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

[SeaTacMike]

5 hours ago, drumexpert510 said:

After dinner last night, we went straight back and hit the hay. It was a little rocky last night as we were traveling up the western coast of Vancouver. We are scooting along pretty good this morning and the weather is fairly decent and around 57 degrees. 
 

Today’s  schedule:

 

CC Meet & Greet

Slot Pull with some casino action

Thermal Spa Suite 

Some bar reviews

Choir of Men

If you haven't seen Choir Of Men yet, prepare to have your socks knocked off.
It's utterly fantastic !   Can't say the same for Kinky Boots though. (I know it's not onboard currently)

[drumexpert510]

We had an amazing group for the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet this morning! We had almost 100 people show up and the presentation from the officers was well received. The crew has always been friendly but you can actually feel the electricity that they are all so happy to be back! 
 

When you have (CD) Silas, (GM) Deepak and captain Holmqvist leading the charge you are sure to have an amazing team!

[drumexpert510]

Lunch today was a quick grab and go in The Garden Cafe. There seems to have been a step up in the quality of food. There are the tried and true favorites but definitely some other items to mention. They a Hawaiian burgers, Jasmine Rice and Curries and even a full suckling pig. 
 

Sanitation seems to be a huge concern for all the crew. You get ushered to the sinks when you walk in to “washy washy healthy healthy”. There is a stream of crew wiping down all the food surfaces and I have yet to see a dirty table there.

 

If you are in a hurry and want some grub, the Garden Cafe is always a safe bet!

[The Traveling Man]

On 8/21/2021 at 1:04 PM, cruiservictor said:

Hi - we sailed with Deepak as the GM 4 times on the Escape in 2018.  He remembered us each time and took great care of us, as did his team.  It is always nice to see familiar faces on NCL cruises, and somehow they remember us from prior cruises, which is amazing considering they deal with thousands of people a week.  We always try to be nice, which probably helps.  Anyway, we hope he is still on next month.  Deepak is on the far right in this picture. 

That's F&B Director Ionela front and center of this photo.  Does anyone know if she is back on board the Encore now?

[debenson0723]

44 minutes ago, drumexpert510 said:

We had an amazing group for the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet this morning! We had almost 100 people show up and the presentation from the officers was well received. The crew has always been friendly but you can actually feel the electricity that they are all so happy to be back! 
 

When you have (CD) Silas, (GM) Deepak and captain Holmqvist leading the charge you are sure to have an amazing team!

Glad to see your group was still in the DBH. We have about 100 for the 9/4 sailing and I was afraid they were going to move us.  Thanks for posting!

[drumexpert510]

33 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

That's F&B Director Ionela front and center of this photo.  Does anyone know if she is back on board the Encore now?

 

[brad0576]

Thanks for doing the live review - I hope you are having a great cruise!

[waltongillespie]

Thank you for all the information so far! We will board next Saturday and also are on the 8th floor  How is the noise, any concern? We have Onda reservations that first night and your review and pictures were so helpful -We also have spa passes so looking forward to your review .  Thanks again!

[meatball_nyc]

Great review so far! Thank you! I appreciate all your photos and commentary. 

 

We were supposed to sail Encore to Bermuda from NYC July, 2020....but never got the chance. 

 

Fair seas and following winds! Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

[Wink87]

In looking at the bridge cam, it looked like your seas were a little choppy. Beautiful sky and clouds!

[ROCruiser]

Thank you for the review. Can't wait for our turn on 9/18!

[drumexpert510]

23 minutes ago, Wink87 said:

In looking at the bridge cam, it looked like your seas were a little choppy. Beautiful sky and clouds!

Yes, pretty big swells all day with white caps all around but clear blue skies!

[drumexpert510]

Coming soon: Pictures from inside the Haven and Horizon’s Lounge!

[The Traveling Man]

1 hour ago, waltongillespie said:

Thank you for all the information so far! We will board next Saturday and also are on the 8th floor  How is the noise, any concern? We have Onda reservations that first night and your review and pictures were so helpful -We also have spa passes so looking forward to your review .  Thanks again!

It doesn't look like you have signed up for our Meet & Greet on the 28 August cruise.  You can sign up for the Meet & Greet at Encore Alaska SS 

[Wink87]

Have you seen any whales?

 

[waltongillespie]

53 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

It doesn't look like you have signed up for our Meet & Greet on the 28 August cruise.  You can sign up for the Meet & Greet at Encore Alaska SS 

Just did, hopefully I filled it our correctly, thanks!

Edited August 23, 2021 by waltongillespie

[drumexpert510]

Had a GREAT Captain’s VIP Party in the Haven and Horizon’s Lounge! 
 

Now headed to dinner at Manhattan tonight! 

[drumexpert510]

Don’t know why the pictures are upside down... blame it on the internet! 
 

**Sorry**

[SeaTacMike]

19 minutes ago, drumexpert510 said:

Don’t know why the pictures are upside down... blame it on the internet! 
 

**Sorry**

Ow, my neck !

[cruiservictor]

Great pictures (once I turned them around - ☺️).  Brings back memories of the Bliss Haven lounge.  Thanks for the officers' pictures, too.  Just a reminder that if you happen to see Deepak again, I would appreciate it if you would ask if he will still be on for the 9/11 and 9/18 cruises next month.  Thanks.

[drumexpert510]

4 minutes ago, cruiservictor said:

Great pictures (once I turned them around - ☺️).  Brings back memories of the Bliss Haven lounge.  Thanks for the officers' pictures, too.  Just a reminder that if you happen to see Deepak again, I would appreciate it if you would ask if he will still be on for the 9/11 and 9/18 cruises next month.  Thanks.

I did ask and he will be. 

[RumRunner2021]

32 minutes ago, drumexpert510 said:

Don’t know why the pictures are upside down... blame it on the internet! 
 

**Sorry**

I saw this movie. Just remember, “there’s got to be a morning after.”

[drumexpert510]

Dinner at Manhattan....

 

Well, I very much love the specialty dining options but everyone and then find ourselves in one of the MDRs. Tonight we were at Manhattan. 
 

First off, with reduced capacity on the ship, it was EMPTY in here. The staff was very attentive and were on top of everything.

 

The food however was ok. First, the French Onion was lacking and it was mostly on the cheese (see pics), the ratio to onions was also off (see pics). The pasta was good but I wouldn’t write home about it it. We got our dessert Togo (Boston Creme Pie), it looks good and I’m sure it’s hard to mess up BCP.

[drumexpert510]

Choir of Men...

 

I don’t know how it can get better from here. The singing, the dancing and the set... it was all top notch. I have seen some other amazing NCL productions like Brat Pack, Legends in Concerts and many other great shows and this was right there if not beat them all. 
 

If you have the chance to see this show, DO IT! If you  are tired, muscle through. If you have other plans, cancel them... go see this, you will not be disappointed. Also, for any of you onboard soon, they have Connor McGregor as a guest member of the cast!

Choir of Men have also announced they will be doing a U.S tour starting in 2022, so even if you are able to see them on the Encore then you can check them out on tour.

 

*Pictures from the show taken with show permission. (But not too many because I don’t want to spoil it)

 

I also have some huge news to reveal tomorrow morning so make sure you check in for that... (it has to do with entertainment on the ship).

[zerooveride]

10 minutes ago, drumexpert510 said:

Choir of Men...

 

I don’t know how it can get better from here. The singing, the dancing and the set... it was all top notch. I have seen some other amazing NCL productions like Brat Pack, Legends in Concerts and many other great shows and this was right there if not beat them all. 
 

If you have the chance to see this show, DO IT! If you  are tired, muscle through. If you have other plans, cancel them... go see this, you will not be disappointed. Also, for any of you onboard soon, they have Connor McGregor as a guest member of the cast!

Choir of Men have also announced they will be doing a U.S tour starting in 2022, so even if you are able to see them on the Encore then you can check them out on tour.

 

*Pictures from the show taken with show permission. (But not too many because I don’t want to spoil it)

 

I also have some huge news to reveal tomorrow morning so make sure you check in for that... (it has to do with entertainment on the ship).

 

I can Second this! In the 4 NCL and 3 Carnival cruises I have done, this IS the BEST show I have seen and is one of the best I've seen on land. I hope their tour brings them to my area because I would pay to see it again.