10 Tips & Tricks for the Norwegian Encore | What We Learned On Our 2021 NCL Encore Alaskan Cruise

[@eclark789]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Definitely some info I haven’t seen yet!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

That's what it's all about! Hope it brings you a little insight and helps you find your happy place if you sail on the Encore in the future! Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@tiger7892]

Thanks so much for this 😊 My husband and I are getting married on the Encore in Feb 2023. Gonna send this video out to our guests ❤️

[@Swarmstead]

Setting sail on this ship in two days! Thank you for the tips!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Fantastic! You'll have to let us know what is new on board. Have a wonderful cruise!

[@pamtucker6042]

Just booked the encore for December 2024 for my twins 21st. I’ve sailed NCL 6 times and RC twice.NCL has been the best value but preferred the service on RC better. The Encore looks beautiful and I love the Boardwalks. Can’t wait! Nice video.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

We hope you have an amazing cruise for such a milestone event! We're actually on a Royal Cruise right now and really really enjoying it!

[@aprilernst8779]

Thanks So Much for this video. Leaving this weekend for the Encore !!!! First Time Cruiser here. Your video was def helpful.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

So glad to hear it! Have the best time on your cruise. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to book another before its over! Say hello to the Encore for us.

[@brettparnell8254]

Great video. Very good info. Specialty dining reservations are 90 days in advance. Excursions should be open at any time, but the offerings may change over time

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thanks for the info! We did everything so last minute that it was all available for us!

[@nascar8and20]

Was booking a week with RC icon. But is a little expensive for us couple. Booking it to soon which we want to sail in march. So we are boking with Encore for half the price, and feel it'll be worth it from what we see. Never cruised with NWC. Thank you for this great advice! 👍 3:41

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

NCL definitely has some included perks that can make it very reasonable to sail with them. Give it some time for the hype around the icon to calm down and check back for your next cruise! Older ships will likely have a lower rate too. We found RC to be more or less the same value as NCL. No included drink package with RC but additional amenities on board that interested us more.

[@gregabbott6833]

I can appreciate this one!!! Yes thanks for the pointers! We’ll be on the encore January 2nd!!! Leaving from Miami😀

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Oh, have an AMAZING time. It's cold here at home so cruising out of Miami sounds so good right now! Enjoy the Encore!

[@kalika3126]

Thank you folks for posting this video, my family and i are going on it in June. Thank you

[@carriesilveria-kirby9155]

Last June? Im going this June. Hoping its some what nice weather

[@mamabear3276]

Thank you for sharing these tips 😊 We're booked for this May on the Encore to Alaska 👏🏼 🛳 Glad to have found you two

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Enjoy your trip! It'll be here before you know it! 😊

[@mamarobyn]

This happy place I couldn't have found you on a better day this is literally my happiest day after 42 years of begging my mother will maybe I didn't start right out of the womb but closely thereafter she wants to do it she wants to take an Alaskan cruise we're going...

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

I'm so happy for you! It was the most incredible place I've ever been and I can't wait to go back someday!

[@russpeterson5696]

Didn't eat at buffet. We ate at main dinner in back of ship. The Q Restaurant had the best food, and second was Cagney's Steakhouse. You are right the "Choir of Man" is awesome. My wife and I had the Haven suite. I recommend getting this room. We were in Alaska in October. Had a great time. Thanks for what you do.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thanks for your comment and food recommendations! I wish we would have checked out more of the specialty restaurants for sure and have only heard amazing things about the Haven't. I hope you had an amazing trip!

[@ricobhi]

@Russ is it possible to eat all of your meals in the Haven area if you want to, without feeling like you're missing out? Do they change the menu frequently?

[@derickrojo2222]

U 2 are great, were RC cruisers and have made high status, but were thinking of cruising Norwegian, our last cruise on the symphony RC, was disappointing, so thanks

[@0388nemo]

Very useful info. Thanks for sharing your experience : )

[@LindaMitchell-t7x]

With the Free At Sea package which is one of the perks, the beverage part of the package is gratuities only. Which is about $22 per person per day. So if you drink 2 drinks a day at $15 per drink…. It’s worth it. The FAS Plus which includes more options is more expensive.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Definitely worth it if it's included!

[@icedteamama176]

Where did you see whales (which port) please? Thanks so much for all the tips! Glad to hear they have Indian and Asian sections in the buffet. Love the Local on NCL Prima. We’ll be on Encore late May. Heard the Ketchikan port stop is super short with long long lines 😢 which excursions did you do?

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Hello! So exciting to hear about the upcoming Alaska cruise. Our series was filmed over 3 years ago and it's still been one of our top travel experiences ever. I'm sure things have gotten better since then. We saw whales starting from the first sea day all around the ship, but we did the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point. We did a helicopter flight and glacier walk in Juneau, a sled dog team meet and Chat in Skagway, and Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan. We tend to agree that the time in Ketchikan was short. We really only had time for our excursion but didn't experience lines because our excursion was so intimate. If you want to see more of those specific excursions, check out the rest of our series! kzbin.info/aero/PLcHaURqh15XRhbybRFcu2NsnSZEdM159s&si=fMwY4z85uRt8imdp

[@pdallen5801]

Outtakes are an awesome touch!

[@kennywilliams123]

Good tips, we’re long time cruisers and we love Norwegian, and will be heading out from Seattle to Alaska The first week of October 2022. PS… Go Pitt !

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Have an amazing trip and hail to Pitt!

[@chuckoneill2023]

Thanks. We sailed Encore a month after you. I actually found the NCL app crashed a lot, personally. Hope that improves.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

It wasn't the most functional app, that's for sure, but I've heard that about a lot of cruising apps. Still glad we had it!

[@kime464]

Does this ship have filtered water and can I fill my hydro flask with it or do I have to purchase the bottle water package? Going on this ship in February

[@indranidas40]

This was great video . Thank you

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Glad to hear you liked it! We hope it helps if you find yourself on the Emcore!

[@stacysmith4350]

Thank you for this, will be on the Encore April 2nd 2023

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Less than a year! It'll be here for you know it. Have an amazing trip!

[@joannematzuka1592]

Thank you so much for sharing this information. I was wondering what time the shows are so I can figure out what time I should make reservations at the specialty restaurants tia

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Showtime can vary somewhat from cruise to cruise and from one day to the next depending on the show, however the shows are usually later in the evenings. In general, scheduling an earlier dinner to be done by 7:30 or so on the nights you want to see a show will leave you ample time. Just double check showtimes on the app or daily cruise planner when you board.

[@joannematzuka1592]

@ThisHappyPlace_ thank you so very much

[@chambersstevens3135]

U guys are great! So helpful!!

[@OcalaTim01]

You can opt-out of the "Free" Perk drink package (as long as everyone in the cabin also wants to opt-out of it.). Saves you a few hundred dollars in not paying for the Gratuities for the package.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thanks for the info. I think we definitely got our money's worth but...we like to drink sooooo....lol.

[@louiscerulli5676]

All NCL cruises offer "Free at sea" Up to 5 perks including Drink package, Specialty Dining, Free internet, Shore excursion credit and other specials. You can choose "Sail away" to not accept any of the perks. When I compare a NCL itinerary to any other cruise line and add the perks, NCL is always the best value. Was recently on the Royal Mariner of the seas and for a 5 day itinerary the drink package for my wife and I was $575, we thought about going without the package but we did not want to check off all the drinks each day. We're not huge drinkers either but think about it, starting at the pool deck around noon and going till about midnight, 1 am??

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Great points! Doing our research, we saw that the drink package was generally included, but we saw a TON of people on the cruise that didn't have it and didn't even know it was an option. And I know that you pay tax on that package as well, so I think it's just important to so the math before getting on. But if it's offered, heck yes we'll take it bc we do like a good drink....or two....or 5 🤣

[@ricobhi]

I love that you researched so much before going on this ship. I bought tickets in December for our October 2022 cruise, and have been doing a little bit of research every week since then! Did you ever consider booking your excursions on your own instead of going with the options offered by NCL?

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

We did and I think I'd consider it even more now, but with restrictions still being in place, the Alaska season being so short and so many companies not opening for 2021, it seemed like the safest bet to go with NCL last year. Now that things are more "normal" I'd definitely consider booking things on my own, especially yo give ourselves to explore the towns on our own more. The only thing that makes me nervous about doing that is something going wrong and the ship leaving without us 😝

[@kathymorrison6381]

We just got home from this cruise. We booked the Skagway train thru NCL but did whale watching thru Alaska Galore in Juneau and Ketchikan Kayak for an e bike tour. Both provided excellent communication and service

[@ricobhi]

@@kathymorrison6381 Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@ricobhi]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel Yeah, they do seem to make a big deal about that "the boat won't leave you if you go with us" thing in the NCL listings. 😄 But, someone else pointed out that these other businesses would stand to lose too much if they weren't really good at getting people back to their boats in time, which I thought was a really good point. Thank you again for your videos!!

[@Swordsfor200Alex]

Thanks for the rundown on the Encore. We are going to Alaska the last week of August 2022 in the Haven. I will definitely review the deck plans and use the app for us to navigate around the ship. We did this cruise 10 years ago but on the NCL Jewel so half the size of the Encore. We had a forward penthouse that had a large deck just below the bridge. We could wave at the Captain. I see the new ship design doesn't have any forward-facing decks unless you are up in the Haven. From what I understand it was always a problem for the bridge crew's night vision distortion when someone below left their shades open at night.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Oh, that's really interesting. I find all of the small details about these giant ships soooo fascinating and spend a lot of my time on them wondering how it all works. 😆 Have a wonderful trip!

[@Qazxswer68]

Did you go 21-28? I might have ran into you:) Wasn’t that the best weather ever for an Alaskan cruise❤

[@kime464]

Does the encore have filtered water and can I fill my hydro flask or do I have to purchase the bottled water package? Thanks for this video! I will going on those cruise ship

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

I didn't see any specific filtered water filling stations, but to be fair I wasn't really looking as we bought the water package. I found it to be worth it! Thanks for watching!

[@dawnlibby2662]

I don't know about the Encore but their sister ship the Bliss does. There is a station outside by the entrance to the buffet.

[@shalauntewright6596]

Thank you : very informative ❤

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thanks for saying so! We hope it helps if you find yourself on the Norwegian Encore anytime soon!

[@shalauntewright6596]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel yes me and hubby just booked for our 25th anniversary for 2025, we are so excited, any information helps 💃🏽

[@lauried1042]

Great tips thanks!"

[@nancymccombs3775]

I’m going on the Encore Aug 2023, a bucket trip, going with my son. Will be using an ecv. I won’t be doing many excursions but I should be fine on the cruise, right? On all the cruise videos I’ve watched, I never see any ecv’s. Thank you!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

You will definitely be fine! There were lots of ECVs on the ship when we were in Alaska!

[@nancymccombs3775]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel Thank you so much!

[@davidburnell904]

Great video thank you 😊

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thanks for watching!

[@juliechats2000]

Can you make the reservation immediately when you get on the ship if you get to the social club to do it and can you make reservations on your app as soon as you get on the ship or before you get on the ship for the shows

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

According to NCL's website, you can rebook entertainment 21 days prior to sailing (26 for Haven and Platinum and above). What we've found is that these reservations are limited and more are available once onboard. Do it immediately, some shows book up quickly (18+ comedy shows).

[@TampaBaySports]

Leaving on the encore on Sunday November 13th..... 4 days to go!!!!!!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Have an amazing trip!

[@gknepper01]

There is a large staffed beverage station towards the front of the Garden Cafe where you can get mimosas and other morning pick me ups. Ask me how I know ;)

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Oh darnit! Can't believe we missed it!

[@Cowboyfromfrance]

Hi, does it takes a long time to get off the boat in each step (Juneau, etc) ?

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

It depends on the ports and at what time you're disembarking. It's technically a very easy process (if docked and not tendered), but sometimes long lines can form. Other than Icy Strait Point, we were off the ship quickly at each port.

[@youngedwards3265]

Wow very helpful thank you 😊

[@janetgoodwinbunsrusinc7006]

❤thanks for the tips

[@joeelwell177]

Thanks for the update

[@kurpal8904]

What are your experiences on the Encore with motion sickness? Worried about getting sea sick or rocky. Planning on Alaska in July. Thank you.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Traveling up towards Alaska from Seattle, I was a little queasy, but I was also pretty jet lagged which I think played into that a lot. I didn't find it SUPER rocky, but had previously been on a cruise with huge swells during a storm so I compare everything to that. Once we were in Alaska, I barely felt the ship move at all.

[@kurpal8904]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel July shouldn’t have any crazy storms from Seattle to Alaska hopefully. Thank you

[@kiranmarrapu]

Free At Sea - Beverage Service and Dining service are good to add or worthless? i booked for May 2024. Not sure, whether I can cancel those 2 services if they are worthless. Please respond.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

You cannot cancel individual items from the Free at Sea, it comes as a package and is all or nothing. You have to do the math and decide if you'll get your money's worth from the taxes you pay for the "free" package.

[@kiranmarrapu]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel There were options to select / deselect for Open bar Service and / or Speciality Dining service. My question, whether they are worthful to keep? If they are not worthful, I will try for refund for those services. Because, as you said, most of the days, we will be out for some excursions.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Oooooh, that's great to know. I think that the doing the math tactic still applies. It doesn't take MANY drinks to break even and I think it's definitely worth it to keep the dining as the specialty restaurants are pretty great.

[@SamanthaChan-zm7zh]

@kiranmarrapu You don't need to accept the Free Beverage pkg, it's not really "Free", there's a $22/pp per day gratuity that will be added to your booking. If one person takes the beverage pkg, the 2nd person has to take it too bcuz NCL doesn't want the 2 guests in a cabin to share the Beverage pkg. There's another way you can do it by booking 2 Solo cabins & it's also an advantage for excursions too. Bcuz only the first guest will get the $50 off per excursion per port while the 2nd guest will have to pay full price. So if you book your own Solo cabin, both guest will get the $50 off per excursion per port !!!

[@SamanthaChan-zm7zh]

@kiranmarrapu The dining pkg is good to have bcuz if you have to pay for the dinner at the Specialty restaurant, like the Teppanyaki dinner will cost you $59/each plus gratuity. However there will be a gratuity charge for the free Specialty restaurant, I was charged $19.80 for my 2 Free Specialty Dining on my Transatlantic cruise.

[@indranidas40]

How difficult is it to get day passes for the thermal suite spa

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

You can purchase spa experiences through the app ahead of time to lock in a spot. Otherwise the spa gets pretty full on sea days, but you can try port days or off peak times and will likely have better luck.

[@bartholomewbrier6973]

Love your sweatshirt

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Hail! 😊

[@Nabdoolhotmail]

Hi what time is the earliest to embark on cruise ship ? 5:00 pm is cruise schedule time

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

I think the earliest general boarding time is 11:30 but it may depend on the ship and itinerary.

[@annarborarmando]

Did you need a passport for this cruise? Am booked for may, but have a enhanced DL from Michigan.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

They highly, highly recommended we have it and did check it when we checked in. But since it was closed loop, it wasn't technically required. We didn't use it again, but probably wouldn't do an Alaskan Cruise without one since at some of the stops, the closest hospital is in Canada. Better safe than sorry.

[@bradlococo4806]

guess you need to go on another NCL since the DRINK PKG IS FREE and wifi and 1 specialty dining

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Yup! We had that package. Just mentioned if it would be worth the price if you were to pay for it or not. 😊

[@bradlococo4806]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel you dont have to pay for it now it is FREE that makes it worth it :)

[@richardpage9377]

Did the Bliss when it came out , first time on Norwegian was not satisfied. I'll stuck with Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

We really want to try Royal! I think it seems more up our alley! It is nice to know that our experience wasn't singular (many ppl have made us feel bad for having our opinions 😆). But isn't that what's great? There's a cruiseline for everyone!

[@teams3345]

Going on a 21 day cruise on the Encore Haven in about two weeks. Our favorite cruise line.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

21 days! Incredible! Have an amazing time!

[@kime464]

Did this ship have filtered water and can I fill my hydro flask or do I have to purchase the bottle water package? Also when we go to ports can I bring back bottle water?

[@bunkerhillguy2542]

Wow! 21 days in The Haven!! Rich!!

[@janicestewart7546]

We were on Encore Mar. 2022. Food Republic was awful. Will never eat there again! Ocean Blue was fantastic. We ate outside!

[@mitrecl9700]

Just got off Encore from Caribbean and found it the worst experience ever as a Gold member - watched solo street show in the theater TWICE, reduced/shortened public area such as track/walk, limited operation hours for laser tag and it skipped the GSC private island again 😢

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

I'm so sorry to hear that. We had a rough time on our NCL Joy cruise a few months ago too. Similar issues as you. And we had the private island canceled on a recent RCL trip as well. 🙁

[@ashish20000]

Which excursions did you book and liked the best? Thanks!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

The helicopter glacier tour in Juneau was an unforgettable experience and we also loved salmon fishing in Ketchikan, but every excursion we booked was great! We vlogged the whole trip so feel free to check them out to see the experiences!

[@ashish20000]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel Where did you book your helicopter tour from? Thanks!

[@paular601]

I booked the show already and don’t sail until July

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

That's great! Early booking wasn't available as we sailed on only the 3rd cruise post shutdown in 2021. Lots has changed since then!

[@michellekuennen-apperson2827]

Thanks so much!

[@danamarro1]

Is there a casino or dancing nightly?

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

There is a casino and entertainment into the night. We were on the 3rd sailing after the Covid closure though so not all entertainment was back then. It's sure to be a party now!

[@mileswinslow7553]

I've been to five Continents, multiple countries and forty-six states and many provinces. I'm more of a traveler than a vacationer too. I'm not really into an all inclusive vacation to Playa de Mexico, not that I haven't been there (mostly during Covid when travel was limited).I've been dog sledding to see the Northern Lights. I've been on African safaris and its amazing beaches. I've seen a lot, but never cruised before. I'll be fifty-six and am going on my first cruise 🛳 in October '22 to see Alaska. I've gotten a balcony, no obstruction. I'm looking forward to it... a Norwegian Cruise 🛳.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Have an amazing trip. Alaska bow truly holds a very special place in our hearts and I hope it captures yours as well! Cruising is just a great way to experience it.

[@bunkerhillguy2542]

Funny to read this because I'm 47. I've never been on a cruise before and been to 70 countries. All via air. I just finished my Alaska cruise on Norwegian Bliss which is the sister ship to Encore in August 2022. Had an amazing time and plan on doing more cruising now! It's just easy!

[@CarlaGranger]

There was a bar as soon as you walked into the buffet. Maybe they got rid of it...

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Someone else said this and I honestly think we just missed it! So food focused we didn't even pay attention lol!

[@jordanlayfield]

Cruising on December 12th!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Have an amazing time!

[@mickydrew]

Wouldn't you get a good view from your balcony?

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Depends what side you're on! We were on the wrong one to view the glacier.

[@anthonyortega754]

The drink package wasn’t included then for your cruise. It’s $19.80 per day per guest. If you pay for the drink package it’s $99 per day plus 20% gratuity. You both must of did a Sailaway promotion. Gotta do the free at sea promotion

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

At this point, I have honestly no idea what the promotion was. 😝 We booked late and were sort of frantic to just get on a ship to Alaska after ours was canceled. It was all a learning experience. Thanks for the tip.

[@veraonearth]

any teens here going on the encore december 19th for the 7 day cruise?

[@Zizboboo]

We are going with two boys 14 and 12!! See you tomorrow!:)

[@veraonearth]

@@Zizboboo yay! im 16 and i have a younger brother who is 11! (and an 18 y/o sister) see you:)

[@denizalgazi]

So pleased that Disney Cruise Line doesn't have the "unlimited" drink packages!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

We liked it more too. And DCL's drinks are CHEAP which is so shocking since it's Disney lol.

[@denizalgazi]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel I always recommend DCL's $5+ drink of the day for those that like to drink!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

@@denizalgazi Oh my gosh, yes, I lived on that! Jake is a beer drinker so we got the beer mug first thing and his beers were so cheap bc of that. It's a really great deal!

[@ecobuildmanagement]

I got beverage package for 136 dollars a week for person, I guess I am lucky

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thats a great deal!

[@ecobuildmanagement]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravel Do you know if it's possible to remove service charges at the ship? Where could I do it? I really consider charging extra 15-20$/day a scam. Tips can't cost like half of the cruise ticket

[@JPCedars]

Went on the inaugural cruise for encore at a full cruise. Worst cruise I've ever taken, all public areas were filled to the brim. It was awful. Half the ship was for haven.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

To be completely honest, it wasn't our favorite experience (the ship, not Alaska, Alaska was awsome) and it was only at 60% capacity. That still felt busy! I CANNOT imagine it full.

[@kadoharp]

I was on the mr sexy legs contest in November 2021 on this ship. Very happy its not on KZbin lmao

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Hahaha! I don't think they held that on our cruise (it being Alaska, there weren't a lot of legs out 😋). Too bad...could have gained a lot of subscribers from that!!! 🤣

[@thefozzybear]

I most likely have 1 drink per day so the drink package is not worth it.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

We are sailing on a Royal cruise in a few months and have decided to not go with the drink package. You do kind of have to drink a lot to make it worth it and while we CAN do that, we don't really want to lol.

[@danilsafigueroa9867]

👌👌👍👍💯💯💯

[@TheThisisliving]

We paid NCL $500 for insurance in case anything happen to our trip. We were at the NZ airport when the weather went bad. 14 inches of rain fell that day. The airport was closed. We had to spend the night in the airport because they wouldn't let anybody leave. The next day we were threatened with jail time by the airport if we didn't leave so we left. NZ air offered no help. We arranged a hotel for two day hoping we would get help by any of the parties involved with no luck. We ended up staying for 5 day thinking we would be covered by the insurance that we purchased through NCL. The extra 5 days cost us $3k + $1400 to purchase new tickets through NZ air. We ended up with a $500 per person compensation for $1000 total and nothing from NZ air. Do NOT sail NCL. They hold no responsibility for anything that may go wrong and LIE about any kind of service they may have to provide. In the end it cost us $3400 for something that was not our fault. DON'T buy insurance it's a SCAM. Corporate Slobs.

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@733DMPILOT]

Don't think that NCL is going to be a good cruise. The food is bad, the service is worse! The drink package was very expensive and not worth the money. We were on the fence on which cruise line to use. and the fact is Royal Caribbean is far superior in all but one thing. NCL's bathrooms are bigger than even some of the suites in RC. That being said the rest of the check boxes go to RC hands down. Even NCL's Cagney's premier steak house falls flat on its face in both serve and food quality and understanding how to cook a fillet Mignon . The fillet was bland had no taste and it was served overcooked. When we requested to get a replacement, they could not do it. They were so slammed with tables, we had to leave without eating. our main course. They only make up the rooms once a day now, and with that they could take the whole day, We waited till 4 :30 pm most days. one of the pillows we got smelled like perfume!. Come on! get it together NCL. !!. Goes from boarding! till the end with disappointments about food and service. The ship was overcrowded and all the venues were ridiculous!!The shows are dated and low budget. Stay AWAY!!!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Thanks for the perspective on this. We experienced a lot of the same issues with this particular sailing in 2021, but recently sailed with them again (different ship) and saw some improvements, especially with food. Still some service and entertainment issues for sure. Hopefully the improvements continue. In the meantime we have our first Royal Carribean cruise coming up so are looking forward to that!

[@thesteamingbean.]

Why do Americans always pronounce the 't' on croissant? Egads!

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Haha, we come from a place that says "warshed" instead of washed and "yinz" so there is very little hope for proper pronunciation anywhere. 😆

[@cherifurr3935]

Because we’re not French!

[@whoooami2090]

@@ThisHappyPlaceTravelthat’s exactly how I say warshed. I get made fun of it all the time by my kids. Also the English language is a strange one, when those ph(s) can be an f or ps is just an s. WHY?? Also, this person complaining about the way Americans talk must have nothing better to do.

[@mattkurtz1825]

Good tips..but damn the blond is dramatic :)

[@ThisHappyPlaceTravel]

Gotta put on a good show for KZbin 😉