lorif

For our cruise it was supposed to open up for booking at 120 days, but we were able to book the spa pass a few days before that. I'm not sure if that was a fluke or because we are in a suite.  Glad we booked it as the passes did sell out within about 6 weeks.

We can't book spa treatments yet, no pricing or options and we are a couple weeks out,so I am assuming once we are onboard.

We're on the Jewel transpacific in April and I think it's just about sold out.

@BirdTravels Thanks, that's good to know.

Thanks @jean87510 and @Andy0215 I'm looking forward to relaxing and reading on my sea days.

Hi, I'm wondering if I will be able to bring my phone into the spa area as I use it as my e-reader.

Anyone know?  Thanks

Thank you @BruceMuzz knowing that few ships dock there is very helpful.

And thanks as well @mrpotatohead I will check out those suggestions.

In 2019, we had an excellent private tour  for Cinque Terre, using this company https://www.bellaitaliatour.com/

If I remember, we didn't form our group, but each couple were able to sign up individually for it. We even had a couple from another cruise ship in port with us.

We had extra cards made so that if needed, any of us could go into either room.  Just made it easier.

I am hoping for the same with our aft cabin, I love looking out over the wake in general.

Hi All,

We have a port stop scheduled which looks like docking at Ishinomaki for Sendai (like LeHavre for Paris).  When I look at free port schedule sites, our ship does not show at Ishinomaki, but at Sendai.  I like to book private excursions, but don't feel confident as to where we will dock.

Does anyone have any experience with this?  Any other suggestions on where to check?  NCL call centre is not usually terribly helpful. 

Thanks!

yes, that was each person.

It could vary by length of cruise or itinerary.  We are booked for a 12 day, and it was $387Cdn, not sure what the original USD price was.

The week pass is usually available about 120 days out.  One day passes are sometimes offered on port days.

Up to you the value you see in the week pass, would vary by individual, ship and itinerary.

Not sure how old the children are (adult or younger), but this from NCL site:The minimum age for use of the Casino and the Thermal Spa (sauna, steam room, hot tubs) is 18.

We did an overnight in Instanbul about 10 years ago, so not sure if this is still an option, but we did a dinner and show at Orient House with a group from our roll call.  We had a blast, it was a lot of fun.  We  were taken back to the ship afterwards, so we stayed on the ship and not a hotel.

@monkey@cruise Thanks Michael, not missing the boat is always key in planning.

Thank you for the detailed pdf, and info on transport.

Thanks @Hlitner , I agree on not needing a guide to admire the trees.  Good to know the walking times.  I am finding that the excursion pricing has increased dramatically, and I do not want to be signing up for panoramic bus tours.

29 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

If Sakura season, travel to Hirosaki, the famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Hirosaki Park. Aomori city is small, city center is 15 min walking distance from cruise terminal. Aomori also known for Nebuta floats and  archeological site Sannai Maruyama.

Thank you, we may just be on the cusp of Sakura season so will definitely check that out.

10 hours ago, Elzacruiser said:

We just came back from Japan this Tuesday.  Spend 15 days in Japan - 3 land plus 12 days cruise through out Japan.  My husband and I are so grateful that we took people’s advice loaded mobile suica card before we left the States.  Used for transportation, purchasing , restaurants, vending machine…. from Tokyo to Aomori, couldn’t be more happy with it.   Since we have worldwide phone plans, we just add money anytime the balance is low.  Just make sure when you use for subways make sure when you go out of the station you have your payment completed.   There are couple times we need to make several transfer but the transaction wasn’t completed, that time just to to customer service by the entrance.  They will help to solve your problem, otherwise you won’t be able to use your suica card if you leave the subway since you’re still in transit 😊

Off topic question from someone visiting Aomori in the spring, any suggestions?

You could try asking here

I saw an NCL post that you have arrived in Tokyo.  When you have time, if you have any advice for the return TP in April it would be welcomed. 

I know you missed Sendai (Ishinomaki) but did they clarify which port it would have been?  Cruisemapper still showed your  cruise and the spring cruise as Sendai itself.

Happy travels!

Thanks for posting this!  We are on the TP in April coming back from Tokyo, so I am interested to hear how the sea days go for you.  I know you will have longer days crossing, and we will have shorter days, but I am wondering about how they spread out activities.  Yes, we do enjoy trivia so hoping that is well organized.

Another question will be about Sendai, I have looked at port schedules and the ship shows at Sendai and not Ishinomaki, so I am curious where you will really dock as we will likely be the same. 

Any feedback on tour options for Hakodate as well are appreciated.

Enjoy your voyage, I will be reading along.  Thanks.

Thanks @BirdTravels  at least I know what to maybe look for 🙂

@RD64 the tartan blankets were what I enjoyed using on our HAL cruise.

I was on a HAL Norway cruise a few years ago and there were very nice blankets in each cabin meant for sitting on the deck chairs on the balcony.  Does NCL have this? 

2 hours ago, disneyochem said:

We loved our time in Homer.  We were there two years ago for a couple of days.  

 

In addition to seeing all the shops on the Spit, I highly recommend at trip across Kachemak Bay to visit the Grewingk Glacier.  We took a boat across the bay and got dropped off at one end of the park, hiked to the glacier, had a packed lunch and then hiked to the pickup point.  Absolutely beautiful!  The hike isn't too difficult.  The ride to and from is like a wildlife cruise--saw otters, seals, puffins, etc.  

 

 

Thank you, that sounds like a lovely day.