Norwegian Encore cruise ship featuring The Haven, dining, entertainment, and Alaska itineraries

Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship Guide

Compare cabins, dining, entertainment, The Haven, Alaska itineraries, and onboard experiences aboard Norwegian Encore so you can decide whether this Breakaway Plus-class ship is right for your cruise vacation.

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Norwegian Encore Overview

Norwegian Encore is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. The ship combines modern attractions, premium dining, and family-friendly entertainment with Norwegian's signature Freestyle Cruising experience.

Travelers often compare Norwegian Encore with Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Prima, and Norwegian Viva.

Norwegian Encore is especially popular for Alaska sailings and Caribbean itineraries.

My First-Hand Experience on Norwegian Encore in Alaska

I sailed Norwegian Encore to Alaska in August 2026, traveling with two other couples. Overall, I came away very impressed with the ship. Norwegian Encore is a beautiful ship with plenty to do, but some of our favorite moments were simply relaxing together, playing cards, enjoying the entertainment, and watching the Alaska scenery go by.

We spent a lot of time in the Observation Lounge, which quickly became one of our favorite places on the ship. For an Alaska itinerary, having a comfortable indoor space with expansive views is a major advantage, especially when the weather makes spending long periods outside less appealing.

The food ranged from what I'd describe as "not bad" to "really good." We certainly didn't have trouble finding things we enjoyed, and overall I was satisfied with the dining experience.

We purchased Norwegian's Free at Sea package and felt it provided excellent value overall, with one major exception: the included Wi-Fi was just about worthless during our sailing. The connection was extremely slow and unreliable, and even basic internet use could be frustrating. There were times when pages or apps simply wouldn't load or took so long that I gave up trying. If staying connected for work, messaging, or other important tasks matters to you on an Alaska cruise, I would not count on the ship's Wi-Fi as your primary connection.

One of the more memorable experiences happened before we even started racing. We rode the go-karts on the Norwegian Encore Speedway, and while waiting for our turn, we were able to watch whales from the ship. Racing go-karts on the top deck of a cruise ship while whales were visible nearby is the kind of experience that makes an Alaska sailing hard to forget.

We also enjoyed some excellent entertainment onboard and had plenty of time to relax with our friends. After spending the week aboard Norwegian Encore, my overall conclusion is pretty simple: we would gladly do it again.

I'll continue adding first-hand observations, photos, and practical tips from this sailing throughout this page to help travelers decide whether Norwegian Encore is the right ship for their own Alaska cruise.

This first-hand review is based on my August 2026 sailing aboard Norwegian Encore. Learn more about Brian Rooney's cruise experience, travel background, and editorial work.

Norwegian Encore Quick Facts

  • Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Class: Breakaway Plus Class
  • Launch Year: 2019
  • Guest Capacity: Approximately 4,000 passengers
  • Known For: The Haven, go-karts, and Alaska itineraries

Cabins & The Haven

Norwegian Encore offers inside cabins, oceanview staterooms, balconies, suites, and the exclusive Haven luxury enclave.

Guests researching accommodations should review the Cruise Ship Cabins Guide and Best Cabin Location Guide.

Dining & Entertainment

Guests can enjoy specialty restaurants, Broadway-style entertainment, live music, and family attractions throughout the ship.

For connectivity, compare the options in our Norwegian Wi-Fi packages guide. Before paying for an upgrade, review Free at Sea Plus and the Free at Sea vs Free at Sea Plus comparison against the promotion and upgrade terms available for your booking.

Start with our Norwegian cruise packages hub to compare fare promotions and optional extras. Review Norwegian specialty dining packages and Free at Sea against the dining options and terms offered for your booking.

Travelers interested in onboard cuisine should review the Cruise Dining Guide.

Alaska & Caribbean Itineraries

Norwegian Encore is particularly well known for Alaska sailings, though it also serves Caribbean itineraries seasonally.

Compare Norwegian Encore & Keep Planning

If you are still deciding whether Norwegian Encore is the right fit, these related Norwegian ship guides and planning resources can help you compare ship style, onboard features, and the overall NCL experience.

Still choosing a ship? Use the Find a Cruise Ship tool to explore the features that matter to you, then compare your shortlist with the Cruise Ship Comparison Tool.

Traveler Insights

Real experiences shared by cruisers who have sailed this ship.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cabin: Balcony

Cabin Experience: Our cabin was in a great location, midship. We love having a balcony, especially going to Alaska. We saw many whales and otters from our balcony. The room size was as expected.

Overall Experience: One thing that future cruisers should know is that bottled water is not included in the drink package, which was surprising to us.

We also had to go old school in our communications ex: where to meet, what show to see etc. The Internet did not always work, and there was no space in the Norwegian app to communicate with your travel buddies

Favorite Part: My favorite part was the wildlife scene from the ship. The huge observation lounge was a favorite spot.

What Surprised Them: The weather this time of year surprised me the most. I could not believe I was sweating in Alaska. My husband and I did not bring shorts or summer clothes. The pool deck got used… Kids were playing the splash pad and families were in the pool. We’re so thankful that the weather was absolutely beautiful.

We would’ve enjoyed staying in some of the ports a little longer to so that we could do an excursion and still have time to truly experience the Alaskan vibe.

Advice: Future cruisers to Alaska should pack for all kinds of weather. Bring binoculars and a raincoat.

— Jaquelynn , Texas • Sailed August 2026

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cabin: Inside — Cabin 13649

Cabin Experience: The cabin was a little smaller than I expected but really worked out great. Nice and quiet. I won't book so far from the theater and restaurants again. Our cabin steward (Christina) was amazing!

Overall Experience: The food and entertainment were really good. The staff was fantastic.

Favorite Part: I am STILL working through photos and memories. The whale watching was a great experience. The Bennet pass train excursion was fun, entertaining, educating, and more. The distillery was a fun experience, too.

At the end of each day, we would all settle in together and play cards in the Observation deck. Our waiter (Ida) was outstanding, patient, funny, and very accommodating.

What Surprised Them: The weather was really pretty amazing. We had beautiful sunny weather most of the time.

Advice: Definitely pack in layers.

— Brian • Sailed August 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions About Norwegian Encore

What class ship is Norwegian Encore?

Norwegian Encore is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.

When was Norwegian Encore launched?

Norwegian Encore entered service in 2019 and is one of Norwegian Cruise Line's newest large ships.

What is The Haven on Norwegian Encore?

The Haven is Norwegian's exclusive luxury ship-within-a-ship experience offering suites, concierge service, a private restaurant, lounge, and sun deck.

Does Norwegian Encore sail Alaska?

Yes. Norwegian Encore is one of Norwegian Cruise Line's premier Alaska ships and frequently sails from Seattle during the Alaska season.

Does Norwegian Encore have go-karts?

Yes. Norwegian Encore features a multi-level racetrack attraction that is one of the ship's signature experiences.

How does Norwegian Encore compare to Norwegian Bliss?

Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss are sister ships in the Breakaway Plus class and share many features, though entertainment and itineraries may differ.

Is Norwegian Encore good for families?

Yes. Norwegian Encore offers family activities, entertainment, water attractions, and youth programs for children and teens.

Is Norwegian Encore good for couples?

Yes. Couples often enjoy specialty dining, The Haven, spa experiences, and adult entertainment venues aboard Norwegian Encore.

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