Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Encore is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Norwegian Encore is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, the cruise brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The vessel is the fourth and final ship in the Breakaway Plus class, following Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Bliss. It was conceived as part of a major new-ship order placed with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft and was ultimately configured for the Western cruise market rather than for the China-focused design originally considered. Norwegian Cruise Line announced the underlying order in July 2014, covering two Breakaway Plus-class ships with planned deliveries in 2018 and 2019. The ships were expected to provide roughly 4,200 passenger berths each. In early 2017, the later-delivery vessel was discussed as a possible China-oriented sister ship similar to Norwegian Joy. By January 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line had changed direction and decided that the ship would follow the Western-market concept used for Norwegian Bliss. Steel cutting began on 31 January 2018, which was also when the name Norwegian Encore was announced. The keel was laid at Meyer Werft in November 2018, and the ship floated out in August 2019 for final outfitting and testing. Meyer Werft delivered Norwegian Encore to Norwegian Cruise Line in Bremerhaven on 30 October 2019. The ship then completed preview and repositioning voyages in Europe before crossing the Atlantic. Kelly Clarkson was announced as the ship's godmother, and she performed at the christening ceremony in Miami on 21 November 2019. Norwegian Encore entered regular service with an inaugural Caribbean voyage later that month, initially emphasizing Eastern Caribbean itineraries. The vessel measures 333.5 metres in length, has a gross tonnage of 169,116, and contains 20 decks and 2,043 staterooms. Its published double-occupancy capacity is 4,004 passengers. Five MAN B&W diesel engines provide a combined output of approximately 102,900 horsepower, while two ABB Azipod propulsion units support a service speed of about 22.5 knots. The vessel also incorporates exhaust-gas cleaning equipment and heat-recovery technology intended to improve environmental and operational performance. Norwegian Encore's deployment plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Norwegian Cruise Line suspended sailings in March 2020, and the ship subsequently spent an extended period out of normal passenger service. Reports during the suspension placed the vessel at anchor off Weymouth and later in Southampton in the United Kingdom. Before the pandemic, planned future deployments included New York cruises to Bermuda and the northeastern seaboard, winter Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, and a first full Panama Canal transit leading to an Alaska season from Seattle. The ship remains part of Norwegian Cruise Line's active fleet and is marketed as a large resort-style cruise vessel combining multiple dining, entertainment, accommodation, and leisure options.
History
Norwegian Encore originated in Norwegian Cruise Line's program to expand its fleet with larger Breakaway Plus-class ships. On 14 July 2014, the company announced a contract with Meyer Werft for two vessels, with expected deliveries in 2018 and 2019. Each ship was initially described as having approximately 164,600 gross tons and around 4,200 passenger berths. The later ship was initially considered for a China-oriented design, following the market strategy associated with Norwegian Joy. That plan was revised in January 2018, when Norwegian Cruise Line chose to align the vessel with the Western-market concept used for Norwegian Bliss. Construction formally began with steel cutting on 31 January 2018, the same day the ship's name was made public. A keel-laying ceremony took place at Meyer Werft on 28 November 2018 and included a performance associated with the musical Kinky Boots. Norwegian Encore floated out on 17 August 2019, after which it was moved for funnel installation, interior outfitting, and other completion work. The ship travelled along the Ems toward Eemshaven for sea trials beginning on 30 September and completed testing on 1 October. Delivery occurred in Bremerhaven on 30 October 2019. Norwegian Encore was the fifteenth and final ship Meyer Werft built for Norwegian Cruise Line, according to the available reference account. Before entering full service, it undertook preview activities in Europe, including a voyage from Bremerhaven to Southampton. It then crossed the Atlantic on an eight-day sailing between Southampton and New York, followed by preview events in New York and Miami. The ship's christening took place in Miami on 21 November 2019. Kelly Clarkson had been announced as godmother in September, and she performed at the ceremony before officially naming the vessel. Norwegian Encore made its debut in the Caribbean on 24 November 2019 and spent the remainder of its inaugural season on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. The original operating plan called for a summer 2020 New York deployment serving Bermuda, the Canadian Maritimes, and New England, followed by winter Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. A spring 2021 plan anticipated the vessel's first complete Panama Canal transit and a subsequent Seattle-based Alaska season. These plans were disrupted when Norwegian Cruise Line suspended sailings in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic affected the cruise industry. After passengers disembarked, reports indicated that several crew members became ill and that a crew member who had already left the vessel was later diagnosed with COVID-19. By October 2020, Norwegian Encore was reported at anchor in Weymouth Bay before arriving in Southampton on 18 October. Norwegian Encore is 333.5 metres long, with a moulded beam of 41.5 metres, a maximum draft of 9 metres, and gross tonnage of 169,116. The ship has 20 decks, 2,043 staterooms, and a double-occupancy capacity of 4,004 passengers. Its propulsion plant comprises five MAN B&W engines with total output of approximately 102,900 horsepower. Two ABB Azipod XO units provide propulsion, supporting a service speed of approximately 22.5 knots and a trial maximum exceeding 25 knots. Scrubbers and a heat-recovery system are included among the vessel's efficiency-related equipment. Norwegian Encore continues to represent Norwegian Cruise Line's large-ship, resort-style cruising proposition, with accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, and leisure facilities packaged into itineraries across major North American and Caribbean markets.
- 2020
Pandemic service suspension
[1]Norwegian Cruise Line suspended sailings in March, interrupting the ship's planned commercial deployments.
- 2019
Float-out and sea trials
[1]Norwegian Encore floated out in August and completed sea trials in late September and early October.
- 2019
Delivery to Norwegian Cruise Line
[1]Meyer Werft delivered the completed ship in Bremerhaven on 30 October.
- 2019
Miami christening
[1]Kelly Clarkson served as godmother and named the ship at its 21 November ceremony.
- 2019
Caribbean debut
[1]The vessel entered regular service with an Eastern Caribbean deployment from Miami.
- 2018
Steel cutting and name announcement
[1]Construction began at Meyer Werft, and the ship was publicly named Norwegian Encore.
- 2018
Keel laid
[1]The keel-laying ceremony was held on 28 November at Meyer Werft.
- 2014
Meyer Werft construction agreement announced
[1]Norwegian Cruise Line announced an order for two Breakaway Plus-class ships, one of which was scheduled for delivery in 2019 and later became Norwegian Encore.
Products and positioning
A large, contemporary Norwegian Cruise Line resort ship positioned around flexible cruise vacations, extensive onboard amenities, and major-market itineraries in the Caribbean and North America.
Cruise travel · 2019
Norwegian Encore cruise vacations
The ship's core offering is a packaged cruise vacation combining sea transportation, accommodation, dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities. Its itineraries have included the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Bermuda, New England, the Canadian Maritimes, and Alaska. The vessel is designed for large-scale resort cruising, with capacity for 4,004 passengers at double occupancy and more than 2,000 staterooms.
Hospitality and entertainment · 2019
Norwegian Encore onboard experience
Norwegian Encore packages onboard lodging with restaurants, bars, entertainment, and recreational facilities. Its Breakaway Plus-class architecture emphasizes a broad selection of activities and public spaces within a single large vessel, supporting Norwegian Cruise Line's flexible, resort-oriented vacation proposition.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Norwegian Encore christening
United States · Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line used a Miami christening event to introduce Norwegian Encore to the North American market. Kelly Clarkson served as godmother, performed at the ceremony, and formally named the ship.
Outcome. The event preceded the ship's first regular Caribbean deployment and helped frame the vessel as a new flagship-scale addition to the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.
- 2019European preview and transatlantic introduction
Europe · United States
Before its Miami christening, Norwegian Encore participated in European preview activities and crossed the Atlantic from Southampton to New York, followed by preview events in New York and Miami.
Outcome. The sequence introduced the ship to travel markets on both sides of the Atlantic before its inaugural Caribbean season.
Brand decisions
2020
Suspension of passenger sailingsOtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic led Norwegian Cruise Line and much of the cruise industry to halt passenger operations.
Action taken
Norwegian Cruise Line suspended sailings in March 2020, taking Norwegian Encore out of its planned passenger schedule.
Aftermath
The vessel spent a period in lay-up, including time near Weymouth and Southampton, while its announced 2020 and 2021 deployments were disrupted.
2018
Shift from China-oriented to Western-market designStrategyBackground
The 2019-delivery Breakaway Plus-class vessel had initially been discussed as a ship designed for the Chinese market, following Norwegian Joy's market focus.
Action taken
Norwegian Cruise Line revised the plan in January 2018 and chose a Western-market configuration aligned more closely with Norwegian Bliss.
Aftermath
Norwegian Encore entered service as a Western-market ship and was deployed to Caribbean and North American cruise markets.
Sources2 sources
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