MommaK2D2

We did an Alaska cruise thru Princess in 2019 and it was amazing! Going in early April on NCL so will have more comparison for you then. (NCL I hear is a more casual vibe than Princess, and I do think I will miss the dressier stuff/high teas on the seas etc) In terms of ports: Our favorite was Glacier Bay (hubby was enthralled and just sat on the balcony with coffee for like 8 hours and LOVED it). We did Icy Straight Point- and it was nice but probably the port I would drop off the ones we did. Gorgeous but small. They have some indigenous culture performances- but we ourselves live in an area full of indigenous culture so this wasn’t a big draw. Nice whale watching, but we personally saw more whales in Juneau. Juneau we had some great whale watching and enjoyed the baby whales. Mendenhall glacier was near but it has receded so much it is more in the distance. Skagway we absolutely loved, and I don’t think I would do a trip with no Skagway myself. We splurged on the train to Yukon/Carcrosse (with bus down via Chilkoot), and it was amazing. I am super frugal but that one was worth the $$ to us. Stood on the back of the caboose and just took it all in as we ascended. One thing: princess ends up in Whittier, which is beautiful but nothing but a cruise debark/embark warehouse, nothing to see there. Whereas some of the other cruises end in Seward which has a lot to offer, excited this next trip to see the Kenai fjords which is renowned for wildlife and Orca. (But haven’t experienced it yet). I remember being sad that we ended at Whittier instead of Seward. You will have a great time regardless!!! Enjoy

Thanks so much- this is good info about the shuttle. My sis and I are only in our 40s so are fine to walk, but my dad doesn’t do as well on longer distances.

Thank you so much! This is very helpful! I have booked the 2:30 bus and an 8:30-12:30 kenai boat! Getting excited. Haven’t seen any reviews about Seward Ocean excursions, but the timing is good. (The bigger companies aren’t running their early boats until later in the season). The only thing yet to figure is luggage…they don’t have a place to store it like the bigger tours. They mentioned orange bike deliveries has a luggage service where the will pick up/store/deliver your things so may have to look into that. We will each have a carryon sized rolling suitcase 😬. And it doesnt sound like the port has the ability to store luggage

So I am still not seeing ANY excursions thru NCL available in Seward (boo!)- apparently the big tour folks like Major Marine don’t go full swing until the following week? Looking on my own the morning they Seward Ocean Excursions (smaller company) was the only one I found that would be done in time to make the 2:30 bus (I would be happy to take a later bus also but worried about the 6pm busses (if available) being able to get the 2 of us to the airport in time for the 11:45 flight? It’s less than 3 hour drive, but the little 2 lane roads might become an issue if there were any accidents or construction?

Since it’s early in the season the cruise line contracts with ACT. not sure if they stop at the wildlife or not (last cruise we booked the wildlife tour stop via cruise excursions, but NCL doesn’t show any “excursions” or options from debarking other than a generic “airport transfer” which I assume is the direct bus)? I don’t know exactly what times the transfers leave to head to the ship- NCL hasn’t provided any info on that, so knowing the 2 hours ish doesn’t give me much info on when we would arrive….

We are on the same sailing and looking in to options. Seems like most companies aren’t doing yet on 5/8 except Alaska cruise transfers. They have some tours that stop (wildlife refuge etc) and some direct to airport. $68 for the direct. The latest one I see is at 2:30 though. Considering doing the half day Kenai fjords boat 8:30-12:30 and catching the late bus? But not decided yet (our flight isn’t until 11:45pm)… The other option dad and I are considering is taking the NCL transfer and renting a car in anchorage (<$100) so we can explore, have a place to stow luggage, and nap.

Looking for something to do between our cruise debarkation in the morning and our 11:45pm flight out of Anchorage on May 8. The train and many of the busses are not yet running until 5/15 on Monday’s. Renting a car one way looks like >$500 which is not appealing. One option we have considered is doing a morning Kenai Fjord boat tour. I would love to do their longer tours but the going early in the season the latest bus we have found is 2:30. Seward Ocean Excursions half day boat tour we could try though (8:30-12:30) and then getting the last ACT bus to anchorage leaving at 2:30. Does anyone know if we will have time to debark and find a taxi to the get to the tour harbor to get there by 8am? I am very interested in this if the logistics can be worked out. And in info on how the taxi or Uber system works on Seward. The second option would be staying with the cruise line transfer we originally added, and then renting a car at ANC to adventure around anchorage for the day (<$100), which would give us a spot for luggage (and to recline and nap in if needed). I am sure the cruise line has multiple times their transfers leave, but I don’t know how to guess when ours will be in order to set a “pick up time” at the rental car place. Does anyone have any experience that might help us with planning?

We were there in 2019 in early May (I think maybe the 6th) and there were many humpbacks. Enjoyed the whale watching- though we did see more baby whales close up in Juneau. I know it can vary from year to year.

We will be on the Jewel for that trip also! Will see you then. For now we have the NCL “transfer” booked…but our flight doesn’t leave until midnight- would love to explore Seward but haven’t figured out a way to make it work- following! (Otherwise maybe renting a car for a short day of adventuring around Anchorage vs Ubers…)

Thanks! This is so helpful 💕

Also- has anyone ever put your couch/bed away and pulled it out? Is it hard to do yourself?

With just my hubby I think we could live with once daily (although no towel animals is actually a big negative).. However, our upcoming cruise we have 3 in the cabin and will need the couch made up and put away every day for sanity and to access the balcony (my dad is elderly and couldn’t walk around a crowded pulled out couch easily to access the balcony for Alaska)…. They probably need to prioritize pulling the beds (and dry towels also from reading the thread)…. We thought we would try NCL for the first time but I am fearing it is a mistake with less service for a higher daily service charge. I hope they reconsider the change very quickly and remedy it.