Norwegian Encore – The Great Cruise Comeback Live

[Mongre16]

2 hours ago, psac said:

I'm pretty sure that’s the same company that built the Skyliner in Disney World in Orlando. Except for some initial hiccups*, it’s been running really well, pretty high capacity.  

* a few days after it first opened there was a collision between cars at one of the stations due to operator error. I don’t believe anyone got seriously hurt, but the system was down for a few hours with many people stranded in the cars for that whole time. 

Actually the Skyliner in Disney World has hick-ups all the time.  My daughter is a cast member and was on the opening team for the Skyliner.  There have not been any serious injuries, but upset guests, due to it going down for several hours at a time.  Plus if the weather is bad (too windy, etc.) it doesn’t run!  Anyway looking forward to going on the Icy Strait Point Gondola!  I sail Aug. 21-28!

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, wacruiselover said:

Probably don't want to go there again - 

 

Live a little ... we've come a long way since the 70's 🙂 🙂 🙂 

[ShelleyQT]

On 8/9/2021 at 11:52 AM, BirdTravels said:

 

I am SO disappointed to see they have removed the profiteroles (cream puffs filled with ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce)!  Those were my absolute favorite dish on NCL.  We went to Le Bistro twice each cruise just to get that for dessert.   Assorted ice cream?  Pathetic replacement. 😞

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, ROCruiser said:

So far I haven't heard any COVID cases reported on the Encore but on the CDC site, it's listed with code Yellow for investigation and observation. Did you hear anything on board, BirdTravels?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/crew-disembarkations-commercial-travel.html

Been yellow for a while. Before we got on. 

[Sand and Seas]

38 minutes ago, ShelleyQT said:

 

I am SO disappointed to see they have removed the profiteroles (cream puffs filled with ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce)!  Those were my absolute favorite dish on NCL.  We went to Le Bistro twice each cruise just to get that for dessert.   Assorted ice cream?  Pathetic replacement. 😞

We loved the profiteroles too, but I'm interested in trying the wine poached pear with ice-cream and warm chocolate sauce.  Hoping it's the same chocolate sauce🤞

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, Karaboudjan said:

 

  

There's at least one way to get to tour the medical facility...  😉

 

For this itinerary I expect the vast majority of passengers are from the US so not needing any tests.

 

2 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Just saw this in the posted dailies, and as a lab scientist, I'm intrigued. I wonder if there's a way for me to tour the medical facility to see how they're processing thousands of PCR tests in just 1-2 days on board a ship - and more importantly, if they're hiring...

There aren’t that many folks leaving the cruise to fly out internationally. 
 

When we were on Royal last month, our test was done in the main dining room. If the swab tickled your nose, just grab the napkin from the place setting. 

[fastpitchdad]

37 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Been yellow for a while. Before we got on. 

 

It looks like every ship sailing with pax is at least Yellow. 

[BirdTravels]

1 minute ago, fastpitchdad said:

 

It looks like every ship sailing with pax is at least Yellow. 

Could have been reported Covid (haven’t heard that). 
 

Could be a late or incorrect report. 
 

Could be an improper on boarding of crew. (I would put money here)
 

lots of causes for a yellow rating. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, Brickwood said:

I read that the gondola would cost $15 for unlimited use per day.  Is that the case?  If so, is that the only option?  (Thanks for this thread - really enjoying it in advance of our cruise in a few weeks)

No fee for ride today. 

[BirdTravels]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

No testing beyond initial embarkation. 

Well,,, the facial recognition system is also secretly checking and recording your temperature. So, you could be detained getting back on if you’re running a fever. 

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, zerooveride said:

And legal in both Seattle and Alaska!

But, alas, not legal on the ship. 

[BirdTravels]

Like many things, the pandemic has frozen Icy Strait in time. The new NCL Wilderness Landing was complete in 2019 and has sat, until today, awaiting the first NCL cruise ship to call.
 

To commentate the maiden call of the Encore to Icy Strait and to dedicate the new cruise ship terminal, there was an official ribbon cutting ceremony today. 

[BirdTravels]

Later in the day, Harry inspects the construction of a new gondola to take guest To the Mountain Top entertainment area scheduled to open next summer. 

Edited August 11, 2021 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

Day 4 Main Dining Room

[BirdTravels]

“Treats” Hmmmmm

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am absolutely loving your report and picture. I am a big NCL fan, especially Haven but we also cruise HAL so we were on the first Alaska sailing of the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam July 24th and I did a Live From. Wishing now we would have waited to sail on the Encore. We are returning to the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam for another Alaska on September 4th but then next up Bliss in November and Breakaway in January so we love you posting the menus for the Haven Restaurant. Cannot wait to get back to NCL.

Thanks for sharing all of this with us!!

[Shellbelle28]

34 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

No fee for ride today. 

Very cool, but I think I'll miss that lovely walk from the old pier to the tourist area. And OMG, had the best halibut and chips ever at the fish shack on the boardwalk there at Icy Strait Point! I hope that's still there! 

[BT97000]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Well,,, the facial recognition system is also secretly checking and recording your temperature. So, you could be detained getting back on if you’re running a fever. 

FYI Taking your hat off will help not getting a false temp.  My grandson going into school would have an elevated temp with his hat on, so he would take off the hat and wait a few minutes and his temp was normal.  

[NW Pacific]

So envious!!!  At what point did you show your Vaccination Card

[JC5240]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Like many things, the pandemic has frozen Icy Strait in time. The new NCL Wilderness Landing was complete in 2019 and has sat, until today, awaiting the first NCL cruise ship to call.
 

To commentate the maiden call of the Encore to Icy Strait and to dedicate the new cruise ship terminal, there was an official ribbon cutting ceremony today. 

This is so cool!!!

[JC5240]

30 minutes ago, BT97000 said:

FYI Taking your hat off will help not getting a false temp.  My grandson going into school would have an elevated temp with his hat on, so he would take off the hat and wait a few minutes and his temp was normal.  

I hope the same for if you have a sunburn coming back from a Caribbean port!

[lks93]

We are booked on the Sept 4th Encore cruise to Alaska.  We are hoping to be able to see the Northern Lights.  We realize it is early... but fingers crossed.  Has anyone been on an Alaska Cruise in early September and seen the Northern Lights?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

33 minutes ago, lks93 said:

We are booked on the Sept 4th Encore cruise to Alaska.  We are hoping to be able to see the Northern Lights.  We realize it is early... but fingers crossed.  Has anyone been on an Alaska Cruise in early September and seen the Northern Lights?

Yes, first week in September in 2018 on Bliss. I caught some but many on our cruise got amazing photos at about 2 in the morning.

[JCDCA]

On the ship next months and a couple quick questions:

 

1 - any issue with buying a specialty dining package once onboard?  I’ve already booked specialty dinners but have several hundred in onboard credit.  So figured a good use would be dining package.  No way to pay with OBC already showing up in my account in advance is there?

 

2 - is only way to buy a spa pass in advance to call?  I’m not seeing it as an option for purchase ahead of time.  It also looks to be for sale once onboard.

 

3 - I’m assuming the WiFi is pretty decent this trip allowing you to upload the various pictures?  Has to be better than AOS.  
 

Thanks!

[ROCruiser]

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Been yellow for a while. Before we got on. 

Thanks for the answer, BirdTravels! And thank you for taking time writing this thread as I am, like many other CC'ers, enjoy following your amazing trip! Have fun!