Figg1437

I don’t have an answer but I’m interested in a med on MSC Europa in a Duplex suite so following…. We usually cruise NCL Haven. Anyone know when MSC right release the 2026 med itenary?

When traveling Haven we love how they walk us on and off at every port you visit -behind the scenes without a wait. Did you get this too in the suite? Or just on the embankment and disembarking ports?

Any more info on this? I’ve seen pics with big balconies and some with tiny ….

We did the courthouse on this ship with a 4 year old and it’s doable but cramped, it was nice being in the Haven but less room to play in the room and the 3rd sleeper is just a pull out chair. We picked it because we wanted to be closer to Haven than the forward/ but I could see the extra space in the cabin being worth the walk. Having said that- we upgraded to a 2 bedroom once and now we try and book those when we can- then you get space plus being in the haven & 2 baths

We have a whale watching trip booked in Juneau - early May. My family really wants to see orca- we have 2 days in Seattle before. Do you recommend we whale watch here as well? Recommend a company/ link? I did a search and could only find ones where they helicopter you in from Seattle and they are $$$

Yes I saw that- if there are couples willing to share a bed is the big question since the Kings in any Haven don’t separate . You need two rooms. A 2 bedroom & any other suite you like. Yes it’s going to be pricey but you sound like you’re excited for haven. If you want everyone on the haven floor that will be the courtyard penthouse. If those who stay in the 2nd suite can walk up to the Haven then you can go with any Haven suite even if it’s outside that floor as long as they have access . Have fun!!

You would have to describe what kinds of adults are going so I know- by that I mean -couples? Big people? But it would be very tight. Supposedly that small 2nd bedroom sleeps 3 - two on the coach that pulls into an full and 1 above in a bunk. I’d do that to kids only. Then you have a king that doesn’t split & a single coach in the living room it doesn’t pull out . Think of where each person in your group would sleep and decide if that would work. We are doing this trip with 8 and booked a 2 bed and a forward penthouse .

10,000 plus more is a large investment- only you know what you can afford. We have splurged recently on Haven suites and had amazing relaxing less crowded vacations. However, it also means we travel less often. We base it on a case by case basis- for example we booked Prima to Northern Europe and won’t do a suite it’s just too much with the air. Whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful time!

Here is the courtyard penthouse chair made up into a bed. Got this from google but when our daughter was 4 it worked well for her- when out the walking area is limited. Again doable if you don’t have the budget- but I would recommend a two bedroom for 4 of you & one courtyard penthouse for 2 if possible.

If you’re getting 2 of the 2bed cabins then my answer is yes. We love them. Very comfortable for 3-4 people. I would sleep 2 in the king bed if someone is willing to sleep together- it’s huge you will never touch unless you are want to and then 1 in the 2nd bedroom OR you can do the kids in bunks in that bedroom no problem OR do one in living room, 1 in each bedroom if no one wants to sleep together. Being right in the Haven and priority leaving/coming at every port is worth it. yes there is a walk in shower in the 2 bedroom. For the penthouse would need to book handicap to get walk in. Look up Harr travel videos of the cabins. another alternative could be 4 of you in one 2 bedroom and 2 in a courtyard penthouse. This is assuming that anyone is willing to share king beds. Now If you do 2 courtyard penthouses the 3rd person sleeps in a chair that pulls out. And the other 2 in a king. It’s tight for 3. For the convenience you’re looking for make sure they are courtyard.

We had an ocean villa and we also waked to the lagoon and tried there: they are very similar. The lagoon was a bit more calm. I’ll try and add some pictures from the ocean villa and its beach.

We have a combo photo safari whale watch and Mendenhall glacier hike thru Gastunea … no time with our afternoon arrival to do Tracy arm. do you think the short hike is still enjoyable? We are going to glacier bay another day & also doing a heli dog sled in Skagway- but were hoping the little walk at mendenhall is still worth doing.

Hey Bird- how was the Haven for Glacier Bay Day? Curious if the horizon lounge is crowded? How about deck 19? Thanks!

I’m curious about this too, how much of the city do you get to see? Do you get to walk around at stops or are you just on the bus except for the escape room? It almost makes it sound like they do a mini ghost walk?

Q We are in this same situation, we dock at Ward Cove from 7-1. We would like to see downtown Creek Street and do the lumberjack show. Has anyone done the NCL tour? If so did they put you on the free shuttle or a dedicated bus? Did you have any time to see downtown? The free shuttle back seems like it ends very early, and what if your in line but don’t make the ‘last shuttle ‘ due to space? anyone had advice?

What cruise line? I don’t see how we can walk from Ward Cove it’s very far

I was reading your post and thinking I can’t wait to hear the answer because I’m in a similar situation. What did you decide and how was it?

When you all say $$$ what are we talking about in US dollars price range?

Can you share any pictures you got of the whales you saw while at sea from the cruise ship? Or just tell me how well you can see them? Trying to decide to do a dedicated whale watch on a small boat or if we can see them ‘enough’ from the ship. Thanks!!

Being from KY myself, I don’t think I’d count on it. When I lived in Atlanta and was out to eat one Derby day (long story but it was my college graduation and we went out to eat after) my dad wanted to watch it so bad- they couldn’t find it on any of the channels down there (and they didn’t know what it was even). I know the channels on our cruise in February were extremely limited.

Can everyone share what ship you’re on and if they are offering the 1 way tour where you get off and then meet the ship later in Juneau or if they are offering the round trip tour from Juneau? I’m interested in the one way if possible but can’t find any info on NCL Encore yet … it’s too far out for them to offer shore excursions yet. So I’m curious which ships are offering it.

Thank you! Our cruise is May5-12 with GB being on May 9

Can anyone tell me about your experience maybe share photos of Glacier Bay in May? In the past we did Tracy Arm in May and seeing the fjord and the icebergs was amazing but we didn’t see much of the glacier due to too much ice in the water. How does Glacier Bay compare? How much of the Glacier and icebergs and scenery do you see? I loved the aqua water and all the mountains and icebergs- this time in glacier bay will I likely see those plus maybe get close to the glacier? I’ve heard that glacier Bay is more open and the ships get close easier? I’d really like to see calving

We had this same issue. We would see a great deal online calculate the difference and call… they always had a much higher cost. They said that the free at sea gratuity had gone up since our booking. They also said the site wasn’t taking into account the increased air that is now higher and the increased insurance for the more expensive vacation. I never did understand because I was adding all those things into my mock booking. Bottom line, they wanted what they wanted for the upgrade and we had to pay it or not upgrade. We were after final payment so cancel and rebook not an option. After a few weeks of watching prices and calling we finally just did it- but the $ difference was never what we expected.

Thank you! This is the excursion I’m looking for. If we will most likely see a whale plus all of the other great things about being close to the glacier it sounds great. We are also considering just whale watching but love all the scenery of this trip. Time will tell if they will offer it in early May when we are going in 2024