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

[YVRteacher]

@NikiPinkston
I think we are in a couple of ports on the same day!

Edited April 12, 2023 by YVRteacher

[NikiPinkston]

That would be so cool if we bumped into one another! 🙂

[Mommu98]

This will be our 4th cruise but 1st NCL Alaskan Cruise. May 8th-15th southbound. This is MY bucketlist cruise and 25th wedding Anniversary. I booked it mid July 2020, little did we know…..looking forward to “bumping”into you! See you in a few weeks! 

[AKR2011]

I'm looking forward to following al9ng. You'll have to share how that book is. It looks like it's up my alley!  ❤️⚓️

[YVRteacher]

Hi @AKR2011 have you read this book?  I really enjoyed it, especially when the author documented the family’s fights and squabbles.

 

[AKR2011]

15 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Hi @AKR2011 have you read this book?  I really enjoyed it, especially when the author documented the family’s fights and squabbles.

 

That looks great too. Adding it to my list!

[Sand and Seas]

Love your reviews😊.  Your dad reminds me of my dad. I miss him and his grumpiness.  Hope you have a wonderful trip 🚢

[YVRteacher]

Thank you!  I’m super excited!  

[YVRteacher]

Does anyone else love the Fish Creek Company in Ketchikan? It is one of the first stores you come to on Creek Street.  They carry art by Sue Coccia and she is one of my favourite artists.  We first discovered her work on a southbound Alaskan cruise.  My dad is an avid jigsaw puzzle guy and always has a puzzle on the go.  He rarely buys anything for himself so I knew how much he liked the Sue Coccia wooden jigsaw puzzles when he selected this frog puzzle for himself on that first Alaskan cruise.

This is the back of the puzzle. There are special pieces in a variety of objects in each puzzle. 

When we cruised Alaska the second time I bought him these puzzles 

Now the Fish Creek Company doesn’t carry the wooden jigsaw puzzles (I sent them a DM via Instagram to tell them how much we love their store and to ask about the puzzles) but they do have art prints.  I have the octopus and I gave my dad the turtle when he moved into his senior’s residence.

 

For his upcoming birthday on the cruise this year I just ordered these four puzzles online from Liberty Puzzles.

 I will save one for Father’s Day and one for Christmas.  They stopped making Sue Coccia puzzles for a while so I’m thrilled they are now back in stock. What else does one buy for an 80 year old guy??? Fudge?

[YVRteacher]

There is a hidden ladybug 🐞 in each of Sue Coccia’s creations.

[Happycrafter123]

Yay!  I’m excited to read your posts on this trip—your last live reports were humourous and entertaining, and we have an Alaska trip on the Sun booked for July so I will look forward to hear a bit more about the ports (was there a live report that you did on that one?)

 

also a west coaster, in the lower mainland, so nice to read the perspective of someone from home.

 

wishing you a wonderful trip ahead!

[YVRteacher]

Hi @Happycrafter123 Nice to meet you!  
I’ve been on the Sun twice, once southbound from Seward to Vancouver and the other time was in the Baltic.  Both were great cruises. For years I cruised without knowing about Cruise Critic so didn’t start writing live reviews until last year.

The itineraries on the Sun this year from Seattle are excellent.

[YVRteacher]

Are you from Vancouver?

[YVRteacher]

Here is a live report for Alaskan ports

 

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

7 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Here is a live report for Alaskan ports

 

 

 

Thanks for this!  Yes, near Vancouver but planning the itinerary on the Sun from Seattle as the circle loop seemed easier.  Will check out this prior report, and will pepper you with questions on some of the excursions!  We are like you and not big on bus rides so mainly picked water/boat options.  
also will want to know about the many many layers of clothing we expect are needed!  This will not be a carry on only trip I’m thinking.  Please share your packing tips.

[YVRteacher]

I do carry on only for all travel, including Alaska cruises.

[YVRteacher]

Alaska will be similar temps (just a few degrees cooler) to Vancouver in the summer.  I got a sunburn last year in May.

 

I also did the Encore out of Seattle on two different weeks (not a back to back) in July and August/September 2022.  

[YVRteacher]

For packing tips:

-I use the Briggs and Riley compression carry on and the travel bag that goes over the handle 

-packing cubes help.  I love the Eagle Creek ones from MEC.  Smaller cubes are better than larger cubes.

-when I do a hotel stay ahead of a cruise I pack everything for the hotel in one packing cube that goes in the travel bag so I don’t need to open my suitcase until I’m on board the ship 

-wear your heavy shoes (running shoes/hiking boots or Blundstones) on the plane and carry your winter jacket on your arm

-you’ll only need one sweater or fleece

-I usually don’t pack jeans and instead wear Lululemon Align leggings with dressy tunics and sleeveless tops.  Leggings have so much more give and leave room for all those almond croissants and soft serve ice creams.

-MEC has great travel size containers

-there will be a $29 laundry special midweek

-people dress casually on Alaskan cruises

-pack a toque, scarf and gloves for the glacier viewing days and any outdoor adventures

-if you do the White Pass and Yukon Railroad dress in a sleeveless top or tshirt with a layer on top.  They have heaters in every train car and it is sweltering.

-make sure you have a waterproof jacket or raincoat.  I always carry those dollar store raincoats in my purse for both my dad and I.

-I always bring 4 pairs of shoes on cruises: Blundstones or running shoes, dressy sandals with no heels, walking sandals (Reese by Dansko-I have three pairs!) and flip flops for the pool and spa, That’s it!

-bring a water bottle and a travel hot drink mug if you like hot drinks

-this is the bag with all my clothes for two weeks on the Bliss

 

[Rusty Shacklefjord]

On 4/13/2023 at 10:00 PM, YVRteacher said:

I do carry on only for all travel, including Alaska cruises.

 
Does the Jewel have a bag check or do you keep everything with you until the rooms are open? Please note that I am another person who was influenced to book the Jewel due to your reviews and your photos of crepes at Christmastime. 
 

I’d also love to hear your strategies for vegetarians. I think you mentioned this in another thread. 

[Arrow34]

See ya at Maltings, we will be on the northbound leg to Seward.

[ceilidh1]

I'm here for the ride (or cruise)...

 

If turnaround day is in Whittier, I highly recommend the 26 glaciers cruise. It's one of the best we have ever done!

 

If I can be any help on the 1st (bag storage, dad storage) I'm at Hastings/Bute - you are welcome to my place. We will be at work, but I can leave you a key. Just let me know!

[ceilidh1]

On 4/10/2023 at 6:28 PM, YVRteacher said:

 He was born in a bomb shelter in Bristol during WWII and he likes beer, cruising and drinking beer on a cruise. 

Bristol in the UK? I was born and raised right across the bridge in Wales! He sounds like my spirit animal...I, too, like those three things. Lol

[YVRteacher]

@ceilidh1

“Dad storage” is now my favourite phrase!!!!

[YVRteacher]

Yes, Bristol in the UK.  Once we’ve met for drinks let’s do a get together with dad-he will love talking with you.  Or better yet, let’s book a cruise together!

[YVRteacher]

I’ve never been to Whittier as NCL ports in Seward for the southbound cruise. I have a friend who cruises on Princess and their turn around days are in Whittier.  She loves the town and the port! Apparently everyone in Whittier lives in the same building.  Do you like to read? There’s a novel set in Whittier.

 

That 26 glacier cruise sounds phenomenal!  It’s now on my bucket list.