Alvarado

Thank you for all your answers they were/are a big help. We can't do a front cabin because of mobility problems so I think we will go for the aft disabled. Thanks.

Finally getting to go to the Panama canal. We usually have an aft suite when we sail but I'm not sure what is the best location for the Panama Canal. I know I want the back of the ship. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

See if you can rent a scooter!

The scooter makes a real difference in how much you can enjoy the trip, and the independence it provides is the best part. They are very easy to use. You might want to see if they have a disabled cabin available that would really help.

I highly reccommend a disabled room. The bathing facilities are worth their weight in gold when you have limited mobility. A scooter is a great rental because it lets you be less dependent on others and can be taken off the ship. They deliver to the room and pick up from the room. J

Well, we are jusk back from the Jewel (24th)and breakfast and lunch are on the moderno side. The food is noticably colder because the waiters can't see when it is ready. I liked Cagneys better it is more intimate and the cooks are right there and service is much faster. The meet and greet was in Cagneys with the chairs set up in rows. The meet and greet was well attended by officers but I never did see the Captain even at the suites holders and Captain Cocktail party. That cocltail party was held around the Haven pool and we nearly froze.

It is not much help now but buy good travel insurance (NOT Ncl) they are used to all this medical nonsense and worth there weight in gold if you miss a connection ect.

How much stock is required for the benefits ?

Shared dining is fun and interesting. I met the person I cruise with 10 years ago at a shared table. It is not like 4 people are sharing a table for two. People who enjoy sharing do so and people that for whatever reason want to eat alone don't need to share. Thats why they call it Freestyle Dining.

A word of warning if you ever take a suite on NCL you will be stuck for life, as suite life on NCL is truly amazing. We like the Jewel, great people , just the right size and great for Alaska cruises.

I go to Alaska every May just for the scenery and vacation. After 11 years it is a been there done that as far as excursions go. We do have one excursion we do out of Junesau each year. Anyway, the point is that I basically stay on the ship for the whole time and I love it so much.

It is quiet and relax and there is still lots to do. If you want to investigate the ship it much easier when it is all yours. Do whatever pleases you, it is your vacation.

It helps to have a handicapped room. The scooters are delivered to your room and you just leave it there when you disembark. A lot depends on how heavy a scooter you need I had a big one and we got it through the door to our suite which was a regular suite cabin because there were no handicapped suites left. You can also investigae a scooter of your own. You would have to do some searching but they have a small one that breaks into light pieces, a scoot along? sorry I don't remember. I would have gotten one but I need a wheelchair at the airport and couldn't manage the weight when I travel by myself. I really wouldn't cruise without one anymore I like to get out and about and then there is the Casino.

Consider a scooter next time you sail they make all the difference you can imagine and more. Special Needs at Sea is the people NCL uses and they deliver the scooter to your room and take it away at the end of the cruise. A scooters is wonderful, it increases where you can go and what you can do a 100 fold.

A scooter is a wonderful thing when you are physically challenged. Special needs at Sea (google it) will deliver a scooter to the room and pick it up for a reasonable price but that scooter will be worth its weight in gold for the mobility it allows. This is the only firm that NCL deals with and you might want to see if there is a handicap room available, they make all the difference when you have mobilty problems. I know all this because I broke my foot badly on Tuesday and sailed on Sat. The airport will also provide a wheel chair from where you check in to your gate and vice versa on the way home. Goodluck.

The above post is correct about access to the diningroom you come in on the main level and have to get the seaters attention which is never a problem. Consider special needs at sea if a scooter would give your disabled person to have more freedom. I loved mine and it made all the difference in what I could do and where I could go.

I broke my ankle on Tuesday, we were do to cruise on Sat. I was the lead person on the reservation. My friend was able to find someone to go in my place and set it all up. If he could do it anyone can do it, Enjoy your cruise and be sure you always buy insurance.

In my prayers as well. This is undoubtably a hard time for people who have to work and can't be there to help their loved ones.

I throughly enjoyed the Chef's Dinner for all the reasons people have described already. But I was not thrilled with the choice of food and would throughly enjoy a new menu just to try different things.

You are writing a great review. Brings it all back to me we had such a wonderful time. Next year you should do the misty fiords tour you get really close to the glacier and it is a whole different experience from being on the ship. Was fun cruising with you and seeing your happy family having such a good time, thanks for the cabin crawl. JoAnna

Butlers are wonderful. One night my friend ordered a dessert and then found she really was too full. The waiter said, no problem I'll have your butler deliver it too your room and when we returned there it was in the frig. It is the little stuff that makes your trip easier and more fun. Once your in a Suite you never want to go back to "regular" cruising. The DVD's are delivered to your room by the butler from a list, there is no where to get them yourself.

We will be on the Jewel May 26th in a suite. Who would I ask to arrange a dinner with an officer? Thanks.

Another discount that people forget about and NCL doesn't tell you about is being a union member. You have to show your union card when boarding or so they say.

Did they say anything about this being only for business to business charges? I was reading the fine print and that is in there. Thanks JoAnna

I chose the Citibank cash card and just got my first check for 63.61 for two months use. It pays 1.25% points per dollar (for the 1st year) and if you do a lot of online shopping through their bonus center (over 400 merchants) those points add up as well. The Schwab card looks good too because it pays 2 points for every dollar spent but the points are harder to retrieve. My citicard points came as a check with the bill. I didn't have to do a single thing. https://www.bonuscashcenter.citicards.com/view-all-retailers.aspx You can check out the bonus center here and the address for the card is citicards.com (I think).

NCL also gives a discount if you are a union member.