CRUZIN TOM

I just got off the Explorer on Friday. Spent a few hours in the casino. Smoking was allowed. If you were near any smokers you could smell the smoke. Otherwise it was better that NCL's casinos. Every so often there was the smell of something similar to fe breeze that was added to the A/C ducts. I assume a smoke odor killer.

Quite possible "Mission Impossible......"

TSA security at the airport is very busy at that time of day. It will take at least 45 minutes to the airport. If you have your own express car for you, you might make it. You might have to wait in line for your car as there are a lot of passengers doing the same thing.

Port charges are split by all ports that the Ship visits, including the access to the Park entrances to see the Glaciers. Alaska has the highest around, being part of the US. Seattle has added more cruise ships every year, all sell out every week. Disney is planning to come to Seattle for Alaska Cruises.

The copper river salmon runs about 29.00 per pound on a whole fish. Up to 45.00 for filets. In about a month the price drops to about half of that.

My Sister and a small group are on this cruise. Must be slow traveling just to go to Victoria and Nanaimo. But the cruise is sold out according to RCL's site. But I'm sure there is a wait list.

If you are leaving from Seattle, the ship leaves around 4pm. The casino will open around 7:30pm. The ship is far from being international waters.

When traveling to Alaska, You are missing a lot by not having a balcony. The views and travels along the inside passage have some of the greatest scenery around. You won't have another change for a cruise like Alaska anywhere.

Mini suites all have tubs, balconies just showers. little bit larger balcony. about 4-6 extra feet in the room.

Just remember you will be swimming in the ocean, if there are winds the ocean can be rough, Morning hours are best if you are doing this. The winds pick up in the afternoon. For a car be sure and you rent ahead and let them know you are on a cruise ship. they will do a pickup and delivery at the pier. If you are just going to drive around from Kona and you want to go to the Volcano, it is about 2 plus hours to get there. About 15 mile out of Kona, the roads are bumpy and lots of curves. There are a couple of places to stop for Kona Coffee. If you go to the Hilo side the changes are great going from the dry side to the wet and green side. Yes your ship will dock there also. Beaches aren't the greatest in Kona. If you want the best snorkeling beach and you have gear or will rent for the day, go to snorkel Bobs. Head South from Kona about 4 miles on the right, its a park, with shallow protected areas for snorkeling. We go there every time we stay in Kona.

The mini bar is complementary but not the items in the mini bar. Just a frig.

Leave it in the casino. They should exchange for US at the casinos for you. Most shopping uses US dollars. Take small bills if you are shopping, no hundreds. Tens and twentys work fine.

This was an awesome travel log. So much info about your wonderful trip. I enjoyed reading every post, positives and negatives.

For all those reading this, a cruise is what you make it. Work out the bugs and have a wonderful time.

I just checked my drink Prices on the SS Britanis. Cocktails are $2.25 to $2.75. Oh, but that was 25 years ago this month. How times have changed. Though back then as is now they had the newly wed game, folding napkins and bingo.

Awesome weather, and nice and warm

Only 2 days left, I am sorry that this story has to end. It has made me want to take another cruise, we just got off the Jewel in October. But it will have to wait another 2-3 years. We are going back to Hawaii for a week. Just my wife and I, in March. Then a last minute, not really, but a wedding for our niece in Kodiak, AK over Memorial day weekend. Then in August we are taking my wife's son and his 3 boys, ages 8,10 and 12 back to Hawaii for 10 days. Looking at 2017, but I doubt, no cruises that I like at this time.

Do you have another cruise lined up? I really enjoy your blog about all of your adventures, good and bad

Still great pictures and s super narrative about the cruise. You would make a travel critic for the travel industry.

We enjoyed the jewel. very similar to the pearl and star. My wife has and allergy to wheat, so food choices were limited. But what we found out that they handle food allergies great. As long as you let them know where you were going to eat the following day, they set up your food accordingly. One of the head waiters would go over the menu for the next day and provide main dishes, breads and desserts that were gluten free. If you dined in the buffet and needed bread or cookies all you hhad to do is ask and they would bring them to your table. The staff didn't leave out the gluten free items.

This has been a wonderful adventure. Like reading a travel book. Though you have been back for a long time. We were on the Jewel a month ago. We did the Mexican Riviera, great ship. Keep up the good work. Love your inputs.

The jewel is a great ship not too small. We will not go on a mega ship of NCL. Just too big. We just got off the Jewel 2 weeks ago. They have about 14 bars throughout the ship. I only saw one line at only one bar the entire cruise. Most of the time nobody was at the bar except those sitting. Very little hustling by the waiters as was in the past.

Just call in for wakeups on the phone. If you have a cell phone use it as an alarm clock. No need to plug one in. Enjoy your cruise, don't worry about the time. Just enjoy the time you have.

Larger balcony, better chairs on balcony. Bathtub a big plus. Larger couch in the seating area. Curtain to close off the seating area from the bed if necessary.

Special diets on the Jewel. Just wanted to let everyone know, that on our cruise a week ago, my wife needed a wheat free diet for her meals. Similar to Gluten free. NCL was outstanding in arranging the meals, either in the specialty dining rooms or the Main dining room. All that is required is you contact Adrian in The main dining room 24 hours prior to what ever dining room you are eating and he will arrange your meals for you. If you need any type od gluten free items in the buffet, they would arrange that also, such as bread, muffins, French toast, waffles, and even cookies.

Just checked that the Jewel is currently in PV today. A change from the normal trip. This week is a private cruise for the Jewel. Maybe why the change in the normal itinerary. One of our employees, where I work, their family has a year around place in PV. Just a lot of rain and there was local flooding in the streets. Very little wind damage. Other than being hot and humid. Our cruise last week was great, hardly any wave action (darn). love the rough weather, watching the waves.

Have you finished filling out all of your paperwork for the cruise? Once you have done that, Dining and tours should show up.