The Escape is NCL's newest ship and it is a big deception. It clearly symbolizes NCL's move away from the all-inclusive nature of cruising, a move away from customer comfort and entertainment, and a dive into maximizing profits for NCL at the expense of cruisers satisfaction.

The inside cabin we booked was the smallest cabin I have ever seen on any cruise ship. There is very little storage, no drawers, just narrow shelves inside a small closet. So keep your suitcase handy and full during your cruise

The food served in the "complimentary", of course nothing is complimentary, restaurants is average at best, you might do better in the buffet. However, there are numerous restaurants a-la-carte, where the food is presumably better. Dishes that are part of the regular menu on other cruise lines, like lobster and steak night on Carnival, escargots, which are offered daily on Carnival, will cost you extra at "the bistro" on Norwegian. And now, on the Escape, NCL includes paying dishes on the menu at the included restaurants. Their way of telling you, "you can have this basic food, or, for an additional $30, you can have this good food instead. So, if your children, wife/girl friend wants a paying dish, you are pressured to comply. Read more