Encore vs Breakaway

[PatandStu]

We have sailed Breakaway several times & had great times. Planning a girl’s trip for January, and only the Encore fit the dates & ports.

For any who have sailed on both, can you tell us the differences & what we can expect. 
Thanks, Pat & Niki

[graphicguy]

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/encore/whats-on-board

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/breakaway#!#whats-on-board

[Two Wheels Only]

Encore will have the new Spice H2O by then which looks to be much better than Spice H2O on Breakaway. 

 

The side balconies on Encore are generally deeper than the equivalent on Breakaway but the aft-facing balconies on Breakaway are generally deeper than the equivalent on Encore (sizes vary by deck). 

 

Restaurant choices are slightly different although there are some restaurants that are found on both ships.  

Encore Specialty Restaurants

Breakaway Specialty Restaurants

 

Both ships are similar but the newer Encore is a Breakaway Plus Class ship so it has some improvements over the Breakaway Class ships (BA/GA). The location of certain things like the Spa and the Garden Café are different due to the forward-facing Observation Lounge on Encore which Breakaway doesn't have.  

 

If you enjoy BA, you'll probably enjoy Encore. 

[BirdTravels]

22 minutes ago, PatandStu said:

We have sailed Breakaway several times & had great times. Planning a girl’s trip for January, and only the Encore fit the dates & ports.

For any who have sailed on both, can you tell us the differences & what we can expect. 
Thanks, Pat & Niki

 

The Breakaway and Encore are both in the Breakaway class of ship. So they are configured similarly. The Encore is the Breakaway's bigger sister. So, if you liked the Breakaway, you'll love the Encore. The Encore has a few more venues like Food Republic and The District Brewhouse. 

 

One benefit is that the Encore is undergoing a major dry dock in November/December 2024. So, in January, she will be all new and fresh. All of the public areas and restaurants refurbished. 

 

[poohdreaming]

You will enjoy Encore if you had sailed on Breakaway. As BirdTravels mentioned, it will undergo dry dock. It will be new for your cruise in January.

[david_sobe]

Encore is part of the Breakaway-PLUS series.  Its bigger and has features the Breakaway class does not i.e. Observation lounge, Galaxy Pavilion, etc

[ruffneck]

Having sailed both in the last 6 months the biggest difference I noticed was the absence of smoke smell on 678 onboard the Encore as the casino had a dedicated, enclosed smoking area. Currently Los Lobos is a dining option on Encore (and a favorite) but will go away to expand Cagney after dry dock

[PatandStu]

Thanks everyone. Our options were the Epic or Encore & I let my sister pick as we’re sailing on her birthday. 
Our favourite spot on the Breakaway was Howl at the Moon so that is a bit of a let down that it’s not on the Encore but I’m sure we’ll find fun elsewhere. 
I was not aware she was going into dry dock this fall-that’s a bonus for sure!