Norwegian Encore 2023 | Experience the First 24 Hours Onboard my First NCL Cruise | Initial Review

[@TravelingStageManager]

We had the Premium package on Prima and had the same issues with wine bottles at dinner. Seemed they were fine ordering the SAME wine by the glass unlimited but had an issue ordering by the bottle. I think it's a problem in their system vs servers not knowing what's included. But I agree it was 100% confusing all the way around all week.

[@thiscruiselife]

Glad it wasn’t just me experiencing that issue. So strange that they haven’t figured out how to remedy it.

[@TravelingStageManager]

As a CONSTANT cruiser and former crew member....may I suggest on embarkation day you head STRAIGHT to the Main Dining Room, get a Champagne, and RELAX with a slow lunch until your cabin is ready. You have the entire cruise to see everything you raced around to see before your cabin was even ready. Trust me. It's a MUCH more relaxed way to start your cruise, the rest will be there later.

[@thiscruiselife]

That’s awesome advice! Thank you so much. We will definitely use that tactic next time we sail NCL.

[@elnamayberry]

I've cruised on the Epic and loved the Solo cabins and the lounge - I'm such a fan, I just booked a solo cabin on the Encore in March. It looks like the Solo lounge has more snacks on the Encore, but as long as they have the coffee machine, I'll be happy! :)

[@thiscruiselife]

That’s so awesome! I really hope you’ll enjoy the experience on Encore as much as I did! I flew to New York for a cruise recently and met up with one of my Encore solos - and I’m working on booking a cruise with another one. Definitely some awesome connections I made during the cruise. You’ll have to let us know how your experience goes in March!! :) -Mark

[@TheMusterDrill]

Great video! As I've just completed my loyalty goals of Diamond Plus on RC, Platinum on Carnival and Diamond on MSC, I am looking for the next CL and I believe NCL is it.

[@thiscruiselife]

I absolutely LOVE all of the status you have across the various lines; congratulations. I think my next goal is Diamond on Royal. Although, Platinum on Norwegian Cruise Line is definitely attractive to me as well... Decisions, Decisions! ;) I'm excited to hear your thoughts as you start building your status!!

[@Tom-rd9qp]

It sounds like you were up a lot of the first 24 hours. You are a trooper! The drinks would have had me out early! The solo program by NCL sounds awesome. What a way to meet new people and make friends.

[@thiscruiselife]

It was a SOLID first 24 hours, that is for sure! My problem is that I have terrible FOMO when I'm on a cruise. And I was super thankful for the Solo experience - definitely one of the things that makes my "Loved" list on this cruise!

[@ariellehenderson2645]

Thanks for the honest review! I’m sailing on the encore next month and I just upgraded to the free at sea plus package. I am a little nervous because it sounds like NCL has recently changed a lot of the spirits and bottle at dinner perks etc. I’ll be interested to see how the rest of your experience went and if you have any tips to navigate this

[@thiscruiselife]

Hey there! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Congrats on the upgrade to Free At Sea Plus! While I'll share more in my full review, once I learned a couple of the drink tricks from seasoned NCL cruisers, I definitely found value in FAS+. Unfortunately, I did encounter issues trying to upgrade my spirits or ordering by the bottle beyond the first 24 hours, but don't fear, you won't go thirsty on FAS+! Additionally, the wifi, additional specialty meals, and unlimited Starbucks really did spoil me. ;)

[@ariellehenderson2645]

Thank you! Looking forward to the ful review!@@thiscruiselife

[@michellecrestfield3031]

I sailed on the Encore to Alaska Oct. 22 to 29 2023. I sailed in a Studio Room. After I boarded I had lunch at Savor. My pina colada was excellent as was my Philly Cheesesteak. I had dinner at Cagney's one evening. I did not experience the issues you had at embarkation or other passengers congregating waiting for rooms to be ready. Sail away was fun. I plan to take this cruise again. I had the same Solo Cruise coordinator Jimina.

[@thiscruiselife]

LOVE THIS! Thank you for sharing.

[@michellecrestfield3031]

Thank you. I am trying to decide which one to book next.

[@billkallas1762]

I'm going to be sailing NCL out of Seattle in June, on the Bliss, for a 7 day Alaska, and then in October on a 21 day Panama, on the Encore. I was thinking of flying in a day early, for the cruise, but they originally quoted me over $600 for hotel. I called back the next day, and they changed it to "only" $450, for the Westin. I've got to call them back to see if they can book me at a cheaper hotel, or if I have to do it myself. PS I'm doing a solo cruise for both of mine. 12th floor. PSS. I've got all of my excisions booked for the June Alaska, and 80% booked for the October Panama.

[@thiscruiselife]

Ah yes. Hopefully they can get that pricing lowered down for you. Are you using a travel agent or just going through the cruise line for the accommodations? We always urge people to fly in a day early just to be safe, but we have on occasion arrived day-of, if we know there's plenty of other flight options to get there. Seattle and Los Angeles are pretty easy flights for us, so upon arriving the day of the cruise, we have a relaxed approach to the cruise terminal, depending on our embark time.

[@billkallas1762]

@@thiscruiselife Booked direct thru NCL. I've got a long flight from Chicago.

[@thiscruiselife]

@@billkallas1762 Ah, gotcha. The best thing you can do is stay on top of NCL in hopes of better pricing for your pre-cruise stays. It's not an easy task, but that will be the best way to get them to find you lower rates. Perhaps even name specific properties you're interested in staying at so they can attempt to get you booked there. I realize this requires more work, which probably isn't what you were going for. Depending on when the flights get in, day-of might be the more sound option for you.

[@billkallas1762]

@@thiscruiselife Thanks.

[@paddlegal3097]

I was giggling at many your experience descriptions. Our family of 8 will be onboard in June. So happy about the bedding as if you know you know! Not looking forward to the crowds, but an Irish coffee will help!

[@thiscruiselife]

The Irish Coffees will definitely help melt away any stress and frustration! Hope you have an amazing time (and multiple rooms as 8 people in one cabin would be quite tight).

[@paddlegal3097]

@@thiscruiselife Yes, definitely multiple rooms. It will be bad enough sharing with our 33 year old son! Hopefully the Steward will open the partitions on our balconies.

[@thiscruiselife]

@@paddlegal3097If they're adjoining cabins, there shouldn't be any reason why they won't open the partitions. We hope you all have a great cruise!

[@wgreenjr81]

I spend several years as a charter bus driver in Seattle and have taken many people to and from Pier 66, though I've not actually cruised from it yet. I will say that there is no one associated with embarkation/debarkation that has to deal with that terminal that thinks it is functional. So much so that for the Alaskan Cruise on Encore that I am scheduled to take, even though we live in the area we will have family take us to the airport and ride the pier transfer bus to and from rather than asking anyone we know to have to venture into that hell.

[@thiscruiselife]

Thank you so much for sharing this; I wasn't sure if it was just an off day, or if my experience was fairly consistent. It sounds like it's definitely the latter. When you live in the area and won't have family or friends take you to the pier, that's pretty telling!!! Appreciate the insight as a local - definitely helpful as we talk to friends, family, and other cruisers who are looking for insights on the experience. Thank you!!

[@SportsBoss999]

I didn't really connect with you regarding the drinks you had (Irish coffee, Champagne, Gin), but that's ok because it's a personal preference. But being a solo traveler, I appreciated your take on the Solo Lounge experience. I'm a bit shy when it comes to meeting people, though. On another note, you confirmed what I've heard about the Garden Lounge. Your opinion of how good the food is there matches what other people have said. And the crowd on the first day is also something many people talk about. Seeing your video of it however, it doesn't look like the crowd and space to eat is unmanageable, so that's good. Overall it seemed like your 1st day was pretty good. Thanks for your point of view.

[@thiscruiselife]

Absolutely! Thank you for tuning in and watching the review. There were a lot of really good things that came out of this sailing, and while I'm still working on my full review from the sailing, there are still other videos (read: shorts) on our channel from my experience on the Encore that may show more of what the rest of the week was like.

[@AussieInUS]

Great review and nice to meet you on this sailing. 👍

[@thiscruiselife]

Thank you so much! It was truly an awesome sailing.

[@ragegirly4111]

Just one fact about your Starbucks experience. Starbucks Frappuccinos have zero caffeine in it unless you get it ristretto with a shot of espresso in it.

[@thiscruiselife]

My Starbs drink of choice is typically a Venti Iced Chai, extra pump, skim, light ice. That usually does the trick for me! Thanks for sharing about the Fraps!

[@icedteamama176]

Great video! Does one have to be in a solo cabin to join the solo group or go to the solo lounge? My sis will be with me but she’s single. Thanks!

[@thiscruiselife]

Thanks for watching! And, great news: you do not need to be booked in a solo to attend the meetup and gatherings. However, you can only access the lounge outside of the meetup times if you’re with a fellow solo traveler. Your key card does not grant you access to to the solo lounge if you aren’t staying in the area. It was never really an issue, however, as I met a bunch of solos night one and we exchanged chat information. Overall, really great experience! -mark

[@brettparnell8254]

Did you figure out the free at sea plus issue? I was wonderiny the same thing in regards to wine bottles.

[@thiscruiselife]

We actually have a video coming out to the channel within the next couple of days that goes into deeper detail about our experience with great Free At Sea Plus program. Stay tuned! 😉

[@brettparnell8254]

@thiscruiselife Amazing. I just found your channel today and subscribed.

[@dobetter9390]

Anyone going next year 3/31 2024? I'm looking for a group rate.

[@thiscruiselife]

We are not, but hope someone sees this and replies!

[@sophiayelverton1553]

I have a questions if you have $15.00 for a drink, included do they charge for the gratuity and the service charge is that taken out of that money as well. 🤔

[@thiscruiselife]

Great question! You actually pay the "service charges" when you book with a Free at Sea offer. Because NCL does not do receipts (no paper!), you'll want to have some singles if you'd like to add a tip on top of what you've paid for your service charges. Have fun, and drink responsibly! :) -Mark

[@triton6127]

Will be on the Encore in a Studio cabin in a month! Glad I happened upon your series. Turned 60 and Alaska has been on my bucket list.

[@thiscruiselife]

We absolutely love Alaska and you picked a fantastic ship to experience it on! You’re going to have an amazing birthday mingling with the other solo passengers. Happy early birthday! We hope it’s everything you’ve been hoping for!

[@CrkdCrayzirr]

🛳

[@dino21tx]

First thing ....put your hat on correctly and quit trying to be cool.

[@thiscruiselife]

Thanks for watching! It’s my favorite way to wear my hat, so you’ll see it like that in many videos. ;) And we all know Rocky is way cooler! 😜 -mark

[@dino21tx]

@@thiscruiselife yea right! haha! You could wear your pants down around your ankles and be even cooler in your eyes.

[@thiscruiselife]

@@dino21tx pants?! We’re mostly shorts guys, TBH!!

[@erikhonore9898]

The worst ship ever an have been on 15 cruices celebrity,Royal and holland America newer NW again sorry

[@thiscruiselife]

Oh no! What happened that made it the worst ship for you? Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy the experience - I’m curious what happened! -mark

[@amandah7437]

This guy drinks and complains toooooooo much

[@thiscruiselife]

I’d encourage you to check out more of our videos. From the very beginning, we’ve always led with the positive. It’s who we are; our goal is to spread the joy cruising with the world! We’re always honest about things that don’t go according to expectation as that’s the best way for cruisers to make sure they choose the best cruise line, stateroom, drinks package, etc. Also… we try drinks on each ship so we can share the menus and recommendations with others who are interested in that. If you aren’t a drinker, great news, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options on board, too! If you need help in booking your next dream cruise, just let us know. With 100 under our belts, we can make lots of recommendations based on what you’re looking for! Cheers, -Mark