FaithPlus1

I'm right now between doing the Jewel Northbound or a Princess Northbound. This would be my 2nd cruise. Both go to Glacier Bay and I like the itineraries on each (I do slightly prefer NCL's more since you get off at Seward and not Whittier).I was leaning actually on doing the Princess cruise because the food seemed better (no offense to people who think NCL has good fine...to me it was just very hit or miss with mainly misses). However to use the spa facilities cost an additional $150 for Princess and you cannot buy day passes. 

In any case (sorry to ramble), I know Alaska cruises generally have a more mellow and subdued vibe than say a cruise in the Caribbean or Mexico. Is the entertainment on NCL's Alaskan trips just as lively as on their other sailings, or is it more calm? I ask because I'm following a poster who is on the Princess cruise I would take and the entertainment seems zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. That said though, food to me takes priority over entertainment and socializing (I'll be going solo, 34F). 

Thanks everyone. So if the dining rooms close at 9PM, does that mean everyone needs to leave at 9PM or around that? Would I be able to eat at 8:45 in a dining room?

This is one of the best posts on here for me. I'm hoping on doing the same cruise in August. 

Hope the beaver tail was good. 

I was between the NCL Jewel and the Royal Princess, but I'm leaning to the Royal Princess simply for the food (I've been on 2 NCL ships and I thought the buffet food with the exception of the breakfast buffet was gross....seemed like Hometown Buffet mixed with Applebee's, but for the most part the dining rooms had decent to good food). 

Just some questions...

1. Are you ONLY able to eat at Symphony, Allegro, and Concerto if you are doing the set dinner times? I guess what I am asking is can I go there to eat say at 8:45 or 9PM??

2.I'm reading different things online about the wifi rates. I would want premium because I stream movies and tv daily. I've read it's $30 a day however is there a package rate or something for a full journey (7 nights on the Royal in Alaska)?

3. I have been following Panda's posts since she is currently on the ship. I saw the sign that Enclave says it is $150 for a single voyage. I take it that you cannot book day passes yes? Or do they offer them say on port days or if there weren't that many people who booked it?

3. Are there complimentary steamrooms or is this only available to those who book the Enclave?

Thanks

Thank you for doing this Panda. :)

40 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Let me tell you why it pays to shop around.  We recently (this week) did a last minute booking on a 16 day Princess cruise (mini suite).  If we booked the cruise on the Princess web site (after signing in) we would have paid $5693.70.  That same exact cruise and cabin category with the cruise agency who we used was $5035.50 with Princess kicking in an additional $250 OBC.   This means we saved $908 or 14% by simply shopping around.  Does this work all the time?  Absolutely although the savings do vary.  But as our own general rule we expect to save 7-10% from the cruise line's own web site (this works for nearly all mass market lines) by shopping around among reputable high volume cruise agencies and then comparing the best offer (adjusted for OBCs) to the cruise line's own web site..  In this case the 14% savings exceeded expectations and this does happen quite often.

 

We are not "loyal" to any one cruise agency although over the years there have been 3 agencies where we booked most of our cruises because they had the best deals.  But our latest booking was via a new agency (for us) and we were impressed with the price and service.   We are not permitted to mention specific agencies here on CC and respect that policy.  So how do we know where to shop?  Many ideas come from other cruisers we meet on our trips.  Since we enjoy sharing large tables in open (Select) dining we meet lots of new folks and get new recommendations.  We also watch on the Internet, lurk in some social media groups, etc.  If one is determined to learn about good agencies there are always ways.  

 

Hank

I don't know any reputable cruise online tbh since people on here won't share. 

28 minutes ago, geoherb said:

I'm going solo on the Island Princess next week. It's my first cruise without my husband. He will be home working. I'm planning on going to the meeting the first night for solo travelers if I'm up to it. I signed up for traditional dining at a large table. I'm hoping for enjoyable people. We've had good luck with it in the past. If not, I'll switch over to anytime dining. On the northbound cruise, three nights will be anytime by force when the ship is still in port but will always ask for a large table.

 

I booked an inside cabin to save money. I got lucky to be upgraded to a great ocean view cabin, but I still plan to spend most of my viewing time out on the open decks.

That's actually a good idea about traditional dining. I guess if you don't like it, you could just do anytime dining. Hopefully you wouldn't run into the people you sat with. 

Did you have to pay extra for the upgrade?

6 hours ago, Luckiestmanonearth said:

What’s the best site to get last minute cruise deals ?

All my cruises are last minute deals. I just go on individual cruiseline websites. Sometimes Expedia beats them, but it's not by much. There's Cruise Complete as well, but the prices I've gotten quoted have quite a range. I'm interested in knowing too since I don't have a TA. I wish you could actually bid on a cruise itself. I know Priceline used to let you bid on flights, but they stopped doing that. A cruise bidding site would be great. 

19 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

When it comes to the airlines we dislike them all :).  Dealing with any airline is akin to going to the dentist in that it is a necessary evil.

 

Hank

That's how I see it too. I actually have a ton of miles saved due to never finding a decent flight. From Los Angeles, international flights books with miles often suck with a number of transfers and crappy dates. Domestic routes are better but not significantly. I'm thinking about just spending it a couple first class flights (never flown first) just to get my balance to close to 0. At this point for me I just pick flights based on the $ and convenience (times and dates). 

1 hour ago, evandbob said:

While comparing lines may give general ideas about a cruise, it may be better to compare ships.  If the NCL has studio cabins, then they would have solo/single groups meeting in the studio lounge for dinner and excursions.  Does the ship you booked have this option?

 

As for Princess, we sailed the Crown in Alaska as well as in the Med.  Both times I didn't notice many solo or single people on board.

 

Perhaps do Alaska for the sights and experience as the 1st priority and meeting others as your 2nd issue?  On either, I would think you could easily make friends with anyone on board by talking about the ship or ports (or even weather).

No studio cabins on the NCL Jewel. You are right about prioritizing. Itinerary will always be #1 for me, food #2, #3 meeting professionals my age #4 entertainment #5 spa. 

55 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

In any Alaska cruise, I suggest the deciding factor is itinerary - looking at both the ports of call and the hours in port.

 

For embarkation you have options with R/T or 1-way cruises. The 2 main departure ports are Seattle & Vancouver - Vancouver is closer to Alaska and ships do not require a visit to Victoria, so those ships should spend more time in Alaska. Vancouver ships also sail more of the sheltered & scenic Inside Passage, while Seattle ships go up/down the Pacific Ocean.

 

Glaciers - Although I have been in Glacier Bay well over 20 times, I am still one of the first ones out on deck. The Rangers also board, providing lots of information. I have also never missed a visit to Glacier Bay. Tracy Arm is spectacular, but I have only ever made it in once. Hubbard Glacier is also impressive, but again I have missed one or two visits.

 

The 3 main SE Alaska ports are very busy & touristy, suggest visiting some of the lesser known ports and also heading up to Prince William Sound and Whittier/Seward.

Your post was actually very helpful and I think I'm now most likely going to do Princess. I love Glacier Bay too. Both do it. Initially I was going to splurge on a balcony for 3 things: Glacier Bay, Orcas, and otters (I want to be an otter). I've seen though reviews where people use the balcony when there's great weather, and others who rarely used it due to rain, wind, or where it was just plan overcast. I think I will just stick to an interior unless the balcony isn't that much more (which it often is). 

Both leave out of Vancouver. NCL ends at Seward where there was a tour I would have liked to have done before going in the train Princess ends at Whittier. They have the train too. They have the 26 Glacier cruise which I would like to do. 

1 hour ago, JennyB1977 said:

As a fellow solo traveler, a lot of your enjoyment will be based on your level of "outgoingness". If I walked into a lounge that was mentioned in the schedule as the single mingle and couldn't immediately tell who was single (how would you do this anyway), I would ask. Simply walk up, say "Pardon me, do you happen to be here for the Single Mingle event?". I wouldn't just walk out. 

 

I am not sure what types of events you expected to be organized for singles. An evening mixer in a lounge or bar is about all I've ever seen. 

 

I have sailed Carnival and NCL. Have a RCCL booked in 99 days followed by Princess and Celebrity. I expect less of party atmosphere on the latter two. I don't cruise to meet people. However, I've never not made a few cruise buddies. I cruise to get away from my daily grind and unwind. I am outgoing when I want to be. The trick is confidence and don't be shy. I hope you enjoy your future cruises on whichever line you choose.

 

Also, try these two forums or do a google search for "Singles Cruise"

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/85-singles-cruises/

One of the guys I met mainly does NCL cruises. He said for most of the cruises, there has always been a  NCL organizer for singles/solos. It may have been for people on the ship where there are the studio cabins (I didn't get into specifics). He said they would do things like block off seats for shows and organize dinners and happy hours. It wasn't just a thing in the daily. 

As far as being outgoing, yeah you are right on that. 

36 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Iancal and I both have posted, many times, about "loyalty" being the enemy of many last minute deals (or even other longer term great deals).  The cruise industry is large (several hundred ships) and every brand does their best to "encourage" loyalty through their various loyalty programs, marketing, etc.  It is amazing how simply inviting a cruiser to a party for 1000 and giving them a lousy free drink can inspire "loyalty."  We have met many cruisers who have only ever cruised on 1 or 2 lines and cite their loyalty.

 

But the big secret is that many lines (within a similar class) are more alike than not and there is more variance between the ships within a line then similar ships of different lines.  So folks, if you are truly in the market for a last minute deal...expand your horizons to many cruise lines.  The more lines,  ships and itineraries you consider the better the chance of snagging an amazing deal.  And yes, the deals are still out there for those willing to jump at a good thing when they see it!  Folks that like a line such as Carnival should also consider RCI, NCL, and MSC.  Those into the slightly classier lines such as Celebrity should also be looking at Princess, HAL, Cunard and MSC's Yacht Club.  Oceania and Azamara seem to be in an almost unique class which we cannot define :).  And then there  are what I call the ultra luxury lines such as Seabourn, Silverseas, Sea Dream, Regent, Crystal, and some would say Windstar (I might put this into that unnamed class with Oceania and Azamara).

 

Viking is a very interesting newcomer that might be in a class of its own.  This line has quickly built lots of loyalty among our friends who have cruised this line (we have yet to take the plunge).  Disney is another line that also has its own unique niche.

 

It is also a lot of fun (at least for us) to step out of your normal class of cruise lines and try something different.  So, although the bulk of our cruises are with the mass market lines such as Celebrity, Princess, and HAL...we have recently cruised in MSC's Yacht Club (loved it and booked two more similar cruises) and have an upcoming Seabourn cruise.  All this variety makes every cruise exciting...even after more then 40 years of extensive cruising.

 

Hank

Yeah I agree with this. I think cruise loyalty is dying out with younger generations. I have no loyalty to any cruise line, hotel chain, or airline. I go for what's the best for me at the time based on different criteria. 

On 6/12/2019 at 4:47 AM, LDVinNC said:

Whoever runs them, they are EXPENSIVE.  Locally I can get a wonderful full hour massage for $60 (not including tip) and on a ship 50 minute massages are more than twice that.  I usually do have some kind of treatment, though, when there is a special. It is usually on port days that they have good specials.

I agree to some extent. I use spas on cruises because I love steam rooms and saunas and to relax without kids and babies in swim diapers near me. In my eyes I'm on a trip and want to splurge if possible. I have only booked 1 massage on a cruise. I won a gift certificate on a cruise by doing the spa raffle, but it was more of a coupon tbh. You could only use it on port days and on selected services lol. It did bring the price down, but it wasn't worth it to me. Would rather pay extra just to use spa facilities instead of paying for spa services. I get why people will pay extra $$ for massages, facials, manicures/pedicures, and hair updos, but things like waxings, hair cuts, and hair color always seemed stupid to me. Maybe it's catered to people with more $$$ than me, or those who don't plan things well. 

I always book last minute cruises tbh because that's when the rates typically drop for solo cruisers (there's no way in Hell that I'm paying double). 

That said, if you are very specific about your room location I wouldn't do it. I don't really care as it's worth saving the extra $$$. 

I keep going back and forth with taking the cruise on Princess or NCL. I took a NCL cruise 2 years ago. The food reminded me of Hometown Buffet (essentially pig slop). The food in the dining rooms were better, but often took awhile to get my food, and the times often coincided around shows that I wanted to see. I thought I would have found more people my age on it, but I really didn't. It was a very mixed crowd from young families, some solo people, married couples, and seniors. There were a lot of people though who looked like the types who would go on Jerry Springer, or to be seen on an episode of Cops....I remember seeing a biker looking type remove his dentures in the Jacuzzi....Not making this up. 

I mainly chose NCL because of the price and because I've heard that they arrange things for solo travelers (regardless of it being the ship with the studios). There was no real event person for meets. It was just something in the daily of "5PM Solo travelers meet in bar". That was it. I went and couldn't figure out who were the solo travelers so I left. Later on I ended up meeting 2 guys in their 40s who I became friendly with and had dinners with and saw shows with while sitting in a Jacuzzi. While I am bashing NCL quite a bit, I will say that they had great entertainment. 

The Princess cruise I am looking into is around the same price as NCL, similar itinerary, and the dates work on both so the pricing isn't the issue. I'm thinking though Princess cruises in Alaska probably would be less singles and more families and seniors than NCL had, but at this point since NCL's Alaskan trips don't really arrange solo get togethers it makes no difference. Princess seems to have better food (I only took 1 Princess cruise years ago, and the food was pretty good), and a less Cops/Jerry Springer clientele. Their entertainment though I take it isn't as "fun" as Princess. I also don't like that it's $150 to buy a weekly spa pass and that you cannot just buy a day pass (NCL let's you purchase for the day). 

If you were a solo, 34 year old going on an Alaskan cruise, which one would you take? 

12 minutes ago, Glaciers said:

Thank you. That's what I was wanting for an Alaskan cruise! I went on the NCL Sun 2 years ago and there was a sports bar with a little buffet at breakfast which was practically adjacent to the larger buffet. It was a quieter area and easy to get a table. 

Thanks guys. This is helpful. 

This is hard to explain, but do any of them have next to the buffet a smaller restaurant or bar where people from the buffet can take their food there? Basically it's sort of a "secret" smaller spot for seating. 

Question to those that have been on all of those or any of those :)

Which to you had the best food in the complimentary restaurants out of the 3?

Thanks

TY

Do you prefer seeing Glacier Bay from a ship, floatplane, or helicopter? 

24 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

Yes, they have Future Cruise Certificates (FCC) but they are only available buy when you are on a cruise, & it is only good for the person purchasing it. They are $100 & they offer on board credit - different amounts depending on the length of the cruise & category of room. The good part of Princess FCCs is that they are refundable if you don't use them in 2 years opposed to NCL being non refundable.

Couldn't someone just use the credit to book the cruise for someone else?

Hi,

I normally travel Norwegian because of generous last minute offers for solo travelers, as well as by buying CruiseNext vouchers (similar to Groupon...buy credit to use towards a cruise good for $250, but buy from someone usually between $120-$150), but the cruise I wanted tripled in price.

Princess has the same itinerary on Golden and Royal for less $ and I hear the food is significantly better so I'm thinking of now going with Princess (only cruised Princess once 10 years ago on the Island). 

Does anyone know if Princess has a program similar to Norwegians "Cruise Next" program where I can buy vouchers that gets used towards a deposit or to pay for a future cruise? Looking to bring costs down as much as possible. 

Thanks

So weird! so you would need to call it in before booking i take it? cannot be booked online to get the $100?

14 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Url link is NCl.com/cruisenext for us.

 

 

i copied and pasted and i still don't see the $100 thing. im guessing it is a targeted offer.