Norwegian Encore – The Great Cruise Comeback Live

[jcscv]

Thank you for such an informative and fun report Bird. I board Encore 5 weeks from today. Every menu has my mouth watering, and every picture has me  anticipating beautiful scenery and fun times on board the ship. Job well done!  

[NikiPinkston]

3 hours ago, andychris said:

Any updates on where testing will be today? Marriott knows nothing. 

Testing is at the Bell Street Pier today.  There are NCL employees out front who will direct you.  The elevator is around the corner from the stairs on the front of the building if needed.

[kbsatt]

3 hours ago, andychris said:

Any updates on where testing will be today? Marriott knows nothing. 

It is at the cruise terminal conference center.  

[Diane67B]

Omg!! Excuse my excitement! Did this curly haired women see a diffuser hair dryer??

[NikiPinkston]

Bird, thank you so much for an amazing journey! We're boarding today & all of the great info you provided is so helpful.  Safe travels home! 😘

[zerooveride]

THANK YOU 

THANK YOU

THANK YOU @BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

Bell Street Terminal Pier 66 was its normal chaotic self for a turnover. This was complicated by the fact that there were people waiting for testing adding to crowds. Our late arrival does not help the mob of people. 
 

Half the lanes on Alaskan Way are closed, filled with semi trailers and tankers, bringing food and beverage to this week’s passenger.  
 

People trying to catch an Uber are having to walk several blocks to get out of the crowds. Both Uber XL and Lyft XL were $63+tip at the time we got out.  NCL transfers were $25 pp. 
 

[BirdTravels]

Since we were late arriving, the lines to get off the ship were long and slow. The Bird got a private escort to security via a crew elevator, to avoid the lines on the ship.

 

Baggage hall is small, but less chaotic than years past. 

 

There was no immigrations and customs check (as expected). 
 

There was a line for the cruise line transfer to the airport, but they were loading multiple buses at the same time and sending them as soon as full. 
 

8:45 left stateroom 

9:27 arrive airport (about 25 min drive)

10:09 checked in bags and through security. 

[Sailing12Away]

4 hours ago, John Cruiser SF said:

Does anyone know what should happen after you register and log on to the Eurofins testing website?  I've registered and get this page which doesn't allow you to do anything.  You can't select a date, etc. Is it too early to select a time?  We are on the 9/4 Alaska sailing.

Hit the little man icon in the top right, then click on "Manage Members". That's where you'll see the screen with your family members and their individual barcodes for the tests. Print that page out.

 

[zerooveride]

3 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 

 

There was no immigrations and customs check (as expected). 

 

Just curious then why the disembarking letter talked about custom limits and such . . . any idea?

[BirdTravels]

Well Cruise Critic friends, that’s a wrap. Thank you for coming along with The Bird on NCL’s great cruise comeback. It was a great cruise!!!  And with the exception of the crew struggling with masks, it was as “normal”’ as any pre-pandemic cruise. (Compared to Royal’s first cruise which was a bit uncomfortable at times - because it was not “normal”). 
 

The crew and ship were wonderful. And The Bird had a great week in Beautiful Alaska. 
 

 

[BirdTravels]

3 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

Just curious then why the disembarking letter talked about custom limits and such . . . any idea?

It was a form letter. It was considered an international cruise. The cruise line is preparing passengers in the event that immigrations and customs should do a spot inspection of the cruise. 

[SciFiCruiser]

How late was late getting in.  You seem to have made it to the airport hopefully on time.  Even with the late arrival would I have made an 11:30 am flight? (planning to do luggage valet) for our debarcation in a few weeks. 
 

and as many people have said, thank you so much for the information you’ve passed along. Absolutely invaluable for us future cruisers!

[summercruiser20]

Thank you Bird.  So glad to see you had a wonderful trip - get back home safely.  

[ecco41]

On 8/9/2021 at 9:39 AM, BirdTravels said:

Thank you Bird.  Myself and 2 friends are in the DOS on Encore at the end of August.  Any suggestions on possible ways to avoid the Chaos at the Pier.  We may just elect to get dropped off at the Parking Garage and walk across the bridge to the Terminal.  Currently we have an 11-1130 AM Boarding time, but will be at the Terminal around 1030 AM to stand in line for testing.  We live in the Seattle Area so maybe it is better to arrive later to avoid the throngs of people?  Based on your debarkation photos, it looks like we will stay in our cabin until the last possible moments to reduce interaction with the crowds.  

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thanks so much Bird!! I truly enjoyed your review and your numerous photos!! Have safe travels home 😀

[SeaTacMike]

2 hours ago, geckobabe said:

Thanks, Bird! This has been extremely helpful. One question... is local tax charged on drinks while in the Alaskan ports?

Woop, read that wrong the first time.  No tax is collected while in any port other than the original embarkation port of Seattle which should be 10.1%

 

Edited August 14, 2021 by SeaTacMike

[OrcaGirl]

Thank you Bird! Truly a saint among birds, which I guess makes you St. Francis? Not sure.

 

As a result of your exciting-yet-straightforward capture of the sailing, we decided just last night to swap our November Joy sailing to an October sailing of the Encore.

[david_sobe]

Welcome back.  Thank you for everything.

[odie1024]

Great review, my last cruise was to Alaska in Sept. 2019 on the Jewel and going back next June on Princess. Booked to sail out of NYC in October on Breakaway to Bermuda. 

Safe travels home and thank you.

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, geckobabe said:

Thanks, Bird! This has been extremely helpful. One question... is local tax charged on drinks while in the Alaskan ports?

No. Only while in Washington State waters (which lasted until around 10:30 pm on departure night for our cruise - which had a delayed departure). 10.1%. 

Edited August 14, 2021 by BirdTravels

[geckobabe]

2 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

No. Only while in Washington State waters (which lasted until around 10:30 pm on departure night for our cruise - which had a delayed departure). 

Thanks, Bird!!!! Safe travels!

[Named-Tawny]

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Time for a slide?

Was the waterslide an included amenity of the ship and pool deck, or was it an extra charge activity?

I do like that they specify that you can't ride with a broken heart.  No sad sliders! 😉

Edited August 14, 2021 by Named-Tawny

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, ecco41 said:

 

Not sure what to advise. On Departure, the concierge staff will escort you down the crew elevator as far as security. Today, we were escorted down, but (1) there was not a dedicated security checkpoint like on other cruises and (2) the facial recognition scanner is [a lot] slower than swiping your card. In part, it is doing a temperature screen, so it takes a few seconds to record your temp. 

[BirdTravels]

1 minute ago, Named-Tawny said:

Was the waterslide an included amenity of the ship and pool deck, or was it an extra charge activity?

No additional charge.