Bucket List Trip through the Panama Canal - April 2024

Norwegian Encore Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Quadrinity

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 5

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

21 Night Panama Canal: Mexico & California (Miami To Seattle)

Sail date: April 07, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Encore

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11774

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 6 months ago

Review summary

We loved the Sea Days. Hated the disorganized Excursions and ZERO attempt to rectify their procedures. The pool deck was a joke, and you weren't allowed to move loungers into the central area. There is NO Spice/H20, so that was a BIG disappointment. Hoping when the ship goes into dry dock in the Fall, there will be 1 added. The "activities" both on the pool deck and in the atrium were really lame. It was difficult to find an outside area to tan that didn't have blasting music, or microphones, guiding guests to do the lame activities. Given that the median age on this cruise was at least 75, for those of us much younger, these activities were a complete waste of time. Also Cruise Director Tiara could take a few lessons from Cruise Director Jack Gow, who was on the Escape Oct/Nov 2022. Tiara read announcement like a flight attendant, and the few times I saw her in the Atrium I was not impressed at all. She needs to drop that fake persona. Tiara comes off as very inauthentic, which doesn't bode well with guests. Locking accessible bathrooms in public areas where bars and restaurants are still open is UNACCEPTABLE - and in spite of numerous requests made to guest services, both Maria (head of accessibility for excursions and ship facilities), and the head of Housekeeping, did NOTHING to address or RECTIFY the situations. The Ship design was okay, our itinerary pretty good, except for Costa Rica. NCL should have tendered guests into the port, rather than sticking the ship in an industrial yard 30+ minutes away. Handicapped Guests MUST get off the ship BEFORE EVERYONE else for excursions. SOMEONE who can command an audience's attention MUST be the person on stage directing EXCURSIONS - Signage showing Excursion names MUST be PLACED in the Theatre. NCL MUST review its accessibility POLICIES, UPDATE THEM and IMPLEMENT ANY CHANGES!!!

Embarkation

5 out of 5

I was temporarily disabled (rupture achilles & using a knee scooter). Embarkation was fantastic! We were fast tracked through the security lines, had to show that we had the drink package to take on 4 bottles of wine. Once wine was repacked we basically walked right onto the ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

We did Ocean Blue, Cagney's, Texas Smokehouse, Onda and Le Bistro. Best was Le Bistro, worst was Onda. At a couple of times at the Local Bar & Grill. It was not good at all. Chicken Wings were constantly undercooked. Soup was broth with a tbsp of vegetables. The Cobb Salad was meh as well. We were used to eating at O'Sheehan's on the Escape, so the Local was a huge disappointment. We rarely ate at the buffet, choosing to have lunch at Taste, Savour, or American Diner. The Diner Fish and Smoked Fish Dip were very good. I noted that in all the restaurants, very few used hand sanitizer provided, and even less washed their hands. Maybe that's why the ship sounded like a TB ward the last 10 days of the cruise.

The Cellars Wine Bar

5 out of 5

Armando and Si Thu were such professionals. They warmed up to us, even though I put ice in all my Wines.We did an old world/new world wine, which was very informative.Hoping NCL will add some Canadian Wines to the Cellars Wine List.

The Manhattan Room - Main Dining Room

4 out of 5

We ate there towards the end of the cruise, Sat at the very back. Our waitress was Lara - she was great.Unfortunately, I got food poisoning, and had to race out of the restaurant before getting through my main course.Was sick for 2 full days.I do not recommend the soup (it was lukewarm) or the potato salad (room temp). Hot foods need to be hot, cold foods need to be cold.

The Local

1 out of 5

Gotta say, The Local was a HUGE disappointment, when we've previously had O'sheehan's on the Escape.Chicken Wings constantly undercooked (after asking they be overcooked), breakfast often came cold, soup was a broth with a smattering of veggies.Quickly learned there's other places for breakfast and lunch that weren't as terrible as the Local.

Le Bistro French Restaurant

5 out of 5

We did this on our last night on the ship. It was by far, the best specialty dinner we had in 21 nights.Roma was our server - fantastic!Also spoke with the Asst. Chef for several minutes.Next cruise, we will do Le Bistro First.

Cagney's Steakhouse

3 out of 5

I had high hopes for this venue having eaten in similar on the Escape and Epic.It wasn't.I chose a 5 oz filet (not a fan of filets in general), but it was the smallest meat portion I could order.Sides were okay, the ambience was meh. Restaurant was packed on both occasions, and given the guests were 75+ in age, very, very LOUD!

American Diner

5 out of 5

This was really, really good food - so glad it's no longer specialty dining.I liked the smoked fish dip (without the nachos). the bleu cheeseburger (without the bun) and the fish sandwich (without the bread).The milkshakes were not worth the additional $7 USD charge.

Ocean Blue

5 out of 5

We went 2x and our waiter was Joel. A bit of a struggle to get a proper Black Russian (the back room bartender should have googled the drink), we had a total blast with Joel our 2nd time. Very accommodating with meal choices, definitely ask for Joel at this restaurant,

Maltings Whiskey Bar

5 out of 5

I so appreciate Bartenders who can make a proper Champagne Cocktail and Limoncello Spritz.The wait staff were friendly, funny, and very amicable.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Hubby used the gym a couple of times. He took a spin class, and booked a second one, and the Instructor never showed . . .

Tradewinds

1 out of 5

This shop offers very little. No bandaids, no first aid kits, no cold meds, no anti nausea meds. The idea that you have to seek out medical on the ship is ridiculous,A few chocolate bar and potato chip options would be appreciated as well.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Much of the entertainment was very good. Unfortunately, there wasn't a performance area at the Skyline area. The Country Band and Beatles in the Theatre were great shows. Archie was very good as well. The Diana Ross tribute was more talking than singing. Best show was Pool Fest.

Encore Speedway

3 out of 5

Hubby and other men in our group did it 2x.The Shooting guns were not charged on both occasions, so basically useless,Would have been helpful if there were overhead cameras to take action shots.

Encore Theater

4 out of 5

We saw the Beatles, the Western Band form New Zealand, the Comedian, and the Donna Summers tribute.I was in a leg cast.Stunned to see so many people with 2 feet and a heartbeat select the Accessible seats simply due to age.Just because you're 65+ doesn't give you an automatic pass to the accessible seats,

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Too many to mention: Edison, Chackie, Si Thu, Armando, all great

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

As a person with a temporary mobility issue, the arranged NCL excursions were a gong show. After Cartegena, I went to Guest Services and was "assured" by multiple employees that it would be addressed in Guatemala . . . Nope. Plus, the cleaning staff are in the habit of locking the accessible bathrooms in the evening, often overnight. I repeatedly notified guest services, but after a theatre show, where 2 out of 3 bathroom were locked, as people were leaving, I went to Guest Services to speak with the head of housekeeping. The situation continued the entire cruise. Finally heard back from '"Maria" in charge of accessibility access for excursions, as well as on the ship, a few days ago. Was "assured" by her that she, her team and housekeeping would address the issue . . . That night, exiting the 9:30 Diana Ross Tribute, again the accessible bathroom was locked. Luckily, the Cleaning Attendant saw me and unlocked the door. Floor was sopping wet. WTF was it getting washed at 10:30 at night, as the theater was exiting, and why could they not mop up the excess water? Our last night, in the Observation Lounge, my husband came back and said all 3 accessible bathrooms on the port side were locked. Asked a server to get housekeeping to unlock them. Girl came up 10 minutes later, went to unlock 1. I went to the bathroom 15 minutes later, only to observe the same housekeeper, open the accessible door from the inside, then hit the red "lock" button, as she exited. I arrived just in time to see her do it. Caught "red-handed" (literally and figuratively 😃), she quickly hit the red button again to unlock the bathroom so I could use it 🤬🤬🤬. Had I not arrived when I did, she would have relocked that bathroom again, and left all 3 locked overnight. So, obviously the issue was not addressed in any way, shape or form, and housekeeping is deliberately locking accessible bathrooms, when bars and restaurants are still open. This will be going well beyond the survey. Both Maria and the head of Housekeeping will be taken to task over this issue . . .

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

It was fine - a standard balcony room

Ship tip

Go in with low expectations. We did 28 days on the Escape Oct/Nov 2022, and noticed a substantial drop in food offerings (no more fois gras), as well as drink options (no more Canadian Beer). Self Serve coffee in the buffet, no one coming around with refills.

Thumbs up