Live from the NCL Jewel May 1-15, 2023 (caution: may contain grumpiness and sarcasm.)

[sherrihall128]

13 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

@cruiseny4life
Of course Omar remembered you! He said hi and thank you and that is so sweet of you!!

 

In the Where Are They Now Thread someone posted a while ago that why does it matter who the crew are since they don’t remember the passengers.  Well, we were walking along the oceanfront pathway in Juneau yesterday and our wonderful waiter from Cagney’s in December came running up to say hi.  We hadn’t seen her on this cruise because she is in the Palace this week.  A couple days ago we were in the ship corridor and a room steward stopped us to say he was our steward in 2019 and he remembered which cabin we were in.  Crew remember passengers!

 

I had asked Omar to price the Bliss for Christmas, knowing the Bliss doesn’t have the non-Haven two bedroom suites.  He found a two bedroom Haven suite.  Cost for one week in Canadian dollars? $27000😲😲😲 (we did not book this!)

 

So, I may have wrapped Omar’s birthday present in Cruise Next itineraries…

 

 

Do you know which ships have the non Haven 2 bedroom suites?

[natefish95]

I saw you liked the Broadway Cabaret. Is the really amazing male singer still there? I think during Velvet he did a toned down, "coffee shop" version of Stayin' Alive that was incredible! 

 

Also, Benedict was another amazing bartender I had last month! He was at Maltings every night with Evangeline. 

 

Is your dad a big Elvis fan? I'm seeing family in Memphis right now actually. 

[YVRteacher]

Day 5

 

So I ran out of internet minutes on Friday.  I was trying to post and the system froze so the last 30 minutes drained away like a slot player’s money in the casino.  I did get those last 36 minutes restored so we are running on internet fumes until tomorrow.  All I have used the Free at Sea minutes  for is these posts so that shows just how slow the internet is now.  300 minutes for 20ish posts on board.  Not complaining. Just stating.

 

Friday was Skagway

 

I woke up at 6:00am and couldn’t go back to sleep.  This means we not only had a slow breakfast (which I love) we also made it to morning trivia. The guy running the trivia had just come off the Breakaway and he still had some Breakaway-specific questions.  We did not know that the first Miss World was from Sweden, nor did we know what the ROM means in CD Rom.  We did not win.  I had fun.  Dad spent the whole time insulting the questions.

 

We arrived earlier than scheduled in Skagway and we have the good dock today, not the Railway dock next to the rock slide.  

The Sapphire Princess drew the short straw!

 

We hadn’t booked a shore excursion because we wanted to see if it was raining or not; it is not raining and the sun is slowing peeking through the low clouds.  On the dock we asked the NCL shore-ex manager (who was out selling shore excursions) about the train.  She just said “everything is full” in a snippy voice and walked away.  A private tour guide heard her and called us over and said how rude that was.  We agreed and were kind of dumbstruck. Anyhow, we walked to the White Pass and Yukon Railway station, bought two tickets for the 12:00 ride and thanked the person at the ticket window for being so friendly.

 

Skagway is meant for meandering.  There are three ships in port and many stores have closed down so the shops that were open were crowded. Guess how many jewellery stores I went into?

 

Zero.

 

Guess how many people I heard complaining about the crowds?

 

Lots!

 

One person complained that the sidewalk was made of wood and that people were being forced to walk on a wooden sidewalk. Even my dad wouldn’t complain about that!

 

The whistling wind is wildly whipping and my dad got whacked in the face by the long blond hair of a tourist.  That gave him a good 15 minutes of complaint fodder.

 

@libtrek this one is for you!

 

 

I’ll write a separate “on the train” post but here’s a few notes from today’s ride.  Instead of letting people spread out amongst the 14 train cars, we are crammed into two cars like cruise ship passengers in an in-person muster drill.  There’s a baby in our train car who is so loud I can’t hear the narration.  Before the baby started squawking I did hear that the WPYR has 86 train cars with an average age of 44 years and 13 engines.  Next time I do the train I’d like the Virgin experience: no babies.

 

We chug chug up the mountain and eventually reach a 3.9 grade which is the steepest a train can handle without a cog system.  The scenery changes rapidly, like a Drag Queen putting on the show of her life.  

 

At 1:30pm (still on the train) my dad asked if I wanted to have lunch in Juneau or go back to the ship.  I thought about it for a moment then told him I didn’t feel like swimming to Juneau so lunch on the ship would be preferred.  I got called a smart a$$ for that one!

 

Advice for taking the White Pass and Yukon Railroad:

1. Do it!
2. Dress in layers: that wood stove cranks out heat the way the pizza chef turns out pizza on a Spring Break cruise.
3. Choose a train car that is baby-free
4. Bring snacks
5. If the cruise ship sells out, buy your ticket in town. For this excursion NCL charged $189pp and we paid $150pp. With the $50 excursion credit and the Diamond Latitudes discount it would have been nominally cheaper for us to book through NCL.  
6. Bring sunglasses
7. There is a new, limited edition baseball cap this year with the 125 year commemorative logo. It is $10.  I look horrible in baseball caps and my dad wears a Tilley hat so no baseball caps for us.
8. I couldn’t quite hear, but at one point I think they tried to sell a combo deal with a hat, a DVD and a bear.
9. Bottles of water are provided.
10. Read the thesaurus and gather all the words for “wow.” You will need them. 
11. Go out on the platform when approaching tunnels. #worthit 
12. Make friends with the family behind you. They might show you their photos from Juneau yesterday atop a glacier via helicopter where the man proposed to his now-fiancée. He may also send you his spectacular video footage from his much better tech equipment than your iPhone 10XS.  You might also gain a new What’s App friend.
13. If your dad says he wants to do the train ride and you don’t really feel like it because you would rather be hiking, put that aside, climb on board and be prepared for the wonder of a lifetime
14. If you get carsick or seasick you will also get trainsick. I can’t even go on a swing as I have such bad motion sickness so was prepared and medicated.
15. Put your phone/camera away for a while and take in the views on this, the train that is voted the most scenic in the world.  I do not know who votes in the scenic train survey.
16. The quality of boarding experience is way, way better when you purchase through the ship than if you purchase directly through the WPYR.
17. There is a bathroom in each train car
18. Wave to the passengers, conductors and engineers on the passing trains.  I practiced my wave for the coronation tomorrow.  The footman has yet to deliver my invitation to Buckingham Palace but I’m sure it will arrive post-haste.

 

If you don’t like peopling, the train may not be for you.  I need a whiskey.  I’m kidding.  It wasn’t that bad.  The baby eventually got some Goldfish Crackers so that helped with the high-pitched noises.

[YVRteacher]

Train

 

Our train was scheduled for 12:00pm.  At 11:45 we were herded into a waiting shack and some railway workers came by.  

 

Someone asked what they were doing and they said they were x-raying the tracks.  They have the technology to see inside the railway tracks yet, as Kristin Key notes,  to get a mammogram I need to be squished like a human panini??!!

 

I can’t bump the song Scenes From An Italian Restaurant out of my mind so this post is called “Scenes from an Alaskan Train Ride.”  There are no bottles of red or bottles of white involved.

 

Beginning of the train ride

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by YVRteacher

[libtrek]

Thanks for the shout out! I have never met a library I didn’t love. We are doing this from NCL. I was uncertain about booking it, but glad we did. Been to Skagway before but took the trip with Dyea Dave and his top hat. RIP. My DH loves baseball hats so we will be getting the special. I have a quick question for you. In Vancouver for the night before we leave June 12. I booked the Atrium. Some have said it’s by skid row, etc. we will taxi there from bus station (took cheaper flight to Seattle) and will take hotel shuttle to pier. Are we ok, or should I try to cancel? I trust a fellow Librarian, after all we know everything, or so says my DH when he’s cranky. Mary Lou PS the hair switch would have resulted in a hard hair pull from my crank.

[ChiefMateJRK]

17 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

 Dad spent the whole time insulting the questions.

🤣Now I REALLY look forward to meeting your dear Father.  If we sat next to each other, it would likely make us both look better!  (yeah, the math is a bit tricky on that one, just go with it....)😎🐀

[YVRteacher]

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by YVRteacher

[ChiefMateJRK]

21 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

At 1:30pm (still on the train) my dad asked if I wanted to have lunch in Juneau or go back to the ship.  I thought about it for a moment then told him I didn’t feel like swimming to Juneau so lunch on the ship would be preferred.  I got called a smart a$$ for that one!

Bonus points!!  That's the way we do it!😎

[ChiefMateJRK]

Thanks for the great railway posts!  Years before @ChiefMateJRKwas a cruise fan, he was (and is) a railfan (that stuff doesn't go away).  We've done numerous long distance Amtrak trips but, unfortunately, I just don't fit into or get along with the sleeping accommodations anymore.  The only trip I've been on that would rival the White Pass and Yukon is the Durango and Silverton.  Both narrow gauge.  Unlike the White Pass and Yukon, the Durango and Silverton still uses and maintains original narrow gauge steam engines.  The behind the scenes tour of that maintenance facility would easily exceed the NCL behind the scenes tours for anybody but the most non-mechanical among us.  All that irrelevant stuff aside, the scenery on the White Pass and Yukon is fantastic at all times of the year.  We skipped it two weeks ago because the route was truncated due to snow and we plan to do it again next summer.  Did you go all the way to White Pass?

[reporterbabe]

Following! We're on the Jewel for the June 12 sailing -- my birthday!

[libtrek]

1 hour ago, reporterbabe said:

Following! We're on the Jewel for the June 12 sailing -- my birthday!

 

1 hour ago, reporterbabe said:

Following! We're on the Jewel for the June 12 sailing -- my birthday!

Us too. Maybe we’ll have a chance for a toast. I will be having a landmark bday just before we go.

[ceilidh1]

8 hours ago, libtrek said:

Thanks for the shout out! I have never met a library I didn’t love. We are doing this from NCL. I was uncertain about booking it, but glad we did. Been to Skagway before but took the trip with Dyea Dave and his top hat. RIP. My DH loves baseball hats so we will be getting the special. I have a quick question for you. In Vancouver for the night before we leave June 12. I booked the Atrium. Some have said it’s by skid row, etc. we will taxi there from bus station (took cheaper flight to Seattle) and will take hotel shuttle to pier. Are we ok, or should I try to cancel? I trust a fellow Librarian, after all we know everything, or so says my DH when he’s cranky. Mary Lou PS the hair switch would have resulted in a hard hair pull from my crank.

I'm not the OP, but I do live in Vancouver! The Atrium isn't what I would consider in skid row - it's on the Eastside of Vancouver, but that shouldn't be confused with the Downtown Eastside (which I would advise against 100%). The Atrium is near the PNE, not an unsafe area but also not a lot going on. You aren't within walking distance of anything in the city, so just bear that in mind. It's am easy bus ride, but through the not very pleasant part of town - I take this bus regularly so desensitized to it now, but likely not the most pleasant experience for a visitor. If you are simply coming in for a one night, pre-cruise stay and don't plan on doing anything other than eating and sleeping, your hotel will be fine.

[cruiseny4life]

Oh, what a wonderful experience! The photos of the train, and experience, are lovely. Like @ChiefMateJRK, I'm a train nerd - just haven't gone on anywhere near the amount of train trips I'd like. And, like you, I'd be needing earplugs for that baby screech. But, I'd love the heck out of such a wonderful ride to the top of the world! I'm assuming White Pass is a pass where you can see the earth stretched beneath you on each side, with some craggy mountains going up. Maybe I'm wrong. Hopefully I see for myself one day!

 

Also, thanks for wishing Omar a happy birthday from us. I certainly appreciate you! Dad stories, photos, and cruise experience, all! 

[justhappy]

17 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Thanks for the great railway posts!  Years before @ChiefMateJRKwas a cruise fan, he was (and is) a railfan (that stuff doesn't go away).  We've done numerous long distance Amtrak trips but, unfortunately, I just don't fit into or get along with the sleeping accommodations anymore.  The only trip I've been on that would rival the White Pass and Yukon is the Durango and Silverton.  Both narrow gauge.  Unlike the White Pass and Yukon, the Durango and Silverton still uses and maintains original narrow gauge steam engines.  The behind the scenes tour of that maintenance facility would easily exceed the NCL behind the scenes tours for anybody but the most non-mechanical among us.  All that irrelevant stuff aside, the scenery on the White Pass and Yukon is fantastic at all times of the year.  We skipped it two weeks ago because the route was truncated due to snow and we plan to do it again next summer.  Did you go all the way to White Pass?

I have yet to do the White Pass, that’s in August weather and RockSlide willing, but I’ll have to agree with you, I don’t think anything can rival the Durango and Silverton route.

 I did read an article a while back that when a train route from Silverton to Animas City built by Otto Mears closed in the 1930s, parts of the train were sent to the White Pass RR. I’d love to find out if that’s true.

Edited May 8, 2023 by justhappy

[senorita frog]

Really enjoying your review!  My husband and I, plus his mom & aunt (both in their 80's) will be on the June 12th Land & Sea tour.  Celebrating his retirement from teaching.  First cruise for them, first time in Alaska for me.  

We had not booked anything in Skagway so far.  But we do end up on a train later in the trip during the land portion trip into Denali.  With your past Alaska experience, would you still recommend doing the train excursion in Skagway or would that feel redundant when we end up on a train a few days later?  If not the train, is there something else you would recommend for that day?  The ladies are pretty spry for 83 & 85 but still need something that isn't a lot of walking.

[senorita frog]

Also, can you give me the schedule/time of the main shows?  This is my first time cruising where we had to book reservations for our entertainment.  Guessing this part may be kind of difficult with our mom & aunt who like an earlier bedtime.

[vacation44]

27 minutes ago, senorita frog said:

Also, can you give me the schedule/time of the main shows?  This is my first time cruising where we had to book reservations for our entertainment.  Guessing this part may be kind of difficult with our mom & aunt who like an earlier bedtime.

She is going to post the dailies when she returns.   I am looking forward to the Southbound ones.

[quillwercruisers]

@YVRteacher have you met up with Victor in Moderno's for breakfast or Cagney's? If you see him tell him Mike & Kim said hi. He will be going home for a few months on the 22nd. Then is supposed to go to the Breakaway when he returns. He was a fantastic waiter!

[carohs]

19 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Read the thesaurus and gather all the words for “wow.” You will need them. 

Sounds like the views were just amazing, wonderful, fantastic, etc... I must look into this if we get the opportunity.

[www3traveler]

1 hour ago, senorita frog said:

Also, can you give me the schedule/time of the main shows?  This is my first time cruising where we had to book reservations for our entertainment.  Guessing this part may be kind of difficult with our mom & aunt who like an earlier bedtime.

Shows in the theatre on The Jewel are either 7:00 P.M., 7:30 P.m, 9:00 or 9:30 P.M. Your Freestyle Daily will give you exact information each day.  On The Jewel reservations are not reqired for the theatre.  Doors open 30 minutes prior to the showtime.  Just go in and find a seat.

 

Enjoy

[senorita frog]

NCL customer service said we needed to make reservations for our meals in the main dining room and for the shows. That's a first for me.  Just tryng to figure out how to arrange the meals when I don't have the date/time for the shows yet.

[www3traveler]

3 minutes ago, senorita frog said:

NCL customer service said we needed to make reservations for our meals in the main dining room and for the shows. That's a first for me.  Just tryng to figure out how to arrange the meals when I don't have the date/time for the shows yet.

On the larger newer ships (Getaway, Escape, Bliss, Encore etc), yes reservations are recommended for dinners and shows but not on  the smaller ships like The Jewel.  Dinner reservations for the Speciality Dining Rooms are required.  Dining reservations are very easily changed at NO charge.  Do not worry about it.

[suprmom28]

15 hours ago, reporterbabe said:

Following! We're on the Jewel for the June 12 sailing -- my birthday!

We are on the June 12th cruise also. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

[MamaToMany]

5 hours ago, justhappy said:

I have yet to do the White Pass, that’s in August weather and RockSlide willing, but I’ll have to agree with you, I don’t think anything can rival the Durango and Silverton route.

 I did read an article a while back that when a train route from Silverton to Animas City built by Otto Mears closed in the 1930s, parts of the train were sent to the White Pass RR. I’d love to find out if that’s true.

This is a helpful response! I live in Durango and have ridden the D&SNGRR many times. I’ll be on the May 11th Alaska cruise on Sun and just couldn’t decide whether I wanted/needed to experience this train too. Good food for thought! And yes, it’s really hard to beat the Durango -Silverton route. Phenomenal.

[justhappy]

23 minutes ago, MamaToMany said:

This is a helpful response! I live in Durango and have ridden the D&SNGRR many times. I’ll be on the May 11th Alaska cruise on Sun and just couldn’t decide whether I wanted/needed to experience this train too. Good food for thought! And yes, it’s really hard to beat the Durango -Silverton route. Phenomenal.

I’ll have to say I find Skagway very charming and mostly because it reminds me of Silverton, without the water of course!

 We purchased the train excursion last year but due to the rock slide the ship visited a different port.

 With my dad in 2015 we did a bus tour up to the Canadian border and it was beautiful but a train ride just hits different!

I’ve ridden the D&SNG 4 times over the last 35 years. The San Juan mountains are my favorite area of Colorado. We’ll be back in June camping at Vallecito Lake!