Norwegian Encore Alaska Review: Our Last-Minute Cruise for $599 Each

We were supposed to go on a “free” cruise from a promotion we got in the mail. When that fell through, we decided to find a last-minute cruise instead, and ended up in Alaska on the Norwegian Encore, just my wife and me. Here’s our honest review, what it really cost, and how the price of our exact sailing dropped by more than half while we waited.

How We Got a Last-Minute Alaska Cruise for About $599 Each

Our tracker recorded the price of this exact sailing every day for six months. In fall 2024 the cheapest inside cabin was $1,101–$1,139 per person. It slid all winter, sat around $636–$680 through March, then dropped to $548 a week before sailing. On April 21, the day we booked, the cheapest inside cabin was $548 per person, and we paid about $599 each for our cabin. Two days before departure it hit its all-time low of $533.

What our exact sailing cost, week by week

Lowest inside-cabin price for Norwegian Encore, April 27, 2025 from Seattle. Per person, 2 guests, taxes and fees included.

Oct 2024$1,110

Nov$1,101

Dec$1,062

Early Jan$934

Late Jan$849

Early Feb$806

Late Feb$679

Early Mar$636

Late Mar$653

Early Apr$677

Apr 18$548

Apr 21 (we booked)$548

Apr 25$533

That’s the opposite of what we usually see. Across all the cruises we track, waiting until the last two weeks usually costs more. But early-season Alaska sailings in late April and early May can be the exception, and our own sailing was a perfect example. If you’re flexible and don’t need a specific cabin, it’s worth watching. You can see how any sailing’s price has moved in our cruise price tracker.

Getting There and Embarkation in Seattle

We used Southwest points to cover our flights. Our hotel shuttle driver to the port was amazing, so positive and happy that it set the tone for the trip.

I was on a knee scooter, recovering from a leg injury, and check-in wasn’t bad at all. We got to skip the lines because of the scooter, which was a nice perk. The ship is big. We explored before lunch at the buffet: a delicious burger and fries, plus some Indian curry. They have hand-scooped ice cream with a lot of flavors, and it’s so good.

At the sail-away party my wife danced her heart out and won a prize, free entry for two to the escape room. Someone else won a free go-kart round just for dancing. That evening I played some blackjack while she danced, and I won $100.

Our Ports

Juneau: Skip the Shuttle Line and Walk

The line for the shuttle into town was super long, so we walked instead. It’s about a mile and a half, a little tricky on a knee scooter, but we managed. We asked locals what to do and they recommended the whale statue, which was fun, but we liked the boardwalk even more, watching the seaplanes take off and land.

Skagway: We Stayed on the Ship

Honest confession: we didn’t get off in Skagway. My wife was exhausted from late nights dancing, I was sore, and it was cold and windy. People we talked to loved the train ride, so if you’re up for it, that’s the one to do.

Glacier Bay: Find the Heat Lamps

Glacier Bay was really cool, even though it rained most of the time. Everyone crowded onto the helipad, which has a decent view, but the ship slowly spins around a couple of times while you’re there. We found seats near the back with heat lamps, nobody else was there, and we got great views while staying warm.

Ketchikan: Our Favorite (and Shortest) Port

Ketchikan was our favorite port, and sadly it was our shortest stop. It rained the whole time. We caught a double-decker shuttle into town, walked the shops and picked up souvenirs for the kids. A local recommended Creek Street and it was incredible: a beautiful river lined with houses and shops built on stilts. A shuttle worker who lives there year-round showed us photos of the northern lights she took from her house. So jealous.

Victoria, BC: A Nighttime Stroll

The ship only stops in Victoria late in the evening, so we packed our bags right after dinner on the last night to get off and explore. Victoria was beautiful from what we saw in the dark. We walked rather than paying for a tour or shuttle, since we were doing this trip as cheaply as possible, and strolling through the neighborhoods was fun.

Life on Board the Norwegian Encore

Weather and Rough Seas

It rained most of the trip, and we hit some really rough seas. The crew put little sick bags all over the hallways. The motion was great for sleeping, but tricky for walking with my balance off. Our final sea day was gorgeous, sunny and calm, and my wife rode the waterslides, which she said were really fun.

Shows and Activities

Beatles Invasion was a highlight. The cover band does four different shows, from the early songs through the greatest hits up to the breakup. Tip: it’s in The Cavern, not the main Encore Theater. We went to the wrong place, didn’t get seats for the 7:00 show and caught the 9:00 instead, which worked out great. We also loved the comedy show The Perfect Couple, and JP’s Magic Workshop, where he teaches everyone a few tricks. We bought his book for our son’s birthday.

The go-kart track looked really fun, but it costs extra. I also played in the blackjack tournament and won my first round.

Food: Hit and Miss

The buffet was hit and miss. The French toast was great, the fajitas weren’t bad, and the scrambled eggs were soggy. In the main dining room some portions were tiny. When my scallops came out, the waiter asked if I’d like a magnifying glass. The biggest downside: outside buffet hours and specialty restaurants, there were very few places to grab food.

Cruising With a Knee Scooter

If you’re cruising with a mobility issue, here’s what we learned. Check-in let us skip the lines because of my scooter. The ship’s motion in rough seas made walking harder than I expected, so plan to take it slow. Walking into Juneau (about 1.5 miles) was doable, but tricky. If the shuttle line is short, take it.

What Our Alaska Cruise Cost

What	Cost
7-night cruise for two (booked April 21, six days before sailing)	$1,198.54
Gratuities	$280.00
Flights	Southwest points
Total cash cost	$1,478.54 ($739 each)

Here’s what the Norwegian Encore costs today, from our daily price tracker:

Watching a sailing and wondering whether it will drop? Talk to Kev. I’ll check its price history and tell you whether to book now or wait.

Quick Tips for an Alaska Cruise From Seattle

• Use the free luggage valet in Seattle on the last day. It handled our bags so we could explore the city until our flight.
• Walk into Juneau if the shuttle line is long. It’s about 1.5 miles.
• In Glacier Bay, skip the crowded helipad and look for seats with heat lamps near the back.
• Beatles Invasion is in The Cavern, not the main theater. Get there early.
• Bring rain gear. It rained most of our week.
• Pack motion sickness remedies. The seas can get rough.
• Plan your meals around buffet hours, since late-night options are limited.
• Last-minute Alaska deals in early season can be real. Watch your sailing’s price history.

Final Thoughts

Alaska is beautiful and we really enjoyed our time, rain and all. The best parts of the Encore were the entertainment, especially Beatles Invasion, and the waterslides my wife loved on our one sunny day. The food and the limited late-night options were the weak spots.

Would I sail the Encore again? If I found a really good deal like this one, yes. At a normal price, I’d try a different ship. That’s exactly why it pays to watch prices: our sailing dropped from over $1,100 to $548 per person. If you’re eyeing an Alaska cruise, talk to me and I’ll help you figure out whether today’s price is a deal worth grabbing.