Nice return to cruising

Item: Norwegian Encore
Rating: 4.2
Author: KandBStone

Norwegian Encore Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

KandBStone

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 85

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5

Verified Review

21 Night Panama Canal Mexico & Costa Rica (Miami To Seattle)

Sail date: April 17, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Encore

Cabin number: 12617

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Beautiful ship with wonderful staff! This cruise was only at 60% capacity so it was easy to get tickets for shows and tables for meals. The staff to passenger ratio was probably close to 1:1. Lots of training being done.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Even with all the extra steps due to covid slowing things down we felt the embarkation went okthat

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Taste/Savor were our choices for most breakfasts and dinners. Good food and excellent service! Went to Onan and Food Republic. Would definitely go back to Food Republic, so many great choices! The food was good at Onan just not outstanding. Excellent service at both restaurants. Went to the Local and Garden Cafe for the occasional meal/snack and found them to be good also.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Used the fitness center most days. Well equipped and clean. We aren't really pool people but we did have a couple of dips to cool off. I can see that this could be very crowded if the ship was full. Enjoyed the waterside. Too bad the deck is so hot to walk on in barefoot! We tried the Galaxy pavilion and it was great fun even for us 60+ folks! Once again we were fortunate to be on a low occupancy cruise and didn't have to wait for any of the stations

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Norwegian has the best stage shows! Kinky Boots and Choir of Man were spectacular! We also enjoyed the comedians and Beatles cover band. We found the pool deck entertainment was too loud for our liking. Good music just too loud!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Can't say enough about the service we received in all areas of the ship! Everyone was so friendly and eager to make your day the best it could be!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

We love this class of Norwegian ships! The Waterfront and Observation Lounge are incredible areas to spend time with a drink and a book or just watching the ocean go by! We like the smaller main dining options of Taste/Savor vs the larger Manhattan Room.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Club Balcony Suite 11236 We got this cabin on an upgrade bid from an inside cabin so it was a great deal! Appreciated having the larger bathroom with the 2 faucet sink as well as the larger shower with the rainhead shower and special shower nozzles.