GORDONCHICK

9/22 is a Friday, so I say this isn't a wise flight time choice.  If it were a Sunday, sure, because there's way less traffic.  Pier 66 is a one ship terminal, but it's a crowded and tricky area.  For that date, I would shoot for 12:30pm or later from SeaTac.  Or spend the night across the street at the Waterfront Marriott and head out the next morning.

3 hours ago, MeHeartCruising said:

I think I would do the December cruise.  Weather differences between the 2 are going to be minimal.  The first cruise is over the US Thanksgiving Holiday and that could mean more children on board.  Mazatlan is a decent port, but nothing special. 

It's too long of a cruise to have that many children on board unless they are not school-aged children.  If that's the case, they can be on board at any time.

IMO, a one-way is always the better option.  Better yet if you can spend a few days in AK on your own.  We did this in 2015.  Added 9 more days to the trip.  We took the bus excursion to the airport that included a stop at a wonderful wildlife park.  All the flights leave in the evening, and usually late evening.  We picked up our rental car at the airport and off we went.  Had a blast!  If you can take the extra time, you absolutely won't regret it.

21 minutes ago, barb in ga said:

Gordonchick--Are you on the NYC to Quebec City itinerary? Do you see any difference between port or starboard for view? I'm sure it may vary, but just looking for an idea.

Barb

Yes, on that specific cruise.  I chose port because I want a view of the land, which we will have most of the time on both sides..  The statue of Liberty will be starboard though.

1 hour ago, barb in ga said:

We're looking at the  Sept 4-13 9 day NY to Quebec in either a Club balcony suite (only GTY's avail)

or the  Family Club Balcony Suite if it's a little bigger.  

Barb

 

We are actually on this cruise.  If you look at the itinerary, there's not much time on the ship.  The only "sea" day is at the very end - the day before docking in Quebec City for the overnight stay.  Besides the overnight, the night in Boston is until 9:30, 2 stops have us leaving at either 7 or 7:30.  My suggestion, since you don't drink a lot of alcohol is to opt out of the alcohol package, save the $300+ in service charges and just buy your nightly drink.

We also really like X but we were okay with MSC Seaside.

All the newer ships are kind of built with the same or very similar footprint.  You might want to check out one of the newer RCCL ships, though I'm not really familiar with their teen program.  But cool ships with a lot of different stuff.

15 hours ago, bstreep said:

No.  Way!!!!   She's fantastic.  Can't wait to see her again.  Anyone know:  Can we bring her flowers or some other gift? 

You can definitely bring a gift as long as it's anything a passenger is allowed to bring on board.

56 minutes ago, tokidoki said:

If I take the Encore, then does anyone get off the ship Sat nite for the 4 hour stop?

It depends.  We took the shuttle into town bu it was late and most shops were closed.  Going to Butchart Garden on a tour is great if the weather is good and the time of year.

5 hours ago, tokidoki said:

concerned if we fly and cruise the same day, that we wont  fly non stop.  Going home to JFK I dont mind.  

IMO, you should always fly with at least a 1 day deviation!  Especially the way flights are going these day.

It's cheap because it's the very end of the season.  Even some excursions won't be available and some shops may have close up at that point, though the ones that are open would be having huge sales on everything.  Car rentals in Skagway would be slim if any.  I don't know the Encore's itinerary, but seeing glaciers from the ship may not happen and more rain than normal is to be expected in October.  Ketchikan, you can almost bet a lot of money that it will be raining since that's part of the rainforest.  If you've not been to AK before, I certainly would not recommend a cruise in October.  If it's cheap, I'd do it for my husband just to get him to shut up about it.  We've been 3 times, but if money was no object and he had his choice, we'd go every year!

15 minutes ago, quack2 said:

I'm not sure my heart and arteries like that idea.

Then pork belly may not be for you.  No one said it was healthy, lol.

All of these are great options and I'm checking into them!

Just now, schmoopie17 said:

Unfortunately Mrs. Schmoopie fractured her leg Saturday night and will be having surgery Wednesday and be incapacitated for a while. I thought maybe I could find it, so I asked her where it might be and she said, "it will take some digging."

So...it will be awhile and not exactly a top priority at the moment. Sorry...

I'm so sorry for you both.  She will be in my prayers for surgery to go great and speedy healing!

On 6/28/2023 at 10:47 AM, schmoopie17 said:

Mrs. Schmoopie has it stashed away someplace. I'll try to locate it...especially now that I really want some.

I really need Mrs. Schmoopie to get on the ball with that recipe, pretty please?

37 minutes ago, SoloAlaska said:

Flatter by Soak makes an un scented version.

So much easier to travel with an empty bottle and fill it when you need it and dump it when you’re ready to go.  Plus, fewer chemicals.  But you do you and I’ll do me.  This has worked for more than 30 years (longer than I’ve been cruising😄).

No remedy at all except paying for another upgrade but it could be an obstructed balcony.  Any window is always considered an upgrade over an inside.  Is it worth it to us?  No.  But you did bid on an OV, and that is indeed what you got.

2 hours ago, RD64 said:

It is not rocket science - it is very simple. If you want cabins near travelling companions or an accessible cabin, then book the specific cabins you want. 
 

Guarantees are just that - a guarantee for a specific cabin grade - they are not there for your convenience. By booking a guarantee, you give up all of the perks that go along with a higher fare. We all know that you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Yep - booking the guarantees is a gamble.  At one time, the price difference made it worth it but it doesn't today for us.

6 hours ago, chillyw said:

A little bounce wrinkle spray works wonders too

but it leaves fragrance, which I don't want.

7 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Pro Tip (from someone who cruises 6-7 times a year): Don't pack things that totally wrinkle easily. And if stuff is a little wrinkled, nobody will care. That's the most important thing... no one will judge you if your blouse has a crease... everyone is wearing cloths that are coming out of suitcases and everyone has that nice folded crease look as they walk around the ship. You're on vacation. Make it easy on yourself. 

I pack an empty spray bottle, fill it with water and spritz clothing and shake them out.  The wrinkles just fall out.  I also don't pack anything that needs pressing.

My son is now 22, but our first cruise was when he was 3.  He loved going to the MDR.  But there were a couple nights he just wasn't feeling it, so I took him to the buffet before our dinner and took him to the kids' club and he was happy with that.  It was a 12 night cruise and I think that only happened twice.  The servers doted on him and when he finished eating early (because his food was brought out earlier than ours), we would ask if he wanted to stay or go to the kids' club then (though sometimes he had to change out of formal clothes first).  Your child might surprise you.  This was the first time mine was in an environment like this and he mostly really enjoyed it - especially when the server would sprint to the table with his chocolate milk and straw every night after only having ordered it once!

Now I will say, we are those parents.  He was still taking naps at that age, so he did on cruises, too.  It was really the only way we could reasonably expect good behavior from him.  Gave hubby a good reason for a nap, too.

6 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

They will bring an iron and board to your cabin.

Really?  I thought irons were prohibited.  I travel with an empty spray bottle and spritz items with water and shake out the day before wearing.

44 minutes ago, Fishboy1947 said:

Thank you, when I booked and listed ages the changes are just what you indicated. 10 day cruise @ $21 per day for 3= $600

 

Our grandchildren always enjoyed mocktails on cruises, cocktails with no alcohol. Is there a drink package for children under 21 that includes mocktails?

New to NCL and learning 

No, there is only a soda package for under 21.

I'm a fan of the rebellious fish on NCL, even have the old souvenir glass fishbown.  But it's probably too fruity for you manly men!

It looks like the only option for them is the soda package.

Cruise Beverage Packages | Bon Voyage Gifts | Norwegian Cruise Line (ncl.com)

7 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

When your need for the larger cabin was no longer there, it appears that the the agent (cruise line) needed to switch you to an appropriate cabin size to balance out the availability of cabin space among the life boat stations. 

It's actually not a larger cabin IME.  It has extra berths and the location usually has fast and easy access to the kid's program area, usually same area of the ship but different deck, so near stairs/elevators.