Encore vs Bliss

[jinaworm]

We have a cruise booked on the Encore in May 2021. I was trying to decide between the Encore and Bliss. Looking for pros and cons of the different ships.

[hallux]

They're more alike than different.

 

The most major difference is that the Encore moved the laser tag to the aft end of deck 17 where the Bliss has Spice H2O (the free adult-only area, which is not present on Encore as a result).  On the Encore in place of the deck 20 laser tag (where it is on the Bliss) is expanded Vibe Beach Club which is the for-pay adult-only area.

 

Some interior finishings will be different, some of the specialty restaurants are different (Encore has Onda in place of La Cucina on Bliss).  Both have the awesome Observation Lounge. Both have the Waterfront.

 

Biggest tip I can suggest - search YouTube for tours of both ships.

[jinaworm]

Thank you! 

[bluesea777]

Encore’s vast Vibe Club do not have *padded* loungers. 
 

Also, the main midship chandelier on the Encore has been described as Bubble Crap. 
 

having been on both ships (and greatly enjoyed our cruises) I’d give an edge to Bliss due to lack of Spice H2O on Encore - Laser Tag doesn’t interest us at all. 
 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, jinaworm said:

We have a cruise booked on the Encore in May 2021. I was trying to decide between the Encore and Bliss. Looking for pros and cons of the different ships.

You have made an excellent choice. We have sailed on both ships. The ships are sisters, with a vast majority of features are similar between the two. Like sisters, each have a few unique features.

 

Most of the changes on the Encore have been implemented based on the the demands of the contemporary cruiser. NCL has been at the forefront of implementing features for the next generation cruisers.

 

When we first started cruising, you had to rent a hard, wooden deck chairs and tip the chair attendant to open a chair for you (a way of avoiding chair hogs). Things have changed since then, and we appreciate NCL for being willing to lead the evolution of the cruise market,,, something RCL (who we sail on about 1/2 the time) is chasing after.  

[Sand and Seas]

We enjoyed both ships.  The Observation Lounge on both are really great.  Both ships have an enclosed separate area in the casinos for smoking which worked to keep those decks smoke free.

 

Onda (on Encore) is my 'new' favorite NCL restaurant.    For our recently cancelled cruise, we had booked two nights at Onda😕

[david_sobe]

1 hour ago, Sand and Seas said:

We enjoyed both ships.  The Observation Lounge on both are really great.  Both ships have an enclosed separate area in the casinos for smoking which worked to keep those decks smoke free.

 

Onda (on Encore) is my 'new' favorite NCL restaurant.    For our recently cancelled cruise, we had booked two nights at Onda😕

I agree. Onda could be the tie breaker.  We also ate twice at Onda.  If you are into Go Karts...the Encore track is bigger.  If you want Spice then Bliss if your you.  If you want laser tag then Encore has a bigger venue.  Other than that the ships are pretty much the same.

[debenson0723]

If the Bliss had Onda, it would be perfect (at least for me).

 

[BirdTravels]

Yes, we had a reservation at Ondaatje on our cancelled cruise this week. Sad. 

[swmichigan cruiser]

Hard to go wrong with either. We have spent 29 nights on the Bliss and were scheduled with 21 more but cruise was canceled. We have spent 14 nights on the Encore. My preference right now is the Encore because I enjoyed Choir of Man slight!y more than Jersey Boys and many of the staff we got to know on the Bliss moved to the Encore. I really like both.