Live from the NCL Spirit B2B July 5-19, 2023 (more sarcasm and grumpiness!)

[Hogladyrider]

@YVRteacher....loving this review and looking forward to your next portion as well.

 

So glad you get to spend this time with your dad and you seem VERY patient with him.  It is a blessing you get this time with him.  We lost my dad 16 years ago to dementia, so I realize you have your hands full at times.

 

Beautiful pics hope the weather continues in your favor and those "germs" from the cabin next door stay there!

[bluesea777]

12 hours ago, libtrek said:

I am thinking Jewel B2B next June. I know you do NSN since you live in Vancouver. Considering I have my own grouchy, forgetting kind of guy, what’s your thinking on which way for us??? Mary

 

Well, we did SN on the Spirit in May/June. We arrived in Anchorage at noon 3 days before the cruise. Did a 30 mins sightseeing tour on the floatplane in the afternoon, took the early morning train (in the GoldStar dome) the following day and toured Seward and visited the Sea Life. The next day we went on Major Marine's 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise (saw wild life, went to 2 glaciers, sailed over ice, had a drink with ice from iceberg!), and then the next day's the embarkation day! We had a very enjoyable and fantastic 3 days pre-cruise and were so happy that we switched from NS to SN.

 

We were going to do NS, but had trouble getting flights to Vancouver from Bermuda when AC operates 3 times a week to Bermuda, found hotels extremely expensive, got overwhelmed with the number (like a thousand or so) of AirBnBs, plus the fact we'd been to Vancouver before and it's a been there done that (sorry Yvonne). So I researched Anchorage/Seward and found it better for us, so we switched the first Van-Seward leg to Seward-Van leg.

 

In Vancouver during the turnaround we opted to stay on the ship but had to leave the ship to go thru the US Border pre-clearance with our passports in the terminal. Took just 20 minutes (most was spent walking along the length of the terminal several times!).

 

We ourselves were able to find and book reasonably priced flights between Bermuda & Anchorage with just 2 layovers each way.

 

Seeing that you're in Michigan ... thought it might interest you that we overnighted in a Chicago O'Hare airport hotel on way out and caught the Alaska Air non-stop flight from O'Hare to Anchorage the next morning! We were faced with choice of overnighting in either Seattle or Chicago, and the latter won in hotel prices and flights from Bermuda.

 

Sorry Yvonne to be off topic ... 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2023 by bluesea777

[bluesea777]

Dear Yvonne, I am immensely enjoying reading your thread, very informative, and your writing style is so good! You are so good with your Dad and I'm so glad he is also enjoying himself on the Spirit!

 

As you enter the second week on the Spirit I hope you'd consider trying out the Taste dining room, if you haven't been there. I don't know if you like lentil but the rosemary lentil as one of the vegetable side dishes in Onda is delicious - I don't particularly like lentils but this dish was so good.

 

You might want to consider trying out Henry's Pub again one evening - not for the trivia, but after dinner and/or show when the pub isn't crowded/busy. Maybe during the 2nd show when the pub has emptied out. Since your Dad likes beer, you might ask Froilan to make him a mini beer for fun. The Pub has varieties of beer, whiskies and brandies. This pub remained untouched (except for floor and fresh paint) during Miss Spirit's dry-dock/refit.

 

ENJOY the second week on Miss Spirit!

 

P.S. some warning .... I think you already know this, but the Star is going to be a bit of a downgrade to the Spirit, but you'll enjoy the cruises regardless. The ports you're going to be visiting will be spectacular! The Garden Cafe on Star is different to the Spirit and Jewel - you queue up, you cannot walk up to the stations.

 

 

[YVRteacher]

20 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

I'm so glad to hear you are having a wonderful cruise!  Was that Cheryyl (I might have the spelling wrong but I don't think it was Cheryl) or was it Jane? Cheryyl went all the way to Henry's Pub to get me a Matador.  In either case, they were wonderful. Do you know who will be replacing Valentyna? 

We also loved Onda. Have you had a chance to go to Taste for dinner?

Sorry about your Cagney's experience earlier in the week for dinner.  I'm hoping you can get closer to Hubbard tomorrow.

 

 

We haven’t been to Taste. We have 4 specialty meals each week. We have had one lunch and one dinner in Windows. So beautiful in there!

 

We are one hour away from Hubbard and the skies have cleared.  Looking positive!

[YVRteacher]

6 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

@YVRteacher....loving this review and looking forward to your next portion as well.

 

So glad you get to spend this time with your dad and you seem VERY patient with him.  It is a blessing you get this time with him.  We lost my dad 16 years ago to dementia, so I realize you have your hands full at times.

 

Beautiful pics hope the weather continues in your favor and those "germs" from the cabin next door stay there!

Thank you!  No signs of germs!

[YVRteacher]

@bluesea777 we love the physical venue of Henry’s Pub but the acoustics make things feel loud and overwhelming for dad. 
Yes, the lentils in Onda are good. I always check to see if they were made with chicken stock or not.

 

We have sailed on the NCL Star before and I said I would not sail on her again. The ports are amazing and I’m not going for the shipboard experience so my expectations are realistic. I will be doing a live so will have plenty to share.

[www3traveler]

5 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

We haven’t been to Taste. We have 4 specialty meals each week. We have had one lunch and one dinner in Windows. So beautiful in there!

 

We are one hour away from Hubbard and the skies have cleared.  Looking positive!

I have been checking the webcam the last couple of hours.  Looks like you might make it this time.

BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

[YVRteacher]

Seward part 2

There was no line at Guest Services so when I stopped by to replenish the seasick pills for this week and saw the sign saying the ship was full and stateroom changes would not be possible I asked how many passengers were on board. The response?

Less than last week.

Then I asked how many kids are on board.

Guest services guy said less than last week.

I asked how many.

 He looked at me.  I looked at him.  In a moment of sheer brilliance he asked, “would you like me to find out?”

 

Why yes, that’s why I asked. He clearly does not share my love of precision because he went behind closed doors only to come back to say, “less than 50.”

 

This was a big crew changeover day.  Jerry finished his contract and is now on vacation, as are several cruise staff and Valentyna.  We saw crew members signing off and they were given big hugs by Vuk, the GM.  Such a feeling of care and good spirits on this ship.  There were 5 luggage cages on the pier for new crew boarding.

The new cruise director is Jeimy. 

She is fabulous! I’m writing this on week two day 2 and she sure takes time to get to know passengers and connect.  Her story is a special one:

prior to her dream job of cruise director, Jeimy was a news reporter in Colombia. The stress of researching and reporting so much bad news took a toll on her body and she woke up one day unable to move. Her doctor told her she had to make significant life changes or she wouldn’t live to 50.  As she started to recover she made a list of the steps she would need to take to become a cruise director. Her parents gave her the gift of a cruise for her college graduation and she knew she wanted to return to the ships at sea.  She moved up within NCL rapidly and at the time of her first cruise director contract was the youngest in the fleet.  When she is not at sea she lives in Italy. Her last contract was on the Star and she is going to spend some time with me giving some port recommendation for Iceland.  So is Monica (concierge) as she was just transferred from the Star to the Spirit last week (she boarded with us in Vancouver and was fighting jet lag all last week. It would be hard for me to work through jet lag so I fully empathize with her.)

 

The new pianist/amazing singer in Magnums is Anfisa.  She is from Greece and we already love her. She is a sultry singer.

 

There was space for us in Henry’s Pub so we did Pub trivia.  Neither of us are good with geography so we always fall short in that category. We had some lucky guesses and tied for the win with 11/15.  Ruston is in Henry’s this week and he looked at us and said, “I know you!”  I told him we were on last week and he burst out laughing.  I could tell he was trying to figure out where he knew us from! Froilan makes an excellent Matador, FYI.

 

Doing some deck laps

this afternoon (what, like we didn’t walk enough today in Seward?) we were wondering how the longshore workers were going to lift the ropes.

  I wanted to be outside for sailaway so was out on deck to see someone being taken off the Spirit on a stretcher.  The ambulance and fire truck were at the pier and the passenger’s luggage was placed in the ambulance with them. I did take a photo but decided posting it wasn’t right. Sending healing and health to this passenger who had a rough, probably scary, evening.

 

This is how the ropes are removed from the pilings. Alaskan pilots are versatile!

Comedian Vince Acevedo is onboard for another week and we both laughed a little in the show.  Very small audience.  Same jokes as in December on the Jewel. He could be funnier if he tried harder. This show was PG and every time we see this comedian there are warnings that if you are easily offended you can go get milk and cookies from the Garden Cafe instead of partaking in the comedy show.

 

Another big casino win tonight, worthy of the opening of the safe and placing of the bills in the safe!

How much, you ask?

$46.09!

 

When my dad opened the safe he looked inside and saw his box of truffles from the Alaskan Fudge Company, purchased last week in Juneau.

 

“What’s this?” he asked with significant puzzlement.

Me: “truffles.”

Dad: “ Did you win those at the casino?”

Me: “yes.”

Dad: “lucky you!”

 

Evening balcony photo.

Drink Tally

Dad

3 Coors Light

1 Bahama Mama

1 double bargain brand Irish Cream/pretend Bailey’s

 

Yvonne

I think I drank too much today!

1 Painkiller

1 Bahama Mama

1 Matador

2 Bellinis

1/2 Mai Tai ( long story)

Let’s just say there is now a bottle of Peach Bellini with my name on it at Magnums.

[www3traveler]

14 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

@bluesea777 we love the physical venue of Henry’s Pub but the acoustics make things feel loud and overwhelming for dad. 
Yes, the lentils in Onda are good. I always check to see if they were made with chicken stock or not.

 

We have sailed on the NCL Star before and I said I would not sail on her again. The ports are amazing and I’m not going for the shipboard experience so my expectations are realistic. I will be doing a live so will have plenty to share.

Can not wait to hear about your Star adventure.

 

Other than a new CD, were there any changes to Senior Hotel Management or Bridge staff?

 

Other than a little memory loss, how is Dad doing?

 

Don't forget that the Northern Lisghts are susposed to be visible between 10 P.M. and 2 A.M. tonight.

Edited July 13, 2023 by www3traveler
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[www3traveler]

Did you  make it all the way into Hubbard?  By the webcam, I could not tell.

[Seas2mountains]

That's great to hear you got a Matador made by Froilan! He does make the best Matador's and other drinks!  I do agree with you about the acoustics in Henry's Pub as it was frustrating to try to hear the musicians play when people were yelling or speaking so loud in that venue.

 

Wow on all the crew turnover to include Jerry being replaced with Jeimy.  Do you know how long Jeimy will be on the Spirit? We are still hoping my husband can get time off from work for the Sept. 15-27 Honolulu to Papeete so we hope some of the crew will still be on the ship in two months. 

 

The Spirit Bridge camera does not look good right now.  Was there "too much ice" again?

 

Did I miss your update about the Dinner with the Officers or did that not happen as planned?

 

How sweet on the Peach Bellini with your name on it in Magnums! Was that Jane or Cherryl?  I think she had two R's in her name and not two Y's. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed listening to Valentyna and are now liking Anfisa's music.

That is too funny about Dad finding his truffles in the safe. Yes, sometimes you just have to go with his answer. 🤣

Edited July 13, 2023 by Seas2mountains

[Epic_Bear]

Jeimy had the most amazing dresses when we cruised with her in January!  I usually don’t pay much attention to the cruise director but she was great!

[YVRteacher]

[YVRteacher]

There were likely some weary travellers who had long flights/drives/train rides yesterday so the ship was quite quiet this morning. We scored 18/20 for Tri Bond and the winner earned 19.  The Spirit doesn’t do activity card signatures.

 

Last week we missed the How to Run a Floating Hotel session because we were on the Behind the Scenes tour so we were able to attend today’s session.

A passenger asked the officers what was most challenging and what was most rewarding.

 

Vuk (GM) said the greatest challenge was arriving back to port late on turnaround day on a big ship and having to change 2000 flights for guests.

 

Orlando (Executive Housekeeper) agreed that turnaround days are the most challenging but he also added they are so experienced they are prepared for challenges and know what to do. 

 

 

Hasan (F and B Director) said that 7 day itineraries are easy but when they do long cruises in Hawaii, Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora they need to always have two cruises worth of food on board since it can be difficult getting provisions.  He said eggs can be the biggest challenge on a long cruise. Hasan also told us that specialized positions such as the Teppanyaki chefs and sushi chefs always need to have trained back up and they are always looking for chefs who are willing to do the extra training for these positions. 

 

Jeimy (Cruise Director) added that one of the greatest challenges is missing family and being apart from loved ones. She also explained that crew become like family while on board.

 

There are currently 912 crew members on board the NCL Spirit.

 

The officers were asked which ports are their favourites:

 

Hasan=Venice

 

Orlando= loves them all, especially loves Cartagena 

 

Jeimy=Reykjavik 

 

I didn’t hear Vuk’s reply.

 

We had such a busy morning we didn’t have time for breakfast until just after 11.  We went to the Local where it took them three tries to bring us the correct order but when the food did arrive it was pretty good. The omelettes were very oily though.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2023 by YVRteacher

[LongIsland-Cruiser]

On 7/12/2023 at 7:48 PM, YVRteacher said:

Turns out many passengers had not made travel arrangements to get from Seward to Anchorage

I am actually very curious about this.  Can someone who has done this guide me?

 

I chose the Debarkation Scenic Cruisetrain - Seward to Anchorage Hospitality Center excursion on my Vancouver to Seward Cruise.  I knew I had to get form Seward To Anchorage to fly home to the east coast (I am not doing a B2B), and I thought this would get me to the airport.  But Now I am nervous.  When I check the railroad schedules online for Alaska Railroads, there are no trains leaving from Seward to Anchorage until late at night....apparently the early morning trains go in reverse, from Anchorage to Seward.

 

But the excursion said that I had to disembark by 6AM in order to catch train..and that I couldn't take the excursion unless my flight left after 5PM.  So I chose a later flight at 8PM.  I called NCL, and they told me that I only needed to schedule a flight by noon (they said rule is 7 hours after ship arrives in port, or 5 AM).  

 

I am also seeing that there are different seat classes on the train according to the Alaska Railroad site and other threads here on Cruise Critic, but the NCL website doesn't offer that or mention it at all.  Am I looking at the wrong railroad?  Are there multiple trains?

 

And then when you mentioned that so many people on your cruise are scrambling to get home, now I am sure I messed something up and didn't plan properly.  I got a good deal on flights, but they are non transferable.  

 

Does anyone know if I can get off the ship at Seward on Aug 9th and get a train to Anchorage in time for an 8PM flight?  I am worried over nothing?

[YVRteacher]

When we were on the Jewel in May our small boat glacier excursion was cancelled due to ice.  That was supposed to be my dad’s birthday present so I booked the Hubbard Glacier and Wilderness Explorer as a make up glacier experience. The day has finally arrived where we get up close and personal with Hubbard Glacier.

 

To board the St. Theodosius they had us start on deck 4, swipe our drink cards, count to three and take a flying leap. 😉

 

My dad boarded, saw the bar and exclaimed “look, they have brewskies!”

I knew in this moment we would have a fabulous afternoon. 

In Yakutat Bay we pushed through the bergy bits and growlers (to be an iceberg the ice has to be at least 6m higher than the sea)

 then entered Disenchantment Bay.  I would like to know what was going on in the bay naming person’s life the day they named this bay.*  Did his ship run out of Veuve? Was his cabin not ready by 12:00pm? Were bubbles on the balcony banned? Oh please say it wasn’t so!

 

This is the journey to Hubbard, from leaving the Spirit to seeing the glacier 

 

Our boat rounded Point something or other and Hubbard Glacier appeared like Jackson Rayne popping out of his magic box.

 

I stepped outside as we were zipping through the bay and it was so windy I felt like my eyeballs were going to get blown out the back of my head.  Also, it messed up my hair something fierce!

 

Dad said, “this is pretty spectacular!”

 

Hubbard is so large and so dense it bends the earth’s crust.  We are at the end of the Fairweather fault line.  In 1890s there was a massive earthquake that raised Yakutat Bay 47ft. This created a massive tsunami and massive crevices.  

 

On the way to Hubbard we saw harbour porpoises, bald eagles, plump seals and plenty of seagulls. We passed Egg Island which is home to large colonies of seabirds. The birds build nest out of mud and the Tlingit collected eggs here. 

 

Hubbard is one of the few remaining advancing glaciers in the world. It moves 80 feet each year but not always in a forward direction since the face is calving so often.  We were so close today it felt like we could reach out and lick the glacier (like the kid in a Christmas Story) but the naturalist said we were two blocks away. 

 

 

The man next to me out on deck and I decided that if we had our bathing suits and towels we would both be game for a polar bear swim.  

 

Remember when you were a kid and you played outside in a mud puddle in the rain and you came back inside and your mom made hot chocolate? That’s how good the hot chocolate was on board the St. Thoedosius!  Dad loved 

 it and I told him it wasn’t just regular hot chocolate. Oh no what we had was:

 

My photos don’t capture the up close glacier experience.  The crisp air creates a chill so deep I had to pull my hood tight around my face.  The St Theodosius grinds against the ice and the sound of metal hitting old dense ice makes one feel like like they are on an Arctic expedition. The thundering rumbles in the distance create cracks in the massive ice wall. Our little boat twists and turns through ice floes topped with seals like cherries on top of ice cream, their curved bodies shaped like an ulu.  Waves ripple and make the ice rise and fall gracefully and powerfully. 

 

The captain said he hopes we have good photos and good memories. We did, captain, we did! I loved holding the bergy bit, being outside on deck, turning all directions while trying to capture the majesty of the glacier and feeling so grateful for this day and this adventure.

 

I could have stayed at Hubbard Glacier all day, with cheeks getting rosier and a camera roll getting fuller.

Doing this as opposed to just sitting in Yakutat Bay doing a 360 and thinking “this glacier is ho hum” was like the difference between having a sparkler at a 4 year old’s birthday party and witnessing the culminating grand fireworks display at the Sakura festival in Waikiki.

 

If you are on a cruise and your glacier is Hubbard, please treat yourself to the small boat excursion. This was an unforgettable, spectacular experience.

 

*Alejandros Malaspina came here searching for the Northwest Passage. He entered the bay and was faced with a giant wall of ice. So upset was he that he decided to mar the name of this good bay.

 

 

[YVRteacher]

On 7/12/2023 at 7:49 PM, libtrek said:

I am thinking Jewel B2B next June. I know you do NSN since you live in Vancouver. Considering I have my own grouchy, forgetting kind of guy, what’s your thinking on which way for us??? Mary

Hi MaryLou

I recommend Vancouver>Seward>Vancouver. This route eliminates the travel from Anchorage to Seward and Seward to Anchorage. You will still get the full day to experience Seward.

[YVRteacher]

7 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

That's great to hear you got a Matador made by Froilan! He does make the best Matador's and other drinks!  I do agree with you about the acoustics in Henry's Pub as it was frustrating to try to hear the musicians play when people were yelling or speaking so loud in that venue.

 

Wow on all the crew turnover to include Jerry being replaced with Jeimy.  Do you know how long Jeimy will be on the Spirit? We are still hoping my husband can get time off from work for the Sept. 15-27 Honolulu to Papeete so we hope some of the crew will still be on the ship in two months. 

 

The Spirit Bridge camera does not look good right now.  Was there "too much ice" again?

 

Did I miss your update about the Dinner with the Officers or did that not happen as planned?

 

How sweet on the Peach Bellini with your name on it in Magnums! Was that Jane or Cherryl?  I think she had two R's in her name and not two Y's. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed listening to Valentyna and are now liking Anfisa's music.

That is too funny about Dad finding his truffles in the safe. Yes, sometimes you just have to go with his answer. 🤣

Jeimy will be on the Spirit for the next 4 months.

 

They scheduled Dinner with the Officers too late in the evening and I knew my dad wouldn’t be able to manage.

 

I need to check the name of the wonderful bar server in Magnum’s. 

[YVRteacher]

9 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Can not wait to hear about your Star adventure.

 

Other than a new CD, were there any changes to Senior Hotel Management or Bridge staff?

 

Other than a little memory loss, how is Dad doing?

 

Don't forget that the Northern Lisghts are susposed to be visible between 10 P.M. and 2 A.M. tonight.

There weren’t any changes to senior management or bridge staff.

 

It is 10:52pm and still light outside. I wonder if the Northern Lights are visible farther north? I’ve never seen them.  I’ve set an alarm for 12:30am and will report back tomorrow.  Thank you for letting me know there is a possibility of a sighting tonight.

 

Dad is doing great! This really is one of the best cruises ever.

[YVRteacher]

I forgot to take my word of the year to Hubbard Glacier so here it is as we leave Yakutat Bay

 

 

@KACTravels better than a sock monkey😂

[YVRteacher]

Here is our view of the Spirit from the St. Theodosius as we returned to the ship

 

 

[www3traveler]

WOW!!!  What a wonderful adventure.  So happy for you and Dad.

 

BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

 

 

[vacation44]

5 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

If you are on a cruise and your glacier is Hubbard, please treat yourself to the small boat excursion. This was an unforgettable, spectacular experience.

 

I am so happy for you and your dad that the excursion was not cancelled again and you got to go.     After reading your positive review and looking at your pictures, I am glad I booked it for our Jewel cruise next month.   My husband has no idea that NCL even offers this excursion so it will be a real surprise for him.  

[bluesea777]

5 hours ago, LongIsland-Cruiser said:

I am actually very curious about this.  Can someone who has done this guide me?

 

I chose the Debarkation Scenic Cruisetrain - Seward to Anchorage Hospitality Center excursion on my Vancouver to Seward Cruise.  I knew I had to get form Seward To Anchorage to fly home to the east coast (I am not doing a B2B), and I thought this would get me to the airport.  But Now I am nervous.  When I check the railroad schedules online for Alaska Railroads, there are no trains leaving from Seward to Anchorage until late at night....apparently the early morning trains go in reverse, from Anchorage to Seward.

 

But the excursion said that I had to disembark by 6AM in order to catch train..and that I couldn't take the excursion unless my flight left after 5PM.  So I chose a later flight at 8PM.  I called NCL, and they told me that I only needed to schedule a flight by noon (they said rule is 7 hours after ship arrives in port, or 5 AM).  

 

I am also seeing that there are different seat classes on the train according to the Alaska Railroad site and other threads here on Cruise Critic, but the NCL website doesn't offer that or mention it at all.  Am I looking at the wrong railroad?  Are there multiple trains?

 

And then when you mentioned that so many people on your cruise are scrambling to get home, now I am sure I messed something up and didn't plan properly.  I got a good deal on flights, but they are non transferable.  

 

Does anyone know if I can get off the ship at Seward on Aug 9th and get a train to Anchorage in time for an 8PM flight?  I am worried over nothing?

 

On disembarkation/embarkation days for both Spirit (Wednesdays) and Jewel (Mondays) in Seward NCL charters a train for the passengers, separate from the regular daily Anchorage-Seward train. The NCL chartered train leaves from right next to the ship at 6am (or so) and goes to Anchorage airport. This train is for passengers who book either Seward to airport or Seward to Hospitality Center. People who book the latter will be bussed from Airport train deport to the city when the train arrives at Airport before noon.

 

The same chartered train leaves the Airport at 1pm for the embarking passengers, arriving at the ship at about 5:30pm. You booth either or both of the above chartered trains through NCL.

 

The regular train leaves from Anchorage Railway Depot at 6:45 am daily for Seward and takes 4.5 hours. The return leaves from Seward at 6pm to arrive in Anchorage at 10:30pm. You book these trains via Alaska Railroad or some travel websites. These trains have GoldStar dome option at extra cost, but the NCL chartered trains do not have GoldStar dome carriages.

 

"I called NCL, and they told me that I only needed to schedule a flight by noon (they said rule is 7 hours after ship arrives in port, or 5 AM)." The person you spoke with is INCORRECT!! They have no idea that the train takes 5 hours! 

 

I saw this at the bottom of the excursion detail page:

 

You should be fine! 

 

 

 

 

[omahabob]

You should get your money back. Somebody put a "u" in your honor. 😆