Something big is afoot for the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship ever
The biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship at sea is getting a major makeover.
The Miami-based line on Thursday announced that the massive 169,116-ton Norwegian Encore will head to a shipyard in November for a significant overhaul that will include the addition of new cabins and redesigned suites.
Other changes will include the addition of an all-new adult zone on the ship's top deck and the expansion of two of its most popular dining venues.
At the same time, Norwegian plans to rip out Norwegian Encore's laser tag arena, one of the vessel's signature decktop features.
Unveiled in 2019, Norwegian Encore was celebrated at the time as the biggest Norwegian vessel ever built, and it has continued to hold the title despite Norwegian's recent debut of two news ships — Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
Both of the newer vessels are significantly smaller than Norwegian Encore.
Norwegian Encore is also bigger than another new vessel, Norwegian Aqua, that Norwegian plans to unveil in 2025 and a sister ship to Norwegian Aqua coming in 2026.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list
Norwegian Encore will enter the shipyard for an overhaul Nov. 18. The work will last until Dec. 2.
The new adult zone planned for the top of the ship will be called Spice H2O, the same name the line uses for adults-only areas found atop several other vessels. But Norwegian on Thursday said the new area would combine elements of not just those SpiceH2O areas but the adults-only Infinity Beach areas atop Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
The new adult zone, reserved for passengers 18 and older, will have multiple hot tubs, eight large daybeds surrounded by pools and a large bar serving cocktails.
It'll take up the space that until now has been home to the ship's laser tag area.
The two eateries getting an expansion are Cagney’s Steakhouse and the Japanese cuisine-serving Teppanyaki. The two outlets will be bigger by taking over the footprint of two other food venues on the ship: the Mexican restaurant Los Lobos on Deck 8 and gelato-serving Coco’s on Deck 6. Neither of those venues will be making a comeback on the vessel.
Related: The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained
One other food outlet, seafood-focused Ocean Blue, will be converted into one of the Palomar eateries found on some Norwegian ships. It'll serve what Norwegian calls elevated Mediterranean seafood cuisine.
Norwegian suggested the changes are a response to consumer demand.
“Our guests’ wants and needs are at the forefront of every decision that we make, and enhancing Norwegian Encore with more of the experiences they value showcases our commitment to just that,” David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
New cabins for Norwegian Encore
Among changes to cabins and suites, Norwegian said Norwegian Encore’s two biggest suites (called Premier Owner's suites) will be expanded from two-bedroom complexes to three-bedroom complexes.
Norwegian debuted three-bedroom complexes on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and Norwegian said there has been strong demand for them. There also are three-bedroom suites on the recently revamped Norwegian Joy.
The Premier Owner’s suites are located in Norwegian Encore's exclusive The Haven area — a private enclave for suite passengers that is found on a number of Norwegian ships.
In addition to three bedrooms, the revamped Premier Owner's suites will have three-and-a-half bathrooms, a fully renovated living room and a new separate dining room.
The Haven on Norwegian Encore has a private pool area, restaurant and bar, and it comes with concierge service.
Other changes to cabins include the addition of 24 new balcony cabins and two club balcony cabins.
Norwegian is making room for the new cabins by shrinking the size of the ship's Observation Lounge.
After the overhaul, Norwegian Encore is scheduled to sail a 12-night transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England, to Miami before transitioning into winter sailings out of Miami to the Caribbean.
The ship's winter schedule will bring seven-night voyages with stops at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas.
The ship will reposition to Seattle in the spring for a season of sailings to Alaska.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.