melodyesch

Will HAL wait for you if you’re on an independent excursion? How do they have any idea when/if you’ll return?

Great review! When going to a new port, I usually look for your reviews because of how thorough you are!

We’ve carried our luggage on before when we packed really light and got on the ship a bit later. That’s not to avoid tipping a porter, but to just be able to walk on and straight to our cabin and unpack.The cabins used to be ready about 1:00, but the last two we were on, it was closer to 3 or 3:30. So now we’ll drop them, even if we’ve packed light.

We did this recently in New Orleans. I rented a room for the day at a nice hotel through dayuse dot com because our flight didn’t leave until 9pm. It was very reasonable. i have also used the Luggage Forward in Seattle and it worked out great. I’d definitely do it again.

Thank you, @BirdTravels!!,

Hi. If you’re on the Breakaway and wouldn’t mind, would you see what single malt scotches they have in the shop and the prices? Or take a picture? We’ll be on in a couple of weeks and my husband would love to know. Thanks!

I’m so sorry this happened! I do feel there should be an automatic pop up or something to tell you about the passport requirement, especially if they let you book and check in with a BC. I’m a very experienced cruiser, but honestly, I thought closed loop meant leaving from the US and returning to the US. We have passports and have always left from and returned to the same city so I guess I never gave it any thought. So sorry!

I didn’t take any pics, but the bed was by the balcony and the headboard was forward.

I did a review of my Alaska Encore trip just a few weeks ago. I don’t how how to link to it, but you should be able to find it in Search or by clicking on my username. I love NCL and it’s my line of choice, but I would not choose it again for Alaska. Mostly because of the Ward Cove thing, but also for the short times in other ports. But Ward Cove was terrible. You had to wait for a shuttle to town. But that shuttle lets you off at the farthest berth. So then you either have to walk 20 minutes to places like Creek Street or get in a line for ANOTHER shuttle. If you’re there all day it’s one thing, we were only there from 7-12. I think the last shuttle back was at 11:30. We really didn’t have time to do anything. Meanwhile, Princess and Holland were parked right in town. I would really take a long look at the port times and compare with Princess and Holland.

I go to bed relatively early and didn’t hear a sound. I always take ear plugs just in case, but never had to use them.

I have no advice about a TA, but would definitely recommend going to the travel forums at both Rick Steves and Fodors. People there have done it all and you’ll get tons of help.

I just rented from Turo a couple of weeks ago and it could not have been easier. Immaculate newish SUV parked right at the port with a lockbox attached to the window. I would definitely do it again.

I just used it a few weeks ago in Seattle. I was a bit nervous about it, but it worked out great. I’d do it again.

In Juneau, we rented a large SUV from the ride share site, Turo. It’s like AirBnB, but for cars. We picked up a newer, super clean SUV with 3rd row seating right at the port and drove ourselves out to Mendenhall glacier and then around the area making several stops. Couldn’t have had a better day. At Skagway, we walked around the town in the morning and then did the NCL excursion, Sled Dogs and Gold Panning. I had done this same excursion with my niece about 10 years prior and she wanted to go again. It was a first for the rest of our group. You get to learn about the Iditarod and meet some of the sled dogs, then you get to hold the puppies. After that, you do the cheesy gold panning, but everyone in our group really enjoyed it.

There wasn’t one, but I’ve read that you can ask for one. I didn’t go to Choir of Man this time so I’m not quite sure. When we saw it before I want to say maybe a little over hour? Not too long and didn’t feel too short either. Aunt and Uncle went this trip and loved it.