---

November 6, 2019

The Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 17th ship, was recently delivered to the company. Grandeur and elegance, entertainment and quality of service. This is what we noted on board and what we will describe in detail. Let’s talk about… Norwegian Encore!

 

Norwegian Encore, by the numbers

The international cruise market is moving toward the two extremes: huge numbers and tiny numbers. The Norwegian Encore, a ship in the Breakaway-plus class, is certainly a member of the first group, as it is one of the largest ships in the world cruise sector. 167.800 tons, 333 meters long and 41 meters wide, 20 decks. Everything needed to be able to accommodate up to 3998 passengers and 1735 crew members. Certainly impressive numbers, even if they are not record breaking. The incredible number of restaurants on board is 16, without counting the places for snacks, ice cream or pastries. On board there are 2040 cabins available, divided into 12 categories (of which 7 are located in The Haven VIP area).

The on board theater can seat 907 passengers and there are of course other alternatives for entertainment including 18 bars and lounges at the disposal of guests. As you can imagine, there are plenty of areas designated for children, given that roughly 1000 little cruisers are expected to be on the ship each week when sailing in the Caribbean.

Norwegian Encore Cabins and suites

There are over 2000 cabins on board the Norwegian Encore, divided into various categories. The Haven, an exclusive area, has 80 suites in seven different categories. The two Owner’s suites are straight out of a fairytale, but the other accommodations are incredible as well. Another five categories are present on the various decks of the Norwegian Encore, including: Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony and Mini suite. Rather large and modern, they are however suitable for a ship on which you never feel the need to return to your cabin…

Norwegian Encore: The Haven

There are suite categories for all tastes located inside The Haven, a VIP area with restricted access inside the ship with services and spaces just for The Haven guests. Besides the suite area, there is The Haven Restaurant, the Horizon Lounge, The Haven Lounge, a dedicated concierge, a swimming pool with automatic cover (The Haven Courtyard) and an outside area with hot tubs, restaurants and a solarium (the Vibe Beach Club, The Haven Outdoor Restaurant). It is a ship within a ship, with 5 star treatment and allows its guests the possibility to explore the entire ship and then return to their own exclusive corner of tranquility and relaxation.

Restaurants on the Norwegian Encore

On the Norwegian Encore it will be difficult to choose between the many restaurants. If you are on just a week-long cruise you will almost certainly not be able to try all the restaurants on board. The restaurants are divided into two categories. The first are those which are included in the price of the cruise, the Freestyle Dining, without a pre-set meal time and open to all guests as desired. The second are the specialty restaurants that require an extra fee.

Open for all meals during the day, the buffet restaurant, Garden Cafè, is located on deck 16, with many specialty “islands” and a magnificent view over the sea. The alternatives to this are: The Manhattan Dining Room, a beautiful restaurant on the stern, and the two restaurants located on deck 8, Savor Main Dining Room and Taste Main Dining Room. All very elegant and without a need for a reservation or set meat time. Another pleasant alternative is The Local Bar & Grill, where you can try delicious hamburgers and fish & chips while listening to live music until late. The guests of The Haven naturally have additional restaurants reserved just for them inside the restricted area.

For just a few dollars more the gastronomic selection widens significantly. The Teppanyaki and the Q Texas Smokehouse are the alternatives on deck 6. The first is fusion Asian cuisine, with a chef that cooks in front of you, and the second is a BBQ restaurant whose main specialty is barbeque chicken wings. The “Q” offers live music during dinner and the ambiance is very Texan… On deck 8, at the front of the ship, is the very unique Food Republic which offers a digital menu where you can select your dishes on your own directly at the table, with a beautiful view of the sea. On the opposite side is The District Brew House which offers different delicacies to accompany the wide selection of proposed beers. Naturally… here as well you will find live music.

More formal, and with top-level cuisine, are the restaurants Onda by Scarpetta, inspired by Italian cuisine, and the Ocean Blu, an elegant seafood (but not only) restaurant. Also on deck 8, on the stern, are two alternatives that are very characteristic of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. Los Lobos, on the right side, an homage to Mexican cuisine, and the Cagney Steakhouse, on the left, where the name alone is enough to understand what the most important dish on the menu is…

And finally, on deck 17, there are two experiences available, both unforgettable although very different one from the other. Le Bistro French Restaurant is an ever-present icon aboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships. You will find elegance on the menu, but also in the setting, with a breathtaking view to the sea from one of the highest decks on the ship. If you are in the mood to party, then the fun and informal atmosphere of the American Diner is for you, where you dine among cars, colorful decorations and can enjoy outstanding hamburgers!

If, incredibly, you get hungry between meals… you can stop by The Bake Shop, a true paradise for people who love sweets, or the Dolce Gelato for your favorite gelato flavors, or perhaps at Coco’s for freshly made crepes with your favorite filling!

Bars e Lounges on the Norwegian Encore

Even deciding where to have an aperitif or an evening cocktail can be a very difficult decision on the Norwegian Encore! There are bars and lounges to fit just about any taste, many of them offering various musical accompaniments or entertainment. Let’s start at the lowest decks and work our way up to the highest decks, pointing out the various places that could be right for you…

On deck 6, the Atrium Bar serves the central area of the ship, where there are several other services located including the famous Starbuck’s, the Internet Café and the stage where concerts and live music is held. At the center of the ship you will find the Social Comedy & Night Club, where you can stay out late, perhaps first stopping at the Mixx Bar, located on the stern.

On deck 7 you will find the Encore Theater and the Encore Casino. The theater has more than 900 seats, where engaging, top-level shows and performances take place. The casino is very large and has a VIP area as well as an area dedicated to those who would like to smoke. The Skyline Bar services the area of the casino and is also a place where you can have a drink while watching the large screen TV located right in front of the tables.

Deck 8 is full of different places that are sure to be of interest. The Cellars Wine Bar offers a rich selection of wines by the bottle or by the glass, and features an interactive digital menu that is easy to consult. Across from the wine bar is The Cavern Lounge, dedicated to live music, and the Maltings Whiskey Bar, specializing in distilled spirits as well as excellent cocktails. Next to the bar is The Humidor Cigar Lounge, a small haven for smokers that is dedicated to the very best cigars, including a nice selection on display. The Sugarcane Mojito Bar is of course the best place to enjoy your favorite version of the mojito drink, and in the evenings there is also special themed music. The A-list Bar is the last one to mention on deck 8. The majority of these bars and lounges open onto the outside passageway, so guests can enjoy the sea and the tropical climate…

Going up to deck 15, the Observation Lounge is of particular beauty, covering a very large area on the bow, on both sides of the ship. With comfortable sofas and armchairs and a beautiful view off the bow, it is the ideal place to read or for an elegant aperitif. The outside central pool area is served by the Surf Bar and the Wave Pool Bar. Another place for a drink can be found in the Studio area, with reserved access, in The Haven and in the Vibe Beach Club.

Norwegian Encore services

On the Norwegian Encore, many services can be found on deck 6. In the Atrium area you will find the Shore Excursions and the Guest Services offices on one side, and the Internet Café and photography studio (Perspective Studios) on the other. Also, in the general area are the two Meeting Rooms, each with 25 seats, the Library/Card Room and, going toward the stern, the Art Gallery. On deck 8 there is the Photo Gallery and many large stores of every kind (Tradewinds Tax & Duty Free) where you can find everything from souvenirs to Cartier jewelry…

The Pulse Fitness Center and the Mandara Spa are both large as well. The Spa has a beautiful relaxation area overlooking the sea, a snow cave, many types of saunas and a hot tub. Inside the wellness center you will also find the Barber Shop and the Beauty Salon.

The main swimming pool is located on deck 16, and enjoys service from two bars and includes a solarium. Other specific zones are distributed through all the outside decks of the ship, such as the hot tubs on the outside decks overlooking the sea. On the bow there are reserved areas and the Vibe Beach Club.

Children and teens on the Norwegian Encore

The areas dedicated to kids on the Norwegian Encore is truly impressive. On deck 5, the Splash Academy is divided into various play areas that are all very spacious and are dedicated to different activities and different ages ranges. In the Guppies area parents can read books to their children. The Video Arcade can be found between the Splash Academy and the Entourage, which is a space dedicated to teens. Surely even the smallest passengers will have no time to be bored on board.

Attractions on the Norwegian Encore

The Norwegian Encore, in part like the other ships in the same Norwegian Cruise Line class, offers innovative entertainment with some truly special attractions. The most famous is the Speedway, a real go-kart track suspended between decks 18 and 19: complete with racetrack, traffic lights, race pits and guardrail, overlooking the sea. A really unique experience. Also sensational is the virtual reality experience inside the Galaxy Pavilion, where you can shoot at monsters that are attacking you or fly along in your car following risky routes. The Laser Tag experience at the back of the ship will immerse you in a thrilling role-play game, with a sea view!

The Norwegian Encore is immediately striking because of its grandeur and for the range of services and alternatives that it is able to offer its guests. The ship slowly reveals its high level of adaptability for every type of guest, offering everything from hamburgers to gourmet dinners, from go-karts to quiet reading areas, from lively pubs to Hollywood-style theaters. On board the Norwegian Encore the Freestyle formula is able to unite fun with elegance on a ship that leaves you with the sensation that there is always more to be discovered.

Read all the Reviews of the Norwegian Encore, and view the complete Photo Gallery, the Video and all the advice and useful information on Cruising Journal.

Gabriele Bassi

Comments