London-Calling

"The Norwegian Escape, due in 2015, will be the cruise line's largest and boast all of the features of Norwegian Getaway, in addition to new spaces and experiences." (NCL)

It was not difficult to guess that Escape (and Bliss) would have more cabins than Breakaway class. (We have now heard that the Haven Complex' will have more suites).

However I wonder if any of the public rooms and dining options will be significantly changed?

Will there be room for any extra public rooms?

I don't doubt that many will be re-themed, dependent where the ship will home-port/operate.

Any guesses?

I think we will be using the roller rink and bumper cars more than the zip line, carrousel and ice rink.

Of course - that's because the Zip-line, carrousel and ice rink are on other ships!;)

(Or were you being ironic?)

As I said earlier I NEED TO KNOW what Quantum can offer us GROWN-UPS.

Bumper cars will only occupy 10 minutes of my cruise. The North Star will almost certainly be difficult to get booked on.

An RC patent/concept was identified my a CC member, for a dining room, with big window/s.

Maybe this design has found it's way onto Quantum? After all it was called "Project sunshine".

The secrecy has now gone on far too long!

Especially given the fact that you can book Quantum, but we still don't know what half the public rooms are like.

Deck five, the nearest to a Royal Prom that we are likely to get. (Image: RCI/Malcolm Oliver Blog)

And what about the dining room/s. I'm not sure that there is space for one big one?

...but could not the galley be Deck 3/4 far aft also servicing 270 above and then could not mid-Aft on both deck 3 and deck 4 be main dining venue on each side, with windows all down the side of each?

This would create 4 separate dining zones.

Very possible.

However if RC still have the traditional dining system with one big dining room and two sittings (with other smaller alternatives on offer) I'm not sure the deck 3/4 space looks big enough for 2,000+ passengers?

Maybe it is?

I have to say one disappointment of my Allure cruise was lack of feeling of even being at sea.

Hi LMaxwell you are VERY right. Cruising is all about the interaction with the sea and the passing land. Many mega-ships have become very inward focussed. In fact the only place that you often get a good sea view is from your Balcony as Cigar King points out.

I love RC's Royal Prom's but they do lack a sea view. At least Oasis's Royal prom has skylights (from central park above) letting in some natural light, yet no sea views.

That is where NCL's 'Waterfront' (Breakaway, Getaway and Breakaway+) is a nice feature. many of the dining options and some shops are on a quarter mile external Prom deck.

I don't think we need to worry about Quantum. I think the clue is in her code name "Project Sunshine".

The 'Radiance' class has tons of glass and sea views everywhere. Although Quantum is a brand new design, I believe she is a sort of updated version of ther "Radiance" class. I think we can expect lots of sea views and light. Two70 is not short of windows, is it!

However, I don't think we are going to get a proper Royal Prom but it may some daylight and sea-views?

One thing that does bother me is the restaurant/s. The biggest space left for a large restaurants is under Two70 and does not have any windows. There is talk of three dining rooms, but I don't know where they will be located?

Above: RC Movie Grab (deck 5). Is this Quantum's Royal Prom? It seems to have windows down each side.

(Source: RC Video/Malcolm Oliver Blog)

I guess this is the 'Royal Prom' or whatever it is called?

(RCI movie grab)

Well spotted Elizanessie!

Let's not forget that our tiny island is the second biggest cruise market in the world!

And we still don't know anything about the dining options, many public rooms or the Royal Prom's replacement.

I'm a little concerned that this is the BIG selling point of the new ship and that's all Royal Caribbean seems to want to talk about.

I'd certainly like to know what the ship has to offer us grown ups! I'm certainly bored with "Too come".

Will it have food, for example?;)

I would certainly not book a ship until I knew what it had to offer me.

O.K, I know that RC are still withholding many secrets...

...but has anyone worked out where the main dining room is, assuming that there is only one (main)?

Just did our first NCL cruise on the Epic in December and LOVED it! We're already booked on the Breakaway. I was disappointed to hear that the Getaway will be doing the same itinerary as the Epic.

I also enjoyed Epic. There are many similarities between Epic and Breakaway, but I think Breakaway/Getaway are better because of the 'Waterfront' feature.

The most interesting ships do the most boring itineraries.

I fear that Breakaway-plus ships (Escape and Bliss) will be almost identical but with just an extra deck of cabins.

Any Getaway Images in Bermuda?

Personally I DO think NCL have more on-board surcharges than all other mass-market lines. However this is because they have more 'choices' of dining and entertainment.

Sometimes their fares may well be lower, which compensates. Anyway the additional surcharges are NOT compulsory.

After Allure all ships will seem small! Personally I think smaller ships have advantages as do big ships.

Epic, breakaway and getaway certainly and 'high energy' ships with loads of dining choices (more than RC) and lots of entertainment.

Other NCL ships will give you a slightly less 'full-on' experience, with not so many choices of food and entertainment, but this is not always a bad thing!

How was Getaway's crossing? Bumpy?

I've not seen any reviews, have you found any?

Do you collect cruise ship memorabilia? I certainly keep my 'Freestyle Daily' sheets, menu's and Key-card from my cruises.

E-Bay's good for ship memorabilia. I notice that Norwegian Getaway stuff has already appeared!

Nice comparison, well done!

85% of the ideas on-board Breakaway/Getaway come directly from Epic. She may be ugly externally, but inside she has the look and same feel and the same range of dining/entertainment as Getaway.

Epic's has just two negative factors:

1) Some people did not like the cabins with split show/toilet. I had no problem with them.

2) She does not have 'the Waterfront', but what are your chances of getting a seat, with a sea view, on a sunny day with 4,000+ other punters!

Forget her looks, she's well worth a try and will be permanently based in the Med next year.

.

I know that the two Breakaway Plus ships (Escape and Bliss) will be bigger than the Breakaway Class and carry more passengers.

However what are they going to do with the extra tonnage? I believe that they will have an extra deck. Will there just be more cabins or will we get more amenities?

Anyone know?

There is a VERY extensive Getaway review here, which contains a lot of detail:

http://wp.me/PfRKD-2i7

There is a VERY extensive Getaway review here. Readers might find it useful?

http://wp.me/PfRKD-2i7

There is a VERY extensive Getaway review here:

http://wp.me/PfRKD-2i7

I would not book a cruise on a ship as a matter of principle, if key features are still a secret.

Come on RCI, we are grown ups, it's time to share her secrets!;)

The RCI FAQ's clearly say that passengers WILL be able to smoke on Quantum's balconies, although this seems to go against the new 'rules' for all other ships.

Why?

(Sorry if this topic has been coved before)

I don't think it will be a Royal Prom as we know it!

I personally believe it to be the midship area on decks 4 and 5. There is tons of retail and there are steps up to another level.

Yes you could be right? So what is the space on deck 6 - just a big corridor?