www3traveler

Thank you very much for your review and thank you for the picture of the Farewell Show. I saw a friend of mine ( the Hotel Director Denis Prguda). Are you a professional photographer ?

Mandy

David,

I am loving your pictures and your comments. Looks like a wonderful trip. Two questions: (1) since I do not speak another language, can I manage both on and off ship? (2) I am a 66 year old widow not in good physical condition- how easy would this cruise be to do?

Not to be nasty, but why this question for every person's review? Most people already mention the crew members that stand out but you always ask it like they didn't. I appreciate that you want to recognize the great crew members, but just confused why you always bring it up.:confused:

Not a problem. In writing reviews people will say what they did, what they saw, and what they ate. Sometimes but not always will they talk the friendliness of staff (or not) but not about particular staff member unless asked. With this new "Vacation Hero" program, anyone now can be nominated from the Captain on down. I am always interested in staff members. I have made 17 Norwegian cruises and have become friends with a lot of staff members. I have also become friends with a number of passengers I have met. I love reading the different reviews and seeing the pictures taken. People interest me more.

WOW Beautiful pictures. Were there any staff members that stood out?

Wonderful review and pictures. Thank you for taking the time to write and post. Were there any staff members who stood out above the rest>

Three questions:

(1) Who was the Cruise Director?

(2) What did you think of the Captain?

(3) Did any one staff member stand out enough that you would nominate as a Vacation

Hero?

I have done the Alaskan cruise twice (2009 and 2010) both on The Pearl both the week before Memorial Day. 2009 it was very chilly and 2010 it was warm. I love the early season and Glacier Bay. Most of the Glacier has not "calfed" (broken off). The ice flows that broken off are really impressive. I pray for the Bridge Staff as they try to safely navigate through it. The other impressive sight that you only see in the early season, is when they glide down Elliott Bay before making the turn to dock is the sun coming up over Mt. Rainier to the south. Mt. Rainier will look like a huge strawberry ice cream sundae.

The only time I would avoid Seattle at all, is the last week of July and the first week of August- Seafair. Huge community celebration. The first week of August is Fleet Week-lots of extra Navy and Coast Guard.

In your example above of the Captain saying that the Gem's sister ship is the Jewel, and not the Epic.....I would have to disagree and say that the Pearl is closer to being the Gem's sister (even though they and the Jade are of the Jewel Class).....:)

The Jade, The Jewel, The Gem and The Pearl are all "Jewel Class" ships. The Epic is a class all by Herself.

I am not sure that Julie reads this but Norwegian does. Hopefully someone will get a message to her.

I'm not sure because I never caught the last name, but I was on the Pearl over the 4th of July and the cruise director was Julie. I assume it's the same person (she's from Canada) that the OP is asking about.

The Julie that the OP is asking about is very tall, wears high heels, very stylish and is from near Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. Does this sound like the Julie on your 4th of July cruise. She is a very nice lady.

Does anyone know which ship Julie is currently cruise director?

The last I knew Julie was on The Pearl, but that has been a month or so ago.

Thank you for your wonderful review and the pictures. I have sail with the Captain on The Gem and with the Staff Captain when he was assigned to The Pearl.

wow so many replies, first time cruiser here so thank you guys for all your answers.

I guess I should have been a little clearer in my question (it was late at night my brain doesn't function so well).

 

The cruise starts on sunday. we are actually getting in seattle early to spend the whole of saturday looking around in seattle. we reserved a rental car so we can go to the boeing museum on saturday as well. on sunday, I was hoping that we would get out of the hotel, drive to seattle to have lunch and then go back to the airport (since we would have to return the car anyway) and then catch the ncl shuttle to the ship. I know, it seems like a lot of going back and forth but somehow it came out that way.

 

If the 1:30 is the last shuttle to go to the port I guess we could fit in a brunch?

Depending on what weekend you are sailing, Seattle traffic can be and is a nightmare. From now until the 4th of August is Seafair (very large community event) and on some weekends the Seattle Mariners play in the south end of downtown and added to that is weekend road construction. Most restaurants do not open before 11 or 11:30 for lunch, especially the ones along the waterfront. To be honest I would wait and have lunch aboard ship. Seattle is a wonderful city but traffic can spoil it. I hope you enjoy the city and your cruise.

We booked airport transportation through ncl along with our cruise. There doesn't seem to be any info available on ncl's website about the specifics, like what time I should be at the airport, where I should be and the time it takes to get back to the airport after the cruise. Our cruise is at seattle, does anyone have any experience in using this service? Our ship is set to take off at 4pm so if it's possible we would like to have lunch at downtown before getting back to the airport.

Usually Norwegian has people in the baggage claim area to direct you to the buses outside. Be very careful because there are other cruise lines also being represented and other buses going to a completely different port area. Norwegian is the only one the docks downtown. Anthony's Restaurant is directly in front of the ship. I can not tell you what the price of lunch would be,have not been there in several years. The Space Needle is further away than it looks and is very expensive even for lunch.

In February 2011, the was a gentleman on The Gem who played piano. He was from Vancouver, British Columbia but was originally from Scotland. His first name was Micheal and I do not remember his last name. he was just wonderful. I spend hours listening to him. I would love to listen to him again. If this rings a bell, does anyone know where he currently is?

I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my husband over 4 years ago and at times it still hurts. Wishing all the best. Mandy

Unfortunately Trygve Vorren died earlier this year

Three corrections for your list:

Pearl: Rune Myre

Spirit: Lars Bengsston Vanja Litovic

OK, folks pics are back up! Yes I upgraded to Pro! You're all worth it!! :D

Hi, I have loved your pictures and the description of your trip. It sounds like you had a really wonderful time. You have not said much about The Epic Herself or Her staff. On a whole what did you think? I have some friends who are Senior Staff members of The Epic. They have been trying to convince me that I needed to sail on Her and I think you have finally convinced me. I am not sure if any of the three of them were on The Epic when you were. Denis would have been the Hotel Director, Hassen the F&B and Martin, the Restaurant Manager. Mandy