Norwegian Encore

Theater and Shows on Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore's main theater is the place to catch two great shows throughout your voyage: the Broadway and West End hit "Kinky Boots," and the boisterous "Choir of Man," which might just be the more popular of the two, despite being the lesser well-known. 

For those who don't know, "Kinky Boots" is a redemption story of a young man from a middle class English neighborhood who rescues his family's shoemaking business by creating sensational "kinky" boots (think red leather and 6-inch stilettos) for drag queens. It's all about accepting people for who they are, and you'll leave smiling. The show, which is 30 minutes shorter than the original version, does feel a bit rushed at times, but the performers give their all and the music (by Cyndi Lauper) will get you clapping. 

The second show, "Choir of Man," has no narrative but is instead a combination of music, dancing and outstanding singing. Get there early, and you can go on stage and have a pint at the bar, where you'll chat with the performers and other audience members. 

The show's premise is simple -- eight or nine guys, all close friends, meet in their local pub for a chat and a sing-song, to swap stories and have a few laughs. A narrator introduces each man, and what they are known for (the good looking one, the sensitive one, the one who always gets into fights), and they sing a tune, which the others join in. It's a joyous, rollicking, good-time-for-all affair, and we guarantee you will be standing and cheering at the end -- and if you wait till the applause dies down, you can get back on stage for another pint.

Daily Things to Do on Norwegian Encore

There's something going all the time on Norwegian Encore, with trivia sessions, Ping-Pong tournaments, group dancing lessons and much more filling up the daily schedule. Much of the action is centered in the atrium, with its large screen and plenty of seats in front of the stage, as well as viewing areas one deck up at The Local. 

Most activities are complimentary, although you will pay for bar-based events such as wine or whiskey tastings, or games of chance such as bingo.

Galaxy Pavillion and Escape Room on Norwegian Encore

One of the most popular attractions on Norwegian Encore is the extra-fee Galaxy Pavilion, a virtual reality arcade, which, at 10,000 square feet, has everything the avid gamer might expect. There's everything from a VR hang-gliding experience (not for the motion sensitive) to a Jurassic Park/World drive-through and a simulated roller coaster ride and a walk-through a VR maze, where you shoot at rabid rabbits or Indian Jones-style villains.

Other options include F1 racing, which you can do with a group, competing against each other or on your own (there's room for a passenger seat ride-along); a soccer game where you try to kick the ball past the goalie; and some cool VR pods where you can play video games like Robo Wars.

While each game has an individual cost to play, it might end up being more economical to buy a pass; four-, eight- and 16-game passes are offered, but the line said it is planning to offer hourly and weekly passes, eventually.  

The space also has two for-fee Escape Rooms ($15 per person), which are full of high-tech twists. We don't want to give them all away, but there is a fun virtual-reality segment at the start. The rooms, which are identical, can take up to six people on a team, and sessions last 45 minutes; the levels of difficulty can be set ahead of time, and if you're running behind, hints are offered to help you out.

Hourly passes can be purchased for the Galaxy Pavilion; the cost is $29, which includes all rides except the F1 racing car and escape rooms. A weekly pass is $199.

Other popular daytime activities include the water park, go-kart race track and the laser tag arena.

Nightlife on Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore is at its most energetic at night when the bars are hopping with live music and dancing, and the various stage shows are going. In addition to "Kinky Boots" and "Choir of Man" in the main theater, cruisers can take in comedy once or twice per cruise in the Social Comedy & Night Club or attend the extra-fee (and definitely not kid-friendly) "Prohibition: The Musical," also in Social.

One of the most popular venues in the evening is the Cavern Club, particularly on nights the Beatles tribute band performs. Generally, the band offers three shows per sailing, with two performances of each show. Shows are themed around the early, middle and late years of the Beatles, and band members dress appropriately for each era.

Once the shows are over, the nightclub part of Social gets going, with DJ'd music and a "silent disco" at least once per cruise. Live music is everywhere throughout the ship -- for great Latin music and dancing, you'll want to check out Sugarcane Mojito Bar -- and goes late.

And, there's always the casino, with its plethora of slot machines, along with table games including poker, roulette, blackjack and craps. Various tournaments are held throughout the cruise.

Norwegian Encore Bars and Lounges

Anyone looking for a tipple, quaff or swig will find plenty of spots onboard to imbibe, from the pool deck to Vibe Beach Club to the restaurant-side Mixx Bar and Skyline Casino Bar. But there are far more options, many dedicated to specific drink styles (beer, wine, mojitos, whiskey, etc). What's fantastic about the bars on Norwegian Encore, and its sisters, is that the spaces are generally smallish, generating an intimate atmosphere on such a large ship. We also love that many of the bars have their own specific drink menus, which means you can easily pick a different one to hang out in every night, without your palate getting bored. 

Several of the bars also offer outdoor lounge space along The Waterfront on Deck 7, which allows you to sit outside during nice weather. 

Highlights include:

**Social Comedy & Night Club (Deck 6): **A multi-use venue, the Social is home to comedy shows, the extra-fee and risque "Prohibition: The Musical" and nightly DJ'd music. It's a large space, with two smaller rooms off to the side.

District Brew House (Deck 7): A beer-lover's delight, the District offers 50 different bottled and 22 draft beers. It's got a dark, woody feel but also has a wall of windows that let in plenty of light. There's comfy couch seating, tall wooden community-style tables (used for tastings from time to time) and seating at the bar. The District can be quiet during the day, but the pace picks up at night when a piano player tickles the ivory, sings crowd-favorite songs and keeps the audience amused. Don't forget to duck into the photo booth in the back (for an extra fee, of course) and then stick the printout of you mugging for the camera on the photo board. 

The Local (Deck 7): Norwegian's signature pub along The Atrium, (it's called O'Sheehan's on most other ships), The Local is the place to watch sports and grab traditional pub grub, free of charge. It's pretty crowded throughout the day, particularly on weekends during any major sports season. 

The Cellars (Deck 8): There's no better place onboard Norwegian Encore for oenophiles than The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar. With hundreds of vintages including a selection of sparkling, kosher, no-sulfur-added, vegan and biodynamic wines, most cruisers would be hard-pressed not to find something they like. Don't know what you like? Ask one of the three certified sommeliers for a recommendation or check out the venue's classes ($22 plus 20-percent gratuity per person, per class): wine and cheese pairing, black glass blind tasting, Old World vs. New World, and wine and chocolate pairings. There's even a class on Riedel glassware. Located just in front of Onda by Scarpetta, it's a perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink. 

Maltings Whiskey Bar (Deck 8): Diagonally opposite The Cellars and right beside the Cavern Club, Maltings is another cozy "corridor" bar where you can sit inside the space but still watch all the people walking by. It's a popular spot and always seems to be full, with a long sit-up bar and various comfy sofas. As the name suggests, this bar specializes in whiskies, including scotches, single malts and bourbons, cocktails and whiskey flights starting at $19.95. There are some delicious creative cocktails, too. As with all the venues on this deck, it has direct access to The Waterfront, and there is a small bar outside. You can also smoke a cigar (not cigarettes), in a small, sealed adjacent Humidor Cigar Lounge.

Sugarcane Mojito Bar (Deck 8): This is a hopping spot with a small dance floor and a live band at night, a long bar, and access to The Waterfront with an outside bar. It's Latin-themed, with the emphasis on a variety of mojito cocktails (can't choose? try a mojito flight -- six for $19.95); and various other Latin-inspired drinks. We loved the spicy jalapeno cucumber mojito, as well as the dangerous wiki rum punch. 

The Cavern Club (Deck 8): This replica of a Liverpool club from the 1960s is the site for the ship's Beatles tribute band, which plays two shows most nights. The shows usually have a theme -- early or late Beatles -- and the band members dress appropriately. This space can get packed, so if you want to catch this show, come early. 

The A-List Bar (Deck 8): This is a favorite for a lot of passengers, not because of its atmosphere -- it's a square bar squished between Cagney's and Los Lobos -- but because it's the best spot onboard for a variety of gin and tonics. Named after former Norwegian Cruise Line president Andy Stuart (and his wife, daughter and son, all who have names starting with A), the menu even includes a G&T named in honor of Stuart's favorite soccer team, Arsenal. 

The Observation Lounge (Deck 15): One of the highlights of the Breakaway Plus class of ship, The Observation Lounge is a gorgeous, sprawling 20,000-square-foot lounge dedicated solely to relaxing, reading and quiet sightseeing in the day; there is a piano and light music plays at night. Two-story windows provide excellent views, and the loungers are so comfy, you'll want to stay there all day (unfortunately some people do, which can make it hard to claim a spot). Smaller seating areas around the sides have snack bars for light breakfast, lunch and snacks. There's also a lovely bar. Don't miss spending some time here. 

The Haven Lounge (Deck 17): The Have Lounge is a comfortable, country-club style bar and lounge open only to suite passengers staying in The Haven or select Haven-designated suites around the ship. What makes this venue different from other bars onboard is its Bespoke Cocktail Experience. Developed in collaboration with bar chef Kathy Casey of Liquid Kitchen, the menu starts with a compass of taste. Working personally with the bartender in the Lounge, cruisers place themselves on the compass, then answer specific questions about their likes and dislikes and their mood. The bartender then prepares a cocktail created specifically for that person. The best part is it's included for suite guests, because it's covered by the Premier Beverage Package, which they receive as part of The Haven fare.  

Pools, Waterslides and Hot Tubs on Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore has two pools and a kids' splash park on its Deck 16 lido area. The adult pool is closer to the Surf Bar and also has a great view of a big screen that broadcasts music, concerts and movies.  The second pool is shallower and is right next to the Aqua Park. There's also a bar here for parents to hang out, while keeping an eye on their kids in the Aqua Park.

Four hot tubs on Deck 17 are cantilevered over the edge of the ship. 

The complimentary Aqua Park has a variety of elements for kids, including a fun dunk bucket. Kids have to be potty-trained to use the pool or water park. 

The Haven has its own indoor pool and hot tub with a retractable roof, dedicated for suite passengers. The pool is shallow, with loungers placed in the water. While the atmosphere of The Haven is generally serene, it's not a kid-free zone, so you might find children, depending on the sailing. The Haven's dedicated sun deck, on Deck 19, has two outdoor hot tubs. 

Within the confines of the for-fee sun deck area Vibe Beach Club, you'll find two hot tubs, but no pool.

The wet fun continues on Deck 17, where you can access Norwegian Encore's two waterslides, Ocean Loops and the Aqua Racer.

The Ocean Loops is a freefall waterslide with two loops that are see-through in sections and extend over the side of the ship (in case you weren't scared enough). You need to prep to go on this one -- all jewelry must be removed and you need to wear swimsuits that won't cause drag on the slide (so no swim skirts or shirts or even fabricky tankinis).

If your attire isn't spot on or if you move around too much, you will not have the momentum to crest the top of the second loop and will get stuck at the bottom of the loop. This is a surprisingly common occurrence, and there's a crew member stationed to rescue trapped sliders who sees plenty of activity. (On the plus side, he gets you out rather quickly.)

Riders must be taller than 48 inches and weigh between 120 and 300 pounds (i.e., this one's not for young kids).

To ride the much tamer but still fun Aqua Racer, you get in an inner tube -- either one or two people -- and ride down the slide, where special lighting changes colors and patterns. You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride, with a maximum weight (for one person alone or two people together) of 300 pounds.

Go Kart Track and Laser Tag on Norwegian Encore

Don't want to get wet? No worries. The back of Deck 17 has you covered with two for-fee attractions -- the go-kart speedway and laser tag.
The go-kart speedway on Norwegian Encore isn't new to the line -- the speedy electric cars debuted on Norwegian Joy and were enhanced on Norwegian Bliss. But the racetrack has been lengthened and widened on Encore, with room for passing, and extends over the deck in some areas. Also new to the speedway -- laser guns for viewers, who can "shoot" drivers to give them bursts of more speed.

Speed is relative here -- you can't go faster than 30 mph. You're also not supposed to treat the speedway as bumper cars; if you drive too aggressively or stop to take selfies, you'll be thrown out. There's a weight limit of 265 pounds and riders must be at least 55 inches tall to have their own car; smaller kids can ride in a two-seater with a parent during limited hours, as long as a helmet can safely fit. Children who meet driving requirements but are under 18 cannot share a double go-kart with another minor, only an adult. Also, some might find the helmets and the balaclavas you need to wear under them somewhat claustrophobic.

The 6-minute ride has a fee. Reservations are recommended.

Norwegian Encore's open-air laser tag course is Atlantis-themed and has impressive features for hiding, including a gigantic serpent. A maximum of 20 people can play at a time in two teams of 10; kids can play as long as they can hold and operate the laser guns. The system does not require wearing bulky chest pieces; targets are on the guns and the shoulder strap.

Recharge stations allow players to arm up quickly after "getting killed" so play is fairly continuous. The arena contains virtual reality elements; if you shoot at some of the pictures around the periphery of the course, you can see creatures jump out of them in your gun's viewfinder. Check video screens to see which team is winning and your personal score.

Because the guns use an attached cellphone-like device as a viewfinder, we found that it was difficult to play in bright sunlight because you couldn't see the laser beams very well. Course attendants concurred that playing after dark is much better. (There's also funky arena lighting if you play after dark.)

Prices are per person, per game, and reservations are recommended. Set-up plus game play takes about 30 minutes.

Vibe Beach Club and Sun Decks on Norwegian Encore

The largest sun deck real estate on Norwegian Encore is dedicated to the Vibe Beach Club, which comes to Encore with much more space and real estate than you find on its sister ships. The for-fee sun deck area now has room for 300, seated in a variety of cushy deck loungers. The adults-only (18 and over) space has two hot tubs, as well as its own bar and waiters who hand out chilled towels and fruit skewers; on a sunny day, there's no reason to leave.

Best of all for Vibe aficionados -- you'll be able to book a Vibe pass (length of the cruise only) online before you go, as opposed to racing to guest services in hopes of getting a slot. You can buy passes by the week or by the day, but these go fast. Vibe also features cabanas for rent. It will cost more for a sea day than during port. You can also get a cabana for the entire week.

The Haven has its own sun deck for suite passengers, which takes over the front of the ship on Deck 17.

Outside of Vibe and the somewhat crowded pool deck (Deck 16) there's not a whole lot of sunning space on Norwegian Encore. We predict space will be at a premium on warm-weather cruises, arrive early to the pool for prime sun deck seating.

Norwegian Encore Services and Wifi

The Deck 6 atrium with its two-deck-high video screen is home to guest services, shore excursion booking, future cruise sales and an internet cafe with IT support for all your Wi-Fi issues.

Norwegian has three internet packages. The Unlimited Social Media Wi-Fi package i gives access only to major social media and chat sites. The Unlimited Wi-Fi package iallows for email, social media, web surfing and app usage. The Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi package adds streaming services. Wi-Fi packages are slightly discounted if purchased online prior to sailing.

Also on this deck is the photo studio and art gallery, and, tucked away down a small corridor off the atrium, the library and a card room.

Most of Norwegian Encore's shops can be found on Deck 8, midship. Tradewinds Tax and Duty Free shops include Norwegian logo items, duty-free liquor, high-end jewelry and watches, designer purses, cosmetics and perfume. A special Bvlgari store sells jewelry, watches and purses by that label.
Also here is the photo gallery where you can buy not only photos but camera equipment, lanyards and items for displaying photos.

A box office on Deck 7 forward by the Encore Theater is the place to sign up for shows (like "Kinky Boots") and make reservations for laser tag and go-karts.

A medical center can be found on Deck 13 by the elevators, and there are two meeting rooms on Deck 6. The ship does not have self-service laundry, but you can pay to have items laundered or pressed.

With more than 20 places to eat onboard, passengers can enjoy dining in a different restaurant every night on Norwegian Encore. The good news is tWith more than 20 places to eat onboard, passengers can enjoy dining in a different restaurant every night.  Norwegian Encore menus range from casual Texas-style barbecue to high-end Italian cuisine, so there’s plenty of choice for everyone. The good news is that the quality of the included venues is reasonably good; in recent years, the line has improved the food and decor of its main dining rooms.

The bad news? Norwegian Encore’s specialty restaurants are enticing -- and expensive, with most having a la carte charges, as opposed to a set cover price. You'll want to choose one of the Norwegian Encore specialty dining packages as part of your Free at Sea booking perks if you're a foodie or someone who loves choice; this is a ship where you could very well have FOMO if you stick to the included venues only.

You will need to make reservations -- the earlier, the better -- if you are determined to eat at specific venues at preferable times. If you want to walk in, go early or late.

Most Norwegian Encore restaurants have options marked for vegetarians and gluten-free diners. If you have food allergies, however, you will likely want to talk to the individual restaurants to see how they can accommodate your needs. (Many of the vegetarian options are pastas or fried, so not particularly healthier than the other choices.)

All extra-fee restaurants tack on a 20 percent auto-gratuity on the final bill, so factor that cost into your dining budget for the ship. (If you choose a dining package as a free booking perk, you will also be required to pay the 20 percent gratuity on the line's estimated retail value of the package.) In short, dining on Norwegian Encore is great, but it can add up.

Norwegian Encore Complimentary Dining

Taste and Savour (Deck 6) and the Manhattan Room (Deck 7): Norwegian Encore has three main dining rooms, each of them with the same menus. Taste and Savour are small, more intimate venues across the hall from each other with a bar separating them. Because of their size, there's more of a feeling of dining in a specialty restaurant than of being in a cruise ship banquet hall. You'll get that in the Manhattan Room, with two-story-tall ceilings and a more cavernous space. It's only open for dinner. 

You don't need to make reservations for these venues, unless you're in a party of six people or more.

Breakfast (in Taste and Savor only) is a nice sit-down alternative to the buffet, where you can order a wide variety of breakfast items, both hot and cold. Express egg options are also available. Lunch has several course options, ranging from soups and salads to sandwiches and more substantial fish, pasta and meat entrees. 

At dinner, the lights are dimmed and the restaurants display a casually elegant (but not stuffy) feel. Service is attentive, but not obtrusive. Menus offer an extensive array of appetizers, including salad, soup and other starters. Entrees include classic choices (like rotisserie chicken and New York strip steak) that are always available, plus featured selections for that day, with meat, seafood, chicken and vegetarian options.

In addition to the main desserts, passengers can order a fruit plate, cheese tray or selection of ice cream or sherbet.

Garden Cafe (Deck 16): The Garden Cafe is the Norwegian Encore buffet restaurant. It is located on the pool deck but manages to look as elegant as the sit-down venues onboard. It's huge, with some repeating stations and some surprise standalones, so make a full pass of all the stations before loading up a plate. We particularly enjoyed the Indian station, which offered excellent dishes for all three meals, with many vegetarian choices. You can find it at the far forward of the buffet on the left side.

You won't find an outdoor terrace (though there is some table seating on the pool deck), but the forward-most seating area has lovely views out the Observation Lounge's two-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Garden Cafe is open long hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but is not open between meals or late at night for snacks. Self-service ice cream stations blend in with the walls and are easy to miss; we're told they come online at 8 a.m.

We were pleased with the quality of the food for a buffet, and the multiple stations did a good job of spreading people throughout the venue.

You can buy Starbucks coffee in the Garden Cafe, as well, from self-serve machines. Keep in mind, the drinks cost extra even though the prices aren't shown, (a note does tell you that you'll pay a 5 percent gratuity on a cup). It's almost impossible not to indulge in Starbucks on Norwegian Encore because the free coffee that's available is almost undrinkable.

Self-serve wine kiosks are also positioned around the buffet, as well as complimentary drink stations serving juice, water, tea and coffee. For any other beverage needs, there's a staffed bar.

Breakfast has every breakfast food you could want: eggs (both premade and cooked to order), breakfast meats, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, fruit, baked goods, pancakes/waffles, cheese and cold cuts.

Lunch has the most variety with stations for hot entrees, burgers and grilled items, pizza, Indian food, carving and wok stations, salad, soup, pasta, bread and cheese, and desserts including ice cream.

Tip: Encore doesn't have another no-charge casual venue for burgers or pizza by the pool, so the Garden Cafe is the spot for apres-swim noshing.

At dinner, the most forward buffet stations close, likely because a large percentage of Encore passengers choose to sample the specialty restaurants or sit-down venues for dinner. The open stations mimic lunch with hot entrees, burgers and pizza, pasta, salad, Indian and dessert.

The Local (Deck 7): The Local has a pub name but the space is much more light and airy than you'd find in most bars. The venue wraps around the atrium, and has several components: the bar seats around the atrium where you can watch people below; the actual bar, where you can watch TV; restaurant seating off to the side; and a games area where you can play pool or arcade games.

Because it's open 24 hours, the space is almost always hopping. The breakfast menu is limited, and has a buzzier ambiance than the quieter main dining rooms, but you can still order eggs, omelets and waffles. For lunch and dinner, the menu offers more standard bar food, with sandwiches and fish and chips. The Local gets another run of people late at night, coming in to fortify after an evening of bar-hopping or dancing.

Observation Lounge (Deck 15): The Norwegian Encore Observation Lounge is meant as a place to come and relax, so why leave to get food? Light bites -- such as yogurt parfaits, fruit and finger sandwiches -- are available here at breakfast and lunch time, as well as pastries and snacks in the afternoon. 

The Haven Restaurant (Deck 18): As befits its status as a private enclave within the ship, The Haven restaurant allows suite guests to dine within their own restaurant for all meals. The menus are more sophisticated than what you will find in the main dining rooms, as is the execution. The chef in The Haven is also adept at special menu requests, with advance notice.

Norwegian Encore Specialty Dining

Specialty dining offers some of the best food on Norwegian Encore. There are a dozen excellent for-fee restaurants (Onda is not to be missed), plus 24-hour room service and a full-service Starbucks café. All but Teppanyaki are priced a la carte, so budget for this when planning your trip. Purchasing a specialty dining package is highly recommended, though not all restaurants are included in the meal plans.

Onda by Scarpetta (Deck 8); a la carte: Onda by Scarpetta is new to Encore, but the partnership with the upscale Italian restaurant (known for its city hotel-based restaurants) has proved so popular that it's been added to some of the line's other ships. The space is small and books quickly so if you want to get a seat, make reservations in advance.

We found that the Norwegian Encore Onda menu lived up to the hype on our sailing, with appetizers that were perfectly seasoned (and in portion sizes that won't make you sick). The pastas are standouts; we loved the short rib ravioli and the mezzelune so much, we didn't make it to the regular entrees. Save room for desserts; the towering tiramisu was to die for. This is Norwegian Encore dining at its best.

Onda is not a cheap date, and once you figure in dessert and wine you're looking at meal for two that easily rivals a relatively fancy night out on land. We're not saying that it's not worth it -- the food definitely ranks as some of the best we've had at sea -- but budget accordingly. 

Teppanyaki (Deck 6); prix fixe: Particularly popular with kids and families, Teppanyaki is a fun, hibachi-style Japanese restaurant where the chef's knife skills are a part of the meal. Shrimp will flip, egg snakes will move, chefs (and diners) will shout for more. This is the only specialty restaurant onboard Norwegian Encore that is a fixed price, which means it can be a good value. 

Q Texas Smokehouse (Deck 6); a la carte: Carnivores, rejoice! Tucked away on the other side of the atrium, far from the rest of the restaurants on Norwegian Encore, the Q Smokehouse is spacious, with a roadhouse feel (at night, live country music plays). On the menu, you'll find comfort food like Lone Star chili, potatoes in various forms (sweet, baked, salad, fried) and crispy okra. But meat is the star, with brisket, short ribs, pulled pork, spare ribs, chicken, turkey and sausages available (as well as broiled salmon and Cajun shrimp skewers). The Pitmaster Platter  has food for a crowd. 

Ocean Blue (Deck 8); a la carte: One of Norwegian Encore's date-night restaurants, Ocean Blue offers upscale seafood, in a venue that is located on The Waterfront (for great sunset views). Appetizers and light bites include shrimp, scallops and calamari while entrees can be surf and turf, fresh fish, seafood linguini and fresh grilled fish. 

Cagneys (Deck 8); a la carte: Norwegian's signature steakhouse appears on Encore in an elegant, dark and moody enclave near the A-List Bar. Another restaurant that's tops for date night, Cagney's has steakhouse staples, including a selection of beef, chops, seafood and classic sides such as creamed spinach and mushrooms.

Prices at Cagney's are comparable to what you'd find in a small city. The quality is high -- our steak was perfectly cooked and the rest of the meal is what you'd expect from a decent steakhouse. Cagney's does have an outstanding wine list, for those who want to splash out. With so many other specialty restaurants to try onboard, a steakhouse can seem rather prosaic, but for those who need meat on their date night, it's the best choice. 

Food Republic (Deck 8); a la carte: Fans of global international cuisine will be drawn to Food Republic, which has yummy "handhelds" like Thai chicken lettuce wraps, sticky pork belly buns, Peruvian beef skewers, shrimp pad Thai, hamachi taquitos, shitake and water chestnut dumplings, and Tijuana street fries. While some combos seem a bit puzzling -- tuna poke nachos? -- it's a fun spot, with a sushi counter and its own specialty cocktail menu. Food Republic is primarily a dinner venue but will open for lunch on sea days if the demand is high enough.

Los Lobos (Deck 8); a la carte: Upscale Mexican is the star at this restaurant, across from Cagney's near the A-List Bar. It's a great place to come with a group, as the plates are designed to share. You'll find fresh guacamole prepared tableside, shrimp ceviche, carne asada, and delicious burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Don't miss the margarita menu and -- on a nice night -- an outdoor table on The Waterfront. 

American Diner (Deck 17); a la carte: Conveniently located not far from the Galaxy Pavilion and outdoor recreation areas, the open-air (but covered) American Diner serves up a classic diner menu of apps, burgers, sandwiches and fried food. Expect to have some selfie-takers near you, as some of the booths are cleverly carved in the shape of classic American cars. Sadly, it's not a great spot for dining on days when the weather is windy and rainy.

Le Bistro (Deck 17); a la carte: You have to work hard to find Le Bistro, which is tucked away on Deck 17. It's a romantic spot, and Gallic favorites like escargot, onion soup, coq au vin and duck a la orange make it a line favorite. This is also considered one of the ship's more upscale options, and you'll want to dress appropriately. 

Coco's (Deck 6); a la carte: Cruisers with a sweet tooth gravitate to Coco's for its array of delicious indulgences, from several different gelato flavors -- which you can have by the scoop or in large, colorful sundaes -- to sweet crepes, small chocolate bites and a variety of cakes. 

Starbucks (Deck 6); a la carte: A full-service Starbucks at sea, this venue is exactly the same as you'd find in a city or town near you with pastries and seasonal coffee specials. For those with drink packages, note, Starbucks beverages are not included in the package.

Dolce Gelato (Deck 8); a la carte: Tucked away on The Waterfront, Dolce Gelato makes is presence known to you when you see other people walking by eating from small cups. Service is via a small window and there's a rotating list of flavors. Grab a cup and stroll or sink down into the cushy outdoor sofas nearby. 

The Bake Shop (Deck 8); a la carte: The indoor portion of Dolce Gelato, this sweets shop is where to go to sate your sugar fix along The Waterfront (as opposed to going all the way down to Coco's). Truffles, macarons and cupcakes are the stars here.

Room Service, 24/7: The breakfast menu includes complimentary Continental selections of yogurt, fruit, cold cereal, breakfast pastries and juices. For an upcharge, you can order hot selections like French toast or omelets.

The all-day menu offers a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, hot entrees and desserts. A kids' room service menu has all the favorites: chicken fingers, mac 'n' cheese and PB&J sandwiches.

Every room service order incurs a $9.95 charge, plus a 20 percent service fee. The only exception is Continental breakfast before 10 a.m., which is complimentary.