Norwegian Encore

Norwegian launched Encore in 2019 knowing it was likely the last Breakaway-plus ship. This created an interesting design opportunity: deliver the Breakaway formula at its best, without the constraints of the earlier ships, on a budget that still keeps the pricing competitive. The interior design is cleaner, the entertainment is more integrated, and the dining lineup is more focused than on the earlier Breakaway ships. The generational refinement is visible from the first boarding.

Kinky Boots was the headliner entertainment at Encore's launch, and the Broadway partnership gives the ship's evening programming a quality of production that's hard to match at sea. The go-kart speedway on the top deck occupies three levels, with the ocean visible on both sides of the outermost curves. The Waterfront dining includes La Cucina Italian and a restaurant format that was new to NCL at launch.

The Haven on Encore is positioned forward with expansive ocean views from the private pool. Entry-level Haven cabins access the full suite amenity stack: The Haven Restaurant, concierge, butler service, priority boarding. Standard oceanview and balcony cabins are the most refined version of NCL's standard cabin design prior to Prima — marginally better sound insulation and more efficient layout than the earlier Breakaway ships.

Encore's Bermuda sailings from New York are among the more satisfying pairings of ship and destination in the eastern US market. The ship holds in Bermuda for several days rather than a single port call, providing three or four full days on the island at a pace that matches Bermuda's natural tempo. The contrast between Encore's energy and Bermuda's pastels is more pleasant than you'd expect.

Passengers arriving after reading about Prima's improvements will notice the difference — Encore is more crowded at the pool, the specialty restaurants require more advance planning, and the space-per-guest ratio is lower. This is the deliberate generational shift between Breakaway and Prima. Encore remains an excellent ship; it simply represents a different set of priorities than its successors.