Norwegian Encore’s 2024 Dry Dock: Here Are 8 Changes You’ll See Onboard
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.

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

Before the dry dock, this was one of the most impressive spaces on the ship… spacious, full of natural light, and perfect for watching the scenery roll by, especially on an Alaskan itinerary. When we sailed in 2023, it was already a popular spot, and even then, finding a seat was tough during peak times.
After the 2024 dry dock, a significant portion of the lounge was removed to accommodate new balcony cabins, and that change is noticeable. On our most recent NCL Encore cruise, the layout felt tighter, and every time we walked through, it felt overcrowded and tense. 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 for Glacier Bay day. If it’s still happening, it wouldn’t surprise me.
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 this ship to Alaska in summer 2023, before the dry dock, the ship felt overwhelmed with passengers. I honestly can’t imagine squeezing even more passengers without making changes elsewhere. Cutting into the Observation Lounge, of all places, makes the crowding more noticeable.
Los Lobos Removed, Cagney’s Expanded

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.
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

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.
Coco’s Gone, Teppanyaki Expanded

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.
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
- How NCL’s More at Sea Works and What’s Included
- Popular Norwegian Cruise Cocktails (According to Fellow Cruisers)
- Your No-Nonsense Guide to NCL Drink Packages
- Things We Think NCL Got Wrong: 7 Recent Changes
- Alaska in The Haven: 10 Highlights from Our Cruise with NCL
Kathy Ava
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.