leugerst Posted January 5, 2020 #1 Share Posted January 5, 2020 We plan to book an Alaska cruise for August been on over 30 cruises, many with NCL. We've been on the Bliss and love her, but my question is in regards to the Jewel. If we book the the Jewel, it has cruise Glacier Bay and cruise Hubbard Glacier. Are those two days on the boat only? No excursions? Love to hear everyone thoughts. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted January 5, 2020 #2 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Sailed the JEWEL June 2019 and one of those glacier days was after a port stop. Day two is Hubbard Glacier and we had a rainy foggy day but still managed to see the glacier. I don't know how the BLISS runs and what ports but I would suggest that the two glaciers are something to see and the JEWEL can get pretty up close. I doubt the glaciers will be around too much longer, they are indeed shrinking at an alarming rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted January 5, 2020 #3 Share Posted January 5, 2020 We did Glacier Bay on the Bliss and you are on the boat all day. I would personally opt for the jewel if you get two Gia users on that itinerary. Although, the observation lounge and thermal spa pass on the Bliss made my trip perfect! So many viewing opportunities every second. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted January 5, 2020 #4 Share Posted January 5, 2020 The JEWEL also has an observation lounge where we spent our rainy foggy glacier bay day looking at the scenery in the warm and dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted January 5, 2020 #5 Share Posted January 5, 2020 1 hour ago, leugerst said: We plan to book an Alaska cruise for August been on over 30 cruises, many with NCL. We've been on the Bliss and love her, but my question is in regards to the Jewel. If we book the the Jewel, it has cruise Glacier Bay and cruise Hubbard Glacier. Are those two days on the boat only? No excursions? Love to hear everyone thoughts. Thanks Yes. You watch glaciers from the ship. Maker sure you book the Northbound Jewel that goes to Glacier Bay. considerations for the Jewel. Departure is from Vancouver, so you have to deal with Canadian customs and immigrations (which was really slow the last time we did it) if you are considering flying in same day. it is a Monday-Monday Cruise. (Harder for some folks that work). It is a long train trip from Seward to anchorage. For us, there are no flights that get us home same day (Monday) so another day of vacation to burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted January 6, 2020 #6 Share Posted January 6, 2020 One can also do the Southbound (as we did) from Seward to Vancouver) spent the night there and did an all day tour which dropped us off at the airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted January 6, 2020 #7 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Bah, north bound, south bound. Hop on in Vancouver and don't get off until you hit Vancouver again. The only way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libtrek Posted January 6, 2020 #8 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Agree Vancouver airport was slow going home. And it is a long ride from Anchorage to Seward with only a couple options for transport. Have done both Bliss and Jewell. On Bliss you have to go to Vancouver island, waste for us. We are going again sept 2020. Will probably go for best price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare www3traveler Posted January 6, 2020 #9 Share Posted January 6, 2020 6 minutes ago, Love my butler said: Bah, north bound, south bound. Hop on in Vancouver and don't get off until you hit Vancouver again. The only way to go. YES Would love to do that. Love being on The Jewel. They will try to get you as far into as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonvoyagie Posted January 6, 2020 #10 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Have cruised NCL to AK 3 times now - all RT from Seattle - last time was in 2012 on the Pearl which did the same route as the Bliss is doing now. Pros to the Bliss route - RT Seattle - no passport required (unless you venture to Canada in Skagway) No customs issues either - although you do have to declare whatever you bought in Canada. You visit Glacier Bay - which is fantastic. You also visit the three main ports in SE AK. Leaves on a weekend so less vacation time to burn - you can fly in early and see Seattle. Cons to the Bliss - spending only half days in Juneau and Ketchikan. Long trip up and back along the outside of Vancouver Island. BIg ship takes lots of time to off load in the smaller ports. Pros to Jewel - nearly full days in port - leaving from Vancouver BC they travel on the inside of Vancouver Island. Get to see two major glaciers - Glacier Bay and Hubbard. End up in Seward the gateway to Denali and the AK interior. Leaves on a Monday so you can fly into Vancouver two days ahead and see the sights - or connect from Seattle via train or bus. Cons - need to go through Canadian customs at the airport - agree the lines can be long - will also go through US Customs when boarding the ship. All requires a passport. Anchorage is a long ways away and few flights back to the lower 48. However if you are going to the Midwest or east coast - Anchorage is a refueling site for planes taking the polar route to Europe so you should have a few more choices than those of us on the west coast. I have a Jewel cruise to AK planned and booked for June 2021 and am planning on making it a two week tour including some land based touring - will be putting my plans together this summer after our Panama Canal cruise in 19 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 6, 2020 #11 Share Posted January 6, 2020 8 hours ago, Sauer-kraut said: Sailed the JEWEL June 2019 and one of those glacier days was after a port stop. Day two is Hubbard Glacier and we had a rainy foggy day but still managed to see the glacier. I don't know how the BLISS runs and what ports but I would suggest that the two glaciers are something to see and the JEWEL can get pretty up close. I doubt the glaciers will be around too much longer, they are indeed shrinking at an alarming rate. Holcomb Bay (Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier). Is done the same day as Juneau. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 6, 2020 #12 Share Posted January 6, 2020 5 hours ago, Love my butler said: Bah, north bound, south bound. Hop on in Vancouver and don't get off until you hit Vancouver again. The only way to go. Really. Have you traveled mainland Alaska and didn’t like it? I certainly disagree. There isn’t any “only “ way to go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 6, 2020 #13 Share Posted January 6, 2020 8 hours ago, leugerst said: We plan to book an Alaska cruise for August been on over 30 cruises, many with NCL. We've been on the Bliss and love her, but my question is in regards to the Jewel. If we book the the Jewel, it has cruise Glacier Bay and cruise Hubbard Glacier. Are those two days on the boat only? No excursions? Love to hear everyone thoughts. Thanks I also actually was on both ships last season. Both enjoyable. I suggest you figure out what you want to do in each port- make sure it’s available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted January 6, 2020 #14 Share Posted January 6, 2020 So many variables - so much to see and do - and so many ways to do it - ENTER/EXIT points - SEATTLE VANCOUVER ANCHORAGE# (Port of Seward) FAIRBANKS* (start and end of Land Tours) Airline travel is the primary method to get to these points Note some Anchorage and most all Fairbanks flights are seasonal same as the cruise season in Alaska and the Alaska RR operation Vancouver (Canada) flights are NOT less expensive In all air travel cases there is the TSA Security and Customs both going and returning from Canada* * Vancouver has a double wammy both the TSA and Customs departing Canada ### Avoid scheduling flights with same day cruise without adequate allowance for clearance of the above ! Generally: Seattle cruises are round trips Vancouver cruises are one-way northbound Seward (Anchorage) cruises are one-way southbound Beware not all cruises sail the Canada INSIDE PASSAGE between Vancouver and Vancouver Island ! Ports visited: Ketchikan Juneau Skagway Icy Strait Point Sitka * on select sailings Victoria BC TENDERING is possible at some of these except Sitka always Glaciers visited: Hubbard Glacier Bay Holcomb Bay (Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier)* * Tracy Arm - Sawyer Glacier subject to calving closed late fall 2019 Shore Excursions travel: Walking/Hiking Biking Kayaking Chartered boat Car rental Motor coach (Bus) White Pass and Yukon RR Alaska RR Helicopter and Float plane * * Weather permitting IF YOU DON'T GET OFF THE SHIP YOU WILL NOT SEE MT. DENALI ! You will need to do a Land Tour or private excursion of your own IMNSHO (In my not so humble opinion) Taking the Alaska RR is the best optimum way to see the interior of Alaska limited of course to staying on the tracks -AND- then there is the BUS. Having a car rental is great not to knock it. Just what level of traveling convenience is yours to plan. Consider taking a Land Tour before cruising living out of a suitcase and nightly hotel changing - while on the ship your hotel and suitcase luggage is with you in your stateroom every no changes. Read on for more CC members input and experiences - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ziggyuk Posted January 6, 2020 #15 Share Posted January 6, 2020 We are taking the Sun to Alaska in October, I understand the small ships get closer so Jewel will be great, I love her. I think we have a fantastic itinerary on the Sun, fab price too, I just can't wait. If only I could spare the time to stay on the Sun through the Panama Canal instead of ending the trip in San Diego! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted January 6, 2020 #16 Share Posted January 6, 2020 26 minutes ago, ziggyuk said: , I understand the small ships get closer so Jewel will be great, I love her. “Small ships“ usually mean 150 person tour boats. Cruise ships of aall sizes tend to be risk adverse when there is ice in the water. It is all up to the Captain I have seen the Jewel hang well back in light ice. This past season, we saw the Joy continue on through relatively heavy ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Oceansaway17 Posted January 6, 2020 #17 Share Posted January 6, 2020 So while the lines many be long in Vancouver airport, they do move along. It should not be a negative since the city is very nice and many hotels near port so you can walk to ship. Also you can take the modern clean train from airport to city. And lastly, you want as much time in the various ports so taking Jewel does that. Then again, trains do run up to Vancouver from Seattle. Seattle has changed at lot and they have lots more homeless issues these days. I say do the Jewel and enjoy the sail out. I did it in Ovation of seas last year. Great city and clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted January 6, 2020 #18 Share Posted January 6, 2020 13 hours ago, Budget Queen said: Really. Have you traveled mainland Alaska and didn’t like it? I certainly disagree. There isn’t any “only “ way to go. You already know that answer. We have discussed it over dinner. The only way to go reference was for cruising Alaska. Land trips are great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 6, 2020 #19 Share Posted January 6, 2020 16 minutes ago, Love my butler said: You already know that answer. We have discussed it over dinner. The only way to go reference was for cruising Alaska. Land trips are great too. ????? Dinner??? I’ve been on numerous round trip Seattle sailings so obviously, they are enjoyed by many. Can be a transportation benefit as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted January 6, 2020 #20 Share Posted January 6, 2020 23 minutes ago, Budget Queen said: ????? Dinner??? I’ve been on numerous round trip Seattle sailings so obviously, they are enjoyed by many. Can be a transportation benefit as well. So many variables - - - Not everyone's cup of tea - - - Something for everyone - - - Do some research - - - Plan on what you can do with your budget and time - - - You can take one cruise trip to Alaska -or- take a hundred and one and you will not see it all - - - And there is more to cruising than NCL - just about any cruise line with a boat visits Alaska - - - You could even consider taking the Alaska Maritime Ferry service and see ports of call that the big ships pass in the dark of night. But for the love of Mike or whoever get off the couch and make at least one cruise - it will open your horizons ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted January 6, 2020 #21 Share Posted January 6, 2020 6 hours ago, BirdTravels said: “Small ships“ usually mean 150 person tour boats. Cruise ships of aall sizes tend to be risk adverse when there is ice in the water. It is all up to the Captain I have seen the Jewel hang well back in light ice. This past season, we saw the Joy continue on through relatively heavy ice. This past season late September was on the JEWEL and we skipped the Tracy Arm-Sawyer Glacier due to excessive ice in the fjord. Not to be deterred took the/a 150 person catamaran on a almost 6 hour cruise to see the (South) Sawyer Glacier and as a bonus saw the North Sawyer Glacier that only a true small vessel would be able to get to. There was a whole lot of calving of the glacier going on. Folks in spite of what naysayers are commenting about Global Warming - the glaciers are calving and melting and at a rate the only ice you will see soon will be the ice cubes in your refrigerator.*#* *#* hyperbole - exaggeration - to get your attention NBC TV Anchor Lestor Holt was at one glacier which had receded 3 miles in recent times. Interesting at the glacier visitor centers the photos of what was before and now of glaciers Come see Alaska before it becomes beachfront tundra property. And no fear of Siberian animals crossing the Bering Land Bridge in the near ice age future ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 7, 2020 #22 Share Posted January 7, 2020 3 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said: So many variables - - - Not everyone's cup of tea - - - Something for everyone - - - Do some research - - - Plan on what you can do with your budget and time - - - You can take one cruise trip to Alaska -or- take a hundred and one and you will not see it all - - - And there is more to cruising than NCL - just about any cruise line with a boat visits Alaska - - - You could even consider taking the Alaska Maritime Ferry service and see ports of call that the big ships pass in the dark of night. But for the love of Mike or whoever get off the couch and make at least one cruise - it will open your horizons ! Absolutely right ever visit is very different. I’ve done over 75 cruises to Alaska including 6 last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted January 7, 2020 #23 Share Posted January 7, 2020 4 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said: This past season late September was on the JEWEL and we skipped the Tracy Arm-Sawyer Glacier due to excessive ice in the fjord. Not to be deterred took the/a 150 person catamaran on a almost 6 hour cruise to see the (South) Sawyer Glacier and as a bonus saw the North Sawyer Glacier that only a true small vessel would be able to get to. There was a whole lot of calving of the glacier going on. Folks in spite of what naysayers are commenting about Global Warming - the glaciers are calving and melting and at a rate the only ice you will see soon will be the ice cubes in your refrigerator.*#* *#* hyperbole - exaggeration - to get your attention NBC TV Anchor Lestor Holt was at one glacier which had receded 3 miles in recent times. Interesting at the glacier visitor centers the photos of what was before and now of glaciers Come see Alaska before it becomes beachfront tundra property. And no fear of Siberian animals crossing the Bering Land Bridge in the near ice age future ! Just keep in mind some Alaskan glaciers are actually growing, not receding. It's the cycle of Mother nature. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmeraldCoastCruisers Posted January 7, 2020 #24 Share Posted January 7, 2020 1 hour ago, Budget Queen said: Absolutely right ever visit is very different. I’ve done over 75 cruises to Alaska including 6 last season. I'd love to know which is the best for only a 7 day option? Inside passage, round trip, NCL or something else? There are SOOOO many options I can't decide the best for the least amount of available time. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leugerst Posted January 7, 2020 Author #25 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Thanks to everyone, love hearing all the opinions! Keep them coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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