Norwegian Encore Full Review: What we loved, didn't love, and hated

Just in time for Alaska cruise season to resume, we're sharing our complete review of our Norwegian Encore cruise to Alaska! We share what we loved about the ship and experience, what we didn't love, and several things that we absolutely hated. In fact, we point blank ask Norwegian Cruise Line to fix several things in this video.

When cruising to Alaska, you want to pick a ship that gives you access the beautiful Alaskan scenery and wildlife, and Norwegian Encore did not disappoint. In this full review, we unpack the food on board, the drinks and drinks packages, the entertainment, and overall ship design.

I sailed NCL Encore as a solo cruiser and there was a lot to love. I had Free At Sea Plus which I talk about in the video and give several tips and tricks and an important warning.

We have multiple other Norwegian Encore videos on the channel - from food reviews to our stateroom tour. Be sure to check them all out via our complete playlist:

As always, thank you for watching and the tremendous support of the channel. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below and we'll be sure to respond.

And have an AMAZING Alaska sailing! We always love to hear about your experiences!
-Mark and Rocky

#cruise #norwegianencore #cruisereview #shipreview #alaska #alaskacruise #nclencore #ncl #norwegiancruise #nclencore #breakaway

[Pessimistic-Gambler]

Thank you for finally saying the drink plus package is worth it!!. No one else says this. I got it last year and it was so worth it.

[Pessimistic-Gambler]

This is the most realist video... so spot on!

[monicavantassel]

Coordination is My JAM! Thank you for being AWESOME!

[Cruisingwithbrandy]

As a solo cruiser I need to check it out…let me know when you do anymore solo cruises lol

[feelosophy]

Definitely agree with MDR, Le Bistro and The Local as great dining options. We have compiled email lists every time I've stayed in a studio cabin. I don't know if it was just luck or what, but such great groups that want to sail together again. I don't mind the charge for some restaurants and activities; I do believe NCL could add an activity voucher to the Free At Sea so those areas are experienced. With that said I think it's FOMO that upsets cruisers about extra charge items because once you experience some of them you don't care about going again.

[bradcolby]

Great review for sure. I have never sailed NCL. Thanks

[amyspellman]

We are going next year but I loved your review. So honest and down to earth. Gave us some great things to consider before our trip Hope to meet someone like you all. thanks

[JohnLynnPlus]

Great information - Thank you! We cruise on the Encore next week!

[shaunrouse]

This is a dumb question, but is the local part of the regular food package? I don’t think I can swing the plus drinking package

[Pessimistic-Gambler]

Lol sorry for all the comments but damn this is spot on from my experience on the bliss last year everything.. Including public bathrooms always had a problem paper towels and soap dispensers. I am actually going in the Encore in July. Did you find the atrium was abnormally hot? It was a common complaint on the Bliss.

[callingallports]

Great review! Agreed with many of your loves. Surprised to not see A-List and District on your list of positives - those were two of our favorite places on the ship. And the service in those spots were great, too - one of the few places where we were constantly addressed by name.

[dustin]

I was on the Bliss for the last Alaska sailing in 2023 and had a very similar experience to you. The only big negative is how the crew so slavishly follows the rules, which becomes absurd when they don't even know the actual rules. In most hospitality situations they would at least ask a supervisor, but on NCL it's like they're terrified of going above and beyond. I feel bad for them, management must be brutal. I will say I preferred the specialty dining over the included food on the Bliss, so much so that I'm having most of my dinners in specialty restaurants on my next cruise.

[tammystreasures]

I agree with you on the loves on NCL. I havent been on Encore yet, next month I will. I’ve been on Bliss twice and Sky. I have never had a bad steward. On Sky, we had the best I’ve had from any cruise lines. Sky had La Cucina Italian restaurant. Not only was the food great, but the service was beyond great. All of the service we have had on NCL has been phenomenal . One of the waiters from Bliss recognized me from the trip before. The only thing I didn’t love about sky, was that it was a smaller ship. The Local wasn’t open 24 hours. We did do the go-karts twice on our Alaska cruise. We loved it. I’m going on Encore on a transatlantic next month - solo.

[guidine]

Thanks for information 🙋 I was on norwegian prima last year and I liked it very much but watching your review on encore I am not sure to go

[tracyclarke]

Thank you for the information about this cruise 🎉I’m excited, prepared and know what to be on the look out for.

[EatDrinkBeMerry]

34:15 We figured out how to make the soap dispensers work consistently - start with your hand under and close to the dispenser and move it straight down and then back up. One or two movements like this gets the soap. We only found 2 paper towel dispensers that wouldn’t work. And there were alternates nearby. We did witness one lady telling an employee that the toilet was out of paper towels.

[shaunrouse]

And lastly are the mojitos made on the spot or are they part of a big batch that they just pour it out of. Lastly, watched the whole video last night as we are planning to book today…! I want an Irish coffee now!

[DonnaWrightRN]

I went on am Alaska cruise in June on the Encore- my first ever cruise. I absolutely agree about the embarkation. Also bad was that our three bags arrived at three different times. The Observation Lounge was lovely, but by June, school was out and families with teens were in the ship, and I swear the kids camped out every day. We never got a seat near the windows. I didn’t really like the Garden Cafe because I like plainer food, and the large dining room, the Manhattan Room, was open the least amount of hours. The food in the main dining rooms was delicious, however. Entertainment was great. Agree with you on Ketchikan. I’d far rather have walked around the town and spent time there. I had all of 90 minutes in the town, because the ship was in Ketchikan for four hours. The stateroom was nice, our steward was wonderful (the amazing Jerelynn) and the combined shampoo/conditioner in the shower was terrible. And Port Valet was a life saver!

The pool deck was useless even in June, because it was too cold and windy. I can’t imagine how crowded it would be in the Caribbean. It is small.

And I HATED how much time I wasted waiting for elevators!

[jenniferziemak]

Great information! Will be on the Encore in Alaska this summer. Did you book Choir of Man, and any other shows, in advance?

[nathanielhenkel]

Great review! I just filled out the Port Valet online form for a cruise in a few days. Since I am a SkyMiles member, and everyone in my party gets their 1st checked bag free, will NCL be able to look that up in their system so I am not accidentally charged for checked bags? Thanks in advance!