dmwnc1959

But earlier Friday Fram from the Norway-based expedition group HX Hurtigruten came in from the Pacific side...

Friday we had the Carnival Spirit pass through... 😁

https://www.cruisingearth.com/ship-webcams/norwegian-cruise-line/norwegian-dawn/

So, I'm guessing when my cruise comes around a year from now that open and free 'unlimited' access to cookies will most definitely be a thing of the distant past on NCL. I have to say that I like cookies, and have never wasted or left them uneaten on a plate. Even when they're crispy/crunchy and can be used as an ice cream supplement. 😁

This is from the NCL Shore Excursions lists. Right now I'm only seeing it on the April 28, 2025 southbound from Whittier, but it should also be available on the April 3rd cruise eventually. The $39 tour price is what the 1st passenger will pay once the shore excursion discount is applied. If there is a second passenger they will pay the full price of $89. If you're traveling solo of course you pay the $39 price. The tour will depart from the ship once all of the tour participants have been gathered at a central point, most likely in the main theater. It'll also return back to ship. You'll be with the tour operator bus the entire time out to Midenhall Glacier and back. I've included a screenshot of the tour description below. Keep in mind that there's a 100% chance that Norwegian Jade will be docking at the AJ Dock furthest from town, which is about a 20 minute walk. I'm not sure if the tour operator will allow participants to be dropped off downtown before returning to the ship, but it will be worth asking.

You are amazing! THANK YOU. 🥰

Any updates on what's actually going on (and when) with Norwegian Jade in March 2025? The entire month is still blocked.

Sorry, but those chocolate chip cookies look like something from a generic Chip's Ahoy brand. But I guess maybe it's better than nothing? I'm sure a little bit of soft serve ice cream would help. Still bringing my own when I embark next year if they don't confiscate them first! 😉

I've been following her on the bridge cam! Very exciting, and soooo jealous! 🥰

If you are on Norwegian Jade now - by your post it sounds like it - if you're able to grab an updated picture of the Java Café menu boards and what it is that they offer in the café part. That would be greatly appreciated!!!

Some stats on Prince Rupert that morning when we start heading south, sunrise is at 620am with it starting to gett lighter outside around 5am-ish.

It may be too the reason why the SB portion leaves from Prince Rupert at 4am 😳 in the morning, so they can transit the vast majority of the scenic cruising all the way down to the Johnstone Strait east of Vancouver Island before it gets dark. I remember once on a roundtrip from Vancouver when we got close that latter point it was getting closer to sunset, there are some pictures posted back on Page 4. Sunset at Alert Bay for the date of our transit is at 8:35pm

I actually have a screenshot of that original image map that they posted. My guess is that the October map will eventually change as well, and that it was an error in the folks that made the maps. Going from Seattle to Ketchikan it is much quicker going on the west side of Vancouver Island, and then coming back down - since they are so far over into the Canadian Inside Passage - it only makes sense to continue down to the east side of Vancouver Island heading back to Seattle instead of diverting out to sea and going around the island. Either way it would have transited the east side of Vancouver going northbound in the dark. Then vs now maps

One thing to consider as well, is that big ships transiting the new locks are subject to the tidal conditions at the Bridge of the Americas. This may cause the ship to arrive super early when coming in from the Pacific side, and/or find itself in a sort of 'holding pattern' until the 'time is right' to continue the transit from the Atlantic side. This happened recently on Norwegian Encore as chronicled here...

Don't forget that if you are a veteran these are easily obtainable online and are free of charge, there is a small $10 processing fee, and they are good for life nationwide. https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Those are usually my go-to options. I've never had any of the Frappuccino iced versions listed on the Java Café menu board, but I'm sure going try at least one or two a day for the first two weeks while we're down in the hot and humid climates. I think that will be pretty refreshing.

I will have to make sure to grab a coffee or two before it closes on turnaround day. lt'll be interesting to see how that works on NCL, and in Whittier. I've done several B2Bs on Celebrity Cruise and Princess Cruises, always making sure that I have the same room for both legs. I've booked a cabin amidships Deck 5, so maybe I can hang out in the atrium for a while until they round us up for the 'in transit march'. And I'm sure the elevators will be a hot mess. I don't plan on having the Starbucks package on the second part of this journey, I think probably after +3 weeks I'll be all coffeed out.

I heard this was also true of the main dining room as well, that you could get some of the Starbucks options that weren't of the iced versions?

I'm an early riser so that will be an excellent way to start the day with some breakfast at O'Sheehan's. 👍

If I buy the Starbucks ☕ package can I use it on embarkation day and immediately upon boarding? Will the Java Café & Bar be open? Does anyone have a recent daily schedule from Norwegian Jade on the atrium coffee bar 🕰️ hours of operation? And the last day of the package will be a turn-around day for me, what's the latest on that day I can use it before it 'expires'? 😫 356 days and counting. 😁 🎉

From Norwegian Encore's Bridge cam this morning...

Maybe now it's a way to sort of force passengers hands, with reports of cookies disappearing everywhere, that if they really want them they have to actually buy them. It's a shame Norwegian Jade doesn't have some kind of international café where you can purchase sweets and treats. My last cruise has a patisserie loaded with macarons and tons of other cakes and sweets.

I'm still wondering if the mass disappearance of cookies has anything to do with the fact that they are available on the website to order?

They will be sealed, still in the store bag with receipt. I wonder if the Ghirardelli store has fancy cookies?

I was seriously contemplating buying the Starbucks drink package. Thought it would be nice to take down a couple of soft baked cookies to enjoy with a specialty coffee. I've been tracking down stores close by to where the ship docks, and there ate plenty of opportunities to run out and grab some supplies. Including cookies.