Encore Review-3/17-3/24/24 (Long!)

[Cruiseforus0214]

We are from Rhode Island. My husband Rob(55) and I (49 and holding) travelled with our 2 teenage sons (Matthew 16 and a Defensive Lineman/Austin 13 and a cheerleader, who is also rather large). It was the first flight/cruise for my kids, both Rob and I have been on a few in our time. Here's our experience!

 

Saturday 3/16/24- Flew from Providence to FLL direct on Southwest without issue. We took a car service from FLL that I  booked through gowithus.com. I've used them many times and think they're fantastic. That cost $120 for a private van and all of our luggage. We stayed pre-cruise at the LaQuinta in Miami and The hotel was perfect for pre-cruising and included a buffet breakfast that satisfied my sons, which is no easy task! I did some work by the pool in the morning and then we used their shuttle service to the cruise port. It was $60 for the 4 of us and it's a 3rd party, not the actual shuttle for LaQuinta. The air conditioning was not working. Next time I'm just doing an Uber.

 

Sunday 3/17/24-We arrived at the cruise port at 12:45 which was later than our arrival time we booked and it had zero effect on embarkation. We were literally checked in and on board by 1:30p. Fastest we've ever encountered, even when we've sailed in the Havens. We spent the rest of the day exploring the ship. We booked the kids in the Entourage Teen Club that day and it's a good thing, they were full by the next day. They had a variety of things for them to do (video games, parties, trips to go-karts etc.). We had dinner in the buffet because it was rather chaotic everywhere but there. The dinner was BBQ and it didn't suck. 

 

Monday 3/18/24- First day at Sea. Austin and I get up at 5a every day, so we spent time having breakfast together. He's my Velcro kid. We then went and reserved our chairs at the adult only pool. Nobody had an issue with him there as he was reading his book. The action was great and we did bingo later in the afternoon. My 16-year old found a bunch of football players from Colorado and we essentially never saw him again. We ate dinner in Taste and honestly it was really good. Kids went to the party in Entourage and Rob and I went to the Casino (more on that later). 

 

Tuesday 3/19/24-This was the stop at Puerta Plata DR, we did not get off the ship and do not regret doing so. We had the whole place to ourselves and we went on the water slides, the pool, and had a blast. We had dinner in Food Republic. Service was excellent and we loved the menu. Kids went out to Entourage and we went back to casino.

 

Wednesday 3/20/24-St. Thomas and I booked the Turbo Cat snorkel tour through NCL. IT. WAS. AMAZING! I've been to St. Thomas about 8 times, but this tour was perfect. We snorkeled out at a reef area and then spent the last 1.5 hours at a beach snorkeling where we saw tons and tons of Turtles.  It was breathtaking. Rob and I had a date night and ate in Le Bistro...it was meh. I was a bit surprised as I have always loved that place, but this time the food was just OK. The kids went to a party in Entourage, we went...wait for it...to the casino. 

 

Thursday 3/21/24-Tortola. I booked a beach tour outside of NCL and have no regrets. It was 5-hours at Paradise Beach and we used the chairs at Quito's. Bottom line is chairs and umbrellas are free as long as you patronize their bar/restaurant. It was a no brainer and we loved it. You also get free wifi there. Matt rented a turbo snorkel machine which was $25 for 25 minutes and he had an amazing time taking underwater video/pictures. That night we went to Teppanyaki for dinner and it's probably my favorite specialty restaurant. Chef Elizabeth had such a great singing voice. Kids had a blast. That night we hung out as a family did Deal or No Deal, the Wheel of Fortune and just chilled out together. 

 

Friday 3/22/24-This was a sea day and we had a great time as a family again. Reading books, games, you name it. They announced that the stop in Great Stirrup Cay was not safe and another sea day was booked for Saturday.  Dinner in Savor and the service was terrible. Worst I've ever had on NCL. We never got drinks other than water and the food was just OK. Austin and I went to Choir of Man which we just loved and Matt and Rob did the virtual reality. Kids dumped us for Entourage and we headed to the Casino.

 

Saturday 3/23/24-Last sea day and it was PACKED, but manageable. It was quite windy so we didn't stay out the whole day, it was impossible to read or even hear. We ate in the Local and the food was great. We chose to do self service disembarking, so there was no crazy rush to have our stuff out the night before. 

 

Sunday 3/24/24-Self service disembarking we were off the ship by 8a and in an Uber to FLL to stay at the LaQuinta Hollywood Airport. DISGUSTING HOTEL. Never staying at that particular LaQuinta again. We flew out Monday morning back to PVD on Southwest with no issues. 

 

PROS: Great buffet food breakfast/lunch. The new Indian food station was the bomb. Service at bars were good for the most part. Entertainment was great and so much for everyone to do. The Casino host Kim called me on Tuesday when we got home and we were comped a Club Balcony room for my 50th birthday in November. Well worth it in my eyes!!!

 

CONS: Our room steward was terrible and she didn't make up the room twice, even though the light was on. So we ran out of towels and she was unphased by it. We needed to call for service to our shower drain as it was overflowing in the bathroom. Took 3 days before it was repaired and we didn't even know they came. The room steward did not receive extra gratuity like we always do, she was just not good. 

 

We love NCL and even with the little issues that popped up, we are booked for 2 more. Please feel free to ask me anything!!!

[Cruising Lynne]

Sounds like you had a great family vacation over all. Thank you for posting your review, and including the pre and post cruise info. 

 

FYI on NCL they no longer make up rooms twice a day. You can contact the steward or leave him a note to get more towels. 

 

Nice job earning a club balcony comp. Now you get to have fun again!

[tokidoki]

welcome back!  I sail in 45 days so Id love to know how the entertainment was.  Thx!

[Cruiseforus0214]

 

14 minutes ago, Cruising Lynne said:

Sounds like you had a great family vacation over all. Thank you for posting your review, and including the pre and post cruise info. 

 

FYI on NCL they no longer make up rooms twice a day. You can contact the steward or leave him a note to get more towels. 

 

Nice job earning a club balcony comp. Now you get to have fun again!

I probably should have been clearer on the room steward. She did not come to the room for 2 whole days. I knew they weren't cleaning twice anymore, which honestly I'm cool with we're pretty neat people. But not coming at all to either our or the kids room was unexpected. I'll know if we're not in the Haven's I have to just request more towels. Thanks for pointing that out!

[Cruiseforus0214]

19 minutes ago, tokidoki said:

welcome back!  I sail in 45 days so Id love to know how the entertainment was.  Thx!

I loved it!!! Choir of Man was amazing. Now I'm not 100% sure, but I thought their contract ended in April and a new show was coming in (Might be SIX?). The bands were great!! The ocean fest pool party was 2 hours of live band music where the 3 different bands shared in singing hits. You can't help but sing it's so awesome! We did not make it to as many comedy shows as we would like but the one we did attend was hysterical. The games of like wheel of fortune, bing, deal or no deal I consider entertainment and the cruise director/assistant cruise director made them hysterical!!

[david_sobe]

When you say the room steward did not make up the room twice.  You mean the entire cruise she made up the room twice?  

[Cruiseforus0214]

11 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

When you say the room steward did not make up the room twice.  You mean the entire cruise she made up the room twice?  

Hi!

 

There were 2 whole days our rooms were not cleaned once. 

[david_sobe]

2 hours ago, Cruiseforus0214 said:

Hi!

 

There were 2 whole days our rooms were not cleaned once. 

Thats not good.  Of all the cruises I have been on, I only had one bad room steward.  He was not terrible but not friendly and would not change out towels.  I asked him and he sort of was not happy with my request.  I could not understand.  I think he wanted the dirty ones to be left on the floor.  I would not have any issue doing that but I was not aware I should do that.  I think you can tell if a towel has been used even if its hanging up. Like you I always tip the room steward cash but that was the only cruise I never did that.  We always have such great relationships with our room stewards and love the job they do.

[valleyvillage]

Thank you for your kindness and generosity in taking time with this great review!

[IAcruising]

3 hours ago, Cruiseforus0214 said:

Now I'm not 100% sure, but I thought their contract ended in April and a new show was coming in (Might be SIX?).

 

We sail in 10-days. What makes you think this? They're just changing casts, as usual.

 

And thank you for the review. We can't wait.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 28 by IAcruising

[kimandtim]

Sounds like you had a great trip! Not trying to pry, but with all the talk about downgrades to Casinos at Sea, could you give me a ball park on how many points you earned to get your comp cabin?  I know its not an exact science, but I also know about what I have earned on past trips to qualify for a comp and I am curious if its even anywhere close (I am a video poker and blackjack player)

[Cruising Lynne]

9 hours ago, Cruiseforus0214 said:

 

I probably should have been clearer on the room steward. She did not come to the room for 2 whole days. I knew they weren't cleaning twice anymore, which honestly I'm cool with we're pretty neat people. But not coming at all to either our or the kids room was unexpected. I'll know if we're not in the Haven's I have to just request more towels. Thanks for pointing that out!

Yes, I misunderstood. Not doing your room at all is not right at all. I would not have appreciated that either.

[ChiefMateJRK]

6 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I think he wanted the dirty ones to be left on the floor.  I would not have any issue doing that but I was not aware I should do that. 

This has pretty much become standard in hotels (and NCL) everywhere.  Look for the signage.

[ChiefMateJRK]

5 hours ago, kimandtim said:

Sounds like you had a great trip! Not trying to pry, but with all the talk about downgrades to Casinos at Sea, could you give me a ball park on how many points you earned to get your comp cabin?  I know its not an exact science, but I also know about what I have earned on past trips to qualify for a comp and I am curious if its even anywhere close (I am a video poker and blackjack player)

Okay, I'll be more bold. How much money did you need to lose (throw away) in the casino to get a future cabin worth a couple of large?  $10K?  $20K?  More? 😮

 

Edited March 29 by ChiefMateJRK

[tokidoki]

10 hours ago, Cruiseforus0214 said:

I loved it!!! Choir of Man was amazing. Now I'm not 100% sure, but I thought their contract ended in April and a new show was coming in (Might be SIX?). The bands were great!! The ocean fest pool party was 2 hours of live band music where the 3 different bands shared in singing hits. You can't help but sing it's so awesome! We did not make it to as many comedy shows as we would like but the one we did attend was hysterical. The games of like wheel of fortune, bing, deal or no deal I consider entertainment and the cruise director/assistant cruise director made them hysterical!!

Thx👍

[david_sobe]

7 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

This has pretty much become standard in hotels (and NCL) everywhere.  Look for the signage.

I have never seen a sign on NCL stating leave your towels on the floor.  What signage can you point to?  Can you please show one?   

Edited March 29 by david_sobe

[Cruiseforus0214]

10 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Okay, I'll be more bold. How much money did you need to lose (throw away) in the casino to get a future cabin worth a couple of large?  $10K?  $20K?  More? 😮

 

We put in 4K of our own $$ over the 7 days. As far as the winnings, the machines were tight...really tight and I don't think we won more than $2000 between the 2 of us

[Cruiseforus0214]

16 hours ago, kimandtim said:

Sounds like you had a great trip! Not trying to pry, but with all the talk about downgrades to Casinos at Sea, could you give me a ball park on how many points you earned to get your comp cabin?  I know its not an exact science, but I also know about what I have earned on past trips to qualify for a comp and I am curious if its even anywhere close (I am a video poker and blackjack player)

I only play slots, and I don't even know. I do know we put 4K of our own $$ in the machines with little ROI LOL! I honestly don't know how they calculate it. We spent so much more on our last cruise and did not receive any room comp offers!

[DCGuy64]

Thank you for your review! I'm glad your kids had a good time. We're booked on the Encore for next May (2025). What were your impressions, if any, of Food Republic? How about Los Lobos, Onda, or Cagney's? Just trying to get an idea what food is like on the Encore. We've been on a few other NCL ships but not that one. Thanks again!

[L1211]

Sounds like a great family holiday!  Thanks for sharing!!

[mpk]

21 hours ago, Cruiseforus0214 said:

I probably should have been clearer on the room steward. She did not come to the room for 2 whole days. I knew they weren't cleaning twice anymore, which honestly I'm cool with we're pretty neat people. But not coming at all to either our or the kids room was unexpected. I'll know if we're not in the Haven's I have to just request more towels. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

Sorry you had to deal with that.  One day?  I suppose it could happen, I've never experienced that on NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Royal.   But twice?  Wow.

 

One tip- pool towels would work in a pinch, if you don't want to complain or "get someone in trouble" 😃

[Cruiseforus0214]

21 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Thank you for your review! I'm glad your kids had a good time. We're booked on the Encore for next May (2025). What were your impressions, if any, of Food Republic? How about Los Lobos, Onda, or Cagney's? Just trying to get an idea what food is like on the Encore. We've been on a few other NCL ships but not that one. Thanks again!

Food Republic was amazing!!! It's a cross between a Ramen Bar and a Sushi Bar. The food was outstanding, so many choices! Cagney's I had the twin lobster tails and they didn't suck! We only ate in Le Bistro and I've been on 3 cruises where this restaurant was a stand-out and this time I just found it "ok". We're going on the Joy in November and I'm doing Teppanyaki and Ocean Bleu!

[DCGuy64]

Just now, Cruiseforus0214 said:

Food Republic was amazing!!! It's a cross between a Ramen Bar and a Sushi Bar. The food was outstanding, so many choices! Cagney's I had the twin lobster tails and they didn't suck! We only ate in Le Bistro and I've been on 3 cruises where this restaurant was a stand-out and this time I just found it "ok". We're going on the Joy in November and I'm doing Teppanyaki and Ocean Bleu!

Thanks so much! Really appreciate your review. My first-ever cruise, I ditched my family and hung out with two other guys closer in age. I'm glad you had a nice cruise!

[RocketMan275]

5 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I have never seen a sign on NCL stating leave your towels on the floor.  What signage can you point to?  Can you please show one?   

https://www.quora.com/When-staying-in-a-hotel-why-do-you-throw-used-towels-on-the-floor

[david_sobe]

34 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

https://www.quora.com/When-staying-in-a-hotel-why-do-you-throw-used-towels-on-the-floor

I was told to look for signage.  So I will ask again, where does it say on any NCL ship to throw your towels on the floor.

Did you even read what you posted?  Many say in that opinion post you posted they consider this rude to the house keeper.    I have NEVER seen a sign on a NCL ship nor in any hotel.  I do know the old urban legend that clearly its a sign you want new towels to leave them on the floor.  However every time I have cruise fresh towels are always replaced and don't do this.

Edited March 29 by david_sobe