Encore mini review

[Apsalar]

We got off the Encore yesterday and overall had a great time, with a couple of small bumps. We enjoyed the ship and the cruise. 

 

The room was mostly great. We had a family oceanview on deck 5, number 5776. It was very spacious with lots of closet and drawer space, a curtain between the beds, and a big (for a cruise ship) bathroom. The steward was very good. The only problem was sometimes around 6am we'd hear them moving things around on the deck above us. To avoid this, I'd get a room more forward next time, directly under the atrium. 

 

There were a lot of kids on board. Most evenings the Splash Academy reached capacity for 3-9 year olds. We handled this by getting in line around 6:45pm (on sea days it opens at 7) and always got a spot. I think everyone who was actually in line at 7:00 was fine, but when we went to pick the kid up around 9pm there would often be people waiting for a spot. I wish they had an overflow area for the younger kids when the cruise has a lot on board, but at least right now, they don't, so if you've got kids and they want to go in the evenings, plan appropriately. I don't think they ever had capacity problems in the morning or afternoon sessions.

 

The pool area gets very very crowded and loud. We went to the kids pool a couple of times and until around 4pm it was hard to just find a spot to put down my stuff, and I didn't even need a lounger. My daughter liked the pool and kids aqua park a lot, though. We're not "hang out on the sun deck" people so the crowds up there mostly didn't concern us.

 

It was never that hard to find a spot to sit indoors. The observation lounge is huge with plenty of room. The district beer bar is spacious with lots of seating that was never full except at night when they had a music/comedy show. The waterfront got crowded on sea day afternoons, but there were always seats available. 

 

Food and drinks were good and plentiful. Choir of Man was very good. We didn't see any other shows or do any of the extra cost activities, so can't comment on those. 

 

 

[McFins]

Thank you!  Glad you enjoyed the cruise. 

[worktocruise610]

Thank you for the review - going in May & reading some stuff makes me nervous, then I read something from people like you & I feel better. &8 days & I can't wait!!! Glad you had fun

[BSR]

Thanks for your review.