Encore 7/28 LIVE- A vegetarian in the Haven

[Monica887]

WEDNESDAY: SKAGWAY

 

I know a lot of people have strong feelings about Skagway but I enjoy the old town feel seems more authentic than most cruise ports. Last time we were here we rented a car and drove up to Emerald Lake and back, and I LOVED that day. It was nice to go at our own pace and get away from the crowds. 
 

Today we did an excursion, the Chilkoot Trail and River Float. It was rated with a moderate difficulty, which is an underestimation compared to most moderate excursions. It’s not for someone who is unsteady on their feet, with lots of stairs and a steep incline. I loved it though. The guide was fabulous - very smart and passionate, kind and personable. At the top there was a nice view of the river below. Then a short, calm rafting ride with a beautiful view and some bald eagle nests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the hike you have the option of being brought back to the ship or dropped off in town. We decided to have lunch in town at the Skagway Brewing Company. I tried the spruce tip beer that we’ve been hearing about and it was good! 
 

 

 

As we walked through town we saw tons of people outside a shop so we followed the crowd and smell of cinnamon, so I was forced to try my first fry bread. Yummmm! Nothing like beer and fried dough to complete a hiking day.

 

 

 

 

It was pretty chilly out, but the air here is fresh and amazing, and I feel refreshed after a long day out.

 

[Monica887]

WEDNESDAY : DINNER

 

After a long day out I decided to skip the sit down dinner and have room

service on my own. I got veggies from the Horizon lounge, and ordered a pizza and lemonade. Lazy night perfection!

 

 

[Monica887]

THURSDAY: GLACIER BAY

 

Glacier Bay is unreal. If you haven’t been, go. Obviously the pictures don’t do it justice and neither would my words, so PLEASE go see if for yourself. 

(I hope I got my captions here correct - hard to sort through on the phone)

 

People always ask where to sit in the ship for this, but truly, any where you are will be beautiful. It was chilly but not freezing, and I much preferred viewing from outside rather than inside, but we split our time between the Haven horizon lounge and sun deck. We didn’t feel the need to set up camp on a lounger because we walked back and forth to take in all the views. They handed out hot chowder and hot chocolate.
 

We approach the entrance around 7 am.

 

 

Along the way, some whales in the distance and tons of otters.

 

 

We sailed past, but did not stop at Reid Glacier.

 

Margerie Glacier is one of the 2 main stops. We spent an hour with the boat turning so every part of the ship ends up with a view.

 

If you are a camera person, bring the best lens you have. Bring binoculars. Because even the newest iPhone will make bears look like this. Can you see them??

We sailed past Lamplugh Glacier. There was a tent set up and a bunch of kayakers. Fun!!

Johns Hopkins Glacier is the other long stop.

Throughout the day there are rangers on board making brief announcements about where we are. At the end of the day they hop back on their boat to return to their base.

 

After that spectacular day, food doesn’t even matter. But I got my falafel wrap from the Haven pool bar menu.

 

And risotto for dinner.

 

And enjoyed Choir of Man and a beautiful sunset.

 

Bucket list item kind of day.

[xkritter]

Glacier Bay looks amazing.  I cannot wait for that day - and we've only got a few more days before hopping on Encore.  Is there inside and outside seating for the pool menu?  Or only outside?

 

Thanks.

[Monica887]

17 minutes ago, xkritter said:

Glacier Bay looks amazing.  I cannot wait for that day - and we've only got a few more days before hopping on Encore.  Is there inside and outside seating for the pool menu?  Or only outside?

 

Thanks.

The pool menu is for the indoor Haven pool. No actual seating area.

 

I hope you have the weather that we did for glacier bay! It was easy to stay outside and the skies were often blue.

[dobiemom]

44 minutes ago, Monica887 said:

The pool menu is for the indoor Haven pool. No actual seating area.

Do you have a picture of the pool menu? 

[Monica887]

3 minutes ago, dobiemom said:

Do you have a picture of the pool menu? 

[Monica887]

FRIDAY: KETCHIKAN 

 

This one is a morning- only port, so you’re likely choosing between and excursion and port. Also important to note that NCL docks several miles away from the actual town and creek street, with a free shuttle and long lines.

 

NCL docks in Ward Cove. You exit the ship into a big warehouse looking building with tons of souvenirs of all types. The building is well organized, and the excursions are clearly labeled with people helping you find the shuttle or excursions as needed at the back of the building. 
 

We boarded our bus for the Black Bear and Wildlife Exploration.

 

A bus ride through and past town to a nature preserve where several other excursions happen, including zip lining, in and around the same facility. 

The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. 
 

This guy greeted us.

 

It’s located on the edge of a salmon hatchery, ensuring plenty of wildlife swooping in for a snack. Lots of salmon to see.

 

A juvenile bald eagle capturing his breakfast.

 

 

And a bear retrieving a snack he hid away earlier in the brush.

 

 

The tour is mostly along a raised boardwalk to keep us separated from the wildlife. It’s a flat and slow and easy walk. We only saw the one bear, but it stuck around for a while, crossing under the boardwalk and back again, so we were able to see him in action.

 

A small tourist complex with a native artisan making totem poles and a blacksmith making knives. A gift shop and coffee shop.

 

I hadn’t been to Ketchikan before and would have liked to see the town, but no time on this trip, so back to the ship for us. Los Lobos for dinner.

 

Edited August 4 by Monica887

[Monica887]

SATURDAY: VICTORIA

 

Saturday’s Victoria stop was a quick one, from 8pm-midnight. 
 

We spent the day in on the ship being thoroughly lazy and taking in the final hours of vacation.

 

A couple of whales, and tonnnnnnnns of dolphins. I could watch these guys for hours! And I pretty much did. I stayed on the sun deck, alternating between sun and shade depending on the weather which kept changing, 

 

 

When I spoke with the chef earlier in the week, he offered Indian food one night and I made the request in advance for tonight. It was very good, as it usually is on NCL, and I’m assuming it was dishes from the buffet. I would love to see this as a staple on the menu. 
 

 

We did decide to get off in Victoria. The shuttle is $15 per person. A cab is $15 total, and a very quick ride. We were dropped off by parliament which is just across the street from the Empress hotel and the waterfront. 
 

 

 

 

At some point my social media algorithm knew where I was traveling and I kept being told to buy a beaver tail, and who am I to question the algorithm. I got pistachio with honey. So good!

 

 

We walked back to the ship (just over 20 minutes) and finished packing. At some point during the night in our sailing’s social media group someone saw the northern lights! I’m. So. Jealous! If there was an option to receive a call or something I would have been the first person on the deck in my pjs. 

Work up to a beautiful day in Seattle, and heading home now.

 

 

I’ll post some final thoughts tomorrow and open to any questions!

[cruiseny4life]

The Chilkoot Trail looks so fun! I've got to add that to my list when I'm in Alaska. 

Thanks for showing everything you did (and ate). I'm hungry - been battling a sickness so chicken noodle soup is my go-to right now. Oh, what I'd do for anything that you ate! 

 

Glacier Bay looks mesmerizing, though like you, I think I would prefer to be in the tent and kayaks you saw on shore. Now that would be one hell of a way to see Glacier Bay!!

[Monica887]

THE END
 

I guess all cruises must end. I adore Alaska so much - much more than a Caribbean cruise. The weather was perfection (we got lucky) and the mountains and fresh air brought me joy. I need to do an Alaska land tour now to really get to see that state, but there’s something magical about watching it all day from the cozy ship as well. The people were friendly and interesting to talk to.

 

HAVEN VS NON HAVEN 

 

This was my second Haven trip. Haven just makes it a different type of vacation for me - when I’m with my kids and not in Haven I do all the trivia and comedy and water slides. But once I acclimate to the comfort of the Haven, it’s chaos outside of it, and too people-y. I went out of a lot more earlier in the week but as the week went on and elevators were packed with coughing people, I didn’t leave much at all, and enjoyed the less crowded spaces. I have a non haven trip coming up with my kids, and will enjoy that too, but it’s a different type of trip.
 

ESCAPE VS ENCORE - layout

 

Comparing Escape Haven to Encore Haven, I liked the layout of the Encore better - with the Horizon Lounge and its snacks. There were times I skipped the dining room breakfast in favor of fruit and yogurt and pastries in the Horizon, which isn’t an option on Escape. I used the sundeck way more on this colder weather trip than the Caribbean. If I did a non haven Alaska trip again, the Vibe might be totally worth it for me. And, personal preference, I prefer a cabin on deck 17 to deck 18 for convenience, as on both these ships 17 is where the lounge and pool are. 
 

ESCAPE VS ENCORE - service

 

The service in the Haven on the Encore was very good. I have zero legitimate complaints. That said, last year on the Escape was impeccable. On Escape we hadn’t planned on using the concierge (Dilip) or tipping him much, but he was seemingly everywhere. Always checking in on us, picking up the phone making magic happen if we just asked a simple question. My coffee of choice showed up every morning at breakfast without me asking, and 2 particular waiters always remember our specific preferences. We tipped a lot more for that week than we had planned. And wrote several hero cards.
 

So this year we came armed with extra cash for tipping. Everyone was very nice and friendly and efficient. But no stand outs. We couldn’t think of anyone to write a hero card for, and tipped on the lower end of our initial plan. 
 

EPILOGUE

 

I’m home. I’m jet lagged. And I had to make my own dinner. This part, 0/10, do not recommend.