OceanBlueWaters

6 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Excellent review!  As a native Long Islander, I can absolutely agree with your perspective on the bars, etc.  I think if you live in a hyperactive, crowded place like Long Island, you have to learn to be patient in busy environments, otherwise you would be burned out really quick.  I think many people who cruise on the big ships are not accustomed to being in such crowded environments, which causes their negative reviews.

I kinda disagree.  I am a Jersey Girl and have footprints up and down the East Coast.

I think the "burned out" epic falls on "scooters" and other inconsiderate people no matter where you reside.  Simple respect. If you are 400 lbs and use your scooter to navigate/cut off people at elevators/buffet because you are in a "scooter"...well, that makes me sick.  I am patient, but I am also human and often say WT* when a scooter cuts me off and parks RIGHT IN FRONT of elevator!

Good grief 🙂

I think the Studios are GREAT other than the shower.  They are small and there is nowhere to stow shampoo, conditioner, razor, shave cream, comb, etc.  I always bring a collapsible, mesh, shower caddy and hang it over the shower head to stash my necessities.

JMO ☺️

On 12/20/2019 at 11:19 PM, teach/2/cruise said:

 

No comment.  LOL!

33 minutes ago, marktwothousand said:

I am loving this review, 5*'s thank you! Its great to see another review of the Encore that's not all about dirty feet in the OBS Lounge and getting trashed.

 

I agree the virtual window makes a huge improvement to the studios, I've had them on Bliss twice now and having both the TV on to the Bridge channel and the window open is quite nice. I was also able to change the settings on the virtual window for brightness/timeout so that it looked better and didn't dim.

 

You're also right about kids on holiday sailings. I feel exactly the same way - I don't mind them, but I did Christmas on the Bliss and yes, they were bit much crowding the clubs and the dance floor. Security had to often clear them out.

I like seeing "real-time pics" of actual "real-time issues".  Not infomercials where everything is squeaky clean and there are no pax anywhere while documenting.

JMO 

Love your "semi" reviews and always followed!  🙂

Question:  I always had a problem catching a cab across the street from Pier 88 when going home.  Why?  It should be simple. 

The cabs were lined up, but they refused me (1 person to Port Authority).  The guy "directing taxi lineup" came back and asked why I was still there.  I said "this guy" does not want to take me to Port Authority.  He checked and came back to me and said "yup, he doesn't want to take you" on on he went.  Huh? WTH!  Isn't that illegal?

I eventually found someone who would take me (after many curse words that came out of my mouth which also scared ME. LOL!).  I took a photo of the 1st cab driver's cab who refused me.  He saw me taking photo and already loaded a bunch of people in his cab, but came back to me and asked if I wanted to go.  There was no room! 

Can you please explain the "rules/laws" of cab drivers across from the Pier?  Hopefully someone else can relate to my experience and know how to react if they run into this situation.

Thank you and welcome home!

Studio Cabins are great.  However, why doesn't NCL give solo travelers a break?  For instance, they run "specials" for 2nd/3rd/4th/kid/cousin/friend/neighbor/pet and they stay for FREE.  How does that make sense? Are they gambling they will spend more $ in Arcade/Laser/Race Track?

Not everyone can take advantage of "fire sales" and need to plan.  Maybe I'm missing something...

JMO

Hi Wilson!

Geez!  It looks like I missed a lot!  From what I gather, that Canadian guy was totally out of bounds.  Never liked him anyway...

Glad you are feeling better and keep doing what you do!  

🙂

1 hour ago, mugtech said:

Hard to imagine tendering on ships with 5,600 pax.  There are already ports like Boracay in the Philippines refusing ships as large as Quantum class because of the envirnmental problems, must take a 2,200 pax Celebrity ship and still tender.

So where are these "new" Ships going to Port?  Does anyone know?  How does it impact current port congestion?

Thanks 🙂

8 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

For ten bucks I'll put a towel on a chair for anyone sailing tomorrow...

 

Stop!  Go to the Mojito Bar!  Get the spicy one!  Only a few can tolerate it, and I survived...

Safe travels home tomorrow.  Thanks Sid/Wilson/Food/Drink/P0rn guy.  LOL!

See ya next time 🙂🍹

3 minutes ago, blarko said:

 

OK, so feet are just gross in general BUT what’s the difference between sitting somewhere that people have put their feet on or somewhere that people have put their a$$ on? 

LOL!  If you notice, this is a COUCH.  It is designed for multiple people to SIT on.  It is not a "chaise" (although the chaise clientele are disgusting as well). It is not a bed.

Sleeping on a "couch" that doesn't belong to you, is truly gross and self-absorbed.

If I ever sail on one of these ships, I would have no problem getting their attention and saying "Excuse me please, I would like to sit here".  Now that, would be a documentary in itself,  LOL!

Good grief...

JMO🙂

Just now, sid_9169 said:

The pit master platter, featuring brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage...

 

Everything here is awesome... The brisket is perfectly cooked, with a nice smoke ring. Great smokey flavor on all the meats...

Ahhhh!  I am not a foodie and can survive on cruise without Specialty Dining.  I get one perk as Solo and opt for the Adult Beverage Plan every time.  LOL!  However, "Q" would be the ONLY Restaurant I would be interested in with all the Specialty Restaurants across NCL (food is subjective, I know).  Who doesn't love a BBQ!?   I think I need to fire up the grill right about now.  LOL!🥩

So many new ships (by many Cruise Lines), but still the same Ports?  Are new Ports/Berths being created to accommodate all the ships? Is tendering going to be the "new normal"?

Forgive me if this is a stupid question and off-topic...

😉

2 minutes ago, herdingdogmom said:

We went to this on the Escape in November.  They invite you if you signed in at the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet.  The officers come around serving beer and appetizers (like they used to do at the Meet & Greet) The GM told me it was another way for them to interact with cruise passengers and say thank you.  

Got it!  Thank you!

3 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

They sent me an invitation to a little get together in the District Brew House, so I'm stopping by... Looks almost like the CC meet and greet, but it's by invitation only. They're serving hors d'oeuvre, but I'm not having any... I've avoided the cruise crud up until now, and I'm hoping to make it home without catching anything... I have to work tomorrow when I get home, and then Monday, it's right back to my full time job...

 

Hi Wilson!

What exactly was this get together for?  I received an Invitation in October on the Escape.  I had no idea what it was and why in the world would they invite me?  Needless to say, I did not attend.  Just wondering. Thanks!

🙂

27 minutes ago, joshgates said:

Ahh yes, that pretty much seals it, I'm trying for Vibe passes.  That's my kinda place.

Go to any bar and tip your bartenders. They will remember you and what you drink when you return. My drinks were pretty much made before I even asked at each bar. Take your drink to wherever you want to go on the ship and save $.  I will never pay for Vibe.  JMO 🙂

13 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Studios are exactly the same, other than the bed is slightly smaller, like the Bliss... There are USB ports by the bed. There are no color changing LED lights like breakaway and getaway. The soap dish is the same, and I even talked with Jovo the General Manager about it... He's going to look into possibly drilling a hole in the bottom of them... If that does happen, then you'll have me to thank for it, because I did insist that it was my number one gripe about all the studio cabins...

You Rock!  Simple installation that Engineers smarter than us let fly.  I will be following...

🙂

Hi Wilson!

It looks like you had a fabulous time!  Your commentary and pics did not disappoint.

The Encore is not for me (since they killed off Spice), but how are the Studio Cabins compared to other NCL Ships?  I am guessing they are similar? Are there newly installed USB Ports near bed?  TV Rotation?  Has the precariously perched/hazardous soapdish in shower been replaced??  LOL! Someone may benefit from this information..even though trivial 😲

When is your next cruise?  I need to mark it down .  Enjoy!

🙂

5 hours ago, smplybcause said:

So I've been thinking about the foot problem and I think it mostly comes down to unrealistic expectations given the circumstances. Encore is a ship that's currently sailing around the Caribbean, where even though it's winter days are usually in the 80s (mayyyybe high 70s) and everyone is escaping the cold. The vast majority of the passengers are walking around in flip flops or sandals - ie shoes that you do not wear socks with - yet the expectation is that they wear socks on the furniture. So you're expecting them to have socks even though the majority aren't wearing footwear that requires socks. Expectations =/= reality. And expecting people to carry around socks with them is also unrealistic. 

 

If they actually want people to wear something covering their feet then it would be much more likely to happen if there were foot coverings to be had in the location - removing the need for passengers to not only carry around something that's only needed in one specific area but also removing the need to remember that.

 

To be honest it doesn't bother me that much -- do you think people are wearing socks when they're on the furniture in the rooms? Probably bare feet are all over that couch/chair in your cabin. And I would think the bottoms of shoes would be much grosser. 

Rules are rules.  Get your uncovered/disgusting feet off the furniture. I am most disgusted by people sleeping/drooling on "pretty" pillows set all around in public spaces.  How sanitary is that?  Another avenue to spread germs? How often do they clean those drool-ridden accessories? Do they clean them in between self-absorbed/drooling passengers? EWW!

JMO 😲

2 hours ago, Steff79 said:

have you a reservation for go karts and Lasertag? Wonder if it is a normal laser tag or a virtual laser tag? do people play laser tag the wohle day or only in the evenings?

 

will you go to see choir of man and kinky boots?

 

great pics, thanks,

I asked him about seeing the "shows".  Sid/Wilson never goes to the Shows, but was hoping I could get him to deviate this time. I thought it would be hilarious to get his uncensored review of Kinky Boots. No luck in my nudging. LOL!  I am sure there will be more reviews to come for Kinky Boots without torturing Sid/Wilson on this run. LOL! 🙂

Wilson~

Shows:  I know you never go to "Shows", but I would love to hear feedback about Kinky Boots.  We all know Choir of Man is not to be missed, but Kinky Boots has like zero reviews thus far.  NCL prided themselves on this Show in their reveal.  Can you help others who may want to cruise on this ship about Kinky Boots? Yeah, "shows" are subjective, but...

🙂

2 hours ago, blarko said:

What is the “OL”? And why do so many people sleep in it? I have never slept during the day on a cruise....that’s what nighttime is for.

The Observation Lounge (OL) is supposed to be a great space with forward facing windows to enjoy the view.  Unfortunately...

Hi Wilson!

I have no desire to sail on this ship, so I am strictly here for your entertaining review. 

The OL pics are GREAT!  Those people are unbelievable and it never stops! 😲. 

Thanks again for real-life review rather than a commercial/advertisement for NCL.  👍

Have a great cruise!

I am a fan of Spice and there is no Spice on Encore.  I LOVED Spice on the Escape and never found it to be crowded with people. If someone brought their kids in, the crew immediately told them the rules and they left (on Escape and my experience).

NCL:  $209 (VIBE Pass) x 300 pass holders x 52 weeks = $3.2M/year for NCL (just Encore).  This is assuming all passes are sold/every week and is a rough estimate.

That is a hefty profit of $3M/year (minus alcohol/incidentals) just on Encore.  I guess taking away public space and adding up-charge venues is truly in the best interest of NCL.  I would never pay for VIBE, but that is just me.

I do hope they don't mess with the Escape in drydock...

JMO 🙂

10 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

I never make global assumptions based on a single sailing and certainly would not shoot myself in the foot with a -never-   😀.    I’ve done 20 cruises this year on NCL-  currently on the Epic.   Overall an excellent value and great itineraries.   

 

Try other lines. And find the right match.  

Just wondering...how can a person do 20 cruises in less than a year?  Do you have a primary residence also?  I want in!

🙂

Spring Break differs all over the USA. 

Rule of thumb:  March thru April is typically "Spring Break" for College students down thru Elementary students.  It's a crap shoot...