Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Escape sits in a funny spot when it comes to Norwegian Cruises. It’s the first Breakaway-Plus ship, launched in 2015, but it’s also the only one in the class without a go-kart racing track, opting instead for a full-on ropes course that kids love. It’s still a very fun ship, great for families and young adults alike, offering entertaining shows, solid dining options, and classic itineraries for those who love a high-energy cruise and don’t mind a little bit of noise.

What we like about Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Escape is a cruise ship that tries to be a jack of all trades. It offers great entertainment for kids, with two waterparks, multiple pools, and a full-on ropes course and zip line. But it’s also a fantastic option for adults, thanks to its specialty restaurants and one of the best bars among Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships. With so much packed into a single cruise and inviting prices, it’s definitely a great choice for anyone looking for a week in the Caribbean, or even first-time cruisers.

Dining onboard is actually pretty good. Complimentary options are fine, but Norwegian Escape also gives you the chance to try Food Republic and The District Brew House. Food Republic is loved by many Norwegian Cruise Line fans, offering a mix of Asian and Latino dishes. It has some really unique options, like Peruvian beef skewers and a Vietnamese Phở Tái. Meanwhile, The District Brew House offers more than 50 different styles of beer, a huge variety of unique cocktails, and live music. It’s probably the best place onboard for adults to socialize and meet new people.

This ship isn’t just about noodles and a good beer, no. Families will also have a great time onboard! Sure, Norwegian Escape doesn’t have the go-kart racing track you see on ships like Norwegian Joy, but it does have two waterparks, plenty of waterslides (including the Aqua Slider, where the floor opens beneath you), a bowling alley and a huge ropes course with ziplines that’s a big hit with the little ones. The ropes course, by the way, replaces the go-kart track and is exclusive to this ship. Escape also has an arcade and a mini-golf course that families can enjoy.

Entertainment is also a lot of fun for adults, thanks to Escape’s standout show: the Choir of Men. The show takes place in an English-style pub, where talented singers and musicians rock out classic songs like Guns N’ Roses’ Welcome to the Jungle. The performance lasts about 80 minutes, and some guests are even invited onstage to grab a beer and join in the fun. It’s awesome.

What we don’t like about Norwegian Escape

The main drawback of Norwegian Escape is something that affects most mega-resorts at sea: it can get really crowded. It doesn’t help that it has slightly fewer spots than the other Breakaway-Plus ships for guests to spread out, which becomes obvious when you walk around the two waterparks and see people everywhere. The pools are also on the smaller side and fill up quickly, making it easy to picture that classic scene where you’re trying to snag a lounge chair by the pool… but everything’s already taken.

Also remember, friends: there’s no go-kart racing track onboard this ship. If you want to drive a kart in the middle of the ocean, you’ll have to go with Norwegian Joy or the other Breakaway-Plus ships. I don’t think this is necessarily a con, since the ropes course is also a lot of fun, but it’s worth mentioning again.

Conclusion

Norwegian Escape is a fun ship for both adults and kids. It has an amazing bar for beers and cocktails, plus a ropes course and waterpark that children will love. Add in a bunch of entertaining shows and some pretty good prices, and you’ve got a solid excuse to spend a week in the Caribbean.