cruise.mode

Hoping to get back to this shop when we cruise in November. Does anyone know whether they will ship a large/bulky item back to the US? I remember them having a large selection of metal wall art. Tried emailing them directly but still no response.

I think we're fairly well prepared in terms of rain gear. It's not as though we're going to cancel at this late date! We leave for SEA tomorrow; sailaway is on Friday. Thx to all of you for weighing in. Your comments certainly gave us some perspective!

Sounds like great advice from both of you!

First time to Alaska leaving Fri. Aug. 18 from Seattle. Weather there looks great for our pre-cruise stay beginning this Wednesday. But Juneau and Skagway on the 20th and 21st, respectively, look grey and wet. We'll be prepared in terms of clothing, but does the rather dreary forecast mean we won't be able to see very much in terms of glaciers, natural landscape, etc.?

Will have some pre-cruise time in Seattle in mid-August and would like to take in a Mariners game. If there are any local baseball fans out there, can you tell me whether it's necessary to buy tickets in advance, or can we just go to the ticket office the day of the game? Do games tend to sell out?

This will be our first (and possibly only) Alaska sailing. We'll be on RCCL in mid-August, departing Seattle. Ports include Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C. There's always been a certain degree of shopping frenzy on our Caribbean sailings. What's it like for Alaska? Anything outstanding bargains or items not to be missed in the ports I've listed above?

Will be disembarking from Explorer later this summer. Debating whether we should book airport transfer through RCCL or try grabbing a cab instead. How tough is it to hail a cab when you've got so many people coming off the ship at once? Also, about how long is the ride to the airport? Thanks in advance!

We'll be sailing in mid-August and have the same question. Not doing anything that takes us into the wild. Just a walking tour in Juneau and train ride in Skagway. How prepared for the little buggers do we need to be?

Will be on Explorer Alaska sailing in August and wondering whether menus in MDR and choices in Windjammer are similar to what we've had on Caribbean itineraries. Probably won't be doing any specialty restaurants. Any changes to room service? Haven't sailed on RCCL since late 2014.

Thanks for clarifying. That's what we thought it would be. We will actually be in Juneau two days prior.

Will be sailing RCCL Explorer on Aug. 18. First cruise to Alaska, so lots to learn and hope my question doesn't seem silly. Tracy Arm Fjords & Glacier is listed on our itin from 7am to 12pm. Can't find any shore excursions for that date. Does that mean we will just be cruising through this area without docking? We will do our glacier viewing from the ship? Perfectly OK with us if that's the case. Just trying to understand.

Thx for all the suggestions. We have decided on the SpringHill Suites Seattle Downtown/South Lake Union on Yale Ave. Hope it will work out well for us.

Thanks for the info. Too bad we'll just be missing Graham Seymour, whom we've had on past sailings. Wonder who's coming aboard after him? We'll be sailing on Aug. 18.

Have done mostly Caribbean sailings on RCCL, so that is my frame of reference. Would like to know whether the suggested dining room attire is the same for a 7-nt Alaska sailing. Memory could be failing, but I seem to recall 2 formal nights, and then a mix of casual and smart casual? In general, would you say that Alaska sailings are overall pretty laid back?

Also, does anyone know who the cruise director might be?

Regular Seattle posters also cruise to Alaska. ;)

 

Yes - serious lack of hotels in the Interbay area near Pier 91. Mostly zoned industrial and probably could not support a hotel in the off-season after the cruise ships leave. All the action is downtown or near Seattle Center. I just used TripAdvisor.com to select hotels for all the Marriott chains mentioned then pulled up the map to see where they are. Pretty slick tool for just this sort of question.

Yes, that does sound like a great tool! Thx for letting me know about it. Will check it out for sure.

If you ask this on the West Coast Departures board, where Seattle is covered (Seattle isn't in Alaska), you will get a lot more local knowledge.

OP - pier 91 has zero hotels close by. It's well north of the downtown core. Sticking just to Marriott properties, the closest are Courtyard, then Residence (both almost next door to MOHAI at Lake Union) and then Springhill Suites all of which are about three miles from the pier.

 

CruiserBruce: have never visited that board but will check it out. Thank you!

 

martincath: Excellent leads. I will take a look at each of them. Thank you, as well!

Will need 2 pre-cruise nights in Seattle in August. We prefer Marriott-branded properties because we can use rewards points. We don't need luxury --- just clean and convenient! Any Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, Residence Inn hotels convenient to Pier 91 that you'd recommend?

This will be our first NCL sailing. Not planning to do any specialty restaurants at this point, but that could change once we're onboard. Any main dining room/buffet items that are always a real hit on NCL? Each cruise line seems to have one item that passengers always seem to look forward to.

Google "Internet Cafe Norwegian Cruise Line" for all of the information you should need to know.

Don't know why I didn't just do that myself! Thanks --- found exactly what I needed.

Last summer the internet connection (Wi-Fi) was horrible. After a couple of hours, we asked and received our money back. The connection is great, using your own cellular data, when you are in port. I would not waste my money. You are most always in port.

Good to know --- I have a feeling we'll do without it.

Does anyone know whether one can purchase an internet package on NCL Pride of America? If so, how much does it cost?

I would think September would be lovely.

We will be sailing on NCL Pride of America on Oct. 3. Having been watching the weather, and it seems as though the last few weeks have had some tropical activity. I believe Ignacio is the latest threat. Hope things will calm down by the time we leave.

Will be doing POA on Oct. 3. First time on NCL; first time in Hawaii. On port days that we don't have much planned, would like to do some shopping. Not looking for rare treasures, but not looking to start a shot glass collection either. Anything nearby to the ship? We've not booked a thing for our day in Kona --- any shopping recommendations there?

Thanks --- all this info is very helpful!

We are booked for a 9AM tour and plan to spend most of the day. Any food concessions available?

I'm not really sure how helpful this is, but depending on how long you're staying on the islands, you could always wash after the cruise.

We have 3 pre-cruise days in Honolulu, so we might just look for a laundromat before boarding the ship.

I've used the "bag" laundry on NCL at least 20 times. Never have had anything "ruined", and always have been very satisfied with the service. BUT, I am not sending out any "delicates" with my laundry being basic tshirt type stuff. I too have seen the shower laundry lines. With sink washing, I highly recommend using Zote soap, which is a bar, laundry soap. Cleans and rinses perfectly (unlike like using soap or shampoo for laundry :) )

Glad to hear that you haven't had anything ruined. I guess we've all heard our share of horror stores. Thx for the soap recommendation--will have to look into that! I swear by a product called "Forever New" for any delicate wash. I've got a few sample packs and will bring them along, for sure.