I just boarded Norwegian Encore for the first time. They immediately directed me to my muster station which was in the theater and right next to the door I boarded through.
On Norwegian you watch a two minute safety video as part of the check-in process so when I got to the muster station he only asked if I watched the video and if I knew how to put on a life jacket. Now I am going to look for lunch.
I like that they have sports items mixed in with their art. I’m not going to buy anything but I like to look at it.
These are two of the main dining rooms: Taste on the left and Savor on the right. These are smaller restaurant style dining rooms. Then straight ahead and up one flight of stairs is the Manhattan room which is the large dining room that has more of a traditional cruise ship MDR feel.
Do I want to Taste or do I want to Savor? That is the question.
I went with Savor.
This is my ship card. I believe the 1D/UB means I have 1 specialty dinner and the Ultimate Beverage Package.
Roasted Tomato Soup
Cajun Chicken Pasta
I’m going to start at the top and work my way down.
I guess this is what used to be laser tag. It looks like it’s basically Serenity now. That’s a much better use of space. Norwegian calls their adults only area Spice.
I got a Mai Tai.
MSC Seaside is behind us.
Let’s check out the Speedway.
From what I’ve gathered here they used to have laser guns you could shoot at the cars to make them go faster but they don’t have them anymore.
The jogging track goes through the outdoor area of the American Diner. If you want to jog on this ship, make sure you get it done in the morning.
I’m not sure I like the water park taking up half of lido.
I do give NCL credit for at least putting up a sign that says hot tubs are for adults only. But it doesn’t seem to be enforced so far.
That upper deck is The Haven restaurant.
Just wait until someone opens the door….
There we go.
I have a feeling I’m going to spend a lot of time here. Let’s check it out.
They have quite a beer selection. I love that they have Guinness and Abita Amber on tap.
I love that they have Moretti in a bottle.
Here is their full list of beers on tap.
They haven’t quite perfected the perfect pour yet, but it’s better than pouring it out of a can or no Guinness at all.
A couple of people are upset that they don’t have the Daytona 500. I personally won’t cruise Norwegian during any must see sporting events of mine. That means no football season Norwegian cruises unless they work around Saints games.
La Rubia. I had this in Little Havana a couple years ago. It’s a Miami beer.
They ran out of Abita Amber draft last cruise. I wonder if they’re getting more kegs today.
Rooms were ready at 2pm. That’s my door on the left with no neighbors.
This is the studio stateroom. They have the bed pushed in all the way. It actually comes out another six inches.
This is what they give people signed up for their veteran’s program along with 10% off of cruises.
I really thought the coin was going to be a one time deal. This is really nice if I get one every cruise.
They figured out how to get the Freestyle Daily on one sheet of paper.
We lose an hour tonight.
My excursion tickets were delivered. With the $50 off of each excursion, I paid a total of $107 for these.
I figured out how to close my virtual window.
I really like this. But on the Prima class they replaced this with a swivel TV to increase storage space. I’m on Prima next so we’ll see how much I like that version of it soon.
It prompted me to watch a 12-minute video so I started it up and left the room. I’m pretty sure on Princess if you leave the room during the safety video, it will stop and you have to watch it later.
Let’s check out the studio lounge. This is right around the corner form my room. I picked this location intentially figuring nobody from the two lower decks is going to want to walk up these steps. So I’ll only get traffic from people on my deck.
Next I headed up to deck 15 to check out the Observation Lounge. It’s not easy to find but this is why I want to do Encore or Bliss to Alaska.
Not so dirty martini.
Mojito
I stopped by the Brewhouse and picked up two Morettis for sail away.
Sail Away party
Symphony was in front of us. They went down turned around and came back.
Seaside does the same.
And we’re off! Seaside is following us out.
I was on that beach during sail away yesterday.
Pina Colada
Time to unpack.
They have the Beatles Invasion tonight. I’m not a Beatle guy. That’s not my timeframe. But I checked it out. I thought it was good and they could be on the Princess cruise I was on that had the Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis guys.
The difference is those guys rotate and I think these stay. Aretha was there the week after I left Regal Princess. But these guys are supposed to be in a more intimate location tomorrow so depending on my schedule I may check them out again.
Cruise Director Richard.
I’ve got this dining room down. This is just like on Princess Where I put the medallion down and they know my whole life history. Put the card down…done.
Greek Salad
Shrimp Cake
This is too much food. I canceled dessert which was honey creme brulee. This is the spare ribs. That BBQ sauce is good.
They have comedy in the main theater tonight. This is Ryan Wingfield.
Quincy Carr
There was a bottleneck after the show so I stepped outside but hit a dead end.
A look at the Manhattan dining room empty.
The steakhouse is above it.
The waterfront is outside.
This is where the Beatles play the rest of the week.
An authentic replica bass.
I got inside but they’re doing karaoke so I’m out.
After my Karaoke experience I’m looking for a place of sanity. Where better than District Brewhouse? Except I get in there only to find out it doubles as the piano bar at night.
They must have replenished their Abita Amber.
Abita Strawberry
You have to reserve a spot for the big show which is Choir of Man. That was a major motivation with my app issues. All that was available for the tomorrow was 10pm. I reserved both 10pm tomorrow and 7:30 on day 6 so we’ll see how that goes.
Lat night eats at The Local.
Let’s see if this TV really knows my schedule.
Yep.
This room is fine for me. The only downside is the studios don’t have a refrigerator. I’m off to bed. Tomorrow is a sea day.
