Encore, thoughts, observations, and ramblings.

[LatinaInTexas]

   Been back a week from my first trip to Alaska and my 2nd cruise on NCL. Loved my first one last year so much I booked 2 for this year.

   We booked our usual inside cabin way aft as usual, cabin 10601. On the deck plan it showed this cabin kind of set by itself down a long hallway of blank space. I thought it would either be very quiet or very loud depending on what was behind all that blank space. Turns out I didn't need to worry it was the quietest location EVER. Never saw or heard any neighbors and miracle of miracles never even heard one door slam. Only issue we had was that down the hall someone felt it was ok to park their scooter and walker smack in the middle of the very narrow hallway.

   Flew in early day before so rented a car for a day to check out the city. We rent cars often but never, ever have I came upon a line of about 30 people waiting, this was at Alamo. There were 4 agents but each person seemed to take so long. Finally got our car and within about twenty minutes we had almost gotten into 2 near miss accidents that were not our fault. Also it was drizzly and raining so we basically changed plans and went to spend the few hours waiting for our room to be ready having lunch and going to a casino. I left up about $80 so that ended up being safer than on the road with the crazies. 

   Hotel stay was problematic, one issue after another each worse than the previous one. After not much sleep we were ready to get the heck out of there. Our shuttle to the port was on time and got us there at our appt time of 10-10:30. Walked right in, got checked in and sat down to wait. Waited about 20 minutes and they started calling people to board. I think they called the casino at sea people third and we were at muster just after 11.

   Had lunch at buffet which is usually the only time we eat at the buffet besides a quick breakfast or two. Food was varied, appetizing, hot, and tasty. No issues finding a table.

   Cabins were ready at about 2:30, wasn't really paying attention. Comfy bed and pillows but a little humid inside. Turned it down to the lowest setting and it stayed there the whole cruise. We are from Texas so having a chilly cold room is a luxury lol.

   Noticed the ship was leaning toward an older crowd, only saw a handful of children and basically no teens and a few toddlers in strollers. Turns out this was beneficial. Made for a very calm, low key atmosphere. It seemed a lot of people went to bed early most nights. The shows weren't ever full and the front rows seating stayed empty, guessing people didn't want to make the long walk down. We saw one elderly gentleman take a tumble on the stairs. Also seemed the casino was most times no more than half full. Have never and will never see this on Carnival. Played by myself alone in a whole area numerous times early evenings.

   I like to make dinner reservations in the MDR for each night so we can eat at 7 but was unable to do this pre cruise this time. Was able to do so once on the ship in the app. Most nights the restaurants were somewhat crowded with people waiting but even without a reservation I don't think the wait time would have been too long.

   The food. One of the things I liked most on my last cruise was the food. Before this cruise there were posts about cutbacks to the menus in the MDR with less app and desserts choices and the loss of beef entrees.

   This was all true but I was able to  order things that interested me and that I liked. I would have liked more options but it wasn't the end of the world. Food was still great and some of the portions were big and could have benefited from a cutback. Really enjoyed having lunch and breakfast in the MDR, great menus.

   One thing to mention. Had seen some posts about the military appreciation offerings only being offered once. When we got to our cabin we had the military appreciation invitation and the momentos again even though we got them last cruise. The gathering this time was not as nice as the first one. Where we were sitting our whole area was never offered a drink or any snacks. The area near us was offered drinks and snacks 4 times. It seemed like there were half the servers than the last time and very unorganized. A good think I liked was last time a photographer came around to each table and took your picture. It later showed up in your cabin. This time they divided the room in two and took group photos, I preferred this.

   Found the crew and service top notch. Everyone seemed happy and engaged which isn't always the case. Elevators were never a problem, most times we rode alone.

Really enjoyed the observation lounge. Could always find a seat except for glacier day. That day by 7am all prime real estate was taken by heaps of people's belongings saving the space with no one in sight. They also had a great tea time up there each afternoon was delicious snacks and desserts. 

   We had excursions at each port. I didn't know ahead of time there would be no shopping opportunities right off the ship, you would have to shuttle to town. Since our excursions were on the long side this was a problem. In Juneau we rushed off the ship waited 20 minutes to get on a shuttle and then had about 20 minutes to run into the first big store and grab some souvenirs. Then get back on the shuttle and rush to our excursion. We were the last ones on the bus. We did whale watching and a local meal served at Orca Point Lodge. It was a great excursion. We actually saw a lot of whales frolicking around for about 20 minutes but were too far away to get really good pictures. The food served at the lodge was interesting but not very tasty. Except at the end they had freshly made donuts that were just like benefits.

   In Skagway we had the Yukon Wilderness and train ride excursion. Again a long 8 hour excursion but it didn't start as early so the plan was rush off the ship, shuttle, shop for a little longer then back to port for excursion. Rushed off, got to town and too early basically nothing open grrrrrr. Found one store that was and found some nice things. We considered rushing back after excursion but by that time we figured everything would be closed.

   The excursion was the best! First a 2 hour sightseeing bus ride up to Canada. We even saw bears. Then a stop at Yukon Wilderness for a top notch delicious BBQ lunch. There were various things to do and see here, and a very nice gift shop. Then a ride back to Canada border and getting on the train to go back down on a 2 hour ride.

The train ride was great. You could go on the observation lounge outside to take pictures of the awesome scenery. Everything was snow covered and lovely. Should mention other than the first two days where we had some sun and mild chill the rest of the trip was quite cold with gusting winds and gray dreary skies. Also drizzle and rainy. 

   Last port was Ketchikan. We had the Lumberjack show and a visit to a totem pole park. The show was fun and entertaining and the park was beautiful and interesting. Good thing they also had a nice gift shop because at this port there was but one minute to shop. Which was really, really disappointing because walking to the Lumberjack show we passed all the shops and they looked amazing. 

   Found the entertainment on the ship a bit lacking but what can you do, it was still entertaining. Comedy was pretty lame so we didn't go more than once. Spent a bit more time in the casino than our usual hour a day since there really wasn't anything to do outside because of the cold. Can't complain because I got a jackpot resulting in a $1650 hand pay. Reminder if you gamble have your ID, I didn't and had to run to the room to get it, got flustered and went the whole ship down the wrong way🤦

   Victoria port stop people were getting off the ship and coming right back on. It was very cold and windy and raining. We basically did the same thing. Ended up at the observation lounge bar at 9 pm and it was a ghost town up there. The whole ship was like a ghost town. Oh and on this day the casino closed at 1:30 pm and doesn't reopen, no more gambling for the cruise.

   Prior to cruise I signed up for port valet. Once on the ship I decided I needed to add a bag. Went to guest services and was told if I had booked thru them I could have done it but since I booked myself I could not.

   Debarkation. Got up early to have a quick breakfast, get off the ship, walk to Pikes Place and then planned on taking the light rail to the airport for our 1 pm flight. Before 7 while we were at the buffet they announced we were clear and self assist could start leaving. We finished eating, went to the cabin, grabbed our stuff. Took an empty elevator to deck 7 forward and were directed where to walk in a leisurely, non crowded fashion non stop right off the ship. Most quick, orderly, efficient debark ever. Off by 7:15. I could have easily made my original 11 am flight I had changed to 1 pm. There were numerous people offering rides to the airport for $20 pp if you didn't have a pre booked ride.

   We found out Pikes Place doesn't really have much of anything open before 9 am even the bathrooms so that was a bust. We had problems with both Uber, twice and the light rail and barely made our flight.

   Once we landed we had our first experience of lost luggage along with 3 other people. Our luggage was not on the plane so we had a claim opened by the luggage agent. Went home and at 12:40 am got a call from the agent telling me luggage came in on a late flight and to make arrangements the it to be delivered to my home. It arrived intact the next day. Don't know what happened but was told there are almost always issues for people using Port Valet.

   Encore was great but I think we discovered it might be time to stop sailing the bigger ships. This trip wore us out, we really felt our age.

In August we are on the Jade and it will be our first smaller ship cruise. Hoping I love it!

Alaska was beautiful and amazing but I don't think I would go again. I think I did and saw enough to be satisfied. Ready to move on to planning some new adventures!

[Wayward Son]

Great review, thanks. Encore is my favorite ship, but I'd never take NCL to Alaska. Based on what I can see (and have read) they just don't do it "right".

 

I'll probably go Holland America. They've been doing it for 1000 or so years, and have it figured out.

 

 

[BirdTravels]

Thanks for the great review. We sailed on the Encore to Alaska last year. And like it, so we're back on the Encore this year. 

[Mbcruiser704]

When you took the excursion to Ketchikan, did they provide shuttle service to and from Ward Cove?  I’m looking at the pub crawl just to avoid the shuttles.  

[LatinaInTexas]

48 minutes ago, Mbcruiser704 said:

When you took the excursion to Ketchikan, did they provide shuttle service to and from Ward Cove?  I’m looking at the pub crawl just to avoid the shuttles.  

Yes the excursion provided a shuttle. 

[LatinaInTexas]

I forgot to mention in Ketchikan there was a huge and I mean huge gift shop at the port.

[LatinaInTexas]

8 hours ago, Wayward Son said:

Great review, thanks. Encore is my favorite ship, but I'd never take NCL to Alaska. Based on what I can see (and have read) they just don't do it "right".

 

I'll probably go Holland America. They've been doing it for 1000 or so years, and have it figured out.

 

 

I kinda knew that going in but I had a really great deal to sail NCL and it had to be in May. But yes another line would have had a better port schedule and not docked shuttle rides away.

[schmoopie17]

12 hours ago, LatinaInTexas said:

 

In August we are on the Jade and it will be our first smaller ship cruise. Hoping I love it!

 

The Jade is now our favorite ship. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[LatinaInTexas]

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

The Jade is now our favorite ship. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I expect I will. I have read nothing but good things about the Jade! Really looking forward to trying the Asian restaurant.