Live-ish Norwegian Bliss October 14-21st Alaska 2023

[laudergayle]

Good morning!  Today’s the day.  Hoping you also get to experience the Annularity Ring of Fire.  Seattle should get an 80% view.  Be sure to check out windy.com for wave conditions.  Looks like the seas might be a bit rough, so be prepared.

 

wishing you and AC a fabulous cruise experience.  Bon Voyage.

[eileeshb]

Safely ensconced in the Local with a view of the TV for the rugby World Cup quarterfinal Ireland v New Zealand. 

 

the weather this morning was dry and clear when we came to check out of the hotel so we walked down  to Pier 66

nice little downhill stroll to the pedestrian bridge. Took a minute to figure out whether to turn right or left when we came out of the elevator. We had to go left to drop bags with the porters and then back past the elevator to go to checkin.

We had to split up for checking as they had 2 areas split up by batches of decks. I was in the 5-11 area while AC had to go to 12+. 

She wound up on board thr ship way faster than me and grabbed a table at the local for us. They're definitely keen to get everyone to go straight to their assembly stations the moment you board the ship. I ignored that to get to the local in time for kick off. Ireland had the lead at halftime so I made my dash to check-in at the muster station. 

Now watching the second half of the match .. 

[eileeshb]

Unfortunately the rugby didn't go our way as the irish men's team crashed out of the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage... Again! 

 

Anyhow,  checked in with my muster station and then started showing AC around the ship. We dropped our carry-ons at the storage area near Q.

AC was starting to feel overwhelmed by the crowds so I introduced her to the waterfront area on deck 8. 

 

About 20 minutes later they announced that staterooms on ACs deck are ready. In bringing her to find her room we collected another lost solo . While there are plenty of signs with arrows and a big sign on the wall near the entry to the studio area it was not glaringly obvious to the newbies.

From memory I think the older ships have the sign on the actual doors as well as the wall. 

Anyhow, we found ACs room and our lost friend who also hadn't experienced the card slot for power  setup before. We then came across 2 other novices asking how they could get the lights on in their rooms. 

By the time we had done that exploration my deck was declared ready for access. Off we trotted to reclaim our baggage and get it squared away in our rooms. 

I discovered a few treats waiting in my room as the coordinator for this sailings meet and mingle. 

 

after we unpacked AC and i went to check out the thermal spa 

 

I found a note on a group page that apparently the hot tub and a bunch of the pool jets weren't working for last weeks sailing. I tried the button for the hot tub but nothing happened.   So I guess that hasn't been fixed today. 

 

The ship started up her engines as we went downstairs so we had our drinks on the waterfront. ..

More to come but I am crashing into sleep right now. Even the fancy chocolate tart in La Cucina couldn't give me sufficient energy to keep going.

 

[Elsammo46]

Absolutely insane waves overnight. I’ve been in lots of cruises and NEVER have felt anything quite like this. 

[PhillyTravelBug]

On 10/5/2023 at 11:56 AM, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

love this!!! We got a shot of us in front of this whale and someone back home commented, "What a lucky shot!" 

Edited October 15, 2023 by PhillyTravelBug

[Smitheroo]

Is there anything specific you have to do to give a live review of a cruise?  I am leaving Saturday for Seattle for the Encore 10/22-29 to Alaska.  I'll be sure to comment on it after some of the lively discussions on recent Alaskan cruises but I'm wonder if there is anything special about writing a live review.   Being a newbie though  I might not get to areas others are interested in. Well, it'll just be a what's the weather like review I guess

[eileeshb]

9 hours ago, Elsammo46 said:

Absolutely insane waves overnight. I’ve been in lots of cruises and NEVER have felt anything quite like this. 

I felt the rocking increase but it was pretty mild by my standards.  There has been one person cry off from the m&m due to sea sickness though.  

There is a bit of a swell running but it only feels and looks like a couple of meters.  

[cruiseny4life]

On 10/15/2023 at 8:59 AM, Smitheroo said:

Is there anything specific you have to do to give a live review of a cruise?  I am leaving Saturday for Seattle for the Encore 10/22-29 to Alaska.  I'll be sure to comment on it after some of the lively discussions on recent Alaskan cruises but I'm wonder if there is anything special about writing a live review.   Being a newbie though  I might not get to areas others are interested in. Well, it'll just be a what's the weather like review I guess

Nope. Just start a thread and begin posting your experience. I enjoy sharing my travels and it's a way for me to review my wonderful cruise later in life. You might get a cool little badge. You might not. It took me a review and live before the badge (now they all have them). You should only do a live if you want to. Not because others are asking for it. I'll enjoy your reading yours if you do decide to do it...just don't let the live get in the way of your cruise fun! 

[tsimm0906]

Will you post the Dailies? I will be on the Bliss Nov. 4th and so interested to see them.

Thanks!

Terri

[jetact]

4 minutes ago, tsimm0906 said:

Will you post the Dailies? I will be on the Bliss Nov. 4th and so interested to see them.

Thanks!

Terri

Will the dallies change beings this is an Alaska cruise and I am guessing the November 4th cruise is a Mexican Riviera Cruise? 

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, jetact said:

Will the dallies change beings this is an Alaska cruise and I am guessing the November 4th cruise is a Mexican Riviera Cruise? 

The dailies will change daily.

[luv2kroooz]

4 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

The dailies will change daily.

They are asking if the dailies from the Alaska itinerary will be different from a Mexican Riviera cruise, not if the dailies will change daily.

[ChiefMateJRK]

44 minutes ago, luv2kroooz said:

They are asking if the dailies from the Alaska itinerary will be different from a Mexican Riviera cruise, not if the dailies will change daily.

Yeah, thanks....

[TresCuatro]

Was on that itinerary last week and coming home from Ketchikan to Victoria was crazy! I had never seen a ship so rocky. Its the first time ever on a cruise I actually thought about where my mister station was. AND the vomit bags made a showing. 😁 I have never seen them actually put them out on a cruise before that night but at least no one I know had to use those bags. Lol 

On 10/15/2023 at 3:39 AM, Elsammo46 said:

Absolutely insane waves overnight. I’ve been in lots of cruises and NEVER have felt anything quite like this. 

 

[tsimm0906]

I realize the dailies will change being a Mexican Rivera cruise but was just looking for a general ideas of things on board that they do and hours of different places on the ship. So if the OP could that would be great, if they can't then I can just wait.  Oh and I cant wait til the cruise! 🙂

[scubacruiserx2]

On 10/15/2023 at 7:51 AM, PhillyTravelBug said:

 

 

love this!!! We got a shot of us in front of this whale and someone back home commented, "What a lucky shot!" 

 

When this one beached itself in Grand Turk I wanted to feed it some Krill but the cruise ship wouldn't allow me to bring it ashore .

 

[jetact]

Hope the OP is ok as we have not heard anything for days, heard if was rough the first night is about all from the cruise.  We are getting on the Bliss on Saturday and our weather is looking very good for the last Alaska cruise for the season. The last month plus is seems as every cruise has been fighting rough seas and rain. 

[got2havefun]

9 hours ago, jetact said:

Hope the OP is ok as we have not heard anything for days, heard if was rough the first night is about all from the cruise.  We are getting on the Bliss on Saturday and our weather is looking very good for the last Alaska cruise for the season. The last month plus is seems as every cruise has been fighting rough seas and rain. 

I was wondering the same thing as we joining it this Saturday! 

[Elsammo46]

On 10/18/2023 at 5:54 PM, got2havefun said:

I was wondering the same thing as we joining it this Saturday! 

Hi all! I was on this sailing as well if y’all have any questions. I’ve got about 48 hours to wait at SeaTac before my flight home so we got nothin but time! 

[firstimer2009]

On 10/17/2023 at 1:05 AM, TresCuatro said:

Was on that itinerary last week and coming home from Ketchikan to Victoria was crazy! I had never seen a ship so rocky. Its the first time ever on a cruise I actually thought about where my mister station was. AND the vomit bags made a showing. 😁 I have never seen them actually put them out on a cruise before that night but at least no one I know had to use those bags. Lol 

 

I was on an Alaska cruise in August one year and the seas were very rocky.  It was my first cruise too so I didn't like it.  Was also foggy so the fog horn blowed constantly.  That honestly scared me more than the rocking seas.  We were knocked off our chairs in the casino!  Haha.  

 

Had friends of friends heading there this fall and I told them to be prepared to feel some motion.  Haven't seen them since so hope they weren't on that cruise.

[skittl1321]

On 10/15/2023 at 6:51 AM, PhillyTravelBug said:

 

 

love this!!! We got a shot of us in front of this whale and someone back home commented, "What a lucky shot!" 

Lucky other tourists didn't continually walk in front of you?  🙂

[skittl1321]

On 10/15/2023 at 2:39 AM, Elsammo46 said:

Absolutely insane waves overnight. I’ve been in lots of cruises and NEVER have felt anything quite like this. 

I am sold on more October sailings solely for this reason.  Our first sea day on the Oct 8th Encore sailing was insane, and I LOVED it.  The thermal spa was especially hysterical as it was like a wave pool; all the water would drain from the tiny bubble area, and then a massive rush to refill it with every toss of the ship. I felt so bad for the crew with the Sysphean task of squeegeeing the water back to the drains with every waive. 

My least favorite thing about cruise ships is how you don't even feel you are on the ocean. So to feel it, and not even be able to walk a straight line, was like a dream.  (I also felt horrible for how many people were really sick...)

 The on-deck pools were all closed.  

[LauraAnneC]

Looking forward to reading the rest of the review !

[ConnieTact]

On 10/28/2023 at 12:07 AM, LauraAnneC said:

Looking forward to reading the rest of the review !

Looks like it was abandoned. I wonder if it was because she was enjoying herself so much?! I hope so as we are on the shop soon and I was hoping to pick up some tips! 

[eileeshb]

On 3/29/2024 at 9:54 AM, ConnieTact said:

Looks like it was abandoned. I wonder if it was because she was enjoying herself so much?! I hope so as we are on the shop soon and I was hoping to pick up some tips! 

My Sincere apologies to all, this cruise was the first time I had someone with me, previously I'd been solo so thought I'd have plenty of time for posting as we'd have so much at sea time.

It was a great cruise but the shorter hours of daylight and the end of season nature of the cruise definitely impacted on what we could do in port. Skagway was like a ghost town with so many places closed, Juneau was dark by the time we finished our whale watching excursion, we didn't bother getting off the ship in Victoria and Ketchikan was definitely a bit of a rush around due to the short time in port