An Alaskan adventure we won't soon forget - cruise and land tour - June 25 - July 7

[jmele999]

Your Denali pics are AMAZING! I can't wait to see the rest of the trip!

 

Thanks for stopping by. Just realized that we are on the same cruise in January. Looking forward to meeting you in person.

[laurabegorrah]

Thanks for stopping by. Just realized that we are on the same cruise in January. Looking forward to meeting you in person.

 

I was so busy looking at your photos, I didn't bother looking at your sig! lol We'll have to meet up for a drink on board.....I'm trying to talk the friend I'm sailing with to do Alaska with me, so you can help me convince her! :D

[jmele999]

I was so busy looking at your photos, I didn't bother looking at your sig! lol We'll have to meet up for a drink on board.....I'm trying to talk the friend I'm sailing with to do Alaska with me, so you can help me convince her! :D

 

We will bring some more pictures of Alaska to help you convince her.

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - The Seward Highway and Embarkation Day

 

So embarkation day was finally here and as you can imagine we were all excited to get onboard and see more of Alaska while cruising. We (DP and I) and the in-laws decided to drive from Anchorage to Seward while our friends (Mr. and Mrs. W. and Mr. and Mrs. T.) decided to take the train.

 

Rather than just driving to Seward, we (well, I) decided to make the most of our day and take a road-trip. As always, I prepared a detailed itinerary (see below) with all of the stops along the Seward Highway, which is based on information on the Seward Highway Road Guide (http://www.seward.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Seward-Highway-Scenic-Guide.pdf). Below you can also see a map of the Seward Highway.

 

 

 

Our goal was to leave the hotel at 9:00 am so that we could have enough time for the road-trip and time in the afternoon to explore Seward before boarding the ship. However, due to an extended, relaxing breakfast, we did not leave the hotel until almost 10:00 am. After a quick (or not so quick) stop at the local Walmart (supplies for the road trip and the cruise) we finally got on the Seward Highway at 10:50 am.

 

 

We made a quick stop around mile 10 to look at birds.

 

 

 

We then drove another 10 miles and noticed several cars parked on the side of the road looking at something on top of the hill. To our surprise, there were two dall sheeps walking around.

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - The Seward Highway and Embarkation Day

 

The scenery along the highway is breathtaking even on a cloudy day.

 

 

 

Even those taking the train to Seward can enjoy the scenery as the train follows the highway for most of the trip.

 

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - The Seward Highway and Embarkation Day

 

Our next stop was the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Mile 48). This is a center that provides refuge for orphaned, injured, and ill animals. The wildlife at the center include brown bears, moose, caribou among others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - The Seward Highway and Embarkation Day

 

 

 

 

And here are my two favorite pictures at the conservation center.

 

 

 

We stayed at the center for almost an hour. It is a great place to see wildlife up-close and a fun place especially for kids.

Edited July 13, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - The Seward Highway and Embarkation Day

 

After the conservation center, we left the Seward highway and drove about 8 miles on the Portage Glacier Highway. We did not stop at the Portage Lake, Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, but instead drove south another 2 miles to the Byron Glacier Trail parking lot. You can park at this lot and go on an one-mile hike (easy walk) to the glacier. Here are some of pictures of the glacier. It is a great experience to get so close to a glacier.

 

 

 

 

The round-trip to the glacier took about an hour including the time that we spent taking pictures. It is an easy hike so I highly recommend it to those driving from Anchorage to Seward or even those who are staying in Anchorage for a few days.

Edited July 13, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - The Seward Highway and Embarkation Day

 

We left the glacier around 2:30 pm and started looking for a place to eat lunch and came across the Summit Lake Lodge, which is named after a beautiful lake.

 

 

 

The lodge is very cozy and they have cabins right on the lake, but most importantly the food was very good especially the cream of clam chowder.

 

 

 

 

We left the lodge around 4:00 pm and started driving towards our last stop - the Seward post office - before boarding the Sun.

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - Embarkation!

 

We arrived at the Seward post office at exactly at 5:00 pm, dropped off a few postcards, and started driving towards the beautiful Norwegian Sun.

 

 

As you can see in the picture above, it was a cloudy and rainy day, but who cares - we are going cruising!:)

 

We dropped off the car rental at Hertz and the car rental shuttle dropped us off right at the entrance to the ship. We checked in in less than five minutes and less than 10 minutes later we were onboard. It was the fastest embarkation we have ever experienced.

 

The train carrying our friends and 400 other guests arrived at around 5:30 pm and here is the view from our balcony as they board the ship. So glad that we got there a few minutes before they did.

 

[russianmom]

I have to comment again! Your pictures are stunning. What type of camera do you use? I have a Nikon D5100 but the last 2 cruises didn't bring it.

[jmele999]

I have to comment again! Your pictures are stunning. What type of camera do you use? I have a Nikon D5100 but the last 2 cruises didn't bring it.

 

Thanks again. We have a Canon Rebel T5. We really like how the pictures came out.

[jmele999]

Day 1 - Freestyle Daily

 

I know that some of you have been patiently waiting for these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, I was surprised to see that the price for the Chef's table has now increased to $109.95 + 18% gratuity. While we have enjoyed the chef's table twice, I think that at the current price it is too expensive. The total for two people to attend the chef's table is $259.48. For that amount you can almost get the Ultimate Dinning Package for two people.

 

[soaringfalcon]

Those pics from the glacier are simply outstanding. Thank you again for sharing your trip with us. This is going to be my Alaska bible!

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - Cabin review

 

Having had immensely enjoyed having a suite in our previous cruises, I was initially apprehensive about booking a balcony cabin because I know that NCL rooms can be small. However, after watching some YouTube videos of our cabin category (BD), I realized that balcony cabins on the SUN are generally bigger than on any other NCL ship.

 

We found the cabin to be large and with plenty of storage.

 

 

 

 

 

The closet space was adequate, but I really like having a space to put your shoes.

 

 

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - Cabin review

 

The bathroom, however, was small, but had some nice storage space.

 

 

 

 

The biggest problem with the bathroom, as has been previously discussed, is the shower - it is small and the shower curtain has a tendency to stick to your body while you are taking a shower.

 

 

We were aware of the problem with the shower curtain prior to the cruise, and in order to deal with the problem we brought clips, which we placed at the bottom of the shower curtain (see below). We were hoping that the shower curtain would stay in place if we added more weight at the bottom of the curtain. Glad to report that adding more weight to the shower curtain does help.

 

 

Another tip to help with the shower curtain problem is to make sure that magnets in the shower curtain are securely attached to the walls.

[destiny217]

Thanks for your wonderful review. We love Alaska and can't wait to return. We were just on the Getaway and your balcony cabin was laid out much better than our mini-suite. But Getaway bathroom definitely much better. Thanks for the tip on the shower curtain. :)

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - Embarkation

 

So let's continue with the review.

 

While we waited for our friends to board the ship, we debated on whether or not to enjoy some of the freebies courtesy of the Latitudes program, but at the end we decided not to since it was almost dinner time.

 

 

Here is a map of our cruise.

 

 

Our friends got onboard shortly before 6:00 pm and we decided to go to the Seven Seas Restaurant (Deck 5, Aft) for dinner at 6:30 pm. Below is a typical menu for the two complementary restaurants onboard. The menu is similar for both restaurants and some items on the menu change every night while other items are featured nightly. Seven Seas is more formal than the Four Seasons Restaurant (Deck 5, Mid), but you don't need to dress up for either restaurant. However, no shorts are allowed during dinner at the Seven Seas restaurant.

 

 

Here is the view of Seward from the Seven Seas restaurant.

 

 

I cannot remember what we each had for dinner that night, but the one dish that stole the show that night was the dessert - bread and butter pudding. It was delicious and one of our friends had two servings. After that night we would ask him at each meal if he wanted second servings of each dessert. Even the waiter (Garry) remembered him and on the last night of the cruise asked him "Sir, would you like another serving of the bread and butter pudding"

 

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 1 - Embarkation

 

After dinner we went for a quick tour of the ship on the way to the mandatory muster drill, which was scheduled for 8:30 pm. The muster drill was very quick and by 8:45 pm we were ready to say good-bye to Seward.

 

 

 

For some reason, I found the removal of the gangway very interesting.

 

There was no sail-away celebration, but we enjoyed some beautiful scenery as we left Seward towards Hubbard Glacier.

 

 

 

 

 

After the muster drill we wanted to attend the Variety Showtime at 9:15 pm, but instead went back to our cabins, unpacked, and went to the casino.

 

End of Day 1

Edited July 14, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

Cruise Day 2 - Hubbard Glacier

 

 

 

[funtimex2]

Thanks for letting us enjoy your vacation through your narration and pictures.

[jenseib]

Well now I am hungry! LOL. The strawberries look soooo good and so does the dessert!

[jmele999]

Well now I am hungry! LOL. The strawberries look soooo good and so does the dessert!

 

The strawberries were very juicy, sweet and melted in your mouth. The dessert was light and not too sweet. :)

 

We received two plates of strawberries on Day 1, but the strawberries on the second plate were not very good. It looks like the two plates came from two different places.

[jmele999]

Day 2 - Hubbard Glacier

 

I woke up early Tuesday morning around 4:00 am, but then went back to sleep until almost 7:00 am. I decided to take a walk and take some pictures of the ship. Enjoy!

 

 

The multi-level atrium - decks 5, 6, and 7

 

 

The observation lounge on Deck 12, Forward. It is a great place to have a drink or just to hang out during the day looking at the ocean. It tends to get crowded especially on glacier-viewing days.

 

 

Cagney's - I must say that I hate the decor of this Cagney's. It does not feel like a steakhouse.

 

 

Ramblas - a complementary tapas bar on deck 12. This restaurant/bar was always empty except during karaoke.

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Day 2 - Hubbard Glacier.

 

We had a quiet morning because we had nothing to do until the Latitudes party at 12:30 pm. Before going to the Latitudes party, we stopped by Ginza - an A La Carte sushi bar located on Deck 12. The sushi rolls (californication, spider roll, and crispy rice) were all very good and the service was fast, but attentive.

 

 

After sushi, we attended the Latitudes party, which was held in the theater. It lasted about 30 minutes and was not very well attended. The cruise consultant, George, showed a short video on the newest NCL ship, Escape, and raffled about 30 prizes. Unfortunately, we came back to the cabin empty-handed.

 

Back at the cabin we met up with the rest of our group so that we could all enjoy Hubbard Glacier together. As we waited on the balcony, this is all we could see for about an hour. Are we going to see the glacier or not?

 

 

As I mentioned before, the observation lounge can get crowded.

 

 

At around 2:00 pm we started to see chunks of ice floating in the water.