New cruise ships for 2015: Norwegian Escape
Four cruise lines that market to North Americans are rolling out new ocean-going ships this year. Here, Paste BN profiles one of the new offerings: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Escape. For information on the year's other new vessels, click HERE to return to the main page of Paste BN's Guide to the New Cruise Ships of 2015.
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NORWEGIAN ESCAPE
Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Maiden voyage: Oct. 23
Home port: Miami
Size (in tons): 164,600
Passengers: 4,200
The buzz: Fast-growing Norwegian Cruise Line is creating yet another major mega-resort at sea -- its third in three years. An expanded version of the company's recently unveiled Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, the Norwegian Escape will be the line's largest ship to date and feature a sprawling, deck-top fun zone with four major water slides; a restaurant-lined boardwalk; large production shows; and a giant, two-deck spa with a flurries-filled Snow Room.
Set to become the largest cruise ship ever based year-round in Miami, Escape also will offer Norwegian's first dedicated nursery for young cruisers two and under; the first Margaritaville at sea; the largest ropes course at sea, a miniature golf course, a full-size basketball court and a bocce ball court -- another first for the line.
As with past Norwegian ships, Escape also will feature the line's signature "ship-within-a-ship" luxury suite area, The Haven, which has its own private pool, restaurant, butler service and concierge.
Itineraries: Seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean starting at $749 per person as well as a handful of six- and eight-night Caribbean sailings starting at $869 per person.
Information: 866-234-7350; ncl.com.
Norwegian Escape and sister ship Norwegian Bliss, due in 2017, will be about 10% larger than the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. For a deck-by-deck look at the new Norwegian Getaway, click through the carousel below.
More on Norwegian Escape
Latest gee-whiz cruise ship attraction: Snow Room
Next Norwegian ship to have giant water park
Norwegian Escape to have first Margaritaville at sea
Norwegian unveils cabin designs for Norwegian Escape
First look at cabins on Norwegian Escape
Construction begins on new Norwegian Escape
Next two Norwegian ships to be called Escape, Bliss