Able Seaman H Posted December 6, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Having had a couple of days on board now I suppose it's about time to raise my head above the parapet and start putting something together. First things first, Encore is a gorgeous ship. In many ways it reminds me of a private motor yacht rather than a cruise ship. I am fortunate to own a boat made by a company called Princess Motor Yachts in Plymouth, England - you might have heard of their somewhat vulgar cousins Sunseeker. Walking round Encore is like touring the various offerings from Princess at a boat show. The attention to detail, use of timber, choice of fabric, quality of stainless steel and general presentation is exactly what you get in a top class private yacht. There is a risk with private yachts that their owners and designers try too hard and stray into the realm of bad taste. Encore has a comforting air of conservatism whilst in no way being dull or old fashioned. I will be putting together a video of the ship but for now I'm just wandering around, occasionally with a camera making mental notes. I don't intend for this to be a blow by blow account of our cruise and won't be commenting in any particular order so pay attention lest you miss something out. If you have any particular questions feel free to ask, if I can I will answer but I won't be measuring the length of the cotton buds or plumbing the depths of hot tubs and pools. I've done 4 previous cruises on board Sojourn but stepped on here with an open mind, just because they did it on Sojourn doesn't mean they necessarily have to on Encore to win my seal of approval. Just about to head off for pre-dinner drinks so haven't got too long. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 6, 2016 Author #2 Share Posted December 6, 2016 A small technical glitch, the ship's internet doesn't seem to like photobucket. So at this stage not sure how I'm going to share images with you !! Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalliowner Posted December 6, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Hi Henry I would like to know if you can notice the extra 150 passengers,are the bars restaurants etc noticeably more crowded or is the size of the ships increased enough not to notice ? Many thanks John:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Dan Posted December 6, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) Hi Henry I would like to know if you can notice the extra 150 passengers,are the bars restaurants etc noticeably more crowded or is the size of the ships increased enough not to notice ? Many thanks John:D I understand that the ship is carrying only 430 pax. Edited December 6, 2016 by Host Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEESRE Posted December 6, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Thank you very much for your effort so far. Pity we can not see the pictures etc. But will have to bide our time till you disembark. If you go by the changing rooms at the spa could you look to see if they have put in a sauna, like Sojourn, but I suppose they do not have the steam room like Odyssey. These were FOC for all passengers and we did not have to pay for the luxury ones etc. Many thanks. Enjoy the rest of your cruise, I am sure you will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliana Posted December 6, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 6, 2016 This is to Host Dan. There are at least three threads about the Encore. Is there any way you can cobine them into one. This would much facilitate our reading and commenting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Dan Posted December 6, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 6, 2016 This is to Host Dan. There are at least three threads about the Encore. Is there any way you can cobine them into one. This would much facilitate our reading and commenting. Thank you for the suggestion. Although the threads have to do with the new ship, in my opinion they are very different and would not make sense if they were merged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare frantic36 Posted December 6, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) Thank you for the suggestion. Although the threads have to do with the new ship, in my opinion they are very different and would not make sense if they were merged. I agree Dan. The threads are different in style and there will be enough comment in both that it will become confusing if merged into one. For myself I find it tedious searching through threads that go on for many pages, i.e. 6/7 or more. That would surely happen if the threads were merged. Julie Bon Voyage Henry. Thank you for your insight into the ship so far. Edited December 6, 2016 by frantic36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 6, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Thank you very much for your effort so far. Pity we can not see the pictures etc. But will have to bide our time till you disembark. If you go by the changing rooms at the spa could you look to see if they have put in a sauna, like Sojourn, but I suppose they do not have the steam room like Odyssey. These were FOC for all passengers and we did not have to pay for the luxury ones etc. Many thanks. Enjoy the rest of your cruise, I am sure you will. Yes, there is a male & female sauna in the changing rooms. The rooms are quite palatial, ladies slightly larger than the mens. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #10 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Lunch prep in the Colonade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairsin Posted December 7, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Oh you have my favorite chef -- Jes! You lucky dog! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Seating outside Colonnade Restaurant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Oh you have my favorite chef -- Jes! You lucky dog! Sent from my iPad using Forums The food so far has been excellent. Last night in the main restaurant enjoyed Thomas Keller inspired lobster which was superb, melted in the mouth. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thomas Keller restaurant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP946 Posted December 7, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thank you Henry for taking the time to post your usual excellent photos, Encore looks lovely. There are quite a few familiar faces amongst the staff. Enjoy your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #16 Share Posted December 7, 2016 An officer in reflective thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Rear entrance to the dining room. Also used as embarkation entrance to the ship. Main restaurant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #18 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Patio seating behind Seabourn Square Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markham Posted December 7, 2016 #19 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Able Seaman H, Thank you for these interesting photos. Very elegant ship! Can't wait to board in Dubai. Happy and healthy sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joc123 Posted December 7, 2016 #20 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thank you so much for the photos - that should keep us happy for awhile! She does look lovely, similar to the other ships but different enough to make it exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seacap Posted December 7, 2016 #21 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thank you so much for these great photos,it is much appreciated from us not on board.She looks like a beautiful ship,however I am interested to see if the 150 additional quests will make the ship feel crowded.Thanks in advance for any future photos and information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillcruising Posted December 7, 2016 #22 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Wonderful photos so exciting. I have a feeling the Cabana area means there are no Shuffleboard courts anywhere which is a shame as we love this traditional ship activity. Would appreciate a quick photo if possible of the complimentary sun beds on deck12 and any outdoor activity we could do. We are on board next July and can't wait. Wishing you a wonderful trip and I look forward to all your observations and photos. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suite Travels Posted December 7, 2016 #23 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Than you for posting the pictures. The ship looks stunning and we can't wait to sail her next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincslady Posted December 7, 2016 #24 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Lovely pics, Henry; she looks really classy and not at all blingy. A few questions, for when you have time (I note you have a few sea days coming up from 12th). Outside the Square looks lovely, but I think it is still at least partly smoking? Is the TK grill and its outside area only open in the evening? Seems a waste of quite a lot of space if so. Are the TK eating arrangements the same as at present on the Quest - same menu but with choices in the grill, some evenings the Ad Hoc style in the Colonnade, and the insert of three dishes in the restaurant menu every other evening? Good to see rather less 'struck by lightning' carpets in the hallways. It sounds as if the shape of the V1 to V6 suites has changed a bit - I hope there is enough room to walk through between the bed foot and the narrow desk and wall. And are there only about 450 on board at present? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #25 Share Posted December 7, 2016 (edited) I haven't asked about passenger numbers but at no time has the ship felt even remotely busy. I'm going to wait to answer that question though. Next cruise is the holiday (Christmas & New Year) sailing when you know it will be full to the gunwales. Let's see how that looks. One thing that is worth mentioning is that there are now a choice of 2 show rimes, tonight that would be 8.30pm and 10.00pm. I will take some pictures of the lounging areas throughout the cruise. We are eating in Thomas Keller this evening and very much looking forward to it. We'll have a couple of drinks in the bar there first. We had a TK family dining night in the Colonnade on Monday so they are still being run as well as the main TK restaurant. I'm not sure our suite on deck 6 has changed that much from it's equivalent on Sojourn in terms of size & layout. I will post up some photos. Henry :) Edited December 7, 2016 by Able Seaman H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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