2016 NCL Alaska - Help

[titangas]

We are looking into booking an Alaska Cruise for the 2016 Summer.

(My wife and I, DD 19, DD 17, DS 13)

 

I think we have narrowed it down the Pearl, but not 100% certain. I like the idea of the one way route to see more, but the only ship doing that is the Sun and it does not appear to have suites to accommodate 5 (is this correct?) I will be cruising on the Sun on 7 weeks.

 

We want to go to Glacier Bay - which is why we are looking at the Pearl and not the Jewel -- But the port times on the Pearl have me a little concerned.

specifically Juneau 2pm - 10pm, Ketchikan 6am -1:30pm, also Skagway 7am - 8pm (longer), Victoria BC 6pm -12pm (less)

 

 

On the other hand the Jewel has a little better time at Ketchikan 7am - 3pm, and Juneau is early instead of late 7am - 1:30pm, Skagway is 7am to 5:30pm and Victoria BC is 2:30pm - 9:30pm

 

Any inf feedback about port times is appreciated, from what I read though I think Glacier Bay trumps but we are open.

 

My other question is when to book.

I can book a 2 BR Suite right now (Pearl) and get the UDP, UBP and $300 credit right now, or if the 3-5 passenger promo hits, with no price changes the 2 passengers and port charges for 3-5 (you have to pay this right?) would be around $1650 less. I figure the value of the promos is about a wash, but with the port times the way the are - will we really use the UDP every night?

 

Last thing is the Haven is not out of the question, it would stretch the budget a little ($2400 more). Is is really worth it?

I can swing it, but money in our case is not unlimited -- this would be probably our "last big family vacation".

 

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks

Edited January 22, 2015 by titangas

[duckfan80]

I have done 4 Alaska cruises, 3 on 2 of the ships you mention. I can't speak to the questions about cabins, but yes, the one-way trip on the Sun is great. As for the port times, each one is plenty of time to do what those ports have to offer (with the exception of BC--but that port is a quick stop outside the US-- the hours are so strange for being in port). Otherwise, you are spot on with Glacier Bay. If you are unsure about a return trip to Alaska, do Glacier Bay...it's something for the bukcket list. I have seen it 4 times, and I get excited each time!

 

Have fun whatever you choose!

[darwinsrule]

We booked Jewel last week for August 2016. Part of the reason for deciding on the Jewel was the port times, the ship itself, and the fact that we know it won't be our only trip to Alaska. We honestly think it will be like Bermuda where once you go you NEED to go back. At this point given the ages of our daughters it was a pretty easy decision.

[titangas]

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

Just investigated the Sun a little more.

We could get adjoining Aft Balcony rooms (one being a Penthouse suite and the other just an Aft Balcony)

I could get that for $1,000 less, put 3 in the Suite for (UDP, UBP and $300) and 2 in the Balcony for UDP.

 

Even though it is not round trip - airfare for this year same time frame is almost the same as Seattle RT.

 

I do think the Sun Northbound itinerary is better than Pearl/Jewel

7am - 4pm (Ket.) 10am - 8pm (Jun.) and 7am - 8pm (Skag).

Plus cruising Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

 

TOO MANY OPTIONS -- I am so confused :confused:

Edited January 22, 2015 by titangas

[don't-use-real-name]

Other factors for consideration:

 

One-way trip requires flight to/from continental USA unless doing B2B.

OW generally adds one more port stop with shorter port times.

OW trip on the SUN adds the Tracy Arm Sawyer Glacier viewing *

* IMHO better than the Hubbard Glacier which is rapidly melting.

OW adds scenic Whittier/Seward and Anchorage/Fairbanks ground packages.

OW trip ending at YVR offers scenic opportunities also and complicated air/ground travel issues.

 

Closed-Loop requires port call outside of the USA (i.e Victoria BC) trips out of Seattle.

CL trips generally have longer port call stops but not always.

CL airfare is less expensive simple basic round trip - no complicated open-jaw itineraries.

----Canada airfares are generally a bit more expensive.

 

AND always YMMV AND then there is always the weather factor - so you are going "Rain or Shine"!

[bonvoyagie]

Been on the Pearl - AK 2012 - first time seeing Glacier Bay - previous cruises 10yrs prior were to Sawyer Glacier (Tracy Arm). I now agree that both are must sees - but for different reasons. However if you only plan on one AK cruise I say GB trumps TA. So now you are down to deciding RT vs OW. IMHO I would not do a OW unless you have some extra time to spend seeing the interior of AK - Seward/Whittier, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali etc. I suggest a minimum of 3 days with no max :D.

 

I will agree that the port times are better on the Sun than the Pearl. However there is enough time to do at least one excursion + shopping in all ports and two in Skagway. The Sun would allow at least 2 excursions in all ports - also if you really wanted to see Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier - look into Adventure Bound - they operate a small boat tour into Tracy Arm which takes the better part of 7 hrs - but IMHO is the best way to see the fjord - it would mean that you would do nothing else in Juneau - but it is a way to see all three of the scenic areas - Tracy Arm, GB, and Hubbard Glacier.

 

Also on the Sun I would inquire about adding a rollaway bed to one of the owners suites - I think there is lots of room for 5 people in one of them.

 

Here is a site that will help you decide what you want to do in the AK ports www.cruiseportinsider.com

 

When looking at interior AK tours check out both www.alaskatravel.com and www.travelalaska.com also visit the AK board on this site.

 

enjoy your planning and AK:)

[titangas]

Thanks bonvoyagie and don't use!

 

Like I mentioned I don't think airfare would be an extreme issue going by the RT Seattle fares and 2 one way fares I see for this summer. Pretty high from the east coast either way.

 

I am a teacher, so adding extra days in Alaska wouldn't be a problem and we would add days to a RT also to see Seattle, as we have never been and may never be again.

 

DU - port times on the OW are LONGER than the RT, in this case with actually one less stop -- No BC but you get the final Alaska port as an addition.

 

Will probably call NCL this afternoon and inquire about 5th passenger option in Sun, owner's suite.

[dexddd]

Thanks bonvoyagie and don't use!

 

Like I mentioned I don't think airfare would be an extreme issue going by the RT Seattle fares and 2 one way fares I see for this summer. Pretty high from the east coast either way.

 

I am a teacher, so adding extra days in Alaska wouldn't be a problem and we would add days to a RT also to see Seattle, as we have never been and may never be again.

 

DU - port times on the OW are LONGER than the RT, in this case with actually one less stop -- No BC but you get the final Alaska port as an addition.

 

Will probably call NCL this afternoon and inquire about 5th passenger option in Sun, owner's suite.

 

While the OS might be big enough for 5, I don't see that as an option on the Sun. I wouldn't count on the 3-8 promo covering summer dates as I don't recall the past ones covering many summer dates for Alaska but I could be wrong. I'd book with the current promo and if the promo does cover your dates then you have the option to rebook.

[don't-use-real-name]

For more room on the NCL SUN look at booking the cabin 1003 on the pool deck

and the adjacent cabin(s) 1002 or 1004 PORT side

-OR- 1203 and the adjacent cabin(s) 1202 or 1204 STARBOARD.

 

Other possibilities on deck 10 aft.

 

While NCL SUN cabins are the largest especially the mini-suite I was in a few

years back.

For your party of -5- would recommend 2 staterooms for comfort and ease of use.

The convertible bed in either case of cabin selection is suitable only for one

adult or two very young kids. In most cases the bed in any stateroom* can be

split apart to make two twin beds.

* in some suites and higher the bed is set up like a king bed and can not be split into twins without a great deal of effort - NCL does not recommend.

[bonvoyagie]

A couple more notes/thoughts:

 

I have heard good things about the NCL land tour packages - that said my TA recommends these guys www.alaskatravel.com

 

If you really want to see Victoria (which is nice) I would plan on it taking a full day. You take the ferry across from Vancouver it takes about 90 min to make the crossing (Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay). The Butchart Gardens are about 30 min away from Swartz Bay (about 20km). From there it is another 20km and 30 min to downtown Victoria. There are bus tours that will take you from Vancouver to Victoria and see the gardens and the town or you could rent a car in Vancouver and DIY.

 

On your flights - since you are coming from the east coast, Alaska Airlines is the premiere air carrier for Alaska - they do have flights between Chicago and Anchorage - which may be easier for you to connect to on your return flights.

 

I am not sure if I mentioned www.cruiseportinsider.com in my previous post. But it is an excellent source for learning about the ports and both DIY and escorted tours available.