The publicity machine for the next Norwegian Cruise Line
ship is getting into gear. Between now and its launch in just over 12 months’
time, there will be no escape from announcements about … Norwegian Escape.
But truth be told, there’s little new in this week’s news about some of the restaurants on the new
ship – which adds one more deck than little sisters Breakaway and Getaway, to
provide more cabins.
The venues and the layout will be very much the same as
before, with many of them opening out onto al fresco dining areas on The
Waterfront, and others gathered around the three-deck atrium known as 678 Ocean
Place (because it occupies space on Decks 6, 7 and 8).
It’s almost inconceivable that there would not be another
O’Sheehan’s Bar on this ship – as long as the likeable Kevin Sheehan is chief
executive of the company at least – and Escape will also feature Norwegian
regulars such as Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro.
One innovation is a “private” group dining area carved out
of part of the Taste restaurant – if a space seating 100 people can be
described as private.
For now, at least, there’s no word on whether Geoffrey
Zakarian’s upscale restaurant Ocean Blue – a feature of both Breakaway and
Getaway – will return on Escape. We’ll have to see whether he or another chef
will create dishes for the most expensive extra-cost dinner venue on the ship.
The Waterfront (above), a wide promenade deck running three-quarters
the length of the ship, provides outdoor tables for the Moderno Churrascarie, Cagney’s, and La
Cucina.
The concept is in complete contrast to the design of Royal
and Regal Princess – and P&O’s soon-to-be-launched Britannia - all of which have limited open deck space
apart from the higher sundecks.
Outdoor space on Deck 7 of these ships is provided only
outside the bar area and shops of the central piazza, and alongside the Vista
Lounge – but not extending around the stern.
