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On Encore right now (12/12/21 sailing)

AtlantaCruiser72

By AtlantaCruiser72,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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AtlantaCruiser72

AtlantaCruiser72

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On the Encore right now and really enjoying the ship.  Even without Spice H2O I think I prefer her to Escape. The observation lounge is the real game changer. Decor is gorgeous throughout and seems brighter and more sophisticated than Escape and Epic. Artwork throughout is sophisticated and well chosen (except for the crap for sale in the “art” gallery)
 

A few notes:

 

Covid testing- took about an hour standing in line before we got to testing station. results took another 15-20 minutes.  Once testing done we were through security, check-in and on ship in under 15minutes. We arrived around 1130am. 
 

Kinky Boots not playing this week. Several cast members in quarantine due to Covid exposure. 
 

I have heard various passenger #s but seems to be roughly 1900 as consensus. No waits for anything. Not sure how I’d feel on a full sailing as some venues pretty crowded (in an enjoyable way) at times as-is. 

 

Food and service have been great. Staff genuinely delighted to be back working and enjoying more time to interact with guests.  Food quality and presentation in included venues definitely improved from my last two cruises on NCL. Have not done any specialty yet but eaten in all 3 MDR, the Local and Garden Cafe. Very pleased. 
 

Standard internet has been mostly ok, though signal nonexistent when on balcony. Works fine everywhere else. I’m glad I upgraded to unlimited  but still seems a bit pricey at $88 for the week. 
 

Lots of live music - Atrium, Pool, Cavern Club, Sugarcane, Qs, District and Observation lounge all have something virtually all evening. All performers very good to excellent.  Don’t have to look far to find somewhere to be entertained.  Sugarcane is my favourite of the bars. 

 

Puerta Plata - evidently we will be docked at new Taino Bay facility which opens 12/15 with an MSC ship. We will be second ship to call there. 
 

That’s all for now. Other than being disappointed about Kinky Boots not playing (but totally understand why) I have ZERO complaints and only two days in would say this my best cruise with NCL yet!

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KAYKAY121

KAYKAY121

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11 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

On the Encore right now and really enjoying the ship.  Even without Spice H2O I think I prefer her to Escape. The observation lounge is the real game changer. Decor is gorgeous throughout and seems brighter and more sophisticated than Escape and Epic. Artwork throughout is sophisticated and well chosen (except for the crap for sale in the “art” gallery)
 

A few notes:

 

Covid testing- took about an hour standing in line before we got to testing station. results took another 15-20 minutes.  Once testing done we were through security, check-in and on ship in under 15minutes. We arrived around 1130am. 
 

Kinky Boots not playing this week. Several cast members in quarantine due to Covid exposure. 
 

I have heard various passenger #s but seems to be roughly 1900 as consensus. No waits for anything. Not sure how I’d feel on a full sailing as some venues pretty crowded (in an enjoyable way) at times as-is. 

 

Food and service have been great. Staff genuinely delighted to be back working and enjoying more time to interact with guests.  Food quality and presentation in included venues definitely improved from my last two cruises on NCL. Have not done any specialty yet but eaten in all 3 MDR, the Local and Garden Cafe. Very pleased. 
 

Standard internet has been mostly ok, though signal nonexistent when on balcony. Works fine everywhere else. I’m glad I upgraded to unlimited  but still seems a bit pricey at $88 for the week. 
 

Lots of live music - Atrium, Pool, Cavern Club, Sugarcane, Qs, District and Observation lounge all have something virtually all evening. All performers very good to excellent.  Don’t have to look far to find somewhere to be entertained.  Sugarcane is my favourite of the bars. 

 

Puerta Plata - evidently we will be docked at new Taino Bay facility which opens 12/15 with an MSC ship. We will be second ship to call there. 
 

That’s all for now. Other than being disappointed about Kinky Boots not playing (but totally understand why) I have ZERO complaints and only two days in would say this my best cruise with NCL yet!

I don't know if I will sail on a ship without the observation lounge. It was our favorite spot on the ship. 

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AtlantaCruiser72

AtlantaCruiser72

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30 minutes ago, KAYKAY121 said:

I am sitting in Lawrenceville, GA at work. 🙂


which is EXACTLY where I’d be if not cruising. I live just off of Lawrenceville/Suwannee rd and Duluth hwy 🤠
 

That said I’m happy to instead be on the waterfront with a spicy passion fruit mojito!

image.jpg

Edited by AtlantaCruiser72
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2 Fun Guys

2 Fun Guys

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So glad you are enjoying Encore!  We loved it in October, and the Observation Lounge is truly a game-changer. And the bar staff there is amazing! And Sugarcane was our favorite, too! Is Marcos still tending bar there? By the time out week was over, he felt like family. It was hard to say good bye!

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

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bkrickles1

bkrickles1

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9 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Just saw Choir of Man - hands down one of the best shows I’ve be seen onboard a ship!  Still disappointed that we won’t get Kinky Boots, but at least we have a second showing of Choir of Man to look forward to!!!

Saw Choir of Man on Escape and Encore and I agree, best show on a cruise ship.

My people are a little disappointed that they aren't on Joy, which we're sailing in January, but I think we'll survive. Lmao!

We sailed Encore January, 2020 and it was great!

Observation Lounge is terrific and is now our go to meet up point on boarding day.

Enjoy the rest of your sailing!

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cuterlmt

cuterlmt

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Love the Encore! We had our first experience on it in August in Alaska. So beautiful.

If you get a chance to go to the casino (or spend any time in there), try to find Dragan. He is a magician and hilarious card dealer. Tell him his "parents" said hello.

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blueslily Great Review Rare

blueslily

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Interesting coincidence. I watched the Encore back into her spot this morning in St. Thomas. The Captain did an awesome job maneuvering her. I'm on a  different ship, but having a great experience also. We are heading out of St. Thomas soon. I came over to the NCL threads because my birthday sailing in a few weeks will be with NCL 😁.  I enjoy whichever company offers me what I like and want 😁.  NCL does a great job. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. 

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AtlantaCruiser72

AtlantaCruiser72

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18 hours ago, bluenose1 said:

Enjoying your review, never did one before. We are onboard the Encore 17 Apr 2022 for the Repo cruise to Seattle. Question, is there any shuffleboard on the decks? 

Thank you. 


Not that I have seen on either the Waterfront or deck 16/17.  Not to say it isn’t there, I just haven’t noticed it anywhere. 

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AtlantaCruiser72

AtlantaCruiser72

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1 hour ago, blueslily said:

Interesting coincidence. I watched the Encore back into her spot this morning in St. Thomas. The Captain did an awesome job maneuvering her. I'm on a  different ship, but having a great experience also. We are heading out of St. Thomas soon. I came over to the NCL threads because my birthday sailing in a few weeks will be with NCL 😁.  I enjoy whichever company offers me what I like and want 😁.  NCL does a great job. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. 


You must be on the Caribbean Princess 🤠. Sailing her next December. She’s a great ship!

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