First look: Inside Norwegian Cruise Line's giant new ship
ABOARD THE NORWEGIAN ESCAPE — What's it like on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, the Norwegian Escape? See for yourself with a scroll through the carousel above.
USA TODAY is getting a sneak peek at the just-completed vessel this week as it works its way from the German shipyard where it was built to its future home in Miami, and we're posting our first photos here and at our Facebook page.
As you'll see in the photos above, the 4,248-passenger Escape has all the trappings of a major megaresort, including one of the largest deck-top fun zones at sea with four major water slides; a restaurant-lined boardwalk; and a giant spa with a flurries-filled snow room. Escape also offers Norwegian's first dedicated nursery for young cruisers two and under; the first Margaritaville at sea; the largest ropes course at sea; a miniature golf course; a full-size basketball court; and a bocce ball court -- another first for the line.
USA TODAY's guide to the hottest new ships of 2015
As with past Norwegian ships, Escape also will feature the line's signature "ship-within-a-ship" luxury suite area, The Haven, which has its own private pool, restaurant, butler service and concierge.
At 164,600 tons, Escape is the fifth largest cruise ship ever built. It's scheduled to arrive in Miami in early November and will be christened in the city on Nov. 9 in a ceremony headlined by American rapper Pitbull.
Scheduled to sail year-round to the Caribbean out of Miami, Escape is an expanded version of Norwegian's recently unveiled Norwegian Getaway and the line's largest ship to date (scroll through the carousel below for a comparison look at the Norwegian Getaway).
Click HERE to see the Norwegian Escape photos in larger format.
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