Between our 2023 Alaska cruise and this latest sailing in 2025, Norwegian Encore went through a dry dock in fall 2024. NCL announced several updates at the time, and on this trip, we finally had the chance to see them for ourselves.
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Some of the changes made sense. Others left us scratching our heads. Why reduce the Observation Lounge on a ship built for scenic itineraries like Alaska?
Observation Lounge on Deck 15
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This space was already a bit tight, and the fall 2024 refurbishment shaved off even more to make room for new balcony cabins. When we sailed in 2023, it was already a popular spot, and finding a seat could be tough at peak times. Now it feels even more cramped.
Every time we walked through on this trip, the vibe was tense and overcrowded. We never stayed long.
We’ve also seen a lot of chatter in cruise groups about guests sleeping overnight in the lounge to hold their spots. If that’s still happening, it wouldn’t surprise me—there isn’t enough space for everyone anymore.
New Balcony Cabins Added
The loss of nearly half the Observation Lounge was used to add more balcony cabins. It’s an obvious move to increase capacity and revenue, but at the expense of one of the few public spaces designed for scenic viewing. On a ship already packed during peak Alaska season, this trade-off feels short-sighted.
When we sailed to Alaska in summer 2023, it was wall-to-wall people at times. I honestly can’t imagine squeezing even more passengers onto the ship without making changes elsewhere. Cutting into the Observation Lounge, of all places, makes the crowding more noticeable.
Los Lobos Removed, Cagney’s Expanded
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Los Lobos was taken out, and Cagney’s was expanded into that space. I was honestly a little sad to see it go. We ate there on our last sailing and enjoyed it. But from what I’ve seen in cruise groups, it never seemed to be a favorite among many other cruisers. I will miss the tableside guacamole.
Cagney’s is one of NCL’s most popular specialty restaurants, so it’s not surprising they chose to give it more space.
Personally, I still wish they had moved Le Bistro instead, like it is set up on Norwegian Joy. It’s still located under the go-kart track, and those strong vibrations take away from the overall dining experience.
Laser Tag Replaced by Spice H2O
The laser tag arena is gone, and in its place is Spice H2O—an adults-only outdoor area with hot tubs, loungers, a bar, and plunge pools. With the reduction of space in the Observation Lounge, this feels like NCL’s way of adding back some public space. On paper, it’s a nice addition.
During our sailing, the area already looked a bit grimy. Some of the furniture was covered in ash, likely from the ship’s smokestack. We saw crew wiping things down, so it’s not being ignored—they just haven’t figured out how to manage the soot yet.
That said, once the soot situation is under control and the plunge pools are actually filled, this could be a great spot to relax. On an Alaskan cruise, especially during Glacier Bay, it’s the kind of space that could shine with its panoramic views.
Haven Library Removed
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One notable change in The Haven was the removal of the second-floor library and its connection to the observation lounge. I was aware of this from NCL’s announcement, but as a first-time Haven guest, I didn’t notice it immediately.
You still have those big, panoramic two-story windows in the observation lounge, so it feels just as open. But there’s no upstairs access within the lounge anymore. The upper level that used to house the library is now closed off. The Haven itself is still two levels, but this particular space isn’t. If you’ve never sailed The Haven on Encore before, you probably wouldn’t even know anything’s missing.
Haven’s Premier Owner’s Suite Upgraded to 3 Bedrooms
The two-bedroom Premier Owner’s Suite on NCL Encore was upgraded to a three-bedroom layout and refreshed with new furniture and reworked living and dining areas. These are The Haven’s most luxurious accommodations, and the updates give larger families or groups a bit more flexibility.
Palomar Replaces Ocean Blue
Ocean Blue was removed and replaced with Palomar, NCL’s Mediterranean seafood restaurant that also appears on Prima and Viva. We didn’t eat there this time, but I did take a look at the menu, and honestly, it didn’t seem all that different from what Ocean Blue offered.
Still, if you love seafood, this would probably be your best option onboard.
Teppanyaki Expansion
Teppanyaki, another popular specialty restaurant that should be reserved in advance, was expanded during the refurbishment. It now occupies space that previously belonged to Coco’s, a dessert and sweet shop that served over-the-top milkshakes, crepes, and sundaes. I remembered it being a cute spot, but it wasn’t included with the cruise fare and was never busy.
Since Teppanyaki is one of NCL’s most in-demand specialty restaurants, it makes sense that they allocated more space to it. It fills up quickly, especially on sea days, so the extra seating should help alleviate some of the availability issues.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.