*LIVE* Norwegian Encore – 7-Night Eastern Caribbean March 31, 2024 – April 7, 2024

[david_sobe]

Welcome back and thanks again for an awesome review.

Any major changes since your last Encore cruise?

[BirdTravels]

The Garden Cafe has nice outside seating for al fresco dining. For cool dining climates, there are heaters in the ceilings. 

 

Breakfast Time

[dolls123]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

The Garden Cafe has nice outside seating for al fresco dining. For cool dining climates, there are heaters in the ceilings. 

 

Breakfast Time

Cinnamon Rolls look yummy 

[kapoho2]

We just got home from this cruise.  It was probably our 20th NCL cruise, but first time on the Encore and we were very impressed with everything. The big highlight for us was the Beatles Invasion Band that performed the first 5 nights.  We attended all shows and enjoyed them tremendously.  The ship is gorgeous....especially the Observation Lounge.  WOW.  Good work NCL!  It was a perfect week......even if there were 1400 kids on board....that took a bit of patience...lol. 

[BirdTravels]

Need some mommy and daddy time without the kids? Register the kiddos with the Splash Academy on embarkation day. For our kiddo-heavy cruise, the ship was using the NCL app virtual queues for admittance. 

 

Edited April 7 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

For the Teens, there is the Entourage Club. 
 

[BirdTravels]

Feeling hungry? The Local has food around the clock. The Local is good for a quick snack while watching a movie on the big screen or a full meal. 
 

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

Need a Starbucks fix?

 

[BirdTravels]

The Observation Lounge provides a comfortable “living room” where you can rest and relax. 2-story windows provide spectacular 270 degree forward facing views. 
 

 

[BirdTravels]

Got an owie? Doctors and nurses are available 24/7 to assist you in a fully equipped Medical Center. 
 

The old coin operated machines with basic meds have been replaced with modern machines that bill your room account. 
 

 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

When the passengers leave the Thermal Suite for the day,,, we take over 

 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

And on special occasions, they serve us more than bread and water. On the Encore, there is only one crew mess serving all ranks. 

 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Welcome back and thanks again for an awesome review.

Any major changes since your last Encore cruise?

No major changes. We'll see more as the dry dock gets closer. 

 

The not-so-good magician has been replace by Wheel of Fortune. 

 

One of the "challenges" with this cruise is the demographics of the passengers. Lots of newbies who have expectations on being treated like they were on a private yacht. 

 

The crew did an amazing job. But this was the second or third cruise with 4900ish passengers (we were slightly under, last week slightly over 4900). And the crew and the ship was being stretched to the limits. This week (the 21-day crossing from Miami to Alaska) is mostly senior Latitudes members. The crew's characterization of the Ambassadors and Dimond cruisers are people who show up to dinner with a book or just sit and read the news on their smartphones while they eat and really have no demands of the crew. 

 

As I mentioned before, with the ship at 4900 passengers, every square inch of sunlight had a lounger planted in it. The Birds spent no time on the pool or sun deck on this cruise (much too obnoxious). We enjoyed the Waterfront and the Thermal Suite.  

[david_sobe]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

No major changes. We'll see more as the dry dock gets closer. 

 

The not-so-good magician has been replace by Wheel of Fortune. 

 

One of the "challenges" with this cruise is the demographics of the passengers. Lots of newbies who have expectations on being treated like they were on a private yacht. 

 

The crew did an amazing job. But this was the second or third cruise with 4900ish passengers (we were slightly under, last week slightly over 4900). And the crew and the ship was being stretched to the limits. This week (the 21-day crossing from Miami to Alaska) is mostly senior Latitudes members. The crew's characterization of the Ambassadors and Dimond cruisers are people who show up to dinner with a book or just sit and read the news on their smartphones while they eat and really have no demands of the crew. 

 

As I mentioned before, with the ship at 4900 passengers, every square inch of sunlight had a lounger planted in it. The Birds spent no time on the pool or sun deck on this cruise (much too obnoxious). We enjoyed the Waterfront and the Thermal Suite.  

NCL wants and targets new cruisers so they got them. I don't think they care their private yacht experience was not up to expectations. There will be new cruisers to replace them.

BTW, you reminded me again to never cruise during spring break.

[BirdTravels]

Whether you are an artist or novice, Canvas by U will lead you through the creation of a masterpiece in one hour. A glass of wine helps to get those creative juices flowing. 

Sign up at the Box Office (Deck 7 Forward, Starboard Theater Entrance) on embarkation day. Sessions usually sell out quickly. $35 for art supplies. 
 

 

[BirdTravels]

Need to make final payment on your next cruise? Try a game of chance in the Encore Casino. 
 

 

[BirdTravels]

The Bird was feeling a bit peckish and wandered into the Galley looking for a snack. 

 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

At each meal, the waiters always ask about food allergies or dietary restrictions. This is a high priority for NCL. At the galley pick-up stations, a description of each dish is posted with potential allergens. This reminds the waiters of the ingredients in each dish and is a double check if an allergy is identified by the guest. 
 

 

 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[MoCruiseFan]

My family and I had an amazing time on thgis cruise.  We were in balcony cabins on deck 11 and 14.  The crew took very good care of us and were constantly checking in on us to see if we needed anything at all.  The sapphire dinner with the officers was great.  We ate specialty dining all other nights and the food was perfect each night.  We had breakfast at the Local the first day and my wife was very pleased with how perfectly her food was prepared.  We asked for the chef to come see us and I gave him a $5 tip for how well the meal was prepared.  A few days later we went back and they were already on the lunch menu.  I had a real taste for breakfast and Roman (the chaef) prepared eggs and an english muffin for me even though breakfast had stopped over an hour prior.  I tipped him anotehr $5.  The ports were all very good and we had a blast at each one.  We did not care too much for the comedy show.  It was OK but no real comedu IMHO.  Chior of Man was really good.  All in all it was a fantastioc trme and I won over $2,000 playing poker! 🙂 We will be sailing again some time later this year.

[BirdTravels]

The 13,412 sq fr Encore Theater seats 877 guests. The theater boasts state of the art lighting, sound, and multiple video walls. 
 

When you are in the production booth, it is always interesting to see that there are pre-scripted announcements at the production manager’s station for show pauses due to technical difficulties, medical emergencies, and fires in different zones of the theater. 
 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

Toward the end of the cruise, The Bird needed to do some laundry, so headed down to Deck 3. 
 

Sticky, itchy tag machine. 

 

265 pound washers and 110 pound dryers. 

 

Dry Cleaner

 

 

For bulk sheets and napkins, the laundry uses a school-bus sized, 12-stage washer. 
 

Edited April 8 by BirdTravels

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.