We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Norwegian Escape

274 reviews
 All photos (3,964)3,964
Full view
Traveller (1,864)
Common Areas (1,955)
Dining and Bars (1,140)
Itineraries for this ship
Itinerary

Overview

About
Passengers: 4,266   |   Crew: 1,733
Passengers to crew: 2.46:1
Launched: 2015   

Decks

  • Deck 5
  • Deck 6
  • Deck 7
  • Deck 8
  • Deck 9
  • Deck 10
Additional decks
Deck 5 layout
Cabins
  Mid-ship Oceanview Stateroom with Large Picture Window (OB)  
  Oceanview Stateroom with Large Picture Window (OX)  
  Inside Stateroom (IX)  
  Family Oceanview Stateroom with Large Picture Window (O2)  
  Family Inside Stateroom (I1)  
  Family Inside Stateroom (I2)  
  Family Oceanview Stateroom with Large Picture Window (O1)  
 

Cabins

Balcony
Cabin size: 103 - 276 sq. ft.
Connected rooms: 213
Accessible rooms: 16
Maximum passengers: 6
Number of cabins: 1168
Traveller rating
  • 92
  • 61
  • 39
  • 41
  • 41
Time of year
Language
  • More
Selected filters
  • Filter
  • English
Khalid A wrote a review 21 Sept
1 contribution
My recent Norwegian cruise to New England and Canada left me with mixed feelings and a deep sense of disappointment. While the picturesque destinations were undoubtedly beautiful, the overall experience was marred by poor customer service and signs of cost-cutting measures throughout the cruise. Canceled Ports of Call: The first major setback of our cruise was the unexpected cancellation of two planned ports of call due to inclement weather. While this was undoubtedly a safety concern, the lack of alternative activities or compensation for the missed experiences left us feeling shortchanged. It was a disappointing start to our vacation, and we hoped that the rest of the journey would make up for it. Flight Booking Nightmare: Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the trip was the ordeal my aunt had to endure with her flight, which was booked through the cruise line. Her flight was canceled not once, but five times, and every time we reached out to guest services for assistance, we were met with indifference and a dismissive attitude. Being told that it was not the cruise line's responsibility left us feeling helpless. The situation escalated to the point where we had to take an overnight bus from Rochester to New York City. To add insult to injury, we were not compensated for the inconvenience, and a guest relations representative even had the audacity to suggest that we should not have booked the flight through the cruise line in the first place. This lack of accountability and empathy was extremely disheartening. Unfriendly Staff: The quality of service on the cruise was hit or miss. The staff at the paid restaurants were notably friendly and attentive, providing a pleasant dining experience. However, this warmth was conspicuously absent in most other areas of the ship. It was evident that the cruise line was cutting corners when it came to staffing and training, as many crew members appeared disinterested and unengaged. Cost Cost-Cutting Measures: Throughout the cruise, it became apparent that the cruise line was trying to save money wherever possible. The quality of the food in the complimentary dining venues was subpar, and we noticed a decline in the variety and quality of entertainment options. Even the cleanliness of the ship was not up to par, with several areas showing signs of neglect. At the end of the cruise, we waited for over two hours to get the pre paid transportation to the airport and not one single NCL employee was present to help. Some guests decided to take Uber or taxi to the airport. In conclusion, our Norwegian cruise to New England and Canada was a disappointing experience marred by poor customer service, canceled ports of call, and evidence of cost-cutting measures. While the destinations themselves were beautiful, the overall cruise experience did not live up to our expectations. We were left feeling frustrated and let down, and it is unlikely that we will choose Norwegian Cruise Line for future vacations.
Read more
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Share
maccas88 wrote a review 6 Sept
Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom29 contributions33 helpful votes
A fabulous first cruise! The staff were incredible and the service fantastic. Everyone so cheerful! The entertainment was outstanding…in particular Choir of Man (twice!) and Syd’s Pour House Band (several times!). Also the on board bands that moved around were great- Island Notes, Starbridge. Our balcony room was much bigger than we’d expected, and we loved sitting and watching the sea go by! It was very clean and the attendant was excellent. We are not keen on crowds, but had obviously expected them on a ship this big…and didn’t find it a problem. There are plenty of quiet places to be found on the decks. And there seemed something for everyone on board- whatever the experience you were after! We even did a wine and cheese tasting! We also really enjoyed the minibus excursion on Bermuda, and the rum sunset cruise…and the shuttle bus to the Horseshoe beach was brilliant. Having an overnight in Bermuda made us feel we’d really got to know the beautiful island. Jack the cruise director was excellent at keeping people in touch and popped up everywhere (does he ever sleep?)- a big asset to the ship! We enjoyed the Manhattan Room and Taste restaurants very much. Food was very good for mass catering! Only negatives…queue to board in New York, but I appreciate getting 5,000 onto a ship is not rapid! And we weren’t quick enough to book any of the specialty restaurants, but its hard to know what time to book …that far in advance! However, the cruise was fantastic and way exceeded our expectations! A huge thank you to all the crew!
Read more
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Share
JeffyD wrote a review 4 Sept
New York City, New York3 contributions
After cruising with Norwegian many years ago, including a mid-ship cabin experience that didn't quite meet our expectations, we embarked on a journey of discovery. It wasn't until we experienced the Haven area on the new NCL ships that we truly found our cruising paradise. Ever since, it's been Haven every cruise for us, and our recent tour on the Norwegian Escape was nothing short of wonderful – our fourth time on this ship! Having sailed on other Breakaway Class and Prima Class ships, we can confidently say that the Haven never disappoints. The staff is exceptional, providing top-notch service, and we were pleasantly surprised to find familiar faces from our previous NCL cruises. Some even knew our names, which was a delightful touch! The Haven restaurant consistently served delicious food throughout the week, even though the menu remained relatively consistent. The best part? They're more than happy to accommodate any special requests or modifications, making every meal a personalized experience. Hats off to the fantastic staff at the Haven restaurant – you truly make dining a pleasure. Of course, we couldn't resist trying some of the specialty dining options on board. La Cucina was a standout with its mouthwatering pastas and Osso Buco. While Le Bistro was good, it didn't quite reach the heights of some other dining spots like the Food Republic, Cagney's Steakhouse, and Bayamo. And let's not forget the Garden Cafe – a must-visit for its variety and quality. Now, when it comes to the New England Canada trip and its ports, we admit it wasn't the most exciting itinerary. There wasn't much to explore or see, so we took leisurely walks and skipped the uninspiring excursions. Instead, we retreated to the serene haven compound, where we found tranquility during port days. The opportunity to indulge in non-stop snacks, cocktails, and delectable dishes at the Haven for lunch was a real treat. One highlight of our cruise experience was spending quality time at the Thermal spa. It's a haven for rejuvenation, with infused water and fresh fruit to savor. However, we did notice a significant increase in prices over the years – the spa went from $199.00 to $299.00, which was a bit of a shock. Still, we couldn't resist the allure of the spa, and we decided to splurge. After all, we work hard, save diligently, and believe in enjoying the fruits of our labor. Life is unpredictable, and we're here to make the most of every moment. From the moment of embarkation, we felt like VIPs. Haven guests are escorted to a dedicated waiting room, bypassing the chaos outside. Boarding first and enjoying a leisurely lunch and drinks at the Haven restaurant or other open venues is a perk we can't get enough of. In fact, we've already booked two more cruises after this one – the NCL Viva and the Encore. It's clear that Haven is the only way to cruise for us. We encourage everyone to experience this slice of paradise for themselves. Don't hesitate to book a Haven cabin – it's a journey you won't regret, even with the spa price increases. Happy cruising! 🚢✨
Read more
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Share
Paul T wrote a review Aug 2023
2 contributions
+1
Crowded, Chaos and Confusion - Worst Trip EVER!! My wife and I took our three adult children on a cruise to Bermuda on NCL Escape. The most disorganized ship I have ever been on, and I have been on several. To start boarding the ship was a nightmare. We were assigned a time slot only to wait two and a half hours standing on line. Not one NCL officer or personnel outside to direct us. Over a thousand people to figure it out on their own. The only NCL people we saw outside were the yellow vests to escort the upper-class HAVEN people in ahead of the lines. The cruise itself was everyone left to fend for themselves. Packs of children were roaming the decks and halls, cutting in lines, with no parents around. Leaving the ship everyone feared the same story about the lines and tried to get ahead of the process. NCL knew that this was going to happen and placed tables and chairs in the aisles as barriers. This was their version of crowd control. I call it a fire hazard!!! Jack, the Cruise Director, was on the PA telling everyone that this was not NCL, but US Customs. I found this hard to believe considering the tables and chairs positioned everywhere (see attached pictures) the night before... The ONLY POSITIVE on this trip was Victor Caburian in the restaurant. Victor was amazing. He was friendly and positive. His kindness and attention to detail with our dietary restrictions put us at ease. He is our hero! I hope that NCL does the right thing and recognizes this guy...
Read more
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Share
Dennis M wrote a review Aug 2023
5 contributions4 helpful votes
The cruise was good and the staff onboard the boat was excellent, if this was about them it would be 5 stars, but unfortunately, it's about the overall experience which was far from excellent. We had an arrival time of 12:30 to board and arrived a few minutes before that only to find out times were not enforced and there were thousands of people in front of us, it took over 2.5 hours to board the boat. Once onboard we discovered there are only 2 sets of elevators and getting one was almost impossible, with an older person in our group who could not walk 10 flights every time, this was an obstacle for the entire trip. Not being experienced cruisers, we did not know you had to book everything for the week ASAP on board and were shut out of the specialty restaurants and most of the reservation shows for the entire trip by 5 hours after they started boarding. Once again, the crew came through and opened the Hibachi grill for lunch for us and a couple other large groups so we could have the experience. I have cruised with NCL on smaller boats and did not have these issues and plenty of food choices and variety, so I was not concerned. I was wrong, this boat has 3 complimentary restaurants and they all serve the exact same menu every night. No variety unless you went to the buffet which was always crowded. The crew did their best to direct us to open tables, but you had to hurry when one opened up. The other issue with the buffet was there was only one small bar (smallest on the boat) for the most used food location. There were very few quiet areas on the ship and in most other areas loud at all times is an understatement. The pool was also very crowded at all times and the few times we tried, even getting close to the water was not easy, deck chairs in the sun were scarce and the water slides and ropes course were closed most of the trip for wind so our kids never got on them. Disembarking was just as bad as embarking, we selected the 8:15 time slot and should have been one of the first off. When the announcement was made to line up and we went down, the entire boat was already in line. Again, no enforcement of time slots led to chaos and over 1.5 hours to get off. The highlight of the boat were the bars and entertainment. Every bartender was friendly and smiling, every show was excellent and we did see a few on the walk-up line. The nightly dance parties were a lot of fun as well. I cannot say enough about the positive attitude and overall enjoyment of interacting with the various crew members. The Escape was a nice boat, but it would have been better with a capacity of about 2/3 of what they allowed on for this trip. If I cruise with NCL again (big if) I will avoid this boat and it’s 3 sister ships, smaller is better when cruising.
Read more
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Share
Previous
123456