Spirit or Jewel for May Alaska Cruise

[majmaj4]

 I am trying to decide between the NCL Spirit or NCL Jewel for a May Alaska Cruise..

 

Thoughts?

[JohnChiang]

I chose the NCL Spirit in May because it offered a "no single supplement" deal for balcony cabins, while the Jewel only had the deal for insides and ocean views.

 

Also the Spirit does not have a kid's area nor Haven, so there is more space on the top decks for scenic viewing.

[BostonGal35]

Jewel is one of our faves, but i believe the Spirit recently underwent a refurb.   both are a great size, id personally pick whichever itinerary has Glacier Bay as for me that's a must on an Alaskan itinerary.

[majmaj4]

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

Originally I thought the itineraries were the same but in looking closer:

Jewel shows Glacier bay and Dawes Glacier. Spirit shows Icy strait point.

 

Jewel says inside straight and Spirit doesn't,  but the route looks like they are the same to/from Vancouver.

 

Yes, I think Spirit has more recent upgrade and some different restaurants.

Edited March 9, 2023 by majmaj4

[www3traveler]

There was a thread recently discussing that the Spirit would not be doing the Inside Strait this season.

 

Love both ships but the Jewel would get my vote.

[JohnChiang]

Both ships see the Hubbard Glacier but only the northbound Jewel gets into Glacier Bay.

 

As stated above, my northbound Spirit cruise was originally scheduled to go thru the Inside Passage, but it has been changed to go out the sea side of Victoria Island instead.

[jdc987]

2 hours ago, majmaj4 said:

 I am trying to decide between the NCL Spirit or NCL Jewel for a May Alaska Cruise..

 

Thoughts?

Go Jewel...  Spirit has issues...

[www3traveler]

29 minutes ago, jdc987 said:

Go Jewel...  Spirit has issues...

What issues?

[YVRteacher]

2 hours ago, JohnChiang said:

Both ships see the Hubbard Glacier but only the northbound Jewel gets into Glacier Bay.

 

As stated above, my northbound Spirit cruise was originally scheduled to go thru the Inside Passage, but it has been changed to go out the sea side of Victoria Island instead.

It’s Vancouver Island.  Victoria is a city near the southern tip of the island and it is British Columbia’s capital city.

 

I would choose the Jewel.  In fact, I’m already booked for two weeks on the Jewel to and from Alaska in May.  The management and crew on the Jewel are unsurpassed (in my opinion.)

[majmaj4]

Thanks!    I booked the Jewel

[www3traveler]

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

It’s Vancouver Island.  Victoria is a city near the southern tip of the island and it is British Columbia’s capital city.

 

I would choose the Jewel.  In fact, I’m already booked for two weeks on the Jewel to and from Alaska in May.  The management and crew on the Jewel are unsurpassed (in my opinion.)

I agree

[njkate]

13 hours ago, jdc987 said:

Go Jewel...  Spirit has issues...

Do tell what issues the Spirit has

[majmaj4]

YVRteacher, which weeks are you on, I am on the first 2 weeks in May. 

[dexddd]

15 hours ago, jdc987 said:

Go Jewel...  Spirit has issues...

Such as? Sailed twice.  Only real issue first time was dated cabins but since has had major refurb and looks great.  Oh, and very shaky aft over 20 knots but some say fixed.

Edited March 10, 2023 by dexddd

[vacation44]

13 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

It’s Vancouver Island.  Victoria is a city near the southern tip of the island and it is British Columbia’s capital city.

 

I would choose the Jewel.  In fact, I’m already booked for two weeks on the Jewel to and from Alaska in May.  The management and crew on the Jewel are unsurpassed (in my opinion.)

I am already looking forward to your posts on your upcoming Jewel cruises!   We are booked on the Jewel in August and, honestly, it was due to your reports that made us go ahead with it.

[tgloersen]

We did the cruise on Spirit last year.  Great ship no issues at all and all the acbins are updated.

[JennKach]

The Spirit goes to Valdez so that's the reason I chose it. I used to live there and haven't been back since the late 70's. Nothing against the Jewel since we just got off a Panama cruise and loved the ship.  I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, majmaj4 said:

YVRteacher, which weeks are you on, I am on the first 2 weeks in May. 

Same as you!

[njkate]

4 hours ago, JennKach said:

The Spirit goes to Valdez so that's the reason I chose it. I used to live there and haven't been back since the late 70's. Nothing against the Jewel since we just got off a Panama cruise and loved the ship.  I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

I'm on fence as well on which ship, Valdez peaked my interest. Is there anything to do there?

[www3traveler]

10 minutes ago, njkate said:

I'm on fence as well on which ship, Valdez peaked my interest. Is there anything to do there?

I just looked at Norwegian's website under: Explore, Shore Excursions, there are currently several listed--probably will be more as the Season gets closer.  A couple look interesting to me.  Look and see. 

Enjoy your cruise

[njkate]

1 minute ago, www3traveler said:

I just looked at Norwegian's website under: Explore, Shore Excursions, there are currently several listed--probably will be more as the Season gets closer.  A couple look interesting to me.  Look and see. 

Enjoy your cruise

I will! I was so bummed I didn't get that 50% off coupon, my daughter is coming so told her to check her account and she has one yippee

[JennKach]

4 hours ago, njkate said:

I'm on fence as well on which ship, Valdez peaked my interest. Is there anything to do there?

The town is quite small (pop. 4000) so not much to do there, but I would recommend a boat excursion or land based that takes you a bit outside to see Bridal Veil and Horseshoe falls and do some hiking.  Fishing is very popular too.  I hear the museum is worth a visit, and it's cool to see the remains of the original town that washed away in the '64 earthquake.  You can easily walk the entire main part of town with the businesses at one end and high school/mountain at the other.  We used to see bears in our yard so you might catch sight of some in town.  It's too bad they don't allow visitors at the pipeline terminal anymore.  My husband is going to be stuck with my trip down memory lane all day lol which wouldn't be too exciting for you.

[taylortime05]

On 3/9/2023 at 7:57 PM, YVRteacher said:

It’s Vancouver Island.  Victoria is a city near the southern tip of the island and it is British Columbia’s capital city.

 

I would choose the Jewel.  In fact, I’m already booked for two weeks on the Jewel to and from Alaska in May.  The management and crew on the Jewel are unsurpassed (in my opinion.)

Hi,

 

My hubby got the certificate.  I called and this offer is combinable with the Military discount of 10%.  I can’t call the casino until tomorrow.  Do you know if this offer is combinable with the 20% from being Caesar Diamond member?   Thank you!  

[www3traveler]

20 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

Hi,

 

My hubby got the certificate.  I called and this offer is combinable with the Military discount of 10%.  I can’t call the casino until tomorrow.  Do you know if this offer is combinable with the 20% from being Caesar Diamond member?   Thank you!  

No, I do not think that it is combinable with a Casino offer.

[LloydJr]

On 3/9/2023 at 4:12 PM, jdc987 said:

Go Jewel...  Spirit has issues...

 

On 3/9/2023 at 4:42 PM, www3traveler said:

What issues?

 

On 3/10/2023 at 5:37 AM, njkate said:

Do tell what issues the Spirit has

I would like to hear this as well.  What say you @jdc987?