Thursday, April 11, 2024

Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship First-hand Expert Review

norwegian cruise encore

Still, the line does draw lots of families, with as many as 1,500 children under 18 on the ship during the holidays. Youth staff assured us that while the main Splash Academy has a total capacity of 110 (a number that includes staff), they rarely have to turn kids away due to lack of space. That said, nearly all programming is conducted in the facility, where there is no natural light.

Is Norwegian Encore a good ship to cruise on?

However, Encore's variety of activities appeals to travelers of all ages, making the ship ideal for multigenerational family groups. Just be aware that you'll likely incur a significant onboard bill if you want to try the latest and most adrenaline-pumping pursuits when you sail. Passengers are only allowed to smoke — including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and cigars — in designated areas on Norwegian Encore. Those areas include the casino, Humidor Cigar Lounge (cigars only) and a portion of the pool deck on Deck 16, starboard. If you're sailing from a port outside of your country of citizenship, you must have a passport with at least six months' validity from the time your sailing ends.

Go Kart Track and Laser Tag on Norwegian Encore

Also, some might find the helmets and the balaclavas you need to wear under them somewhat claustrophobic. The Ocean Loops is a freefall waterslide with two loops that are see-through in sections and extend over the side of the ship (in case you weren't scared enough). You need to prep to go on this one -- all jewelry must be removed and you need to wear swimsuits that won't cause drag on the slide (so no swim skirts or shirts or even fabricky tankinis). The second show, "Choir of Man," has no narrative but is instead a combination of music, dancing and outstanding singing. Get there early, and you can go on stage and have a pint at the bar, where you'll chat with the performers and other audience members.

Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Laser tag is a unique activity aboard Norwegian that you don’t want to miss if you have kids. The theme of the Encore version is Atlantis, complete with a huge serpent and tentacles snaking their way through the open-air outdoor area. You’ll find the course at the back of the ship on Deck 18, right near the race track. During the day, cruisers can often be found in T-shirts and shorts or jeans.

norwegian cruise encore

But there are far more options, many dedicated to specific drink styles (beer, wine, mojitos, whiskey, etc). What's fantastic about the bars on Norwegian Encore, and its sisters, is that the spaces are generally smallish, generating an intimate atmosphere on such a large ship. We also love that many of the bars have their own specific drink menus, which means you can easily pick a different one to hang out in every night, without your palate getting bored. So many things cost extra on Norwegian Encore, from top-deck laser tag and go-kart racing to the games at Galaxy Pavilion, as well as bottled water and coffee (even if you have the drink package that's included in most fares). The added fees could quickly amount to a lot of money — especially if you're traveling with kids.

What’s unique about the atrium is that its location in the center of the ship (and multiple decks) means that it’s the heartbeat of the ship.. As well, it’s always active and lively, with practically the entire ship passing through at some point or another. Having a casino on a cruise ship isn’t a big deal; every ship under the sun has one. What’s different about Norwegian Encore’s (and the rest of the Breakaway-Plus ships) is how it’s styled.

Interior Cabin

Shows are themed around the early, middle and late years of the Beatles, and band members dress appropriately for each era. If you aren’t fortunate enough to book a cabin in The Haven, don’t worry. You can still find some exclusivity aboard Norwegian for when the pool deck gets a little too crowded. The ship's wide selection of both complimentary and for-fee cuisine is a boon to any group with picky eaters. Cabins are largely affordable, making a cruise on Norwegian Encore attainable for just about any budget, and the entertainment alone represents terrific value for the price paid. Choir of Man is easily the main event in the Encore Theater on Norwegian Encore.

‘Be on Time!’: Cruisers Show Little Sympathy For NCL Passengers Who Missed Ship

It's free, but you'll need to make reservations if you don't want to miss out. Of particular note is 678 Ocean Place, a three-story promenade that rises from Deck 6 to Deck 8 and serves as the ship's central hub. There, you'll find several bars, lounges and shops, as well as the casino and the ship's comedy club, art gallery, photography studio and, not far away, the atrium, where the guest services desk is located. The 3,998-passenger Norwegian Encore is a modern and sophisticated ship, with decor and public spaces that could rival a more luxury-oriented cruise line.

Drinking age

norwegian cruise encore

A water park area on decks 16 and 17 features four waterslides (two of which are for kids and are part of a children's splash area). The two larger slides have height requirements — 48 inches for Ocean Loops (which has ridiculous bathing suit requirements and weight minimums so riders don't get stuck on the uphill portion) and 40 inches for the Aqua Racer. If you're in search of a drink, the best variety is on Deck 8, where passengers will find dedicated wine, whiskey and mojito bars in proximity to several alternative eateries and lounges that are worth discovering. Los Lobos was my least favorite of the extra-fee venues I tried. I was extra sad because Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh guacamole, which our waiter prepared tableside, but the tortilla chips were too salty.

Multiple Itineraries Changed for Norwegian Cruise Line Ship - Cruise Hive

Multiple Itineraries Changed for Norwegian Cruise Line Ship.

Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Put simply this is a wraparound promenade that encircles about 3/4 of Deck 8. What’s nice about it is that unlike the promenade decks on some cruise ships, this one is uncovered and isn’t cluttered with things like lifeboats or large beams. The result is a walkway that connects you with sweeping views of the ocean as you sail. It’s a great place to start your day with a cup of coffee as you stroll alongside the ocean or to end your day with a walk after dinner. Some of the best onboard entertainment venues for night owls include the Social Comedy & Night Club, where you'll find comedic performances and themed parties, and The Cavern Club, which hosts an excellent Beatles tribute band. The shipboard dining options feature a Texas steakhouse (barbecue eatery named Q), with live country music.

Norwegian Encore review: A cruise ship guide - The Points Guy

Norwegian Encore review: A cruise ship guide.

Posted: Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Following the delivery (Oct 30), on October 31 started a "preview cruise" from Bremerhaven to Southampton (November 2). This voyage was not opened for booking but only for industry and media representatives, travel agents and VIP guests. A second preview cruise (2-day) was scheduled for November (roundtrip from NYC). On March 22, 2018, were opened the NCL Encore bookings on all Caribbean 2019 voyages.

I don't normally seek out live music, but I found myself unexpectedly enjoying performances throughout the ship. Standouts were the daytime performers in The Atrium, who played Green Day, Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls, Incubus and other bands that took me straight back to my high school playlists. During my dinner at Q, the ship's barbecue restaurant, a band inexplicably played an entire set of ABBA tunes while we ate. It was an odd choice of genre for that venue, but it was fantastic nonetheless. Audience interaction includes bringing some attendees up on stage for drinks, as well as singing and dancing in the aisles.

Recommendations if touring downtown include Red Onion Saloon, Klondike Doughboy, Skagway Brewing Co., and Alaska Christmas Store. We needed our passports on this day’s excursion as our tour entered Canada. Recommendations if touring downtown include Red Dog Saloon and Tracy’s King Crab Shack.

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