AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 14, 2021 #1 Share Posted December 14, 2021 On the Encore right now and really enjoying the ship. Even without Spice H2O I think I prefer her to Escape. The observation lounge is the real game changer. Decor is gorgeous throughout and seems brighter and more sophisticated than Escape and Epic. Artwork throughout is sophisticated and well chosen (except for the crap for sale in the “art” gallery) A few notes: Covid testing- took about an hour standing in line before we got to testing station. results took another 15-20 minutes. Once testing done we were through security, check-in and on ship in under 15minutes. We arrived around 1130am. Kinky Boots not playing this week. Several cast members in quarantine due to Covid exposure. I have heard various passenger #s but seems to be roughly 1900 as consensus. No waits for anything. Not sure how I’d feel on a full sailing as some venues pretty crowded (in an enjoyable way) at times as-is. Food and service have been great. Staff genuinely delighted to be back working and enjoying more time to interact with guests. Food quality and presentation in included venues definitely improved from my last two cruises on NCL. Have not done any specialty yet but eaten in all 3 MDR, the Local and Garden Cafe. Very pleased. Standard internet has been mostly ok, though signal nonexistent when on balcony. Works fine everywhere else. I’m glad I upgraded to unlimited but still seems a bit pricey at $88 for the week. Lots of live music - Atrium, Pool, Cavern Club, Sugarcane, Qs, District and Observation lounge all have something virtually all evening. All performers very good to excellent. Don’t have to look far to find somewhere to be entertained. Sugarcane is my favourite of the bars. Puerta Plata - evidently we will be docked at new Taino Bay facility which opens 12/15 with an MSC ship. We will be second ship to call there. That’s all for now. Other than being disappointed about Kinky Boots not playing (but totally understand why) I have ZERO complaints and only two days in would say this my best cruise with NCL yet! 9 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCDCA Posted December 14, 2021 #2 Share Posted December 14, 2021 What is going on with the entertainment cast? On Encore in September on my sailing all performances of Kinky Boots and Choir of Man were canceled. Not a good track record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted December 14, 2021 #3 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Sounds fantastic. Have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted December 14, 2021 #4 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Have a great time. Is Alexa still playing in the observation lounge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.O.cruisers Posted December 14, 2021 #5 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Have a great week. I'm on 12/19. So excited. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 14, 2021 Author #6 Share Posted December 14, 2021 9 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said: Have a great time. Is Alexa still playing in the observation lounge? Shes been in several venues - observation lounge, atrium and today doing late afternoon in Sugarcane. She’s quite good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYKAY121 Posted December 14, 2021 #7 Share Posted December 14, 2021 11 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said: On the Encore right now and really enjoying the ship. Even without Spice H2O I think I prefer her to Escape. The observation lounge is the real game changer. Decor is gorgeous throughout and seems brighter and more sophisticated than Escape and Epic. Artwork throughout is sophisticated and well chosen (except for the crap for sale in the “art” gallery) A few notes: Covid testing- took about an hour standing in line before we got to testing station. results took another 15-20 minutes. Once testing done we were through security, check-in and on ship in under 15minutes. We arrived around 1130am. Kinky Boots not playing this week. Several cast members in quarantine due to Covid exposure. I have heard various passenger #s but seems to be roughly 1900 as consensus. No waits for anything. Not sure how I’d feel on a full sailing as some venues pretty crowded (in an enjoyable way) at times as-is. Food and service have been great. Staff genuinely delighted to be back working and enjoying more time to interact with guests. Food quality and presentation in included venues definitely improved from my last two cruises on NCL. Have not done any specialty yet but eaten in all 3 MDR, the Local and Garden Cafe. Very pleased. Standard internet has been mostly ok, though signal nonexistent when on balcony. Works fine everywhere else. I’m glad I upgraded to unlimited but still seems a bit pricey at $88 for the week. Lots of live music - Atrium, Pool, Cavern Club, Sugarcane, Qs, District and Observation lounge all have something virtually all evening. All performers very good to excellent. Don’t have to look far to find somewhere to be entertained. Sugarcane is my favourite of the bars. Puerta Plata - evidently we will be docked at new Taino Bay facility which opens 12/15 with an MSC ship. We will be second ship to call there. That’s all for now. Other than being disappointed about Kinky Boots not playing (but totally understand why) I have ZERO complaints and only two days in would say this my best cruise with NCL yet! I don't know if I will sail on a ship without the observation lounge. It was our favorite spot on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 14, 2021 Author #8 Share Posted December 14, 2021 21 minutes ago, KAYKAY121 said: I don't know if I will sail on a ship without the observation lounge. It was our favorite spot on the ship. I’m sitting there right now. Definitely my favorite spot on the ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted December 14, 2021 #9 Share Posted December 14, 2021 32 minutes ago, KAYKAY121 said: I don't know if I will sail on a ship without the observation lounge. It was our favorite spot on the ship. I feel the exact same way. Other than POA, I'll try to stick only with ships with observation lounges. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYKAY121 Posted December 14, 2021 #10 Share Posted December 14, 2021 3 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said: I’m sitting there right now. Definitely my favorite spot on the ship. I am sitting in Lawrenceville, GA at work. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 14, 2021 Author #11 Share Posted December 14, 2021 (edited) 30 minutes ago, KAYKAY121 said: I am sitting in Lawrenceville, GA at work. 🙂 which is EXACTLY where I’d be if not cruising. I live just off of Lawrenceville/Suwannee rd and Duluth hwy 🤠 That said I’m happy to instead be on the waterfront with a spicy passion fruit mojito! Edited December 14, 2021 by AtlantaCruiser72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LadyCruising Posted December 14, 2021 #12 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Looks like a lovely and relaxing time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane67B Posted December 14, 2021 #13 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Thanks so much for your review. Enjoy the last few days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becky11 Posted December 15, 2021 #14 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Can't wait to hear about Puerto Plata/Tanio Bay! We'll be sailing Encore 12/26 and it's one of our stops!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 15, 2021 Author #15 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Just saw Choir of Man - hands down one of the best shows I’ve be seen onboard a ship! Still disappointed that we won’t get Kinky Boots, but at least we have a second showing of Choir of Man to look forward to!!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 15, 2021 Author #16 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Dinner tonight was LeBistro. Mum had the Veal Chop, I had the Loup de Mer - both excellent. Service was perfect balance of style and graciousness. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose1 Posted December 15, 2021 #17 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Enjoying your review, never did one before. We are onboard the Encore 17 Apr 2022 for the Repo cruise to Seattle. Question, is there any shuffleboard on the decks? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Fun Guys Posted December 15, 2021 #18 Share Posted December 15, 2021 So glad you are enjoying Encore! We loved it in October, and the Observation Lounge is truly a game-changer. And the bar staff there is amazing! And Sugarcane was our favorite, too! Is Marcos still tending bar there? By the time out week was over, he felt like family. It was hard to say good bye! Enjoy the rest of your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhtravels Posted December 15, 2021 #19 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Encore! We'll be boarding in just under 3 weeks and I can't wait! Happy sailing to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkrickles1 Posted December 15, 2021 #20 Share Posted December 15, 2021 9 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said: Just saw Choir of Man - hands down one of the best shows I’ve be seen onboard a ship! Still disappointed that we won’t get Kinky Boots, but at least we have a second showing of Choir of Man to look forward to!!! Saw Choir of Man on Escape and Encore and I agree, best show on a cruise ship. My people are a little disappointed that they aren't on Joy, which we're sailing in January, but I think we'll survive. Lmao! We sailed Encore January, 2020 and it was great! Observation Lounge is terrific and is now our go to meet up point on boarding day. Enjoy the rest of your sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuterlmt Posted December 15, 2021 #21 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Love the Encore! We had our first experience on it in August in Alaska. So beautiful. If you get a chance to go to the casino (or spend any time in there), try to find Dragan. He is a magician and hilarious card dealer. Tell him his "parents" said hello. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblelena05 Posted December 15, 2021 #22 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Thank you so much for this thread! We are sailing Encore on 12/26 and this is exactly what I needed to build up the excitement! I'll be anxiously awaiting your updates! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare blueslily Posted December 15, 2021 #23 Share Posted December 15, 2021 (edited) Interesting coincidence. I watched the Encore back into her spot this morning in St. Thomas. The Captain did an awesome job maneuvering her. I'm on a different ship, but having a great experience also. We are heading out of St. Thomas soon. I came over to the NCL threads because my birthday sailing in a few weeks will be with NCL 😁. I enjoy whichever company offers me what I like and want 😁. NCL does a great job. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. Edited December 15, 2021 by blueslily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 15, 2021 Author #24 Share Posted December 15, 2021 18 hours ago, bluenose1 said: Enjoying your review, never did one before. We are onboard the Encore 17 Apr 2022 for the Repo cruise to Seattle. Question, is there any shuffleboard on the decks? Thank you. Not that I have seen on either the Waterfront or deck 16/17. Not to say it isn’t there, I just haven’t noticed it anywhere. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted December 15, 2021 Author #25 Share Posted December 15, 2021 1 hour ago, blueslily said: Interesting coincidence. I watched the Encore back into her spot this morning in St. Thomas. The Captain did an awesome job maneuvering her. I'm on a different ship, but having a great experience also. We are heading out of St. Thomas soon. I came over to the NCL threads because my birthday sailing in a few weeks will be with NCL 😁. I enjoy whichever company offers me what I like and want 😁. NCL does a great job. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. You must be on the Caribbean Princess 🤠. Sailing her next December. She’s a great ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now