Cruise Like a Norwegian - Escape Starting November

What's New From Norwegian Cruise Line
 

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their innovation and the new Norwegian Escape, which debuts this November will be no exception.

Norwegian Escape will homeport in Miami and sail to the Caribbean year-round.  We've just attended a local unveiling of some of the new features onboard this fabulous new ship.   Watch this video to learn more about what awaits you when you step onboard to Cruise Like a Norwegian.





Some Highlights on Norwegian Escape 
  

Bayamo Pincho 
Tapas Bar (Jose Garces)

The District Brew House (Bar Lab / Wynwood Brewing)

 678 Ocean Place

The Cellars 
(Michael Mondavi wine bar)

Tobacco Road

Food Republic
(Pubbelly Boys)
(click on images to enlarge)

 Margaritaville & 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar 

(Jimmy Buffett)

Teenage Mutant Ninja
 Turtles Mini-Golf

Snow Room

Aqua Park

Sports Complex 
- Ropes Course


This Breakaway Plus class ship will have many innovations as you can see from these images (courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line). We hope you enjoyed these artist renderings of some of the attractions that will be found on the new Norwegian Escape.  Our 2015 National Conference is being held on this new ship.  We will be among the first people to sail out of Miami.

>>> Learn More about Norwegian Escape

Celebrity Solstice - Quasar

The designers of Celebrity Solstice used color, lighting, and unique decor very effectively to create a modern resort atmosphere .

Quasar perhaps tops the list of unique venues onboard the Solstice. It is a vibrant nightclub designed for those ready to kick back and get down. Upon entering the lounge you might think that you have taken a wrong turn and ended up on some Hollywood space age set. The globe shaped control center, the lighting, and the half-globe chairs hanging from the ceiling all contribute to this feeling coming over you.

Away from the central area is the VIP area where you can escape to a more private setting without leaving the ambience. The lighting and the seating are unlike anything you've seen on other ships in the Celebrity fleet.

Quasar is definitely the place to be for dancing the night away, but it also serves as a fun location during the day. During our cruise, I played a few games of Wii one afternoon. The activities staff was onhand to coordinate the games and provide instruction if necessary.

For groups, Quasar is just one of the locations that can be used for your private party. We were originally scheduled to have a party in Cellar Masters, but we relocated to Quasar for a fun-filled evening of socializing.

NCL Dawn Bermuda - Nightlife

If you have cruised before, you know that the casino and onboard shops are closed while in port. So, on most cruises, by 5 or 6 PM, the casino is open and shops are open. This is not the case while in Bermuda, since the ship docks at King's Wharf and stays there for two nights before moving to Hamilton (on this particular cruise).

So does that mean there's nothing to do at night while in Bermuda? Of course not !! Both onboard the ship and onshore, there's plenty of activities going on. Hamilton's Front Street is the hub of activity both during the day and also at night. If you decide to go to Hamilton, make sure you are aware of the transportation schedule, so you don't have difficulty getting back to the ship. For example, the last ferry from Hamilton back to Dockyard is at 11 PM. You'll not want to miss that ferry if that's your means of transportation. Check the Public Transportation Board website for schedules.

Staying closer to the ship, there are the local pubs in Dockyard. On both nights there was a beach party going on at the Dockyard. Just follow the signs or the crowd if this interests you. The party continued until the wee hours of the morning.

If you don't want to venture out at all, there are still plenty of activities onboard the ship (even with the casino being closed). On the first night the activities included South Beach Rave in the Stardust Theater. This show, featuring the Jean Ann Ryan Company, was a high energy show with music provided by the Norwegian Dawn Showband.

Starting at 10:15 PM, there was Dancing Under the Stars, at the Oasis Poolside, with dance music provided by Upryzin'. The Friendly Family Feud Game, Late Night Adult Comedy and the Music of Neil Diamond were other activities the first night in port. For those that want to be a performer, Karaoke was also going on in Dazzles Lounge.

The second night in King's Wharf featured Second City in the Stardust Theater and Adult Comedy in Spinnaker Lounge. If you've never seen The Quest Adult Game Show, you might want to check that out in Spinnaker Lounge. This was the night for the Chocoholic Buffet in the Garden Cafe. Take pictures or sample some of the fantastic chocolate treats. Unfortunately, we got back late from our Night Snorkel excursion, so we missed most of the festivities.

Since we sail from Hamilton before dinner, shops were open, the casino opened, and there were plenty of venues to attend for entertainment. As you can see, there's always something to do in the evening, despite some ship services being closed while in port. So you are free to do whatever.