Carderman

15 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

 

We ran into a group of them in the Observation lounge, where the bartender was pouring them some B.S. mixed-tequila shot, as we’re throwing back our straight-up shots (out of glasses at more than one stop).   

 

“You didn’t say that in the rules!”  

 

Oh, ok. 🙄

 

Haha🤣 The built in booby trap...!!

Sounds like you got pretty bunkered!

14 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

 

Those that didn’t participate.

 

Dumbest idea ever.  

I take it the Europeans whipped you in to shape🤣

48 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

I’m sitting here debating if I have any closing thoughts on the ship, but if I’m to be honest, I don’t think we really took much of it in.  

 

Those that were on the sailing know - the cruise was all about the people.   No ports, no promise of decent weather, and certainly no fanfare.  It’s why this thread never fully developed, as we chose to spend every possible moment with the people that mean so much to us.  It was one big family reunion from the moment we touched down in Southampton right through to our party in NYC last night.

 

These inaugural transatlantics have accumulated a wealth of life-long friendships, long before we ever got involved.  I have little doubt that this tradition will continue with whatever Project Leonardo delivers. 

 

The ship itself is beautiful.  It feels slightly-less polished and with less continuity than what is felt on the Bliss.  Compare the DBH theming between the two -  The Bliss has the fantastic bear & wilderness pieces that align with the Alaska & Wyland theming, with tons of detail to discover in every nook.  The Encore’s version feels a bit Applebee’s-ish, with generic & cheap-looking motorcycle art thrown around.  I wouldn’t be shocked to find a TJ Maxx price-tag left behind.  Some of this can be felt in several other public spaces. 

 

Those that have followed the “everything” thread already know... I’m not a fan of NCL’s decisions regarding the Encore’s upper decks.  I’ll leave it at that, and we can all watch how their new approach plays out in the Caribbean.

 

The crew continues to be the best at sea.  While we’ve flirted with other mainstream lines, we’ve always returned to NCL, and the friendliness of the crew has been a big part of that.  Those that will be sailing the Encore in the coming months will be treated to the best of the best. 

Hi Doug...its been a pleasure following you on the cruise I should have been on! Alas I will join your 1st love next week in Miami and will toast you in DBH1. Good luck in all what you do. Best Regards Steve.

ps who won the Ryder Hiccup in the end?

2 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

I wonder why the bow section is not joined to the rest of the ship?

Hey Doug!  Guess what we can see.

29 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

 

Is there still a 2nd?  I was thinking the new technique with the elongated basin was that the single exterior mega block will be floated in to meet the bow (which will be moved back to where soectrum’s bow is now), then the aft is built in place.

 

edit: or by 2nd, are you referring to the bow section?

Hi Doug, maybe i am wrong but studying the last few ship builds at MW, I think the Encore bow section will stay where it is for a while. Once the Spectrum is floated out, the Encore Mega block (out in the harbour area) gets brought in and joined to the bow section at its current position. MW then continue to build the stern section of the Encore. What that does is leave a space between the Encore stern and the MW dock large door to start another ship mega block construction. Once this next new ship mega block construction is built , it is then floated out to the harbour outside, just where the Encore Mega block is. The semi completed Encore (Bow, Midships and Stern )is then floated back in the basin to be close to the dock door, which leaves a space where the Encore Bow section was to lay down the keel of the next new ship's bow section and so the process repeats. 

16 hours ago, FreestyleNovice said:

 

One of the hot tubs, they moved them on this yesterday's pic:

 

 

Looks like they are airborne and floating!  Looking at their shadow on the deck, all the water will come out!!!

3 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

Is this scattered debris, or a feature?  

 

 

High rise smoking booths!

2 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

 

Just remember the dreadful alternative.

Dutchish...British....Belguimish...not too bad!

So that makes 15+15+15+15 ales...Omg!

Our Bridge!

2 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

 

From what I've read, it's almost impossible to snag a booking on the Go-Karts unless you're super organized and know what to to. (aka - following CruiseCritic!)

 

Here's a sample thread of the problems that people have had:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2554531-ncl-bliss-race-track-problem-on-june-9-16-alaska-cruise/

 

Ok Thanks alot! Looks like i wont using the Go-Karts then!

10 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

 

Greetings from across the lake!

 

I am semi-lurker and have always enjoyed your posts! Unfortunately for NCL, you are THE definitive product booster and when you have reservations, there's a REAL problem.

 

I completely agree  with anything that you have said.  It's extremely obvious that NCL is going after that increasingly elusive first-time cruiser to lure them into booking.  However, this strategy has a huge number of holes in it.

 

The first one is that the "average" first time cruiser, not in The Haven, not *gasp* reading these boards will never have a rodent's-posterior chance of ever snagging a Go-Kart booking.  So ... their disappointment will be off the charts and they will likely ignore all of the other NCL amenities. Secondly, for those of us who love NCL and cruising, these "signature" attractions that take up a LOT of deck space for something that we'll never do again will cause some hesitation when we go to book again. It's the same with iFly and the North Star on RCI.

 

I think that they all have  great marketing department but have never spent time on a ship!

 

 

What do you mean by ""the "average" first time cruiser, not in The Haven, not *gasp* reading these boards will never have a rodent's-posterior chance of ever snagging a Go-Kart booking""

6 minutes ago, Heather1972 said:

 

 

What is that blue tube running through the laser tag area?

It's the Sea monster rising from the DBH getting extra stocks of beer for the Transatlanic crossing😀

2 hours ago, TheDougOut said:

About to see the OL come into view up on Deck 15...

I have circled in Blue what we are seeing on the sister ship (this case the Bliss) from Doug's Meyer Werft photo.

 

Impressive progress over 2-1/2 weeks!

Nice photo find, faster than myself! :)

 

Not sure, I would say identical. The edges on that piece of roof could be finishing parts?

If you study the build photo, it looks like an air conditioning unit on roof ...then compare to the finished, it's hidden!!! So I would say a lot a trim to be added to pack it out, hence more length and bulk. So yes! I believe this is the "wave" bar. I feel I will be stood at this bar alot. [emoji636]v[emoji631][emoji959]️*♂️

 

Sent from my SM-G960F using Forums mobile app