lasnev

Just back from our Alaskan cruise and grateful for all the invaluable tips I picked up on this board prior to departure. Didn't have to play the guessing game, and found ourselves prepared for any occurrence.

So you can imagine how stubborn I was when we got to Juneau to find a blue bus ticket booth and get our party of four to the glacier. They were all lined up right there, some of them selling multiple excursions, and casually asked one of the guys if they sold blue bus tickets. He said they only sold white, and they where the same. I replied that I HAD done my research and they most definitely where not the same, they were slower and that I was moving on! He proceeded to tell me that they both do the same route and whatever traffic is in port on a specific day affects both lines equally, they were going every 20 minutes versus the blue bus's 30 minutes and there was a white bus ready to go in 3 minutes. I turned, saw the bus, looked at my party, they all wanted to go right now. So with no sign of the blue bus in sight, I reluctantly said fine, got the tickets (even gave us a discount since he knew how torn I was) and was at the glacier in 20 minutes. Unfortunately for us the waterfall trail was still closed as of last Tuesday, but still got amazing views of glacier/falls, and great pictures! When ready to leave waited about 10 minutes at the white bus stop and were back in town in no time.

The driver was very knowledgeable and the short drive really felt like a tour!

Really just wanted to set the record straight.

Anyone who has been recently, do they still have the program where luggage is sent directly to Seatac and if so what the cost per bag is?

This is who we booked through: http://ketchikancharterboats.com/cruise-ship-passengers

 

They were great to work with, there were only 3 of us going. One other person joined us from the cruise. Hope this helps :)

They also took our reservation of two for next week without any problems!

The public deck on deck 15 with not much traffic that I'm talking about is more mid ship, by the smoke stack. Port side of this deck is for Haven only, starboard is public and does not get much use. There are lounge chairs stacked on this deck, I'm sure when it's sunny and warm it gets more use.

 

Port or starboard for glacier bay? Depends on cat. booked. When we stayed in the Haven we were port and I guess I would have preferred starboard only because the private sundeck for Haven was directly above our room. Had we been starboard we could have just walked up to haven sundeck when the ship turned. It really is a negligible difference though. We ordered breakfast into the room, ate and watched the bay from our room then the port side was first viewing for glacier. There was a public deck below us and a group of people were fairly obnoxious below us. I could not hear the ranger talking over them. If you were on your balcony it would probably be less noisy if you had staterooms above and below you vs public deck. We were in 14512, so right above the public deck.

 

It really won't matter all that much though because the ship starts turning and continues to do so until it leaves the bay. When we stayed in 14512 port side the ship started to turn and we went to the front of the ship for more viewing. It was a little chilly and windy up there. Not sure what deck it was perhaps deck 15 forward? There were quite a few people up there and also a Plexiglas that you viewed through so probably not the best for pics but good panoramic viewing. Went to spinikers and rangers were selling stuff from parks department there. I think this is also where the ranger who spoke over loudspeaker was talking. Went aft by the garden café outdoor seating area and this was also a good viewing area. Walked up the stairs from aft outdoor eating area to area where sports court is and viewing from there seemed very good. Then went back to cabin to enjoy the relaxing from room and watching from balcony. We did not plant ourselves in any one area. Just walked around and were able to see some excellent calving/hear the groaning of the glacier. This was in May, 2013.

 

Went back in Aug, 2013 and the bay, while beautiful was very different than May. In May the bay was full of ice chunks, mountains snow covered and glacier calving very active and audible. In Aug the bay was free of ice and the glacier was not active the day we visited, which may have just been coincidence. On the plus side there were a lot more whales in the bay. As we were leaving the bay we were in the spa and saw bubble feeding. Some friends of ours were in the blue lagoon on deck 8 and saw a ton of fin slapping, breaching and all right along the side of the ship. There was so much action going on with the whales that I imagine no matter where you were viewing from you were treated to quite a show.

 

For our Aug trip we stayed in an inside cabin and found that deck seven was a good place to view. I think deck 7 is the only deck where you can walk outside around the entire ship so easy to move from one side to the other. I did not even know about deck 7 during our first trip in May. Deck 7 also had some park rangers who were excited to talk and explain what was going on.

Thanks for the thorough report!

Half of deck 15 above the Haven is the haven sun deck, I think haven deck is port side. The other half is public sun deck and not very crowded. You end up moving around because the ship moves around. Deck seven seems less crowded and rangers are around to talk to and explain things. A ranger also talks over the loudspeaker and has very interesting commentary. Another less crowded area can be the area where the bleachers are by the sports court but the nets can cause some obstruction. The rangers will be selling items in spinnaker lounge, I think cash only, not to be confused with the ncl generic alaska stuff for sale by the pool and also avail at any port for half the cost. We had the ranger give a very interesting slide show and speech in the theater too.

Are you taking about the Freestyle Sundeck on deck 15? And for Glacier Bay

if you had to choose one side would it be port or starboard side?

Thanks to all.

Open deck wide open view is what we are looking for and out of all those options I'm sure we will find a good spot or two!:)

Is there a public viewing deck on deck 14 or is that one only for suite guests?

Thanks!

QUOTE=esmo;43310972][quote name=lasnev;43308428

Sorry. I am a bit obsessive and I should know better than to look at long range forecasts...living in Oregon my whole life should have taught me better! The thing is the weather is what it will be' date=' we will do our best to be prepared and roll with it as nature deals the hand.

Sent from my iPad using Forums[/quote]

That's OK! Still tremendously exited, plus there is that 40 to 10 percent chance of it being sunny!:)

We leave in less than a week (Whoo Hoo!) for our first Alaska cruise. The long range forecast is for 60-90% chance of rain. I have waterproof hiking shoes, rain jackets, rain pants, hats, gloves, fleece and most importantly a sense of excitement and wonder! Nothing will "dampen" our enthusiasm. After all we come from the Northern Willamette Valley, sun is more likely to throw us to than rain!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums[/quote

 

Now that I convinced myself not to look at the forecast you give me the news!

Thanks for posting, best laugh I 've had in a long time!

the pools are heated :)

Thanks, good to know! I would have never thought that it would be feasible to heat the pools.

On an Alaskan cruise isn't the pool water close to freezing, or is it heated somehow?

Definitely do this hike! It's worth it. Our helicopter tour in Juneau got canceled a few weeks ago due to weather so we decided to take a shuttle out to the glacier and were pleasantly surprised by the amazing hike. You really get so close to the waterfall and glacier! It's beautiful!

 

Allow time to get to/from Mendenhall. I've read some people post they rented a car and it can be cheaper than the tours/shuttle from what I read. I do not recommend the shuttle that comes with the Mt. Robert's tram tickets (it's a white shuttle). It only runs every 30 minutes (ours was NOT on time) and becomes very crowded. I wish we would have rented a car to give us some flexibility.

I understand you don't recommend it, but what is the deal with the tramway ticket? Is the shuttle included or do you pay extra to includes the shuttle?

You still will enjoy your trip, remember :) from Skagway, by train- sit on the left, by road, sit on the right. :)

Appreciate your knowledge, I did book the Lake Bennett for our party of four!

Coming down with the bus do we still sit on the right?

Thanks

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear!

just the Pearl or NCL wide?

No lobster was served in the buffet or MDR at all during the entire cruise. Very disappointed.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

I would be very disappointed too! Do you know if that is the norm on the Pearl, or maybe just because you had a big group aboard?

Was "lobster night" on Monday and in the buffet?

Thanks! Will be on her in July!!!!

Are there cappuccino/espresso/hot cocoa machine in the buffet?

Thanks

Does the Pearl still have the cappuccino and espresso machines in the buffet area? Or do we have to rely on the little coffee stand....would appreciate any info, thanks!

I'd reserve eastsideforhire for Seatac to hotel. Not metered so the charge will be the same regardless of congestion.

 

You don't say which pier. Pier 91 is the furthest away, 5-6 miles north of downtown; a cab will be about $20.

Thanks, that is definitely our best option, as there are four of us adults with 4 suitcases, and they have minivan service for a little extra!

Pier 66!

Best would be straight to the hotel without getting stuck in traffic. I was reading that the Seattle area gets pretty congested from early morning, but not sure if the train gets close to the hotels, and if it would be too much going around with a suitcase.

Also, from our hotel downtown to the pier would a cab be our best option?

Thanks again!

Thanks, I thought the Alaska forum would have the most knowledgeable people for an Alaskan cruise departure port:)