First Look: Norwegian Encore

by Laura Motta

First Look: Norwegian Encore

by Laura Motta

We were onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Encore, as it made its maiden voyage after leaving the shipyard in Germany. Here's what we saw.

We were onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Encore, as it made its maiden voyage after leaving the shipyard in Germany. Here's what we saw.

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Norwegian Encore exterior / Courtesy of the cruise line
Norwegian Encore - aerial
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Norwegian Encore

As the final ship in the Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore represents all of its best features. Its sisters, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy, offer similar amenities and restaurants, but they have a special polish on Encore.

As the final ship in the Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore represents all of its best features. Its sisters, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy, offer similar amenities and restaurants, but they have a special polish on Encore.

Norwegian Encore - aerial
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Norwegian Encore

Once it reaches North America after sailing across the Atlantic, Norwegian Encore will sail first to the Caribbean from Miami and then to Bermuda from New York City. 

Once it reaches North America after sailing across the Atlantic, Norwegian Encore will sail first to the Caribbean from Miami and then to Bermuda from New York City. 

Go-kart raceway on Norwegian Encore
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The Go-Kart Raceway

The go-kart raceway, one of the most well-known features on Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus-class ships, is featured on Encore, too.

The go-kart raceway, one of the most well-known features on Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus-class ships, is featured on Encore, too.

Go-kart raceway on Norwegian Encore
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The Go-Kart Raceway

Here, Norwegian’s go-kart concept reaches a kind of high-speed, ultra-fun perfection. The karts are faster than ever, and the track cantilevers out over the edge of the ship by 13 feet.

Here, Norwegian’s go-kart concept reaches a kind of high-speed, ultra-fun perfection. The karts are faster than ever, and the track cantilevers out over the edge of the ship by 13 feet.

Norwegian Encore Aqua Park
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Norwegian Encore Aqua Park

Norwegian Encore’s water park includes two prominent slides — one that delivers high-speed thrills and cantilevers off the side of the ship, and one that’s gentler, and designed so that cruisers can ride in pairs.

Norwegian Encore’s water park includes two prominent slides — one that delivers high-speed thrills and cantilevers off the side of the ship, and one that’s gentler, and designed so that cruisers can ride in pairs.

Norwegian Encore high-speed slide view
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High-Speed Slide

Many of the attractions on Encore — including the go-kart raceway and the video/augmented reality games in the Galaxy Pavillion — are now designed with a spectator element. Here, you can cheer your friends as they fly by in the over-water waterslide tube.

Many of the attractions on Encore — including the go-kart raceway and the video/augmented reality games in the Galaxy Pavillion — are now designed with a spectator element. Here, you can cheer your friends as they fly by in the over-water waterslide tube.

Kids' Aqua Park on Norwegian Encore
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Kids Aqua Park

This interactive splash zone, which features tipping buckets, slides, and water cannons, is built with younger kinds in mind. 

This interactive splash zone, which features tipping buckets, slides, and water cannons, is built with younger kinds in mind. 

Norwegian Encore Galaxy Pavilion
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Galaxy Pavilion Gaming Center

No mere video arcade, Galaxy Pavilion has an array of virtual reality car racing, maze, and sports simulation games, as well as an escape room. We expect that teens and tweens will spend plenty of time here. 

No mere video arcade, Galaxy Pavilion has an array of virtual reality car racing, maze, and sports simulation games, as well as an escape room. We expect that teens and tweens will spend plenty of time here. 

Laser tag arena on Norwegian Encore
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The Laser Tag Arena

Other ships have laser tag arenas. This Atlantis-themed game takes the idea to new heights, and includes augmented reality elements.

Other ships have laser tag arenas. This Atlantis-themed game takes the idea to new heights, and includes augmented reality elements.

Laser tag arena on Norwegian Encore
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The Laser Tag Arena

This giant coiling serpent makes up the shelters in this incredible open-air, top-deck arena.

This giant coiling serpent makes up the shelters in this incredible open-air, top-deck arena.

Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Encore
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Vibe Beach Club

Vibe Beach Club, a grownups-only private enclave that has sweeping ocean views and hot tubs that extend over the side of the ship, has been significantly expanded on Norwegian Encore. Guests pay an additional fee for access to this area. 

Vibe Beach Club, a grownups-only private enclave that has sweeping ocean views and hot tubs that extend over the side of the ship, has been significantly expanded on Norwegian Encore. Guests pay an additional fee for access to this area. 

Norwegian Encore Observation Deck
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Observation Lounge

The indoor, 180-degree observation lounge is back on Norwegian Encore. As on its sister ships, it's among the most beautiful relaxation spaces any any megaship.

The indoor, 180-degree observation lounge is back on Norwegian Encore. As on its sister ships, it's among the most beautiful relaxation spaces any any megaship.

Norwegian Encore Balcony Suite
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The Cabins

Tidy minimalism rules in Norwegian Encore's cabins. As is the way with many of the newest megaships, blaring colors and palm tree motifs have given way to subtler, more soothing shades and ultra-functional furnishings. This balcony suite, of course, is all about the private view.

Tidy minimalism rules in Norwegian Encore's cabins. As is the way with many of the newest megaships, blaring colors and palm tree motifs have given way to subtler, more soothing shades and ultra-functional furnishings. This balcony suite, of course, is all about the private view.

Norwegian Encore Spa Suite
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Spa Suite

As on its sister ships, Norwegian Encore is all about the mix of high-style luxury amenities for adults and high-wattage fun for kids. Falling distinctly into the former category are these spa suites, which offer easy access to the Mandara Spa and complimentary access to its expansive thermal suite. 

As on its sister ships, Norwegian Encore is all about the mix of high-style luxury amenities for adults and high-wattage fun for kids. Falling distinctly into the former category are these spa suites, which offer easy access to the Mandara Spa and complimentary access to its expansive thermal suite. 

Thermal Suite sun beds on Norwegian Encore
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Thermal Suite Heated Stone Beds

After taking a bit of a break on Norwegian Joy, the splashy thermal suite within the Mandara Spa is back on Norwegian Encore.

After taking a bit of a break on Norwegian Joy, the splashy thermal suite within the Mandara Spa is back on Norwegian Encore.

 Thermal Suite heated stone beds
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Thermal Suite Sun Beds

As it does on Norwegian Bliss, this restful space includes a snow room, salt room, pool, and spacious saunas.
 

As it does on Norwegian Bliss, this restful space includes a snow room, salt room, pool, and spacious saunas.
 

Norwegian Encore The Haven 2-Bedroom Familly Villa
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Haven Two-Bedroom Family Villa

The Haven, Norwegian's luxury ship-within-a-ship concept, remains its most beautiful -- and exclusive -- space. 

The Haven, Norwegian's luxury ship-within-a-ship concept, remains its most beautiful -- and exclusive -- space. 

Norwegian Encore - The Haven Lounge
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The Haven Lounge

The Haven's private lounge -- and all of its spaces -- are designed for serenity and solitude. 

The Haven's private lounge -- and all of its spaces -- are designed for serenity and solitude. 

Norwegian Encore - The Haven
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The Haven Pool Area

Here, passengers enjoy 24-hour butler service, priority boarding, access to the excellent Haven Restaurant, a private sundeck, and other perks.  

Here, passengers enjoy 24-hour butler service, priority boarding, access to the excellent Haven Restaurant, a private sundeck, and other perks.  

Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Encore
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Onda by Scarpetta

This classic big-city Italian restaurant makes its debut as an elegant, intimate specialty restaurant onboard Norwegian Escape. You will not find this restaurant on any other ship at sea -- not yet, anyway. 

This classic big-city Italian restaurant makes its debut as an elegant, intimate specialty restaurant onboard Norwegian Escape. You will not find this restaurant on any other ship at sea -- not yet, anyway. 

Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Encore
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Onda by Scarpetta

The best news: the restaurant’s famous spaghetti with tomato and basil is on the menu, and tastes every bit as authentic as the versions you’d find in New York or London.

The best news: the restaurant’s famous spaghetti with tomato and basil is on the menu, and tastes every bit as authentic as the versions you’d find in New York or London.

Atrium Bar on Norwegian Encore
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Atrium Bar

Atrium Bar is one of the ship's most popular gathering spots, and it makes sense. It's right in the center of things. Open from morning until night, it's good for both a post-breakfast Bloody Mary or a nightcap. 

Atrium Bar is one of the ship's most popular gathering spots, and it makes sense. It's right in the center of things. Open from morning until night, it's good for both a post-breakfast Bloody Mary or a nightcap. 

District Brew House on Norwegian Encore
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District Brew House

Making an -- ahem -- encore appearance after debuting on her sister ships, the District Brew House remains a fun late-night spot. There are more than 70 beers on tap here, and live music is the norm after dark. 

Making an -- ahem -- encore appearance after debuting on her sister ships, the District Brew House remains a fun late-night spot. There are more than 70 beers on tap here, and live music is the norm after dark. 

The Cellars – A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar on Norwegian Encore
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The Cellars – A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar

The Cellars feels more thoughtfully designed and elegant than ever on Norwegian Encore. Situated adjacent to Onda by Scarpetta, it's the perfect place to stop in before or after dinner for a glass of wine.

The Cellars feels more thoughtfully designed and elegant than ever on Norwegian Encore. Situated adjacent to Onda by Scarpetta, it's the perfect place to stop in before or after dinner for a glass of wine.

Le Bistro on Norwegian Encore
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Le Bistro

Specialty restaurant Le Bistro serves French cuisine -- including a buttery escargot. The dramatic decor here (plush curtains, velvet seating), too, adds to the celebratory ambiance. 

Specialty restaurant Le Bistro serves French cuisine -- including a buttery escargot. The dramatic decor here (plush curtains, velvet seating), too, adds to the festive ambiance. 

The A-List Bar on Norwegian Encore
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The A-List Bar

Surrounded by the ship's restaurants, A-List Bar is the spot to linger if you're waiting for friends or enjoying a post-dinner drink. The specialty cocktails here -- including the margaritas -- are highly recommended. 

Surrounded by the ship's restaurants, A-List Bar is the spot to linger if you're waiting for friends or enjoying a post-dinner drink. The specialty cocktails here -- including the margaritas -- are highly recommended. 

The Local Bar and Grill on Norwegian Encore
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The Local Bar and Grill

Come to this expansive space to watch a game and snack on pub fare. Most importantly, though, this is one of the few spots on the ship where you can order food around the clock.  

Come to this expansive space to watch a game and snack on pub fare. Most importantly, though, this is one of the few spots on the ship where you can order food around the clock. 

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