By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with a number of industry experts to enhance the dining, beverage and entertainment options onboard its latest newbuild, Norwegian Escape.
Designed as the line’s largest ship to date, Norwegian Escape will include several new culinary experiences including Carlo’s Bake Shop, developed by TV chef Buddy Valastro; Sugarcane Mojito Bar; and The Food Republic emporium.
Developed in partnership with The Pubbelly Restaurant Group, the Food Republic emporium will offer global cuisine and will open from lunch until dinner. Guests will be able to order tasters, small plates of food, or a la carte dishes by swiping their key card on an iPad. Menus have been designed by US restaurateurs Jose Mendin, Andreas Schreiner and Sergio Navarro
James Beard Award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces will also launch his first two speciality restaurants at sea. Bayamo by Jose Garces will offer Latin dishes with a Cuban-influence in a dining room and al fresco on The Waterfront, while the Pincho Tapas Bar by Jose Garces will feature traditional Spanish tapas à la carte menu. The dishes will be prepared on a la plancha grill at the bar in front of guests.
“With Norwegian Escape, we are transforming culinary experiences at sea and continuing our legacy of innovation that has revolutionized dining in the cruise industry,” said Drew Madsen, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and COO. “We are building on our solid foundation of branded partnerships, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and welcoming new ideas and flavours from award-winning chefs. Norwegian also continues to pave the way as a leader in entertainment, as we bring two Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals and a post-modern cabaret direct from Los Angeles to Norwegian Escape.”
New beverage concepts will also appear on Norwegian Escape. The first of its kind at sea, The District Brew House is a craft beer hall with a keg room, 24 draft beers on tap and more than 50 different bottled beers, including a new brew from Wynwood Brewing Company that will be available exclusively on Norwegian Escape. The venue also offers a cocktail menu developed by Bar Lab’s James Beard Award-nominated mixologists Gabriel Orta and Elad Zvi.
Norwegian Escape will also host the line’s first wine bar developed in partnership with the Michael Mondavi Family – The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar. The Cellars features an array of immersive wine experiences, focusing on tasting, education, and the enjoyment of wine, all accompanied by small plates and tapas, available à la carte.
Meanwhile, the ship will offer three new show in Escape Theater including two Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals ‘After Midnight’ and ‘Million Dollar Quartet’. The Headliners Comedy Club will also offer performances developed in partnership with Levity Entertainment Group.
In addition, the Supper Club has been re-imagined to provide guests with a dinner and show. For The Record is a critically acclaimed Hollywood night that celebrates classic soundtracks from movies in a post-modern cabaret format.
Norwegian Escape is currently under construction at Meyer Werft’s Papenburg yard in Germany and will be the first of Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus vessels. The ship will accommodate 4,200 passengers and include all of the innovative features found on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. The ship will also offer various industry firsts, the first Snow Room and largest Thermal Suite at sea, sports and water park facilities, private dining options, Nickelodeon-branded entertainment and more.
Guests can stay in the line’s signature luxury ship–within-a-ship complex – The Haven by Norwegian – as well as solo traveller studios, and various accommodations for families, multi-generational groups, spa enthusiasts and more.
Marine wildlife artist and ocean conservationist Guy Harvey has designed the ship’s hull artwork, which will illustrate two underwater scenes of marine wildlife and span 1,065 ft from the ship’s hull to the aft.
From 14 November, Norwegian Escape will be the largest cruise ship to homeport year-round in Miami, US, where she will offer weekly seven-day cruises to the eastern Caribbean. Destinations on her itineraries include St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.