7 Venues that you MUST try on your next NCL Escape Cruise!
In this post, I’m going to share with you 7 venues that you must check out on your next NCL Escape cruise. I absolutely loved all of them, and I’m pretty confident that you will, too! If you enjoy this post, please do check out more of this website. Also, come and support my YouTube channel - each and every video view and subscriber over there massively helps me to reach more people. To go there now, just click here!
Anyway, here we go - let’s look a 7 venues you need to check out on your next cruise onboard Norwegian Escape, the massive cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line!
7. Vibe Beach Club, Deck 19
Looking for a way to escape the crowds? Well, you may have just found it! The Vibe Beach Club is a private area onboard, reserved only for those willing to pay the cost of an access pass for the right of access.
In terms of how much this costs, it varies quite a lot by cruise, so it’s best to log in to your account before you cruise in order to check the prices for your upcoming sail.
There will be a limited number of passes available for purchase once on the ship, so you may need to be quick to secure your spot at the Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Escape!
Note: there is a bar in here, but drinks are not included with the purchase of an access pass!
6. Water Slides, Deck 17
Ok, now we’re ramping up the ‘fun factor’ in this list! While you’re cruising on Escape, you MUST check out the water slides - they’re brilliant, and totally included in your cruise fare, so it’s not going to cost you any extra!
You’re going to find an Aqua Racer, some family slides, and also Free Fall slides up here, so there really is something for everybody! The following limits apply to riding the slides on Escape…
Waterslide – Aqua Loop
Height requirements: Minimum is 48” (1.22m)
Weight requirements: Minimum is 99lbs (45kg); Maximum is 300lbs (136kg)
Waterslide – Aqua Racer
Height requirements: Minimum is 40” (1.02m)
Weight requirements: No minimum; Maximum weight is 300lbs (136kg)
Waterslide – Family Slide
Height requirements: 40” (1.02m)
Weight requirements: No minimum; Maximum weight is 300lbs (136kg)
5. Escape Theatre, Deck 7
The Escape Theatre is home to the main shows onboard the ship. In my experience, the quality of what’s offered in here really is wonderful - a real feast for the eyes. I’ve been on some cruise ships in the past where the entertainment in the theatre can lack somewhat, but not in here - it was wonderful!
During my cruise, it was ‘Choir of Man’ that was running in here, and it was fabulous! If this is showing during your time onboard, promise me that you’ll check it out - it’s a real mood-lifter. I never met a single person on my cruise who wasn’t singing the show’s praises by the end of the week! Also - tip from me - go a little early, and you might even get yourself a free beer…! Yes, FREE BEER!
One point on the theatre, you don’t NEED to book lots of the shows in here, but it’s strongly encouraged for quite a few. To find out which you’re better to book, get yourself to the ticket booth/box office as soon as you board - you’ll find this down at the theatre. The staff there will be more than happy to help you out!
4. The Sports Complex (Deck 19), and the Ropes Course (Deck 18)
Ok, these are technically two different ‘venues’, but they do fit together very nicely, so it made sense to me to show you them together. One thing I love about the top decks of this ship is the amount of variety when it comes to ‘things to do’.
The main attraction at the Sports Complex up on Deck 19 is the large netted sports court, which allows you to practice some basketball, or maybe football/soccer. No bookings are required up here - just show up and see if you can get on!
During my cruise, we were sailing at full capacity, but it never seemed to be overly busy at all up here!
Next, the Ropes Course. This one is completely included in your cruise fare, which is a huge win - I’ve been on ships in the past that charge to use attractions like this, so well done to NCL for keeping this one free!
Whilst it’s included in your fare, there are a few requirements that need to be adhered to…
Must be 48" (1.22m) or taller to be on the course without a chaperone.
Sky Tykes (child's course) available for under 48" (under 1.22m) and a chaperone must be present.
Weight requirements: No minimum; Max weight is 300lbs (136kgs)
Flat, fully closed footwear required (no flip flops, Crocs, or heels)
3. Ship Plaques, location TBC…
For this one, let’s have some fun - I’m not going to tell you where to find these - you’ll need to find them for yourself!
On most cruise ships, there’ll be a location onboard where they will display all of the commemorative plaques that have been presented to the ship each time it makes a maiden call into a port. For example, when the ship first docked in Nassau (The Bahamas), the local port authority would have presented the Captain with a plaque, which will be presented in the area I’m showing you in the above images.
I always love finding this place on a cruise ship, and then trying to find the closest port to where I live, the furthest, ports I’ve been to, ones I’d like to visit etc etc. It’s such a nice way to spend a little time when you cruise.
So, good luck finding this one, and I hope you enjoy this little past time as much as I do when I cruise!
2. The Waterfront, Deck 8
This is one of my favourite parts of Norwegian Escape, and I met so many people on my cruise who didn’t even know about it! The Waterfront is essentially what NCL calls the Promenade Deck on the ship. If you’ve never cruised before, the Promenade Deck is usually a deck lower down on the ship, that allows you to walk around the outside of the ship.
What I love about how it’s been designed on here is that it combines nice spots to relax with outdoor dining for the Speciality restaurants. I absolutely love dining outdoors when I travel, and it’s one of my biggest criticisms of travelling by cruise ship generally, but not on here!
The other real benefit to this area is that, because of the way that the upper decks hang over, there are lots of seating options to give you full shade. Perfect for those warm days at sea, where you’re enjoying the warm air but you don’t want to be in full sun!
You can access the Waterfront from many different parts of the ship - just go to Deck 8, and follow the various signs!
1. The Spa, Deck 16
Tucked away at the very front of the ship on Deck 16 is the Spa. You’ll find a pretty impressive gym / fitness section before you enter the spa itself, so just keep walking through that if you’re aiming to relax!
Inside, there’s a Beauty Salon, Hairdresser, Barber, and Treatment Rooms, as you’d find on most ships. There is also a beautiful Thermal Suite, featuring lots of loungers, heated beds, a hydrotherapy pool, and a number of different relaxation rooms. Think saunas, steam rooms, an ice room - it’s very well equipped in here!
On my cruise, I did find it to be very busy in here during our sea days, and it was probably made worse by the fact that we were cruising in cold weather. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as hectic in here while the ship was docked in port, as lots of passengers would be off enjoying their time ashore.
In my experience, it’s well worth trying the Thermal Suite - it was absolutely beautiful!
That’s it - 7 venues that you must try when you’re cruising onboard NCL Escape! If you enjoyed this post, please do continue to check out more from this cruise line by clicking here. Alternatively, just use the drop down menu at the top of the page.
Happy Cruising!