jake81

This was also true on the Encore last week except it seams to be just too many guests per square foot rather than not enough staff, there just weren't enough chairs / seats at the bar ect. And we had or could see no maintenance issues, ship was in great shape

I'm glad you enjoy it, its a beautiful room I enjoyed passing though just not my thing to spend much time there I wish more cruisers did take your position as I may get some elbow room up top. Sadly they do not

"we mostly hung out on the pool deck, though difficult to find a spot , or rested in the room" ok got it, my quote edited for clarity is above If We wanted to be up in the Sun we did so, if no spot available I would try to sit at the bar, or in the pool, or look around again, then repeat until tired or a spot was found, but didn't really camp out in the same chair all day. Once tired of the sun deck I was ready for the privacy and comfort of my room, as nice as the 15 was I prefer to hang up by or in the pool or rest in the room

Also, how much would a specialty restaurant be if I did not have the Free at Sea? Menus with Prices are available on the website, I can add a Link if you need And, finally, are tips included for drinks or do you pay them separately? There was little to no tips on Drinks on the NCL Encore Cruise I was just on Finally, (not to do with Free at Sea) could someone remind me how dining works on Norwegian ships? Do you make a reservation or just show up? And are there set times or just whenever? There are no set times, it works like a traditional restaurant not a cruise with early and late diner. for the free places you can get a reservation or just show up and hope to get in either way, we only showed up unannounced once and waited 30 mins (4 people). Encore had 3 MDRS and they all had the same menu each night so you can try the others if one is full. and worse case the buffet is always there

Cruised on the Encore with wife and 2 daughters (11 and 14) got a Balcony Room on 14 for the wife and I and an Inside Room for the Girls right across the hall Initial fare around $3k for the balcony room and $2K for the inside room Prior Cruises 2 Disney 2014, 2015 followed by 1 NCL (Escape) 2016 Boat was very nice, incredible finishes everywhere and looked brand new. Incredibly crowded almost everywhere, bumping into people at the breakfast buffet, nearly impossible to fine a chair on the pool deck long time to get a drink at the pool bars etc. Dining reservations were hit and miss Coffee was average to below average quality and why dont they put some coffee out at each floor by the elevators? Food quality was good to great - buffet and free dining options were adequate- Cagney's, Ocean Blue, Los Lobos and Food Republic were all tried by at least a pair of us and were excellent. Ports were were rerouted from GSC to Nassau either due to "Tinder Maint." or high winds depending on who you asked. Little Disappointing but we had a good beach day at Blue Lagoon, requires a 30 min boat ride and some cost but not a big deal St Thomas- Private taxi to Magens Bay, very nice beach but again very crowded Tortola - only walked around the shops, not much there less than an hour off the boat mostly used as a sea day Puerto Plata (Taino Bay) - Incredible Nice Cruise Port, by far the best I have seen as far as the immediate "Port area" is concerned. Very nice large resort style pool with multiple bars and shops all brand new. Anyone looking for an easy port day plan it here (unless you want to Zip Line) you can walk to the pool / resort area and its all free including pool cabanas (except drinks) 14 year old and I did the "Zip and Dip" Tour and it was very nice Sea Days we mostly hung out on the pool deck if we could find a spot , or rested in the room. , girls and I did the slides. wife used the spa quite a bit -for Lunch generally just a snack at the buffet and only went below deck 14 for dinner Overall Pros Quality and design of the Boat Food Quality Ports Love using the Balcony Cons Crowded Pool Deck Nickle and Dime aspect for some items Crowded Bars / wait for drink Long line to get off at ports Crowded breakfast buffet Not sure if this is right place to ask this, but based on my views above would anyone recommend another line such as MSC or Celebrity next time? I would not mind paying a little more( but not Haven Prices). I'm also not crazy about being locked into a 6:30 or 8:00 diner time all week, Id rather take my chances with a reservation each day I choose based on that days schedule Thanks and Im happy to answer any questions or expand more