10 Things Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship got right

I recently returned from a quick 4-night sailing onboard the Norwegian Encore, and I was thoroughly impressed with some of this ship’s offerings and amenities! 

Norwegian Encore is one of the ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class, meaning that this ship is relatively new to the cruise line's fleet and has plenty to do and experience onboard. Aside from being a Breakaway Plus class ship, Norwegian Encore is actually the largest ship in terms of size in the fleet!

Here are ten things that I personally think Norwegian Cruise Line got right about this massive cruise ship! 

#10 - Layout and Design 

Norwegian Encore made its debut to the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in 2019. This ship combines some of the cruise line’s successes from previous ships, as well as some new designs and amenities, to create a brand-new ship that fans are sure to enjoy. 

The ship’s layout is extremely similar to other Norwegian Breakaway Plus class ships, such as Norwegian Bliss. In fact, Norwegian Bliss has almost the exact same layout, except for some amenity differences like the addition of the Galaxy Pavilion, and some changes in the Speedway and Laser Tag areas. 

I appreciate how this ship’s design features more light, airy, and modern design elements. Some of the venues onboard, such as the Local Bar and Grill, have a different design on this ship compared to Norwegian Bliss. Light colors, woods, and a touch of Scandinavian design make their appearance onboard the Norwegian Encore. 

In addition to this ship having a similar layout to other Breakaway Plus class ships, it also has a relatively similar overall layout to Breakaway Class ships, such as Norwegian Getaway. This means that it is very easy for guests to navigate once onboard, especially for those passengers who have travelled on other Norwegian ships in the past. 

#9 - Choir of Man Theater Show

After sailing onboard Norwegian Encore, I can say that their main theater style show "Choir of Man" is now one of my favorite shows on a cruise ship! 

This show is so much fun, and I believe can be enjoyed by everyone onboard. It features a wide range of music styles, dancing, and talented acting. Passengers onboard will really enjoy this show, and I recommend taking in this show at least once, if not twice, during a voyage. 

“Pull up a chair at The Choir of Man and raise your glass to high energy dancing and hit songs that flow as freely as the beer," explains Norwegian Cruise Line. 

"You’ll feel right at home in The Jungle, the rockin’ English pub where the talented cast performs everything from classic rock hits and pub tunes to sing-along favorites. Leave your worries behind and toast to a memorable night at our fleet’s top rated show, live in the Norwegian Encore theater!” 

The premise of this show is about a group of friends that own and frequently visit an English pub called The Jungle. Their stories are told over song and dance as the cast of the show serves beer periodically from the real working beer tap on stage to guests in the spectating crowd. 

This show is so much fun, and I know guests of Norwegian Cruise Line will really enjoy this show! 

#8 - Observation Lounge

With the introduction of the Breakaway Plus class to Norwegian Cruise Line, the cruise line also introduced the Observation Lounge, a huge lounge and relaxation venue located at the very front of the ship on Deck 15. 

This area became one of my favorite spots on the ship, as it offers unparalleled ocean views while giving guests the opportunity to relax in indoor comfy lounge chairs while sipping a cocktail, tea, or coffee. 

Additionally, this lounge also has a small buffet area that offers snacks throughout the day as well as a smaller scale breakfast everyday of a cruise sailing. 

“Experience sheer awe from our 180-degree indoor Observation Lounge - offering Norwegian’s most expansive views at sea," describes Norwegian Cruise Line, "Floor-to-ceiling windows provide spectacular vistas while cruising past spectacular seascapes, landscapes, and cityscapes. And with a full-service bar, you can toast to colorful sunsets with your favorite cocktail."

One of my favorite things about this venue is that it offers a great indoor space to take in beautiful sunset views. And after guests take in the sunset, they can sit back, relax, and listen to live music that is played nearly every night in the lounge. Definitely make sure you check out this space on your next Norwegian Encore sailing! 

#7 - Buffet 

Norwegian has some of the best buffets I have seen onboard large cruise ships, with the buffets onboard Norwegian Breakaway Plus class ships being especially impressive. 

The layout of the buffet is expansive, and the amount of different foods and cuisine on offer is great! Guests with every taste and food preferences will be able to find something they enjoy. Norwegian Cruise Line is really great about offering food that caters to a wide range of guests food desires and needs. For example, passengers with food restrictions or specific dietary needs will have no need to worry, as they will find plenty of options onboard. 

Something that I really appreciate about the buffets onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer ships is that there's a wide range of healthier food options. A big part of cruising is about the food and indulging in yummy offers! However, after a week or so of eating rich and indulgent eats, having the option of healthy foods to breakup the consumption of desserts can be really nice and helpful. 

Guests will have no trouble finding both tasty and classic cruise fare foods as well as healthier options onboard the Norwegian Encore! 

(Example of the Indian Cuisine offered at the Garden Cafe Buffet onboard the Norwegian Encore)

Additionally, Norwegian Breakaway Plus class ships have some of the best Indian cuisine I have ever had. I highly recommend checking out the Indian cuisine section of the buffet, which has offerings every single day of cruise sailings for both lunch and dinner onboard Norwegian Encore. 

#6 - Outdoor Laser Tag Course

Norwegian Encore has probably the most impressive outdoor laser tag course I have seen yet on a cruise ship! 

This outdoor space is huge and dominates one of the top decks at the back of the ship. This laser tag course has a different theme and layout than that of the laser tag onboard the Encore’s sister ship, Norwegian Bliss. 

The theme of the Norwegian Encore laser tag is Atlantis. It is seeped in fantasy elements and is almost Greek Mythology-like. Featuring a giant snake figure in the center, guests will have plenty of spaces to duck, dodge, and weave as they compete in a laser tag game against other guests.

Laser tag onboard Norwegian Encore would be a great onboard activity for friends, families, and teens to participate in while an afternoon onboard or during a sea day. To note, this activity does come at an additional charge to guests. Currently, to participate in laser tag both adults and children will be charged $10 USD per person, per game. 

Read more: 14 cruise ship extra charges you should know about

#5 - Studio Stateroom Cabins

This past sailing was my first time cruising on Norwegian Encore, and it was an opportunity to test out Norwegian’s relatively unique Studio accommodations.

Norwegian Cruise Line has begun offering Studio Stateroom cabins onboard some of its newer ships. Plus, thery are available on the two newest ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, too. 

“Specifically designed and priced for solo travelers, our Studios feature a full-sized bed, separate bath area and access to the private Studio Lounge,” states Norwegian Cruise Line. 

I had a great experience testing out the Studio Stateroom, and I think Norwegian does a wonderful job of catering to solo travelers! 

The room supplies everything solo travelers might need during a cruise, as well as access to an exclusive lounge. The Studio Lounge is stocked daily with snacks, flavored water, tea, and a specialty coffee machine, all of which are complimentary for guests’ enjoyment. 

#4 - Breakfast in the Restaurants

One of my favorite things to do while on a Norwegian sailing, and especially on Norwegian Encore, was to enjoy a seated breakfast at one of the complimentary main restaurants. 

I personally recommend testing out the Taste and Savor restaurants for breakfast at least once during your next cruise, as these breakfasts feel a little more refined and luxurious than enjoying breakfast at the buffet. Eating breakfast at Taste and Savor also gives guests the opportunity to enjoy beautiful ocean views while sampling a tasty breakfast or brunch. 

One of my favorite memories from my Norwegian Encore cruise was the morning that we were sailing into the Vancouver British Columbia cruise port when I enjoying breakfast in the Savor restaurant. One of the major advantages of eating breakfast in the restaurants over the buffe  is that the restaurants are often far less crowded in the morning than the buffet, making for a quieter and peaceful breakfast experience. 

Eating breakfast in the main restaurants is also complimentary, just as lunch and dinner are in these venues. 

Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions answered

#3 - Race Track at Sea

The first cruise ship to offer a racetrack at sea was Norwegian Bliss. When Norwegian Encore debuted, the ship took the thrill and fun of this speedway and continued to innovate and expand the concept! Thus, the Encore Speedway was created! 

Norwegian Cruise Line offers one of the most unique onboard activities: the opportunity to zoom around a real race track at sea. We recently reviewed this activity onboard  Norwegian Bliss, and you can read more about our Speedway experience here.

The Norwegian Encore Speedway is even better than the Bliss Speedway. This track is larger, measuring at over 1,100 feet and has plenty of space for spectating guests to watch their family and friends accelerate around every straightaway and sharp turn. 

Norwegian Cruise Line has even added an element of interactivity for spectating guests saying that "spectators can get in on the action, too! Revolutionary interactivity lets you boost your favorite racer past the finish.”

I highly recommend at least considering to try out this Norwegian Cruise Line exclusive activity onboard the Norwegian Encore as it makes for a great time and an opportunity to make fun vacation memories!

Like with laser tag, though, this activity is not included in the cost of your cruise fare, so you will have to shell out an additional $15 per person to race against your family members at sea. 

#2 - Galaxy Pavilion

This sailing with Norwegian Encore was the first time I was able to view Norwegian Cruise Line’s Galaxy Pavilion. This expansive VR experience venue offers again a truly unique onboard activity for passengers to participate in. 

Norwegian Encore is the first ship in the fleet to feature this space onboard, and Norwegian describes this space as "...a virtual reality world unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Immersive VR experiences and thrilling simulator rides are just the beginning. Use your wits to solve the puzzles of an escape room featuring artifacts. Then come back and experience the excitement all over again.” 

With the addition of the Galaxy Pavilion to the fleet, it is obvious that Norwegian is set on offering plenty of unique onboard activities to guests that keep them coming back again and again. Similar to the laser tag onboard, I think the Galaxy Pavilion would be a great experience for friends, families, and teens onboard to tryout during an afternoon onboard. 

The Galaxy Pavilion also comes at an additional charge, currently at $8 USD per person per play. 

#1 - Plenty of Specialty Dining

Norwegian Encore has a staggering and impressive amount of specialty dining venues onboard: 12!

Norwegian Encore guests will have plenty of options to choose from for every style, taste, and budget. For those who choose to participate in Norwegian’s Free At Sea specialty dining program, a different specialty dining restaurant everyday will make for a fun and memorable cruise. 

Norwegian Encore’s specialty dining restaurants consist of seafood, Italian cuisine, French cuisine, Mexican cuisine, sushi and Japanese cuisine, classic American fare, gelato, and more. This wide range of specialty restaurants means that its likely Norwegian Encore passengers will not be able to try all of the venues in one cruise, which also means that if guests enjoy the ship, they can come back time and time again and still experience new things onboard. 

Conclusion

Norwegian Encore is the second Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway Plus class ship that I have had the privilege of sailing on, and I can say that I genuinely really enjoyed my experience! 

Guests who choose to sail on this ship, no matter its itinerary, will have a great cruise vacation. I recommend taking a look at everything this ship has to offer before you set sail in order to get an idea of the onboard activities and experiences offered by Norwegian Encore. This way, once you step foot onto this beautiful ship you can have the perfect cruise vacation for you! 

With the introduction of every new ship to the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, this cruise brand continues to expand and build on its previous successes, meaning that with Norwegian’s newest ship debuting this year, the Norwegian Viva, we are sure to see some really awesome and innovative things onboard for guests to experience and explore!