Everything... Norwegian ENCORE! Launch Nov 2019

[Kingkonig]

1 minute ago, packercruising said:

On Breakaway, the smoking area was not enclosed. It was open to the decks above and below it and there was basically no way to avoid it.

 

Maltings might have a cigar lounge where people can smoke. Usually one side of the pool deck is for smokers. 

 

Right, the Breakaway class ships don’t have enclosed smoking areas.  Though if I remember correctly, the Breakaway+ class do.

 

And I believe the cigar lounge is specifically for cigar smokers (or at least it was).  Maybe with fewer smoking areas they’ll open it up

[Beardface]

9 minutes ago, packercruising said:

On Breakaway, the smoking area was not enclosed. It was open to the decks above and below it and there was basically no way to avoid it.

 

Maltings might have a cigar lounge where people can smoke. Usually one side of the pool deck is for smokers. 

 

Maltings does have the Cigar Lounge, it shows on the deck plans for Encore.  Though, that's only for cigars.

[js]

Thank you for those that let me know the Local is the new OSheehans.

Also, American Diner is just like having Johnny Rockets on RCCL.  We actually went there

and ate lunch last August and my dh would take my nephews every day for shakes.  So, I'm guessing, this will be utilized on NCL.

 

There was mention above about the Escape and I must say, that was the nicest NCL ship my family has sailed. The Haven was very pretty.  If I wasn't booked in the Haven on Encore, I think I would be jumping ship since the area looks very pretty and big enough for the amount of cabins.  I actually looked yesterday about switching our booking to Escape but see it's in Europe and we can't do that next summer.  I also looked about moving to RCCL, three balcony cabins on Oasis class (love them) but it will almost be same price adding in flights for five people from NY/Florida (won't do RCCL in suites unless they have the dedicated area).  I would have also moved to MSC Seaside YC but my family really enjoys the nightlife on NCL.  NCL high Haven prices are, though, what made me try MSC YC and have our third cruise booked on Seaside for February.  If it were just my dh and me, I would most certainly cancel and move to YC. Oh well.  I am still very excited but as I said, if I wasn't in Haven, I would move ships. 

 

Thank you for this thread, I love it.

 

Edited June 12, 2019 by js

[mking8288]

Here's more "news" - on new up-charge specialty/themed "upscale" dining, for "your convenience" of course - officially "announced" this morning ... 

https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2019/06/12/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-dining-for-encore.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

Onda by Scarpetta ... "Italiano" dining at sea

 

Thus, La Cucina on its way out 

 

[JamieLogical]

12 minutes ago, packercruising said:

On Breakaway, the smoking area was not enclosed. It was open to the decks above and below it and there was basically no way to avoid it.

 

Maltings might have a cigar lounge where people can smoke. Usually one side of the pool deck is for smokers. 

 

On the newer ships (Joy, Bliss, and Encore) the smoking area of the casino is enclosed, but you are *supposed* to be gambling in order to smoke there. Maltings will likely have a cigar lounge, but that is *supposed* to be restricted to cigars. No cigarettes or vaping/e-cigarettes.

 

We will have to wait and see if there is a smoking area somewhere on the pool deck.

[Gigi1068]

2 minutes ago, Beardface said:

 

Maltings does have the Cigar Lounge, it shows on the deck plans for Encore.  Though, that's only for cigars.

I smoke but I avoided that room on Escape because you come out reeking!  The little corner in Spice H2O was the better location and since that’s no more...I don’t sail until 12/15 so maybe I can quit by then 😁

[Kingkonig]

2 minutes ago, Gigi1068 said:

I smoke but I avoided that room on Escape because you come out reeking!  The little corner in Spice H2O was the better location and since that’s no more...I don’t sail until 12/15 so maybe I can quit by then 😁

Haha if you’re serious, good luck!  It took me a few times to quit (well....more than a few), but it was worth it!

[Beardface]

2 minutes ago, Gigi1068 said:

I smoke but I avoided that room on Escape because you come out reeking!  The little corner in Spice H2O was the better location and since that’s no more...I don’t sail until 12/15 so maybe I can quit by then 😁

 

I don't mind it as a late night whiskey and cigar place.  Though, you're right about the smell.  That said, I find that my clothes reek after a cigar regardless of where I go.

[bkrickles1]

18 minutes ago, TheDougOut said:

 

It displaces Margaritaville...

 

 

While it definitely seems like a better option than Margaritaville, which was a ghost town on Escape last summer (although free breakfast there was very nice), my crew rarely is interested in spending extra on lunch/snack type food.

On another topic, it's a little disheartening to see Vibe expanded like it seems to be.

My favorite sea day spot on Escape was on deck 19, right outside of Vibe. It had a bar, whirlpools, misting machine and was never crowded. And was all of 60 seconds from the pool area if you wanted to take a dip.

This area appears to be gone on Encore as Vibe seems to have taken that entire area plus the sun deck on 20.

With that in mind, since it's only me, my wife and 19 year old daughter sailing this time, I might just go crazy and get Vibe passes if I can. 

Our itinerary has 3 sea days plus the partial day in San Juan (we never get off there) and Vibe might be great for my lazy crew.

My concern now is that we're flying (free air perk) in day of cruise from NYC and will there be passes available when I board. I'm thinking we might be ok with increased pricing/increased amount of passes. I could fly in day before but then I'm just adding more expense.

I have a little time to decide so we'll see how things shake out.

[Beardface]

Took me a day but I think I am calming down a bit from this.

 

In reality, my wife and I don't spend much time at all near the pools.  We were attracted to this ship because of some of the other things associated with it (go karts, laser tag, galaxy pavilion, Waterfront) and especially because it was one of the few or possibly only itineraries that went on a 7 night cruise to Bermuda out of NYC on the time we were looking to go.  If we want to go to the pool, we'll hop in, enjoy ourselves, hop out and move on.  Sunbathing does nothing for us, it never has nor ever will, and if we want relaxation, we'll just head to the Thermal Spa.

 

I really like some of the features they have brought to this ship regarding dining and entertainment.  It seems like the perfect place to have a nice fun, relaxing trip.  I don't like the nickel and diming, but all cruise lines are pulling this nowadays.  People complain about the UBP on NCL but when we went on RCCL a couple years ago those plans literally doubled the cost of our trip, so NCL's looks like a bargain comparatively speaking, even if I have to pay for premium drinks on the ship.

 

All in all, we're still very much looking forward to our trip.  I hope you are still looking forward to yours as well.

[QueenOfZoom]

I'm booked on the inaugural, first one for me so I'm definitely looking forward to it. That being said, unless there are changes to the current upper deck situation I won't be sailing on Encore again.

 

Lots of comments about restaurants, that's definitely a personal opinion thing. I'm not a fan of Cagney's, O'Sheehan's, and Margaritaville; no interest in Q or the American Diner. Love Food Republic, Ocean Blue, and Le Bistro; looking forward to trying Los Lobos and Odna. 

[JamieLogical]

Do we know yet whether Onda will be an upcharge over the specialty dining credit like Ocean Blue?

[newmexicoNita]

51 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Here's more "news" - on new up-charge specialty/themed "upscale" dining, for "your convenience" of course - officially "announced" this morning ... 

https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2019/06/12/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-dining-for-encore.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

Onda by Scarpetta ... "Italiano" dining at sea

 

Thus, La Cucina on its way out 

 

Just read a few minutes, about this. The article said there will be 34 dining options. Wow, that makes restaurant row anywhere look like just a simple tiny strip mall or something. 

[coriemarie]

13 minutes ago, Beardface said:

Took me a day but I think I am calming down a bit from this.

 

In reality, my wife and I don't spend much time at all near the pools.  We were attracted to this ship because of some of the other things associated with it (go karts, laser tag, galaxy pavilion, Waterfront) and especially because it was one of the few or possibly only itineraries that went on a 7 night cruise to Bermuda out of NYC on the time we were looking to go.  If we want to go to the pool, we'll hop in, enjoy ourselves, hop out and move on.  Sunbathing does nothing for us, it never has nor ever will, and if we want relaxation, we'll just head to the Thermal Spa.

 

I really like some of the features they have brought to this ship regarding dining and entertainment.  It seems like the perfect place to have a nice fun, relaxing trip.  I don't like the nickel and diming, but all cruise lines are pulling this nowadays.  People complain about the UBP on NCL but when we went on RCCL a couple years ago those plans literally doubled the cost of our trip, so NCL's looks like a bargain comparatively speaking, even if I have to pay for premium drinks on the ship.

 

All in all, we're still very much looking forward to our trip.  I hope you are still looking forward to yours as well.

Sigh, Thank you! Calming down as well. (can finally comment on this thread, been watching for weeks, just made an account.)

 

I am feeling the same way. I have been watching this cruise for a long time and finally booked it last week. We wanted to leave from NYC, wanted to stay in Bermuda a few days, my BF loves gaming and racetracks, ETC. I do enjoy laying in the sun and having some drinks, but I think I will be able to manage. its not like there is NO pool or chairs. I really can't do Vibe because the BF does NOT enjoy laying in the sun or swimming much and I don't want to be separated by a $210 wall like that.

 

My concern is smoking though. I have only cruised the Getaway and there was a decent amount of places to smoke, but I know that ship was a few years older. There was a pool smoking 'room', a corner of h20, the cigar lounge and an area outside of the cigar lounge, include the outdoor sunset bar. This was perfect.

 

I am wondering if on any of the newer ships, there was a pool smoking area, or an area outside the cigar lounge on deck 8. Looks like Malting's replaced The Sunset Bar, but it has the same set up. We basically ended every night here drinking and smoking so losing this spot would be a bummer. I mean, there has to be somewhere for us to smoke.

 

 

[packercruising]

46 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

 

My concern now is that we're flying (free air perk) in day of cruise from NYC and will there be passes available when I board. I'm thinking we might be ok with increased pricing/increased amount of passes. I could fly in day before but then I'm just adding more expense.

I have a little time to decide so we'll see how things shake out.

Don't think of it as adding more expense. Think of it as adding more vacation. We always fly in a couple days before the cruise. Flying is not a pleasant experience, checking in, going through security, waiting to board, etc. Then if there are connections, you are running to catch the next flight, Not to mention possible delays. Enjoy the extra time, explore the port city and get to the ship early.

[newmexicoNita]

Here we go again: so many all already complaining about this and that on the ship and it is months before she even sails. Would it be better to just play it by ear and wait until after sailing to decide what is better and what is not. Only time will tell how much of the new will work for most cruisers. 

[rtkenmore]

16 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

Do we know yet whether Onda will be an upcharge over the specialty dining credit like Ocean Blue?

I would hope not as "Italian" is one of the Platinum dinner options so it doesn't seem like it would be fair to then turn and and say if you choose Onda, you have to pay a surcharge to use your Platinum dining certificate.

 

Likewise, if it stays one of the Platinum options without a surcharge, doesn't seem like it would be fair to then charge a surcharge to Specialty Dining Package holders either.  Not a perfect apples to apples comparison...  But surely the signature "Italian" dining place isn't going to start becoming an additional surcharge option for dining packages.

[JamieLogical]

13 minutes ago, coriemarie said:

I am wondering if on any of the newer ships, there was a pool smoking area, or an area outside the cigar lounge on deck 8. Looks like Malting's replaced The Sunset Bar, but it has the same set up. We basically ended every night here drinking and smoking so losing this spot would be a bummer. I mean, there has to be somewhere for us to smoke.

 

To my knowledge, none of the Breakaway Plus class ships allow smoking anywhere outside on Deck 8 (Waterfront). Though I only have personal experience with the Escape and Bliss thus far.

[rtkenmore]

1 minute ago, newmexicoNita said:

Here we go again: so many all already complaining about this and that on the ship and it is months before she even sails. Would it be better to just play it by ear and wait until after sailing to decide what is better and what is not. Only time will tell how much of the new will work for most cruisers. 

 

Or maybe NCL sees enough push back about the greatly expanded Vibe and loss of so much public deck space that they decide to alter those plans while the ship is still under construction instead of sailing out the way it's planned right now...

[Beardface]

Just now, packercruising said:

Don't think of it as adding more expense. Think of it as adding more vacation. We always fly in a couple days before the cruise. Flying is not a pleasant experience, checking in, going through security, waiting to board, etc. Then if there are connections, you are running to catch the next flight, Not to mention possible delays. Enjoy the extra time, explore the port city and get to the ship early.

 

I like flying, and Raleigh-Durham is a really easy airport to fly out of and into.  Pretty much direct flights to anywhere you want, but really only fly regional jets, so its never too crowded.  For me, vacation starts the second I step foot in the airport terminal.  Get through security and its a big sigh of relief.  We always spend a day or two extra in the departure port area so we can allow flying to continue being stress-free while at the same time being able to sightsee a bit in the other city.  For a ship like the Encore which will be sailing out of NYC or Miami, I would say adding a day or two in the city before the cruise would be a must for those not living in those areas.

 

But that said, the Vibe is so much bigger on this ship that they're going to have to increase the number of passes.  My only concern is how much they are going to charge.  $99pp?  I'll think about it.  $200pp?  Hell no, I'll spend that on Spa passes and have a better time.

[rtkenmore]

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

To my knowledge, none of the Breakaway Plus class ships allow smoking anywhere outside on Deck 8 (Waterfront). Though I only have personal experience with the Escape and Bliss thus far.

 

I feel like there was a designated smoking area on Escape on Deck 8 when we sailed for Thanksgiving in 2017.

[packercruising]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Here's more "news" - on new up-charge specialty/themed "upscale" dining, for "your convenience" of course - officially "announced" this morning ... 

https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2019/06/12/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-dining-for-encore.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

Onda by Scarpetta ... "Italiano" dining at sea

 

Thus, La Cucina on its way out 

 

They don't list Le Bistro, which is on deck 17. Surely that is a Specialty Restaurant?

[Kingkonig]

1 minute ago, packercruising said:

They don't list Le Bistro, which is on deck 17. Surely that is a Specialty Restaurant?

 

NCL does list it as one on the “Encore’s” page.  So yes, it is one

[sunnydaygirl]

I’ve booked this ship for next Feb 2. Not a football fan particularly but seem drawn to this time of year. So fifth Super Bowl Cruise!

 

anway, plans are out and as rumored, laser tag has increased in size and taken over the aft deck.  I will miss this adult area. My cabin mate will definitely miss the smoking section. 

Recently off two longer Bliss sailings. Lots of people do use the observation lounge on se days. The food is decent and entertainment +bar, all in air conditioning with a view. 

Taking all those outside seats away with a water feature seems risky. Haven’t seen other deck plans, but where will public spaces be on top? Just the main pool is limiting. 

[Beardface]

2 minutes ago, packercruising said:

They don't list Le Bistro, which is on deck 17. Surely that is a Specialty Restaurant?

 

Per the site

 

Specialty: Ocean Blue, Q, Food Republic, Cagney's, American Diner, Teppanyaki, Los Lobos, Le Bistro, Onda by Scarpetta

Complimentary: Savor, Taste, Manhattan Room, Garden Cafe, The Local, Haven (lol)