Precious Memories: Boarding NCL Encore from Seattle 2021

Roundtrip Seattle to Alaska on NCL Encore

September 18, 2021

After two years of not having been on a cruise during the pandemic, we finally got a chance to board the NCL Encore for a week-long trip to Alaska. We decided on this cruise because NCL seemed to have a protocol that is reasonably safe and we had some cruise credits that was going to expire soon. It would also be a fun trip to visit family members up in Seattle after all these months.

We left L.A. on Labor Day, September 6, and headed north in our motorhome spending a week along the Oregon Coast, enjoying all the scenery and seafood on the way. Then we spend a few days with family before getting on the cruise. I will report back on the first part of the trip after the cruise report since this is more time sensitive.

NCL required that ALL passengers and crew members are 100% vaccinated with all passengers tested negative at the pier before boarding on all of their sailing. It was definitely a nerve wrecking time as we tried very hard to stay away from crowds as we traveled up north. We did not want to even think about coming in contact with anyone who might have the virus. To make it safer, we even bought a DIY home test at Walgreen's in Warrenton before entering Washington state. Thank God that all three of us tested negative on the home tests.

On boarding day, we were dropped off by my niece at Pier 66 in Seattle where a long check-in line was formed already. After dropping off our luggage, we were instructed to go across the street to the Marriott Hotel for the COVID-test. It was done at the conference center at the hotel. Everything was set up nicely and very organized but certainly a nerve wrecking 20 minutes inside this big hall!

Passengers entering the testing area on the left.

Testing booths along the wall on one side of the room.

Waiting for their numbers to be called if tested negative.

Numbers showing on the big screen.

After passing the tests, we walked back across the street to the long line for checking in at the Bell Harbor Convention Center. This has to be the longest line we have been in for any embarkation check-in anywhere!

The whole process was about an hour and a half. Official boarding did not start until 11:30 so it was quite crowded in the waiting area with no social distancing at all. Fortunately, we had priority boarding as Platinum members, and we were walking on the gangway right after those needing assistance. I believe those in Haven had their own boarding procedures right from the beginning.

First thing after being on the ship was to report to the muster station for a quick scan of our room cards. We have already watched the safety video during online check-in so it was not necessary to have an official muster drill. What a nice change!

Cabins were not ready so off to lunch we went. Usually we would enjoy a quiet lunch at the main dining room but today we headed up to the Garden Cafe instead. Just curious to see what they have to offer at the buffet. Instead of just having spray sanitizer when entering the buffet restaurant, they now have hand-washing sinks set up at the entrance for "Washy, washy!"

What a view of downtown Seattle as we set down for lunch at the Garden Cafe!

Yum! The first of many delicious meals on the ship!

At around 1:30, all the cabins were ready as we anxiously looked for our stateroom on deck 8. Deck 8 has an interesting set up with the waterfront on both sides of the ship. We were having problem finding the access to our room and had to ask for help from a crew member. It turned out that instead of a regular hallway just like any other deck, we had to use the hallway next to the District Brewhouse to get to our room. Once we found it for the first time, it was not a problem other than taking a longer walk.

Our cabin 8754 was on the starboard side of the ship near the front. Not the best location since it's right above the theater but that was the lowest category for balcony cabins with a good price. We were happy!

From our balcony, we could still see the Space Needle standing tall out there.

As we were waiting for sail-away, the weather took a turn to wet and gloomy. We decided maybe it's a good time to explore the ship a little. That's what we usually do on the first day of a cruise, especially when it is a short cruise like this one.

Manhattan, the main dining room on the ship at the very back of the ship on deck 7.

Manhattan, near the entrance of the restaurant.

Chandelier that changes colors.

Amazing desserts at Coco's for extra pay.

Coco's, a pay venue.

Atrium Bar on deck 6 at the Atrium.

There's even a Starbucks on board!

A huge model of the Encore on Deck 15.

Observation Lounge on deck 15, my favorite place on the ship.

Observation Lounge is one huge wrap-around area near the bow of the ship on deck 15.

An excellent place to relax and enjoy the scenery with floor to ceiling windows and comfortable chairs. They also serve light meals all day long until 5:00PM everyday.

A wet and empty pool deck.

American Diner, another pay venue.

This is the fun part of the ship, Speedway for Go-Kart.

Laser Tag, at the back of the ship on deck 17.

Almost time to leave Seattle! What a beautiful sight!

The now empty pier, with Marriott across the street.

Dinner Menu for the first night.

Available every day.

We found that food on the Encore was exceptionally good! We have been on many NCL cruises and usually their food would be average but this time around everything was up a notch.