jamminlion

Ok, so hit me with deck 15......does it mirror 12 and 13?

Thanks.

Hey everyone,

Cruising soon in a club balcony, and wondering if we can swap out the included embarkation sparkling wine for a different bottle of wine?

Anyone had success doing this? How did you do it?

Thanks!

Ok, so my top 3 pieces of advice - learned over 5 Alaska sailings.

1. plan to arrive the day before. You just never know about airlines these days. The ship will leave without you, and then you will be responsible to get yourself to the next port, which will be 2 days into your cruise. 

2. once you decide which line you are cruising on, choose your hotel and book it EARLY! I recommend booking as soon as your dates are available to book. These will likely be your best prices. It's simple supply and demand for Seattle hotels. I usually track my bookings every week or two just to see prices. I have never seen a hotel price go down once I have booked it. (You can also book through one of the big box stores that starts with the 3rd letter of the alphabet). 

If you stay at the airport, there are many properties that have a free shuttle from airport to the hotel, but not to the pier. If you stay down town, you may be able to walk to the pier (if Pier 66) but you will still need to get downtown. Either way, you will pay to get downtown. There are lots of options. You can ride share, taxi, or take a paid shuttle, even take the light rail from the airport, whatever works for you. 

3. Rental car: if you decide to come in early (which I highly recommend), you should book your rental car as early as possible. Again, supply and demand, and book with that same big box store. Also keep in mind that you will likely have more luggage than you would for a Caribbean cruise, so book the rental car accordingly. I often share this story - we arrived in Seward at the end of our cruise from Vancouver. I had booked a mini van for 4 of us, as my husband was pulling up so we could load our luggage, we witnessed another Dad looking bewildered as he was pulling up in a Toyota Camry. For 2 people, this is normally fine. This family also had a mom and 3 large older teenage/young adult college age boys who all looked like linebackers who were going to get into this Toyota Camry, with a very large duffle, 2 full size suitcases, 2 carryons and 5 loaded backpacks. It was a sight to behold watching Dad play tetris with the luggage, and then everyone pile in, barely able to see out the windows because mom and brothers were all holding carryon and backpacks piled high. Book the car that you will NEED, not just based on price. 

As for Alaska advice itself:

1. Prices for excursions are high. Sticker shock high. You get what you pay for. A beach excursion in the Caribbean is easy and inexpensive because there are so many beaches. Alaska excursion season is very short (April to October) and it's expensive to live there, so the operators have to make most of their living in a short period of time. Plus, fuel costs, maintenance costs, insurance, all the things add up. Book a bucket list excursion that you cannot do anywhere else, and enjoy it. All of the ports are walkable, and you can find enough things to do there. You will also find folks at the pier or downtown areas offering last minute tours. Remember, it's Alaska, so in my opinion way safer than some of the Caribbean ports. 

2. Pack layers. You will need short sleeve shirts and at least one pair of shorts. We experienced 85* in Juneau and also in Fairbanks in 2019. Bring long sleeve and a hoodie or fleece. You may also need a rain resistant jacket. Only need heavy boots if you are glacier landing or hiking. There are 100 shops in each port that will sell you warmer clothing (plan to buy a souvenir afterall), but don't generally carry shorts. Don't forget sunglasses, hats, and an eye mask. Summer sailings have long periods of daylight, and it doesn't really get dark in June/July.

3. Bring the best camera you can manage. More pixels are better. Make sure you are familiar with all the settings and practice using it if it's new. Cellphones do a great job taking photos, but you may want something more. Same with binoculars if you want to scan the shore for wildlife.

4. Yes, you can see whales off the side of the ship, but it's not guaranteed. Keep your eyes peeled and be looking. 

5. There are no best cruise lines or best dates to sail. Any line can get you there, just depends on what you want in a ship. For me, Alaska is the key, I don't have much opinion about the ship really. Kids will want all the latest and greatest of course. The best dates are subjective to you. Want fewer kids, sale in May and September/October. Have kids, then take advantage of the kids clubs. You will enjoy your break from each other. The weather can be warm in May and freezing in July. It just depends on the week. 

6. If you can swing it, book the balcony. If you can't, then plan to be out on deck as much as possible. I'd rather have an inside cabin and get 2 weeks vs a suite and only 1 week. You do you, no shame in any cabin category. 

7. My final advice: prepare  yourself to fall in love and want to go again and again and again. We board our 6th Alaska sailing in a few weeks. I am just as or even more excited as I was for the first sailing. 

1 minute ago, hallux said:

Are both adults not Platinum?  If so - wouldn't both cabins get the Platinum vouchers?

 

I'm just assuming the adults got their status as a couple, forgive me if I assumed incorrectly...

Both adults are not platinum. Second adult is only gold.

11 minutes ago, EngrJones said:

How many people are in each cabin?

2.

We are putting the teens across the hall inside cabin. But for reservation purposes, we have to have one adult in each cabin.

15 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The FAS dinners are tied to each person in the cabin. The platinum diners are tied to the cabin. 

 

People: My1, My2, Them1, Them2

 

Dinner 1

My1 and Them1: Platinum voucher with wine

My2 and Them2: FAS dinner credit

 

Dinner 2

My2 and Them2: Platinum voucher without wine

My1 and Them1: FAS dinner credit 

 

Dinner 3

My1 and My2: Go on a romantic dinner for 2 using the remaining FAS credits on their account. Them1 and Them2 go to the MDR or buffet. 

Thank you! Yes, this is what I am wanting to do. 

Ok all knowing gurus - our upcoming sailing, we have 2 cabins reserved. "My" cabin comes with 2 FAS meals, while "their" cabin comes with 1 FAS meal. 

"My" cabin also has 2 latitudes rewards coupons. Can we use a FAS from "my" cabin and one of the latitudes coupons to cover "their" cabin?

Or is it that the latitudes rewards coupons are attached to "my" cabin/key card?

I'm sure this has been tried - looking for your experience and success rate.

Worst case, the teenagers end up in the buffet while the parents end up enjoying 2 specialty meals without them.

I am booked for Alaska this summer.

I have a 10% off Latitudes cruise on Escape for 1 week only in April. 

Never had this before, and sadly can't get that time off. 

Oh well! Must be new marketing strategy.

What an awesome review! Wow you all had a great time.

Makes me even more excited for our return to AK this summer.

I have a couple of questions about Ward Cove in Ketchikan. Is it possible to get a cab there, or do we have to have an excursions or pay for the shuttle to downtown Ketchikan? 

We want to go back to Totem Bight, and find it ridiculous to have to go in to Ketchikan to then come right back out and past Ward Cove. Any insight?

Thanks again for this great review!

I recommend going to Totem Bight. It's easy to get to on the city bus. You can take the bus to Saxman also, but you get charged to walk on the property and look around. 

My TA gives us OBC (refundable since they are essentially purchasing a gift for our cabin). If you don't spend all of the refundable OBC, *****it goes back to the original form of payment**** i.e. the TA's account. So it's important to spend it all.

We aren't big spenders once on the ship, so on our last cruise Guest Services was sending letters to the cabin asking me to report to the desk regarding and "urgent matter with your on board account". I get to the desk, and the crew member pretty rudely told me "You have a large credit balance here. You need to be spending more money on board." Ha ha ha. Right-o. Next day, same thing. Day after that, I stopped asking about the 'urgent matter'. What they didn't know was that the plan all along was to cash out that refundable OBC, which they did, but weren't thrilled about. Because of course they are in the business of getting every nickel and dime they can out of you. 

One thing I highly recommend doing is going to the desk every day and asking for a print out of your account. Keep track. The line on the last full day of the cruise gets really long and patience starts running thing. On the morning of disembarkation, they tell you that the account is closed and you will be billed, deal with Miami office for concerns. I have seen more than one irate person on disembarkation day. 

I've got $1200 refundable OBC on my cruise this summer. It's a game between my husband and I -how much can we walk away with. 

The Sun is a perfect "chill" ship. The aft facing mini-suite/club balcony is my favorite cabin across the fleet. The Spinnaker is a great observation lounge. There is also an open area in front of the Spinnaker where you can get a little closer to the bow of ship. This is great for Glacier viewing for sure. I also love the Great Outdoors where you can get get a 180 degree view of the gorgeousness that is Alaska. 

While it is an older ship, she's still wonderful! A perfect size for us - the gigantic ships are a big turn off for us. 

Remember that when you sail Alaska, it's Alaska that is the draw, not all the bells and whistles of slides and gocarts and the like. 

At the very least, book a balcony if you can. If that's not budget friendly, then book inside and spend all your time outside. 

My TA gives us about 10% back in OBC. We do some Deal or No Deal and maybe something from one of the onboard shops. The rest we cash out. 

Last cruise in 2019, I was getting daily notices in the cabin to come to guest services. I was told "you need to spend more money on board". 

Yeah, no. Cash back please. 

At least go to Denali to stamp your National Parks Passport, go to the dog kennel to see them, take the bus as far as it while go. There is not one single bad thing about Denali. If you are going that far, you will kick yourself for at least trying to see as much as possible. 

Ours has been upon embarkation, and certificates were included in our stateroom with all the introductory paperwork usually left on the bed. We had one time when it wasn't there. So we went to guest services, provided proof of it as part of our receipt from the TA, and NCL contacted the TA on our behalf. It was straightened out quickly.

Something to note - that we finally learned - the OBC you receive from your TA is generally purchased as a gift through NCL. SO! If you don't spend it all, you can go to guest services and ask to cash that out **but only the OBC purchased by your TA, not any OBC you may have received from NCL**

If you don't spend it or don't cash it out, NCL will then refund it to the original form of payment, which means it goes back to your TA. 

Also, what happened with us was I kept getting notices to go to guest services to discuss my account. Because I had not charged much to our on board account, the guest service agent told me "you need to spend more money onboard". To which I kind of chuckled, knowing full well that I was going to cash out towards the end of the week. 

I always look at it as my 10% cash back on my cruise fare. 

Absolutely love the aft facing mini on the Sun. The space inside! The bathroom layout! The balcony! 

So I have Platinum status, my husband is Gold. A long ago error in Latitudes that we didn't catch in time to get corrected, and no hope of that now. Whatever. 

Hub's very much looking forward to a behind the scenes tour that I get with my status. I'm not so interested in going. I have read here that taking a companion without Platinum status is usually a "no" or at the ship's discretion. What about signing just my hubs up? Do they check your key card, or just check your name off a list?

Not trying to game the system, just looking for your experience so he can have appropriate expectations.

Thanks!

Awesome.  Thanks.  

We have two rooms booked on a B2B. Balcony and inside across the hall. We have an adult and a teenager booked in each cabin to meet the >25 yo in a room requirement. Ultimately, adults will sleep in one cabin and teenagers will sleep in the inside. 

Q: Will we be able to have the adults with one key card each, programmed to open both cabins? 

Q: if possible, is this done at checking or at guest services? 

I seem to think that this can be done, but things change. 

Thanks in advance. 

As with other, strongly recommend renting a car. You will not be able to have much flegibility unless you do. 

Recommend a stop in Talkeetna, and there are a couple of pull offs specific to seeing Denali's peak - if the weather is cooperating. Highly highly recommend The Milepost - valuable info about all the things you will possibly see along the way. Easy to find on Amazon.  

I can further recommend Aurora Denali Lodge in Healy.  Super clean, comfortable and quiet.  We are a family of 4, we had one of their deluxe rooms that has a mini kitchen with sink, microwave, and some small appliances like a toaster. There's also a dormitory size refrigerator, with a table and chairs. 

We also very much enjoyed 49th State brewing after our transit bus to Eielson. Be sure to book your transit bus ahead of time (we booked as soon as reservations opened), prepare to take food and water with you, dress in layers, take your camera and binoculars, and enjoy that trip.

i suggest 3 nights in the area. One when you first get in, and a relaxing evening. Second after transit trip, and third after taking in all the rest that Denali offers (visitor center, sled dog kennel, quick hike, and the surrounding area. 

We also when 4 wheeling and had a blast on that ride. 

ENJOY!!

Thanks everyone!!

Hey everyone! I have just booked a B2B in July 2022, and looking at trip insurance. You don't have to convince me about the need for insurance. I have read enough of y'alls stories and experiences on the need. After searching the forum, I'm still a little overwhelmed with wh

In the past I have just gotten insurance from my TA. However, COVID is of course changed the way we look at everything. While I'm hopeful that 2 years out will be a good time frame to sail, I have concerns in the back of my head. After searching the forum, I'm still a little overwhelmed with choices. For those of you who are booking out that far (or longer) what are you doing about insuring your trip?

Appreciate your insight.

Everyone be well, and here's to sailing again SOON!

We have done round trip Vancouver, round trip Seattle, Southbound Seward to Vancouver (with 3 days on the Kenai) and just back from northbound Vancouver to Seward and on to Denali and Fairbanks. When we sailed southbound, everyone said "Oh, try northbound, it's much more exciting as the scenery just gets better and better. Well, they were right about that. 

The trick becomes - flights, and what you're willing to do there. There are many options. Fly to Seattle, get to Vancouver and board. (or reverse if you are going south). Fly to or from Anchorage - which most, but not all, are red eye flights depending on where you live. So many options and price changes depending on those options. 

Honestly, I'd price it all out, and decide what are top must do activities and go from there. My next trip - back to back. Just gotta figure out when!

Glacier Wind hands down. You will not find a nicer family or better experience.

If you get the book Milepost - a tremendous additional to our 9 day land tour. It will give you all kinds of information, including mile markers of when to stop to see Denali all along the highway. Covers Alaska and parts of Canada.