Taking a cruise together? It's been on my wishlist for ages! And I can tell you not only on mine but also on the children's, only they were not allowed to come this time 😉 . I went with Frank on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore and I'd love to take you on this journey!
ps…. I'm recommended to take a cruise with my family, if anyone wants to throw themselves on it 😉 .
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Let me start my epistle with the fact that I have never taken a cruise before. I once made a crossing with the Ferry to England, but after my experience on the Norwegian Encore I understand that the 3-day mini cruise should not bear the name cruise.
Frank has made a number of cruises with his parents in the past. Although those were also fantastic voyages, the ships he was on at the time are not comparable to the ships of the shipping company that we were allowed to sail on this time. What a special experience this was.
Yes, I had already seen a number of press releases from the Norwegian Encore before we boarded. Still, I was completely taken by surprise when boarding. You can compare the Norwegian Encore to a huge all-inclusive resort. But then 'in flat form' on the water. This may sound a bit derogatory, but it is not intended that way. Let me be clear about that. It's just the sheer size of the ship that is so overwhelming that I can't find any other comparison.
Before the Norwegian Encore actually went on cruises with the sailing public, a number of events were planned to show this beautiful ship to the press. In Europe, New York and Miami. We were invited to board this beautiful 335 meter long ship in Europe. As we speak, the first 'real' cruise is a fact, started from Miami.
Our journey starts from Schiphol to Hamburg, and from there by bus to Bremerhaven. To then board in Bremerhaven and sail to Southampton from where we eventually fly back to Amsterdam. In three days. A special experience!
Want to know more about the Norwegina Encore without reading my review? Check out the Norwegian Cruise Line website.
The Norwegian Encore is your ship if you would like to take a cruise in the Caribbean. In that case you can still choose from the Eastern and Western Caribbean variants from Miami in 5, 6 or 7 days.
In addition to taking a cruise to the Caribbean Norwegian Encore also sails from New York to Bermuda † Here too you can choose from the number of days that you want to sail with this ship. Nice to pick up if you are already making a trip through America, but of course also wonderful as a separate holiday through a fly &cruise.
Hint :In any case, keep in mind that you must request an Esta - even while making a cruise - if you are in America.
Fortunately, you can now easily apply for an Esta online, but I can imagine that you would forget it when you go on a cruise. But even then it is necessary, even if you would not disembark. And don't think that you won't be checked… also during the cruise there is an 'Immigration Clearing' where you have to show your passport and the like. Even if you are invited as a press for a 3 day trip 😉 . Afterwards you can enjoy the view again!
I can't quite share this experience with you yet. The Norwegian Encore may have room for 4000 passengers, but the moment we explore this beautiful ship from top to bottom, there are fewer people on board. Yet I dare to say - after having spoken extensively with a number of experienced experts on the spot - that taking a cruise with 4000 other passengers still feels luxurious. The presence of the other passengers is experienced as less overwhelming than it initially sounds because of all the excursions you do.
Well, now a look at the Norwegian Encore itself. Let me start at the beginning. Boarding goes without a hitch. In no time we walk into this cruise ship and we are warmly welcomed by some of the staff 😉 . We have our own stateroom on deck 12 and take the elevator so we don't have to lug our suitcases around. On each deck you will find staff at the stairs on the day of arrival who will show you the way. Very useful of course, but I feel a bit uncomfortable because of so much 'attention'. After all, they are all equally nice and wish you a nice cruise. They all deserve a nod, a thank you and a smile.
We are surprised by our cabin. Complete and with a nice appearance, I immediately feel at home here. The sun is shining and on our own balcony we are amazed at the fact that we are really going on a cruise. The bathroom is more than spacious enough for two people to stand in front of the sink at the same time, and the closet space in the cabin is also spacious. We do not use it for the three days that we are on board and live 'from the suitcase', but if you stay longer, this is of course so nice.
From a comfortable bed you can look out over the sea, but you can also retreat for a while for a movie on your own TV. Of course the sofa offers a solution, but there is nothing better than watching TV from your lazy bed, right? You understand that we didn't spend much time on this because our goal is to view the Norwegian Encore from front to back during the cruise and we have a busy schedule.
After exploring the cabin, the real work begins. Exploring the Norwegian Encore itself, a 20-deck cruise ship full of entertainment and catering establishments where experience and enjoyment are central. We both crave a tasty cappuccino from Starbucks , so deck 6 will be our first stop. Since we also have a nice appetite, we immediately add a slice of banana bread. hmmmm.
Soon it will be lunch time. We have no idea yet exactly how the ship is divided and follow the most obvious 'route' to Garden Café to satisfy the greatest hunger there. What a huge choice they have here! Garden Café is one of the complimentary restaurants where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. A plethora of delicious dishes from all kinds of "cuisines from all over the world" are ready for you to scoop up.
We start with a humble sign. I don't know if you recognize that too, but when there is so much choice, I don't really know what to choose anymore and I end up with small portions on my plate. Better to scoop something different twice than too much of the same and then run out of appetite to try anything else. I start with Indian cuisine, Frank walks towards the pizzas and burgers and eventually returns to the table with a plate full. Still too much boasted 😉 .
The only drawback I can think of about Garden Café is that you can't go get your food at the same time as you sit at a table. As with any form of 'buffet food' you will serve yourself and that means that you will lose your table if you both serve at the same time. However, the offer is huge and of very good quality, so we can only be positive about that.
Fortunately, in addition to this restaurant, they have 4 other restaurants that are complimentary:where you can go with full board without paying extra. Savour , the Manhattan Room , Taste and the Local are also available and you can order à la carte there. The other days we made use of that, just a bit more fun if you can just sit at your table together. For example, for breakfast at the Local I was served a delicious French Toast, nomnomnom.
If you would like to eat even more exclusive, you can do so in the following specialty restaurants of the Norwegian Encore:
You understand that we were not able to try all these specialty restaurants in these 3 days (unfortunately), but we were able to tick off the Teppanyakki restaurant and Los Lobos. Both times we had a really delicious meal and I don't want to forget to mention that the cook behind the Teppanyakki plate did his utmost to entertain us 😉 .
Please note that the standard cruise fares do not include these restaurants. If you would like to have a bite to eat here, then you will have to pay a little extra for lunch or dinner in these places in addition to making a reservation. But as far as we're concerned:worth it!
If you think that the above restaurants are the only catering establishments, you are completely wrong. Next to the Starbucks you will also find a pastry shop , an ice cream parlor , a pub , a wine bar , whiskey bar , cocktail bars And so on.
I don't think you can name anything you're into and what's not there. Well… a candy stall, I haven't seen that one, haha. But otherwise I find it bizarre to see all the food and beverage options on the Norwegian Encore. And during an extended cruise of a week or longer with Norwegian you can try all these opportunities - whether or not for a little extra.
Don't forget to try some tasty cocktails on the sundeck during your trip. I took the last rays of the sun with me on day 1. After that the weather became a bit less unfortunately.
The entertainment on board is enormously diverse. From a real Broadway show to a go-kart track on the top deck and from an ordinary 'intimate' piano play to a Beatles cover band and a casino. And let's not forget the relaxing Spa area! All equally fantastic so it's just what your heart goes out to.
In the 3 days that we are on board the Norwegian Encore we are amazed, I already told you 😉 . In addition, we thoroughly enjoy the many performances that can be found on board. There is something for everyone in his or her alley.
Many of the performances and activities on offer are suitable for the whole family. Of course everyone has their own preference, for example I know that my son prefers to spend the whole day in the Galaxy Pavilion , the Laser Tag and the Speedway Encore would like to hang out.
The Galaxy Pavilion was also one of Frank's favorites. How I laughed when he turned into a Verstappen look-a-like in a kart in front of a screen. Rarely have I seen him enjoy a racing game so intensely. Undoubtedly the Augmented Reality that contributes to this.
To upgrade my own experiences, I then sat in a tank with Frank and shot all kinds of aliens around me. Super fun, but after 5 minutes I was as dizzy as can be. So nothing for me 😉 .
At the Speedway Encore we mostly stared. How bizarre is it that there is a real go-kart track on a ship! Due to the weather conditions it was no longer possible for us to book a kart ride, but watching is also fun! A special part of the deck has been kept free for all viewers, in between the go-kart track.
You can do laser tag at the very back of the ship, on the same deck where you will find the go-kart track you can enjoy yourself. Since Norwegian Cruise Line's Encore mainly sails in sunny places, it will not easily prevent you during a normal cruise that the weather is a limiting factor for outdoor activities.
A swimming pool on board should - of course - not be missing. In addition to the pools on deck 16, there is also an aqua park for children available and some fantastic slides (one with those big tires).
Around the pools are all loungers where you can relax while the rest of your family swims. Or you can drink a nice cocktail. Or you read a book. Or both 😉 . At night the whole looks like below. Nice isn't it?!
In addition to the swimming pools, there are also several jacuzzis where you can bubble in.
Of course, the children have also been thought of on the Norwegian Encore. It is not for nothing that it is a ship for the whole family. At the Splash Academy, they can play creatively and organize sports competitions and other fun activities. I am ashamed to admit that I have not been on deck 5, so I have not even seen this space myself… short of time!
The Entourage is also available for teenagers. Parents are not allowed 😉 . Movies and music are played here, dance parties are held and you can play video games. If you are going on a cruise with your whole family instead of together, you can easily make some time for yourself and your partner. The kids will enjoy themselves!
One thinks you are crazy, the other makes you happy. Sports on vacation. I even put on my running shoes on vacation. You can also use them on board the Norwegian Encore. A special path has been 'painted' on the deck for the runners among us where they can move undisturbed. In addition, there is a large gym available with dozens of devices with which you can keep yourself moving. Not bad at all, of course, because you undoubtedly already eat and drink enough on board.
The fitness center does not only have equipment, but communal classes are also organized in which you can participate.
We enjoyed a number of performances on board. We saw part of the Kinky Boots performance, a real award winning Broadway show. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that, because they weren't allowed to be taken.
We personally liked the Choir of Man even more than the Broadway show. A fantastically enthusiastic and energetic performance (singing and performance) with all kinds of fun recognizable music incorporated. We really enjoyed it and if you go on a cruise on the Encore, this performance is definitely a must see!
We also had a lot of fun with the Beatles cover band at the Cavern Club. All performances are very professional, not only those in the big theater, but certainly also the performances in the small cafes.
Prefer to dance in the disco? That too is possible. Full of enthusiasm, the DJ effortlessly throws out the latest popular mixes to get everyone on the dance floor. That works without any problems 😉 and we are happy to participate ourselves!
While your children are having fun, you can shop the latest fashion at your leisure. In numerous shops you will find beach fashion, lifestyle products, beautiful jewelry, make-up and so on. Are you a true lover of shopping? Then you can indulge yourself while cruising.
Taking a cruise is for almost everyone, I am now convinced of that. However, do you need even more privacy and luxury than the rest of the passengers? Then the Haven is your ultimate place.
The Haven is a separate part of the ship where you are only allowed to enter if you have actually booked a cabin in the Haven. And for that you have to dig into your pocket a bit. But then you have something;).
A luxurious indoor pool with lovely sun loungers. Its own restaurant, a beautiful lounge and a sundeck that is only accessible to the Haven guests.
It is the ultimate mix between privacy, tranquility and yet the entertainment that you will find on board the entire ship, because as a 'Port guest' you are of course allowed to use it.
As indicated, taking a cruise with our family is still on our wish list. The fact that I was able to taste it only reinforced this feeling.
Even though I am very charmed by it, the Norwegian Encore is of course not the only cruise ship with which you can make fantastic trips. If you would like to travel with Norwegian Cruise Line, there are many more options, because they have an extensive fleet. Check out all their ships here.
In any case, you can still make your own choices when taking a cruise to keep the rate as affordable as possible. The prejudices that cruises are expensive and only for the elderly can be brushed aside. In terms of rates, I can at least indicate that Norwegian Cruiseline starts with a base rate and that you can upgrade in various ways with the following packages if desired:
For an additional € 99.00 per 7 nights you can choose 2 of the above packages, which means that you, for example, have all drinks (up to € 15.00 per glass) included and can eat 5x in a specialty restaurant. This way you can get a very luxurious upgrade for little extra.
I think it is important to add a comment when making a cruise. Despite the fact that I was invited, we had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it, there is one thing that will stay with me about this cruise.
Incidentally, it is not a 'problem' of Norwegian Encore, or of Norwegian Cruise Line, but I think a general issue when making a cruise. And that's the sheer excess of everything. Personally, I don't think excess is a problem, as long as it doesn't turn into waste.
And the latter is what we experienced ourselves on this cruise. No general waste from the shipping company itself, but waste by the people who make the cruise. Now we were on the ship with a lot of press and everyone was invited for a free trip. Maybe that makes some difference to how things normally go. But when I see how many half-full wine glasses were left standing during lunch, it makes me slightly sick. And not just because it's about wine 😉 . #sin
It is everyone's responsibility and I don't have a solution for this problem right away. But I do think that people who take a cruise and buy off the trip (or just the drinks, for example) tend not to worry about the waste. From a sustainability point of view, I think I should mention that. Incidentally, also an issue at all all-inclusive resorts around the world, not just cruising.
If only we could do something about this….
