By Liam P. Cusack
The Norwegian Encore may be the end of a chapter for Norwegian Cruise Line, but the last of the line’s Breakaway Class ships definitely looks to the future.
What makes the 3,900-guest Encore so different than other cruise ships is the sheer number, and diversity, of the onboard amenities, dining, and entertainment options. It’s got a remarkable 29 restaurant options, the longest racetrack at sea, a 10,000 square-foot laser tag arena, and an escape room, among other attractions.
Correspondent Liam P. Cusack was aboard for a November inaugural. Here are his first impressions:
Settling in and a soothing shower
Stateroom options are wide and varied ranging from Inside and Oceanview cabins, to Balcony, Mini-Suite and Suite accommodations. Solo travelers can opt to stay in the Studios zone, which has its own private entrance and lounge with refreshments, making it ideal for socializing. There are also spa-themed staterooms, and The Haven staterooms, located at the top of the ship. The Haven is a ship-within-a-ship concept where guests receive concierge services, additional luxuries, and access to a private courtyard, lounge and restaurant.
My stateroom was a balcony mini-suite on Deck 14. It was tastefully decorated in muted tones, shades of taupe, with a very comfortable king-sized bed and long sofa. There were numerous electrical outlets and USB ports, and clever lighting options.
I do feel there could be more storage space. The space might be ideal for a seven-day cruise, but it might be a bit cramped on longer cruises, or when a guests’ wardrobe might include bulkier clothes such as for Alaska cruises.
The best part of my stateroom was the bathroom. It was large, considering it’s on a cruise ship, and had one of the best showers I’ve ever had at sea. There was great water pressure, sensitive temperature controls, and multiple shower heads to experience a spa like shower. The best features were the showerheads at foot level that were very invigorating on tired travel-weary feet.
Daunting dining options
Guests have a plethora of dining options on board Encore. Indeed, on a seven-day cruise, guests may not be able to sample all of the options among a staggering 29 different dining options. While some restaurants have a surcharge, many passengers will have dining packages bundled into their fare. Guests can eat 24 hours a day, as The Local Bar & Grill is open all day and all night.
In addition to the main dining rooms, which include the Manhattan Dining room, one of the most attractive dining rooms at sea, guests will also find Cagney’s Steakhouse, Teppanyaki (Japanese), Los Lobos (Mexican), Q Smokehouse (BBQ with Live Entertainment), American Diner, and Food Republic (Asian – South American Fusion). Unique to Encore is the new Italian Restaurant, Onda by Scarpetta, an outpost of the famous New York City restaurant.
My two favorites on board are Le Bistro (French) and Ocean Blue (Seafood). Many of the restaurants offer panoramic sea views and even terraces for dining on deck.
Of particular note is the Garden Café, the Encore’s casual buffet restaurant. Unlike many others at sea, this restaurant feels more like an upscale self-service bistro instead of a mega-ship buffet. It rarely felt crowded, except during the special seafood buffet extravaganza, but even then it was not overly uncomfortable and I was easily able to find a seat. Hint – The Garden Café has some of the best Indian cuisine I’ve had. It rivals most New York City Indian restaurants, and was my favorite station to graze in between meals.
Diverse diversions
We’ve already mentioned the unique cart track on the upper deck and the laser tag zone. Guests can also choose from two water parks with waterslides and a swimming pool on deck (though I believe the pool is a bit too small.) Guests also can enjoy the large, extra-cost Mandara Spa which houses a massive thermal suite. If these amenities aren’t enticing enough, guests can head to the Galaxy Pavilion where they can enjoy virtual reality games and rides.
If you’re more of a passive cruiser there are many diversions to suit your taste as well. Guests can choose from more than a dozen bars and lounges on board. Live performances in the main showroom include the Tony Award-winning production of Broadway’s Kinky Boots and The Choir of Man. If big production shows aren’t your thing, there’s a Beatles tribute band performing in The Cavern Club, a re-creation of the original club in Liverpool. There’s also live country rock at the Q Smokehouse, and my personal favorite, a visit to a 1920’s New Orleans speakeasy, Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical, a raucous interactive performance…and as a bonus, you also get five cocktails.
Drinks for all tastes
What goes best with fine cuisine? Great wines, diverse beers, and hand-crafted cocktails. NCL takes their beverage program seriously. Every bartender and wine attendant I met while on board were exceptionally knowledgeable on the subject.
NCL’s outstanding cocktail program has been developed over the past few years by Seattle-based mixologist Kathy Casey. Casey had the monumental task of developing a special cocktail menu for each and every bar on board. This cocktail culture is taken even further if you’re lucky enough to be a guest in The Haven, the Encore’s suite enclave. In The Haven, drinks are “bespoke,” and crafted to each passenger’s specific taste.
If you’re like me and did not have access to this keycard-gated area on board, you’re still in luck. There are amazing whiskey cocktails at Maltings. Across from Maltings is The Cellars, a wine bar where guests are able to find some hard-to-find-premium wines, served by highly-trained wine professionals. Not far away, if guests are in the mood for something more tropical there’s Sugarcane, which offers a full specialty mojito menu.
My other favorite stop while on board was The A-List, this bar is named after outgoing NCL President Andy Stuart with a slight nod to Andy’s favorite English Premier League team Arsenal. At The A-List, Gin & Tonics flow and their variety seems never-ending.
There is also the District Brew House, a sports bar with a huge selection of beers and ales. You’ll find some amazing brews from the Alaskan Brewing Company, which has an exclusive partnership with NCL.
The coziness of the bars and lounges on board Encore foster a sense of intimacy negating that large-ship feeling.
A lounge with the best view at sea
The Observation Lounge is my favorite public room on the ship. It is expansive. Guests will marvel at the 270-degree panoramic view through floor to ceiling windows. While the lounge is huge the design makes it feel intimate, more like a series of private living rooms, comfortably furnished, where one can lounge and watch the world sail past. Sofas, club chairs, ottomans all upholstered in muted tones create a club-like ambiance.
The lounge is perfect for reading, playing backgammon or cards, or just taking a break to meditate. The most thoughtful inclusion are the refreshment stations which offer lighter food options like pastries, sandwiches, and fresh fruit. The lounge is fully-staffed with servers so you won’t have to trek far for a cocktail, though there is a lovely bar at the front of the lounge overlooking the Encore’s bow.
This ship will get around
Norwegian Encore’s 2020 season will be spent sailing to destinations in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Panama Canal, Canada, and New England from the ports of Miami and New York City.
Encore, the last of the line’s six-ship Breakaway Class, will be the newest in Norwegian’s fleet until the arrival of the first Leonardo Class ship in 2022.
Liam P. Cusack, managing editor of Cruise & Travel Report, is an award-winning travel and cruise industry analyst and lecturer based in New York.
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