Earlier this week sister line Regent Seven Seas announced plans to have the most expansive and expensive suite on a cruise ship, priced at $10,000 per night. Today in New York City aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Lines executives announced details of the next addition to the fleet, Norwegian Escape, coming this November.
For elite travelers, there will be plenty on offer. First and foremost, NCL’s ship within a ship concept The Haven will grow to 95 suites. With its own dedicated lounge, spa, restaurant and pool area situated at the top of the ship, executives said, more expansive suites are being constructed to tap in demand from highly affluent consumers who enjoy the cruise experience, but wanted living space closer to what is found at land-based resorts.
At 164,000 tonnes and 1,098 feet long by 136 wide, there will be plenty to explore outside the exclusivity of The Haven.
The popular Aqua Park concept is being expanded as is the rope course, which will now be three stories high. A first for NCL will be a dedicated nursery for children under two years old, meaning the Escape will be a strong choice for multi-generational family groups with toddlers.
Related
The Escape will also mark the line’s affiliation with another Iron Chef (Geoffrey Zakarian is featured on several ships), this time Jose Garces. Newly appointed President Drew Madsen told a gathering of journalists and travel agents NCL will continue its efforts to redefine dining on the high seas. Garces will oversee a tapas bar, Pincho, and Bayamo, Cuban influenced Latin American fare. Highly recognized restaurant group Pubbelly will curate Food Republic, a lunch to dinner casual dining area enabling guests to order via iPad from a diverse menu of European and Asian small plates. There will also be a specialty beer bar featuring over 20 different keg beers and over 50 types by bottle. Cake Boss Buddy Valastros will agin have a bakery.
Guests sampled upcoming menu items, including Dates with Chorizo, Smoked Bacon, Spicy Tomato, Goat Cheese Crema; Black Truffle Braised Shortrib Dumplings with White Corn Soy, Red Shiso Leaf, Grand Padano; and Bacalao Carbonizado, Black Cod, Squid Ink Glaza, Tomato and Chorizo Rice, Saffron Emulsion.
Content from our partners
Executive Vice President Andy Stuart outlined the line’s most diverse entertainment ever, including a comedy club, a supper club and two entertainment concepts, one based on popular movies of the Eighties such as Breakfast Club, and the other, Million Dollar Quartet, the award-winning recreation of the Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash jam session held on December 4, 1956.
Will there be enough demand for the more extensive and bigger suites? A company spokesperson said when Regent unveiled its mega suite top travel agents said, “It’s about time. We can fill them.”
.
