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

[BirdTravels]

Take home memories from your cruise. Stop and have your picture taken by the ship’s photographers ever chance possible. Starting in the terminal with an embarkation photo. It cost you nothing. And go to the photo shop.. you may find that special photo that will be on your bookshelf for a lifetime. 
 

[BirdTravels]

Ever got an owie whilst on a cruise? The Encore has a full medical facility with doctors and nurses available 24/7. And, as the case for two guests on our cruise, arrange for shoreside medical care. 

[BirdTravels]

On 4/14/2023 at 8:46 AM, vacation44 said:

We are thinking of going here when we are on our February Encore sailing so very happy to see you report on this..

 

As it as easy to get to as I have been reading and are there lots of chairs and umbrellas to rent?  How long did it take to get there?

The ShoreEx was called Island Beach Break with an unnamed beach. We have done it twice and have gone to Cane Garden Beach both times. The beach has a lot of loungers and umbrellas ($5 each). In fact, there is not much open beach space if you don't rent a lounger... but it is cheap compared to other beaches. There are bars on the beach. And we had live music (steel drum singers) from the bar next door. 

 

It took 30-45 minutes from the port to the beach. You have to go over the mountains to the other side of the island,,, which included several photo stops for spectacular views. 

[Jordan61]

Those cigarette prices are almost making me wish I still smoked! Almost.

[BirdTravels]

This week was one of the nine Meet the Winemaker cruises this year. This is the 7th year that NCL has hosted these events providing opportunities for one-on-one engagements with winemakers and spirit makers from around the world. This week, Miguel Torres Maczassek, CEO of Torres wines was the featured winemaker who hosted multiple wine tasting events and dinners. 

 

 

 

[BirdTravels]

For top-tier latitudes, the Cellar Master hosts a Wines Around the World tasting event. 

[BirdTravels]

That's a wrap. Thanks for coming along on a Spring Break Getaway with The Brid on the spectacular Norwegian Encore. The ship used their facial recognition system for disembarkation. NCL's security system was directly connected to Customs and Immigrations allowed us to satisfy both requirements with one smile into the camera. Once we were cleared at the gangway, there were no checks in the terminal. CBP officers were stationed at the gangway to handle folks flagged with immigrations issues or checks required. 

[www3traveler]

Where and when is your next adventure?

[Happycrafter123]

Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!  The Bird is great with photography and fine details 😉. Look forward to your next trip!

[RhymeAnge]

On 4/16/2023 at 11:20 AM, BirdTravels said:

Buffet Self-serves (not included in drinks package)

 

Is this starbucks machine free if you have starbucks package?

[brookie848]

On 4/14/2023 at 9:30 PM, JoeTec said:

I am on the Encore Jan 2024. 10 day.  Our stop in Tortola is 6am to 5pm.  It is one of the few cruises that are there the full day, its the main reason I picked this cruise.

We're on the Viva next year and our Tortola stop is 7-4. I'm really looking forward to having more time at this port -- your 6-5 stop is even better.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, brookie848 said:

We're on the Viva next year and our Tortola stop is 7-4. I'm really looking forward to having more time at this port -- your 6-5 stop is even better.

A 6 am arrival time is not good because it permits excursions to start that early. Last week, there was a lady screaming at the ShoreEx people because her excursion had meeting time as 6:15 am.... ah... you signed up for the excursion with that time....  

[JandC_Cruising]

22 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

This week was one of the nine Meet the Winemaker cruises this year. This is the 7th year that NCL has hosted these events providing opportunities for one-on-one engagements with winemakers and spirit makers from around the world. This week, Miguel Torres Maczassek, CEO of Torres wines was the featured winemaker who hosted multiple wine tasting events and dinners. 

 

 

 

Bird, thanks for the great review as always...Glad you had a wonderful cruise.  We've not been lucky enough to cruise during one of these "meet the winemaker" cruises, but it looks great.  Was this a separate cover? Could you use a specialty dining credit?  Or perhaps was it discounted 20% or 40% depending upon bev package?  Thx!

 

[brookie848]

33 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

A 6 am arrival time is not good because it permits excursions to start that early. Last week, there was a lady screaming at the ShoreEx people because her excursion had meeting time as 6:15 am.... ah... you signed up for the excursion with that time....  

True. I'm not a morning person, but I appreciate the 5:00 departure.

 

We've done the early arrival and departure at Tortola twice now. I'm looking forward to having a more relaxed day at Jost Van Dyke!

[BirdTravels]

50 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Bird, thanks for the great review as always...Glad you had a wonderful cruise.  We've not been lucky enough to cruise during one of these "meet the winemaker" cruises, but it looks great.  Was this a separate cover? Could you use a specialty dining credit?  Or perhaps was it discounted 20% or 40% depending upon bev package?  Thx!

 

The wine tasting was the regular price. With a discount for having the beverage package it was $21.12 (including grats)

 

The dinner with the winemaker was $118.80 (including grats). For this event, it was the ship's Executive Chef cooking menu items from Ocean Blue.

 

Some events focus on celebrity chef like Aarone Sanchez to cook alongside a wine pairing. Or later in the year Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker's master blender.  Along with winemakers like Michael Mondavi, Diane Flamand (she was on our Encore cruise last year), Antonio Hidalgo, Gerard Bertand, and Randy Ullom. 

[BirdTravels]

 

 

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

Family Gathering

 

 

[drumming cruisers]

@BirdTravels What's the difference between a regular balcony and the one you stayed in?

[BirdTravels]

8 minutes ago, drumming cruisers said:

@BirdTravels What's the difference between a regular balcony and the one you stayed in?

The Bird was in a Club Balcony. The difference is a bigger bathroom. You get more space around the toilet, a double sink, and a full size walk in shower (versus the normal transporter tube shower). As The Birds have gotten older and less mobile, having the full size shower helps and is our room of choice. There are a few perks:

 

Exclusive Club Balcony Suite Amenities

• Distinctive Purple Keycard
• Pre-book onboard dining as early as 125 days prior to sailing [Haven guests book at 130; Others book at 120 days]
• Pre-book entertainment as early as 21 days prior to sailing [Top Tier Latitudes can book at 26 days; others can book entertainment 21 days in advance]
• 1 complimentary valet laundry
• 1 bottle of sparkling wine upon embarkation
• Treats delivered to your stateroom twice per week.

[celestialcruiser]

Thank you for the detailed report of your trip. Were your beach excursions in St Thomas & BVI through the ship or did you just go on your own?

[BirdTravels]

On 5/15/2023 at 9:31 AM, celestialcruiser said:

Thank you for the detailed report of your trip. Were your beach excursions in St Thomas & BVI through the ship or did you just go on your own?

These were all NCL shore excursions. 

[cecil89]

Was smoking allowed in the haven sundeck?

[BirdTravels]

19 minutes ago, cecil89 said:

Was smoking allowed in the haven sundeck?

Unfortunately, yes

 

Along with one side of the Spice H20 and the upper level Waves bar. 

Edited June 1, 2023 by BirdTravels