nordicacres

Thank you! We have decided to stick with the car rental as a break from the crowds and fellow cruise ship passengers. I’m glad to hear you also preferred renting a car!

Tell me more about Bonaire and snorkeling! 

I am actually sailing NCL, but we signed up to do this tour in a few weeks. I will have a (likely) lengthy review of the trip posted on that board if you care to venture over there to check it out. We are sailing 6/24/24.

Norway, no doubt about it. 

Yes, I agree. I am not a picky eater at all, but I would struggle with the menu. Carrots on dessert? If you can’t taste them why are they even there? 🤷‍♀️ 

We booked an OV picture window room because all balconies were sold out. Despite that, we bid on an upgrade to a balcony room and it was awarded to us recently! Things change and people cancel. I would keep watching the site!

I currently have a car reserved in Skagway for the day in late June, but am debating whether it would be better to do the excursion through NCL instead. 
 

We are not likely to return to Skagway. It might be nice to avoid the hassle of picking up the car and having to do all of the driving. The freedom of having a vehicle is an obvious perk, and it is also about $200 cheaper to rent the vehicle (not counting gas). It is just me (43F) and my 18M son. We will also be taking the train from Seward to Anchorage later in the trip. Which would you recommend for a first/only visit to this area of AK? Thanks!

NCL Description: (7 1/2 hrs)

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the north as you travel into the Yukon on this historic rail & motor coach adventure. Begin your day by traveling by motor coach to the White Pass depot where you will board the train for the 67 mile journey into the Yukon. Take the unforgettable journey aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World" and travel from tidewater past the summit of White Pass, a 2,865 foot elevation, and onto beautiful Bennett Lake. Relax in a vintage rail car as you pass Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch --This fully narrated tour features panoramic views of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites.

Accessible only by train, Bennett is the site of an abandoned gold rush town located at the end of the Chilkoot & White Pass trails on the shores of the lake. Upon arrival in Bennett, step off the train and journey back in time as you explore the White Pass historic interpretive center or take a self- guided walking tour up to the church, the views are stunning. Re-board the train and enjoy a hearty box lunch as you travel along the shores of the lake and onto the village of Carcross. Once in Carcross, you will have time to visit the charming community prior to boarding your motor coach for the trip down the Klondike Highway and back to your ship in Skagway.

Yes, I went back and edited my post earlier because it finally dawned on me 😆 

I see what you’re saying now!

Yes, there is only one space left on the tour.

It appears to be one meal per person at $82/pp.

Keep an eye out for cancelations. We were originally booked at Hotel Edgewater but canceled when I was able to snag a harbor-view room at Harbor 360. I checked several times a day for about three weeks before getting lucky!

I’m no expert, but after you are done writing a paragraph hit “Add Files” and then click the “Insert” button at the bottom right of the photo once it uploads. That should insert the photo, and then you can “return” and start a new paragraph.

If you’re walking the same path the bikers take I would say you wouldn’t need poles unless your knees are particularly bad or something. It was steep at times (I walked my bike for a bit), but if I remember correctly it was mostly paved. We biked from Finse to Flam in August 2017.

I was told by an NCL rep that excursion payment was due at time of booking. They would not bill to my account so that it could be paid off in a lump sum at final payment.

Skagway’s Original Streetcar is $75 per person on our June trip on the Jewel. So $25 after shore excursion credit!

If a friend was paying my fare I would happily go to Endicott/Dawes! I wouldn’t give it another thought. How lovely of you!

Glacier Bay NP was important to me. I specifically chose our cruise because it included GB and Hubbard. I sure hope to return to Alaska someday, but it was a priority for our first trip!

How are the lines for the bus back to Ward Cove in high season? It will only be the Jewel docked at Ward Cove when we visit. My primary reason for booking would be if it saves time and avoids waiting in long lines. I am leaning toward FAS+ so it would be $49 each. 

Oh, funny. I posted on the NCL board about the same time you posted here! We are considering taking this alternate form of transportation back to Ward Cove, but don’t sail until late June. Hopefully someone can pitch in.

I’m wondering if anyone has utilized the service and will share their thoughts? I understand it may be new in 2024. TY!
 

Per NCL:

Cruise the sheltered waters of the Tongass Narrows and observe the boundless natural beauty on the way back to your ship. This alternative means of reaching Ward Cove offers express boarding, allowing you to bypass the long lines often associated with other modes of transportation. Ambient music on board will set the mood while you sample locally crafted beer or champagne, but majestic scenery is the real attraction of cruising versus driving from downtown to Ward Cove. Along the way, you will pass uninhabited islands, densely forested shorelines, and countless boats – both recreational and commercial – as the waterway is part of the Alaska Marine Highway and the Inside Passage. You may even see floatplanes taking off and landing with splash in the harbor. Be sure to look for wildlife such as sea lions and bald eagles. You may even spot a humpback whale breaching the water’s surface. 

HIGHLIGHTS 
• Cruise to Ward Cove instead of driving and enjoy spectacular scenery along the way.
• Admire the natural beauty that comes right to the edge of Ketchikan’s city limits. 
• Look for wildlife such as sea lions in the Tongass Narrows and bald eagles overhead.

6 hours ago, cianciolo said:

Does anyone know what upgrade options are given if you book an oceanview?  With a booked inside I have been given oceanview, balcony, and club balcony.  With a booked balcony I have been given club balcony, suite, and haven. Thank you.

i was only given the option to bid on Balcony and Club Balcony.

In November? Not personally.

Read the entire Confirmed Reservation attachment they emailed you. This is what mine states:

“Reservations and seat assignments (assigned 48 hours prior to travel departure date) may be altered or reassigned if passenger and baggage are not checked in 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.”

Happy Birthday! (We share a birthday!) We’ll be on the Jewel next month!