We just got back from the Norwegian Spirit to Alaska on June 4

[ginger123snaps]

Keeping this message board in mind I wanted to provide as many opinions about the cruise ship as possible. We have in our early 30's and have cruised Carnival, Royal Carribean, and Norwegian before.

 

Food: Better than other cruise ships we have been on! We ate at the steakhouse (Maxim's) and it was wonderful...but I can't say it was any better than eating at Window's or Garden. Raffles was the buffet...and it was great also....only complaint is that the flow is not very smooth...the layout is poor...so you feel like you are fighting a crowd every time you are in there....Which is why we ended up eating at the dining hall for lunch. Room service was great...but you can only get a continental meal for breakfast....lunch/dinner items included cheese tray, veggies with dip, soup, pizza, sandwiches. There are no midnight buffets...instead they have a chocoholic buffet the last day at 2 pm. There is Henry's pub..where you can get fish and chips...there is also another small snack area where you can eat burgers, hot dogs, soup, salad, etc. The barbeques are great! Don't miss out on that. Drinking cups small!!! Need 4 cups/meal

 

Ports: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway are great! Prince Rupert is a waste of time. Unless you need cheap meds from Canada...or take another expensive excursion there isn't much to do there. Would not choose that port again! We did scenic cruising...suppose to go to Tracy Arm but the ship couldn't get through the ice...so we ended up in Endocott Arm...beautiful glacier...very happy with our scenic cruising.

 

Excursions: We purchased our excursion over the internet. In Ketchikan we did sea kayaking with Southeast Sea Kayaks. Though we enjoyed the kayaking they took us past our cruise ship to an island visible from our boat and back....really didn't think it was worth the $79/person rate. For Juneau we went though Juneau Sportfishing and went whale watching...I can't rave enough about this. The boat was nice and small with only five other passengers. It was great...I highly recommend them.

 

Ship Layout: Very confusing compared to other ships we have been on. Alot of up/down and across to get where you needed to go. Ship decor is beautiful. We had a balcony cabin and that was great. Swimming pools are open but they are not enclosed. Game room looked like one of the best we had ever seen. Card room/Library was wonderful as well.

 

Shopping: For those of you going to Skagway...wait to purchase your souvenirs there. The prices are much better than Ketchikan and Juneau. The same souvenirs I bought in Ketchikan were much cheaper in Skagway....I bought shot glasses, alaskan dolls, t-shirts, ornaments, bear salad claws. I wish I would have waited.

 

Misc: The last night of the cruise they had to close the casino at 9:30. The ship was dead that last evening at sea. Unless you wanted to drink there is not much more to do that night.

 

Disembark: This was great...all other ships you have to wait in line on the ship and go through immigration....in Seattle we just got right off the boat and went through immigration/customs.....the smoothest and least frustrating experience so far.

 

Service: I must say that Norwegian goes that extra step when it comes to service. I felt the service to be better with Norwegian over Royal Carribean and Carnival. This is of course all relative....the service is great on all three.

 

Hope this helps if you need more info just ask

[susanv64]

Ginger123snaps...I really enjoyed reading your review! My DH and I will be on the Spirit to Alaska in Sept. Can't wait!!!

 

You mentioned eating at both Windows and Garden. Which one was your favorite? Are both of them open for lunch? I believe I've read that only Windows is open at lunch time, but not sure.

 

Thanks for the shopping tips! I'm hoping for some big sales, as we are cruising very late in the season!

[herewego]

You are so right about the small glasses!

 

We lucked out as a friend had sailed out of Vancouver and got me a coupon book there were wonderful deals in that! I don't know why they don't have those in Seattle ports:(

 

Samantha

[ehaas]

We leave June 11th and found your review very helpful. Do you know what they had for teen activities as I have a 16 year old son. Also like I stated in the title how much was the Whale Watch in Juneau? Thanks Again!

[beachtravel]

Do either of you have the dailys scanned? I'd love to see them.

 

Thanks!

[txracefan]

How do you get the cheap meds.I have a med.my Dr wants me to take ,ins.will not pay for.

[ehaas]

How much cheaper are meds? What is the process of getting them? And last but important is there any problem bringing them back on the ship?

[ginger123snaps]

I personally did not purchase meds, but other passengers just walked to the local supermarket...block from the pier and purchased their meds. No problems getting the meds onboard. Now, i think a law was recently passed which will make this illegal....not sure when that takes effect. I would imagine if you are going soon you should be okay.

 

 

The whale watching excursion thru Juneau Sportfishing and Sightseeing was $105/person. It was great! Highly recommend them.

 

I believe you can only go to Windows for lunch (of course there is the buffet, Blue Lagoon, Henry's Pub for other choices). Windows is much nicer for dining. We only went to Gardens once....not impressed.

 

I do not have the daily newsletter. Sorry

 

Hope that answers all!

[ginger123snaps]

Your 16 year old might enjoy the basketball court, golfing range, jogging track, tean disco, game room, ping pong, movie theater, pool, jacuzzi

 

They hold ping pong and basketball tournaments. They also close down the disco for teens only.

 

I think he will have no problem finding things to do.