From Star to Encore

After crossing the Atlantic on Norwegian Star, boarding Norwegian Encore felt a bit like checking out of a roadside motel and into a modern resort.

The contrast was immediate.

The ship looked fresh, polished, and thoughtfully designed. The décor felt contemporary without being cold, and nearly every public space seemed designed to encourage people to linger. If Star was showing her age, Encore was showing off.

Even embarkation set the tone. The line looked intimidating at first glance, but Norwegian moved passengers efficiently, and before long we were wandering the ship with vacation mode fully activated.

One thing became clear quickly: there was no shortage of things to do.

Whether you wanted live music, game shows, dance classes, fitness programs, craft workshops, or simply a comfortable lounger with an ocean view, Encore had an option. We especially enjoyed the game shows and the steady stream of live music throughout the ship.

The craft offerings were fun, though we couldn’t help wishing for activities with a stronger Caribbean flavor. Painting coffee mugs and elephants was enjoyable enough, but painting tropical scenes or island-inspired artwork would have felt more connected to the itinerary.

For those who like quieter spaces, we discovered one of the ship’s hidden gems: the Waterfront walking deck on Deck 8. Comfortable loungers lined the port side, creating one of the best places onboard to relax with a book, watch the ocean, or simply enjoy a slower pace.

The Observation Lounge became our sanctuary.

While much of the ship buzzed with activity, the lounge offered floor-to-ceiling ocean views, comfortable seating, and a calm atmosphere that felt worlds away from the energy surrounding the pool deck. Whenever we needed a break from the crowds, this was where we escaped.

The food experience was another pleasant surprise.

Coming directly from Norwegian Star, the buffet felt enormous. Food stations flowed better, seating was easier to find, and the themed dinner nights provided welcome variety throughout the week. We appreciated the many handwashing stations throughout the buffet area, a small touch that helped keep things moving smoothly.

The Manhattan Room served as the main dining venue, though we often preferred Taste and Savor. They offered the same menu in a smaller and more comfortable setting, making dinner feel a bit more relaxed.

One mystery took most of the cruise to solve.

We kept hearing about the American Diner but somehow never seemed to find it open. By the time we finally made it there on Day Six, we discovered it was essentially the pub menu served in a charming 1950s diner setting, complete with milkshakes that required an extra charge. The experience was less about the food and more about satisfying our curiosity.

The crew throughout the ship earned high marks. Staff members were friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed happy to help. Service felt consistent whether we were in restaurants, public spaces, or interacting with our stateroom team.

Our balcony cabin quickly became one of our favorite cruise accommodations.

The steward provided a mattress topper that transformed an already comfortable bed into one that made sleeping in dangerously tempting. Storage was excellent, with abundant shelving and closet space that made unpacking easy. The balcony chairs even reclined nearly flat, creating a surprisingly comfortable place to read or watch the sea drift by.

The only cabin design flaw involved electrical outlets. Everything was concentrated near the desk, which could create challenges for anyone using a CPAP machine or other bedside medical equipment. An extension cord would be a smart thing to pack.

The biggest disappointment of the voyage wasn’t the ship itself.

It was the pool deck.

Not because it wasn’t attractive, but because it always seemed packed. Music blasted from morning until night, turning what could have been a relaxing outdoor retreat into something that felt closer to a beach club. Even from our midship balcony on Deck 11, several decks below the pool, we could hear the DJs and announcements throughout much of the day.

Thankfully, the balcony doors blocked most of the noise indoors.

Still, we often found ourselves wishing we could hear ocean waves instead of dance beats.

The irony was that Encore offered so many wonderful quiet spaces elsewhere that avoiding the pool area became easy.

By the end of the sailing, one thought kept resurfacing.

We wished this had been the ship carrying us across the Atlantic.

Our transatlantic crossing on Norwegian Star had been memorable, but Encore showed us what Norwegian’s newer generation of ships could offer. Better design, more activities, improved dining venues, comfortable accommodations, and modern amenities combined to create one of the most enjoyable Norwegian experiences we’d had.

If Star introduced us to Norwegian, Encore convinced us to come back.

Ship Tip: Skip the crowded pool deck and head straight to the Observation Lounge on Deck 15. The panoramic views, comfortable seating, and peaceful atmosphere make it one of the best places on the entire ship.Read more