To those who sailed the Encore would you again?

[neffqueen]

We sailed Encore on the thanksgiving first sailing from Miami. Having an 9 yr old on this cruise and dealing with the kids activities took most of our free time. From having sailed on Bliss and many other ships, the crew was not yet at is best. First with camp. We have not had any issues ever in any sailing to drop off my son. On this particular sailing, the ship had aprox 1400 kids and deck 5 had most of the time a line with very angry parents that could not drop off their child as it was always to capacity. For us to get his space, we did the line 45mn prior to camp opening. Corporate had a lady there dealing with complains the whole time. I heard many frustrated parents scream  cause not having enough space. I asked why this ship had these issues and was explained in the rest of the fleet, they have overflow areas but the Encore does not. Camp capacity was 108 kids ! If you did not made the line, you were out of luck. My son was told not to come that often to let other kids come to camp. Next issue- laser tag. It was sold out for the whole cruise before sailing but we score some night spots. Once we got there, the computer program was down and had not time frame to repair. Since the whole cruise was already booked, we were told that we just get a refund so my family never got to experience laser tag. I listen to others that the system broke often and no reschedules were available. Next issue- My son is in the autism spectrum and NCL has always work with him to make sure he has the foods he only eats. I even had it already pre- arranged prior to sailing. I had the hardest time getting him tenders outside the dining room. Took a lot of asking and one night i was denied the tenders by the hostess and maitre'd.  We were at the local and my son was hungry. Please understand other foods are not a choice, he has a taste sensory and he will not try new things yet. When i told him tenders were part of the room service, he replied I can order them in the room and have them sent to the local. Oh that was just wrong. We did the get tenders 30 mns later after i complained. For my son, I go to the moon! On the bliss, we had opposite care and was made sure he would get them anywhere he was.

The shows were amazing, the food was great but the ship felt taken over by rude kids everywhere and nobody controlled them.

We will sail NCL again but never a first sailing or a major holiday either. We did have a good time just felt disorganized and poor trained personnel. We never met or saw our room steward. ROom was taken care of but never met this person......

 

Edited December 29, 2019 by neffqueen

[Cruzmermaid12]

I sailed on the Thanksgiving cruise, it was my hubby and me (late 40's) and 16 year old son. This is our 8th NCL cruise and before the Encore the Escape was our favorite ship. I am a teacher so I can only sail when it is the most crowded.. LOL

I absolutely loved this ship, the service was outstanding! The food on this ship was the best I have ever had. The specialty restaurants were fantastic and I have never had such great food in the main dining rooms! We never had trouble getting a drink at any of the bars. The entertainment was amazing on the Encore and lots of variety. We had 2 favorite's, Guns n Rojas in the Cavern Club and Camille Rae and the Raebans in Q. Kinky Boots and Choir of a Man were fabulous. The best part for me... they have enclosed areas for smoking. So I can enjoy the casino again!!! I would sail her again! I still love the Escape and will sail her again in March, because I already had her booked. But, I will defiantly be back on the Encore. 

[bkrickles1]

20 minutes ago, Cruzmermaid12 said:

I sailed on the Thanksgiving cruise, it was my hubby and me (late 40's) and 16 year old son. This is our 8th NCL cruise and before the Encore the Escape was our favorite ship. I am a teacher so I can only sail when it is the most crowded.. LOL

I absolutely loved this ship, the service was outstanding! The food on this ship was the best I have ever had. The specialty restaurants were fantastic and I have never had such great food in the main dining rooms! We never had trouble getting a drink at any of the bars. The entertainment was amazing on the Encore and lots of variety. We had 2 favorite's, Guns n Rojas in the Cavern Club and Camille Rae and the Raebans in Q. Kinky Boots and Choir of a Man were fabulous. The best part for me... they have enclosed areas for smoking. So I can enjoy the casino again!!! I would sail her again! I still love the Escape and will sail her again in March, because I already had her booked. But, I will defiantly be back on the Encore. 

Love to hear this. We're sailing her January 19th and we're similar to you, early 50's with 19yo daughter. I don't know if the bands will be the same but I kind of hope they are as everyone seemed to really enjoy it and I love live music. 

Thanks for sharing. 

[megansdad1]

On 12/27/2019 at 9:22 AM, jfio1021 said:

As being someone who did purchase this would you recommend it to others, is it worth it's value based on your experience 

I haven't sailed yet, I have just done a lot of reading from those who did sail the encore.  For me it is going to be totally worth it.  I am not staying in Haven.  I am traveling with no children.  So to have a space where I don't have to worry about finding a chair and having many kids around is worth it for me.  Plus the reports of the stellar bar service and overall good time there, puts it over the top for me personally.  

[BobaLouFTL]

I love the ship and the staff was wonderful, but unless you really love your sea days, this itinerary on this ship is not for you. With the arrival at the first port at 5 PM on day three, you really have 4 sea days, two in the beginning and two in the end. As you would expect on a ship carrying 4,000 passengers, all of the public areas were crowded, and many of the activities & attractions operated on a limited basis. Think it might be time to think smaller ships for us.

[bkrickles1]

52 minutes ago, BobaLouFTL said:

I love the ship and the staff was wonderful, but unless you really love your sea days, this itinerary on this ship is not for you. With the arrival at the first port at 5 PM on day three, you really have 4 sea days, two in the beginning and two in the end. As you would expect on a ship carrying 4,000 passengers, all of the public areas were crowded, and many of the activities & attractions operated on a limited basis. Think it might be time to think smaller ships for us.

And that's why I'm happy they added GSC to the itinerary.

[dshefter]

1 hour ago, bkrickles1 said:

And that's why I'm happy they added GSC to the itinerary.

Be happier if they removed San Juan and added more time to Tortola.