Where on Escape to view picturesque ports upon arrival?

[benel204]

Hello,

We will be on our first NCL cruise (Escape) May 2024 Barcelona to Venice.

There are at least two ports where it is recommended to be somewhere forward on the ship to view the beautiful ports as we arrive.

Naples/Amalfi area is one, and Malta is another.

We will be in a club balcony cabin starboard side so plan to get to viewing spot outside (or inside?) in the common areas.

In studying the ship layout, though, there doesn't seem to be a common area, deck or lounge, indoor or out, that is forward-facing.

I see Vibe and Haven outdoor decks, but these are not common areas open to all.

For those who have sailed Escape before, what do you recommend?

 

Edited January 20 by benel204

[Two Wheels Only]

On Escape, port side/forward-facing on deck 19 is open to everyone...unless things have changed.

[shof515]

its not really front facing as in looking at the bow but i find deck 7 on port/starboard side has good forward views when near the railing

[schmoopie17]

We have a similar cruise on the Escape later this year. We have a port balcony, so hoping that will suffice.

 

Having said that, we arrive in Naples and Malta at 6:00am, which means approaching around 5:00am. Hope it's not too dark to see the views.

[dexddd]

Malta is a neat port and city.  Had breakfast one morning and a sub cruised out to sea.

[Ellis1138]

I went all the way up top to the Deck 19 forward section. There's windows in the way but a good view.

[jules181]

The thermal suite on the Escape has the best views on the ship. 

[hallux]

On 1/20/2024 at 2:29 AM, Two Wheels Only said:

On Escape, port side/forward-facing on deck 19 is open to everyone...unless things have changed.

They hadn't as of March last year, and I haven't seen anyone here complain that it has.

On 1/20/2024 at 6:38 AM, shof515 said:

its not really front facing as in looking at the bow but i find deck 7 on port/starboard side has good forward views when near the railing

7 or 8?  The Waterfront is on deck 8...

[shof515]

11 minutes ago, hallux said:

They hadn't as of March last year, and I haven't seen anyone here complain that it has.

7 or 8?  The Waterfront is on deck 8...

7 near the shuffleboard area

[CaptainBazz]

Malta is a great port to sail into...the higher the deck the better - 17/18/19 will give you good views - things to see from both sides of the ship.

[benel204]

4 hours ago, CaptainBazz said:

Malta is a great port to sail into...the higher the deck the better - 17/18/19 will give you good views - things to see from both sides of the ship.

Thanks CaptainBazz,

Noted

[benel204]

5 hours ago, jules181 said:

The thermal suite on the Escape has the best views on the ship. 

I understand we would not be able to enter Thermal suite unless we had a pass, correct?

[benel204]

On 1/20/2024 at 2:41 PM, Ellis1138 said:

I went all the way up top to the Deck 19 forward section. There's windows in the way but a good view.

On the deck plan that would be the non-Vibe, non-haven area looks like.

Ok will make note of that.

Thank you!

[hallux]

9 hours ago, benel204 said:

On the deck plan that would be the non-Vibe, non-haven area looks like.

Yes.  The Escape has a LOT of free-use deck space on deck 19 (and 20)

[Ellis1138]

9 hours ago, benel204 said:

I understand we would not be able to enter Thermal suite unless we had a pass, correct?

That is correct. When I went, the Thermal Suite was about $200 for a 7 day sailing.  I think they ran day passes on port days for $54.

The "Non-Vibe" areas on Deck 19 and 20 are perfectly fine, but outdoors. Unfortunately, the Deck 8 Waterfront doesn't go around the front of the ship, but you can get great views of sailing away and the wake.