shealea

sprint - I love the way my Alaska scrapbook is turning out. But I'm getting so bored with working on it, that I'm really having to force myself to do it. I try to get just a bit done each night.

 

The only reason I keep plugging away with it it because I'm being really "good" and not moving onto another scrapbooking topic until I get this cruise done.

Jay Sam - We are thinking of going on the Carnival Miracle in October.

 

We are really easy to please people. We are in our mid 50s -- not partiers, but I do like to act goofy and rock n roll on cruises! I guess my wild side come out! ha!

 

We've been cruising ncl the last few years. We like that line, but I'm anxious to try Carnival. I would not be comfortable on any of the upscale lines. Just not me!

 

One reason why I'm excited to go with Carnival is that after reading regularly here on cc, there are so many, many post of folks that are loyal carnival cruisers!!!

 

maybe I made up a new word!!!! And, ha, I do think knew what I meant lol!

Our first cruise was many years ago on The Big Red Boat (Premier Cruise LInes). It was a bit fancier at dinner than what we are used to on our recent cruising.

 

My youngest son was about 15 months old and in a high chair. The head waiter was excellent, walking throughout the main dining room, introducing himself and chatting with the diners.

 

He visited with us, chatting a bit with our 3 kids. He was dressed so handsomely in a white tux. Just stunning!

 

He moved onto the next table. I looked over just a bit later. That head waiter had ketchup all over his beautiful white tux. My son had used a french fry dipped in ketchup to draw all over his tux while he was standing next to my son. I was mortified!!!!!

 

Someone at the table pointed out to the head waiter the state of his white tux. The head waiter immediately turned to us with a stare that scared me. OMG, here he was walking back to our table. Oh gosh.... what to do!

 

He told us that THIS WAS HIS ONLY TUX FOR THE ENTIRE CRUISE!!! We didn't know what to say. Then he burst out laughing. It was the big joke with all diners and all the waiters the entire cruise. Everyone asked my little son if he wanted MORE ketchup. We still remember that......

The Pearl always looks so awesome docked in Skagway. From back up the main drag, the Pearl looks as if she's parked right on the main street. It makes for some really cool photos!!!!

whoops.... my post above should not have said, I've never been on a cruise.... It should have said, I've never been on a CARNIVAL cruise.

 

We've been on one RCCL and 4 NCL and one Big Red Boat (Premiere)

I thought I would post to give my ideas on Carnival. I've never been on a cruise, but we are excited that I think we are doing the Carnival to Mexico this next October.

 

My dh and I sort of had a bad idea of Carnival.... and what is so crazy and goofy is that I can't even really tell you why. I wonder if it was portrayed as the "Party Ship". Not sure. Then when Carnival had the big problem with the ship stuck out to sea with no power for so long..... well, that did it for my husband. Whenever I mentioned a Carnival cruise, he said, no way.

 

And we are far from "fancy" people. We are cheap, only usually getting inside cabins.

 

On our last cruise to Alaska, we visited with a gal on deck who told us that the best food she's had on her cruises was on Carnival. Not sure what all lines she's been on.

 

I really do wonder why people have the misperception (is that even a word, lol!) about Carnival without having firsthand experience!

elfqueen - I checked out the link to your Smashbook. I absolutely love it! Such unique ways to displayed your things!

 

Everyone else - I love your posts since I was here last.

 

I'm still plugging away at my Alaska scrapbook from last summer. I have one 12 x 12 Pioneer album plum full. And many more pages ready for another album, I just have to order the 2nd album.

 

I'm having a bit of a time keeping motivated. I take so many, many pictures and always like to use them all. But I'm getting a bit bored sticking with the same scrapbooking theme for so long. I have the urge to quit this for a bit and work on something else - a birthday, xmas, camping..... But I know if I quit and move to something else, I will have a hard time going back. I am determined to get this cruise done!!!

 

This was our 4th Alaska cruise. 2x on the Pearl, 2x on the Jewel. My dh is always so amazed and comments that I take the same pictures of the same things on the ships on every single cruise!!!! I have no explanation to offer him..... except that it's an obsession!!!!!!!!! Or maybe an illness.... Yikes! ha, ha!

 

Well, keep us posted on how your scrapbooking is going.....

It is also possible to tender in Juneau as well. 4 berths and 5 ships means someone tenders.

 

Oh, I didn't know that. I'm glad we have never had to tender in Alaska.

The weather in Alaska can really vary, even from day to day.

I've cruised to Alaska 4 times in August.

 

3 times we've had really nice weather. One time was okay weather -- We had some light rain in Juneau, and it was pretty cool on deck when at sea. Not many people used the pool, but the hot tubs were usually busy even in the cooler weather.

 

Last August, we had outstanding weather. Every day it was warm on deck and folks were laying out in swim suits enjoying the sun.

 

This is how we have packed: We bring mostly long pants -- dh jeans, me jeans and cropped pants. A couple pair of shorts each, but not really worn. About half short sleeve t-shirts, and half long sleeve tops.

Then we bring heavier-weight zip-front hoodies and a jacket. Not a big, lofty type jacket, but a medium-weight jacket.

 

We don't dress up much for dress-up-or-not night. Just slacks and nicer top. I bring a sweater to wear. So, if we walk around after dinner, in or out on the deck, I will be warm enough.

 

It's important to think layers when cruising to Alaska. We are set if it's warmer, with short sleeve tops. But when it's cooler, we can throw on a long sleeve top and the hoodie. We have never brought any rain-type gear to wear. We've been lucky and not much rain, but it can rain. I figure if needed, we can stop in some place and get a plastic poncho so we can spend the day outside and stay pretty dry. The rain doesn't bother us much.

 

When cruising to the Glacier, it does get pretty cold. That day, we do a long sleeve top, the hoodie jacket and then another jacket over the hoodie.

 

Some people bring pretty heavyweight coats, but not us. I don't want to take up the room in our suitcase. We can put the hood up on our hoodies. You may want to bring a lightweight pair of gloves to put on when viewing the Glaciers.

Also, be certain to bring your room card with you. They scan it each time you leave the ship and then again when you return. Search for tips on the Pearl, and you should be able to bring up some threads where people posted tips for things not to miss when on the Pearl.

 

Also, go to the area here on Cruise Critic and read through what there is to do in each port you will be visiting. Lots of good information. We have cruised to Alaska 4 times. The first cruise, we did shore excursions, and the last 3 we have just explored on our own.

 

There are really a lot of interesting things to do for free or at low cost if you are on a budget. Or if you are not on a budget, Oh....so many WONDERFUL shore excursions!

I've been to Alaska with NCL on the Pearl. The Pearl doesn't tender passengers at their ports. You walk down the gangway.

 

There will be signs posted at the elevator/stairway to direct you to where you need to go. It goes pretty smoothly and quickly, but there can be a bit of a line. If we don't have a shore excursion planned, we wait until the rush dies down just a bit.

 

You will have a wonderful time, I'm sure. Alaska is outstanding. The Pearl is a wonderful ship.

I am working on my scrapbook of last year's cruise to Alaska, so I got the Freestyle Daily to check for you.

 

It was on the Jewel, but like I said, it was last summer on an Alaskan cruise.

 

The schedule shows:

 

10:15 - Family White Hot Party in the Fyzz Lounge

10:15 - Norwegian's White Hot Party (18+) in the Spinnaker Lounge

That would be irritating! And what if you had stayed onboard to rest and relax on your balcony. You would have had no use of your balcony since they would be painting it. I would be upset.

We haven't sailed on a big mega ship. My dh does not want to. I would try one just to experience.

 

I think it would overwhelm dh and he would not like it.

 

We are in our mid-50s. If our kids were still young and cruising with us, I would do a mega ship for sure. They would love that!

 

Now, dh and I love the ships that are a bit smaller. Not the really little ones. We do all of the activities, and we do find there is enough for us to keep us busy.

 

Is it hard to learn your way around those huge mega ships? That would be my problem. ha!

I'm always so surprised at all of the odds n ends that people say they need/bring on a cruise. First cruise we went on, I brought lots of little things that I did not use.....not even once.
I'm so happy that I learned that the first time ..... that all of those little goodies are not needed. And all they do is clutter the cabin.
I unpacked them. They were so annoying, always having to rummage through them to find what I really needed to use. So, never again! We travel really light, and we love it that way.
The only things I read about here that I do bring is a highlighter to mark my daily newsletter of the activities I think sound like "do not miss." And I also bring several dollar bills for tipping room service.

I paid $529 for an inside last summer. On Jewel. Last August. I booked 6 days before sail day, as we live right near Seattle and don't have to book air. I think it had been down to 10 or 20 dollars cheaper, but I couldn't book right then due to figuring out family scheduling.

We live near Seattle and so have cruised to alaska 4 times. twice on the Jewel, twice on the Pearl.

 

We book very close to sailing -- last year, 6 days before. We were on the Jewel. But, I watch prices very, very closely for a month or two. Prices really, really fluctuate during that time period. One year we booked on the Pearl because that ship's price was quite a bit lower than the Jewel.

 

Last summer. for most of the month before sailing The Pearl was lower in price. Then as it got about two weeks out, it switched. The Pearl price went up, and the Jewel price went down. We ended up on the Jewel, as it had the best price at 6 days out.

On our cruises we taken to alaska, the shuffleboard game was getting a whole lot of use. We often wanted to play, but it was in use.

 

It's a very easy game to learn. The rules are posted right there on the wall.

After you book your inside, make sure that you keep checking on ncl's website as the cruise sail date gets closer. Sometimes, prices will drop, and drop quite a bit, if the cruise or even certain cabin categories are not selling well.

 

We've cruised on ncl to Alaska 4 times. On one of our cruises, prices on balconies dropped and dropped as the cruise sail date drew near. We were able to change from an inside to a balcony for only $150 more per person.

 

have a wonderful time on your cruise!

The cabin you would have is really pretty small. There is not much room to move about. I guess it kind of depends on your children and how much time you plan on spending in your cabin. If you look at the configuration of the beds, I think they would probably enjoy playing on the beds with toys etc. while you are busy in the cabin getting ready for the day etc.

 

I would bring several small toys or games that can occupy them. Just be aware that there really is not room in the cabin for them to walk around much. Not much floor space.

 

I haven't cruised with small children, but I would have been okay with the cabin you are considering. But, then, we are campers, and we have spent many, many trips in a tent. Many even in rain trying to occupy small kids in a tent. Memories! Ha!

 

The Jewel and the Pearl are pretty much the same ship, with just a few differences. At the time of year you are cruising, I think it will be really chilly for swimming. We have cruised to AK 4 times. Two of them there were not many people on deck at the pools. Pretty cold and windy. Two cruises we had really warm weather, and it was packed on the Lido deck. Your best bet would be to use the pools when at Port, as there won't be so much cold wind.

 

I think one of the hot tubs is for childrens use.

 

The Jewel has Sponge Bob and characters. Be certain to be on deck for the sail away party, as your kids will love the music and dancing. Such a fun time.

 

I've been to glacier bay and the sawyer glacier cruise. I loved them both. Most people say to do glacier bay over sawyer, but I actually liked sawyer better. You are going up the fjord, so land and scenery is so very close on either side of the ship. It's stunning and breathtaking.

 

Especially with kids, make sure to get your viewing spot early. Crowds will start to gather at all of the best viewing spots. With kids, it could be a problem if you aren't settled in early, as people will block views for little ones.

 

We got a spot early on the deck just up from the Lido deck right at the very center front. We got there probably about an hour before turning off the head of the sawyer glacier fjord. We pulled chairs right up against the glass and stayed put the entire time. It takes a few hours to cruise up to the glacier. We were able to see perfect and were comfortable as we were able to be sitting instead of in the masses of crowds standing trying to see.

 

It's pretty darned cold, so dress the kids warm. If you can, bring blanket, or even a large pool towel for each person to cover with. They serve fish chowder in the Buffet area, so send your dh to get some to enjoy and help to warm you.

 

Also, folks like the Spinnaker Lounge on glacier viewing day, as it's indoors.

 

But, since you are cruising so early in the season, be aware that the cruise ships often can't make it in to sawyer glacier at all, or the ship can't get very close. Due to ice. They have that problem at times even in august. On one of our cruises in august, we couldn't go into sawyer glacier and had to go a different route to see a different glacier.

 

You are going to have so much fun. Enjoy your cruise!

We've had an inside room right near the elevator - stairway area. In fact, it was the first cabin directly around the corner. It sure made it easy to find our cabin door, and was nice not to have to walk far.

 

There was not a bit of noise issue for us. The only time we heard any noise at all was a couple of times some young kids ran by with their parents, and they were a bit noisy with excitement. But, didn't bother me a bit. Love to see and hear the excitement of young kids on a cruise!!!!

I never use the shoe organizer. But I did start putting many of my smaller things in 9 x 12 ziplock bags. Keeps my drawers and storage areas a lot more organized and easier to find what I need.

 

I used one for all camera things, one for odds and ends, one for socks, one for undies, etc. Sure helped!

 

I just use a large kitchen sized plastic trash bag in the closet to throw my dirty clothes in. Works for me! I try not to bring anymore than I absolutely have to. I used to bring lots of things I thought I would be needing, but never touched the entire cruise. We travel pretty light these days and it works for us!

Having kids in a cabin across the hall seems no different than kids being in their own rooms at home. Many folks have such huge homes these days, that on the cruise ship, the kids would actually be closer to the parents than they are in their own homes!! ha!

 

The only thing I would remind the kids is not to open their cabin to door to ANYONE. Make sure they are familiar with the cabin steward, which really should be the only one asking for admittance to their cabin. Even if someone knocks on the door stating they are delivering room service or are from ship maintenance.

 

Any creepy people, which can even include cruise ship staff, may take notice that the girls are on their own in a cabin. I'm sure most kids know of this when they are in their own homes...not to open the door to anyone..... But when on vacation, people/kids do let their guards down and don't often take precautions they would take when going about their normal lives.

I was surprised when I first started reading here on CC that people decorate their balcony or door. I would have never thought of doing that. And I probably never will do it.

 

But, I can see that if I had young kids, they would have loved coming up with decorating ideas and helping with the decorating. I'm sure they would have wanted to do it! And it's a fun way to plan and get ready for the cruise!!

 

I think for me, a door magnet would be helpful so I can find my cabin. But, I would worry that someone would steal it!

 

I've also read here that cruise lines don't want any decorations on the balcony because they can come loose and go into the sea. If someone spotted something falling off, they may mistake it for a person going overboard. Plus, it's bad for the marine life.

 

I've always wanted to leave something on my balcony chair when in port, so I can take a picture of OUR cabin balcony from shore. I never, ever remember to do it though! ha!

I would find out about a beautiful spot at one of your ports.

 

Maybe a sunset cruise? A beautiful beach?