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What did you like/dislike about the Encore


barb65
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I know the Encore is new, but for those who have sailed her, what did you like/dislike about the ship? We are looking at a 2022 Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Encore and would like to hear from anyone who has sailed on this ship. Thank you for your replies.

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We sailed on her in December. I can give you my impressions and there are also over 100 reviews in the

review section.We did the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Tortola itinerary.

 

What I liked: Beautiful ship with upscale furnishings and tasteful artwork. Very very clean and new with

that "new ship smell". Very  hardworking and helpful crew. Food was excellent both in the free venues and

in the specialty ones.The observation lounge was extremely comfortable and a great place to start

happy hour and grab a snack from their mini buffet. The entertainment was Broadway quality.

 

What I didn't like: This ship really shakes and rattles!! We were on the 17th deck forward and found it hard to

sleep the majority of the nights and during the day I felt slightly queasy. We did not have rough seas at all.

I heard that lower down and aft  was better. Since this sailing was close to Christmas and the fact there were

all the added bells and whistles like race cars, virtual reality and laser tag there were many many children. We were in

the Haven and unable to use the pool as it was completely taken over by children and resembled a summer camp

atmosphere. The screaming could be heard in the Horizon lounge and there was jumping over couches

etc. If not sailing with children I would try to sail when school is in session.

 

I can answer any questions. Hope you can find a ship and cruise that is right for you.

 

 

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Pros:
Modern elegant ship

Most delicious specialty restaurants ever.  Onda was amazing.  I still talk about this meal

Forward Lounges are great areas especially the Haven Horizon lounge

Haven is definitely the best of the NCL fleet.  The expanded space did feel like a luxury line.

Great activities for kids and adults.  Go Karts and Laser tag were fun (not sure I would do them again though) but if you have kids this ship has bells and whistles

Very good/excellent entertainment

Service was top notch

Galaxy Pavilion was FUN

Food Republic is a great lunch option but has limited hours

 

Cons:
Expensive

Main pool deck is a little more cramped since space is limited

Several venues are too small.  The Cavern Club is often too packed to get inside.  Seeing a show at the Atrium is tough unless you get there very early

Reservations, reservations, reservations.  I stressed about how many reservations you need for shows, go Karts, Laser Tag, Escape Room, nightly dining, etc.

Spa was great but the heated loungers barely provided any heat

Too many specialty restaurants.  While excellent there needs to be at least one more free dining experience with good food.  Was not very impressed with The Local food

Water park is average. One slide is like a kiddie slide and the other is off the chain in which they cancel eachother out for an average water park. Would like to have seen 2 great slides.

 

 

Edited by david_sobe
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I was supposed to go this Sunday- I was looking forward to it even though there was no Howl At The Moon or Spice H20. I was looking forward to the go carts- but would I really want to wear a mask and helmet that was just recently worn by someone?

 

For those of you that went on this and the Escape, how did they compare? I'd still like to make it onto the Encore- sunday will be a dissapointment for me.

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7 hours ago, barb65 said:

I know the Encore is new, but for those who have sailed her, what did you like/dislike about the ship? We are looking at a 2022 Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Encore and would like to hear from anyone who has sailed on this ship. Thank you for your replies.

Likes: New ship, large race track (faster), Onda restaurant, all of the frills of a Breakaway-Plus ship plus the observation lounge. Supersize Vibe. Supersized Haven sun deck

 

Dislikes: Aft Thermal Suite is small and crowded (well... maybe not any more). Like the Bliss and Joy, the lifeboats are stowed inboard (for panama canal transits) making Deck 7 (The Local, Casino, MDR) a lot narrower. 

 

Some Encore photos from our live post

 

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The one point to consider for Caribbean itineraries, Encore is not an outdoor ship.  The pool deck is relatively small & Laser Tag is in place of Spice H2O.  Vibe is much larger though.

 

Observation Lounge is a great space and the snack spread was terrific.

 

So, if you plans include beach days on the islands and activities on the ship (basically not sunbathing), Encore is great.

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We cruised on the Encore in February. We had a wonderful time and met some great people! The ship is absolutely beautiful. The staff was kind and helpful. The only thing we didn't like was there is not enough things for teenagers/kids to do that is free. It seems like most things had a fee. The race track was always full and without reservations in advance, you could forget it. The food in the main dining room was very good and the wait staff was attentive. The specialty restaurants was good except for Cagneys. We did not enjoy that one. But, maybe we went on an off night. It was great on the Getaway.. Overall, we enjoyed the Encore and would go again.

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I am trying to relive the happier times and came across my review posted before the world changed.  I believe the Encore only sailed one more time after my cruise.  I am no Bird Travels but here is my mini review

 

 

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We were on the first two cruises out of Miami on the Encore and I really enjoyed the Encore. For us the main two reasons I liked the Encore was the great staff and the entertainment. Didn't really have any dislikes but I am sure others did. I liked it so much yesterday I booked it again for a 17 night cruise in October 2021. I might also book it for a 12 night cruise the spring of 2021 not sure about that yet. 

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Pros: it has all the good stuff that you probably like on other NCL ships. It is basically the same in most areas as the newer NCL ships so If you like that stuff you’ll be content with the encore 

 

cons: pool deck. Ridiculous. way too much space dedicated to the vibe and laser tag. I was on a packed sailing and hardly anyone was ever in vibe and laser tag. I know pool decks are notoriously crowded on cruises but really, this was too much. That kind of crowding won’t fly in the SARS-nCoV-2 era. I will not sail encore again for the pool deck 

Edited by marktwothousand
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We sailed Encore the week after Thanksgiving 2019.  Absolutely loved it!   We were in a Penthouse Balcony in Haven.  The observation lounge was beautiful and had so much space.  The food and staff amazing.  We also met a lot of people we still keep in contact with.  

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One thing we really dislike about the Encore is THAT infamous mid-ship bubble-#rap chandelier.

 

Wow! That one is nasty. The chandeliers on the other mega ships are so beautiful and pleasant to look at, but the one on Encore is a real disbelief to look at!

 

 

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