I Loved Norwegian Escape 8 Years Ago. Is It STILL Worth It?
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#NCLPartner Norwegian Escape review: After 8 years and 16 days back onboard, is this fan-favorite cruise ship still worth booking? 🔴 Subscribe to Elevate Cruise Co for honest cruise reviews, ship comparisons, and travel tips ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@ElevateCruiseCo?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐️ Get more cruise news, travel insights, and updates in our newsletter ➡️ https://www.elevatemotorco.com/newsletter This video was created in paid partnership with @NorwegianCruiseLine. NCL provided upgraded beverage and Wi-Fi benefits, spa access, specialty dining credits, and Vibe Beach Club passes during our sailing. All opinions reflect our firsthand experiences. =========================== 🎬 WATCH NEXT =========================== Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea Explained: https://youtu.be/zwQXTDQdcIg Is Norwegian Joy Still Worth Booking? https://youtu.be/1Mk401y32Cc Our Norwegian Aqua Review: https://youtu.be/AOWl9T5Er-M =========================== CONNECT WITH US! =========================== Our Travel Website: https://www.elevatemotorco.com/travel Newsletter: https://www.elevatemotorco.com/newsletter Contact Us: https://www.elevatemotorco.com/contact =========================== ⏰ TIMECODES ⏰ =========================== 0:00 Norwegian Escape Review: 8 Years Later 0:49 Why Norwegian Escape Became My Favorite 2:51 Norwegian Escape After 16 Days: Ship Condition 3:54 Norwegian Escape Dining and Food Review 4:42 Crew and Service: What Surprised Us 5:55 Behind the Scenes with NCL's Pastry Chef 9:51 NCL Dining Hours and Late-Night Food 10:38 Sail & Sustain Bar: Cocktails and Mocktails 12:22 Norwegian Escape Thermal Spa Review 14:27 Pool Deck, Water Slides and Vibe Beach Club 15:47 The Waterfront vs Newer NCL Ships 16:55 Norwegian Escape October 2026 Dry Dock 19:14 Best Norwegian Escape Specialty Restaurants 22:05 Who Should Book Norwegian Escape? 23:34 Final Verdict: Is Norwegian Escape Worth It? #CruiseNorwegian #NorwegianEscape #NorwegianViva Eight years ago, Norwegian Escape became one of Perry's favorite cruise ships. When the ship arrived in New York City on his birthday in April 2018, it started a connection that would last for years. Now Perry and Carson are back aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Escape for 16 days to answer a big question: Is Norwegian Escape still worth it in 2026? In this Norwegian Escape review, we're exploring what makes this Breakaway Plus-class ship special, from its expansive Waterfront promenade and water slides to the adults-only Spice H2O, Vibe Beach Club, and Mandara Spa Thermal Suite. We also take an in-depth look at Norwegian Escape dining, including complimentary restaurants like Taste, Savor, and the Manhattan Room, plus specialty dining experiences at Cagney's, Food Republic, La Cucina, and Moderno. But the biggest surprises weren't necessarily the attractions. We go behind the scenes with Chef Karen to make tiramisu, meet bartender Romeo at Sail & Sustain, and discover why Norwegian Escape's crew, service, and food left such a lasting impression. We're also sharing practical tips for planning your Norwegian Escape cruise, including complimentary versus extra-cost dining, paid Thermal Suite and Vibe Beach Club access, limited pass availability, late-night dining options, and specialty restaurant reservations. O'Sheehan's offers a reduced late-night menu, although hours and availability should always be checked for your sailing. Our Freestyle Daily also listed a $10-per-person specialty dining no-show fee and a two-hour cancellation requirement, policies that may differ on future cruises. We discuss the ship's condition, upcoming refurbishment, and how Norwegian Escape compares with newer Norwegian Cruise Line ships, including Norwegian Joy, Bliss, and Encore. Most importantly, we share which travelers we think will enjoy Escape and whether it still deserves a place among our favorite cruise ships. Our mission at Elevate Cruise Co is to share authentic cruise experiences, useful travel information, and honest ship comparisons to help you find the right vacation and make the most of every sailing. Disclaimer: This Norwegian Escape review was filmed during our September 26–October 12, 2026 sailing, before the ship's scheduled October 2026 dry dock. Some venues, deck layouts, amenities, prices, dining hours, and policies may change following refurbishment or vary by itinerary. Behind-the-scenes filming access shown in this video was specially arranged and is not a standard guest activity. Please confirm current information directly with Norwegian Cruise Line before booking.