TfromBC

5 hours ago, ColdCruise said:

 

it is kind of frustrating that I’m basically handing someone a commission for a cruise I can book myself and they just aren’t timely or engaged. Although we’re both still employed in office, and don’t cruise every month, the annual commission would still be worthwhile. 
 

🤷‍♂️🤔🤷‍♀️
 

 

Couldn’t agree more!! I just asked NCL to ‘disconnect me’ from the PCC tied to my account as they COMPLETELY dropped the ball on a 100% guaranteed booking. I’d rather handle my own booking, thank you very much!! 

Ship - Norwegian Spirit

Deck - 11

Stateroom # - 11112

Stateroom Category –  BA

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard 

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes, very!

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - Yes. 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue - there was an overhang, but did not adversely affect the view. Did provide shelter from rain/sun. 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal - but pretty tiny!

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - It was a little worse for wear than Cabin 11578 was, but overall in good condition. 

Any other comments? - I thought the size and layout was GREAT! The cabin felt very spacious and the bathroom is a good size with a comfortable glass-doored shower. See my report on Cabin #11578 for videos of that. This cabin was the same layout, but in reverse. 
 

 Very close to midship stairway/elevator, and one flight up, you were right at the Garden Cafe for the buffet. 

EDITED TO ADD: There are USB ports under the reading lights on each side of the bed. There were three or four plugs (US and international) at the vanity table. There may have been another USB plug there as well, but I can’t remember. 

(The pics were an afterthought just before I left, so pardon the mess!) 😊

Ship - Norwegian Spirit

Deck - 11

Stateroom # - 11578

Stateroom Category –  BA

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Mostly. You could hear them setting up the deck chairs above on Deck 12 every morning. Noticeable, but I didn’t find it overly annoying. A light sleeper may find it to be an issue. 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - Yes. 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – There was an overhang that got in the way for some pictures, but was
perfectly fine for taking pictures straight ahead. The overhang provided protection from rain and sun, which was good. 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal - but pretty tiny!

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - I thought the size and layout was GREAT! The cabin felt very spacious and the bathroom is a good size with a comfortable glass-doored shower. 

On 7/23/2023 at 10:06 PM, quack2 said:

Just to be clear, I don't think this is an "excursion" available from the cruise ship.  You need to book direct with Major Marine or Kenai Fjords tours.  Both great operators.

Thanks to you and @Seas2mountains for the referral to Major Marine in Seward. This was a FABULOUS trip and one of the highlights of my vacation. I heartily 'third' the recommendation to anyone looking for something to do while in Seward for the day! Sharing a few pics from the day. 🙂

1 minute ago, liking said:

Glad you enjoyed the cabin.  It was so close to everything.  I'm wondering, was the "recliner chair/sofa" still in the cabin?  I guess it's the sleeping bed for a third person.  When I got the room it had a chair and I wanted something akin to a sofa so asked for one, and they graciously brought it.  Was it still there? 

No, it had a small chair and table. I liked that better, actually. (I had the recliner chair/sofa in my first cabin and didn't find it comfortable to sit on.)

On 7/31/2023 at 7:53 AM, liking said:

I was in 11112 and loved it.  Convenient to everything and didn't experience any noise.  Of course, I sleep through anything.

Ironically, I was also in 11112 for the second week of my cruise, and I loved it, too! It had a little more wear and tear than my first cabin (11578), but nothing that detracted from the experience. 

And what an experience it was! Back home now and trying to process it all, while visiting the NCL website to try and figure out my next cruise... Hahaha. 🙂

Terry

Meeting time has been 6pm in the Spinnaker Lounge for this week (Aug 2-9). I went the first couple of days, but have been too busy with excursions to go the last couple of days. See you soon! 😊🛳️

1 hour ago, Seas2mountains said:

I hope you have a wonderful cruise!  😄

 

Please do let us know all about it when you can! 

Thank you @Seas2mountains! I’m at my hotel now. A short cab ride tomorrow and I’ll be on board. Cannot wait!!! 😊🛳️

1 hour ago, liking said:

I was in 11112 and loved it.  Convenient to everything and didn't experience any noise.  Of course, I sleep through anything.

Good to know - thank you!!! Two more sleeps! 🙂

4 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

 

The May 8-26, 2024 Transpacific starts in Vancouver and ends up in Tokyo:

 

 

I think it's actually 17 days, not 18 as one day is lost when crossing the International Date line.

 

Very nice port hours! 

 

You gonna be on this cruise? 😉

 

 

I considered this one, too - looks like a great trip! 

39 minutes ago, depplep said:

That's interesting. We're in a balcony and the lowest bid was $650 pp. for Haven, which I bid, knowing we won't get it for that price. 

Could be because I'm being quoted in CAD $$ - the rate of exchange right now is about 1.32, so about USD $550 upgrade start point.

I'm pretty happy with the cabins I got on my bucket-list trip of a lifetime. 🙂

Seven days to go! Happy sailing, all! 

First time NCL cruiser and first solo, doing B2B cruises from Vancouver > Seward > Vancouver. I booked a GTY balcony and got my room assignment yesterday: category BA on Deck 11 (two different cabins) for both legs of the journey. 

I also got the upgrade Email, so I took a look today just out of curiosity. I'm guessing they start lower when you're going from inside to OV or OV to balcony, yes? Because the lowest starting point for any of the cabins I was presented with was $725. Given that I'm sailing solo, that means $1,500 minimum.

Is the minimum also on a sliding scale? (i.e., the closer to the sail date if they're not full, will they lower the starting bid?) A girl can dream... Hahaha.

Thanks!

Terry

7 minutes ago, quack2 said:

I had 11098 on the Spirit in June.  Was very happy with the location.

That's good to know - thanks! They are both BA category, which from what I read is good - and one of them has my favorite number (1111) in it, so I'm happy about that! 😄 

They just assigned my cabins - 11th floor both ways, one on port, the other starboard, and both close to the 'open to the deck below' staircase note on the deck plan: closer to the pool in the first room, closer to the Garden Cafe for the return trip. After reading a few posts about being right below both areas, I'm a little nervous... Anyone have any feedback? Should I bring earplugs? Or sleeping pills? Hahaha.

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

BTW, @TfromBC I see that you are changing cabins ... make sure you attend the muster drill as soon as you board for the second leg and make sure they scan your card, regardless of the fact you're In Transit.

Great tip - thank you!!

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

BTW, Spirit's 2024 & early 2025 itineraries are back on NCL.com now, bar the 4 months Lion Travel (Taipei) will be chartering Spirit (June-Sept). Since we've done several Transatlantic cruises (our 7th one in this Nov on Viva) and the Transpacific one is still on our bucket list .... guess what? Miss Spirit is doing one next May 2024. Yay Yay!!

I considered a repositioning trip from Seattle to Tokyo in October when I thought I couldn't get what I wanted for Alaska. It's still on my bucket list, if I have any money left after this is all said and done... Haha. 😄 

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Our 2 B2B Alaskan on Spirit are amongst our 6 fave cruises.

You guys have got me so excited with your live at sea reports and other amazing tidbits of info - I cannot WAIT! One week tomorrow! 😄😄 

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

 

41 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

 
Which one? I hope it’s the 7.5 hour one …

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's 8.5 hours. Starts at 8:30 - back to the cruiseship by 5pm. I set my check-in time for 5:30-6pm. Hopefully that's not cutting it too close. The person I spoke with at Major Marine said that should be fine. Our ship sails at 8pm, I believe. 

Does that sound like it will be okay?

Thanks for the extra pics - so cool! (In multiple ways!!) 😂

Thank you all for so much info! I have all my trips booked and a petsitter secured, so the countdown is on. ONLY 9 DAYS TO GO!! 

Terry

12 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

@TfromBC  I agree with @quack2 about the quality of the excursion in Seward through Major Marine or Kenai Fjord tours.  The boats have nice sheltered areas with comfortable seating to keep you dry from any rain with outside decks to use.  It is one of the highlights of the trips we have made to Seward. We saw so much on that tour that we didn't see on other excursions.

 

If you have to switch cabins, you will leave your luggage in the room you are vacating and will find it in your new cabin. I do understand how many excursions may make this seem overwhelming.

Thanks for the extra info - the part about the cabin switch is a big relief for me!!

Major Marine tour BOOKED! 

I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation! 😂🤣😂

14 minutes ago, quack2 said:

Just to be clear, I don't think this is an "excursion" available from the cruise ship.  You need to book direct with Major Marine or Kenai Fjords tours.  Both great operators.

Thanks - I understand that. NCL only has the excursion tied in with the trip to the Anchorage airport. 
 

Is this trip also at the mercy of the weather?

Thanks!! 😊

8 minutes ago, quack2 said:

Find a way to make it happen.  The tour of Kenai Fjords may be the highlight of your cruise.  If 8 hours sounds like too much, take the 6 hour.  I've now done both and they are both awesome, even if weather not cooperating.

 

Are you doing a B2B that does its turnaround in Seward?

It does sound like this is an excursion I need to go on! I’ll see if I can line something up!

Yes, Seward is my turnaround spot. I start in Vancouver Aug 2nd. After some of the research I’ve done, it sounds like a couple of extra days here would have been great, but starting in Vancouver means I only have to take a ferry over. Maybe next trip! 😊

8 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Hi Terry -  You can book tours on either Major Marine or Kenai Fjords - hope these links work.  We were really happy with a 6 hour tour but I know others have highly recommended the longer tours. I have tried Major Marine and the meeting location for the tours is in the Harbor 360 hotel which is about a 1/2 mile walk from the port.  

Maybe @quack2 can share more about the Kenai Fjords experience and meeting location.

I'm glad you plan to try a few drinks.☺️  Yes, it is disappointing about the inside passage but I hope the weather will be nice so you can enjoy the views in between ports. 

That is so exciting that you will be down to single digits for the count down to the cruise starting tomorrow!

I can’t believe it’s happening so fast! A week ago I was still waiting for my passport and told I could expect it in mid-August. It got here in six business days - without sending it off for express service!

I couldn’t seriously look at anything while that part was in limbo (though look I did!) and it was killing me to find deals I couldn’t grab. Once I got my passport I was on a mission! But I never dreamed I’d luck into a balcony - or a 14 day trip - given the unavailability of both anytime I checked prior to Friday night. 
 

This week is going to be crazy! 😁

Thanks @Seas2mountains @bluesea777 and @quack2 - very helpful info!

In the clarity of a new day, I’m wondering if perhaps I’ve taken on too much (but I don’t want to miss a thing!) and maybe by the midway point I’ll need some down time. I’m going to let fate figure this one out for me, I think! 😂😂

Question for you on Sewerd… it looks like the only excursion NCL offers is the one on the way to the airport. Can I book the Kenai Fjords tour outside of the cruise and is it possible to fit that in with the logistics of changing cabins? Or would I be better off just hanging about the town?

Also, I’m not a drinker (just because I haven’t found many drinks I like the taste of), but after seeing your daily drink pics, I am going to put myself out there and try a few! 😊🍹🍸

I’m maybe more than a little bummed to read that the ship won’t sail the inside passage. That means I won’t get to wave at my friends as I sail past my village, or see the spectacular views of the IP.

However, since I’ve seen parts of it while boating on a small craft, I will survive! I also haven’t seen much of the wide open ocean on the west coast of the island, so that will be exciting in itself. (One west coast trip under my belt that included sailing around Nootka Island, which was spectacular.)

Ten days and counting!! 😊

Terry

19 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

@TfromBC this is so exciting! You have a wonderful andventure ahead of you with fabulous excursions! I keep telling my dad to spend his money on himself and I love that you are treating yourself!

Thanks @YVRteacher!

I refinanced recently to do some renovations and maybe take a vacation with whatever I had left after that. Somewhere along the line I realized that, for probably the first time in my life, *I* needed to come first - and that this was my chance. So I ran with it.

After this, my only reno might be a new toilet. Such is life. 🤣

13 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

@TfromBC here you go

Thank you! 🙂