The Norwegian Encore, the final addition to Norwegian Cruise Line’s acclaimed Breakaway Plus Class, promises an exceptional cruising experience. Like her sister ships—Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Bliss—Encore offers something for everyone, whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or with the whole family. From luxurious Haven suites to cozy solo cabins, and with Norwegian’s signature Freestyle Cruising, you can tailor your journey exactly to your liking. Ready to find out what the internet has to say about this remarkable ship? Read on for a rundown of the Norwegian Encore.
Find out more about NCL Encore on CruiseWeb
Some Upcoming NCL Encore Destinations :
Southampton to Miami (Dec 2024): 12-night Transatlantic repositioning cruise.
Miami, Florida (Dec 2024 – Mar 2025): 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Miami to Seattle (Mar 2025): 21-night Panama Canal repositioning cruise.
Seattle, Washington (Jul 2025): 13-day Denali Explorer Pre-Cruise tour.
Miami, Florida (Nov 2025 – Apr 2026): 7-night Western Caribbean cruises.
Miami to Los Angeles (Nov 2025): 15-night Panama Canal repositioning cruise.
Review Round-Up
Who has time to read through all the reviews? Well – we do. Here’s a summary of the best and worst of NCL Encore reviews to give you a flavour of what to expect.
The overall consensus on Norwegian Encore
The Norwegian Encore is a modern and stylish ship that manages to provide an enjoyable experience despite its large size, accommodating over 4,000 guests. One reviewer notes that “even though it is a large ship, it didn’t feel too big,” highlighting the smooth and efficient operations from check-in to disembarkation. The variety of dining options, particularly the Freestyle dining concept, allows for a relaxed and flexible dining experience. The ship offers well-appointed cabins with ample space, and there are plenty of activities for all ages, such as the popular teen lounge.
Exceptional Staff
The crew was described as “exceptional,” with staff members consistently offering warm and friendly service. While the food and entertainment received mixed reviews, with the exception of the standout Ocean Blue restaurant, the overall experience was positive. One downside was the internet service, which was described as “pretty much useless” for onboard communication. Despite this, many reviewers concluded that Norwegian Encore offers a “great experience” and recommended the ship.
Staff & Cabin
Three reviewers wrote about their varying experiences with the service in their recent Norwegian Encore reviews. One reviewer mentioned that although “everyone was very nice,” they had minimal interaction with their cabin steward, only seeing them 2-3 times throughout the trip. They also had to request an extension cord from customer service and felt awkward asking for a robe, which required the steward to “call his supervisor.”
Another passenger praised the crew, noting that they were “attentive, engaging, and pleasant,” creating a great experience for the guests. Despite the cold weather preventing them from using the pool and waterslides, they enjoyed participating in various activities like trivia and scavenger hunts.
Cleanliness was a highlight for the third reviewer, who was impressed by how the staff kept the ship “CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.” They acknowledged that some items, like the chairs in the Garden Cafe, were worn but attributed this to the ship being due for dry dock. The reviewer was amazed by the crew’s efficiency, noting that out-of-place glasses were a rare sight, thanks to the diligent staff.
Everything is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.
Dining on Norwegian Encore
When trawling through the Norwegian Encore reviews, opinions vary widely. One guest praised the abundance of dining options on board, noting that “there are SO many restaurants,” ensuring that “you will not go hungry on this ship.” They found the Haven restaurant to be particularly exceptional, calling it “10/10 amazing” and some of the best food on the ship.
Another reviewer highlighted the buffet for its variety and convenience, particularly praising the omelet stations at breakfast. However, they rated the overall complimentary food experience as “a 6 outta 10,” mentioning that while the specialty restaurants like Cagney’s and Onda were enjoyable, others like Food Republic were disappointing, with the latter described as “far worse than the free dining rooms.”
Lastly, a third reviewer found the buffet to be a mixed experience with “hit and miss” items but appreciated the consistency of the salad bar, pizza, and Indian station. However, they encountered a disappointing meal at one of the ship’s restaurants, citing issues with overly salted food and bland flavors, leading them to avoid taking further dining risks on the ship.
For paid dining options, Cagney’s Steakhouse was considered the best, with one reviewer describing it as the “best meal on the ship hands down.” Although it may not quite reach the level of a prime steakhouse, it was still praised highly for its quality. Another strong contender was Onda by Scarpetta, which received an 8/10 rating, especially for its desserts like the caramel buddino with chocolate gelato. On the other hand, Food Republic was not recommended, with one reviewer expressing disappointment over the food quality and service.
Entertainment on NCL Encore
The entertainment on the Norwegian Encore receives high praise, with one reviewer calling it “the best in the cruise business.” The standout show, Choir of Man, is particularly lauded as the “best program” ever seen on a cruise ship, featuring high energy and enthusiastic performances. It’s so popular that one guest attended twice, noting it was even better the second time.
A close second in popularity are the Beatles tribute shows, which cover various stages of the band’s career, from the early years to the Sgt. Pepper era. The performances are described as “real to life,” with special mention given to the performer playing George as the most talented. The shows were well-attended, with the first one in the Cavern being overcrowded but the others offering adequate seating in the theater.
The Gym
The gym on the Norwegian Encore has been favourable reviewed, where guests can enjoy impressive ocean views from the treadmills and exercise bikes, making it an ideal spot to stay active while soaking in the scenery. For those cruising around Juneau, you might even catch glimpses of whales during your workout, adding a unique and memorable element to your fitness routine.
The Internet
Reviewers of the internet service on the Norwegian Encore had a consistently frustrating experience. One guest reported issues with the internet not turning off, which led to burning through minutes unintentionally. Another found the service spotty and overpriced at $30 per day. A third reviewer tried the $10 onboard communication package but found it “pretty much useless” due to its unreliability. Overall, the internet service was seen as subpar, with several guests recommending that others avoid purchasing these packages if possible.
Summary – The Positive
One passenger raves about their unforgettable experience aboard the Norwegian Encore. From the moment they stepped on board, they were blown away by the exceptional service provided by the “super friendly staff.” The diverse culinary options, including the impressive spreads at Taste & Savor and the Garden Buffet, left them utterly satisfied. “We never expected a cruise with thousands of people and staff could be so organized, so smooth and enjoyable!” they exclaimed. The reviewer concluded by wholeheartedly recommending the NCL Encore, suggesting that other cruise lines may struggle to match its exceptional standards.
We never expected a cruise with thousands of people and staff could be so organized, so smooth and enjoyable!
Summary – The Negative
To summarise the negative, one of the more downbeat Norwegian Encore reviews expressed extreme disappointment with their Norwegian cruise experience. While acknowledging the ship’s cleanliness, they criticized the lack of recreational activities for adults, stating, “No basketball court, no pickleball, tennis, golf, nada.” They also complained about limited pool space, a poor selection of movies, and inconvenient restrictions such as paying for movies and signing out for pool towels. Additionally, the reviewer was dissatisfied with the food options, noting the absence of certain key breakfast items and the limited variety of desserts, including a surprising lack of Alaskan salmon on an Alaskan cruise. The constant upselling attempts also detracted from their overall enjoyment.
No basketball court, no pickleball, tennis, golf, nada.
There you have it. Make up your own mind, and let us know what you think about NCL Encore in the comments.
