Norwegian Escape to get larger sports complex and water park

Norwegian Escape to get larger sports complex and water park~Bocce ball court in the works, too

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.

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.