Norwegian Encore - Eastern Caribbean from Miami
Norwegian Encore's 7-night Eastern Caribbean run from Miami links the Dominican Republic and Virgin Islands with a closing beach day at NCL's Great Stirrup Cay.
Price Range
$
Budget
*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Norwegian Cruise Line before booking.
Ship Details — Norwegian Encore
View full Norwegian Encore details
Year Built
2019
Tonnage
169,116 GT
Passengers
3,998
Crew
1,735
Decks
20
Class
Breakaway Plus
Itinerary & Route Map
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Where this cruise calls, day by day
6 ports and 2 sea days over 7 Nights.
- Day 1Miami, FL port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Miami, FL
United StatesDepart Day 2 · At sea
- Day 3Puerto Plata port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Puerto Plata
Dominican RepublicPort - Day 4Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
U.S. Virgin IslandsPort - Day 5
Tortola
British Virgin IslandsPortRoad Town is a small administrative capital that empties into Tortola Pier Park, a purpose-built shopping village at the dock. The town itself is thin, and it clogs when two ships are in. This is a call you leave: most people cross the ridge to Cane Garden Bay, or take the ferry to Virgin Gorda for The Baths, which is the best thing in the British Virgins.
- The Baths on Virgin Gorda, by ferry
- Cane Garden Bay
- Smuggler's Cove at the west end
- Sage Mountain National Park
- Getting ashore
- Docked at Road Town beside Tortola Pier Park; Cane Garden Bay is about 20 minutes over Ridge Road by taxi, and the Virgin Gorda ferry runs 30-45 minutes.
- Best months
- Dec-Apr; Aug-Oct is hurricane season
Day 6 · At sea
- Day 7
Great Stirrup Cay
BahamasPortNorwegian's Berry Islands beach is the oldest of the private-island calls - the line has used it since 1977. It was a tender operation for decades, which made short calls miserable, until a two-ship pier opened at the end of 2025 and ships began tying up. Bertram's Cove is the main swimming beach. The buffet lunch is included; cabanas, the Silver Cove villas, watersports rentals and the spa are not.
- Bertram's Cove, the main beach
- The included beach barbecue buffet
- Snorkel gear, kayaks and floats for rent (extra cost)
- Private cabanas and the Silver Cove lagoon villas (extra cost)
- Getting ashore
- Ships dock at the pier that opened in December 2025 - older trip reports describing a tender ride no longer apply.
- Best months
- Nov-Apr for calm seas and reliable calls; summer is hotter with afternoon storms
- Day 8Miami, FL port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Miami, FL
United StatesArrive
Onboard Amenities
Cruise Highlights
About the Ship
What Travelers Say About Norwegian Encore
Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Norwegian Encore sailing. Distilled from 402 traveler threads, passenger reviews and travel blogs.
Norwegian Encore is a 2019-built, 2024-refurbished Breakaway-Plus megaship for roughly 4,000 guests, with an energetic, activity-packed, slightly party-leaning vibe. Its calling card is the largest go-kart racetrack at sea, backed by two waterslides, open-air laser tag, and the Galaxy Pavilion VR arcade — there's always something to do regardless of weather. The 2024 refit gave it a modern, upscale look across cabins and public spaces.
What People Love
- Largest go-kart track at sea (~1,100 ft, two levels) that extends over the ship's edge — the signature thrill draw
- Broadway-caliber entertainment: Choir of Man and the Tony-winning Kinky Boots are rated among the best shows afloat
- Huge all-weather activity lineup — two waterslides, open-air laser tag, and the Galaxy Pavilion VR/4D/escape-room complex
Common Complaints
- Heavy nickel-and-diming: go-karts, escape room, specialty dining, drinks, Wi-Fi and spa all cost extra and add up fast
- New $5-per-extra-entrée fee in the main dining rooms (one included entrée per person) drew widespread cruiser backlash
- Feels crowded at ~4,000 guests, with ~10-minute waits for a buffet table on busy Caribbean sailings