Norwegian Star exits drydock with Five O’Clock Somewhere bar

By Rebecca Tobin

Norwegian Cruise Line’s partnership with Margaritaville is taking shape on the Norwegian Star, which carries the line’s first Five O’Clock Somewhere bar following a two-week drydock.

The Five O’Clock Somewhere bar will sell Margaritaville signature drinks like the “Who’s to Blame Margarita” and LandShark beer. Norwegian, which announced its partnership with Margaritaville last year, will offer a Margaritaville restaurant and Five O’Clock Somewhere bar on the Norwegian Escape, which debuts this fall, and it also plans to construct Margaritavilles at its private ports of call.

In addition to introducing the Five O’Clock Somewhere bar, the line also eliminated a $15 cover charge on the Star’s Ginza restaurant. The Asian specialty restaurant will offer a complimentary menu and items priced on an a la carte basis.

An O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill was added to the ship. The Brazillian steakhouse-style Moderno Churrascaria was moved to what Norwegian called a “more intimate” setting on Deck 13, and a Sugarcane Mojito Bar was installed adjacent to the steakhouse.

Other additions to the Star include new carpeting and flooring throughout guest areas and updates to the pool deck. Touch-screen signage, which was introduced on the Norwegian Breakaway, was added to the Star.

On the technical side, the Azipod propulsion system was updated and the hull coated with silicone paint. Norwegian said the measures would improve fuel efficiency.

The ship will sail in northern Europe this summer.
___

Correction: A scrubber system was not installed during the recent drydock.

Norwegian Escape spa to include ‘snow room’

Norwegian Escape's Mandara Spa will feature a salt room.

Norwegian Cruise Line disclosed details of the Mandara Spa on its Norwegian Escape ship due in October, saying it will include a room that produces snow showers.

Norwegian said the Snow Room, which will range in temperature from 21 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, sends out a flurry of powdery snow throughout the day. The room’s health benefits include stimulating blood circulation and strengthening the immune system, Norwegian said.

The Snow Room will be part of what Norwegian calls the largest thermal suite at sea.

The two-deck spa will include 17 heated loungers and 24 contemporary furnished treatment rooms offering more than 50 signature services for both men and women.

The Spice H2O space on Norwegian Escape features a grotto area for sunbathers to cool off.

Norwegian also said its adult’s only Spice H20/Vibe Beach Club area on Escape will for the first time offer a grotto feature with small waterfalls.

Norwegian Escape to get larger sports complex and water park

 

T1222ROPESCOURSE_HR.jpg
Rendering of the ropes course on Norwegian Getaway.

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ next ship will have a three-story ropes course and the largest aqua park in the fleet.

Norwegian Escape, due in 2015, will feature two Planks, the narrow steel beams on Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway that let guests walk eight feet out over the edge of the ship. The sports complex will have five zipline-style Sky Rails, including one that will loop out over the side of the 4,200-passenger ship.

 Video of What's on the New Norwegian Escape

Video of What’s on the New Norwegian Escape

 

In addition to a full-sized basketball court, Escape will have a bocce ball court, a first for the line.

Also, there will be a mini-golf course themed to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters, an expanded Aqua Park and a new tandem slide in the Aqua Park called Aqua Racer.

Norwegian said it is also adding the line’s first dedicated nursery for children ages 2 and under.

In expanding its “Guppies” program to children ages 6 months to three years, Norwegian will offer an active area for play time and age-appropriate activities and a separate space for napping.  In addition to the nursery services, the ship’s Guppies program will offer a dedicated open play area for parents and babies to play together.

Escape is scheduled to cruise the Caribbean year-round from Miami, starting next November.