Updated July 2019
Norwegian Cruise Line promise that guests can ‘Escape completely’ onboard their Breakaway-Class Ship, Norwegian Escape. Some of our staff were invited along to be a part of the inaugural overnight sailing from Southampton, and returned with much to say about the ship! Read on to find out what they thought.
It’s safe to say that on this incredible vessel you can certainly escape from the outside world, with endless activities, dining choices and bars to keep you entertained.
We embarked in time for lunch, and made a beeline straight for Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, boasting ‘the best burgers on your way to paradise’. We refuelled on cheesy chicken Quesadillas, lime slaw and key lime pie, ready to explore the vast ship and all of its exciting facilities.
Between the huge high ropes course, the insane aqua park (one slide has a loop the loop!), mini golf course and sports court, we were all amazed at the variety of fun-filled activities there are to keep active on board. Our only regret was not having the time to try them all out on this short itinerary.
After a quick walk around it was time to meet for the muster drill, before heading to our stateroom for a pre-dinner outfit change. We stayed in a large balcony, and were really impressed by the size and layout; a large sofa made great use of the space between the bed and the wardrobe, and the bathroom was extremely spacious, with a nice big shower too.
O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill was our choice for a casual drink before dinner. Located just off the atrium, the atmosphere was alive with energy here as everybody mingled at the beginning of the evening. We then dined in one of the main restaurants, Savor, where a traditional menu offered a choice of Maine lobster, succulent steaks, beef wellington, and much more.
With the wine flowing, and the night young, we thought it only polite to trial a few of the bars on offer. First on our list - the District Brewhouse, serving a fantastic variety of craft beers. With bluesy rock classics being played live by one man and his piano, we stayed a while soaking up the ambience. Next, a drink at the outdoor Waves bar gave us time to appreciate the stunning look of the ship lit up after dark.
Our bar crawl then settled in Mixx bar, where two pianists performed incredible covers. With requests from the crowd ranging from The Spice Girls to Depeche Mode, their showmanship kept us captivated for the rest of the evening, with plenty of dancing to work off those indulgent three courses at dinner. In search of one last night cap, we found ourselves finally in Tobacco Road, a liquor bar harking back to the good ol’ days at Miami’s most famous dive bar, serving a fantastic selection of bourbons, whiskeys, and speciality cocktails.
The verdict: the perfect ship for those who want stylish bars, energetic nightlife, and adrenaline-fuelled fun throughout the day. There’s so much to do, you’ll struggle to fit it all in!
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