Denise T

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Although the sun may technically set around 11pm, it will likely really not get dark; kinda strange if you're not used to it. If you require darkness just bring a mask.

So jealous - we have quite enjoyed our Alaskan cruises - BBB (balcony, binoculars and blankets) are the most important items for experiencing the best AK has to offer.

We spend every minute we can on our balcony no matter the weather - whale watching, wildlife viewing and glacier cruising have all been top notch; that's where the binoculars and blankets get a work out. If you're booked in a suite, you will have 1 pair if binoculars in your cabin. Every cabin will have thick plaid HAL blankets - they may be tucked away in the under bed or overhead drawers, so it may take some digging to find them.

Flexibility and willingness to endure the weather are key to a great experience and awesome memories.

Enjoy!!

We will definitely have to get used to the lack of darkness. Our plan is to be out on the balcony or the promenade as much as we can. I have binoculars form my last cruise to Canada/New England. Planning on taking loads of pictures as well. I am prepared for any weather that may come. Ready to pack!

Here comes NA. My sail away will be in 63 days to Alaska. Cannot wait!

Here comes the Regal. 

That dog just doesn't like cruise ships.

Love boat toots!

4 minutes ago, alibabacruisers said:

Checking in...it is 624 am Monday morning here in Aus....so I made it today!  

Good morning!

Checking in early on this beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. 

63 days to go! Saw that there has been another flight change. This one is a good one. I will return to my home airport half an hour earlier which means getting home before midnight. Starting to think about what to pack and what to wear. Since it will be around Memorial Day, I will probably be wearing shorts. I have checked the long-range forecast (it will change) and it looks like Alaska will be around 60's with lows in the upper 40's. My favorite weather! I also checked the sunrise and sunset schedule. Sunsets after 11 pm at that time. That will take some getting used to as I am from the east coast. 

Here's to the next 30 days or so going quickly. Spring is here and hoping that it will start acting like it. 

Eurodam is really moving!

Apex moving. 

Checking in on this rainy day in Pennsylvania. 

66 Days out. Getting closer! So, I was curious as to what ships will be in the various ports with NA.

Whittier 5/28/2023 Nieuw Amsterdam

Skagway 5/31 Celebrity Millennium, Majestic Princess, Norwegian Encore, Nieuw Amsterdam

Juneau 6/1 Celebrity Eclipse, Norwegian Jewel, Ruby Princess, Nieuw Amsterdam

Ketchikan 6/2 Celebrity Eclipse, Norwegian Encore, Westerdam, Brilliance of the Seas, Sapphire Princess, Nieuw Amsterdam

Vancouver 6/4 Celebrity Eclipse, Brilliance of the Seas, Nieuw Amsterdam

Seems like it will be somewhat crowed. I am sure there will be some changes as my trip gets closer. 

Last year I visited both Charlottetown and Sydney. My sister and I just walked around the ports. They are very walkable. I really enjoyed walking around the harbors which if I remember were well paved. We also walked in some of the neighborhoods which I loved. It was these two ports that made me want to live in a coastal town such as these. It helped that the weather was beautiful both days. We sailed mid-October last year. 

68 days out. Getting closer. We are all checked in and should get the boarding documents mid-April. I love that we can check in early. When I was on NCL last year, we could not check in until 21 days before our sail date. I have been routinely checking flights and itinerary for any changes. So far so good. 

At the end of this day, I have a lovely Margaritta having had a stressful day at work. I am imaging sitting on my balcony on the ship or sitting at any of the bars or perhaps sitting on the promenade deck on an evening. 

Soon, very soon. 😊

68

48 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@Denise T...by any chance did you book during one of HALs specials offering OBC or the Have IT All PKG?

 

We booked the HIA PKG for our Jan 2024 18 day Hawaii Cruise.

I booked through my TA. I do have the HIA package. I booked this trip 12/2021.I would love to be on an 18-day cruise!

17 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Boarded the Nieuw Amsterdam for Spring Break this year.  Felt it would be a more 'mature' crowd, so far our intuition is correct. Even the young adults are more mature. Check in at Port Everglades was quick and cordial. Ship does rock and roll a bit more than the other mega ships Beyond, Edge, Seashore, Seascape, with the cabinet drawers sliding open to the point one no longer bothers to slide them shut. Ships lacks entertainment venues, but so do the others. The most popular venue is too small for the amount of guests turning away. Miss having the dedicated suite restaurant, but the MDR maitre d' is very accommodating. Notice that passengers spend more time dining. Suite venue Neptune Lounge is key card entry and much like Michael's Club/Retreat. Suite cabins much the same as Celebrity and MSC up to and including Royal Suites (maybe even Penthouse suite on Equinox). Level of service is the same on all three cruise lines. Very friendly, smiling staff. Miss having a butler.  

Thank you for your review. I will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam in 69 days. Looking forward to following along. 

58 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@Denise T...looking forward to following along your adventure to Alaska!

 

We are platinum on Carnival and after we retired we branched out to HAL and we LOVE HAL!  We absolutely love BB Kings and the live music.  We are past the crazy deck parties etc. but we hold nothing against anyone who chooses them,

 

Alaska is amazing.  If I may.....ship excursions in Alaska are pricey.

 

Juneau....you can take the bus on your own to Mendenhall Glacier...very doable...this is where we saw our first bear, in the parking lot of the Visitor's Center at Mendenhall Glacier...that was in May 2009.

 

Ketchikan is a great place to walk around downtown and then walk back along Creek Street....all very doable on your own.

 

Skagway I highly recommend the White Pass Railroad, worth every penny and so photographic.  Then if you have time stroll into downtown to walk around.

 

Vancouver....you will love cruising into Vancouver via the Inside Passage, land on both sides of the ship and so scenic.  Depending on how much time you have to spend in Vancouver if you stay near the port I highly recommend the Hop on Hop Off Trolley and/or a ride over to Capillano Suspension Bridge...we cruised in/out of Alaska so we did the Suspension Bridge prior to our cruise and the Hop on Hop off on our return as we had a red eye flight out back to Florida.

 

I know you said you travel for business but those cross country flights are exhausting for sure.  We find going our adrenaline is running and we are excited but the trip home we were exhausted from the time changes etc.  We flew Orlando to Phoenix to Seattle to Anchorage, arrived in Anchorage at 2 am no trouble finding a cab to our hotel downtown and we crashed.

 

Our cruise to Alaska wet our appetite for more and in 2014 we did just a 7 day land trip to the interior of Alaska with Alaska Wildland Adventures....this turned out to be the VACATION OF A LIFETIME!

Thank you for the great information. I have checked and found that at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, there will be several other cruise ships docked as well. It will be busy! I leave from Pennsylvania at 6:30 in the morning and will get into Anchorage at 8:30 pm. My sister and I are flying first class so I am looking forward to the free drinks. Preparing for the jet lag as well. I will nap on the planes. 

2 hours ago, 2Long2NxtCrz said:

This is it for us, too. Bad things happen no matter where you are. It helps to be flexible and to try to look on the bright side, even if one of those bad things meant hubby spent an overnight in the hospital in Costa Rica. Despite that, we look fondly on that trip and even that experience. It gave us great insight into the country and the people who were unfailingly generous.

 

I was given great advice by my boss about seven years ago: the only thing you have complete control over is your attitude. Mine was not good at the time and was bringing everyone down, especially me. It's amazing how much better everything is when I curtail the negative attitude and try to put a positive spin on things.

 

The cruise industry is recovering from being completely shutdown for nearly two years. Of course things aren't going to be the way they were. Prices and service are not going to be the same. So I have to decide if I still want to take a cruise or do something else. It's a cost-benefit analysis and only I can make the final choice of whether or not it's worth it, even with the reduced product. So far it's been worth it for us. And for Alaska there's not really an easier or better way to get there. So we're in and looking forward to it.

I totally agree. The travel and tourism industry lost big during the pandemic. I have made several trips and noticed that with hotels, room service is now every three days and mostly all of the hotels that I stayed at no longer have room service. It is what it is. For me, it is the enjoyment that will come spending time with my family. 

Thank you for the review of embarkation day. Can't wait for the pictures. 

Just now, auntmeg said:

I'll be on her in 105 days!!

But who's counting? 😄

Here comes NA. My ship in 70 days!

Here comes Regal!

Love Boat toots!

Checking in.