Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #176 Share Posted August 16 Town is 7 miles away. It is a short port call. The last shuttle back is 11:00 am. Don’t miss the shuttle. There was an embellished, fabricated story a few weeks back when a family was “left behind”. And,,, maybe in the 2 1/2 hours between last shuttle and ships departure, they could have just jumped into a taxi or Uber (yes, available here) they would not have been “left behind”. Shopping? Drinking? Whatever, but they missed the ships departure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellis1138 Posted August 16 #177 Share Posted August 16 38 minutes ago, BirdTravels said: Town is 7 miles away. It is a short port call. The last shuttle back is 11:00 am. Don’t miss the shuttle. There was an embellished, fabricated story a few weeks back when a family was “left behind”. And,,, maybe in the 2 1/2 hours between last shuttle and ships departure, they could have just jumped into a taxi or Uber (yes, available here) they would not have been “left behind”. Shopping? Drinking? Whatever, but they missed the ships departure. Yeah, I was dubious of the initial and sensationalized story, but the very basic takeaways remain: 1) NCL excursion guarantee means it waits for NCL busses/tours/shuttles, not individuals. If you are not on the bus, the ship leaves. 2) Always take the numbers of port agents from the Freestyle with you, either in paper or as a photo on your phone. Research ahead of time and keep a note of numbers for taxis or info on Uber/Lyft in the ports. 3) Keep your passport either on you or in the cabin safe where NCL can find them. 4) Make sure NCL has a way to contact you when you go ashore. Every now and then, check that your phone is working. 5) Keep an eye on the time, always. Don't assume you can get on the last shuttle or tender easily. (I personally like to get back to the ship 90 minutes before all aboard, to be safe.) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakman58 Posted August 16 #178 Share Posted August 16 Having seen video of the line passengers waiting to get on the bus from the town back to Ward Cove, I wouldn't even use NCL for an Alaska cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted August 16 #179 Share Posted August 16 26 minutes ago, Oakman58 said: Having seen video of the line passengers waiting to get on the bus from the town back to Ward Cove it somewhat makes me scared for my cruise next year when both the encore and joy will be docked together at ward cove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1230 Posted August 16 #180 Share Posted August 16 4 hours ago, BirdTravels said: Town is 7 miles away. It is a short port call. The last shuttle back is 11:00 am. Don’t miss the shuttle. There was an embellished, fabricated story a few weeks back when a family was “left behind”. And,,, maybe in the 2 1/2 hours between last shuttle and ships departure, they could have just jumped into a taxi or Uber (yes, available here) they would not have been “left behind”. Shopping? Drinking? Whatever, but they missed the ships departure. I have booked a Ketchikan shore excursion via NCL that is scheduled to end at 11 am , I am not sure how can I get back if the last shuttle is at 11. I am thinking to cancel and book a shorter excursion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted August 16 #181 Share Posted August 16 30 minutes ago, M1230 said: I have booked a Ketchikan shore excursion via NCL that is scheduled to end at 11 am , I am not sure how can I get back if the last shuttle is at 11. I am thinking to cancel and book a shorter excursion shore excursions have decided buses just for the excursion the shuttle bus is only needed if you want to go town 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #182 Share Posted August 16 (edited) 1 hour ago, M1230 said: I have booked a Ketchikan shore excursion via NCL that is scheduled to end at 11 am , I am not sure how can I get back if the last shuttle is at 11. I am thinking to cancel and book a shorter excursion Welcome to Cruise Critic! Shore Excursion buses pick up and drop off at the dock. You have no problem. The free shuttle is for those who want to go to town on their own. Edited August 16 by BirdTravels 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #183 Share Posted August 16 2 hours ago, shof515 said: it somewhat makes me scared for my cruise next year when both the encore and joy will be docked together at ward cove They have nice, dedicated double decker buses. But, Berth 4 is a hike from downtown creek street area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #184 Share Posted August 16 (edited) Can you tell that we’re 15 minutes past all aboard time and the crew is tearing down the gangway area… Some are playing “chicken” with the captain. Edited August 16 by BirdTravels 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #185 Share Posted August 16 Just as a point of reference, at the moment, an Uber would cost $27.15 to Creek St. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #186 Share Posted August 16 Farewell Ward Cove and Ketchikan! It was a fantastic day. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #187 Share Posted August 16 Guests at the Garden Cafe selecting some seafood items for lunch. 7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #188 Share Posted August 16 (edited) Totem Park Edited August 16 by BirdTravels 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 16 Author #189 Share Posted August 16 (edited) Hiking through the Tongass National Rainforest. Edited August 16 by BirdTravels 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #190 Share Posted August 17 Around Day 5 on a week long cruise, the ship offers a fill-a-bag special (2-day service). You can also pay by the piece any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #191 Share Posted August 17 Club balcony rooms (only) and platinum and above Latitudes members get a free bag. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #192 Share Posted August 17 Choir of Man is a must-see show on the Encore. The Birds attended opening night when this cast of the COM installed on the Encore in April. A cast normally signs-on as a group and signs-off as a group. This week, one cast member left their contract early for personal reasons and a new cast member installed. So,,, the show schedules are all messed up to give the new cast member time to rehearse on the real set. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #193 Share Posted August 17 Presented by Cagney’s… 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmichigan cruiser Posted August 17 #194 Share Posted August 17 I couldn't agree more on Choir of Man. We were on the Encore for its first two cruises in 2019 and I saw it 6 times then and got to know the performers. Great guys and they performed on different venues on the ship also saw the show 4 more times on the Encore on the Panama Canal cruise fall of 2022. The Encore is my favorite ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseInd1 Posted August 17 #195 Share Posted August 17 (edited) do you know if priority boarding is worth at NCL encore ? Edited August 17 by cruiseInd1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #196 Share Posted August 17 18 minutes ago, cruiseInd1 said: do you know if priority boarding is worth at NCL encore ? To me, it is a pure money grab. Not useful. - Priority boarding if you are arriving before 11:00 am. Some benefit - Priority tendering - none on this cruise - Priority disembarkation - not really useful to us. - We never want to eat in our room - We never use the spa, especially on port days. - Canapés I can get something better at the buffet or Observation Lounge 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #197 Share Posted August 17 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #198 Share Posted August 17 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Rare BirdTravels Posted August 17 Author #200 Share Posted August 17 Day 6 Main Dining Room 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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