nhtravels

Ship -  Encore

Deck -   17 

Stateroom # -  17118

Stateroom Category –  Haven 2 Br. Family Villa with Large Balcony

Starboard or Port Side -  Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – The suite itself was very quiet.  But the noise from the cabin next door does travel if both cabins have their balcony doors open.   

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –  The view was amazing.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Oversized.  We requested our butler bring us two lounger chairs and we still could comfortably have a regular deck chair as well.

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? -

Any other comments? - We travelled as a party of 2 and loved the extra space.   I would feel comfortable traveling in this suite as a party of 4 (but not two couples), maybe 2 adults and 2 children.  I think putting 6 in the space would be tight,  unless you were truly just sleeping in the space.  -FWIW YMMV

I'm so happy you are enjoying the Encore!  We were on her the 1st week of January, with approximately 1700 pax.  And other than missing St. Thomas, Tortola and GSC, it was one of our favorite cruises!

I hope you enjoy St. Thomas today!

We are playing the same game as you, for the Bliss Panama Canal  (2/4).  It's a 16 day cruise for us.  The cruise before us is the Bliss from LA to MIA, so that we can do MIA to LA.   If they can't make the journey, NCL will have to cancel ours.

We paid for it (Haven cabin) with a mix of over $13K in FCC and 6K in cash.  I would rather NCL cancel, so we can at least get some of the cash back than have 19k back in FCC!  That FCC just keeps cycling and cycling.  We did just go on the Encore and it was wonderful.  But I don't know if I could handle a 16 day cruise with all the ports turning us away, thus becoming a 16 day at sea situation!

We are going to wait.  We are however, canceling our shore excursions and prepaid today.  Just in case I have to enact POM.  

Good luck with your decision.  I know it's not an easy one.

18 minutes ago, Quincella said:

I just received notice that my bid was accepted for a Haven 2-Bedroom.  Minimum bid was $1300, and I bid $1410. I really wanted that 2nd bedroom because when I first booked, it was just my husband and me (in a spa balcony)  but now our 17 year old is joining. 

 

I'm pleased!  

 

This is for the Encore on Sunday, 1/16.

You will love the Haven 2 Br!  We just got off the Encore and had one (just for DH and myself) and it was incredible!!  Congrats!

We just got off the Encore yesterday.  Almost everyone (Butler, room steward, casino, etc.) handed them out to us on Friday and Saturday.  It was almost comical how many we had collected by Saturday night!  I had a cramp in my hand just filling them out!

15 hours ago, JBlade70 said:

For rnfulk or anybody on board now....was has been the status of the entertainment and thermal spa.  Anything been cancelled or closed??

Today they cancelled the last 2 showings of Choir of Man, as well as a few other acts.  (I was so glad DH and I saw it earlier in the week!).  

According to Sanja, (our wonderful Haven concierge), we are still a go for Nassau (Friday) and GSC (Saturday).  

1 hour ago, FrankieCruise said:

Getting on Encore Sunday, we hear vessel will be under 50 per full of guests.  How is this weeks counts?

 

1700 pax on board.  It's been a wonderful cruise so far, even with the unknown of tomorrow (which would have been St. Thomas).  Everyone (pax and staff are all just so happy to be back on board).

1 hour ago, Vinegarjoe10 said:

We had a lagoon studio villa on 12/13. I would glad to answer any questions you may have. 
 

Regards,
 

Vinegarjoe 

Do you know if the Moet bar is included or is there an upcharge for the drinks?  (We only have the premium drink package, not the premium plus).  

We have a 1 Br. villa  booked for next week!  

Thanks 🙂

Loving your review Orcagirl!  We are on the Bliss for the 1st time in early February and can't wait! I've heard amazing things about Singlo and expect that we'll spend lots of time listening to them (hoping they are still onboard when we sail!)

7 hours ago, Dgoddess61 said:

Woo hoo, just checked my bid for 12/26 sailing on Breakaway and found our our bid is processing for Haven forward facing penthouse!!!!  I am thrilled as it is my 60th Birthday trip.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!  Nothing better than having a birthday in the Haven!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Encore!  We'll be boarding in just under 3 weeks and I can't wait!  

Happy sailing to you!

My recommendation to you is bid a little higher on the cabin type that you would most like to get and a little less on the 2 that you would be ok with getting.  

Only bid on something you would want to stay in, because once your bid is accepted and your credit card is processed, you cannot change your mind.   

Fantastic review Tripleboom! Loved following along with your Blissful adventure with Stacy, Joe and Sandi!  Sounds like a great first cruise back!

We'll reach platinum after our Feb. cruise.  That will be our 4th cruise with NCL.  My husband was hoping to have a ship's tour, so we planned with bonus points to make sure we hit platinum before our Bliss Panama Canal cruise.  But we had 2 cancellations (who didn't, right?) this year.  And they aren't doing the tours now, so it's ok.   Once they are, our new status will be ready and waiting for him to see the ship!

54 minutes ago, tafawke said:

IYay!!!!!! this was the one I had decided I wanted the most and had made my bid 'mid-good' the rest were in the poor category... Super happy and now bouncing around my classroom..

Congratulations!  You will love the Haven experience!  

I would check the availability for your sailing.  If there seems to be a good number of balconies, I would personally keep the triple points and put in for an upgrade bid.   

Since the ships are sailing with a reduced capacity, there is probably a strong chance that you can have your cake and eat it too!

Remember, there are also those who choose to either book a Sail away rate (thus not having Free at Sea perks) or opting out of the Beverage Package.  So the 20% gratuity would be applied to their per drink charge. 

I am truly enjoying your review Tripleboom!  It looks like you, Stacy, Joe and Sandi had a wonderful time on the Bliss!  DH and I are sailing on her in early February for 16 days.  Until then, I'm traveling vicariously through you!    (DH and I are considering the Jeep excursion thanks to your pictures and review of the day.  How was the cafe tequila, btw?)

15 minutes ago, trivimp said:

For Bliss 12/5, I have one offer now marked "processing" while the rest are "expired".  Looks like we're going from a balcony to a spa club suite.  Not the Haven, but not bad at all.  Plus, we now get the Thermal Spa, which I haven't been able to talk the guy into on previous trips.  Maybe he'll see the light on how awesome the spa is 🙂 

Congrats!  I'm sure your guy will love it!  DH won't cruise on a ship without getting spa passes now!  When I bring up booking another cruise his first question is "Does it have a thermal spa?".  It's a prerequisite for him!

Happy sailing!

In the past I think that if a price drop occurs after final payment, NCL has been know to give a one-time offering of OBC (OR FCC) for the difference in a price drop.  (Before final payment you can get a refund, as many times as price drops occur).  

Happy Day before the cruise Gary (and family)!  

Bon voyage! (and have a shot of tequila for me!)

5 hours ago, vacationut said:

If I purchase spa access now, but win an upgrade to a spa room, will I get a refund or credit for the spa access? 

From my understanding, yes.  You would be able to cancel the repurchased thermal spa passes.  I've read others who have done this very thing.  

Good luck with your bid!

Does the PP+ work at the Moet & Chandon bar at Silver Cove? - 

That would make for one super luxurious day for me!

So happy that you and Stacy. were able to turn those lemons into a nice limoncello!

Thanks!  I will call first thing tomorrow!