5 great things on the Escape

Cruise fans are buzzing about Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 4,248- passenger Norwegian Escape. Christened this week at its new home port in Miami, the cruise operator’s largest vessel ever is a mega- resort at sea, full of restaurants, lively nightspots and deck- top amusements. Here are five things cruisers will love about the vessel:

1 The Aqua Park. You don’t have to be a child to appreciate the appeal of this sprawling water play area, one of the largest at sea. Looming above the ship’s main pool deck, Aqua Park offers four major water slides that rival anything found at a land- based resort. Prepare to be soaked.

2 The decktop sports zone. Among the attractions is the largest ropes course at sea — a suspended- in- the- sky complex that has dozens of elements, including two platforms called the Plank that extend 8 feet over the vessel’s edge.

3 The Waterfront. Norwegian is bringing back the sea as a focal point of the cruise experience with this boardwalk- like area where passengers can dine overlooking the water.

4 The District Brew House. Designed in partnership with Miami’s 2- year- old Wynwood Brewing Co., this just may be the best craft beer bar at sea. It’s stocked with an unprecedented ( for a ship) 24 beers on tap and 50 in bottles.

5 The Broadway shows. Escape boasts two high- quality musicals in its 900- seat theater. After Midnight is an homage to the golden age of Harlem, and Million Dollar Quartet re- creates a jam session with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others.

MICHEL VERDURE Norwegian’s newest, largest ship was christened this week in Miami.