lauren0309

I am still debating whether to sail the Pearl or Sun. Differerences being Pearl leaves from Seattle and Sun leaves from Vancouver. They both go to Glacier Bay but I was leaning more toward the Sun because I was under the assumption it was more scenic leaving from Vancouver. But if it was to be bad weather then would we not sail the inside passage? I didn't want to sail from Seattle being that I read all you see is ocean. But if that's the case either way I would sail the Pearl then, cheaper airfare and newer ship plus more activities.

I saw the Sun has a roundtrip from Vancouver. It's $600 cheaper for me than the Pearl. The airfare is more going to Vancouver than going to Seattle so it evens out. Both cruises will just about ending up to be the same price. Now I have to decide which ship itself is better for Alaska. One is older than the other and smaller, I don't know much about the entertainment and such. I'm not sure now if I should go on the Pearl or Sun. I read its a nicer and smoother sailing out of Vancouver than Seattle but which ship is in better condition.

Just checked the Sun and its $600 less than the Pearl so it would make up for the more expensive airfare leaving from Vancouver than Seattle. I also read the sailing is more scenic leaving from Vancouver. Maybe I should go with the sun :confused:

I just noticed NCL Sun is in Ketchikan for longer hours than NCL Pearl and the cruise would be $600 cheaper. The Sun is Roundtrip from Vancouver whereas the Pearl is Roundtrip from Seattle. The money I would save on the Sun cruise would make up for the more expensive airfare leaving from Vancouver so either way it will come out to around the same price. I read its a nicer sailing from Vancouver but the ship seems to be smaller and older. Now I don't know if I'm better off on the Pearl or Sun.

In Ketchikan we were just thinking of seeing the Lumberjack show, walking around town checking out the shops and maybe eating in one of the restaurants. Not that much, but I don't want to feel rushed. And what time do the shops open anyway?

How about the Sun?

 

I tried to paste the itinerary' date=' but it wasn't sticky enough, I guess.

 

Goes to Glacier Bay and stays in Ketchikan until 6 p.m. Round trip Vancouver.

 

I love the Sun, and think it's a good ship for Alaska.[/quote']

 

Just checked out the Sun as you suggested. That itinerary seems to work. Only thing is I have to check the airfare out of Vancouver. It think it might be more expensive. Maybe I should wait till the airfares come out to compare that with Seattle.

I was all set to book the NCL Pearl to Alaska for next September. It had a stop in Ketchikan until 6 p.m. which would have given us plenty of time to do the things we want to do in that port Plus it also went to Glacier Bay which we want to see. Now I looked at the itinerary and it changed. It's only in Ketchkian until 1:00 p.m. which doesn't give you much time to do anything. So should I go ahead with that ship since we can still go by Glacier Bay and give up time in Ketchikan or go with another NCL ship that has a full day in Ketchikan but doesn't go to Glacier Bay, it goes to Tracy Arm instead. It's one vs. the other. I really want to see Glacier Bay but also want to spend a day in Ketchikan. We want to do either round trip from Vancouver or Seattle and we can only go the second week in September.

I was all set to go to Alaska on Pearl in September 2015. On a travel web site it says the ship is in Ketchikan all day till 6 PM. Now I just looked on NCL's website and it says it only stays there till 1 PM. Which is the correct time. If 1 PM is the correct time doesn't give you much time there. Maybe I should call them up directly?

I just called Royal Caribbean 3 times and each time I can hear them but they can't hear me. I gave up on the third try. Anyone else have this problem?

Here was my problem. I printed out my setsail pass. On it was typed my old credit card number for my onboard expense account. I will not be using that credit card onboard. Do I cross out the old number or wait until I get to the pier and give them my new credit card?

Thanks for all your suggestions. Great ideas!

I was thinking of maybe buying a small cruise ship ornament. Also wrapping in separate boxes, an eagle, bear, moose, husky? You think he'd get the hint:rolleyes:

I want to surprise a family member with a cruise to Alaska. I am trying to figure out what to wrap in boxes for them to open under the Christmas tree till they get the idea. A small ship is one idea but what else? Anyone have any suggestions?

OK thanks. :)

I just printed out my set sail pass and contract but can't see a tab anywhere to print out my luggage tags. I have 69 days to go. Is this why? I would think since I printed out my other things I would be able to print them out also.

That's why I'm giving NCL Pearl a try. Great itinerary too! Can't wait.

I'm taking my first cruise to Alaska and what helped me decide was the itinerary, not the ship itself. Look for the ports and how long you stay in each port. I too, have heard not so great things about NCL Pearl (but then some people loved it) but decided on that ship because of the itinerary and the time the ship stays at that port. Also I read Glacier Bay is a must so then was also the deciding factor for me. We're going September 2015.

We first have lunch, then explore the ship and take some photos while the ship is still quiet (we board early) and then go to the dining room so see the location of our table. By then the cabin is ready so we drop off our carryon and go out to explore some more.

While I have not gone to Alaska yet, I too was seeking advice. I decided on the Pearl for three main reasons. One, was the long hours it spends in each port, two, I was looking for a round trip from Seattle and what really was the final deciding factor was that I was told on these boards to pick an itinerary that goes by Glacier Bay. I was originally going to go Solstice but it goes by Tracy Arm and not Glacier Bay. Hope this helps you in your decision which is best for you.

We usually do self disembark because we usually have early flights. This time our flight is 11:30. Allure is due back into Ft. Lauderdale at 6:15. Would we have plenty of time if we don't do self disembark or should we walk off ourselves with our luggage.

Yes another comment to my previous one as the previous poster said. We never fly in the day of. We only did it once when we were beginners. Now that we've learned the ropes (lol) we know to fly in the day before. You never know what can happen which can cause the flight to be delayed and cause you to miss your ship.

I never book through the cruiselines. They're prices are similar to even more than what I find. Also, for our very first cruise we booked through the cruiseline and we got awful flight times. By the time we got to the ship the lunch buffet was over and there was nothing to eat but whatever was left. We felt also a total day was wasted, whereas if we would have booked our own flight we could have arrived early at be on the ship by 11:00 a.m. which is another vacation day to enjoy the ship itself.

I am going to be on Allure so when I go to the computer onboard to print out my pass for free how do I know I wasn't charged for using their computer for that purpose only. Do I have to tell the front desk first?

Can you view your account from your cabin on Allure to see what you spent each day and view your onboard credit?

Our mind is made up for the NCL. The itinerary is more important to us than the ship.

Day 1

Seattle, Washington- opens in a new window -- 4:00 pm

Day 2

At Sea -- --

Day 3

Juneau, Alaska- opens in a new window 2:00 pm 10:00 pm

Day 4

Skagway, Alaska- opens in a new window 7:00 am 8:15 pm

Day 5

Glacier Bay- opens in a new window -- --

Day 6

Ketchikan, Alaska- opens in a new window 8:00 am 6:00 pm

Day 7

Victoria, British Columbia- opens in a new window 6:00 pm 11:59 pm

Day 8

Seattle, Washington- opens in a new window

We're in Ketchikan from 8 to 6. I don't know what itinerary on Pearl you were looking at? This is the 2015 itinerary.