Norwegian Encore
The last in Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore debuted in November 2019 and joined her sisters Norwegian Bliss to become one of the highest-profile megaships at sea. Accommodating 3,998 passengers, Norwegian Encore features most of the onboard amenities introduced with the line’s Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus ships, including the Norwegian Encore Speedway go-kart track and The Waterfront’s outdoor dining and lounging areas, but adds a few welcome updates, too. Here’s our review.
What We Love
Onda by Scarpetta: This elegant Italian specialty eatery comes courtesy of the team at the blockbuster restaurant, Scarpetta, which has locations in places like New York and Las Vegas. It's the ship’s top dining venue, and among the best Italian restaurants at sea. You’ll enjoy the sleek decor, plus the spaghetti with tomato and basil; it's Scarpetta's signature dish for good reason.
High-Drama Laser Tag: The whole sports-and-recreation area has been re-thought from previous ships, with an expansive laser tag game occupying an open-air space on the top deck. Taking its inspiration from the lost city of Atlantis, this eye-popping area contains an enormous sculpture of a coiling snake that players can run through and around during the game. Augmented reality elements and settings that can remove any realistic shooting gestures for smaller kids (and their concerned parents) are impressive and technically ambitious. We can see families and groups having a blast with this.
It Offers Excellent Value: As with all of Norwegian’s newer ships, Encore offers impressive value. Smart and often elegant design, varied and well-prepared food, and high-wattage entertainment elements combine here in a vacation that costs significantly less than comparable land options.