We spent the weekend in New York before departing on our cruise and the stark contrast between the hustle and bustle of "the city that doesn't sleep" and our week of relaxation at sea was truly remarkable. As an avid traveler, but first-time cruiser, I wasn't sure what to expect being on the open sea, but the service I received onboard the Norwegian Escape is parallel to any resort I have stayed at. The crew was very friendly and accommodating to my travel party (which included a wedding party).

While the food in the buffet left something to be desired, the specialty dining was never disappointing. My favorite dining experience onboard was Teppanyaki. The intimate atmosphere, delicious food and exceptional service definitely made this a stand-out meal rivaling any hibachi restaurant ashore.

The ship was clearly a newer vessel, but the attention to detail by the crew in maintaining her was apparent. The environmental services staff does a wonderful job keeping the ship clean and sanitized. As a healthcare worker, I appreciate their dedication to hand hygiene and cleanliness onboard. I even joked with my travel party that we should hire some of the crew to sing their hand washing songs in our hospital. Read more