@@CruiseRadio i may book the 13 day journey cruise from NY , solo cabins are nice, i been on the bliss, breakaway, getaway twice, love the solo cabins areas nice. one day hopefully they will have oceanview and balcony solo cabins, but these are very nice love them
I sailed on the Encore to Alaska week before last, and I absolutely fell in love with this ship. It checked every box. I’ve cruised with RCL and Princess, and was my first time cruising anywhere with Norwegian. The observation lounge, with all of its mini buffet stations was such a nice touch. What a wonderful space to just sit and enjoy the scenery. My TA booked me in a studio, and it fit me perfectly. The fact that a cruise line would dedicate an entire enclave to solo cruisers, and NOT charge us double occupancy is fantastic. I think all cruise lines should program their ships that way. And the studio lounge was such a wonderful escape. As for food, my Free at Sea package included two specialty dining options at no extra cost. Both were nice, but I somewhat regret opting for Le Bistro, as the food was not terribly impressive. Cagney’s was excellent though. I ate dinner in the Manhattan Room for dinner twice on this cruise, and was sorely disappointed at the incredibly *dull* and few menu options, as well as the LONG wait times for my food, in spite of the dining room being almost empty. What’s more is that the food I ordered was not terribly well-prepared. For every other meal, I opted for the buffet. And honestly, I was super satisfied with the variety and quality of the buffet on this cruise. The food was very flavorful. The downside to the buffet was that it was absolutely PACKED every single evening, as most other cruisers I spoke with felt as I did, that the MDR food and menu was substandard. The entertainment: the shows were extremely popular and entertaining. Very good. The Choir of Man was fabulous. I had a lot of fun in the VR room, but my favorite entertainment venue that week was the race track. I didn’t realize how fast those go carts could HAUL, and they give you quite a bit of time. Overall, I love how NCL does things, and I would definitely book with them again.
I sailed on the Encore February 2023. It was my first cruise. Loved the ship. The observation lounge was my favorite place to hang out. I ate at the Local several times. The food was good and service was fast. We did the 2 specialty dining's. 1 at Teppanyaki and 1 at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoyed them both. We are looking at booking more NCL cruise adventures in the future.
I'm planning to go on my very first cruise by the end of 2020, and I can't stop watching these cruising vlogs and ship tours! My first is going to be on Royal Caribbean Symphony Of The Seas, which is still basically brand new herself, but I might consider Norwegian for my second cruise.
My wife and I will be sailing on the December 15 cruise out of Miami. We were on the Bliss last year, and had a GREAT TIME! This ship looks so much like the Bliss that we can almost count the time we will be in the Atrium...and playing Deal or No Deal!
Doug we really enjoy you ship tours. They are always very thorough and informative, letting us know which restaurants are for fee and such. For those of us that have never been on a Norwegian ship it makes it much easier to cruise with them. We are on the Encore in December 2021. Thanks for what you do.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am actually sailing on ENCORE this SUN, Jun 19 for a week cruise in Alaska (departing from Seattle). Super pumped!
@@CruiseRadio San Juan PR, St Thomas USVI, and Tortola BVI. Its been 9 years since we have been to Tortola so we are excited to get back there especially on this beautiful ship!!
So let me get this straight - only the MDRs, buffet and the Local is included in the fare? All of the activities aside from shows and the pool are not included?
Hey Doug thanks again for the video this ship looks cool !! I sailed on Bliss and this ship reminds me of her, don’t understand why Margaritaville wasn’t more 😿 of a hit, I mean come on cheeseburgers in paradise key lime pie, conch fritters I guess you have to be a parrot head to understand 😃
Hey Doug I have sailed on Carnival Holiday, Triumph, Inspiration, Dream and in January Panorama Golden Princess 2 times Norwegian Epic and Bliss My last cruise was this past January on Harmony of the Seas
@@CruiseRadio Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Miami. First cruise to Roatan and HC. My wife's 50th birthday trip. Love the video's and podcast. Thanks for the content.
I sailed on the Encore's sister ship, the Joy, this summer. NCL really goes crazy with the extra fees, particularly on their larger ships. I'm not really a fan of NCL now.
sailed on her in Feb of 2020 right before the pandemic took effect. (First time cruising btw) I REALLY LOVED this ship! NCL staff makes sure you have fun and are comfortable. We took advantage of the vibe beach club even though it was expensive. $400 for a 7 day pass each person. After the bar closes around 6-7pm the place is dead, but still open. (24hrs) So if you really wanted to get away from people, come up there after bar close. The food and drinks were good all around, I had no problem eating at the buffet daily and the drink menu is very nice also. (I usually cook at home and between my wife and I we out cook even the high end eateries, at least to my tastes and people we had over) Make sure you take something for motion sickness before boarding. I didnt and was sick all night the first night. After taking ginger root on day 2 in the morning I was just fine and drank my weight my alcohol and food with no problems. I really hope the industry can weather COVID, it was the best vacation I had ever had and plan to return to Norwegian, March of 2022. I do want to go on this ship again. 7 days was NOT long enough to enjoy all that she has.
We were on it last week. The ship is nice but the way NCL does cruising is stressful. Most expensive trip that I ever took with the kids and worst cruise I ever had. 1st and last NCL cruise.
@@CruiseRadio Overall it was fine. The buffet was not fun to navigate. I have food allergies and they did not do well with those. I lost 3 pounds that week, lol. My family said the food was fine. There isn't as much choices on the menu in comparison to Royal Carribbean. The food took longer to get than on a traditional cruising ship. Meals took 1.5 to 2 hours.
Sandy H have you ever been on carnival if not you should go on carnival. I been on Royal Caribbean my mom and I didn’t like it was boring there was no parties no music no djs none of that I also didn’t like the whole reservations thing I’m not used to doing it.
Hi Sheila, I am trying to find out that info, too. I was on the Escape back in Sept where they had the Spice H2O bar at the rear of the ship where you could smoke, but, the Encore doesn't have that bar on-board. Maybe, the Waves outdoor above the pool on the 17th deck (as the Escape had)? Then, there's the humidor room where the cigar smokers go. One thing I had found, even though cigarettes & cigars are sold on board, they don't have lighters - be sure to carry spares in your luggage, especially if you're flying since some airlines will take your lighters.
@@tomy6917 I have only sailed on the NCL Bliss, it has the H2O in the back. I assume the NCL Joy is the same. I have no idea about the NCL Encore. I did see the design of the Encore is different and that they don't have the H2O on the rear. I'm trying to find the smoking area on the NCL sun since it was refurbished in 2018. Wish I could help you more.
Is this the encore or the bliss?? It is the exact same layout as the bliss... exact same restaurants??! Why the hell would not design 2 identical ships??!!!!
Sister ships I guess you don't understand that cruiselines divide Thier ships into classes meaning that the ships in each class are Desgin the same which include the layout and spaces with few changes. with each ship in the group they are slightly differnces which can be a new restaurant ,bar ,RV Games ,activities and the decore coloure scheme but not alot but you would definitely be greeted with the same layout and design
Thats the reason why I ask the question why people go on the same class of ship when ever a new ship arrives in the class because it's going to be the same layout and design 😏 for example Norwegian joy bliss and now encore are sisters if I go on bliss why would go on encore when it's the same Desgin and layout symphony,oasis allure harmony of the seas are sisters ships if I go on harmony why go symphony when I going to see the same thing I hope U understand
I sailed the Encore a week ago, I'm done with NCL one of the most expensive cruises and service is mediocre. Ship was wonderful but not worth what I paid. There cruise director should go on carnival to learn how to interact and engaging
video could be smoothed out...the bouncing walking reminds me of the first video game "Doom"...very annoying graphic appeal. Narration is appears to be factual and pretty much a monotone flat line to listen to. I punched out after deck 7 6 minutes in.
Have you sailed or are you going to sail Norwegian Encore?
Cruise Radio will be my first non-Carnival Cruise. June 2021 Alaska!
Sailing in May 2020 to Bermuda. I can't wait!
@@travel_the_smokies How cool. She is a beauty. I really want to sail in one of those solo staterooms.
@@acsupersport7981 Sweet! Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio i may book the 13 day journey cruise from NY , solo cabins are nice, i been on the bliss, breakaway, getaway twice, love the solo cabins areas nice. one day hopefully they will have oceanview and balcony solo cabins, but these are very nice love them
I sailed on the Encore to Alaska week before last, and I absolutely fell in love with this ship. It checked every box. I’ve cruised with RCL and Princess, and was my first time cruising anywhere with Norwegian. The observation lounge, with all of its mini buffet stations was such a nice touch. What a wonderful space to just sit and enjoy the scenery. My TA booked me in a studio, and it fit me perfectly. The fact that a cruise line would dedicate an entire enclave to solo cruisers, and NOT charge us double occupancy is fantastic. I think all cruise lines should program their ships that way. And the studio lounge was such a wonderful escape.
As for food, my Free at Sea package included two specialty dining options at no extra cost. Both were nice, but I somewhat regret opting for Le Bistro, as the food was not terribly impressive. Cagney’s was excellent though. I ate dinner in the Manhattan Room for dinner twice on this cruise, and was sorely disappointed at the incredibly *dull* and few menu options, as well as the LONG wait times for my food, in spite of the dining room being almost empty. What’s more is that the food I ordered was not terribly well-prepared. For every other meal, I opted for the buffet. And honestly, I was super satisfied with the variety and quality of the buffet on this cruise. The food was very flavorful. The downside to the buffet was that it was absolutely PACKED every single evening, as most other cruisers I spoke with felt as I did, that the MDR food and menu was substandard.
The entertainment: the shows were extremely popular and entertaining. Very good. The Choir of Man was fabulous. I had a lot of fun in the VR room, but my favorite entertainment venue that week was the race track. I didn’t realize how fast those go carts could HAUL, and they give you quite a bit of time.
Overall, I love how NCL does things, and I would definitely book with them again.
I sailed on the Encore February 2023. It was my first cruise. Loved the ship. The observation lounge was my favorite place to hang out. I ate at the Local several times. The food was good and service was fast. We did the 2 specialty dining's. 1 at Teppanyaki and 1 at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoyed them both. We are looking at booking more NCL cruise adventures in the future.
Excited to go on this one! Just booked for October in Alaska :) Hope to see Northern lights given it's one of the last sailings this late in the year!
I'm planning to go on my very first cruise by the end of 2020, and I can't stop watching these cruising vlogs and ship tours! My first is going to be on Royal Caribbean Symphony Of The Seas, which is still basically brand new herself, but I might consider Norwegian for my second cruise.
I'm excited for you. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
Cruise Radio, I haven't actually booked one yet, but I'm looking at Western Caribbean with Perfect Day at Coco Cay
Sailing Encore in Feb 2020. Been waiting for your video since yours are some of the best.
I appreciate the compliment. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio Eastern Caribbean: Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Tortola
My wife and I will be sailing on the December 15 cruise out of Miami. We were on the Bliss last year, and had a GREAT TIME! This ship looks so much like the Bliss that we can almost count the time we will be in the Atrium...and playing Deal or No Deal!
Awesome! What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
Doug we really enjoy you ship tours. They are always very thorough and informative, letting us know which restaurants are for fee and such. For those of us that have never been on a Norwegian ship it makes it much easier to cruise with them. We are on the Encore in December 2021. Thanks for what you do.
I appreciate the compliments, and glad you guys enjoy them. What's the itinerary for your trip on the Encore? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio Coxen Hole Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Thanks again.
Amazing ship! We were on it Thanksgiving week. Our while family loved it. It was definitely the nicest ship we’ve ever been on.
Great tour video!
Awesome. What was your favorite part about the Encore? Thank you for watching.
Booked for Oct 16-23, 2021 from Seattle cruising Alaska. First Cruise ever.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am actually sailing on ENCORE this SUN, Jun 19 for a week cruise in Alaska (departing from Seattle). Super pumped!
Hello thank you so much for all the info about this ship. The family and I will be traveling this May 2020. Again awesome job!!
I appreciate the compliment. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
Sailing on Encore in July (hopefully). Very excited. Great video, very helpful.
Awesome. I appreciate the compliment and happy it helped. Will this be your first cruise? Thank you for watching.
Did you do the cruise and if so how was it?
check black friday and other deals before you cruise
Definitely looking at this ship in the near future. Nice video and very informative.
Thank you for watching it. She's a beauty. Have you ever sailed Norwegian before?
Have seen the ship in the shipyard in Germany this year. We will be going to Bermuda in September. We looking forward to.
Awesome. Will this be your first cruise? Thank you for watching.
not the first time at all but the first with an american cruise line.
Great overview! Thanks you for sharing all these details and great visuals.
I appreciate the compliment. Thank you for watching.
I cant wait for my cruise on this ship I am booked for june 2020, and I love love l9ve what I see so far it my first cruise ever
What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio we are going to be in bermuda for 3 days and then come home to ny
Hey loved the video and we are booked for Jan 2022.
Very cool. Thank you so much for watching.
We just booked. Looking forward to the Laser Tag and Race way for my son.
Nice. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
How much to ride go carts or laser tag games?
As Always, FANTASTIC VIDEO....thank you sir!
I appreciate the compliment. Thank you for watching.
Yes, DH and I are booked on this ship this month, and I appreciate this vid!!!
I'm glad it helped. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio San Juan PR, St Thomas USVI, and Tortola BVI. Its been 9 years since we have been to Tortola so we are excited to get back there especially on this beautiful ship!!
Nice video! I see him last Tuesday in San Juan for the first time!!!
Nice! Was she the only ship in port? Thank you for watching.
Cruise Radio
No; It was with the Adventure of the seas and Silver Whisper!!!
You always do a great job touring NCL ships. I've never been on an NCL ship looking forward to maybe this coming August 21, 2021!
0:29 ..and carries 3,998 guests..they couldn't squeeze in two more??
Thank you for watching.
ikr
LOL
So let me get this straight - only the MDRs, buffet and the Local is included in the fare? All of the activities aside from shows and the pool are not included?
You nailed it. Thanks for watching.
That’s some real bullshit. If the prices were fair it might be acceptable but everything is so expensive.
I hope it still doing Alaska sailings in May 2026 my wife and I are thinking about it
Nice review. Hope to sail on her in 2020 out of NYC..
I appreciate the compliment. Thank you for watching.
Good Video - booked for 5/10 to Bermuda
Awesome. Will this be your first cruise? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio 3rd one. Did a Carnival almost 30 years ago and a Disney in about 2006.
The studio lounges are larger on the Breakaway, Escape and Getaway.
Thank you for watching.
Hey Doug thanks again for the video this ship looks cool !! I sailed on Bliss and this ship reminds me of her, don’t understand why Margaritaville wasn’t more 😿 of a hit, I mean come on cheeseburgers in paradise key lime pie, conch fritters I guess you have to be a parrot head to understand 😃
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Any plans to sail on the Encore in the future? Thank you for watching.
Hey Doug I have sailed on Carnival Holiday, Triumph, Inspiration, Dream and in January Panorama
Golden Princess 2 times
Norwegian Epic and Bliss
My last cruise was this past January on Harmony of the Seas
Sailing on her next Dec. 12/12/20. Can't wait
Nice. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Miami. First cruise to Roatan and HC. My wife's 50th birthday trip. Love the video's and podcast. Thanks for the content.
I sailed on the Encore's sister ship, the Joy, this summer. NCL really goes crazy with the extra fees, particularly on their larger ships. I'm not really a fan of NCL now.
What was the itinerary for your trip on the Joy? Thank you for watching.
Yes, 4/22/20
So where are the parties held, since there isn't a spice h2o?
That's a good question. We hung in the silent disco and on the waterfront. Thank you for watching.
sailed on her in Feb of 2020 right before the pandemic took effect. (First time cruising btw) I REALLY LOVED this ship! NCL staff makes sure you have fun and are comfortable. We took advantage of the vibe beach club even though it was expensive. $400 for a 7 day pass each person. After the bar closes around 6-7pm the place is dead, but still open. (24hrs) So if you really wanted to get away from people, come up there after bar close.
The food and drinks were good all around, I had no problem eating at the buffet daily and the drink menu is very nice also. (I usually cook at home and between my wife and I we out cook even the high end eateries, at least to my tastes and people we had over) Make sure you take something for motion sickness before boarding. I didnt and was sick all night the first night. After taking ginger root on day 2 in the morning I was just fine and drank my weight my alcohol and food with no problems.
I really hope the industry can weather COVID, it was the best vacation I had ever had and plan to return to Norwegian, March of 2022. I do want to go on this ship again. 7 days was NOT long enough to enjoy all that she has.
90 days to go!
What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
Is it better then the carnival?
In my opinion Yes but there’s some things on the breakaway plus ships that are kinda annoying but yes
Not enough pool space
Should have put laser tag under the go cart track.
Use the laser tag space for another pool area.
Laser tag is always fun. Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio
It is fun but shouldn't be taking up deck space instead of a pool area.
We were on it last week. The ship is nice but the way NCL does cruising is stressful. Most expensive trip that I ever took with the kids and worst cruise I ever had. 1st and last NCL cruise.
What did you think about the food? Thank you for watching.
@@CruiseRadio Overall it was fine. The buffet was not fun to navigate. I have food allergies and they did not do well with those. I lost 3 pounds that week, lol. My family said the food was fine. There isn't as much choices on the menu in comparison to Royal Carribbean. The food took longer to get than on a traditional cruising ship. Meals took 1.5 to 2 hours.
Sandy H have you ever been on carnival if not you should go on carnival. I been on Royal Caribbean my mom and I didn’t like it was boring there was no parties no music no djs none of that I also didn’t like the whole reservations thing I’m not used to doing it.
I going!
Nice. What's the itinerary for your trip? Thank you for watching.
STUDIO LOUGE IS THE ONLY PLACE ON THE SHIPYOU CAN GET FREE COFFEE 24/7
Basically. So you have to befriend a studio guest if you aren't staying in there. Thank you for watching.
Where is the smoking area when the casino isn't open?
Hi Sheila, I am trying to find out that info, too. I was on the Escape back in Sept where they had the Spice H2O bar at the rear of the ship where you could smoke, but, the Encore doesn't have that bar on-board. Maybe, the Waves outdoor above the pool on the 17th deck (as the Escape had)? Then, there's the humidor room where the cigar smokers go. One thing I had found, even though cigarettes & cigars are sold on board, they don't have lighters - be sure to carry spares in your luggage, especially if you're flying since some airlines will take your lighters.
@@tomy6917 I have only sailed on the NCL Bliss, it has the H2O in the back. I assume the NCL Joy is the same. I have no idea about the NCL Encore. I did see the design of the Encore is different and that they don't have the H2O on the rear. I'm trying to find the smoking area on the NCL sun since it was refurbished in 2018. Wish I could help you more.
is there any basketball court on the ship?
No and no adults only area everything is a up charge
Is this the encore or the bliss??
It is the exact same layout as the bliss... exact same restaurants??!
Why the hell would not design 2 identical ships??!!!!
Sister ships I guess you don't understand that cruiselines divide Thier ships into classes meaning that the ships in each class are Desgin the same which include the layout and spaces with few changes. with each ship in the group they are slightly differnces which can be a new restaurant ,bar ,RV Games ,activities and the decore coloure scheme but not alot but you would definitely be greeted with the same layout and design
Thats the reason why I ask the question why people go on the same class of ship when ever a new ship arrives in the class because it's going to be the same layout and design 😏 for example Norwegian joy bliss and now encore are sisters if I go on bliss why would go on encore when it's the same Desgin and layout symphony,oasis allure harmony of the seas are sisters ships if I go on harmony why go symphony when I going to see the same thing I hope U understand
They are few changes on encore than bliss which is the RV Games and no adults only area
Nickel and Dime , you basically habe to pay everything extra
Thanks for watching.
Disney cruises tour
Thank you for watching.
💜💕
I sailed the Encore a week ago, I'm done with NCL one of the most expensive cruises and service is mediocre. Ship was wonderful but not worth what I paid. There cruise director should go on carnival to learn how to interact and engaging
What other ships have you sailed on? Thank you for watching.
I was on Encore January 19th and Epic two years ago
Carnival and Royal Caribbean
video could be smoothed out...the bouncing walking reminds me of the first video game "Doom"...very annoying graphic appeal. Narration is appears to be factual and pretty much a monotone flat line to listen to. I punched out after deck 7 6 minutes in.
Good to know. Thank you for watching.
Seems like its ALOT of places to eat that u pay for...not alot of FREE food...
Thank you for watching.