Norwegian Encore has sailed in open water for the very first time. This news comes a year-and-a-half after the cruise line announced they had started construction.

The ship has successfully completed her sea trials, departing from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, before heading down the Ems River towards the North Sea.

Norwegian Encore will be delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on 30 October. The ship has a gross tonnage of almost 170,000 and a passenger capacity of 3,998.

In a few weeks time, she will be christened by Grammy award-winning artist and ship godmother Kelly Clarkson in Miami, with the ship then commencing a seven-day voyage to the Caribbean on 24 November 2019.

Norwegian Encore features the world’s longest race track at sea (1,100ft) and has the largest outdoor laser tag arena at nearly 10,000sq ft.

Other features on board include a host of restaurants, such as Onda by Scarpetta, a collaboration with LDV hospitality, as well as entertainment in the form of NCL guest favourites The Choir of Man, Kinky Boots: The Musical, and The Beatles cover band of The Cavern Club.

Having partnered with JUST Goods, Inc, NCL’s Norwegian Encore will also be the first ship in the company to be plastic bottle free, with Norwegian Cruise Line working towards eliminating plastic entirely by 2020.

For more information, visit ncl.com.