In this episode of “Cruise Radio,” host Doug Parker interviews Matt about his recent seven-night Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Encore.
Matt shares his background, reasons for choosing this cruise, and details of his journey, including pre-cruise preparations, embarkation, ship features, stateroom details, and dining experiences. He highlights the smooth embarkation process, the ship’s modern amenities, and the stunning views from the observation lounge.
The conversation also covers Matt’s dining experiences, entertainment on board, and memorable excursions in ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Matt praises the quality of the ship’s food, the improvement in entertainment, and the breathtaking Alaskan scenery. He concludes by reflecting on the family bonding during the trip and offers tips for future Alaska cruisers.
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Timestamps:
- Guest Introduction: Matt (00:00:35): Matt, the guest, shares his appreciation for Doug’s work and his excitement for the cruise.
- Pre-Cruise Thoughts (00:01:05): Discussion of reasons for choosing the Alaska cruise and family involvement in planning.
- Travel Experience to Seattle (00:02:35): Matt recounts their travel experience, including layovers and hotel accommodations in Seattle.
- Seattle’s Seafood Experience (00:04:51): Matt compares seafood in Seattle to Louisiana, expressing enjoyment of the local cuisine.
- Embarkation Process (00:06:03): He describes the embarkation process, noting efficiency and helpful staff.
- First Impressions of Norwegian Encore (00:07:45): Matt shares his initial impressions of the ship and its features.
- Stateroom Overview (00:10:26): Matt discusses their interior stateroom choice and the reasons for the downgrade from a balcony.
- Family Stateroom Connections (00:12:13): Matt explains the arrangement of family staterooms and their convenience during the cruise.
- Interior Room Experience (00:12:45): He describes the interior room’s size and amenities, noting comfort despite tight space.
- Bathroom Size Discussion (00:14:46): Matt humorously compares the bathroom size to the stateroom, highlighting spaciousness.
- Oceanview Cafe Experience (00:15:19): Matt shares thoughts on the buffet experience, emphasizing food quality and dining preferences.
- Dining Experience Review (00:16:29): He discusses seating availability and table turnover during dining experiences.
- Main Dining Room Experience (00:16:47): Matt shares his thoughts on Norwegian’s main dining rooms and their seating policies.
- Dining Quality Assessment (00:17:02): He grades the food quality in the main dining rooms, noting improvements since past experiences.
- Dining Room Challenges (00:17:26): He recounts issues with group seating and restaurant hours after excursions in Alaska.
- Specialty Restaurant Highlights (00:19:52): Matt praises the food and experience at specialty restaurants, including French and hibachi dining.
- Group Dining Fun (00:21:01): Matt reflects on the enjoyment of dining as a group compared to as a couple.
- Breakfast at The Local (00:21:25): He describes their breakfast experience at The Local due to main dining room availability.
- Entertainment Improvements (00:22:10): Matt discusses enhancements in entertainment options aboard Norwegian Encore.
- Comedy Show Experiences (00:22:41): He shares experiences with comedians and the popular “Choir of Man” show.
- Magic Show Cancellation (00:24:53): Matt expresses disappointment over a canceled magic show during their cruise.
- Go-Kart Track Experience (00:25:13): Talks about witnessing the go-kart track but choosing not to participate.
- Casino Smoking Situation (00:26:05): He commends Norwegian for effectively managing smoke in the casino area.
- Crowd Management on Sea Days (00:27:54): Discusses crowd dynamics and congestion during sea days on the cruise.
- Lack of Public Solarium (00:29:47): Matt critiques the absence of a public solarium on the ship, particularly for Alaska.
- Ports of Call Overview (00:30:42): Introduction of their ports of call, including Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria.
- Juneau Excursion Highlights (00:31:48): Matt describes an unforgettable private whale-watching tour in Juneau.
- Skagway Railroad Experience (00:32:25): Matt is surprised by the beauty of the White Pass Railroad excursion in Skagway.
- The Train Experience (00:34:09): Matt shares his enjoyable train ride experience in Skagway, despite chilly weather.
- Glacier Bay Day (00:35:32): He describes the breathtaking views and wildlife seen during their day in Glacier Bay.
- Ketchikan Experience (00:38:04): Matt recounts visiting Ketchikan, facing rainy weather but enjoying local shops and the totem museum.
- Victoria Port Visit (00:40:31): Discussion about their brief but lovely visit to Victoria, highlighting the friendly locals and city charm.
- Disembarkation Process (00:42:35): Explanation for their smooth disembarkation experience and transfer to the airport after the cruise.
- Air Travel Experience (00:45:32): Details of their long flight back to Tampa and the challenges of booking through the cruise line.
- First-Time Tips for Alaska Cruises (00:47:09): Matt offers advice for first-time Alaska cruisers, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the experience fully.
- Cruise Highlights (00:51:29): Matt reflects on the biggest highlight of the cruise: spending quality time with his wife’s family.
- Family Connections Through Cruising (00:51:33): He shares how his Alaska cruise strengthened family bonds and left lasting memories of stunning views.
- Final Thoughts on Norwegian Encore (00:52:30): Matt discusses the ship’s versatility and performance in Alaska and expresses a desire for more outdoor spaces.
- Acknowledgment of Matt’s Experience (00:53:52): Doug thanks Matt for sharing insights about his seven-night cruise on the Norwegian Encore.
