Caribbean adventure

My recent trip on Norwegian Encore was nothing short of wonderful. The adventure began in Miami, where the excitement was already building and friendships were quickly formed. From there, we transferred to the NCL Encore, and the moment I stepped onboard I knew this was going to be something special.The ship itself is amazing. We stayed in a lovely balcony cabin, which was perfect for relaxing and taking in the sea views after busy days of exploring.

One of the highlights of life onboard was the incredible choice of dining options. There truly was something for everyone.The specialty restaurants, available at an extra cost, were outstanding. These included Cagney’s Steakhouse serving classic steakhouse fare, Onda by Scarpetta with its modern Italian dishes, Le Bistro for elegant French dining, Los Lobos offering upscale Mexican cuisine, Food Republic with its global fusion flavors, Q Texas Smokehouse for BBQ and country tunes, Ocean Blue for seafood lovers, Teppanyaki with its fun and interactive chef experience, and The District Brew House for pub style food and drinks. My personal favorite was Cagney’s Steakhouse, which I would happily visit again and again.

There were also plenty of complimentary dining options included in the cruise. The Manhattan Room, Savor, and Taste offered varied menus in beautiful main dining rooms. The Garden Café had a large buffet with international stations, while the American Diner served comfort food classics. The Local Bar and Grill was great for relaxed pub fare, the Pool Grill was ideal for casual poolside bites, and Dolce Gelato on the Waterfront became a firm favorite for Italian gelato.

Our itinerary took us to some fantastic destinations. We visited Honduras,Roatan, Belize, and the Grand Cayman. Along the way, I was lucky enough to see some incredible wildlife, including howler monkeys, or at least the tail of one, sea turtles, lizards, a nurse shark, and various bird life. A trip through the mangroves to see the alligators was a real highlight. In the Grand Cayman, I can proudly say I went to Hell and back.

Back onboard, the fun never stopped. We enjoyed a beer tasting afternoon, had a go at go-karting which was great fun, and spent an afternoon in the virtual arcade that had us laughing nonstop. The entertainment was top class. I saw The Choir of Man, a brilliant West End style show, and Icons of the Sea, a high energy rock show. We sang our hearts out at karaoke, danced the night away on deck at an ABBA party, and kept the party going in the Social Club.

It is hard to believe how much we managed to fit into just seven days. The entire experience was made even more special by Helen Green at NCL, who hosted the trip and truly looked after us all.While onboard, I purchased future cruise credits, and that says it all really. I cannot wait to do it all again. This cruise was packed with fun, friendship, adventure, and unforgettable memories, and Norwegian Encore delivered every step of the way.