Norwegian Cruise Line today revealed that Norwegian Escape will incorporate The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place.
This concept includes an oceanfront boardwalk lined with restaurants, bars and shops, combined with three expansive, flowing decks of dining, bars, entertainment, gaming and more. The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place have taken cruising to new heights and offer an unparalleled experience with a unique connection to the ocean. Norwegian Escape is currently under construction and is scheduled for delivery in October 2015.
Located on deck 8, The Waterfront is a revolutionary outdoor experience that adds a whole new dimension to Norwegian’s signature Freestyle Cruising, by offering a number of seaside venues that will feature breathtaking views and a sense of connection with the ocean. The hub of the ship will be 678 Ocean Place, a space that uniquely flows, intertwines and connects three decks of daytime and nighttime amusements.
“The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place have revolutionized the industry, receiving rave reviews from our guests and travel partners,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We knew from the start that Norwegian Escape should also feature this game-changing design. With this new, larger ship, we’ve taken the concept up another notch and we’ve added some additional interesting venues and features.”
A private group dining venue for up to 100 guests will be one of the new features. As part of Taste, one of the complimentary dining options on board, the Private Room at Taste will accommodate up to 100 guests, offering the opportunity for groups to dine together in a private setting. Located just below the main Taste restaurant on deck 5, the Private Room at Taste features its own entrance, lounge and private dining area.
“We recognized the need to be able to accommodate groups onboard and have addressed that with a private dining space,” added Sheehan. “In addition, we have many new dining, lounging and entertainment spaces in the works that will take our revolutionary Freestyle Cruising and ensure it remains unmatched in the industry. In the coming months, we will announce more of these exciting features.”
On deck 8, 678 Ocean Place will connect the excitement of The Waterfront outdoor spaces with interior dining venues for Moderno; Cagney’s; and La Cucina.
La Cucina celebrates the Tuscan countryside and will continue to serve Norwegian’s delicious Italian dishes to guests who choose to dine either al fresco on the outdoor patio on The Waterfront, in the main restaurant or the interior terrace option, giving guests the opportunity to dine along the interior walkway beneath exposed wooden beams and greenery.
Moderno Churrascaria, Norwegian’s signature Brazilian-style steakhouse, will offer both indoor and outdoor dining on The Waterfront. Guests will feast from an extensive salad bar, followed by a variety of grilled and slow-roasted meats that are carved tableside by passadors.
Norwegian’s signature establishment Cagney’s Steakhouse will feature succulent Certified Angus Beef® grilled steaks, perfectly cooked double cut lamb chops and other steakhouse favorites. Guests will dine in style amidst rich wood tones and modern details as they enjoy watching the chefs prepare their meals in the open kitchen or they will bask in the sunset with Waterfront dining. Located between Cagney’s and Moderno, Prime Meridian will offer guests the opportunity to order a signature cocktail and soak in the action taking place around them.
Guests strolling along the Waterfront will encounter Dolce Gelato, serving a selection of flavors of the delectable frozen treat. Inside on deck 8, guests will also find multiple shopping opportunities, the photo gallery and the Humidor Cigar Lounge. A three-story open atrium with an exquisite LED chandelier with light changing effects will serve as the centerpiece of 678 Ocean Place, with openings to all three decks and floating glass staircases connecting the levels.
Spanning more than 19,000 square feet on Deck 7, the contemporary Escape Casino will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet, decked out in stylish sophistication created by the use of rich materials, luxurious ornamental lighting and highly decorative artwork with upscale finishes. Escape Casino will offer guests the opportunity to try their luck on 357 of the latest slot machines; along with 28 gaming tables featuring poker, black jack, roulette and craps.
With the most rewarding Casinos At Sea Players Club program, there will be something for everyone, from the novice to the high roller. The new Skyline Bar, located within the casino, is an elegant and sophisticated lounge highlighted by brushed gold and metallic finishes. The lounge will also feature entertainment, a bar with video poker and multiple walls lined with ultra, high definition LED screens that can create an array of scenes to transform the mood of the space.
Another guest favorite, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, will return on Norwegian Escape. This 24-hour a day neighborhood sports bar and restaurant will serve classic American favorites and comfort food, along with exclusive specialty dish nights, such as prime rib, all-you-can-eat baby back ribs, and chicken and waffles. These specialty dish nights give guests an alternative dinner venue in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. The venue will overlook a giant two-story screen, perfect for watching sports and movies, along with miniature bowling, pool, basketball, air hockey tables and interactive games.
Also on deck 7, the popular Manhattan Room returns as the complimentary aft dining room with cool, sophisticated tones of blue and silver. As guests dine on cuisine that reflects the elegant nature of the room, they will enjoy live music and dancing. The two-story high restaurant showcases floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows looking aft, lined with mirrored accents and glamorous lighting.
On deck 6 aft, guests will encounter the Mixx Bar, the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail or an after dinner cordial. Savor, one of the three complimentary main dining options on Norwegian Escape, will feature cuisine that is traditional with a contemporary flair. Across from Savor, is where guests will find Taste, another complimentary main dining venue. Taste will serve a variety of culinary delights to please every palate. Both restaurants feature clean lines and upscale, contemporary décor.
Norwegian’s signature Teppanyaki restaurant will continue to dazzle guests on Norwegian Escape. Teppanyaki chefs will showcase their knife-wielding skills on 12 flat-top grills, cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine. Guests will be amazed by the masterful chefs while they enjoy an entertaining meal.
Le Bistro, Norwegian’s signature French restaurant, will feature an elegant indoor setting, accented by subtle décor reminiscent of a Parisian café, along with a European sidewalk-style dining area which will overlook the social hub of the ship, 678 Ocean Place. Guests will marvel at the three-story cascading LED chandelier above them, along with the constant flow of people as they dine on classic French favorites.
Within the Atrium, located on deck 6, guests will find Norwegian’s signature two-story video wall along with the Bar at The Atrium. The Bar at The Atrium will feature mixed drinks, along with a self-service wine bar. The Shore Excursion Desk, Internet Café and Art Gallery will be located in close proximity to the Atrium, along with three meeting rooms, and a multi-purpose room that functions as card room and library. New to Norwegian Escape is a portrait studio, where guests will have the opportunity to take professional photographs.
There will also be a number of exciting dining and entertainment venues located within 678 Ocean Place and in other locations on the vessel that will be revealed at a later date.
Norwegian Escape will begin weekly seven-day cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on November 14, 2015. The ship will be the largest to home port year-round in Miami, carrying 4,200 guests to tropical Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
