This ship has amenities for all ages. From bowling, extreme water slides, virtual reality simulator rides, race tracks, laser tag, Broadway-style productions, exquisite décor, and a variety of cuisines.
Highlights:
The Galaxy Pavillion, laser tag, and the race track. There is a race track on the cruise ship. Need I say more. Due to timing and weather, I actually didn’t have an opportunity to participate, but I did see the extraordinary layout of these exhibits. Simply remarkable. Bravo Norwegian! Or shall I say, Encore!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation experience was smooth and efficient. We were greeted warmly by each of the attendants.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The cuisine aboard the Encore was nothing short of stellar. From the first meal to the last, we were overjoyed with the variety, creativity, presentation, and delivery. I indulged in seafood for many of the meals and it was consistently fresh and succulent. The dining team was courteous, helpful, and efficient. I was asked at each meal if there were allergies or dietary restrictions to make note of. I had none, but it was nice to be asked.
Our first dining experience was at Taste where we enjoyed crunchy popcorn shrimp with remoulade, spinach Caesar salad, crispy fish & chips, grilled skirt steak, and a delectable orange chocolate mousse. The flavors were exceptional and the portions were adequate.
There is a tie for the best meal between lunch on day 2 and dinner on the last night. Between the Mediterranean spiced lamb chops and enormous king crab legs at lunch in the Garden Cafe and the double lobster tails and fried chocolate chip cookie dough wontons at dinner in the Manhattan Room, it’s really difficult to choose. It was all exceptional.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
I was able to walk through the Laser Tag area and it was pretty remarkable. I did not participate as the venue as closed.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
I'm a theater buff. I was able to see 2 of the productions while on board. I saw the Choir of Man and Kinky Boots. Both shows were phenomenal. Although, I had no defined expectations, I can say these productions far exceeded them. I'm still talking about them.
Children's Programs
In the short time we were aboard, I didn't allow time to visit the Splash Academy or other children's programming.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our room steward met us for the first time in the hallway and immediately addressed us by name. I found that pretty impressive as we weren't even in our stateroom the first time we met. He was very personable. The waitstaff throughout ship were always very pleasant and accommodating.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
There are interactive screens aboard the ship which provide a wealth of information regarding the vessel. These screens can also be used to reserve dining and entertainment experiences on board.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I was fortunate enough to be reserved in a mini-suite located at the forward on deck 8. The balcony was quite large. There was 1 full-length lounge chair, 2 standard chairs, and a small table with plenty of room to spare. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to enjoy the outdoors too much due to the brisk New York temperatures.
The stateroom is a reasonable size. The closet space is sufficient with 6 shelves, hanging rod, and 20 hangers. There are plenty of cabinets and an ottoman below the vast vanity area. In addition, there is double sleeper sofa.
We had the opportunity to tour the Haven Suites and the Haven Courtyard. The Haven experience was stunning to say the least. It was truly serene and inviting. Perhaps I’ll be a guest in the Haven one day.
Ship tip
See the shows. The shows could have just as easily been on Broadway and are well worth your time.
We had an extraordinarily early disembarkation time. There was a bit less direction offered upon disembarkation as there had been previously but we managed just fine.
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