay. The first comedian, Andy Beningo was okay funny. I laughed at some of his jokes, but he just didn’t do it for me. The second was Ivan Martin, who we had seen on another ship, and he was hilarious! We laughed the entire time he was on stage! He made me snort, so if you know me, you know it’s funny when I snort. Ports of Call: Cozumel, México was our first port of call. We have been here many times, going to Nachi Cocum, Mr. Sanchos, Paradise Beach, Chankanaab National Park, driving around on our own, etc., so we got off the ship and just walked around. We docked at the old port of Cozumel, and I was amazed at how many more shops were there since the last time we had docked there, which has been quite a few years! After walking around for about an hour, and connecting to Wifi, we went back to the ship to get chairs around the pool. It’s always easy to find chairs when everyone else is in port! Roatán, Honduras was our second stop. Once again, we have been here many times and had gone to different day resorts, beaches, etc., so we walked around for about 30 minutes or so. We docked at the old port, which again, had changed quite a lot for us. Another pool day with all the chair hogs in port! YAY! Our next port of call was Harvest Caye, Belize, NCL’s private island. We have not been to Harvest Caye, so we walked around checking out the large pool, the butterflies, birds, etc. and the beach there. Harvest Caye is really very pretty and if there is a next time for us, we will definitely spend the day there, rather than going back to the ship. It was very hot this day, so rather than walk into port, we took one of the trams that pick you up and take you there and back. NOLA, of course, was our last “port”, and we had booked a tour of the City via the ship. For our debarkation, we had special black luggage tags that we used. Those tags took our luggage to a special location in the big warehouse of luggage, with other booked tours/excursions. Then we went through Customs, and found our tour bus. We boarded the bus, and after everyone was on board, we headed out to see NOLA! Our guide was excellent! I hate I forgot his name, but he grew up in NOLA so he knew all the history, all about the variety of cultures that have inhabited NOLA for decades, and was great at explaining everything! The history is so rich, and so multi-cultural, that has always been embraced; it’s too bad the U.S. can’t be that way across the entire country, imagine if it were… Our first stop was St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, that has been on my bucket list forever! We were given some history of this cemetery and then we had about 45 minutes to ourselves to explore. Back on the bus, we toured the city some more, learning more about the shotgun houses, and learning about the lady who started Café du Monde Coffee and Beignets. After our tour around the city, we stopped at New Orleans City Park. It was a beautiful Sunday, and the park was filled with tourists and locals alike, all over the park, having picnics, walking around, etc., just enjoying the beautiful day and park. It reminded me of Chicago’s song, “Saturday in the Park!” We walked around for awhile capturing pics of some of this beautiful park, then we went to Café du Monde located there and ordered three bags of beignets! Oh. My. Gosh. Y’all, those little guys are to die for! And you would not believe all the powdered sugar at the bottom of the bags! I wish we had bought a couple more bags to bring home ¬¬-- I’m having a beignet withdrawal just talking about them, and need a fix now! Okay, back to reality…we then headed through more of the City to a waterway, and I’m sorry to say, I’ve forgotten the name of it. We got a little more history from our guide about the waterway and were then left to ourselves to explore this beautiful waterway and capture more pictures. It’s a place where little boys love to come to fish, locals come to jog, walk, or hang out on the beautiful grassy banks. I truly enjoyed this tour of such an historic city with so much happening, I wasn’t ready to leave, but it was time to head to the airport. Our cruise is now over, and we were left to reflect on a wonderful cruise, a beautiful, historic city, and more wonderful memories. I would suggest going in a day or two early, or stay a day afterward to explore NOLA if you sail out of this port. Issues: Issue #1: Cabins were supposed to be ready at 1:00, but they weren’t. After we had checked out all of the ship, we were pretty tired and ready for a nap; we’d been up since 3:30 a.m. At 1:00 we, along with others, were sitting on the steps, out around on the floor, waiting for the announcement. Finally, the announcement said cabins would be ready around 2:00! I got up a few minutes later and opened the door that leads to the cabins. Our cabin was right there, so I peeked inside and it looked ready to me. I called my husband over and told him to come on inside, and as he did, I saw others get up to follow him inside. It is completely ridiculous that we had to wait that long for our cabin. Every other cruise line we have sailed with, have your cabin key card on the outside of your door ready to pick up. You go straight there, drop off your carry-on and come back around 12:30 to use your cabin, 1:00 at the latest. Issue #2: We had the free 150 minutes of Wifi/Internet. It worked great, BUT, sometimes you were not able to log out, therefore losing minutes. The Internet Café guy gave us some minutes back, but not all of what we each had lost. Another issue with Wifi is that it would drop out and you were unable to log in. I finally, purchased three days of Wifi with my OBC that they don’t put toward gratuities, so that helped. Issue #3: OBC does not go toward gratuities like other cruise lines, so after purchasing three days of Wifi, we had to spend the rest in the shops on merchandise we didn’t need or want, because it was non-refundable. What we loved: The casualness of the dining rooms, dress, and the ship as a whole, Cagney’s, Le Bistro, ports of call, the ship itself, the people we met and talked with, and new memories we made on this cruise. The crew members we had contact with all were so friendly and so eager to please. We learned about some of them and their families they had left behind in far away countries to provide for, and how much they missed their children and all their milestones. They love talking about their families, so please be kind to them, talk to them and learn about them, they love it when you are genuinely interested in them and their families. What we didn’t like: Wifi problem, not having OBC go toward gratuities, lack of entertainment in the theater – we would have liked a Broadway-type show, but maybe we are just used to other cruise lines that have that type of entertainment. We also were not happy about the long wait to get into our cabin. Tips and Suggestions: 1. If this is your first cruise, one thing I believe is a necessity, are magnetic hooks and clips. This helps you to stay organized. The cabin does provide a couple of hooks to hang things on, but I used a couple of my heavy duty hooks for pool bag, purse, etc., which can be found on Amazon, and magnetic clips for hanging important papers, invitations, itinerary, excursion tickets, etc. They also help keep the cabin a little neater. 2. I also suggest if your excursion involves a lot of walking in a hot climate, is to take some sandwich baggies, and the night before your excursion, wet a couple of wash cloths, put them in the baggie and into the refrigerator. Take them with you on your excursion to wipe your neck or face during the excursion or tour. Take bottled water with you as well. Don’t forget those cold, wet cloths in the fridge! 3. Always take a first aid kit that you can easily add to with needed things you will learn you need as you cruise. Mine has things like band aides of all sizes, aspirin/Ibuprofen, cold/cough meds, peroxide, melatonin (sleep aid), sea sickness meds, and lots more. Be sure to add a thermometer – especially if you cruise with children. I was glad I had Vaseline and band aides on one cruise because I got some sand between my toes that rubbed a blister on one of my toes. On another cruise I broke my little toe, and I knew that the doc would wrap the little toe to the next one, so I taped it to the next toe with a couple of band aids. This happened the first night of our Greek Isles cruise which entailed a LOT of walking! It was painful, but I’m sure it could have been worse had I not doctored up that toe. Since this happened, I have added gauze and some white medical tape to my kit. I keep a couple of COVID tests in my kit as well. I also take a smaller kit on excursions and tours with an assortment of Band aids, and a bee sting pen to ease that pain if needed. There is so much more that I take and that others take, so just prepare for all kinds of things so that you’ll have what you need. If you are a first time cruiser, be sure to keep your prescription meds with you, don’t pack them in your checked luggage in case it gets lost. 4. I take a small sized can of Lysol to spray everything in the cabin before we get settled; the hair dryer handle, door handles, TV remote, bed, pillows, etc. Anything that we will touch. 5. Do your research before you go; research the ship as much as possible by reading reviews on Cruise Critic, TripAdvisor, Google, etc. Do the same for tours, excursions, and ports of call. Find out as much as you can about everything, so you can be prepared and enjoy your cruise. 6. Take a picture of your luggage to help your steward find it if it doesn’t show up. Sometimes it gets taken to security for one reason or another, or just gets lost. I had that happen on our last Celebrity cruise because the Celebrity tag had gotten ripped off. I found it at Guest Services when I went there with a question. On another cruise line it went to the wrong cabin. I showed a picture to our Steward, he took a pic of my pic and was back with our luggage within 20 minutes, with a big grin on his face, I might add! 7. Do everything, try everything, eat all you can, try new dishes, and learn new things. Travel while you are young and able, and don’t worry about the money and time -- just find it. Traveling is one of the best educations you can have. Meet new people, make new friends, go and enjoy! Make an idiot of yourself, you won’t regret it! 8. Take lots of pictures of everything. Pictures are great memories, but remember to stop and put the camera down. Look, watch, and absorb those memories into your brain’s computer. If you are always viewing the world from behind the lens, you will miss seeing some wonderful “pictures” that become great memories for your mind’s eye. Besides, how often do we go back and look at those pictures we “took” and have already forgotten about? How often do we remember the things we actually saw?
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.
