Monica887

When they introduce themselves and ask the table if there are allergies or restrictions, as soon as someone says vegetarian, it seems to me they should know about and hand over a special menu, if it's that readily available. Or it should say on the main menu "please ask about our vegetarian menu".

Thanks. I didn't know this. Since it's a food preference and not an actual allergy, I never want to take away attention from people who actually NEED accommodations. I'll try it for my upcoming trip! I know Haven is pretty flexible with the menu, but hopefully they can incorporate some of these for me too.

Interesting. I'd rather NCL work on incorporating a good variety of *interesting and flavorful* plant based dishes in the main dining venues rather than having to go to one specific spot. I can always find something or piece together sides, but they tend to be bland and boring.

Ooh, you can do that in the MDR? I thought that was only a Haven thing. What else can you prearrange for, if you know enough to ask? I do know about pre arranging for vegetarian mushroom soup in Le Bistro.

We booked months ago through CAS, trip is in July. Heard today from the CAS person that we will NOT be getting drink cards. I don't drink much alcohol or soda, so I don't get the free at sea...it's always nice though in the evening to have the option of a casino drink! (Yes, I still have the option to purchase, but I probably won't...)

The only time I did a live was the one time I paid for "unlimited" internet. Internet worked well and wasn't glitchy, so it was easy to update and add pictures every day. I'd like to do another live this summer but it's Alaska so I don't know if I can justify paying for Internet when I should be able to easily have Internet in port.

I haven't been on the joy but the only room I've been in on any ship that my magnets wouldn't work was a Haven room (Escape).

They will open and close it by request, but we just leave it open. My tween needs space sometimes so she can go up there with headphones during the day to escape us if needed.

Thanks! I'll only have about an hour left after the Ketchikan excursion, but will see how the day goes - that's the perfect option if we have time. And I'm not sure we can convince my travel companions to do a second hike in Skagway - is it safe for a single to do alone? Looks like something I would enjoy!

This is my second Alaska cruise and looking for feedback on my current excursion choices. Juneau - Whales and Rainforest trails (last time did helicopter to Mendenhall) Skagway - Chilkoot trail hike and River float (last time rented a car and drove to Emerald lake) Ketchikan - Black Bear and Wildlife Exploration (haven't been there before) Anything else I should consider? We like nature and outdoor. Skipping the railway since we already drove that route.

Thanks for the responses! Yes, my question was specifically about the multi generation trip I'm considering now, but I don't mind the input overall, in case DH and I can ever ditch the kids for a solo trip! (I WOULD like to try Virgin...) We have done the major lines and I wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something. We haven't loved the last couple of Carnival. I generally like Royal but our last one was on an older ship to Alaska - so there wasn't much, and the rock wall kept closing due to weather. I'd be happy to try them again, and the NCL ships are usually a good in between for the big family trips.

The single is not "tagging along." It an unmarried senior citizen and a senior couple. They travel together, and it's expensive for a single to travel. It's disproportional, even if you can technically afford it.

Because they now prefer Haven for all the other amenities.

All of them 😂 The current one we're looking at is Dawn, but this is an ongoing question. They were previously just getting 2 regular balcony rooms, but now prefer Haven and trying to figure out the best way to make it work without paying 15k for one person.

3 adults - 1 couple, and one single. Single wants private sleeping space, but not the teeny tiny kids size space. Haven preferred. Does this exist? Haven prices are silly for a single to have their own room.

Because I have no self control and would never fit into my cruise clothes. But once I'm on the ship, give me cookies and chips!! And hash browns. And mozzarella sticks.

Bring American Diner mozzarella sticks

I just looked back at my pics but like I said it was at the end of the trip, so I guess I stopped taking pictures of snacks by then! Whatever they were, hopefully they have them again this summer.

Very important question about the tortilla chips - on our last cruise on the last day we requested some and the ones were got were seasoned like a BBQ type flavor and we loved them. Is this the type they usually are? We are putting together our request list for the next cruise now!

What cruise line would you go? Which is your favorite of the mainstream commercial cruise lines, and why? And how do YOU think they compare to NCL when it comes to food and service etc? The more recent Carnival ones I did I didn't care for at all. Newer ships but I hated the layout. Didn't care for the service or food. Didn't like how over the top the cruise directors are. Only one recent one on Royal and it was an older ship. I would like to try one of their newer ships again but the service was excellent. The food was comparable to NCL (which I think is mediocre to good). Planning an extended family trip and trying to decide or see if there's anything I'm missing before I go back to NCL as my default. Youngest kid is 11 up to grandparents. Warm weather, easy to get to from the east coast. Christmas week. (We're stuck with school schedules...)

I have the Encore booked. I wanted Glacier Bay, and to fly in and out of Seattle. But yeah, some of the port times are very short. Places we would normally think to find ouu own excursions seems risky with the short time. Or in Victoria when you don't dock until 8pm on the last night. Seems like a waste. Editing to add - I did Alaska once before. So I'm ok with a lot of ship time for the views, and seeing whales from the ship.

Update us, OP!

Yup. You don't have to do the sled ride, and (when I went) it was only $7 each to just hang out with the puppies. We mostly went for my animal loving 8 year old but all had fun.

EXACTLY. And where's the club? The grilled cheese?

Yeah, I'm a NY native. This isn't a diner menu.