Rare BirdTravels Posted August 7, 2021 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2021 It’s that time. It’s the time we have all waited for since the start of the pandemic. It’s time to return to the sea. It’s time for a Great Cruise Comeback. LIVE. Join the Bird for NCL’s return to cruising on the first voyage of the Norwegian Encore from Seattle. After a 16-month suspension of service (it’s been 510 days since the Encore has had paying passengers), it is time for the Norwegian Encore to cruise again. And there is no better place to restart cruising than majestic Alaska! The Encore was purpose-built for the Alaskan cruise market and delivered to NCL on October 30, 2019. The Encore made her way from Southampton to New York to Miami. On November 21, 2019, the Norwegian Encore was christened and named by her godmother, Kelly Clarkson. The Bird’s last NCL cruise prior to the suspension of service was on the inaugural voyage of the Encore from Miami on November 24, 2019. The Encore served her passengers for a little over 3½ months before the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus forced NCL to suspend operations. Since then, she has traveled around the world, returning crew members to their home countries, and patiently waiting for this day when she returns to cruising. This will be the Encore’s first voyage to Alaska with maiden calls at many Alaskan ports. Come along with the Bird for NCL’s Great Cruise Comeback from the United States to the absolute best cruise destination, Alaska. Sat Aug 07 Seattle Depart 5:00 pm Sun Aug 08 At Sea Mon Aug 09 Icy Strait Point 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tue Aug 10 Skagway 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Wed Aug 11 Juneau 6:00 am – 1:30 pm Wed Aug 11 Endicott Arm & Dawse Glacier 1:30 pm – 7:00 pm Thu Aug 12 Ketchikan 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Fri Aug 13 At Sea Sat Aug 14 Seattle Arrive 4:00 a.m. 25 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerooveride Posted August 7, 2021 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Quite fitting that you are starting back up cruising with the same ship you last stepped off! Enjoy! I'll be 2 weeks behind you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Named-Tawny Posted August 7, 2021 #3 Share Posted August 7, 2021 This might be a ridiculous question, but if she was named in Miami at the end of November, what did they call her during her voyage from Southhampton to Miami? Have a great cruise! I'm excited for you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 7, 2021 Author #4 Share Posted August 7, 2021 (edited) The day before cruising resumes, the Norwegian Encore prepares herself to serve her passengers again. She patiently waits at Seattle’s Bell Street Terminal, Pier 66 for us to arrive. Edited August 7, 2021 by BirdTravels 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmandmm Posted August 7, 2021 #5 Share Posted August 7, 2021 🤩 I’m ready! Thank you, Bird! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatestvalue Posted August 7, 2021 #6 Share Posted August 7, 2021 That ship looks like a beauty. It makes me feel better that I may end up on the Encore vs the Bliss in December if speculation comes to fruition. Thanks for posting & following along to cruise in Alaska! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiservictor Posted August 7, 2021 #7 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Wishing you a wonderful cruise. I know a lot of people will ask you to find out one thing or another for them, so here is mine. The GM is Deepak Punia and we sailed with him 4 times on the Escape out of NY in 2018. We will be on the September 11th and 18th cruises next month. Would you ask him if he will still be onboard then? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aubreyc1988 Posted August 7, 2021 #8 Share Posted August 7, 2021 YES, I am so excited for this! Wishing you the best cruise ever! Have a mojito for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Nclgetawaymenhoney Posted August 7, 2021 #9 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Thank you for taking time from your vacation to do this live review. Really looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare EllieinNJ Posted August 7, 2021 #10 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Read your great trip report on Royal's AOS and know this will be just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_sobe Posted August 7, 2021 #11 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Really looking forward to this. Have a great cruise. Encore is a great ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuterlmt Posted August 7, 2021 #12 Share Posted August 7, 2021 We will be on Encore in two weeks! So looking forward to your live report! Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trivimp Posted August 7, 2021 #13 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Bon voyage, Bird! Looking forward to the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorklinbarb Posted August 7, 2021 #14 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Was hoping someone would do a live thread! Can't think of a better person than the Bird to not only take us along on a marvelous journey but to give good info and impressions! You've got a team onboard very receptive to feedback so know you'll also be helping make the cruise better and better. Say hello to Klaus! Hear they are all so so excited! Stay safe & healthy and again, thank you so much for doing a live report! Can't wait! We loved Encore and that Observation Lounge will be so great for viewing! Have fun, Bird! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 7, 2021 Author #15 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Protocols on This Cruise We want to cruise. NCL want to keep us safe. With Norwegian, NCL’s leading Health & Safety Program allows us to cruise with the ultimate freedom and confidence. All guests and crew are required to be 100% fully vaccinated so we can safely do what we’ve always wanted to do on a cruise — EVERYTHING. Let’s get back to living life to the fullest, together. Sail Safe. Feel Free. Benefits of 100% Vaccination Requirements Cruise Mask-free Breathe freely and witness smiles everywhere you go! No Social Distancing Required Get up close and personal with confidence, everyone on board is vaccinated. All Restaurants & Experiences Are Fully Open Dine in any restaurants mask-free, including the self-service buffet. Plus enjoy all entertainment options. No Restrictions on Shore Excursions Feel Free to take the shore excursion you’ve been dreaming of or explore on your own! No Capacity Restrictions Appreciate the full Norwegian experience — all venues and experiences are entirely open. Surround Yourself in Safety Peace of mind knowing all guests and crew on board are fully vaccinated. 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlevin Posted August 7, 2021 #16 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Bird, with fully vaccinated cruise are you still having to get tested prior to boarding? Any testing once onboard? thanks, Marc PS Really looking forward to your reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 7, 2021 Author #17 Share Posted August 7, 2021 14 minutes ago, mrlevin said: Bird, with fully vaccinated cruise are you still having to get tested prior to boarding? Any testing once onboard? @mrlevinWe will be tested at the port before checkin. Rapid antigen test. We have not been told of any other testing. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastingtouch Posted August 7, 2021 #18 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Looking forward to your review. So excited that cruising is BACK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneylover89 Posted August 7, 2021 #19 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Here for the ride!!! Hoping to be on the Encore next summer. Have a wonderful time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 7, 2021 Author #20 Share Posted August 7, 2021 7 hours ago, EllieinNJ said: Read your great trip report on Royal's AOS and know this will be just as good. Thank you. We had a great time on Royal’s first North American restart cruise on the Adventure of the Seas last month. That was a true adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisekitty22 Posted August 7, 2021 #21 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Great information so far. Any reviews of food/restaurants specifically Cagney's, LeBistro and Ocean Blue and Onda? We are on this ship in December! We are lobster fans! Looking forward to your review also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazV Posted August 7, 2021 #22 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Bon Voyage. Looking forward to following along 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shidah Posted August 7, 2021 #23 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Following along, so excited for you. All of us will be living vicariously thorough your posts. Thanks for taking us along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychris Posted August 7, 2021 #24 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Bon Voyage 🛳 have a great time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsTabbyKats Posted August 7, 2021 #25 Share Posted August 7, 2021 I'm along for the ride too. Wanna see how "normal" this cruise is. My idea of "normal" is so very basic....no masks on the ship and a good buffet. I don't ask for much...lol! Have a great trip........ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now