LIVE from the Encore

[david_sobe]

Cagneys was delicious tonight.  One in my party got the upcharge $20 for the filet and lobster.  The lobster was so tiny but told it was good.  It literally looked like 4 bites.  However everyone's filet was cooked perfectly.

 

Did Laser tag with a bunch of teens tonight.  These kids have laser tag down to a science like a video game.   All the kids that seemed to not be around suddenly appeared tonight.  Maybe it was the teen pool party that brought them out.   Off to bed and hopefully sleep in for one last day.

 

Nite for Friday

[measlesmom]

Can you use a Starbucks gift card on Encore!



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[david_sobe]

I dont know about using a Starbucks gift card. I have read here on CC that you can but we did not try.  We have used Starbucks onboard but used our ship account.

 

A few updates about last night:
The main pool did reopen in the evening after the poop scare. The go carts did reopen after the rain.  I do think its crazy to put Laser tag in such prime real estate.  They could have put laser tag inside and not be bothered with weather conditions, etc.  Laser tag is like a video game. The gun has so many features with a shield, etc.  I kept forgetting to activate my shield so I was killed instantlty many times.  Some of these kids are experts.  Our team could never get started since we were all overwhelmed with these teens.  And some of them were bratty with their kills.

 

The captain just gave his daily briefing on weather and location, speed etc.  He just mentioned the weather in Miami tomorrow and mentioned the ship will arrive at 3:30 am and we are allowed to disembark at 7am.  No mention of anything else.

 

We did get our Onda reservation for tonight at 9.  I am still full from last night so I skipped breakfast.  The overflow of Cagneys is funny.  They now have tables all around the mix bar to expand the restaurant.  Food is all very good but its also expensive.  Speaking of Cagneys, waitress was very clear last night with the dining plan:  1 appetizer, 1 soup or salad, one entree, 2 sides and 1 dessert.  At Onda we were told we were allowed 2 appetizers.

 

Cant believe how fast the internet is at sea since my last cruise.  And such a good deal. Only $84 for unlimited for the week with the "free" at sea perk.

 

The staff in the Galaxy Pavilion gets a big kick out of everyone trying to solve the escape room.  Because many times you are off the trail and doing the most stupid things in desperation.  I asked the staff if anyone has ever beaten the goalie.  The guy had to think for a long time and say, its very rare.  Its pretty much impossible and if anyone does it, they should win some prize or something.  Speaking of prizes.  Watched a Deal or No Deal game yesterday and the guy took the deal of $350 which is really good but he had the $1000 case.  It was such a good game to watch.   However someone pointed out the cases are electronically assigned so how do we know for sure the computer did not switch cases in the end.

 

No major plans for today. Just relax and pack later tonight before dinner.

As they say, all good things must come to an end.

Wishing everyone tomorrow a trouble free embarkation.  Staff have been great.  Just remember you cant see or do it all and be patient because being on a ship with 4300 people takes patience.

Edited February 29, 2020 by david_sobe

[david_sobe]

I do have an answer about the Starbucks gift card.  YES, you can use them on board. Drinking a Starbucks Iced tea and asked the question.  Also, if you "need" a good straw, Starbucks has perfected the paper straw.  Its leaps and bounds better than any straw given to you at the bars.  In other words, it lasts longer and does not fall apart before your drink is over.

 

***This is the end......my only friend, the end *******

 

Its been a great cruise.  My highlight was Tortola day.  My least favorite day was Puerto Rico.  Drink consistency varies greatly from bar to bar and even the same bar.  My experience has been the same drink tastes different than the next.  Last night at Cagneys I had 3 sidecar drinks.  One was almost pure water (which is strange because water is not added to drinks) and the other was like a shot of brandy.  But this is normally the case at resorts.  Bartending varies from bartender to bartender.  The mojito bar is the execption.  Those guys Bong and Chocolate Cowboy know their mojitos.  IMHO the atrium bar has the best service.  They are always busy but have the load down to a science.  Never a wait and they are always looking to serve the next customer.  Excellent service!   Had a great butler and room steward but more about them later when I do a mini review.

 

Believe it or not, I am not happy the cruise is coming to an end but not depressed this time.  We did so much that the week seemed very long and looking forward to getting to my own bed and miss our pooch.  I normally am in bed at 830 but have been staying up till about 11 each night.

 

Its a wrap. 

😥

Edited February 29, 2020 by david_sobe

[meatball_nyc]

Thank you, David, for sharing your trip this past week with all of us. 

I appreciate all the info, tips and insights you’ve posted here about the Encore, as we will be sailing on her in a few months out of NYC to Bermuda. First thing I always pack is my patience 😉

 

 

Safe sailing home....

nice reference to Jim and the boys....(the Doors)

 

Hopefully your awesome bartenders will still be onboard for us. 

 

Looking forward to your mini review as well. 

 

~Robin 

 

[CazV]

Thanks for taking the time to share your week here. I'm glad you had a good time 😊 

[maryivo]

23 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Cagneys was delicious tonight.  One in my party got the upcharge $20 for the filet and lobster.  The lobster was so tiny but told it was good.  It literally looked like 4 bites.  However everyone's filet was cooked perfectly.

 

Did Laser tag with a bunch of teens tonight.  These kids have laser tag down to a science like a video game.   All the kids that seemed to not be around suddenly appeared tonight.  Maybe it was the teen pool party that brought them out.   Off to bed and hopefully sleep in for one last day.

 

Nite for Friday

theres a teen pool party?  my teens will be so happy to hear that!  we sail in june!  thanks for this great review!

[Sand and Seas]

Thanks for sharing your review with us!   

Glad you were able to get into Onda a second time.   I've got Onda booked twice for our April cruise😎

[david_sobe]

Just got home.  I was ready too.  I am exhausted.  Fantastic cruise.  It took us about 50 mins to disembark which is the slowest of any ship I have sailed.  However, it also was the latest we have disembarked too.  We left around 830 and was at the cab stand around 915.  I heard several in line stating they had noon flights.  They should be ok however, get off the ship first thing in the morning if you have a noon flight because remember its a mega ship and lines bog down.  We had priority disembarkation and it still took 50 mins.

 

Will post a short review of everything (not a day by day) but a list of favorites and least favorites from the Encore.  I am ready for my own bed.  Did not sleep the greatest this cruise.  

[tutuwahineLV]

On 2/25/2020 at 7:04 PM, OnTheGoMom921 said:

Thank you, we will be on the Encore in May and I'm still looking for as much info as I can glean. Good to know about the slow meal times, as we don't want to miss our show reservations. Sorry about your camera and photos, that sucks! Quick question if you can help. We have an aft balcony (I'm a suite girl, but going with a group who wouldn't be in Haven and would prefer to hang with the group more if we can) however, we did put in a bid for a Spa Mini (M9) and the only cabin locations are on deck 15 and are by the ocean loops (deck 16) the loops dip down below the pool deck and I'm not sure if they cross right in front of the M9 balconies on deck 15. Any insight would help.  I already feel like the upgrade would be a downgrade as the aft balconies on 12 are large, and there really isn't much more space in a mini than a balcony. Only reason to even try for that upsell bid would be for the spa passes. Have a great time and hope the weather gets better!

Hi OnTheGoMom921,  

the loops do not cross in front of the balconies.  I was looking at the NCY port cam this morning, and the Bliss is sitting there in all her glory.  The loops do cross in front of the windows that are just above the balconies, but not farther down.  

https://www.portnywebcam.com/ 

 

I personally would stick with the aft balcony because of the large size, and the wider view you get from the aft, but that's just me.  Good luck on your upgrade, and enjoy your trip. 

Tutu 

[david_sobe]

Ok, I just woke from a nap and had that horrible feeling after leaving a cruise.  I am hungry and thinking its up to me to find something and make it for myself 😲   No simple sit downs for people to wait on me anymore :(

 

Going back to a 2000 calorie day from a 8000 calorie day is going to take some adjustment 

[KBYUCougar]

On 2/25/2020 at 8:10 PM, david_sobe said:

My camera broke tonight which sucks because of the lost photos.  The digital camera was 10 years old but I had photos of several things around the ship and meals.  SO my review may be without any photos.  We were in Puerto Rico next to the "I LOVE PUERTO RICO" sign and everyone was in line taking photos. I had my camera out with the lens out.  A couple asked me to take their photo.  When he handed me their phone, I dropped my camera on the lens and it broke.  SO I am more upset about the lost photos than the old camera.  

 

I'm confused, did the SD card also break? Or can you use an SD card adapter (Best Buy, Amazon, etc.) and get the photos off that way? It's very rare that you would lose all your pictures if the camera broke. The SD card which holds all the picture files would have to be broken to truly lose all your pictures. I have hope you can get them of the SD card. Unless by lost photos you meant photos you couldn't take after the accident. For which I'm very sorry.

[P_Mcruisers]

https://www.*****/cruise-ship-webcams/norwegian-cruise-line/norwegian-bliss/

 

 

Web cam 

 

[P_Mcruisers]

3 minutes ago, P_Mcruisers said:

https://www.*****/cruise-ship-webcams/norwegian-cruise-line/norwegian-bliss/

 

 

Web cam https://www.*****/cruise-ship-webcams/norwegian-cruise-line/norwegian-bliss/

 

BOW CAM

3 minutes ago, P_Mcruisers said:

 

 

[P_Mcruisers]

Just now, P_Mcruisers said:

 

BOW CAM

 

apologies..seems that I am being censored... Please disregard 

[Hit Em With The Hein]

I’ll pick up as I am now live on the Encore. Fist time cruiser here. But I’ve been doing a lot of researching and  my in laws are pros. 
We left port today, uneventfully. Seeming no explanation for the 2 hour late text. We were planning on arriving at 10 but arrived at 11:20 and were in boarding group 19, so it couldn’t have been a much delayed boarding at all. But rooms weren’t ready until 1. 
 

Everywhere we saw people with spray bottles of hand sanitizer more than happy to give you a squirt. (Giggity) 
 

Buffet for lunch, hectic but well controlled.  Indian food that everyone raves about onboard lives up to the hype. Kids enjoyed pizza. 
 

We did the muster drill, which was very efficient and better than I had feared. After that the kids wanted to get in the pool. It was clouds and sun at 75 degrees with a breeze. They were done and frozen in 5 mins. But as we were pulling them out of the pool with ice tongs we noticed we were actually moving past buildings. Apparently we were on our way, without much pomp and circumstance. 
 

Manhattan Room for dinner... very good. Wife and I were both happy with entrees and speed of service didn’t really bother us, even with two small guys (5 and 7). 
 

Threw the monsters in the kids club starting at 8 and did some onboard sight seeing. Mojoto bar is legit. The ginger mojito is my favorite thus far. 
 

Unlimited Internet is probably the most important thing we have purchased thus far... highly recommend. 

[debenson0723]

On 2/29/2020 at 5:52 PM, CazV said:

Thanks for taking the time to share your week here. I'm glad you had a good time 😊 

Taking a minute to tag on here, as I just got home (long 5 hour flight from FLL to PHX).  Will probably write a small review in the next day or two but I had a fabulous time. I was told there were only 3000 on board, as a lot of the cabins that had 2-5 berths only had singles in there.  Whatever the count, the ship never felt crowded to me at all (didn't use the pools, though).

 

And I wanted to let those know who are getting onboard March 8th, I was told Silas will be back.  Really, really missed him on this cruise.

 

Lastly, not only can you use a Starbucks gift card, you can use the app also.  Won't update your balance but the receipt will show it.  Glad you had a great time, David...wish our paths would have crossed.

[CazV]

2 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

 

 

And I wanted to let those know who are getting onboard March 8th, I was told Silas will be back.  Really, really missed him on this cruise.

Oh I hope this is true! 😊

[Freckles_51]

7 hours ago, Hit Em With The Hein said:

I’ll pick up as I am now live on the Encore. 

Hope you have an awesome cruise!

 

If you go to the Video Game Arcade could you please check out approx cost for individual games, green swipe and otherwise?

We know they offer an Ultimate package for the week to play only the green swipe games. Just trying to decide if it is worth buying the package.

 
Also if you are able get the week’s schedule for Entourage teen activities and post it here that would be great. 

 

Thanks

 

[Hit Em With The Hein]

23 minutes ago, Freckles_51 said:

Hope you have an awesome cruise!

 

If you go to the Video Game Arcade could you please check out approx cost for individual games, green swipe and otherwise?

We know they offer an Ultimate package for the week to play only the green swipe games. Just trying to decide if it is worth buying the package.

 
Also if you are able get the week’s schedule for Entourage teen activities and post it here that would be great. 

 

Thanks

 

I have no doubt I’ll get to the arcade today. I’ll let you know. 

[GMoney]

I just got off Encore. All the arcade games I played and saw were $1.70.

[david_sobe]

1 hour ago, Hit Em With The Hein said:

I have no doubt I’ll get to the arcade today. I’ll let you know. 

If you have kids they will love the Galaxy Pavilion and may never want to play another arcade game again.  If you go in the evening its not crowded at all and you can play any of the games instantly.  Have a great cruise.  Be sure to say hello to Jan Hein.  She's usually in the casino near the black jack table.

[Summerstravel]

Thank you David for posting such a detailed review please know it is much appreciated. This information is very helpful. 

[Freckles_51]

51 minutes ago, GMoney said:

I just got off Encore. All the arcade games I played and saw were $1.70.

 

42 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

If you have kids they will love the Galaxy Pavilion and may never want to play another arcade game again.  If you go in the evening its not crowded at all and you can play any of the games instantly.  Have a great cruise.  Be sure to say hello to Jan Hein.  She's usually in the casino near the black jack table.

thank you both.

 

The games at GP are about $9-10 per game? Do they sell daily or weekly packages?

[david_sobe]

3 minutes ago, Freckles_51 said:

 

thank you both.

 

The games at GP are about $9-10 per game? Do they sell daily or weekly packages?

Yes they sell daily unlimited passes and unlimited hour passes.  Don't remember if they have unlimited weekly.  Be advised it closes down at periods of time every day and closed while in port.  So if you get unlimited day pick a day where its open the most.  Games range from $8 for most of them and up to $20 for the super race car.  Most of them are $8 pp and fun enough especially the space ship fighter.  Be careful of unlimited hourly because many of the games take time to prep and then ride.  Not sure how many you can get in within the hour but definitely many of them.  In my experience, nights were the best time to ride and least crowded.

Edited March 2, 2020 by david_sobe