MITSUGIRLY's ENCORE pictorial and extensive REVIEW

[www3traveler]

Did you manage to take a picture of the Officers Picture Board?

[mitsugirly]

Starbucks

 

$3.65 for Cake Pop's

 

 

Muffin's and Scone's $4.25

 

 

 

Crossants ($4.25) and Cookies ($3.25)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Deck 7: Casino

 

 

 

For those wanting to know, this is the smoking casino area behind these doors:

 

 

 

 

Sakari is counting down the days (or cruises) where she will be able to be in here with us:

 

 

The Local: 24 hour dining and free

 

 

There is an actual dining/restaurant area and on the opposite side you have high tables in a bar like setting as well to eat at. Then a table that winds all the way around the open area to down below with the big screen tv too. Sadly, I didn't even take pictures of those areas. Oops

 

 

Off to the side is yet another game room area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOOK!! I FOUND DUCKS! My duck hunting this cruise has been fulfilled. Only if I wanted to claim them, I'd have to pay and play the game. No thanks!

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

The Manhattan Dining Room: Another (free) dining area that is a little more "upscale".

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

DECK 8:

 

Cagneys (paid dining)

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Brew House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Republic (paid)

 

 

 

 

 

Maltings Whiskey Bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Los Lobo's (paid) Mexican food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A list Bar in the middle between Los Lobos and Cagneys

 

 

Ocean Blue (paid)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugarcane Bar

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Onda (paid) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case you are wanting the pricing on getting a dining package:

 

 

The Cavern Club

 

 

 

 

The Cellars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EllieinNJ]

Always love your reviews.

[mitsugirly]

The Bake Shop

 

 

 

Just a few along the Waterfront area (there's plenty of comfortable seating up and down the side of the ship on this floor)

 

 

 

 

You will find an enclosed smoking area on this deck as well (opposite of the Cigar Bar on the opposite side of the ship). 

 

 

 

 

A "extras" around the ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

3 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said:

Always love your reviews.

 

Thank you!

[mitsugirly]

Deck 15:

 

Observation Lounge: A great area to hang out in with comfy seating and they have a small buffet (free) there as well. This area is HUGE and runs along the front and some of the side of the ship. There was also a piano and small area where I assume they have live music at times. The windows above the area go to the buffet dining area one floor up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Deck 16:

 

The Fitness Center was a very small area off to the side after you get off the elevators on deck 16. You would have to pass by the area to go out to the pool deck/slides or heading over to the buffet on the other side of the ship. The pictures make it appear bigger than it is...trust me. I never seen anyone utilizing it except on the last day there was 1 lady in there.🤷‍♀️

 

 

 

 

Garden Cafe (buffet and free)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Pool Deck, Water Slides and Water Splash area for the littles. This ship does have 1 waterslide that you can go down on a single tube or double tube. There's also a "drop" waterslide as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought I took some pictures of the adult pool but can't seem to locate them right now. Or maybe I didn't since we are unable to go in that pool with Sakari being under 18. She much rather go in the adult pool and stand around than in the "family" pool and be splashed by these things they call "kids" LOL  My how times have changed.

 

There was a reminder up on the pool screens during the cruise about saving lounge chairs.  They have 2 large tv's that can be playing different things on it at the same time.

 

 

 

There is also a smoking area on this deck. No chairs or tables but I noticed that people were pulling in some of the small tables, that go beside the chairs on the pool deck, in there to sit on. 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I'm a vaper and I absolutely hate that we have to go into here with the cigarette smokers to vape and come out smelling like smoke. At least here, it has a breeze and it's not as bad. However, I seen people vaping all over the ship this cruise...even during deck parties. They didn't seem to care where they were at. 

 

The other thing I noticed was the windows on the pool deck. They were stationary and didn't open. I guess it's a good thing since people have a tendency to "fall" out the windows or off decks for some reason... not that there's not an opportunity elsewhere or anything. 🤷‍♀️

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

DECK 17

 

American Diner (paid but I believe you can get breakfast up there for free, if it's still like it used to be. Hubby got coffee up there a few times after breakfast). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Le Bistro (paid) and doors were closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Galaxy Pavillon (paid or with a pass you bought). They are a bunch of VR games and I never seen one person up there playing any of them when we were up there a few times. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

DECK 18

 

Laser Tag: It looked really cool up there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Speedway: (also a paid attraction). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Just a few odds and ends here.

 

If you are interested in shore excursions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

A ship map:

 

 

 

Want bottled water? It will cost you

 

 

A really nice bathroom 

 

 

 

And the need to even put this sign up...

 

[mitsugirly]

Some of the neat artwork around the ship included these large pictures that were also 3D and had small flowers or shapes to make the picture:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Ok, back to our day on the ship...

 

The announcement was made that we could go to our rooms and we headed to our balcony room: 13264

 

 

Ahh, it felt mighty good to be back in a balcony room instead of an interior. I used to not care if we were in an interior because we hardly spend any time in our room and it was treated as just a place to sleep. However, now that Sakari is bigger...and taller, it's like 3 adults staying in a closet and doesn't work out quite as well. Our last cruise was in an interior and it was quite the eye opener on this situation. Will I still cruise in an interior? Maybe. Do I want to? No. This time would be one of the "no" times...thank goodness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The couch pulls out (just a little) and into the 3rd bed for Sakari.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

We sat out on the balcony and took in the view of the water. I was glad we were on this side instead of the side by the port. We could watch the boats go in and out, the water planes going by, the traffic with super nice cars going by and see all the beautiful homes in the area. It was quite the view and we were enjoying it while getting away from the chaos of the ship.

 

 

We started seeing (hearing) some of the ships pull out.

 

Here came the Carnival Magic. They were having one heck of a loud sailaway party on the ship. I heard them coming before I even seen them! I remember sailing on the Magic. I ❤️ed it!

 

 

 

Next up was the Carnival Celebration.

 

 

 

 

Did you know they have a roller coaster on the ship? How cool. I must sail her now!

 

Then along came a rather quiet ship. There didn't seem to be a sailaway party going on. It was a smaller ship. I noticed the name: RC Serenade of the Seas.

 

 

 

Then I noticed this as it went by:

 

 

 

Ultimate WORLD CRUISE. I just had to look that up. I would find that these people were leaving today, day 1, to embark on a 274 night cruise around the world! Although it sounds intriguing,  I don't think I could ever do that. I'm only good for less than 2 weeks on any vacation and I'm ready to head home. Just in case anyone wondered...prices started at $61,000!!!

 

We heard a knock on the door. Who can this be? We already have company?

 

Nope, not company but someone bearing gifts instead. Platinum gifts!

 

 

 

Sakari must have been craving chocolate because she did not let any of it go to waste and pealed off the chocolate with her nails and ate it. LOL

 

 

Our ship was still being gassed up. I couldn't figure out how we were able to pull into this small station for gassing. I swear it looked like it was stationary.

 

 

 

Then I finally got my answer...it pulled away. Ohhhh, I get it now. lol

 

[Noworkforme23]

6 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

We just returned from our December 10-17th cruise on board the ENCORE and ready to get this extensive review started. I decided to post my review here instead of my travel blog/website since I had so many issues last time and still haven't worked everything out. But there will be a link to here from the blog so if you ever can't find it, you'll find it there. 🙂 

 

We are a family of 3 (if you don't know and follow us already) that cruise and vacation regularly (with an extended family of my older kids that sometimes cruise). For those that are wondering, nope, Kendra and family did not come. I know...boo hiss.

 

So I do these reviews as a informative, yet humorous (at least some think so, so don't burst my bubble ya'll) review of our fun times during our travels. I LOVE LOVE LOVE photography and taking pictures. I've always said "A picture is worth a thousand words" and will always hold true with me. Sometimes I go over board... figuratively, not literally, with the pictures but I'm the type of person that needs a visual on things and visual is what you'll get with me. 😄 

 

Our route this time will be: 

 

 

Yes, we have been to these ports, but I have a ton of Cruise Next certificates I need to use up (that I was peer pressured into purchasing just prior to COVID hitting by a smooth talking rep on the Joy) and I live in a Northern state which is COLD and needed an escape to the Caribbean. So, repeat ports it will be for us this time around. 

 

I also needed a trip to clear my head (and nerves) because right before the cruise THIS HAPPENED:

 

 

 

 

For those of you that have followed us since Sakari was 3 years old...time to grasp just how quickly time has passed since I first started reviewing our cruising! Yea, let that sink in...I'm getting old super quick! Only a few years before she will get her Platinum status for herself with NCL...you're welcome daughter! Momma and dad did all the work for you, now you will reap the benefits soon! 

 

So, on with the review...I hope you enjoy it and will stick around. I'll answer any questions I can along the way and have put my "actual review" in this beautiful bright blue color so that those only wanting to follow along with the review can spot it without having to read all the comments if they'd like. 

 

My adult son & I were on the same sailing. 🙂 The final day & debarkation was quite memorable !!!! I am so glad we did not fly out on debarkation day & had a Hotel waiting for us the end of the cruise !!!! 

 

We stayed in a Spa Club Balcony Suite & used that & the Vibe Beach Club most of the trip !!! Both great except the small blinking lights above the pool in the thermal spa were never on & working, so that was disappointing. 

 

 But the food & service on the ship was excellent & the ship & our room was VERY clean, LOVE that !!!

We did not do any speciality restaurants, only the Local & Buffet & we LOVED them both !!!!

 

Very upset they removed the Spa Club Balcony Suite option for future bookings, we may have to try the Celebrity cruise line Aqua Class rooms for a first time. 

 

This NCL Encore was our first trip back from cruising in 5 years since covid & it did not disappoint. 🙂 

[mitsugirly]

For anyone wanting to know what was going on during Day 1, here is the daily from that day.

 

 

 

As Sakari and I sat on the balcony, I caught something out of the corner of my eye and yelled....

 

 

 

 

 

DOLPHIN!!! Sakari was so excited. I had told her that it was possible to see them at the port and reminded her that we had seen a bunch of them on one of our cruises after coming back into port with Kendra and family and I think Kolin was on that cruise as well. She didn't remember of course...it had been so long ago. So this was quite the treat to see. 

 

 

Our luggage arrived one by one and I managed to have everything put away from one luggage before the next came. I found that the room had enough shelving for all of our things with no problems. We didn't even use some of it (especially in the restroom under the sink). Our room also had tons of hangers in the closet.

 

We managed to meet our room steward, Christopher, who was extremely nice throughout the cruise and obliged to anything we asked of him (ice bucket). 

 

It was 5:30pm and we started hearing loud music. Was this us? Yep, it sure was! Sakari basically drug me off the balcony so that we could head upstairs for the sailaway party of our own. She finally loves dancing again. I look back on all the sailaways we've done and she was always dancing around and never wanted to leave. She had a period of not wanting to as she got a little older, but it's GAME ON these days! At least if I don't have my dancing partner, Kendra, with me, I'll now have Sakari to fill in. 😁

 

 

The party is held on the pool deck with all of the pool chairs removed for a dance area. (I still like the H20 as a place for the parties myself). The party was under way and it was THE place to be! We had the most amazing cruise director this cruise: Tiara.

 

 

So I did get a night picture of the adult pool after all. 

 

 

 

We danced and danced and then the party was over. I feel like the parties (sailaway, 80's, and glow) all used to last longer than they do now. Now it's about 45 minutes tops.

 

Sakari was sad when it was over and wanted to keep the party going. The night was still young. What should we do now???

 

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, mitsugirly said:

DECK 8:

 

Food Republic (paid)

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, mitsugirly said:

Onda (paid) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great photos always, and welcome back to CC NCL board!

 

I should mention that you have the above 2 restaurants switched around. The top msg #30 is Onda, and the bottom msg #32 is Food Republic.

 

I agree about cruising in December and seeing all the beautiful Xmas decorations on board ... we just booked December 2024 B2B Panama Canal cruises on Gem!

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

15 minutes ago, Noworkforme23 said:

 

My adult son & I were on the same sailing. 🙂 The final day & debarkation was quite memorable !!!! I am so glad we did not fly out on debarkation day & had a Hotel waiting for us the end of the cruise !!!! 

 

We stayed in a Spa Club Balcony Suite & used that & the Vibe Beach Club most of the trip !!! Both great except the small blinking lights above the pool in the thermal spa were never on & working, so that was disappointing. 

 

 But the food & service on the ship was excellent & the ship & our room was VERY clean, LOVE that !!!

We did not do any speciality restaurants, only the Local & Buffet & we LOVED them both !!!!

 

Very upset they removed the Spa Club Balcony Suite option for future bookings, we may have to try the Celebrity cruise line Aqua Class rooms for a first time. 

 

This NCL Encore was our first trip back from cruising in 5 years since covid & it did not disappoint. 🙂 

 Oh hey fellow Encore cruiser! Glad you had a great cruise!

 

Yes, that last day (and the night before) was a little crazy to say the least. We did have a flight out the same day so it was a little nerving with everything going on. I made a mistake I'll never make again (will mention in the review). 

 

I put a bid in for the Spa Club Balcony Suite...if only for the bigger shower, but didn't get one. I'm a cheap-o and only did the minimum bid + $1. LOL  We've never done the Vibe Beach Club, mainly because of still having a "below 18" daughter still. Maybe some day we will try it when she's old enough.

 

We thought the food and service was excellent as well. It did not disappoint for sure. 

 

Welcome back to cruising! This will be our second cruise after covid. We have been doing land vacations during covid and once in between this and our last cruise. We are glad to be back as well. But, I do love my Caribbean land vacations now.

[mitsugirly]

2 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Did you manage to take a picture of the Officers Picture Board?

 

I'm sorry I did not. I didn't even see anything like this. 

 

3 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

 

 

Great photos always, and welcome back to CC NCL board!

 

I should mention that you have the above 2 restaurants switched around. The top msg #30 is Onda, and the bottom msg #32 is Food Republic.

 

I agree about cruising in December and seeing all the beautiful Xmas decorations on board ... we just booked December 2024 B2B Panama Canal cruises on Gem!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks. I should have posted my NCL Joy review on here but decided to do it on my website instead. Now I wished that I would have. 

 

Oops, did I label them wrong? I probably put them in the wrong folder or managed to take pictures of the place and took the name of the place picture after that, therefore mixing them up. I always try to take a picture of the place I'm entering so that I won't forget what the pictures are from. I guess that didn't even help this time around. LOL

 

Oh nice, a Panama Canal cruise (one I've always wanted to do) and on the Gem (one I have not been on yet). I may have to look into this for next year!