Dawn1004

Norway and Iceland

British Isles

And treating hubby to his 50th on an Hawaiian cruise

Have done our favourite cruise to Alaska twice now - wonder if we'll do a third!

Another vote for a combination port and sea days - 2 in a row is ok, but start to go a bit stir crazy if it's 3 in a row! Like a couple spread over the course of the cruise

Really enjoy sea days on our Alaskan cruises - lots to see water wise.

We did the Taku Glacier landing and dog sledding - highlight of our entire holiday (did Canada and Alaska over 5weeks). Booked through Era Helicopters - absolutely breathtaking scenery.

Enjoy your stay in Juneau.

Excellent review, we were in Canada and Alaska in April and May this year, we're still on our Alaskan high!

You lucked out seeing all the wildlife - we missed out moose, we did see most other things on various locations. The kids would've loved all the animals (as well as the adults!)

Not sure if you've considered it or not, but we put our photos together in a photo coffee book, we did this in 2012 too when we went to Alaska first. Just finished this years book this past weekend. Flicking through the book is great, gets everyone remembering.

Sorry to hear about your dad not really having an enjoyable cruise and for his subsequent diagnosis.

Used to love Babycham - with the little white plastic deer around the neck of the bottle.

Also differences we picked up on..

Biscuits in the USA is different to a biscuit in UK - in UK & Australia is a cookie (not served with gravy).

Candy in the USA is chocolate in UK and Australia.

Dosh is money-cash

And from watching the highly informative TOWIE - well jel means extremely jealous.

As well as the previous baps and norks you can add knockers for female breasts.

We used them twice on our holiday in April and May - first was up to Whistler, which was fantastic, saw lots of places, got just enough info (anymore would've been too much), had more than enough time at each stop - we were rapt we got snowfall at Alexander Falls and in Whistler Village - which they said was unusual for that of year - and saw our first black bear ever - a real delight for us.

Our next tour with them was ok as well - I don't think it was as good - but Whistler is so scenic and we had such a fantastic day there - we went to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge, for our 2nd tour with them. we like to do our own things even on a tour - and we did find it a bit uncomfy to be herded around in a group - i.e everyone had to go on the cable car at the same time, everyone had to walk to the top of the hill - near bears together - and you then got about 45mins to 1 hr (I can't recall exactly) to wander around/get lunch etc - we wanted to go down the cable car and look around there and wait for tour but were not allowed to.

The same happened at the bridge but everyone split and did their own thing there, so I think perhaps everyone felt the same and wanted to do things individually not en masse.

Enjoy your tour.

Haven't been there, nor gone on that ride.

Just googled Passion Island Twister Boat - came up with Cozumel water sports, under restrictions it says maxium weight 250#.

Not sure want the hash symbol indicates - is it a different way of writing pounds? (Forgive me I'm aussie and haven't come across it).

That website has a contact us page - which phone numbers to call and an email form to contact them.

If you want a definitive answer contact the tour operator direct and this can save any possible embarrassment or inconvenience.

Enjoy your cruise and any tours you take,

Bove Island was beautiful - mirror reflection almost. Am so glad you posted the photo of Bove Island, as I just couldn't remember it's name,

April, did you manage to see the little avalanche while on they train? It was when we were going around that big loop, that was pretty cool.

I'll put my hand up and say we were really happy with this tour, seeing a lot more than 2012 when we went up and back on the train (still amazing to do).

When we were disembarking, you said goodbye to a lady who was sitting near the self disembark line, I think she was from Florida or Miami, she'd been on board for a number of weeks, she was an absolute hoot, when you went, she really sang your praises and was amazed by everything you did and saw. I didn't grab her name, but she was a really nice lady.

We had our first aft balcony mini suite on NCL Pearl on 7th May cruise out of Vancouver - can highly recommend the aft. If you can book it, make sure you do.

Previously we had always had midship balconies, but the view from aft was spectactular.

Enjoying your review subscribed to thread.

We were also on this cruise, and in fact we were on the Whitepass Train and the bus ride to Carcross (with the dog kart ride) with you.

We also did the Shutter Tour you did, but we did that post cruise (we also had Tracey - she was great).

I would hope none of the cruise ships "hit Hubbard or Sawyer Glacier", could get messy! :D

We enjoyed our cruise Seattle return, so many tours at each port - really depends what you are interested in and what type of $ you are comfy with - tours can be pricey, especially any to do with whale watching, dog sledding, bear watching or flights.

On our last Alaskan cruise we had a day of scenic cruising Glacier Bay which was lovely.

This year we are doing our Alaskan cruise from Vancouver for 10 nights, can't wait.

You will have fun doing your research for what cruise ships suits you best, which itinerary suits you best, and the tours available, and which month suits you.

Enjoy your Alaskan cruise - it is an amazing destination.

Thanks everyone for the tips on the haircut. I could see yesterday that posts had been made, but for some reason I couldn't get Cruise Critic up and running (my comp I'd say - all good today), so please don't think I was rude not responding yesterday.

I'll check the links - the pricing side I don't really mind, I have paid $300 (au $) for a great haircut in Perth when I lived down that way - now we are in small remote town and I think cut and foils is around the $100 mark - but nothing to write home about!

I don't mind if no discussion - but would like to be able to verbally advise what I'd like.

Not into having head shaved with a logo - when I was a young chickadee perhaps but not now! (in fact when I was young I did the blonde spiky thing, and the shaved sides with spikey hair.. the things we do to spin our parents out and look 'cool' in front of the other kids hey!) :)

I do recall having to plump up the purple pillow - didn't they have a name .. I think it was Henry!... several times over the long flight to LAX, but as an added bonus it was nice and warm to sink your toes into in those early am hours.. I seem to remember getting some purple socks as well - but didn't wear them.

Actually not meaning to hijack thread - but does anyone know what you get in the small convenience bag these days with Air NZ Prem - I think we go a small toothbrush with small toothpaste, some lip moisturiser, possibly some hand cream? a purple eye mask and a pair of purple socks - and a lovely large bottle of water as well I recall.

I agree was a lovely flight for us - our first in anything but cattle class - felt very special indeed, flight over we didn't really sleep too much (too excited I think) but the one back I didn't even stay awake for dinner (most unusual for me to forgo (voluntarily) any meal!!) and was out like a light for the majority of the flight.... hopefully I didn't snore too loud or drool like a mad person!

Does anyone know of a good hairdresser for ladies haircut and colour in downtown Vancouver?

Have a week in Vancouver before cruise and would to get a new cut and colour (live in a small country town and there is the option of two hairstyles in town... Either everyone has the same short hair style or everyone has the same long hair style (which is basically the short style but longer!!)

Would love a fresh new stylish cut and a new fashionable colour.

Thank you.

Agree - $4.95 room delivery for 3 of us to have a meal in the room suits me fine. Hotels you pay delivery fee plus pay for the food.

Agree too that when I booked and paid for our cruise it was free but oh well. Will continue to cruise NCL.. Will be onboard in a few weeks - curious too see if on Pearl by then or not.

Last time I flew with Air NZ in prem econ - no footrest but a funny little purple cushion/pouffe ghing was given. Plenty of leg space though.

Happy to say we flew that way in 2012 and in 2 more weeks we are flying them again in prem econ to LAX.

Enjoy your flight.

We're doing a glacier flight and landing with real dog sledding (not the summer kart on wheels) with Era helicopters from Juneau. Really looking forward to it - crossing fingers the weather is good and flight can take off.

Enjoy your tour.

Thank you for posting your question and the subsequent responses.

I am currently researching Iceland & Norway cruises as well - for my 50th in a couple of years.

We also looked at the Disney cruises and NCL.

Celebrity also do one - this year it's on June 27th on Celebrity Eclipse and is South Hampton departure & Return.

14 nights

South Hampton

Sea Day

Sea Day

Reykavik

Reykavik

Akureyri

Sea Day

Klaksvik

Sea Day

Geiranger

Alesund

Olden

Stavanger

Sea Day

South Hampton

Not sure if they'll be doing it again following year - not sure if you like the idea of Celebrity - but thought I'd mention it so you can research (if you so choose).

I too was thinking of cruising Norway from Copenhagen and just flying over to Iceland for a little while - all part of the research (and I have a couple of years yet til I lock anything in!)

Will look forward to reading your review of your 2016 Norway/Iceland cruise.

I think it would be a terrible feeling when called to your cabin, and you're waiting for that last person to turn up, of course extreme relief when all members of your cabin report in, unfortunately for one such cabin (unless he was sailing solo) never got that overwhelming feeling of relief of seeing all their party reunited this time around.

What exactly is a hull balcony?

Do you have a full window pane which can be put down half way?

Thanks guys

Yes I think I will pre buy and take on myself too as was suggested. We have a week in Vancouver prior to the cruise it should just be a trip to the local supermarket to pick up a carton or so of the water and take on ourselves.... I think they are doing themselves a bit of a disservice not having it as part of the pre ordering/paying system.

I know just for ease I pre purchased on Royal Caribbean - it was a bit dearer of course than buying at a store but saved lugging it around, so I went with the pre purchase in that case.

Thanks once again - and happy cruising guys!

Hi there

Any recent NCL Pearl cruisers remember pricing of the water package available? And if you happen to remember how many bottles, sizing (i.e 1litre or 1.5litre bottles?)

I can't see a water bottle package avail for pre purchase on their site, but have been told by NCL that they do offer a package once onboard (although they gave no other details.)

We don't drink cool drink these days, so I'd like the water in the cabin.

Was able to buy upfront on Royal which was great, can't on NCL though.

Thank you.

D

In Juneau I have booked our family onto a Glacier landing/dog sledding tour with Era Helicopters (not sure if they do a hike too).

I booked privately, not through ship (wasn't an option).

Enjoy your Alaskan cruise - it is a special destination - just magical.

I can remember my dad saying (as he got older), that he they started to plan trips around toilets... So they wouldn't be caught out.... i used to giggle at that... And now hubby asks me (when booking tours).... Will there be a toilet on the coach... Is there toilet stops along the way! Lol funny bloke he is. Lol just remembered even on the plane he likes to sit not too far from toilet!!

I agree with others, travel to those places that interest you - don't hold off for one day, as that day may never come, do it now.

Once my dad passed away, we started to do all the things we said we'd do one day when we retired.

To everyone who has retired, enjoy your freedom from having to go into work each day (or part time), you've paid your dues - so enjoy yourself in whatever manner you so please.

We're also having a few days in San Francisco. our main touristy thing will be Alcatraz.