Norwegian Encore or Norwegian Escape, which would you choose?

[ID Cruiser]

My wife, my daughter, and myself; ages 41, 52, and 17, can’t decide on the Norwegian escape or the Norwegian encore, for the Caribbean. Which would you choose and why, same itineraries and we have cruised quite a bit, have cruised Norwegian 4 times as well.

[n4w]

If decision can't be made by ship or ports, dates may play a factor.  If not, look at the bottom line; me, I usually start at the bottom line.

Considering the bottom line and where NCL has decided to put that, perhaps look into competing cruise lines.

 

Are the departure ports the same? Some departure/return ports are easier and/or cheaper than others (flights, hotel, transport to ship).

Edited August 24, 2022 by n4w

[ChiefMateJRK]

While not critical in the Caribbean, the Encore has a fantastic observation lounge while the Escape has none.  I would pay more for the Encore for that reason alone.

[hallux]

In the Caribbean I'd consider paying a little extra for Escape due to that ship having Spice H2O, which the Encore lacks.  However, Encore has a walled-off smoking section in the casino so you're not walking through a haze of cigarette smoke if you go through the casino or neighboring areas.

[PhillyTravelBug]

I've been debating this too as they both have the same itinerary. Been on the getaway and bliss, but not encore or escape. Love the ropes course, but also love the observation lounge for scenic cruising.

[hallux]

I've been contemplating the Escape for my next one, but losing that walled-off smoking section in the casino is giving me pause.  I'm not sure if I want to sail on Encore because of the Spice H2O decision.  Plus, Encore is $300 more for a balcony on the same itinerary (I sail solo, booking it for two might alter that)...

[gatorchinsky]

I have been on the Escape several times and loved it.  Have not been on the Encore, but have been on the Bliss and Joy and really enjoyed both of them, but both of these ships have Spice H2O and Encore does not (but with a 17 year old that doesn’t matter).  The Encore doesn’t have a lot of “free” open sun deck space if that matters to you but has a lot of for fee activities that everyone may enjoy.  You would just have to look at what each ship offers and see what you all would like.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, ID Cruiser said:

My wife, my daughter, and myself; ages 41, 52, and 17, can’t decide on the Norwegian escape or the Norwegian encore, for the Caribbean. Which would you choose and why, same itineraries and we have cruised quite a bit, have cruised Norwegian 4 times as well.

I would book the Escape and spend a couple of days at Disney before heading over to the port.

 

The itineraries are identical. The ships are similar. You only have two sea days so the benefits of an Observation Lounge or Spice H20 are minimized. 

 

The Encore does have Laser Tag, Go Karts, and a virtual reality pavilion which may be appealing to the daughter. 

[bluesea777]

We have been on both Escape and Encore, and will not hesitate to return to the Escape if the itineraries were the same.

 

We are in our 60’s and 70’s if this matters. Spice H2O is the way to go and we don’t do Go-Karts or Laser Tag. We don’t do Ropes Courses either but we enjoy watching it. 
 

As for the Observation Lounge, we didn’t use it while on Encore as most of the activities are in the Atrium so the lounge is pretty much a waste unless it’s a scenic cruising like Alaska.

 

Earlier this year we and our son&gf went on Joy and they did the Go-karts … they said it was fun but once is “been there done that”. They are in their 20’s. 
 

Bottom line …. Spice H2O aft is the way to go!!

 

P.S Encore’s chandelier is the worst of all!!

 

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

8 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

You only have two sea days so the benefits of an Observation Lounge or Spice H20 are minimized. 

Some folks really enjoy relaxing in the observation lounge later in the evening with some fine piano music up to seven nights.

[FlGoodShips]

We love the Encore. So much more to do for 17 yr olds too. Seemed like more her age on Encore than Escape. We love both, but with your daughter, I would choose Encore. If in the future, just the 2 of you, then I recommend you try Escape. Good luck in choosing and happy cruising.🛳

[marktwothousand]

The loss of spice was a big hit to encore for me. I am doing my second escape next week and I will also be missing the OBS, but I have a forward angled balcony… if you have a balcony on a ship without the OBS lounge i think you’re good without the lounge…

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, marktwothousand said:

if you have a balcony on a ship without the OBS lounge i think you’re good without the lounge…

Does Alexa play your requests on the piano on your balcony??   Do you have a fun time with your new drinking buddies??  🤣  All kidding aside, the Encore observation lounge is a fantastic perk and not one to be ignored.

[ID Cruiser]

Thank you, for the replies. This trip is for the week of Thanksgiving, and the flights through Norwegian make these two affordable. I appreciate all of the help.

[tallnthensome]

5 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

All kidding aside, the Encore observation lounge is a fantastic perk and not one to be ignored.

Not really in the Caribbean as someone else mentioned. Not much to observe in there besides people hogging the couches and chairs to sleep or read on. Better served for Alaska and Panama Canal and even then we only used it for a few snacks and a drink. I would rather sail the Escape in the Caribbean and have . 

[hallux]

7 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

All kidding aside, the Encore observation lounge is a fantastic perk and not one to be ignored

For this itinerary - maybe/maybe not.  As I noted - I'm looking at this itinerary for next year as well, and I'm even considering not getting a balcony as it's a port-intensive cruise so the majority of on-ship time will be meals, evening entertainment and sleep. 

 

Overall - I'd sail the Bliss or Joy before the Encore ANY time, those ships have the Observation Lounge AND Spice...

[cruiseny4life]

No SpiceH2O? Oooo, I may need to check the Encore out. I have no need for some loud party place at 10 PM. I'm asleep by then. Give me that sweet observation lounge any day, on any cruise though for any length of time! Balcony, or not, I think I'd be in there a lot just letting my mind wander while I watch the ocean waves pass us by.

[hallux]

16 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

No SpiceH2O? Oooo, I may need to check the Encore out. I have no need for some loud party place at 10 PM

The reason I'd prefer a ship with it is that it's an adults-only area during the day.  Without Spice there is no such section of the sundeck unless I want to pay for Vibe...

[TheycallmeDrew]

I have been on both and had a good time on both. Differences that jump out to me: Encore: Less free deck space, more pay activities(go karts, VR, Laser tag), nice observation deck if you want a quiet place inside, Q bbq restaurant(which I enjoyed and others do not). Escape: more free deck space, free ropes course, an adult only area on deck(spice H20), bigger Thermal Spa(I think), Moderno restaurant(which I don't enjoy but others do)

 

For a Caribbean given the 2 I would pick Escape, for an Alaska I would choose Encore for observation lounge. If you have a port heavy itinerary where you are never on ship it would be a wash. 

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

The reason I'd prefer a ship with it is that it's an adults-only area during the day.  Without Spice there is no such section of the sundeck unless I want to pay for Vibe...

 

Vibe on Encore is the only Vibe that doesn't have padded loungers!! 

 

 

 

[ID Cruiser]

So after much research, by my wife, and offers from Norwegian, we picked the Getaway from Port Canaveral, it’s a 10 day and the cost was similar to the encore and escape. We have been on the getaway and had a good time, after 10 days we will see. Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated.

[cruiseny4life]

On 8/25/2022 at 9:05 AM, hallux said:

The reason I'd prefer a ship with it is that it's an adults-only area during the day.  Without Spice there is no such section of the sundeck unless I want to pay for Vibe...

That makes sense - thank you for helping me understand the reason.

[dandelpino]

If you're in the Haven then definitely Encore. Far better and larger facilities than Escape.

[Langham1865]

Since the Itinerary isn't a difference maker, I usually look at price and which port they leave from (if different I look at ease and cost of getting to the port).  

 

On a purely ship comparison basis, I personally take Escape.  Though not a deal breaker, I like Moderno (on Escape) to having a Mexican restaurant (Los Lobos on Encore).  To me the Observation Lounge (on Encore not Escape)is something I wouldn't use on a Caribbean cruise.

 

What makes a difference to my personal cruise experience between the 2 ships is I normally really enjoy Howl at the Moon (dueling piano bar) that is on Escape and not Encore.  So all else being equal, that is my 2 cents as to which to choose....

Edited August 29, 2022 by Langham1865

[RunBikeCruiseDC]

Escape .  I haven't been on Encore but was on the Bliss, I felt there wasn't enough outdoor space due to the go-karts, observation deck.  I would do Encore/Bliss for Canada/New England or Alaska but given the choice, I'd take the older Breakaway class ships over the newer ones. Escape is our favorite ship.

Edited August 30, 2022 by RunBikeCruiseDC