Live NCL Encore 2/12/23

[rxlowry]

So I’m back for yet another adventure!  I’m ready to see the difference from our Breakaway cruise that was in November.  I’ve already experienced the sad baked wings of the Local and I’m ready to see the changes first hand.  This is cruise 18 on NCL I believe and I’ve seen changes albeit not so many in such a short period.  I don’t hold back or cheerlead, I just give my observations.   Will it be fun?  I’m sure.  Will there be things I don’t like?  Probably.  But it’s a cruise!! And after so many cruises, I’ve learned they’ve all been good…some just better. 
That’s just a bit of where I’m coming from on this one.  I’ll post here as much as I can with internet.  I’ll blog too with way too many details but I don’t think I’ll post that until I have better internet.  (Alpacamybagsblog dot com)

This cruise finds us in an inside cabin!   No Vibe.  No spa.   Can we do it?  Last year this time, we were mourning the loss of Crystal and booked the Haven as a replacement.  In the summer, I tried the Haven Lite life with club balcony,  premium plus, bad vibe.   October was YC on MSC.  November, was a balcony through upgrade minimum bid.  So yeah, this is different.  But challenge accepted.  I’ll find the fun.  
 

[rxlowry]

So we made it to Miami!  We are staying at the JW Marriott Marquis and score…room ready!   We walked to Bayside Marketplace for a lobster roll and mojito.  Both were fantastic!

We were up early so we hit the concierge lounge for a cortadito pick me up. 

Now it’s lounging in the shade at the pool with a cocktail.  

[Hmmcminn]

I’ll be following along in anticipation of getting on the Encore right after you on the 19th!

[pyropoodle]

following along so we can kick you off in a week! lol thanks for sharing your adventures

 

 

[Stelkp]

Following you too! We are hopping on as you’re getting off! Weather looks great! 

 

[flarad]

We’re on in two weeks.

[Slainte57]

Will be here with you!

[rxlowry]

We enjoyed the concierge lounge last evening.   It had very nice offerings of cheese courgette, chicken quesadila cones, hummus, vegetables, shrimp cocktail and cheese plate.  We purchased a glass of wine and enjoyed the view, watching the Virgin ship leave Miami 

 

 

 

 

[rxlowry]

Check-in was a breeze!  Had 9-9:30 arrival and got here at 9:30.  There was a queue to go up escalator as they were not allowing anyone up yet.  But soon they did,  we were through security and key card in had by 9:45ish.  We did avoid the line as no one was in the latitude line at all.  Boarding group three although we should board with latitudes but I don’t see a waiting area like New York has.  My last time in this terminal we were Haven so new to this side.  

[Hmmcminn]

Have fun!  I can’t wait until this time next week!

 

If you get a chance, could you post the Freestyle Dailies (or just the What’s Happening Today pages)?  Thanks.

[pyropoodle]

also, if you get a chance, can you tell us if the kid's club is open the first night? thank you

[amygutman]

So excited to be following along - we are on the Encore in September (only 224 days away 😁) for our first Alaska cruise. The ship looks lovely so I cannot wait to follow your adventures. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to let us live vicariously through you and your family.

Warmest, Amy

[Cmkraemer]

We are on in 2 weeks. We're Haven with a 9-930 arrival time. Never sailed out of the new terminal yet so we're excited to finally see it and the Haven check in process and lounge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rxlowry]

On 2/12/2023 at 1:46 PM, pyropoodle said:

also, if you get a chance, can you tell us if the kid's club is open the first night? thank you

Yes it was

[rxlowry]

So the live has not been very live.  My apologies.   I had read that CC was a free site so I thought I could do this without using minutes.  The first page of CC loads but it never opens anything from there.   I’m on my minutes now and works. 
Here’s the catch up.  First day went great.   We were on with Sapphire and made show reservations, changed a dinner time for first night and reserved wines around the world as well as officers dinner.  
great Rueben sandwich for lunch in the Local which got packed quick.  
Explored and had cocktails while waiting for our friends we me on last February’s cruise on the Joy.  After meeting up, that meant more cocktails.   
Our cabin is an inside this time which our friends teased us since we were Haven last time.  Downside and lesson learned…do not book under Observation Lounge.  Very loud.   All day and night.  Was right below pool deck on Joy in June and was no problem.  This is not great.  
First time my suitcase did not arrive before the muster drill.  Muster started at four with announcement to go to theater and was over 52 minutes later.  Very long.  
Los Lobos first dinner and really enjoyed it.  Apps and shrimp entree delicious.   Dined outside at 5:30 to see the Super Bowl.   Only ones out there.   It felt like we were on a private yacht with fantastic service.
Super Bowl was evening entertainment.   We chose pool deck.  It was packed but managed to find to seats with slight obstruction to view but it worked.   Fun to watch.  No commercials but did ser halftime. Well stressful fun as it was a nail biter and the Eagles are our home team.   Sad ending for us.  
Up early the next day and heard captain announce around 7 that GSC was cancelled.   It is breezy so I figured it would be.  We planned our own. sea day so now we had more joining us  

[rxlowry]

Dailies first day which is light on entertainment due to Super Bowl being shown in multiple venues

[rxlowry]

“Sea Day” consisted of casino time, breakfast at the local, exercise, me writing the blog on waterfront, trying a pumpkin spiced Guinness (thumbs up), main dining for lunch.  More cocktails and more relaxing. 
didn’t like the guy who thought it’s cool to play music on his phone in crowded observation lounge I think his self awareness maybe kicked in and his left.  An officer might have told him though.  
Dinner was in Taste and very good.  Entertainment was a mediocre magician.  Did a little dancing at Sugarcane but small dance floor was too crowded.  Music sounded good in Cavern and Atrium but no dance floor.  We went to adult comedy since we had reservations. Standing room only when standby by was let in.   Packed house.  Pretty decent comedian.  Had to eventually ask the ladies behind us to stop chatting.  I mean why go to this if you’re having a steady non stop conversation.   

[rxlowry]

Day 2 revised daily due to gsc cancelled. 

[Hmmcminn]

Thanks so much for the dailies and your recaps.  I’m glad you’re having a good time!

[TeresaJ]

We have been on 2 Norwegian cruises and Great Stirrup got cancelled both times. Hoping third times a charm next March on Encore. Thanks for the live review!

[www3traveler]

When you can, could you please post a list of the current Senior Officers, both the Bridge and the Hotel Management?  Thank You

 

Have a wonderful cruise

[Fischmom]

Thank you for doing this!  We will be on for Spring Break and it’s great to have an idea about days and times for shows. 
 

Really disappointed to see country music on the pool deck. That just seems weird. 

[kaybeebee]

We will be on Encore in March , did you purchase the premium plus beverage package? Wondering about availability of boubons and tequilas.

[rxlowry]

On 2/14/2023 at 1:34 PM, kaybeebee said:

We will be on Encore in March , did you purchase the premium plus beverage package? Wondering about availability of boubons and tequilas.

1792 small batch, Buffalo trace and bulleit  are on the regular list.  I didn’t get premium 

[rxlowry]

Day Three daily