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You can bring on as many as you like but must pay a $15-per 750-ml bottle corkage fee. This allows you to enjoy the wine anywhere on the ship including your cabin, restaurants etc. Fee is charged right after security. We always bring a few bottles on board and they take us immediately after security to the little table where you sign for the corkage fee and they put the little "Corkage Fee paid" sticker on each bottle.

9 hours ago, PATRLR said:

On our recent Encore cruise, I saw many people grabbing the paper cups and lids from the Starbucks machine and walking over to the free coffee to fill.  I did it myself every morning.  

I'm sure they are trying to avoid waste and all, but, at some point it seems like they should recognize a need and provide paper cups for the free coffee.  At the very least I wish they'd provide decent sized mugs rather than those small cups they provide.

I saw the same thing!

3 hours ago, PATRLR said:

Our November 18 Encore stop in the DR was at Amber Cove.  As we had a full day excursion booked to the Damajagua falls that was unaffected by the change in ports, we didn't investigate or pay attention to what other options were available to us.  We barely even saw the shopping area as our excursion was late getting back.

I've since learned that Carnival has a big pool area right next to the shopping area.  My question is, is that area available to NCL guests when NCL stops there?  Looks kind of nice but I suspect it's off-limits to non CCL lines as I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about it.  

Yes, whatever cruise line is in port that day can use the facilities.

We did a Royal Caribbean sightseeing excursion that dropped us off at JFK and it was very good. We got to the airport mid afternoon and ended up in the lounge. We were flying to Geneva.

2 hours ago, flarad said:

HI, thanks for all the information. We cruise on her in February. We haven't cruised NCL since pre-Covid so my memory is poor on some things. 

1. I saw a video that showed a coffee pot in the room. What kind of coffee is this? Does the steward update the supply? (it was a video of an aft balcony)

2. We are on deck 8 and hoping that there are some places on deck 8 that have am coffee (that would be included in the regular drink package or is free). On the Escape I think they set up coffee in the gelatto area. Seems like I'm a bit coffee obsessed doesn't it? 😝  I just know that because we are aft it's going to be a long walk to anywhere, especially those upper deck food options. 

3. How did you find main dining room dining? was there one you preferred? We have two days of specialty planned so far. 

4. Is there a dueling pianos show on this ship? We have enjoyed this venue on other ships.

What excursions did you do and how were they?

I cannot wait for this cruise. Thanks so much.

 

1. No coffee pot in our room, midship balcony, deck 10, #12146. Don't think they do this anymore because of Covid. Maybe if you are in a suite, yes.

2. Starbucks is on Deck 6 but I don't know if it is included in the regular drink package (probably not). Sorry we didn't have a drink package.

3. We had a great experience with both Savor and Taste. Enjoyed the smaller dining venues. Had no problems walking up and getting a table for 2 but we didn't go during the rush.

4. No dueling pianos.

5 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

I saw it open a few times, probably the sea days, but never once saw anyone in it.  Talk about a wasted space!

I actually saw numerous people in there. They must have had the packages as I looked at the menu and couldn't believe people would pay that much for what was offering.

2 hours ago, AtlantaAlly said:

I couldn’t tell from the dailies photos: were there any specialty restaurants opened for lunch? I recall that food republic usually is on sea days- but wondering if any others?

Good question. I will go back through the Dailys and see if I can find something. I know there was a private function going on in LeBistro one day. Also, saw American Diner open on the sea days. Other than that, I do not think they were open.

Disembarkation information Norwegian Encore

Day 7 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

22 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Thanks for all the great info.  Was the bar open in the buffet at breakfast for Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Screwdrivers?  If so, was it open on disembarkation day?  Thanks.

Yes, open until.midnight. Mostly opened at 6 a.m. though according to the dailies, there were a day or two where it opened at 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. Sorry we didn't use their services.

Disembarkation - cannot answer that.  The buffet is open from 6 to 9 a.m. Will post that information shortly.

Day 6 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

Day 5 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

Day 4 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

Day 3 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

Day 2 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

Day 1 Norwegian Encore Freestyle Daily

14 hours ago, skatie said:

How did you find the service at the bars and dining rooms on Beyond?  Are there some bars that are more “quiet” and quicker /easier to get a drink?  Thanks!

I know several people had issues with the bar service but we didn't. Favorite was the Sunset Bar and had great service with a waiter named Adelion. He only works at the Sunset Bar.

15 hours ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

 

Thank you!  Do you know if you can make reservations for the Beatles shows?

No, you cannot.

Just updating with the last names of the General Manager and Cruise Director.

Captain: Joel Gottberg

General Manager: Igor Futivic

Cruise Director: Paquito Fuchs

Food and Beverage Director: Charles

Executive Chef: Praveen

Beverage Manager: Marjan

Assistant General Manager: Mirko

Guest Services Manager: Alfie

Assistant F & B Director: Vikram

Executive Housekeeper: Bonifacio

Restaurant Manager: Jay

15 hours ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

Do you know which days and time they have the large production shows?

Beatles Invasion: Through the Years  was Day 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Choir of Man: 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Day 2

Kinky Boots: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Day 3

Vocalist Alex Yost, 9 p.m. Day 4

Kinky Boots: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Day 5

The Choir of Men: 7:30 and 10 p.m. Day 6

Day 7: The Beatles Invasion: Beatlemania @ 7:30 p.m.

11 minutes ago, dlh015 said:

I guess I'll ask the hot topic question right now:  what was the location of your stateroom and how much creaking/groaning did you hear, if any?

We were on Deck 10 midship, Concierge Class, Infinite Balcony. Never heard anything.

27 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Could you please post who the Senior Officers are both Bridge and Hotel.

Thank You

 

Captain: Joel Gottberg

General Manager: Igor

Cruise Director: Paquito

Food and Beverage Director: Charles

Executive Chef: Praveen

Beverage Manager: Marjan

Assistant General Manager: Mirko

Guest Services Manager: Alfie

Assistant F & B Director: Vikram

Executive Housekeeper: Bonifacio

Restaurant Manager: Jay

14 minutes ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

I'd love the dailies also and to know about the music onboard. 

At what point were you told about the change to Amber Cove?  

When we got to our cabin on embarkation day (Nov. 13), there was a letter.

Jazz standards with Alexa (plays piano and sings); Piano and vocals by Beau Tahana; Keepin' It Country with Neilly Rich Band; Party Time with  Latin Soul Duo; DJ Keith and DJ Leroy; ADDA Band; and Full Coverage Band.

Beyond is a beautiful ship and doesn't feel like a cruise ship at all. The cabin and bathroom were spacious and decorated wonderfully. We had a Concierge Class Infinite Balcony, which we probably would not book again. We like a traditional balcony more but it was fun to try out.

Celebrity's food was a very big disappointment especially the buffet. Food wasn't hot a lot of times. Some others have said they were starving and couldn't wait to get to McDonald's for a real meal. That is a bit ridiculous. There were plenty of things to eat but they just weren't that great.

Other than just relaxing or playing the occasional trivia contest, we were a bit bored on the Beyond. The evening shows like Arte and Elements were great except for the comedian.

That said, NCL's Choir of Men was the best show we have seen on sea or land. Would we go back on both ships? Yes but we purchased the future cruise deposits for NCL.

And, yes, we have sailed both before many times and have Elite status on Celebrity and Platinum status on NCL.

1 minute ago, Phil265 said:

It would be great if you could post the latest dailies! Thank your sharing your experience! I will be on the Encore in december myself.

Are the Christmas decorations up yet? Anything else that is new?

No Christmas decorations yet. I think they wait until the Thanksgiving sailing or the week after.

Lots of new people on board and lots leaving for vacation.  We did go to Amber Cove instead of Puerto Plata. Itinerary was: Great Stirrup Cay, St. Thomas, Tortola and Amber Cove. Will try to figure out how to post the dailies. Lots of information.