chillyw

I just booked my first cruise on Virgin... How's the electronic music doing?

Love that plan! I get the same one.

Surprisingly there were a ton that did a couple weeks ago. We had like an 8pm dinner in Le Bistro and we're literally the only ones in there. Clearly we didn't and I'd stay on ship again.

That's bad luck 😞 Hopefully it balances out with a casino jackpot win or something!

I'm also on the 8/17 cruise. Just got the email from NCL for itinerary change with Isa. From what I've read on Belgum, the issue is you have to time the tides right, and the cruise before ours (that @ontheweb is on) is showing the tide forecast to not match up with feasible port times, while ours looks good. Hopefully that's true for us, and I wish the tides would change for @ontheweb too!

Cruise ships are an easy and logical target in a city like Amsterdam, where passengers don't spend nearly as much money as regular tourists. Cruise ship passengers aren't buying hotels, 3 meals a day, etc and they add a ton of pollution. Obviously the cost/benefit analysis is different to economies that rely on that income. But that's why you see places target cruise ships, and it'll generally be places where the economic impact doesn't outweigh those factors.

I agree with that. I'm just not sure whether it ultimately matters if you call it included or free. You could argue that anything on the ship that's complimentary is included, not free, (like the toilets), but ultimately people need to figure out what they care about, what's included in each fare option, what's available as add-ons, and compare $s and lines on an apples-to-apples basis. Whether you call that free or included doesn't change that decision making to me.

I went in October (last cruise of the season) on the Encore, and it was so foggy and rainy, we couldn't see anything from the ship, just fog. Glacier Bay was a total no-go on seeing anything that day. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't do that week again. We just repeated that cruise over July 4th week and the weather was perfect. Significantly more expensive over July 4th, but IMO was worth it for the weather.

I agree - I just look at it as giving some more context to NCL's decisions, especially with Disney cancelling shortly before their cruise.

Looks like NCL isn't the only ones facing problems with Isafjordur: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2023/07/disney-dream-skipping-isafjordur-iceland-on-july-27th-due-to-an-unfinished-channel-and-dock-area-work/

My favorites: Equites, Dumplings, and firecracker shrimp at food republic Mezzelune Pasta at Onda Los Lobos Carne Asada and Queso Flameado French Onion Soup and Filet at Le Bistro

I would definitely skip Cagney's. Agree with bird - food quality is poor. I would reconsider your stance on Italian if you have Onda on your ship, it's great. Le Bistro - French onion soup and filet Ocean Blue - crab cake, iceberg wedge, fresh fish or lobster Food Republic - elotes, firecracker shrimp, pork belly dumplings, whatever else I'm feeling that day (everything is good, no need for sushi)

We were there on July 4th week and it was warm. Temsco has lockers you can leave stuff in. My recommendation is wear light layers and ditch anything heavy. They give you a slip on for traction over your shoes. Skagway was about 78 or so the day we were there. I wore a base layer, outer layer, and light jacket with a ball cap. I was hot with the jacket on until I got up to the glacier and then it was honestly perfect. I would recommend layers to keep you warm, with something easy to take off and carry in town. It's about 20 degrees colder on the glacier so plan for that. They dropped us off in Skagway after the tour if we wanted. Great chance to go to Skagway Brewing!

Forgot to also add I've done two kayaking tours in Alaska and both were great. Highly recommend kayaking.

Also, don't miss the Skagway Brewing company, great food and beer!

A little bounce wrinkle spray works wonders too

Favorite thing I've done in Alaska is a helicopter tour to a glacier with dogsledding. Expensive but worth every penny.

Also, this is important to know, if you have refundable OBC and you don't swing by guest services, they WILL stop you at disembarkation, put you in a super slow line, and make you wait to get money. I was very annoyed, asked them to keep my money as a tip for letting me get off the ship, and they refused lol.

You're right - I simplified it. My understanding is NCL found it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and then signed them. Choir of Man was not touring London until after NCL signed them and they started performing on cruises. I was actually at the last show on the Encore with the original cast, and they had a little celebration because they were finally going to get to tour on land (NCL signed them in 2017, they started performing on NCL in 2018, and they didn't debut on the West End until 2021).

Almost anything these days is USB powered. I have both a US and International Multi-Adapter USB GaN charger, and just carry a few USB cords I need. So much simpler than traveling years ago!

Ahh we're the one right after you from Iceland. I bet our notice is coming next. Thank you!

Which sailing are you on? Can't remember if we're on the same upcoming sailing or not, but if so I also need to do this.

My hope is that they get some cool shows that are self-developed like Choir of Man. I will say my Encore Alaska cruise was good, and I love NCL overall, but when we were on the ship, it was pretty boring outside of the Casino and that. I personally like a mix of Casino + shows + specialty dining most nights, and the challenge for me is music on NCL just isn't my cup of tea (I'm also a younger demographic so I realize I'm not always the target, but I'd rather have a good DJ than a lounge performer). I definitely missed Bliss Ultra Lounge on Encore. I'm going to find out early next year, but the one cruise line that reminds me of the way NCL used to be is Virgin. Multiple production shows, good variety, one of the shows is going from Cruise Ship -> Touring because it was good (Dual Reality).

Hopefully after that, they make an ESPN THE OCHO show

We did not have this on the Encore early July