MommaK2D2

Thank you, this is very helpful!

Hello. So- purchased an Alaska cruise for June with insurance thru Generali. (Purchased In January). Early this month my elderly dad (not going on the cruise) was hospitalized and diagnosed with lymphoma. He will need chemotherapy ongoing for at least 6 monthts. He got out of the hospital this week, and is requiring 24hour assistance from us for safety and health, as well as frequent blood transfusions which could require him to be readmitted frequently. Because the cancer is new (occurred after buying insurance, not pre-existing), I assume trip cancellation will be covered? But because he is not in the hospital at this time I don’t know if things will be complicated? Does anyone have experience with this? Is there particular wording I need from his oncologist to make a claim go smoothly? When is the best time to cancel? (He goes for his first non-hospital chemo next week so can get physician documentation at that time, to add to his diagnosis dates etc?)

Hello. So- we took a taxi there last year- I don’t remember the cost exactly- it was just a little cheaper than all 3 of us taking the blue bus (my dad has mobility issues and also wanted to stop and buy a pipe so the taxi worked better). We did have a nationalparks pass but only saved us like $15-20. The taxi driver was very nice tho and it was a taxi that could latch a wheelchair. For 2 or less people you won’t save money with a taxi most likely. You can take the city bus there quite cheaply but it lets you off I think just over a mile away- not super close. And ride share is limited there (they sell a restricted number of passes that allow drivers to get into the park). That being said, you may find a better deal than we did.

In 2019 I remember that upon request they set us up an extension cord and brought complimentary distilled water. Are they still doing that?

One consideration would be if you prefer to go from Seward or Whittier. I know Princess goes from Whittier (nothing in Whittier. But Princess is great, we had a great cruise on the coral!) Not sure which go from Seward- I know our trip on NCL jewel would there and there were amazing boat tours of the Kenai fjords which were a huge highlight. They had better entertainment but not as good of food. Any itenerary that goes thru glacier bay should be amazing! Alaska is great!

Glacier bay is a must see! We have gone there on princess and ncl- I preferred princess food, ambiance, and their amazing naturalist!! Coral princess was a great ship for Alaska. But NCL did have some amazing shows in the evenings- really great entertainment compared to our Alaska princess trip. Much more casual overall (I kinda like the fancy but the casual worked great for my dad!) The thing that made me enjoy the NCL more than I expected was that we bought the thermal spa pass- And the thermal spa Is all windows in the front of the ship. So I watched every sunset from their hot tubs and heated loungers. (And part of glacier bay also after we finished the Marjorie) This was on the Jewel. (I love a balcony for Alaska!!!! But with the thermal spa I could have endured an inside cabin as well!)

If you have 2 cabins can they ship all the medallions for both in one $10 package ir do you have to pay for a pack for each room?

Good ideas and tips for NCL, @YVRteacher (from both you and your dad LOL!!). I like how you highlight the great things and the things that could be done better! I was ready to dislike NCL as I read the boards before our trip- but was pleasantly surprised at what a nice ship and good time we had. The staff was great (except the desk people at excursion and guest services who were ok but not impressive). The ship and size of ship was wonderful and the cast shows were super fun! The itenerary and time in ports was perfect for us as well! And we enjoyed Modernos and Cagneys. Drinks and the staff and bartenders were good. And I loved that the spa has such great panoramic views out the front of the ship (royal mostly the ceramic loungers face nothing I hear- watching the sunset each night from those heated loungers was a big highlight for me!! I am not a smoker, but my dad appreciated having the outdoor smoking area sheltered enough from the wind to not be miserable when at sea, so that was a big plus for him. I was sad to only have 1x day cabin service (only because we had to do up and down the sofa to bed every night), but I hear all the cruise lines have done that. And it wasn’t super hard, but a bit cramped (the rooms are a bit skinnier from side to side compared to other balcony rooms I have been in, made it hard to squeeze across). I miss the high afternoon tea as well (the scones in the great outdoors aren’t as fun as a 3 course tea accompanied by live string quartet LOL. I kinda miss the more formal dining vibe of other lines, BUT it was great for dad and the perfect choice cruising with him! I can see how the flexibility is a must for many travelers. I was not impressed by the dining in the MDR or buffet (they were alright I guess?)l strangely the buffet was often better than the MDR) nor O’Sheehan’s nor Chin/Chin (not a fan…with exception of the appetizers at chin chin which were good if listening to the piano below) And I found the desserts were all underwhelming. I miss all the ice sculpture and fancy garnish and carved fruit and presentation from royal carribbean or princess, and the better tasting food on those lines. I feel like the “okay” food maybe is meant to push people toward spending $$ in specialty maybe. Overall a great experience though- and couldn’t have chosen a better ship or itenerary for dad- freestyle is perfect for him!!! Beautiful Alaskan cruise. Dad says he wouldn’t change a thing!

This makes me sad and angry- I still remember the librarian at our our small town library by name (Octavia Felin!) and my elementary librarian. A love of reading fuels our education journeys, curiosity, imagination, and joy. More library is what our kids need, not less. (I have a daughter who is considering librarian and I was amazed at the amount of challenging college coursework required for the library sciences. So much knowledge and so many years of school! Praying for you for wisdom on the next steps- and whatever school nabs you will be super blessed.

What an adventure and it is so nice to sail along and then read along on your return trip! I don’t know when your school year ends in Canada- but hopefully soon! You and your dad are great and so glad you get to make these great memories together (and have great pics to remind him of your journeys). You love him well and he adores you! Hope you get a bit of rest as you get home! (And glad you don’t have to fly anywhere but just ship back to your visit. My sweet dad did *NOT* love the long flight from Anchorage. He tried to lay down on the airport carpet(ick) to stretch his back (but as it was right next to a boarding gate I had to relocate him to a less busy traffic area). But after a 90 minute floor nap he was right as rain 😉 So glad the crew all got to be celebrated! They are special people and deserve it! Our flight home we got to sit next to a sweet crew member we had met in Moderno who was starting his leave.

@psalm104 your user name is perfect for the vistas you are about to encounter! Splendor and majesty abounded and caused thankfulness as we beheld the beauty of Alaska! I don’t have all the answers you are looking for but I have a few! The golf cart in Ketchikan is available for all those with mobility issues to get to mill. (Not sure if it goes thru mill or just to, someone else may know. My dad skipped adventure at that port). The “shuttle”’ that I encountered in Ward Cove was just a school bus…definitely not accessible at all- BUT- not sure if other vehicles there were able to accommodate scooters or WCs. Once we got into Ketchikan I did notice that the “city” busses (north line/south line/etc) were kneeling busses which dropped a ramp. Normal bus setup inside, not sure if they allow electric scooters but assume so? I would contact them. The busses in Juneau had some kneeling capability as well? But they didn’t unfold the ramps so not sure if functioning. Depending on where docked in Juneau- most docks you roll right off boat and into the tram area. My dad had cruise staff take him down in a WC but then could walk short distances. Of note, Juneau taxi does have one accessible van (ramp, WC seatbelt tie-ins). Kim is the name of the driver who has that van (owners daughter I believe) Skagway is tiny so if electric scooter should be good just know it’s an older town with wood plank sidewalks, not sure how level or what kind of curb cuts. The white pass Yukon railway has cars with a WC lift- I know they have to be booked when you reserve spots though- Will see what others have knowledge of!

@YVRteacher According to NOAA, aurora possible any time after dark, most often between 11pm and 2am but possible all the way until dawn. -so glad you got to see sweet serendipity again, I think that was my favorite show! —I’m gonna side with your dad on scrabble- originally I thought of Tay berry so thought you were good. But if that use is not correct (you said tayberries was one word). The Tay you found in definitions would be a proper noun so would not be eligible (like the name of a person or a state would not be usable) 😂

@YVRteacher The Forecast is showing a good possibility of Aurora/Northern lights tonight! And a chance tomorrow as well. Let us know if you catch any glimpses if you stay awake late enough or get up early enough!!

Agreed and absolutely delightful. Have a wonderful next leg of your trip! Hope we get another adventure alongside you someday!

On another note- I was fascinated by the difference in the snowpack compared to an early May visit in 2019. Everything on our ride up to Yukon in Skagway was frozen this time. Putting a few pics here of the contrast during the same time of year (emerald lake, bridge on WPYR, and lake Tutshi)