Kesstral

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'm not worried about the weather since May in Alaska is pretty much what I'm used to for winter/early spring here in Vancouver so I'm already well outfitted. Glad to hear there are no accessibility issues for the ships in May and there is more than one glacier to see. After Tracy Arm twice in two years I'm ready for a scenery change. :)

This is the most gloriously insane thing that I've seen a big company do. I was considering a last minute Alaskan cruise for this May and the NCL rep confirmed on the phone they could do CAD at par. Unfortunately my TA friend couldn't honour the price (surprising because she's in Canada) but since we were paying so little it overall didn't hurt her feelings too much.

I don't think I would have booked if it wasn't for that.

Glad to know we can book everything else online in CAD, makes a huge difference with the current dollar drop.

Well NCL just called me because my courtesy hold expired and confirmed they would honour the cruise price in CAD instead of USD. I told them I'd need to check with the TA I was working with to see if they could do the same (which they can't) so will call back to book. With the way the CAD dollar dropped recently that sweetens the deal even more!

Thanks everyone!

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking at a last minute cruise on NCL in May that happens to go to Glacier Bay. I've cruised to Alaska the last two years but only to Tracy Arm so I'm really interested in Glacier Bay as a new location. Since we're going so early in the season ice was a huge issue in Tracy Arm so we never got that close to the Sawyer glacier. In fact this is what it looked like last year on max zoom:

Will Glacier Bay be a better experience in May and are there more than one glaciers to see?

Hello everyone!

I've never sailed NCL but have done Alaska twice. Since I live in Vancouver, BC and hate flying, I've found that cruising is a great vacation for me.

After having done a giant trip last October to Florida we didn't think we were going to be able to cruise this year. I made the mistake of looking up some last minute fares and stumbled on the 10 night Vancouver-Seattle on Norwegian Pearl. This trip caught my eye because it leaves on our wedding anniversary (we didn't have a honeymoon so I claim every vacation is one) and it goes to Glacier Bay (we've only been to Tracy Arm), Sitka and Icy Strait which are two ports we haven't seen yet.

I've already confirmed that there are no time-off issues with work and the cost of this trip wont break the bank so there are no real limitations on going (unless you consider the "responsible" limitation of just not spending money).

I guess what I'm looking for from this wonderful community is some opinions on the ship and if it's a worthwhile itinerary. We're not going to be doing many excursions and tend to spend a lot of time reading. Our last ship was Allure but I am aware that is a different beast so I'm more interested in comparisons to Rhapsody and Zaandam (which I think are pretty small in their respective fleets). Also is Glacier Bay worth it in May?

Thanks!!

I'm looking at a last minute cruise with NCL and the website isn't telling me what currency I'd be charged in. Do I assume it's USD? With my other cruises the price was shown in CAD.

My favorite lenses are the Canon 70-200 F2.8 L

OMG that lens makes me drool. I've been wanting that one for a long time but it's been out of my price range (had to choose between vacation and lens). I did pick up a 28-75 F2.8 Tamron for good price since I desperately needed to replace my 28-105 F3.5-4.5 that I had been shooting with since I did on-mountain photography in Whistler over 10 years ago (film with an Elan II). Once I get a better lens selection then I can upgrade my 30D :P

I should have taken a picture of Beaver Tails, the food truck, for reference, but suffice it to say: STOP THERE. Think pizza fritte/fried dough slathered in a variety of toppings or just plain rolled in sugar. he also had poutine, which apparently is better than plain fries smothered in gravy cuz it has cheese curds.

I LOVE Beaver Tails! I used to eat them more often then I should when I worked in Whistler, BC.

Awesome review so far, can't wait to read more. We're leaving for our vacation in 19 days and on the Allure in 26!

Wow, it's amazing the difference a few months make. I've been to the Tracy Arm Fjord twice now, both in May and the glacier looks so different!

May 2012:

May 2013:

(there was so much ice in the water that was as close as we could make it and other ships actually had to cancel the day before).

You're photos are wonderful, loving the review!

I wasn't planning to bring my "big" camera on our cruise next month but I just ordered a new lens so will try to get some nice shots to share :)

Thanks for your review!!! Rhapsody was my first ship so she's special to me! Can't wait to read more.

The only possible variation is RCI is playing games and the Exausts are in the area marked ELEV. , and the Lifts are the six rounded squares.

My best guess is that the rounded squares are the elevator cabs and the ELEV is the elevator mechanical. I looked at some other deck plans that had a similar "rounded squares" and ELEV boxes. The only other Royal ship I've been on so far was Rhapsody and it has 2 glass elevators that rise up along the Centrum. Since I know those elevators were not where the ELEV boxes are I think it would be the same on Quantum :)

Edit: Correction. Those ELEV boxes on Rhapsody might have been an entire other bank of elevators. I can't remember and don't have any good pictures of that area. Time to book another cruise! Allure/Oasis seem to have a similar elevator area (with the rounded squares and ELEV boxes) that the Quantum has. Anyone recall what that area looked like from those ships?

If you take the city bus (the Blue route) out to Totem Bight, pay $2 and ask the driver for a day pass, that will allow you to take more than 2 bus trips it you decide to go south to the other totem park on the Red route (or like we did and get off at Walmart). Also avoid getting on AT the cruise ship dock if you can walk to 2 blocks or so to the Library (unless you are way out at berth 4) which is stop 8 on the route map. The bus will stop at the Library first and had we waited at the cruise ship dock we woulddn't have gotten a seat.

http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/bus/documents/KetchikanBusSchedule.pdf

Didn't forget anything crucial on our cruise last year (forgot binculars but we lived). This year I've started filling a box in the bedroom with things to pack that I don't need between now and next weekend (dress shoes, binoculars, sea sickness med, etc).

When my hubby and I got married we were staying overnight at Harrison Hot Springs resort which was about an hour from home. On the morning of the wedding while I was getting ready I realized I left my spanx at home. My hubby drove all the way home and back to pick it up for me that morning. He'd never driven that route before since he was visiting from California. I still have the page with a map on it that I ripped out of the telephone book and driving directions that I gave him.

I'm only 32 and am very excited for my first HAL cruise. My husband and I are not into loud music, night clubs or heavy drunken partying as we prefer to find a quiet spot and curl up with a good book while enjoying the scenery. I would love to listen to live classical music on board!

I know, I know... we have Allure booked for October but my husband picked the ship and I don't think we'll ever get to Florida again so we're making a big trip out of it (Disney World, Universal, Kennedy Space Center). :P

You would have NO time at the ruins and possibly not make it back if you go to Chitzen.

I've been to Chichen Itza & Tulum. Chichen Itza will be much more spectacular. Tulum is closer, and nice, but much smaller.

 

I would definitely do the cruise line excursion, so as to not be left behind.

All the tours listed are through the cruise line, I wouldn't risk travelling to something that far away otherwise.

Thanks for the replies on the different locations :)

I made the mistake of showing my hubby pictures of the Allure so now we're doing a Western Carribean cruise in October. We're making a big deal out of this trip as we are from Vancouver, BC and I HATE flying so need to make sure it's worth the flights/anti-anxiety meds (spending a week pre-cruise in Orlando to visit Disneyworld, Universal and Kennedy Space Center).

So my second mistake was mentioning to my husband that there were tours in Cozumel to go to various Mayan ruins. Since we have no intention of taking any land-based vacations to Mexico this might be our only oppourtunity to visit something like this. Chichen Itza is my husband's first pick so far since it was named one of the new seven wonders of the world.

All of these are listed as ship sponsored excursions (would never do this as a private tour) and we know that it would be a ferry and long bus ride to the mainland (so probably going to relax on the beaches at our other two ports). Does anyone have any suggestions about the various excursions or comments from experience? Would Chichen Itza be a dissapointment compared to the others, etc?

Tulum Mayan Ruins Express - 6 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

Tulum Ruins & Beach Break - 8 hour(s)

Coba Ruins - The Mystery of the Mayan Civilization - 8 hour(s)

Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins - 10 hour(s) 15 minute(s)

EK Balam Mayan Ruins and Colonial Valladolid - 10 hour(s)

Thanks!!

I was reading that Royal just brought in an "unlimited" beverage package on their ships so the conversation has been going on their boards for a while. I could not see myself ever being able to drink enough to make something like that worthwhile but there are people out there that will. I am sure the cruise lines didn't just pick some arbitrary price for the packages. They have a lot of well paid people to figure these things out :eek:

I saw that someone back about 20 pages asked about an HH stateroom on the Zaandam. I was hoping that someone had sent you one since then. We like the lower prom. deck and wondered about the obstructed view. Probibly just a wall on the ship on the other side of the walkway but curious since even HAL phone conversations say it might be a life boat or they just don't seem to know. Any pictues would be great.

I have room HH3313 booked for Zaandam's first Alaskan trip this May and I will be sending my photos to Joanie for sure! Plus connecting room DD3311 next door and a couple K interiors my friends have booked. The photos that were listed for equivalent rooms (on the sister ships) really helped with my planning so I'd love to contribute!

I JUST realized this.. messes with my brain. I dont like it..

At first i thought you meant why cant sprite and sprite zero be op top of each other [which also bothers me greatly, being a merchandiser]

I showed the picture of the freestyle machine screen to my hubby since he is a bit OCD and he shrugged and thought they were trying to be "bubbles". My brain exploded.

You know what I think is annoying?

 

Why can't they group ALL the drinks together?

 

Like Sprite/Sprite Zero, Mello Yello/Mello Yello Zero, Fanta/Fanta Zero etc.

 

And put them in straight lines....it looks so wonky !

Now that you pointed it out I'm starting to twitch a little that they are not straight!!

OMG THAT'S THE JOCO CRUISE!!! *Cries*

Yes I am one of those people who's into the things those people are into. Computer geek is not really the term I would use. More video gamers, web comics, internet people and those who like funny cat videos.

I'll have to look at the one in 2014!

Wow! I think I gotta show my hubs this cruise for next year. Totally up our alley. Nerdcore! MC Frontalot, Wil Wheaton, board games like Pandemic, and drinking! Haha

Like PAX but at sea!

Love your review so far! My husband and I were on Rhapsody in May this year so your photos are making me want to go back to Alaska. Being from Vancouver I love the photos from around the city. I get a kick out of seeing what visitors take pictures of. Being from here I don't see things the same way and tend to miss a lot of what others enjoy.

Oh, the Roman coliseum styled library in Vancouver was "blown up" in the movie The 6th Day with Arnold Schwarzenegger. :P

Look into the Canada Line. It's a light rail line running from close to Waterfront station (where the Canada Place cruise terminal is) directly to the Vancouver airport. It will be much cheaper than what you posted for a transfer. Just make sure you get the "add fare" to go to YVR off the main line.