COME SAIL AWAY... FINALLY! Live Review of NCL Encore Alaska 8/21-8/28

[drumexpert510]

Hey everyone, I am so excited to be doing this LIVE REVIEW! I have wanted to do one for so long and hey what better time then now. The return to cruising after nearly 18 months and all the changes leaves everyone (including myself) with a lot of questions of what to expect. We will be on the NCL Encore out of Seattle this week heading up to Alaska.

I hope you all got a chance to read "TheBirds" Live review last week for their cruise. It was amazing and if you didn't read it, you can find it below. BUT with that being the first cruise back, there was a lot of pomp and circumstance, big brass on board and what we all can only assume to be a dog and pony show. Well, I am here to show you what things look like three weeks in, what we can come to expect from a "regular" new normal cruise. 

 

This live review will only be as good as you help me make it, if you have ANY questions, please ask and I will do my best to find out. I will bring you pictures, menus, my personal experiences, and any answers I can get for you.

 

Thank you all again, and the LIVE REVIEW starts tomorrow with the testing process and boarding! Any questions you want to ask, go ahead and I will get started ASAP tomorrow! 

 

Thanks again and Let's Cruise!!!

 

[Tucsoncruisers]

Thank you, I will be following along! Have a wonderful time.

[gregmarty]

Have a great trip!  Looking forward to your review.  I'll be getting on board next Saturday

[Sailing12Away]

I'll high 5 you as you get off and I get on board the week after you. Curious to see where the testing is being done - it was originally at the Marriot which was good for me as we're staying there the night prior, but then it was moved to the pier.

 

Curious to see a photo of the lobsters if you order one to see if it's worth the upcharge on the dining package.

[drumexpert510]

11 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

I'll high 5 you as you get off and I get on board the week after you. Curious to see where the testing is being done - it was originally at the Marriot which was good for me as we're staying there the night prior, but then it was moved to the pier.

 

Curious to see a photo of the lobsters if you order one to see if it's worth the upcharge on the dining package.

We are also at the Marriott and are a little bummed about the change but after hearing the issues a the other week, maybe the change was needed. To be determined tomorrow! 

[jeruby43]

Looking forward to seeing your posts.  We sail on the 4th and are so excited!!

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

I'll be reading along.  I'll be on the Encore a bit later this fall.

[drumming cruisers]

Thanks for starting  the review. I am really interested in the Ward Cove in Ketchikan, and the gondola in Icy Strait Point  if you can get more pictures, . I read Bird Travels review and its excellent. I am interested in the ports. entertainment and  casino more than the menus . 

 

 

[BSR]

Have a great cruise and looking forward to reading your review. 

[poly3503]

Can't wait to follow along. Interested in the testing,now that the location has changed. We're at the Edgewater  ( sailing on 9/25)

[rmandmm]

I’ll be paying attention too! Maybe this will help with expectations for my December cruise, even though the only common factor is NCL. Different ship, different ports but I’ll take a good NCL review anytime! Thank you!

[drumexpert510]

37 minutes ago, rmandmm said:

I’ll be paying attention too! Maybe this will help with expectations for my December cruise, even though the only common factor is NCL. Different ship, different ports but I’ll take a good NCL review anytime! Thank you!

Well, I will do everything I can to help. It will be my first one so be kind! haha

[BirdTravels]

The Bird is following. Have an amazing cruise!!!

[drumexpert510]

10 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The Bird is following. Have an amazing cruise!!!

Well, now I feel the pressure.... lol
 

Thank you, just so glad the industry is back! I might cry tomorrow when I board... it has been a roller coaster over the last 18 months to get back to this point!

Edited August 21, 2021 by drumexpert510

[Brickwood]

Looking forward to your review!  My DH and I will be on the 9/11 sailing with another couple but not boarding together and I'm wondering if one couple can make reservations for 4 people or if each couple must do it individually.  Thanks in advance!

 

Edit Note- I meant to specify entertainment reservations

Edited August 21, 2021 by Brickwood
More specific information

[Sailing12Away]

5 minutes ago, Brickwood said:

Looking forward to your review!  My DH and I will be on the 9/11 sailing with another couple but not boarding together and I'm wondering if one couple can make reservations for 4 people or if each couple must do it individually.  Thanks in advance!

I presume you're talking about dinner reservations.... if so, yes you can. I've booked dinner for 4 on other ships without issue. When you get there they'll just confirm who has the specialty dining package and who is paying a la cart.

[Brickwood]

@Sailing12Away Oops.  I meant entertainment reservations.  I did book our two dinners for 4 but wasn't sure if entertainment worked the same way.  

[spfar]

3 hours ago, drumexpert510 said:

 

We will be getting on after you get off.  I'm looking forward to your observations.  Particularly interested in your shore excursions and how smoothly the port stops go.  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[Illinitrvlr]

Yippee! Thanks so much for doing this. We will be getting on when you are getting off. Will be following excitedly!

[gknep]

Looking forward to this. I'll be boarding on September 11. 

[littlelulu01]

Have a wonderful stress free vacation!  Excited to read about your adventures. 

[cruiservictor]

Thank you very much for doing this. I hope you have a wonderful time. The General Manager is Deepak Punia from India, a wonderful gentleman. We sailed with him 4 times on the Escape out of NY. Would you see if you can find out if he will be on the Sept 11 and Sept 18 sailings on the Encore?  We will, and we hope to be able to sail with him again. Thank you. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

5 minutes ago, cruiservictor said:

Thank you very much for doing this. I hope you have a wonderful time. The General Manager is Deepak Punia from India, a wonderful gentleman. We sailed with him 4 times on the Escape out of NY. Would you see if you can find out if he will be on the Sept 11 and Sept 18 sailings on the Encore?  We will, and we hope to be able to sail with him again. Thank you. 

I'm just curious.  Why would it matter to you who the GM is?

[L0bsterl0ver]

13 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

I'll high 5 you as you get off and I get on board the week after you. Curious to see where the testing is being done - it was originally at the Marriot which was good for me as we're staying there the night prior, but then it was moved to the pier.

 

Curious to see a photo of the lobsters if you order one to see if it's worth the upcharge on the dining package.

I think I can answer that….YES!   Ha ha ha ….I saw on the menu they are supposed to be 1lb 1/2…. But I’m curious too! 

[disneylover89]

Following along too!  Very curious and interested in your review of   Ward Cove Ketchikan  and the Icy Straight gondolas.  I have started to reconsider cruise lines because of their port location changes.

Have a wonderful time!!!