Which is better? Escape or Encore?

[goldenfarm]

I'm looking at spring break cruises for next year and Encore and Escape have the exact same ports and schedules - Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay. Which ship is better? One was built in 2015 (Escape) and the other in 2019. The price is pretty much the same - $200 more for the slightly newer Encore if we get an aft facing balcony, but the same price for a balcony cabin on either ship. This is for myself, my husband and our teenage son.

 

We have only sailed on the Norwegian Prima before, so I am not familiar with this category of NCL ships. Thinking about this or Royal Caribbean for spring break. 

[mcmomny]

I choose The Escape for our March 2023 cruise over the Encore because The Spice H2O on The Escape has the water feature for cooling off and The Encore does not.

 

Lots' of Youtube videos on this, check them out!

 

Spice H20 is adults only and a nice break from the crowded pool deck

[www3traveler]

I agree-- The Escape.  Spice H20 is a FREE outdoor spaces for adults until 7 P.M.  After 7 movies and dance parties are held there.  The Encore has Vibe--same as H20 except there is a charge for it and no other events are held there.

Edited April 18, 2023 by www3traveler

[BirdTravels]

12 minutes ago, goldenfarm said:

I'm looking at spring break cruises for next year and Encore and Escape have the exact same ports and schedules - Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay. Which ship is better? One was built in 2015 (Escape) and the other in 2019. The price is pretty much the same - $200 more for the slightly newer Encore if we get an aft facing balcony, but the same price for a balcony cabin on either ship. This is for myself, my husband and our teenage son.

 

We have only sailed on the Norwegian Prima before, so I am not familiar with this category of NCL ships. Thinking about this or Royal Caribbean for spring break. 

 

Personally, we would pick the Encore specifically because it sails from Miami versus Port Canaveral (Escape).

 

From a ship's perspective, I agree that the Escape provides more sundeck space. 

 

The Encore has the more contemporary stuff like go-kart track and virtual reality pavilion 

 

I would pick NCL over Royal specifically for the unlimited drinks package. 

Edited April 18, 2023 by BirdTravels

[goldenfarm]

6 minutes ago, mcmomny said:

I choose The Escape for our March 2023 cruise over the Encore because The Spice H2O on The Escape has the water feature for cooling off and The Encore does not.

 

Lots' of Youtube videos on this, check them out!

 

Spice H20 is adults only and a nice break from the crowded pool deck

Thanks. I did watch videos, and they both looked nice, but I couldn't tell the real difference between the two ships. 

[JandC_Cruising]

Both ships are wonderful, in our opinion.  And, they are very similar in the basics.  Here are some differences that could move you to decide one vs. the other.

1. The Encore's main "attraction" is the speedway while the Escape's is a Ropes Course.  Both are fun but the speedway is more enjoyable (although comes with a cost)

2.  The Encore has a "Galaxy Pavilion" for VR games, Escape does not.

3.  Encore has an Observation Lounge, Escape does not

4.  Slight differences in Food options; Escape has "Pinchos Tapas", Encore has "Los Lobos Mexican"

5.  Both have a Thermal Suite (which are great); Encore's in Aft, Escape is Forward.

6.  Escape has Spice H2O in aft (18yo+); Encore does not have this

7.  Both have a Vibe Beach Club (18+); Encore's is more than 2x the size of Escape's.

8.  Encore has a Cavern Club (Showing Beatles Cover Band); Escape does not have this

9.  Escape has "Howl at the Moon" Dueling piano shows; Encore does not have this

 

[goldenfarm]

4 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Personally, we would pick the Encore specifically because it sails from Miami versus Port Canaveral (Escape).

 

What don't you like about Port Canaveral? I have only cruised out of it once and then we flew into the smaller airport about a half hour south of Port Canaveral - Melbourne - and it was much more manageable than what I imagine the Orlando airport would be for getting to the port. (I've only flown into Orlando before when I'm staying in Orlando.) We have cruised out of Miami once, too. I'm not experienced enough with either port to know the pros and cons. 

Edited April 18, 2023 by goldenfarm

[goldenfarm]

4 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Both ships are wonderful, in our opinion.  And, they are very similar in the basics.  Here are some differences that could move you to decide one vs. the other.

1. The Encore's main "attraction" is the speedway while the Escape's is a Ropes Course.  Both are fun but the speedway is more enjoyable (although comes with a cost)

2.  The Encore has a "Galaxy Pavilion" for VR games, Escape does not.

3.  Encore has an Observation Lounge, Escape does not

4.  Slight differences in Food options; Escape has "Pinchos Tapas", Encore has "Los Lobos Mexican"

5.  Both have a Thermal Suite (which are great); Encore's in Aft, Escape is Forward.

6.  Escape has Spice H2O in aft (18yo+); Encore does not have this

7.  Both have a Vibe Beach Club (18+); Encore's is more than 2x the size of Escape's.

8.  Encore has a Cavern Club (Showing Beatles Cover Band); Escape does not have this

9.  Escape has "Howl at the Moon" Dueling piano shows; Encore does not have this

 

Super helpful, thank you! Do the thermal suites have the big windows so that you can look out while you're on the thermal loungers? The Prima had that and it was lovely. 

[JandC_Cruising]

1 minute ago, goldenfarm said:

Super helpful, thank you! Do the thermal suites have the big windows so that you can look out while you're on the thermal loungers? The Prima had that and it was lovely. 

Yes!  We prefer the one on the Encore over the Escape in the Aft, but both have big picture windows to see the scenes passing by.  

[goldenfarm]

6 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Yes!  We prefer the one on the Encore over the Escape in the Aft, but both have big picture windows to see the scenes passing by.  

I have come to realize that some ships put thermal loungers in closed rooms with no view. Not worth the price of admission. 

[JandC_Cruising]

1 minute ago, goldenfarm said:

I have come to realize that some ships put thermal loungers in closed rooms with no view. Not worth the price of admission. 

Totally Agree....If memory serves (been 4 yrs since in the Escape Thermal Spa) the Encore is bigger and has more loungers (both heated and cushioned).  I try the heated one's ever time and I guess my 56yo body doesn't bend the way those are designed, so I'm always uncomfortable.  But I love the cushioned ones along the starboard of the Encore.  Great views and quiet!  Perfect way to relax and read out of the sun each day.

[hallux]

29 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

8.  Encore has a Cavern Club (Showing Beatles Cover Band); Escape does not have this

Escape has Syd Norman's in that location, the group they had in there a month ago was fantastic!!

 

31 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

7.  Both have a Vibe Beach Club (18+); Encore's is more than 2x the size of Escape's.

Occupying some of that space on the Escape is the FREE public sun deck...

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, goldenfarm said:

Thinking about this or Royal Caribbean for spring break. 

 

Escape vs. Encore

The 2 ships share a lot (same class) but there are significant differences. Locations of things like the Spa, the Garden Cafe, etc. are different. Observation Lounges and Go karts favor Encore. Included adults-only deck space (deck space overall, actually) favors Escape. Aft-facing balcony sizes and configurations match between the 2 ships. Side balconies are mostly the same. Casino smoke is better handled on Encore.

 

A Spring Break cruise is, well, you know. It will feel crowded on either ship but both ships have areas (inside and out) that most people will ignore and you can avoid some of the crowds.

 

 

I agree with others that I would pick NCL over RCCL BUT looking at Icon OTS....I might reconsider. 🤔

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, goldenfarm said:

What don't you like about Port Canaveral? I have only cruised out of it once and then we flew into the smaller airport about a half hour south of Port Canaveral - Melbourne - and it was much more manageable than what I imagine the Orlando airport would be for getting to the port. (I've only flown into Orlando before when I'm staying in Orlando.) We have cruised out of Miami once, too. I'm not experienced enough with either port to know the pros and cons. 

 

We have sailed out PC many times. And Miami many many many times. 

 

Melbourne is a cute airport, but there are non-stops to MCO and not MLB (at least for us) doubling travel time and increasing the risk of travel issues. The travel time from MCO and MLB to PC are about the same. 

[wolft927]

We just got off the Joy and Booked the Escape for January. We much rather do the ropes course then the Go garts, dont get me wrong go karts were fun but need to make reservations and is $15PP. Wife and I and another couple booked the 2 bedroom Haven Suite because basically it was the price of 2 balaconies and we would much rather have all the perks of the Haven,

[hallux]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

Occupying some of that space on the Escape is the FREE public sun deck...

I need to correct myself - ALL of the deck 19 and 20 FREE public sundeck space on the Escape was turned into PAID Vibe or or used to expand the Haven sundeck on the Encore.  ALL OF IT...

[Two Wheels Only]

32 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

Wife and I and another couple booked the 2 bedroom Haven Suite because basically it was the price of 2 balaconies and we would much rather have all the perks of the Haven,

 

How did the 4 of you decide on the sleeping arrangements? Who gets the master bedroom and SDP?