Just off the Encore Dec. 22

[Peachypooh]

We just got off the Encore yesterday. I am swamped with holiday preparations so will have

to write a full review later in the week but if anyone has any questions I would be happy

to answer them. Thank you to everyone who did write reviews so far they were very helpful.

We were in the Haven  but spent quite a bit of time outside of the Haven especially

the Observation lounge. We had a good time and as always there were a few things we wish

were different but all in all it is a beautiful ship. 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Peachypooh

[david_sobe]

Yes take your time during the holidays but please come back to give us a full review.  Was checking out a family's Encore vacation that had their Laster tag cancelled and the remaining of the week, everything was booked.  They also had trouble getting drinks.  The slides were not working a few days and they did not run the race track on port days.

So I try to get as much information as I can.

Is the Haven still offering free embarkation day lunch at the American Diner and 50% off at Food Republic the first night?

[Peachypooh]

16 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Yes take your time during the holidays but please come back to give us a full review.  Was checking out a family's Encore vacation that had their Laster tag cancelled and the remaining of the week, everything was booked.  They also had trouble getting drinks.  The slides were not working a few days and they did not run the race track on port days.

So I try to get as much information as I can.

Is the Haven still offering free embarkation day lunch at the American Diner and 50% off at Food Republic the first night?

David,

Yes the American Diner had free embarkation day lunch but I  wasn't aware of 50% off

Food Republic. We ordered the blue plate special at the Diner and it was one of the

best meals of the week. They give you two giant pieces of what looked to be prime rib,

mashed potatoes and wonderful green beans. We had the lobster rolls for an appetizer

and they were outstanding. We did wander up to see the race track and laser tag but can't

remember if it was on  a sea or port day. Lazer tag was not running I think due to high wind

but the racetrack was. We had absolutely no problem getting drinks either at the Haven

bar or at the Observation deck bar  where we headed down to most days around 3 pm.

I promise to write a review as I want to be as helpful as others were to me. It was very rough one

night and they cancelled both performances of Kinky Boots which I can't blame them. Don't

want the performers to fall down or the guests either going down the aisles to their seats.

 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Peachypooh

[kruiserkatie]

Welcome back! Enjoy your holidays! Then please come and share your experiences.  I am sailing the Encore Haven in June.  Thank you!

[CruisingSince1982]

Was the main pool deck crowded?

[Peachypooh]

4 minutes ago, CruisingSince1982 said:

Was the main pool deck crowded?

Surprisingly not that bad. The hot tubs are up one deck so that makes

for more room on the pool deck. They have ample loungers, tables and chairs that

even on sea days we were able to find a spot. We tend to sit in the shade at one of the tables with chairs and

there were lots to choose from. On the big screen there was a warning that belongings would be removed

after 15 min so I think that cut down on the chair hogs. People do show up for things like the ice carving

demonstration so it is crowded for that then those not swimming leave. We were happy to see that our

fears in this area were unfounded.

[Sand and Seas]

We will be looking forward to hearing more!   Adding 'Lobster Rolls!' to our list of things to try on the Encore😋

[newmexicoNita]

23 hours ago, Peachypooh said:

We just got off the Encore yesterday. I am swamped with holiday preparations so will have

to write a full review later in the week but if anyone has any questions I would be happy

to answer them. Thank you to everyone who did write reviews so far they were very helpful.

We were in the Haven  but spent quite a bit of time outside of the Haven especially

the Observation lounge. We had a good time and as always there were a few things we wish

were different but all in all it is a beautiful ship. 

Welcome back Peachy.  I know how you feel about being rushed. We got back last Friday and I have been swamped ever since. Now, except for picking up all the wrapping paper etc and making a corn beef ball for our family get together tonight I think I am caught up. This is the second time we have cruised a few weeks before Christmas, I don't think it is the best decision. 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Peachypooh]

20 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

Welcome back Peachy.  I know how you feel about being rushed. We got back last Friday and I have been swamped ever since. Now, except for picking up all the wrapping paper etc and making a corn beef ball for our family get together tonight I think I am caught up. This is the second time we have cruised a few weeks before Christmas, I don't think it is the best decision. 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thank you Nita. Merry Christmas to you too!

We had back to back trips...Thanksgiving in New York and now this cruise so I

tried to make as many preparations ahead of time. But it is still hectic.

[cruisekitty22]

Does Haven have its own Observation Lounge?  How was the show "Chior of Man"?  How was the food? Glad to hear we could get a lounger if we wanted to.  We wont be Haven guests.

[dshefter]

Were they selling Vibe passes in The Social or Q Restaurant? Have heard conflicting reports. Was it hard to get reservations for the Go Karts, Laser Tag and Galaxy Pavilion?

[Peachypooh]

55 minutes ago, cruisekitty22 said:

Does Haven have its own Observation Lounge?  How was the show "Chior of Man"?  How was the food? Glad to hear we could get a lounger if we wanted to.  We wont be Haven guests.

Yes it does. It is called the Horizon lounge. Very quiet and serves a continental breakfast in the morning

and snacks throughout the day. You have to go to the bar (not a very far walk) and bring a cocktail

back to the lounge unlike the Observation lounge which has a bar right there.

[Peachypooh]

46 minutes ago, dshefter said:

Were they selling Vibe passes in The Social or Q Restaurant? Have heard conflicting reports. Was it hard to get reservations for the Go Karts, Laser Tag and Galaxy Pavilion?

I can't help you there but as soon as they escort you onboard you can ask.I seem to remember signs in front of some of the restaurants saying where to get what.  The Go Karts and Laser Tab and Galaxy

Pavillion were very uncrowded when we checked it out. As we are older we didn't try them.

If I had to guess if you are sailing on an off week it won't be too hard to get reservations. Our week maybe they had

a few hundred children onboard but this current week I was told 2,000 under age 18 so it would be harder to

make reservations I am guessing.

[dshefter]

1 minute ago, Peachypooh said:

I can't help you there but as soon as they escort you onboard you can ask.I seem to remember signs in front of some of the restaurants saying where to get what.  The Go Karts and Laser Tab and Galaxy

Pavillion were very uncrowded when we checked it out. As we are older we didn't try them.

If I had to guess if you are sailing on an off week it won't be too hard to get reservations. Our week maybe they had

a few hundred children onboard but this current week I was told 2,000 under age 18 so it would be harder to

make reservations I am guessing.

Thanks. Sailing Jan. 19.

[ratfam]

Hi welcome back and have a wonderful Christmas!  We will be first time NCL cruisers and I have found the advance prep process online very challenging compared to other cruise lines we have used and it has been hard to get information from the customer service reps by phone, maybe because it is a new ship?  I was told I couldn't make advance reservations for the laser tag and racing but also for the prohibition show and comedy show--did you try to get reservations for those?  Not sure if returning cruisers can make these reservations or if we missed a window...

[RNRcruisers]

Thanks for the info. I'm happy to hear the pool deck wasn't too bad. I'll be watching for your review.

[Peachypooh]

57 minutes ago, dshefter said:

Thanks. Sailing Jan. 19.

Probably the same amount of children (don't know for sure) that we had so 

reservations will be a little easier than the high amount of kids weeks.

 

[Peachypooh]

44 minutes ago, ratfam said:

Hi welcome back and have a wonderful Christmas!  We will be first time NCL cruisers and I have found the advance prep process online very challenging compared to other cruise lines we have used and it has been hard to get information from the customer service reps by phone, maybe because it is a new ship?  I was told I couldn't make advance reservations for the laser tag and racing but also for the prohibition show and comedy show--did you try to get reservations for those?  Not sure if returning cruisers can make these reservations or if we missed a window...

Thank you! I believe that information  is accurate but no worries about getting reservations for the prohibition show. It was not full when we saw the show and that is even after letting the standby line people in. They give you five cocktails in an hour. If you ask they give you two sets of beads to wear and they serve you mocktails instead which is what I did. As for the other things you mentioned unless you are traveling on a holiday week I don't think you will have a problem and there is always the standby line.

 

[Katxx]

55 minutes ago, ratfam said:

Hi welcome back and have a wonderful Christmas!  We will be first time NCL cruisers and I have found the advance prep process online very challenging compared to other cruise lines we have used and it has been hard to get information from the customer service reps by phone, maybe because it is a new ship?  I was told I couldn't make advance reservations for the laser tag and racing but also for the prohibition show and comedy show--did you try to get reservations for those?  Not sure if returning cruisers can make these reservations or if we missed a window...

 

I found it was a lot easier to just use the app to book the comedy show once on board. I think you can do the same for prohibition. To book Laser Tag & Speedway, just head to a touchscreen near an elevator the minute you get on board. 

[ratfam]

1 hour ago, Peachypooh said:

Thank you! I believe that information  is accurate but no worries about getting reservations for the prohibition show. It was not full when we saw the show and that is even after letting the standby line people in. They give you five cocktails in an hour. If you ask they give you two sets of beads to wear and they serve you mocktails instead which is what I did. As for the other things you mentioned unless you are traveling on a holiday week I don't think you will have a problem and there is always the standby line.

 

Thanks so much!  We are on a holiday week but will do our best.  Did you like Prohibition?  We are a  little disappointed with all the upcharges but we really like the entertainment and are traveling with my older parents so that one looked worth the investment.  None of us could make it through 5 cocktails in an hour though!

[ratfam]

1 hour ago, Katxx said:

 

I found it was a lot easier to just use the app to book the comedy show once on board. I think you can do the same for prohibition. To book Laser Tag & Speedway, just head to a touchscreen near an elevator the minute you get on board. 

Thanks very much!  I will need to download the app for sure

[Peachypooh]

4 minutes ago, ratfam said:

Thanks so much!  We are on a holiday week but will do our best.  Did you like Prohibition?  We are a  little disappointed with all the upcharges but we really like the entertainment and are traveling with my older parents so that one looked worth the investment.  None of us could make it through 5 cocktails in an hour though!

You should be OK even if a holiday week. The show has an age limit. We thought the show was entertaining but

a bit off color which we didn't care about (We are in our 60's and 70's) but some might. My husband just took a 

sip of each and I just ad a sip or two of the non alcoholic selections. The singers/dancers were excellent.

[ratfam]

On 12/24/2019 at 12:17 PM, Peachypooh said:

You should be OK even if a holiday week. The show has an age limit. We thought the show was entertaining but

a bit off color which we didn't care about (We are in our 60's and 70's) but some might. My husband just took a 

sip of each and I just ad a sip or two of the non alcoholic selections. The singers/dancers were excellent.

Excellent thanks we will go for it!  I don't think anyone will be put off by off color content and our kids are above the age limit, so sounds like it will be a good choice for us