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**Live from the NCL Encore** July 21-28, 2024: Alaskan Cruise Itinerary


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8 minutes ago, jrt.mom said:

I had trouble on the waterslide...I'd go only halfway around the loop and then slide backwards and they'd have to open an escape door for me to get out...

 

I like they way your room is set up with the bed by the balcony...what a view you have without having to get up!

That slide unfortunately wasn't open yesterday and it's COLD today so we'll have to be brave if we want to experience it... But I'm sure we will at some point this week! 

 

The bed by the balcony is definitely a nice touch!

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On 7/18/2024 at 12:22 PM, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

 

Got it - I'll see what I can do to get you some answers!

 

I can answer a couple of these for you on already based on my research:

 

  • Ketchikan:
    • The Encore docks at Ward Cove which is roughly 7 miles from the town.
    • The last shuttle back leaves at 11am but All Aboard isn't until 12:45pm (so we'll likely grab an Uber vs. waiting in long lines for the shuttle...taxis are also an option).

       
  • Formal Night: Surprisingly, there doesn't appear to be a formal night on the Encore. The theme nights are Glow, 80s, and Latin Night. Their branding is "Free at Sea" so I guess having a formal night doesn't fit into their vibe. 

 

I'll get you answers about Chai Tea Latte + Cart/Laser Tag reservations!

 

 

On NCL it is either called Dress up or Not Night or Norwegian night out

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On 7/17/2024 at 2:19 PM, azappraiser said:

On the Encore next May... looking forward to your "Live" review plus Dailies! 

Based on your plan, it looks like you'll have a great time... enjoy.

 

I posted the Dailies from the 6/30-7/7 here...

 

 

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Posted (edited)

As mentioned, I'm currently grabbing a drink in the Observation Lounge, so I'll start here! 

 

This is definitely one of the most popular areas of the ship, and for good reason... Great views in nearly all directions and it's beautifully appointed. 

 

3-5pm is Tea Time, which means they have finger foods on the buffet and drinks available.

 

I'm not here for the food though, I'm here to enjoy these incredible views! 

 

There's not much to look at outside (yet), but I'm sure this place will be slammed as we sail through Glacier Bay! I'm grateful we had a balcony room...

 

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Screenshot_20240722_155540.thumb.jpg.e10cd553f03771a4d3a25f5889c89e12.jpg

 

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I tried a Bananarum-Ble to start, but it was a bit sweet for my taste (fortunately with the drink package I could grab a different drink and not feel guilty about it):

 

20240722_152553.thumb.jpg.566003a4b4c7005cf6b2a07c80f3dd56.jpg

 

Monkey Business - A peanut butter + banana tasting drink that is surprisingly good (but one is enough):

 

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Edited by FamilyAtSea.travel
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We stopped by Cagney's Steakhouse on Deck 8 earlier and were greeted by a setup for an upcoming wedding. 

 

This is perhaps a view of the popular steakhouse most of you haven't seen so I figured it was worth sharing. 

 

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cagneys-steakhouse-ncl-encore.jpg.3b9f15fe816ffc6bdb231e146979d33d.jpg

 

Screenshot_20240722_154643.thumb.jpg.e06252e554537162330e2e6291f78f93.jpg

 

Screenshot_20240722_154725.thumb.jpg.0fc553702915c9099fb9b3b574424109.jpg

 

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Screenshot_20240722_154816.thumb.jpg.789882cb52af9842df485948bdcf8278.jpg

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We had lunch at Food Republic, the sole specialty upcharge restaurant open for dinner. 

 

This is one of the places we didn't book a dinner though so I was happy to be able to give it a try. 

 

It had a fantastic setting with tons of light flooding into the space and great service to accompany it. 

 

The food I would rate a 3/5, but it wasn't bad at all (just not great).

 

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Screenshot_20240722_154101.thumb.jpg.d16141eee495371b317c7b1af136f3ce.jpg

 

Screenshot_20240722_154239.thumb.jpg.4b651c828b4e7be56e70cb675a4472bb.jpg

 

Screenshot_20240722_154200.thumb.jpg.37d5a30f01f9074b84dbd3c606000006.jpg

 

The touchscreen devices used for ordering and payment:

 

Screenshot_20240722_154316.thumb.jpg.443771f9338a8acc6d8605f7ef3071df.jpg

 

Crispy Salmon Roll - the highlight of the items I ordered!

 

Screenshot_20240722_154337.thumb.jpg.31a9d4042182832ab9877277d7b6af66.jpg

 

Pork Belly Bao:

 

Screenshot_20240722_154438.thumb.jpg.9d962900cab33f4d1ebaba59796d5865.jpg

 

Kimchi Fried Rice w/ Steak:

 

Screenshot_20240722_154405.thumb.jpg.c496543355189bc3cf555a761da5c2ab.jpg

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Posted (edited)

After we finished our duck hiding mission, we stopped by the Galaxy Pavilion to have some fun playing VR games! 

 

We always go into these things know they're going to be pretty cheesey, but we still have fun with it anyways. 

 

As a kid growing up in the 90s with systems like Virtual Boy, I thought we'd be way further into VR technology by now, but we're just not there yet unfortunately. 

 

That didn't stop us from having a blast though and kudos to NCL for having the best VR setup we've seen on any cruise ship to date (and for everything actually working...NCL does way better with ensuring their arcade/VR systems work than any other cruise line we've been on).

 

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Galaxy Pavilion Entrance: 

 

Screenshot_20240722_153047.thumb.jpg.48ae6d3f54aaeea904ebdf7daf50c2b3.jpg

 

Games are $9/each or $199 for an unlimited pass (you'd have to play A LOT of games to make it worth paying this much...23 to be exact, but they sold out so some others must obviously think it's worth it).

 

Screenshot_20240722_153104.thumb.jpg.8c7d7c68b5579d0d467a135257e20e2f.jpg

 

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Sky Max flying VR:

 

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VR Maze:

 

Screenshot_20240722_153552.thumb.jpg.97050be6a2fdd30debcf0962bde3bf11.jpg

 

Screenshot_20240722_153642.thumb.jpg.941d1785f8cbfe8f95de08d5fa7d84da.jpg

 

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Jurassic Escape (I heard more than a couple screams from my kids on this one 😂😞

 

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Edited by FamilyAtSea.travel
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19 hours ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

Tomorrow night we're having dinner at Onda which I'm sure will be better.

I would be very interested to know what you can order if you’re on the speciality dining package. Specifically, can you order both a Pasta Course and a Secondi.

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3 minutes ago, BenDover said:

I would be very interested to know what you can order if you’re on the speciality dining package. Specifically, can you order both a Pasta Course and a Secondi.

We just finished dinner and we were given the option of one appetizer (which included the pasta course), one secondi, and one side (and a dessert)... It was a lot. 

 

I'll share more specifics with pictures later, but that answers your question!

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1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Love the quick updates! I'd be totally interested in seeing any video you take as you pass through Glacier Bay! Don't worry, I'll settle for stills! 🙂 

 

We have a certain channel that I don't promote on here where I'll be sharing video footage but that will take a few weeks as the editing process takes time. 

 

I'm really excited to see how amazing Glacier Bay is!

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Last night we saw Choir of Man and I was honestly skeptical about it would live up to the hype as so many people had built it up to be amazing. 

 

Well, I'm happy to report that it was even better than the hype. 

 

We have seen a LOT of shows on Broadway and I'd put it up there with the best of them. 

 

Perhaps it doesn't have the same level of set complexity or theatrics, but in terms of pure entertainment value it was every bit as good. 

 

The music was fantastic and the story was meaningful. 

 

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At the end of the show there was a very touching moment as well - one of the cast members lost his dad yesterday and they sang a song in his honor to close out the show. 

 

Having lost my own dad 20+ years ago, that moment hit hard...I did not expect to shed a tear at the show, but I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater.

 

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Hanging out with one of the cast members for a moment before the show started:

 

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Some shots from the show itself: 

 

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My family following the show: 

 

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21 hours ago, jjesq99 said:

 

I posted the Dailies from the 6/30-7/7 here...

 

 

Yes you did.  But you're quoting a post from Wed the 17th and you posted them on the 19th.

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On 7/19/2024 at 1:03 PM, Ellis1138 said:

I do have a request, if possible. On the NCL app, when it works, you can download the Freestyle Daily as a pdf. I'm mainly curious what the Buffet Dinner nights are (which night is brisket, western, asian, etc).

 

Thanks in advance.

Here's the Day 3 daily (don't know if you still need these since somebody shared them from a recent sailing. 

 

free-style-daily-3.pdf

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