First timer on NCL - any recommendations or things we need to know

[Panhandle Couple]

Welcome to NCL!

 

The Bliss is a very good choice, as the forward "observation lounge" on deck 15 is unique for NCL and all other cruise lines.  You will find it gets filled up quickly on those windy or rainy days.  Great place to watch the world go by.

 

It seems the area around pier 66 has been under perpetual road construction.  We drove by it last fall (for Princess cruise on north side terminal) and still had construction barrels, etc.  Hopefully they are now finished with it.

 

NCL has purchased their own dock at Ketchikan, north of town.  You will be bussed to/from town, maybe 10 minute ride.  We did the a Jeep and Canoe excursion, which was north of that dock.  But main activities (Lumber Jack show, boats to wild life area, totem tours) are all in town.  Town itself is small, and has usual touristy shops.  There is a small brewpub which is good.

 

Juneau dock that NCL usually uses has an area for busses for excursions, and for town.  Most excursions are whale watching and Glacier tours.  Glacier is 10 miles north of town.  The whale watching we used was north of that.  Downtown Juneau (again small for a state capital) has some shops, and bars/restaurants.  Again 2 brewpubs as well.  And also a tram to the top of the ridge for some great views and hiking if you desire.  If it is low overcast, you can skip it.  Tickets can be purchased at the tram, you don't need to buy on ship.

 

I haven't been to Sitka, so no info.

 

 

[North2Alaska10]

This our first NCL cruise. We have the unlimited open bar package. Does this include bottled water? I don’t see water listed in the list of qualified drinks. 

[DorothyB]

2 minutes ago, North2Alaska10 said:

This our first NCL cruise. We have the unlimited open bar package. Does this include bottled water? I don’t see water listed in the list of qualified drinks. 

Unless you pay more for the "Plus" or "Premium" (can't remember the name), bottled water is NOT included.  So the Free At Sea drink package does NOT include bottled water.  And, FYI, the bottled water is in boxes.

[Sj cruiser 1]

New to cruise critic, we’ll be heading to Alaska June 21 on Sun. There’s five of us so we booked a balcony and inside cabin. It’s our first cruise out of the west coast so we’re really looking forward to it. This will be our third ncl cruise but first since November 2019 .

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, Sj cruiser 1 said:

New to cruise critic, we’ll be heading to Alaska June 21 on Sun. There’s five of us so we booked a balcony and inside cabin. It’s our first cruise out of the west coast so we’re really looking forward to it. This will be our third ncl cruise but first since November 2019 .

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

Alaska is our favorite cruise destination and we cruise there every year (except 2020). 

 

You have picked a wonderful cruise that get the best of Alaska with long calls in each of your ports. 

 

We spend hours each evening as the ship is moving out on our balcony watching for sea life. Always have a pair of sports binoculars available. Lots of whales spouting and pods of dolphin from time to time. Along with the backdrop of Alaska. 

[kdblondie]

23 hours ago, DorothyB said:

Unless you pay more for the "Plus" or "Premium" (can't remember the name), bottled water is NOT included.  So the Free At Sea drink package does NOT include bottled water.  And, FYI, the bottled water is in boxes.

Do they have a place to fill up your own bottle with water?

[DorothyB]

1 hour ago, kdblondie said:

Do they have a place to fill up your own bottle with water?

You should NOT put your water bottle under the outlet, but you can use a clean glass from the buffet, fill it with water, and pour from there into your water bottle.  The glasses are small so it will take more than one.

[ChiefMateJRK]

18 minutes ago, DorothyB said:

You should NOT put your water bottle under the outlet, but you can use a clean glass from the buffet, fill it with water, and pour from there into your water bottle.  The glasses are small so it will take more than one.

The observation lounges on the other Breakaway Plus ships also have ice/water dispensers.  I haven't been on the Bliss (yet) but it's probably the same.