Rare drumexpert510 Posted August 20, 2021 #1 Share Posted August 20, 2021 This post was recognized by CC Help Jenn! "Thanks for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic" drumexpert510 was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' Hey everyone, I am so excited to be doing this LIVE REVIEW! I have wanted to do one for so long and hey what better time then now. The return to cruising after nearly 18 months and all the changes leaves everyone (including myself) with a lot of questions of what to expect. We will be on the NCL Encore out of Seattle this week heading up to Alaska. I hope you all got a chance to read "TheBirds" Live review last week for their cruise. It was amazing and if you didn't read it, you can find it below. BUT with that being the first cruise back, there was a lot of pomp and circumstance, big brass on board and what we all can only assume to be a dog and pony show. Well, I am here to show you what things look like three weeks in, what we can come to expect from a "regular" new normal cruise. This live review will only be as good as you help me make it, if you have ANY questions, please ask and I will do my best to find out. I will bring you pictures, menus, my personal experiences, and any answers I can get for you. Thank you all again, and the LIVE REVIEW starts tomorrow with the testing process and boarding! Any questions you want to ask, go ahead and I will get started ASAP tomorrow! Thanks again and Let's Cruise!!! 21 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucsoncruisers Posted August 20, 2021 #2 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Thank you, I will be following along! Have a wonderful time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregmarty Posted August 20, 2021 #3 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Have a great trip! Looking forward to your review. I'll be getting on board next Saturday 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted August 20, 2021 #4 Share Posted August 20, 2021 I'll high 5 you as you get off and I get on board the week after you. Curious to see where the testing is being done - it was originally at the Marriot which was good for me as we're staying there the night prior, but then it was moved to the pier. Curious to see a photo of the lobsters if you order one to see if it's worth the upcharge on the dining package. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drumexpert510 Posted August 20, 2021 Author #5 Share Posted August 20, 2021 11 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said: I'll high 5 you as you get off and I get on board the week after you. Curious to see where the testing is being done - it was originally at the Marriot which was good for me as we're staying there the night prior, but then it was moved to the pier. Curious to see a photo of the lobsters if you order one to see if it's worth the upcharge on the dining package. We are also at the Marriott and are a little bummed about the change but after hearing the issues a the other week, maybe the change was needed. To be determined tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeruby43 Posted August 20, 2021 #6 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Looking forward to seeing your posts. We sail on the 4th and are so excited!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted August 21, 2021 #7 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I'll be reading along. I'll be on the Encore a bit later this fall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumming cruisers Posted August 21, 2021 #8 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Thanks for starting the review. I am really interested in the Ward Cove in Ketchikan, and the gondola in Icy Strait Point if you can get more pictures, . I read Bird Travels review and its excellent. I am interested in the ports. entertainment and casino more than the menus . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BSR Posted August 21, 2021 #9 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Have a great cruise and looking forward to reading your review. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poly3503 Posted August 21, 2021 #10 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Can't wait to follow along. Interested in the testing,now that the location has changed. We're at the Edgewater ( sailing on 9/25) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmandmm Posted August 21, 2021 #11 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I’ll be paying attention too! Maybe this will help with expectations for my December cruise, even though the only common factor is NCL. Different ship, different ports but I’ll take a good NCL review anytime! Thank you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drumexpert510 Posted August 21, 2021 Author #12 Share Posted August 21, 2021 37 minutes ago, rmandmm said: I’ll be paying attention too! Maybe this will help with expectations for my December cruise, even though the only common factor is NCL. Different ship, different ports but I’ll take a good NCL review anytime! Thank you! Well, I will do everything I can to help. It will be my first one so be kind! haha 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 21, 2021 #13 Share Posted August 21, 2021 The Bird is following. Have an amazing cruise!!! 7 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drumexpert510 Posted August 21, 2021 Author #14 Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) 10 minutes ago, BirdTravels said: The Bird is following. Have an amazing cruise!!! Well, now I feel the pressure.... lol Thank you, just so glad the industry is back! I might cry tomorrow when I board... it has been a roller coaster over the last 18 months to get back to this point! Edited August 21, 2021 by drumexpert510 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickwood Posted August 21, 2021 #15 Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) Looking forward to your review! My DH and I will be on the 9/11 sailing with another couple but not boarding together and I'm wondering if one couple can make reservations for 4 people or if each couple must do it individually. Thanks in advance! Edit Note- I meant to specify entertainment reservations Edited August 21, 2021 by Brickwood More specific information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted August 21, 2021 #16 Share Posted August 21, 2021 5 minutes ago, Brickwood said: Looking forward to your review! My DH and I will be on the 9/11 sailing with another couple but not boarding together and I'm wondering if one couple can make reservations for 4 people or if each couple must do it individually. Thanks in advance! I presume you're talking about dinner reservations.... if so, yes you can. I've booked dinner for 4 on other ships without issue. When you get there they'll just confirm who has the specialty dining package and who is paying a la cart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickwood Posted August 21, 2021 #17 Share Posted August 21, 2021 @Sailing12Away Oops. I meant entertainment reservations. I did book our two dinners for 4 but wasn't sure if entertainment worked the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spfar Posted August 21, 2021 #18 Share Posted August 21, 2021 3 hours ago, drumexpert510 said: We will be getting on after you get off. I'm looking forward to your observations. Particularly interested in your shore excursions and how smoothly the port stops go. Hope you have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illinitrvlr Posted August 21, 2021 #19 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Yippee! Thanks so much for doing this. We will be getting on when you are getting off. Will be following excitedly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gknep Posted August 21, 2021 #20 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Looking forward to this. I'll be boarding on September 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlelulu01 Posted August 21, 2021 #21 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Have a wonderful stress free vacation! Excited to read about your adventures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiservictor Posted August 21, 2021 #22 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Thank you very much for doing this. I hope you have a wonderful time. The General Manager is Deepak Punia from India, a wonderful gentleman. We sailed with him 4 times on the Escape out of NY. Would you see if you can find out if he will be on the Sept 11 and Sept 18 sailings on the Encore? We will, and we hope to be able to sail with him again. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted August 21, 2021 #23 Share Posted August 21, 2021 5 minutes ago, cruiservictor said: Thank you very much for doing this. I hope you have a wonderful time. The General Manager is Deepak Punia from India, a wonderful gentleman. We sailed with him 4 times on the Escape out of NY. Would you see if you can find out if he will be on the Sept 11 and Sept 18 sailings on the Encore? We will, and we hope to be able to sail with him again. Thank you. I'm just curious. Why would it matter to you who the GM is? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L0bsterl0ver Posted August 21, 2021 #24 Share Posted August 21, 2021 13 hours ago, Sailing12Away said: I'll high 5 you as you get off and I get on board the week after you. Curious to see where the testing is being done - it was originally at the Marriot which was good for me as we're staying there the night prior, but then it was moved to the pier. Curious to see a photo of the lobsters if you order one to see if it's worth the upcharge on the dining package. I think I can answer that….YES! Ha ha ha ….I saw on the menu they are supposed to be 1lb 1/2…. But I’m curious too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneylover89 Posted August 21, 2021 #25 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Following along too! Very curious and interested in your review of Ward Cove Ketchikan and the Icy Straight gondolas. I have started to reconsider cruise lines because of their port location changes. Have a wonderful time!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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