Spirit or Jewel for May Alaska Cruise

[taylortime05]

1 hour ago, www3traveler said:

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

I was looking at the Jewel May 1-8 northbound cruise.  Do you think this is too early in the season.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the glaciers.  

[www3traveler]

35 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

I was looking at the Jewel May 1-8 northbound cruise.  Do you think this is too early in the season.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the glaciers.  

OH WOW!!!  Might be a little chilly but it will be wonderful.  I always try to go as early in the season as possible.  Lots of snow in the mountains and pure white glaciers with just a hint of blue along the edges.

 

Enjoy

 

 

[Arrow34]

I already booked the jewel for that time frame,  gonna take a gamble that it isn't too early in the season and I hope it will be a lower capacity cruise. 

[singleflyer]

I booked the 7-day Spirit northbound July 5.  My first Alaska cruise and first NCL cruise.  

 

I have Diamond status with Caesars so called in the casino line.

 

Ended up being $1065 for one (solo traveler) in a balcony room including taxes/fees and Free at Sea gratuities.  It sounds like I'll be charged another $20/day in gratuities that I can choose to prepay or add on at the end of my trip (still trying to understand that piece).  I don't think there is any other mandatory fees; so total will be just over $1200.  

 

50% off of the price listed on the website without going through Casino.  I haven't gambled at a Caesars property in over a year (status is through status match). 

 

I didn't book any flights with NCL.  I am located in Seattle and will take the Amtrak up to Vancouver and then fly back from Anchorage on my own.

 

As I said, I am virtually brand new to cruising and hoping this is a good deal and will be a fun time.  Seems like $200 a night all in is tough to beat.  Could have gone cheaper with no balcony but figured it was worth the extra for an Alaska cruise.  I got a friend to join me, she got a solo room for under $1k (no casino offer, inside room). 

 

[casofilia]

Find out the senior officers on both using the Roll Calls and the "Where are they now" thread to request.   Depending on who they are I would almost certainly have a major preference!!!   I have travelled on both and have a preference; go with who you know.

[arpie05]

On 3/10/2023 at 11:38 AM, YVRteacher said:

Same as you!

I want to sail with you 🙂 Your writing is amazing.  I hope you journal and post again as I am on at the end of May.

[quillwercruisers]

A little off topic, but is it better to go beginning of the season or towards end of the season? Looking at end of August and heard that there won't be as many bugs...

[www3traveler]

11 minutes ago, quillwercruisers said:

A little off topic, but is it better to go beginning of the season or towards end of the season? Looking at end of August and heard that there won't be as many bugs...

For me, the beginning.  Fresh snow in the mountains that will have melted by late August.  Glacier ice-- pure white with a hint of blue.  Will have receded and all you will see at the edges will be rocks and mud.  Also early in the Season, the ships will not be as full especially before Memorial Day.  Once school systems close of the Summer, lots of families travel.

Edited April 1, 2023 by www3traveler
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[Arrow34]

9 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

For me, the beginning.  Fresh snow in the mountains that will have melted by late August.  Glacier ice-- pure white with a hint of blue.  Will have receded and all you will see at the edges will be rocks and mud.  Also early in the Season, the ships will not be as full especially before Memorial Day.  Once school systems close of the Summer, lots of families travel.

Your reasoning is exactly why I am going early may. It will still be warmer than my home town is now. Hoping ship will be less crowded.

[gwsster]

I booked the Spirit for the Port of Valdez.  The thing I am most disappointed in is the Thermal Spa.  No spa's.  It looks like a giant room of cement loungers.  There are sauna's but I would like a small therapy spa or pool.  They missed the target on this refurb. I have been on the Jewel, nice ship but this is our 5th trip to Alaska and we need a relaxing vacation.

[Let Me Travel!]

I’ve sailed on the Jewel twice…once in Australia & New Zealand and once in Alaska…Alaska was more comfortable because they had upgraded the interiors (though I did miss the fish on the hallway carpet)…I’m taking Spirit in May (last of May through t first week of June)…I’m looking forward to the new sleek design of the ship…also, I like it that there will likely be fewer children because there are no kiddo facilities. I really like the size of these ships…I don’t like to be “herded.”  
 

Does anyone know how the entertainment is on the Spirit?
 

 

[jbcallender]

We were on a 12-day on Spirit in November and enjoyed it.  The ship was in great shape after the refurb and the crew was excellent.  Entertainment was excellent.  Slightly smaller than Jewel, but Alaska cruise in not really about onboard activities, it's about the ports and scenery.  Thermal Spa features are very limited and no Solarium Pool.

[JennKach]

Another benefit to the early season is less cost on the land portion too.  We are sailing the Spirit in early May and our pre-trip hotel in Anchorage is way cheaper than even one week later in the month, and 1/3 the price of summer.  Rental cars are plentiful and the price keeps going down.  I got a couple BOGO tours which saved us hundreds.  Also the dog sled tours on actual snow (that you drive to, not fly) are still running if that's a must do, and at a considerable savings over ship tours. We are doing all the activities on a 6 day land based portion and then relaxing on the ship.  There are less bugs in the colder weather.  On the flip side, if you planned to stay at the Mt. Alyeska Resort and have a romantic dinner on the mountain, the tram is closed for May so I scrapped that portion of the trip. Also many land tours in general are not running yet, and the Alaska Railroad isn't running every train route.