Cruise Review: Onboard the Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest Breakaway Plus class cruise ship is here, and it’s a beauty! I just spent 3 days cruising from Miami to the Bahamas on the Norwegian Encore’s inaugural sail, and it was a whole lot of fun. Between the above-deck go kart track The Speedway, lots of fine dining options, and a Broadway musical onboard, there’s a bit of something for everyone! Here’s everything you need to know about the Norwegian Encore.

Onboard Entertainment on the Norwegian Encore

There are so many things to do onboard the Norwegian Encore that it was overwhelming to try to do it all on the short cruise we were on! There’s something for everyone on this ship, and tons of entertainment options that are perfect for families or adult groups or couples, so no worries about ever being bored. Here are a few highlights I found around the ship in terms of onboard entertainment.

First of all, there are the shows. The two shows on our sailing were The Choir of Man, Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical, and Kinky Boots. I didn’t make it to The Choir of Man myself, but everyone I heard talking about it said the show was fantastic. The show features covers of everything from pub tunes and classic rock to musical hits, and has live percussion and choreography. Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical is more adult-focused musical entertainment (and not for children under 16, according to Norwegian), and is an interactive show that takes place in a New Orleans speakeasy. Last but definitely not least, the ship has a full production of Broadway musical hit Kinky Boots. This is what I was most excited about, and it did not disappoint! Kinky Boots is a winner of 6 Tony Awards and tells the story of shoe factory owner Charlie Price and his unlikely partnership with drag queen Lola. And Lola definitely steals the show! The musical features all original music by Cyndi Lauper, and is a feel-good night out that you definitely should not miss while on the Encore.

Out of everything onboard, the coolest thing might just be the Speedway. I learned that it the one on the Encore is the largest one yet of any Norwegian ship coming in at 1100 feet long, and had to be specially designed so that it could go over the sides of the ship from where it lives on deck 19. It’s something quite special to be able to race go karts on top of a cruise ship!

Next door to the race track is another fun family-friendly activity – the outdoor laser tag arena. This was actually the first time I had ever played laser tag outdoors (and during the day to boot!), and I really enjoyed how the technology of is is centered on the guns so that you don’t have to wear a bulky vest. The design of the laser tag arena is also very fun, with an Atlantis theming. As fun as I had playing during the day, I think it would be even better to experience at night, so I recommend booking for a nighttime game.

If you’re looking for other ways to spend time while onboard, don’t miss out on the Galaxy Pavillion, a VR arcade wonderland. Some of my favorite VR games I played included one called Vertigo, where you had to walk a plank on top of a skyscraper to save a cat, and an Assassin’s Creed Maze game. They also have games that simulate hang gliding, riding a roller coaster, or trying to escape dinosaurs in a jeep, just to name a few!

And some of the best for last, there’s of course the Main Pool area and the Aqua Park, featuring two multistory waterslides. Try to race your friend on the Aqua Racer, a tandem waterslide, or fly out over the side of the ship on the Ocean Loops. If thrills aren’t your thing, relax at one of the two pools or four whirlpools available on the Deck 16 pool area.

And if you want a bit more peace and quiet while you sunbathe, Vibe Beach Club is an adults-only relaxation area that you can buy a daypass to and enjoy sun loungers and private cabanas up top on Deck 20.

Around the Ship on the Norwegian Encore

There are a few beautiful spaces onboard the NCL Encore that particularly deserve to get highlighted, like The Haven, The Observation Lounge, the Mandara Spa & Fitness, and the mid-ship chandelier. Let’s start with The Haven. The Haven is a “ship within a ship” concept, where you can relax a bit more privately and luxuriously with exclusive spaces and perks. The staterooms inside The Haven feature amenities like private balconies, luxury showers, and very modern interior design that is absolutely Insta-worthy. If you’re looking to splurge for a luxury experience onboard the Encore, The Haven is definitely the place for you. It’s the sweet suite life. You’ll also get access to places like The Haven Courtyard, seen below, with its own private (super photogenic) pool, The Haven Restaurant, The Haven Lounge, and The Horizon Lounge. The Horizon Lounge is especially worth talking about, as it is its own Observation Lounge, but private, and with even more windows for the perfect front-of-ship viewing experience. Oh, and Haven guests also get access to their own private area of the Vibe Beach Club, just to make it all even better.

For those of us not staying in The Haven though, the public Observation Lounge is a beautiful space to relax in, enjoy the bar with a drink, and watch the sunset from. It features floor-to-ceiling windows in the front for optimal views of the ocean, and truly stunning interior design. I especially loved the giant light fixtures that kind of look like giant beehives!

The Mandara Spa & Fitness center boasts a Thermal Suite where you can have a dip in the Vitality Pool, or experience areas like the Salt Room or the Snow Room. If you just want some relaxation time without getting a spa treatment, there is an option to purchase a Thermal Suite Pass to enjoy the area for the duration of your voyage. The Salt Room is especially a treat, and only available on Breakaway-class ships. Norwegian describes it as a “dramatic grotto surrounded with layers of body cleansing salt crystals,” so as you can imagine, it’s pretty Instagrammable.

The last space I want to highlight is the chandelier in the small atrium by the casino. What’s particularly fun about this piece is that it changes colors and lighting, which can be especially cool while watching some live music and hanging out at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar next to it. Hanging glass staircases lead between levels under the chandelier, which really completes the look. Deck 6 under the chandelier might be the best place on the ship to take a formal dressed up photo while you travel on the cruise.

Dining and Restaurants on the Norwegian Encore

I managed to try a few of the many restaurants on board during my sailing, including Teppanyaki, Taste, and Los Lobos, along with the buffet at the Garden Café. There are a total of 9 specialty restaurants onboard: Ocean Blue, Q Smokehouse, Food Republic, Cagney’s, American Diner, Teppanyaki, Los Lobos, Le Bistro, and Onda by Scarpetta, so you can find pretty much any type of dining experience you’d like. Teppanyaki is an authentic Japanese hibachi restaurant, which was quite fun as we had our chef slicing and grilling right in front of us. It makes for a unique dining experience, and one that’s a bit more interactive than usual. He also did tricks, like juggling his spatulas and eggs! The other specialty dining we ate at, Los Lobos, serves Mexican cuisine. Don’t miss out on the guac here as they make it table-side for you!

For complimentary restaurants options, there is Taste, Savor, The Manhattan Room, Garden Café, and the only 24/7 option – The Local. We got to try Taste, which has a menu that changes daily. Everyone in my group loved our meal at Taste – we had a bit of a seafood feast with lobster tail, scallops, crab legs, and more – and it was fabulous. Possibly my favorite meal of the cruise!

Lastly, there the Treat options, which include Starbucks, Dolce Gelato, and Coco’s. Of these, I only made it to Coco’s, which serves delicious crazy milkshakes and sundaes. Definitely stop by for one at some point during your cruise, they’re worth it!

Visiting Norwegian’s Private Island: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

For our inaugural sailing out of Miami, we cruised out to NCL’s private Caribbean island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. The island has 268 acres to explore, with tons of turquoise water and white sand. You have options to book excursions, such as the ziplining that is on the island over the beaches, or trips out to the famous Bahamas pig beach, activities such as snorkeling or renting a waverunner, just to name a few. You do have to tender to the island, so make sure to plan for that time accordingly when booking excursions and planning out beach time.

If your goal is relaxation, consider renting a cabana or even better, a private Ocean Villa at Silver Cove. You’ll get access to Silver Cove, which in my opinion is the prettiest beach on the island, and it includes access to the upscale Silver Cove buffet. If you want a true Instagram moment, there are swings all over the island for photo ops, but the best ones are probably the set located in the ocean at Silver Cove.

Norwegian Encore By the Numbers

• Occupancy: 3,998 passengers (double-occupancy)
• Crew: 1821
• Total Staterooms: 2,043
• Tonnage: 169,116
• Length: 1,094 ft
• Width: 136.2 ft
• Cruising Speed: 23 knots
• Inaugural Date: November 2, 2019
• Decks: 20

Overall, I loved my first Norwegian Cruise, and I hope to get to experience more Norwegian cruises in the future! Have you ever been on Norwegian? I’d love to hear about your experience with NCL in the comments below!

Disclaimer: I was invited to experience the Encore as a guest of Norwegian. As always, all opinions are my own.

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