Everything.. ESCAPE (live 29 Oct 2015!)

[Cruiser Bruiser]

The deck plan linked above also answers all of our Deck 19 questions! Half public, quarter Haven sun deck, quarter Vibe. Just as I was hoping / expecting. Great news -- that is a significant enhancement of the public deck space with the two added cantilevered hot tubs!

 

You got it, brother! I'm glad this design will pull people out of my Spice H2O, which is by far the sexiest part of the ship. (That's right, I said "my." :p)

 

Norwegian has perfected the hell out of Breakaway class. I realize there are more similarities than differences, but after the marketing blitz, they need to start referring to these ships as Escape class. After all, they didn't call the Jewel class the Dawn-plus class, and that's the level of difference we're talking about.

 

Expansion of Spice H2O [terracing! warm waterfalls!] as round-the-clock adult only area and the co-location of Margaritaville [return of a grill!] is awesome. Four hot tubs on Deck 19 is awesome. Atrium-style restaurants at the FWD ends of Waterfront are awesome. Skyline instead of Bliss is awesome. Bayamo/tapas/Sugarcane trio instead of the Asian cluster [always empty across the fleet] is awesome. Show selection is awesome. More efficient use of deck space by the main pool is awesome. I could go on and on. :D

 

This is the best Norwegian ship ever. And in the duel between Escape class and Quantum class, it's obvious which ship is the winner. All the RCI folks have been complaining up a storm about Quantum.

[Dave85]

 

 

 

This is the best Norwegian ship ever. And in the duel between Escape class and Quantum class, it's obvious which ship is the winner. All the RCI folks have been complaining up a storm about Quantum.

 

 

LOL, well I may just have to write a comparative review. I will be spending 12 nights on Anthem of the Seas in November, then sailing on Escape the following May. Since Anthem is expected to be a "fixed" version of Quantum, it should provide a pretty good basis for comparison!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[SissasMomE]

You got it, brother! I'm glad this design will pull people out of my Spice H2O, which is by far the sexiest part of the ship. (That's right, I said "my." :p)

 

Norwegian has perfected the hell out of Breakaway class. I realize there are more similarities than differences, but after the marketing blitz, they need to start referring to these ships as Escape class. After all, they didn't call the Jewel class the Dawn-plus class, and that's the level of difference we're talking about.

 

Expansion of Spice H2O [terracing! warm waterfalls!] as round-the-clock adult only area and the co-location of Margaritaville [return of a grill!] is awesome. Four hot tubs on Deck 19 is awesome. Atrium-style restaurants at the FWD ends of Waterfront are awesome. Skyline instead of Bliss is awesome. Bayamo/tapas/Sugarcane trio instead of the Asian cluster [always empty across the fleet] is awesome. Show selection is awesome. More efficient use of deck space by the main pool is awesome. I could go on and on. :D

 

This is the best Norwegian ship ever. And in the duel between Escape class and Quantum class, it's obvious which ship is the winner. All the RCI folks have been complaining up a storm about Quantum.

 

I agree with you 1,000%! This ship appeals to me SO much more than Getaway or Breakaway. Spice is amazing! I do not think we would leave that area during the day. and I am stoked for the shows - all of them!

[minnesotamamafish]

There are so many new dining choices that many people will buy the UDP even if they don't get it with the promotion.

 

And with so many people already having UDP with the promotion, everyone will have to prebook dining the MINUTE they open or they will be full!

 

I don't know how they will offer the John Hughes dinner show free on the first night with UDP when so many people will have it.

[Dave85]

There are so many new dining choices that many people will buy the UDP even if they don't get it with the promotion.

 

 

 

And with so many people already having UDP with the promotion, everyone will have to prebook dining the MINUTE they open or they will be full!

 

 

 

I don't know how they will offer the John Hughes dinner show free on the first night with UDP when so many people will have it.

 

 

Ironically, the complimentary dining venues will be the ones brimming with availability, contrary to the undeserved bad rap NCL's gotten over the years lol. That's basically how it was on my Breakaway sailing -- the toughest seats to get were in the mores sought after specialty dining venues. Minimal if any wait at the complimentary venues.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[SissasMomE]

There are so many new dining choices that many people will buy the UDP even if they don't get it with the promotion.

 

And with so many people already having UDP with the promotion, everyone will have to prebook dining the MINUTE they open or they will be full!

 

I don't know how they will offer the John Hughes dinner show free on the first night with UDP when so many people will have it.

 

I disagree. We've never had an issue dining anywhere we wanted, and we sail during peak weeks. Ok, I had to enlist the help of the concierge last time, but that is only because it was a last minute decision to dine at Le Bistro, and we were already at night 6 of the cruise. Still, we got in. As for the dinner show being free on night one, they haven't even announced that yet, or even what the price will be.

Edited January 17, 2015 by SissasMomE

[minnesotamamafish]

I disagree. We've never had an issue dining anywhere we wanted, and we sail during peak weeks. Ok, I had to enlist the help of the concierge last time, but that is only because it was a last minute decision to dine at Le Bistro, and we were already at night 6 of the cruise. Still, we got in. As for the dinner show being free on night one, they haven't even announced that yet, or even what the price will be.

 

I guess it didn't come across in my post, but I was trying to speak hypothetically. :o

 

I wondered if because of the promotion adding many people to UDP and so many more buying it due to the many new choices, will the demand exceed supply? Especially on the first sailings out of Germany, Southampton, and Miami.

 

I know that they haven't announced if John Hughes will be free with UDP the first night. Others previously wondered if it would be and I was expressing my confusion as to how that would be logistically possible?

 

All this may end up not being a problem (and I hope that's the case!) Just speculating on what could be the case. I definitely don't want other cruisers to panic. Just be prepared for the possibility that reserving could be difficult.

 

Happy cruising!:)

[SissasMomE]

I guess it didn't come across in my post, but I was trying to speak hypothetically. :o

 

I wondered if because of the promotion adding many people to UDP and so many more buying it due to the many new choices, will the demand exceed supply? Especially on the first sailings out of Germany, Southampton, and Miami.

 

I know that they haven't announced if John Hughes will be free with UDP the first night. Others previously wondered if it would be and I was expressing my confusion as to how that would be logistically possible?

 

All this may end up not being a problem (and I hope that's the case!) Just speculating on what could be the case. I definitely don't want other cruisers to panic. Just be prepared for the possibility that reserving could be difficult.

 

Happy cruising!:)

 

Oh :o sorry!! :D

[minnesotamamafish]

Oh :o sorry!! :D

 

That's okay!:D With no other ships with these venues, a ship not built yet, and information coming out in bits and pieces, we have to speak a lot in hypotheticals! ;)

[cruisingcasinos]

First- Thank you to all the long time posters (and newbies) for all the information I have found on the CC boards. Truly appreciate it!

 

Now, I have a question which I would bet someone on this board will be able to answer ;)

 

For those of you who have watched the building of the other NCL ships (Epic and the aways) any idea on when information will come out regarding the cabin and balcony sizes? I am really interested in finding out about the Aft suites Or do we need to wait til someone reviews her?

 

I am anxiously awaiting more information on these cabins before I book, although I have "almost" booked about 20 times already :D

 

As usual - thanks for all help

[minnesotamamafish]

Since they don't appear to have Burn the Floor, I wonder what kind of entertainment they will have in the Manhattan dining room? Jazz music from After Midnight when they are not in the theater?

 

Also, on the Escape website, the Headliner's page shows two photos out of three of Howl at the Moon. Will they still have it? We want to know everything! :D

[Cruiser Bruiser]

LOL, well I may just have to write a comparative review. I will be spending 12 nights on Anthem of the Seas in November, then sailing on Escape the following May. Since Anthem is expected to be a "fixed" version of Quantum, it should provide a pretty good basis for comparison!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

 

Please do! I've been curious about their solo cabins, but RCI's website makes it impossible to research them. They're always sold out because there are so few, and RCI hides sold out cabin categories. And it's interesting they can't make Freestyle Dining work even though Norwegian has been doing it for years. Not so easy, apparently. ;)

 

Sent from my HTC One using Forums mobile app

[SissasMomE]

Since they don't appear to have Burn the Floor, I wonder what kind of entertainment they will have in the Manhattan dining room? Jazz music from After Midnight when they are not in the theater?

 

Also, on the Escape website, the Headliner's page shows two photos out of three of Howl at the Moon. Will they still have it? We want to know everything! :D

 

I noticed that too, about Howl. I got excited there for a minute lol I know someone had posted that Howl was not going to be on the Escape, but no official word on that one yet. I'm still hoping it's there.

[cam5212]

Hi fellow ESCAPEES.....

 

My sister and I booked the three day Paris package, it is now gone anyone else book it?

 

Wondering if we are the only two...

[DachshundsRule]

What is "The Haven Spa" in the Haven on Deck 17? Is it just massage rooms?

[Yorkvillain]

Hi everyone. I haven't read the entire thread (yet) but do you know if there are any of those small balconies on the Escape like the ones on the Breakaway class?

[rusticfurnituremaker]

First- Thank you to all the long time posters (and newbies) for all the information I have found on the CC boards. Truly appreciate it!

 

Now, I have a question which I would bet someone on this board will be able to answer ;)

 

For those of you who have watched the building of the other NCL ships (Epic and the aways) any idea on when information will come out regarding the cabin and balcony sizes? I am really interested in finding out about the Aft suites Or do we need to wait til someone reviews her?

 

I am anxiously awaiting more information on these cabins before I book, although I have "almost" booked about 20 times already :D

 

As usual - thanks for all help

 

I was able to call the cruise line directly and get this information. I called to make a booking and asked about square footage on several different cabins and balconies, and had no trouble getting the information.

[FreestyleNovice]

You got it, brother! I'm glad this design will pull people out of my Spice H2O, which is by far the sexiest part of the ship. (That's right, I said "my." :p)

 

Norwegian has perfected the hell out of Breakaway class. I realize there are more similarities than differences, but after the marketing blitz, they need to start referring to these ships as Escape class. After all, they didn't call the Jewel class the Dawn-plus class, and that's the level of difference we're talking about.

 

Expansion of Spice H2O [terracing! warm waterfalls!] as round-the-clock adult only area and the co-location of Margaritaville [return of a grill!] is awesome. Four hot tubs on Deck 19 is awesome. Atrium-style restaurants at the FWD ends of Waterfront are awesome. Skyline instead of Bliss is awesome. Bayamo/tapas/Sugarcane trio instead of the Asian cluster [always empty across the fleet] is awesome. Show selection is awesome. More efficient use of deck space by the main pool is awesome. I could go on and on. :D

 

This is the best Norwegian ship ever. And in the duel between Escape class and Quantum class, it's obvious which ship is the winner. All the RCI folks have been complaining up a storm about Quantum.

 

Best post of 2015 CB! :D A full 100% with you!

[pinkrosesdeb]

We haven't been on NCL in many years. Seriously considering booking the Escape in 2016. The one complaint I have heard from many of our friends is that the didn't like the bathroom sink located in the main room or the fact that the jacuzzi in some of the suites is actually in the "bedroom" part. Any idea if this will continue to be the layout of the new cabins? Or, if indeed, it is still the way the cabins are laid out in the newer ships? We are Diamond Plus with Royal and I can answer a lot of questions about that line...but I am anxious to know about THIS line. Thanks so much for your help and, hopefully, I will cruise with some of you before too long.

Deb

[KeithJenner]

We haven't been on NCL in many years. Seriously considering booking the Escape in 2016. The one complaint I have heard from many of our friends is that the didn't like the bathroom sink located in the main room or the fact that the jacuzzi in some of the suites is actually in the "bedroom" part. Any idea if this will continue to be the layout of the new cabins? Or, if indeed, it is still the way the cabins are laid out in the newer ships? We are Diamond Plus with Royal and I can answer a lot of questions about that line...but I am anxious to know about THIS line. Thanks so much for your help and, hopefully, I will cruise with some of you before too long.

 

Deb

 

 

The sink in the bedroom issue is specific to the Epic. The Escape will almost certainly have the same design as the Breakaway class, which has a separate bathroom.

 

I'm not so sure about the whirlpool, but I think that may well be a specific Epic issue as well.

[Dave85]

We haven't been on NCL in many years. Seriously considering booking the Escape in 2016. The one complaint I have heard from many of our friends is that the didn't like the bathroom sink located in the main room or the fact that the jacuzzi in some of the suites is actually in the "bedroom" part. Any idea if this will continue to be the layout of the new cabins? Or, if indeed, it is still the way the cabins are laid out in the newer ships? We are Diamond Plus with Royal and I can answer a lot of questions about that line...but I am anxious to know about THIS line. Thanks so much for your help and, hopefully, I will cruise with some of you before too long.

 

Deb

 

 

The sink thing was just on Epic. Breakaway / Getaway / Escape have normal bathrooms. We resisted booking Epic for partially that reason too, and were happy to see then go back to normal bathrooms on Breakaway.

 

I believe the Haven Spa Suites on Escape the jacuzzi in the main room (that was also the case on Breakaway).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[cruisingcasinos]

I was able to call the cruise line directly and get this information. I called to make a booking and asked about square footage on several different cabins and balconies, and had no trouble getting the information.

 

Thanks - I will ask my PCC.

[Working_To_Cruise]

First- Thank you to all the long time posters (and newbies) for all the information I have found on the CC boards. Truly appreciate it!

 

Now, I have a question which I would bet someone on this board will be able to answer ;)

 

For those of you who have watched the building of the other NCL ships (Epic and the aways) any idea on when information will come out regarding the cabin and balcony sizes? I am really interested in finding out about the Aft suites Or do we need to wait til someone reviews her?

 

I am anxiously awaiting more information on these cabins before I book, although I have "almost" booked about 20 times already :D

 

As usual - thanks for all help

 

Hey cruisingcasinos, There is a very big difference! I am booked on deck 9 in the aft facing Penthouse with a balcony 405 Square feet! Smallest aft facing penthouse is a little more than 200 square feet which is still huge. I couldn't wait to book the same aft facing penthouse on the Escape in 2016 until I found out they are all only 78 square feet. So I booked Getaway again! you can call Norwegian anytime and they can give you this information.

[cruisecrazy82]

So after reading and then re-reading the info on the site (http://www.escape.ncl.com/), am I reading it correctly that Margaritaville's food is complimentary?? OMG amazing!!!

[happy cruzin]

Wow, thanks! That is a better angle, but I am not sure if I actually see a difference or if my eyes are just seeing what I want to see. At the moment it seems like decks 10-11 and 13-14 may have a similar look as opposed to decks 9, 12 & 15 but it could just be the angle as it's hard to see the details completely, just a feeling I get when looking at them.

 

 

I have been thinking about the H6 aft penthouses for quite some time and I am making a lot of assumptions, probably too many.

 

- I start off by assuming that the H6 aft penthouse cabin configurations will be similar to the Breakaway and Getaway.

- Of those two configurations I try to figure out which ones will have the bathroom unit on the balcony side, similar in configuration to an H4.

- Originally, I thought it would be simple to figure out, but was complicated by the fact that the Escape adds an extra deck.

- Then I came across the realization that the likely reason there are two styles of aft cabins may have to do with being able to make the cabins connecting cabins.

- All of the H6 aft penthouse cabins on Breakaway and Getaway that have the H4 type configuration are connecting.

- What complicates matters even further is the fact that only one deck on the Escape, deck 14, is currently listed with connecting H7 staterooms.

 

Who knows at this point the aft balcony staterooms could be a completely new design entirely ;), but I still can't wait to see it in person, only 474 days to go!

 

The other thing I wondered about was balcony size and from this picture it seems like the balconies are all of approximately equal size on decks 10, 11, 13 and 14. It also looks like balconies on deck 15, 12 and 9 would be extended which is different then the current deck plans seem to imply. However, I know those deck plans can be completely wrong with regards to actual and relative room sizes.

 

It also appears that the roof on the waterfront does not extend over the back part of the ship like it does on the Breakaway and Getaway which will probably be nicer for those in balconies on deck 9.

 

EXACTLY!!

 

It is frustrating that the Aft Penthouse Suites do not have ANY info for room layout - even on ncl.com and according to my PCC they still do not have any catalogs or literature to share either! :(

 

Same thing happened with the Breakaway....we waited a LONG time before seeing the layout of those cabins. Can't help but wonder why.... :confused:

 

Hoping the above photo is a good rendition! We are booked on Deck 9 again for the Escape - using our experience on the Breakaway and Getaway. I understand that the balcony space is probably going to be smaller than on the "-aways" but I'm still a fan of the aft views and the multiple room floor plan! ;) :D