The Norwegian Encore recently completed its fifth year of service after being delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on Oct. 30, 2019.

As the fourth and last ship in the company’s Breakaway Plus class, the vessel was built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

Following a series of pre-inaugural events and a trans-Atlantic crossing, the Norwegian Encore was christened in Miami on Nov. 20, 2019.

The naming celebration included a live concert by singer and television host Kelly Clarkson, who also served as the ship’s godmother.

The Norwegian Encore then embarked on its maiden voyage on Nov. 24, 2019, offering a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.

Sailing roundtrip from PortMiami, the itinerary featured visits to San Juan in Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

As part of its inaugural season, the Norwegian Encore continued to offer week-long cruises to the Western Caribbean through mid-March 2020.

Like the rest of the cruise industry, the ship then entered an operational pause due to the pandemic before resuming service in August 2021 for its first season in Alaska.

The ship later debuted in additional destinations, including the Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and the U.S. Northeast.

Recently drydocking in France, the Norwegian Encore underwent a a series of updates to its public areas before welcoming guests back in early December.

One of the most significant enhancements was the debut of Spice H2O, an adults-only complimentary sun deck that will replace the ship’s laser tag arena.

Other changes include the expansion of two of Norwegian’s popular  dining venues, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, and the creation of 24 new cabins in part of the vessel’s Observation Lounge.

After spending the 2024-25 winter season in the Caribbean, the Norwegian Encore is scheduled to return to spend the upcoming summer in Alaska.