Alaskan Bliss: A Live Trip Report May 19-26

[Lupush]

Love the Haven on the Bliss!  Is Amir still tending Bar?  If so tell him Lee from Florida says hi!

[www3traveler]

Has there been anything said yet about possible Shore Excursion cancellations in Ketchikan.  One of the float plane operators has suspended operations--- how long unknown.

[Greenpea2]

22 minutes ago, rockfsh said:

On one end is the shower window. At the other end is  door to the master bedroom.

This balcony is  sheltered and usable.

Oh I get it now! You are so nice to take the time to explain. The DOS is a bucket list item for me and I am working up the financial nerve to book one. Hence all my Qs, lol. Thanks again.

[bumorgan]

Following along😊

[PhillyTravelBug]

Omg that room!!!! Cannot wait to sail bliss. 82 more days!

[fearchix]

Can you post the daily itinerary? We go next week on the same cruise and would like a sneak peak at what’s happening onboard!!

[Sand and Seas]

Loving all these pictures!  We enjoyed the Bliss out of Miami earlier this year.

Thanks for taking us along IN A DOS to Alaska!

[rockfsh]

16 hours ago, fearchix said:

Can you post the daily itinerary? We go next week on the same cruise and would like a sneak peak at what’s happening onboard!!

 

see:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2658809-2019-ncl-bliss-alaska-feedback-tips-dailies/?tab=comments#comment-57365918

[rockfsh]

18 hours ago, alnbrumom said:

When you get the Port Valet form for Seattle Airport, can you post a picture of it?

 

 

[shawnanewtocruise]

Interested in activities offered in the Teen Club.  Do they have a daily schedule posted?  Thanks!  Our son will turn 13 while we are cruising.

[rockfsh]

Juneau, the Capitol.

We arrived in Juneau over an hour early but the Joy was parked in OUR slot. OH JOY!

 

 

 

When we finally docked they first boarded the passengers that missed Seattle.
To get ashore we were allowed to use this elevator which some feel is appropriate for Haven guests.

We took a pre-booked taxi from Glacier Taxi. I highly recommend using this company. We took it to Mendenhall Glacier and were dropped off just a 5 minute walk away. Fare $38. The Glacier buses now charge $44 PP.
Our  driver Tom is an Alaska native in that his ancestors were here over 10,000 years ago. If you use him, tell him Ken says "Hi". He took us to see the Governor's Manson as a drive  by  with no extra cost.

 

The Nugget falls trail is an easy walk of about a mile. It is designated a Bear Trail with no food allowed (you will be the  food.)

I saw no bears except some fellow Berkeley alums who shouted "Go Bears!". "Not today", I replied.

The falls are well worth the hike. Cold refreshing spray from the falls cools you off after the hike in. We met fellow M&Gs Shay and Racelle again.

 

 

We were saddened to see the glacier had receded since we were last here 5 years ago.

 

You can barely see my tripod on the balcony in this shot

 

Back on the ship we had dinner at Los Lobos. The table side guacamole muy bien.

 

 

On to Skagway

 

 Hasta luego.
 

[LeesaB]

Following!  You missed my parents in Skagway by a day (they're on a Princess cruise).

 

Love the sense of humor (and the pics!).

[ZsaZsa2019]

Looks like a nice weather day.  We are doing Bliss in June and struggling with what to pack.  Loving your trip reports, and watching to see what everyone is wearing.  🙂

[rockfsh]

3 hours ago, shawnanewtocruise said:

Interested in activities offered in the Teen Club.  Do they have a daily schedule posted?  Thanks!  Our son will turn 13 while we are cruising.

 

They do post a schedule but when I went down to check,  I found this

[rockfsh]

56 minutes ago, ZsaZsa2019 said:

Looks like a nice weather day.  We are doing Bliss in June and struggling with what to pack.  Loving your trip reports, and watching to see what everyone is wearing.  🙂

 

Great in Skagway today. In Seattle  I gave the UBER driver a big tip and asked him to insure great weather on the trip. He agreed to try.

[rockfsh]

On 5/21/2019 at 12:56 PM, Lupush said:

Love the Haven on the Bliss!  Is Amir still tending Bar?  If so tell him Lee from Florida says hi!

 

Amir is on the Joy

[luvcruzing]

Enjoying your review. Thank you. Love your sense of humor, too.

[rockfsh]

Skagway has a population of a little over a thousand. Even with all the cruise season help, a single cruise ship is enough to overwhelm the small town.
Yesterday there were 4 ships in port and both the Joy and Bliss were among them, parked end to end at the Railroad dock. Bliss was in front so the Joy cruisers had to walk further.
The steep hill adjacent to the Railroad dock is subject to landslides. The dock is hopefully protected by fencing, a barrier wall and a tunnel of containers. Someone spray painted "Trump" on the barrier wall. Since politics here is frowned upon, I'll (try too) refrain from making further comments about this.

 

 

There is a Smart Bus shuttle that runs (all day) from the pier through the town  with pickup every few minutes. Fare is $2 a hop or $5 all day. It's well worth it.

We attended the "Days of '98" show @ Broadway and 6th. It has played every cruise season since 1923 making it the longest running musical on this or any other Broadway. I give it 5*s. It is based on the true story of the life and (spoiler) death of grifter Jefferson (Soapy) Smith, a charlatan the likes of(insert your own &*)#@). After the show, I asked the girls, "How much for an all-nighter?" Since the Bliss was to depart @ 11 PM, this was not a realistic proposal.

 

After the show we ate lunch at the new location of the Skagway Brewing Company. Great food but it took 45 minutes after ordering to get it. Food and beer 5*, service 1*.

 

 

The delay in posting is due to no internet @ Glacier Bay.

Edited May 24, 2019 by rockfsh

[UWCorry]

Random question but were any of the pools or water slides open? We are on the Bliss in 9 days and I want to at least try that slide!

[phissy]

Last year, we had great weather while in Skagway. Pools and hot tubs open. Did giant water slide twice. It is not so windy while in Port. At sea, they close the pools. Have fun!

[rockfsh]

12 hours ago, UWCorry said:

Random question but were any of the pools or water slides open? We are on the Bliss in 9 days and I want to at least try that slide!

 

All are open with warm water

[rockfsh]

Glacier Bay, where the snows of ten thousand yester-years make their way finally to the sea.
Above me a lady on the Haven sun deck exclaimed, "Paraiso!" as we reached Margerie Glacier. Paradise indeed although we are used to a warmer variety of paradise.

 Several guests were invited to view from the bow of the ship. I waved, some waved back.

 

 

 

 

Next we visited John Hopkins Glacier (yes THAT John Hopkins). We could not get close due to harbor seal breeding.

 

 

On the way out I spotted a group of kayakers. Don't know where they came from.

 

Heading out of the Bay, we passed a Princess ship. Princess is facing federal charges for dumping waste in Glacier Bay. (Everyone Boo!)

 

On the way to Ketchikan we followed  a HAL vessel. (Not that NCL follows HAL in any category except price.)

[rockfsh]

Ketchikan calls itself 1st City just because it's the 1st city in Alaska coming
from the South. It's another beautiful day in SE Alaska.

 

It also is a short stay here. We walk up the Creek Street, a former red light district.

 

The infamous Dolly's House now charges $10 for a tour. Back in the day you could get  a quickie for the same price.

 

 

These two are tour guides. Working ladies of a different sort.

This sign is misspelled.

I did not know Santa spends his Spring in Ketchican.

Can you spot the eagle?

Just another Dam HAL ship.

 

Our ship.

Tomorrow Victoria, named after the former Empress of India.

[phissy]

On 5/19/2019 at 7:52 AM, rockfsh said:

 

They moved us 2 doors down.

Despite what my countdown clock says, I haven't (yet) sailed.
Lynette C. who just finished sailing today in the same suite we reserved told me she left me a "surprise" hidden in the cabin. I hope it is not a chocolate covered strawberry.

I think it was the “leak”!

[phissy]

On 5/19/2019 at 7:52 AM, rockfsh said:

 

They moved us 2 doors down.

Despite what my countdown clock says, I haven't (yet) sailed.
Lynette C. who just finished sailing today in the same suite we reserved told me she left me a "surprise" hidden in the cabin. I hope it is not a chocolate covered strawberry.

Just realized that if they moved you 2 doors down, you got upgraded to the DOS!!

Fabulous, I guess they were not able to get anyone to bid on that one.

What a great upgrade, congratulations!!