LIVE from the Norwegian Encore – 7-Night Eastern Caribbean, April 9-16, 2023

[Wahoowa9904]

Following this thread as we sailed last week on the Encore. Couple of things I would say is that:

1) They were very aggressive in making sure the muster procedures were followed for the 4/2/23 departure. We were asked 10 times before we did it and at least 10 times after by various orange-jacketed crew. They wouldn't allow passengers to access public areas of the ship if they didn't say they had completed the process. I'm wondering if the overcapacity status of the arriving and departing cruises didn't stretch the staff thin on 4/9/23.

2) Experiences on max-capacity cruises on this ship vary vastly for Haven guests and everyone else. I would recommend purchasing Priority Access to avoid the many complaints about tenders and disembarkation that happened on our cruise. The tendering process was awful for anyone not in the Haven or with Priority Access. We were whisked down a crew elevator past a line of hundreds of people onto the second tender to GSC after having waited for all of 5 seconds (people had been in line for an hour otherwise at that point).

3) Premium Plus is a must for more serious wine drinkers but not worth it for those who want an occasional glass at dinner. Not to say all of the premium plus wines were great or anything you wouldn't find on any supermarket's shelf, but I found several of the wines included in the regular package to be borderline undrinkable. Out of the ~$550 premium we paid, we used the package for about 15 fresh squeezed juices ($45), dozens of water cartons/bottles (say $180 ballpark), four bottles at dinner (say $350 ballpark), probably 10 Veuve Cliquot+Chambords ($490 at list prices - gulp), and got to try various bourbons and single-malt scotches. 

4) Cruise communication was poor - except when the cruise director was urging people to leave the public areas during the tendering and disembarkation processes. The PA system is inaudible in many locations on the ship, including in staterooms. Critical messages about schedule changes were only spread by word of mouth and the next day's newsletter. It seems bizarre that they can't or don't use the NCL app's functionality to send texts or alerts. There was no apparent effort by the cruise director to communicate these changes to people on the pool deck. Even though the band stops playing for announcements, none of them could be made out even when standing under the PA speakers.

[geo.mac]

On 4/10/2023 at 7:55 AM, BirdTravels said:

No real improvement. 
 

No daily show - just her saying she doesn’t like stairs. 
 

And during the aborted call to GSC, her one job was to make the 4800 onboard believe that it was “ok” and that they would still have a great day. She basically read the same statement the Captain read about cancelling due to approaching weather. And told people to see the revised program. 
 

 

Any insight if she’ll be continuing with the ship into Alaska? We’re sailing in June,  in general will staff on the ship now be the same staff then?

[BirdTravels]

You’re on vacay and need to be pampered. A visit (or two or three) visit to the Mandara Spa will fix you right up. 

 

[BirdTravels]

Everyone goes on a cruise to get fit. Before you spend money at home on that 5-year gym membership, try it out first, for free, on the Encore. 
 

[BirdTravels]

Spin spin spin

 

[BirdTravels]

One of the Must Haves is a Thermal Suite pass. 
 

ProTip: On the Encore, all of the spa people had pre-filled out charge slips with the Thermal Suite pass and exfoliating salts. On a price list, that is a Thermal Suite Deluxe. You can (and should) just by a pass and not the salts (which were another $60 for three small containers). This week, the basic Thermal Suite was $199 and with the ship over capacity, they were not planning on selling any day passes on slow port days. 

 

 

 

 

 

[BirdTravels]

Norwegian Encore - St Thomas 

[BirdTravels]

First time the family has been all together in a while? The Perspectives Studio can create that perfect family portrait to commentate the occasion. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

O.K., some folks can live without their morning Starbucks. And there is a Starbucks at Sea on the Encore. Swipe your room key or use your Starbucks app to collect stars. 

[palpieha]

On 4/11/2023 at 2:11 PM, Linsuesue said:

OH Bird, Thank you so much for the info and photos! I thought the escape room had 3D goggles so maybe there are 2 escape rooms onboard?

 

The escape room uses VR goggles when you first walk in to give you an introduction to the escape room you will be in. After that short video (2 or 3 minutes), you are led into an actual physical escape room without VR elements.

[Linsuesue]

Thank you so much for the explanation! I have never done an escape room before and figured wearing 3D goggles the whole time would be a heck of a challenge. Now I get it! Thanks for the quick reply too!

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, geo.mac said:

Any insight if she’ll be continuing with the ship into Alaska? We’re sailing in June,  in general will staff on the ship now be the same staff then?

The Bird had a conversation with her last night. The Bird thinks she said that she was on until October (which is end of Alaska / start of Mexican Riviera). 

[BirdTravels]

MDR Day 4

[BirdTravels]

Today’s “butler” treats. This is more normal… buffet leftovers 😃

[sansroof]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Spin spin spin

 

What kind of camera did you use for these photos? 

[BirdTravels]

37 minutes ago, sansroof said:

What kind of camera did you use for these photos? 

Traveling light without a laptop, so all of the live blog,,, so far,, are just my iPhone. 

[tonit964]

On 4/11/2023 at 8:29 AM, BirdTravels said:

One of The Bird’s favorite pastimes is to do some painting while on a cruise. Canvas By U provides step by step instruction on creating a masterpiece. 
 

 

 

 

Three sessions this week

Thank you so much for your live review! I’m really enjoying it. I’ll be on the Encore in July with extended family.
Can you please tell me where we go to sign up for Canvas By U?  There are a few us that are really wanting to do this. 
Thank you and I hope you’re having an amazing cruise!

[geo.mac]

@BirdTravels my wife had a very important question tonight over cocktails.  “Do they have caviar on the ship, I’ve never had it?”   Any insight you have is appreciated.

[BirdTravels]

Good Morning Tortola!

 

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, geo.mac said:

@BirdTravels my wife had a very important question tonight over cocktails.  “Do they have caviar on the ship, I’ve never had it?”   Any insight you have is appreciated.

I have never seen it as a menu item. You sometimes see it as a garnish on canapés. NCL is not a luxury cruise line. The Bird used to sail on Cunard a lot and in their suites restaurant, you could get the Maitre D to fetch a tin of Beluga Caviare as a complimentary appetizer. 

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, tonit964 said:

Thank you so much for your live review! I’m really enjoying it. I’ll be on the Encore in July with extended family.
Can you please tell me where we go to sign up for Canvas By U?  There are a few us that are really wanting to do this. 
Thank you and I hope you’re having an amazing cruise!

On Embarkation Day, Canvas by U sign up is in The Social (Deck 6 Mid-ship). Just walk up to the painting of your choose and write down your names. Classes are usually limited to around 20 and they sold out on this cruise. After embarkation, sign up at the Theater Box Office (Deck 7 Forward, Starboard theater entrance). 

[BirdTravels]

The Bird spent yesterday roosting at Trunk Bay on the island of St John. It is a beautiful beach with soft, white sand. It was about a 45 minute ferry ride from St Thomas and 15 minute drive one you are on the island. 

[BirdTravels]

Last night, the bridge seemed to have trouble finding Tortola which is right next to St Thomas. Eventually they found their way back. 

[oldplayer532]

13 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The Bird had a conversation with her last night. The Bird thinks she said that she was on until October (which is end of Alaska / start of Mexican Riviera). 

How about the rest of the Encore officers and crew for Alaska sailing? 

And thank you for your very informative review!