Encore, Getaway, Escape or Sky? I need NCL experiences - especially if you have teenagers!

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

Hello!

 

I love NCL for the two of us.  We usually sail another line when we take the 15 y/o with us, but we got a sweet deal with NCL for next year.  She will be sixteen.  A quick Google search says Encore wins for best ship for teeenagers.

 

I have done a search, and the four ships that "work" for our time frame and homeports are:

 

Encore

Getaway

Escape 

Sky

 

Which one would you choose to help entertain a teenager who loves the big ships and why?

 

TIA!!

[ggTexasGal]

19 minutes ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

Hello!

 

I love NCL for the two of us.  We usually sail another line when we take the 15 y/o with us, but we got a sweet deal with NCL for next year.  She will be sixteen.  A quick Google search says Encore wins for best ship for teeenagers.

 

I have done a search, and the four ships that "work" for our time frame and homeports are:

 

Encore

Getaway

Escape 

Sky

 

Which one would you choose to help entertain a teenager who loves the big ships and why?

 

TIA!!

A teen is quite likely to get bored on the SKY (especially for a week or longer) because it is much smaller and does not offer as many activities.  Each of the other three offer their own crowd appeal, so without knowing your daughter, it's actually difficult to answer.  I'd let her "study" what's available on each.  Here's a link to NCL ships (just scroll down to find each) https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship

[palpieha]

All of the ships have Entourage, the teen club where no parents are allowed (13-17 years of age, strictly enforced). If she likes meeting other teens and hanging out, playing video games, doing activities like scavenger hunts, she'll enjoy Entourage.

 

The Sky is the smallest of those ships you listed, and has the fewest things to do.

 

The other three are similar in size, although the Breakaway is slightly smaller (Encore and Escape are Breakaway Plus class). They all have the Waterfront which is one of my favorite places.

 

Would she enjoy a ropes course (Escape, Breakaway), or go carts (Encore)?

 

Are you staying in the Haven? If no, then you might want to consider that the Encore doesn't have Spice H2O. Not that your 16 year old can access it, but something for the adults to think about. If not going Haven, I would always rather pick a ship with Spice H2O.

[cruiseny4life]

16 hours ago, palpieha said:

Would she enjoy a ropes course (Escape, Breakaway), or go carts (Encore)?

Just to add the Getaway also has a ropes course. They did take the climbing wall and mini golf off the Getaway (not sure about Breakaway). 

[BirdTravels]

On 6/20/2022 at 4:04 PM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

Hello!

 

I love NCL for the two of us.  We usually sail another line when we take the 15 y/o with us, but we got a sweet deal with NCL for next year.  She will be sixteen.  A quick Google search says Encore wins for best ship for teeenagers.

 

I have done a search, and the four ships that "work" for our time frame and homeports are:

 

Encore

Getaway

Escape 

Sky

 

Which one would you choose to help entertain a teenager who loves the big ships and why?

 

TIA!!

Encore and Escape are the larger ships. They will have more teens onboard. On embarkation day, sign her up at the Entourage teen club on Deck 5. She needs to go on embarkation day to "make friends". By Day 3, you won't see her because she'll be hanging with the teen group. They find places on the ship to hang out. They feed themselves when they are hungry.  

[butterfly4108]

Recently travelled with two 14 yr old girls, a 16 yr old boy and 19 yr old.  We were on the Bliss but also had the go cart race track, etc....based on our experience the Encore would win hands down...they were on the cars most of the time 😄 

[aubreyc1988]

Encore hands down. Has the speedway and laser tag, plus the slides and such so that is good for kids. It wins out over Getaway/Escape because Encore has the non smoking casino and an enclosed smoking room...even if you do not play, you will appreciate this because the casino is open to decks 6-7-8 and smoke travels on the Getaway/Escape (they do not have a smoking room)

 

The Encore also has the observation deck, which is great for adults

[FlGoodShips]

I vote...Encore.

Like someone else stated, make sure you sign her up upon embarking to the Entourage. She will love it. Lots of activities for teens.

[weltek]

I would pick Escape or Encore, which are very similar ships. I love the Escape because it has SpiceH20, District Brew House, Pincho Tapas, and Food Republic. Encore has the District Brew House and Food Republic, but not Spice or Pincho. But it DOES have an observation lounge. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but Encore's pool area might be smaller than the Escape?

I prefer the ropes course over race cars, but you and your teen's preferences may differ. 

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either. But also check embarkation ports. The Escape was going out of Port Canaveral, which is a less convenient port for those flying in. If you are driving, then you may actually prefer Port Canaveral over Encore's Miami port.

I don't think your teen will be as happy on the Sky. It's an older ship with fewer choices. Breakaway is sort of a middle of the road ship. Newer, lots of choices, but not as many "BIG" activities (racetrack, ropes course) as the Escape or Encore.

[Dannirose]

We had 2 teens in our group with us on the Escape and they absolutely loved it. We rarely saw them because they were so involved with the onboard activities through the Entourage club. The waterslide was a huge hit, as was the arcade.  

[caneschic74]

Definitely Encore. Way more to do. Just got off Sky (no kids) and we were all bored every night. Definitely not enough to do for teens that we could find. Mediocre entertainment for the adults unless shopping, art auctions and the casino are your thing. Comedian was good though.