Norwegian Encore – The Great Cruise Comeback Live

[Cruiseaholic07]

See you on board @BirdTravels

[Sand and Seas]

We have enjoyed so many of your reports.  It's very exciting to have you take us with you on this one!

 

Our last cruise was on the Encore, disembarking in February of 2020.  Beautiful ship.  

Have a great cruise😎

[pretty princess]

Thank you for doing this live review.  I have family on this cruise!  Have a wonderful time!!

[HowardK]

I am going to miss the self serve buffet with the linecutters and kids sticking their hands in the food

[zerooveride]

2 minutes ago, HowardK said:

I am going to miss the self serve buffet with the linecutters and kids sticking their hands in the food

I believe NCL is still self-service in the Buffet. 

[NCLGirl2013]

23 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

I believe NCL is still self-service in the Buffet. 

No it is not. There is a couple reviews posted from the Jade last week and they stated it was served by a crew member for the buffet I believe 

[BirdTravels]

The Bell Street Terminal has no real drop off zone. It is right on the Main Street. The union porters are ok with sitting under their tent and getting you to bring your bags to them. This morning, there were a couple with carts on the curb, but it is nothing like other cruise terminals. 

[zerooveride]

38 minutes ago, NCLGirl2013 said:

No it is not. There is a couple reviews posted from the Jade last week and they stated it was served by a crew member for the buffet I believe 

The Jade is sailing with Masks when the Encore is not. I believe the restrictions are a European thing. On the test cruise it was self-service and:

 

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

All Restaurants & Experiences Are Fully Open

• Dine in any restaurants mask-free, including the self-service buffet. Plus enjoy all entertainment options.

Edited August 7, 2021 by zerooveride

[IrishKathy]

We are taking this same cruise one year from now, but know you will be providing worthwhile tips which will be of value then.  Have a wonderful time.

[tokidoki]

57 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The Bell Street Terminal has no real drop off zone. It is right on the Main Street. The union porters are ok with sitting under their tent and getting you to bring your bags to them. This morning, there were a couple with carts on the curb, but it is nothing like other cruise terminals. 

Safe sailing Bird!

[Tucsoncruisers]

Have a wonderful cruise bird!  I love all of your lives, you are the best. Thank you so much!

[LinnieRed]

I’m so very happy that you are doing this! Have an amazing return to cruising. 

[hoopslover]

Looking forward to your report.  Have a great time.

[Shayhooper]

I love that you have managed to be on the 1st sailing for both Royal and NCL.  Have a wonderful trip!

[drcarp4]

Enjoy your cruise! We are hopefully going in October.

 

[coastcat]

Confirmed: it’s self-serve except for the things which are crew-served anyway, such as the delicious dulce de leche ice cream I had for dessert #1.
 

Also, I may have been the first customer at Sugarcane. Music is great, ginger mojito is delicious, we’re back to cruising, it’s all so lovely that I can’t stop smiling. 
 

Now, back to your regularly scheduled word from the Bird. 

[BirdTravels]

 COVID testing at the Marriott was not as successful as they planned. We got in line at 9:30. We got through checkin and testing at 9:50. And for our test results at 11:15 (which includes two crashes of the Eurofin servers. By the time we left, the line to check in stretched for several blocks and looked to be about 90-120 minutes long. They opened the test center at 8:30 for folks with early flights. And were trying to get people to adhere to their reservation times. 


 

You need to pre-register. Those who didn’t had two long lines to stand in. 

 

14 Test Stations. 

 

Like BINGO, you wait for your number to be called

 

 

Edited August 7, 2021 by BirdTravels

[NikiPinkston]

Thank you so much for doing this, BirdTravels!  I always really enjoy all of your posts.  We're on next weeks sailing.  Have a fabulous time! 💗😄

[aubreyc1988]

4 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 COVID testing at the Marriott was not as successful as they planned. We got in line at 9:30. We got through checkin and testing at 9:50. And for our test results at 11:15 (which includes two crashes of the Eurofin servers. By the time we left, the line to check in stretched for several blocks and looked to be about 90-120 minutes long. They opened the test center at 8:30 for folks with early flights. And were trying to get people to adhere to their reservation times. 


 

You need to pre-register. Those who didn’t had two long lines to stand in. 

 

14 Test Stations. 

 

Like BINGO, you wait for your number to be called

 

 

When did you get the option to pre-register? 

[NikiPinkston]

25 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 COVID testing at the Marriott was not as successful as they planned. We got in line at 9:30. We got through checkin and testing at 9:50. And for our test results at 11:15 (which includes two crashes of the Eurofin servers. By the time we left, the line to check in stretched for several blocks and looked to be about 90-120 minutes long. They opened the test center at 8:30 for folks with early flights. And were trying to get people to adhere to their reservation times. 


 

You need to pre-register. Those who didn’t had two long lines to stand in. 

 

14 Test Stations. 

 

Like BINGO, you wait for your number to be called

 

 

So the pre-embarkation covid testing is done at the Marriott...  We're staying at the Marriott Friday night & plan to just walk across the street with our bags.  Did you have to check-in at the pier first?  Hoping we can just go downstairs & get this out of the way & then proceed to Pier 66.  We registered to have our tests taken at 9:30 so, hopefully, we're in good shape.

Edited August 7, 2021 by NikiPinkston
Add

[NikiPinkston]

6 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

When did you get the option to pre-register? 

If I may jump in here (hopefully, BirdTravels is onboard enjoying a pre-embarkation cocktail).  We received an email from NCL on July 31 with a link to register for our covid tests at: 

https://www.eurofins-mylabport.com/account/continue-registration?E=49059

Click on New Patient, complete the info. on the left-hand side, and the program will generate a QR code for your test appointment.  (There will also be a link at the top of the page to add a second person, so you can add another passenger on the same account.)

[chefchick]

18 minutes ago, NikiPinkston said:

If I may jump in here (hopefully, BirdTravels is onboard enjoying a pre-embarkation cocktail).  We received an email from NCL on July 31 with a link to register for our covid tests at: 

https://www.eurofins-mylabport.com/account/continue-registration?E=49059

Click on New Patient, complete the info. on the left-hand side, and the program will generate a QR code for your test appointment.  (There will also be a link at the top of the page to add a second person, so you can add another passenger on the same account.)

May I ask….did you receive this email approx 21 days before sailing?  I know that when trying to complete check in for my upcoming encore sailing it reminds you to come back 21 days beforehand….my assumption was for this testing registration and to receive boarding times, etc.

[suzieq2cruise]

We cruise on 8-21 and are arriving at Sea Tac early that AM.  Am now thinking I should change our appointment time to 10 AM and cab up from Sea Tac to the pier.  We;re Pre registered so that should help and hopefully, they’ll have “reinforced” the servers based on them crashing today…. Bless you for doing this first one and blogging it…

 

Quick question if you get a chance…. Did you drop your luggage before you got in line?  The Logistics guy I married wanted to know and its good question.  Thank you!

 

Glad you got through the line, the wait and are going forward!  Look forward to reading you this week!   

 

Suzy

[libtrek]

We don’t cruise until 9/18. Do we have to wait for communication from NCL or can we register with Euro company now? Hopefully they will have the bugs ironed out by September.

[Sailing12Away]

We're at day 21 today for the 8/28 sailing. After getting to 100% checked in we got the email with the link to register with Eurofins. That link is specific for your cruise, because when we finished it knew we were on the sailing for the 28th. So using the link of someone else's email may not work for you.

 

We opted for the 11am time, just figuring out if we need to schlepp our bags across the street and then come back, or if there will be a magic Haven fairy to do that for us and we just stay at the hotel.

 

*Edit - we're staying at the Marriott the night before. Hence the question about schlepping and then coming back to go back again.

Edited August 7, 2021 by Sailing12Away