papadave

My, oh my, eight pages of people complaining about the lack of anything resembling real cheese on a mass-market cruise ship.

First, you are right, you'll find processed cheese-food slices sooner than you will find anything that tastes like cheese on nearly any US based cruise line. What they have will be served ice cold, with crackers wrapped in plastic. Don't expect dried fruit, nuts, etc.

But, in deference to these cruise lines, they used to try and they gave up. Americans, on average, don't seem to know how to order the stuff. I watched years ago as someone insisted on a half pound slice of cheese. Also, I have seen the plates of wasted cheese heading for the trash.

If you want interesting cheese on a cruise, stick with the cruise lines with European customers or treat yourself to the fancy restaurant on a Celebrity ship which has a proper cheese trolley. Even there, be sure to let them know in advance if you want them to have cheese ready for you at the end of the meal so that it can come to room temperature.

Also, next time I go on a ship, I need to bring my own mustard. I ordered a venison pate on a cruise and requested mustard. The only available mustard was bright yellow American hot dog mustard. That's how they do it!

To the originator's of this thread -- thank you for the head's up. It is always nice to have someone share an experience which may help others avoid the same misfortune. It sounds like you got a bit of a runaround and you did what, for you, is best in the end. If you went on this cruise and were disappointed, you'd be kicking yourself the entire time.

A number of years ago I booked a different cruise line on a very special low fare (something like $350/person for 12 days in a guarantee cabin) that popped up because of a volcano eruption in Europe that caused massive passenger cancellations. I wasn't sure if my wife could go with me, but I booked for two people. It turned out my wife had to work and could not join me. Contacting the cruise line and explaining the situation, they were able to reverse all taxes and port charges for the second person, so the cruise was still a great deal. Plus, it was so under-booked I wound up with a balcony cabin instead of an inside.

I mention this because some cruise lines can be reasonable with their customers. If you don't think that customer service is appropriate, you have other choices. So much better to make the right choices than to complain a lot and have a bad time. Enjoy the cruise that is right for you.

As a perk, this is unquestionably worthwhile if two people will be drinking 5 drinks per day total, or 2-1/2 drinks each per day. Otherwise, you may do better without this package. The last cruise I took, on a different line, poured differently if you were buying one drink at a time rather than on the unlimited package, so if you didn't have an unlimited package, a single drink may have had the same alcohol content as two drinks in the unlimited package.

The wine available by the glass as part of the package is unimpressive. Mostly from bottles that retail for under $10 in a store. I'm not expecting fancy wine here, but this is cheap wine. The only Riesling is from Australia. A single wine from Spain. Nothing from Portugal. Two countries which have been selling good wine at low prices in recent years. I'm certain I will try everything on the list once, with the unlimited package, and hope to find something worthwhile drinking twice, but it would be better if the list at least had the appearance of being curated.

Most disappointing, though, is taking a look at what NCL considers to be a super premium liquor. $16.50 for Gosling's rum is insane. Same goes for Patron Silver. It is a premium liquor, but $16.50 a shot? Not even in New York City.

Based on what I am following in the news, NCL will providing Western Caribbean instead of Eastern for some time. I'm sure they are scrambling to deal with current passengers. Also, I read something about cruise lines sending ships out to provide humanitarian relief in the areas which have been hit hard. To the extent that this is what is happening, please remember that a cruise is still a cruise -- you get to enjoy the ship, the food, the entertainment, etc. The ports are never guaranteed. If you have too much time on your hands, search the message boards and read about the perils of planning destination weddings based on cruise itineraries.

Coors, Coors Lite, Bud, Bud Lite, Miller, Miller Lite -- what do you mean there's no variety? Maybe NCL can be contacted directly and asked to include a couple of IPAs and Porters on all ships. The last time I checked, for my upcoming cruise on the Gem, NCL had Sam Adams seasonal in some bars, so there is hope.

My understanding is that there really is no difference other than the presence of photographers taking formal pictures for those who dress for formal pictures and request formal pictures.

not brand new, but just fine. Enjoy.

We have taken four back to back Alaska cruises over the years and I highly recommend this approach.

There is more to do in any single port than you can do in a single day. Also, as the weather in Alaska is unpredictable, it is nice to have the chance of a sunny day if you have only been to a port on a rainy day.

We were on the Millennium this year, starting in Vancouver, with stops in Ketchikan, Hoonah (Icy Strait Point), Juneau, Skagway and a turnaround day in Seward.

While I suggest you pick up a travel book, such as Frommer's or Fodor's, here are two completely separate suggestions for each port.

Day One -- Walk through town, up creek street, to the Salmon Run. Also visit one or more totem pole park.

Day Two -- Kayak or take a water based excursion (not that fishing excursion here may be expensive)

Hoonah:

Day One -- Walk on the beach, keeping an eye out for whales. We saw whales and sealions from shore. In addition, at low tide you get to see what was underwater. We saw starfish and a number of interesting seabed creatures. Watch people on the zip line. Attend a tribal dance.

Day Two -- Choose from a bear watching tour, whale watching, kayaking, zip lining.

Both days -- eat Dunganess crab caught nearby and priced well.

Juneau --

Day One -- Trail walk up Mount Roberts. Take a tour of the Alaska Brewing Company.

Day Two -- Take the shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier and walk to the waterfall.

Skagway --

Day One -- Take a tour to the Yukon, see sled dog puppies and Emerald Lake. We enjoyed Trail of '98 tours, but there are many operators offering similar tours.

Day Two -- Trail walk to either the lower lake (a few hours) or the upper lake (all day) from a trail which starts right by the cruise docks.

Seward --

Turnaround is only a single day. If you have not taken a boat in Kenai Fjords, you must. Google this.

If you have specific questions, please ask.

Skagaway -- the pub down at the far end of Broadway; the name is something like Skagaway Brewing Company, has great fried seafood, fries, and their own beer. Completely appropriate for the whole family. I'm pretty sure they have high chairs.

Seafood entrees listed on main dining room menus are not very thrilling. You will have a better time if you budget for a few nights in the Olympic (or whatever the specialty restaurant is called) which has a number of seafood dishes of a higher quality.

Thanks to all for the information. While this was not the answer I was hoping for, it is better to know the situation advance rather than learn on board when it is too late to plan.

We have been pampered by HAL's laundry package and find it a top reason to cruise HAL.

If I begin to run out of clothing, my wardrobe will be heavy on new shirts with the word "Alaska" on each.

Everyone -- have a great cruise. Don't let little things ruin a great vacation.

If I was not clear, I strongly suggest the 3:40 train

Check with Amtrak about dropping off you luggage at Penn Station (I know it used to be an option, but I can't speak to how things are done today) and then spend a few hours in New York City. There are so many ways to spend a few hours, even if it is just going for drinks in Greenwich Village or spending a little time at the Museum of Modern Art, you will not spend all of the money that you save on train fare and you won't be rushing into a major train station around morning rush hour

Typically you can get a taxi with a very short wait. The taxi stand is across the street from the cruise terminal.

I can't speak about hotels, because I live in NYC.

If you are really trying to save money, take any MTA bus uptown to 49th street, then take a westbound M50 which will leave you across the street from the cruise terminal.

I've done that a few times.

Keep you eye out for cabs design to take on wheelchairs. There are a growing number of these on the street and they may be able to hold all of your luggage.

Otherwise, I concur, two cabs will be the best way to go.

A car service is your best bet, unless you have a friend who really likes to drive or needs to go to New Jersey for another reason.

What's a good reasonable hotel to stay at pre and post cruise? Good neighborhood with places to eat nearby. Flying in from east coast.

 

Thanks,

If you want to stay in Richmond there are hotels walking distance from Chinese shopping malls. That's where we stayed last trip and will stay again this trip, but it does not put you in downtown Vancouver without the addition of a 20 minute train ride.

For Downtown, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency, which is downtown and a short walk to Canada Place (the cruise port), Gastown, landmarks, and plenty of great restaurants. Most hotels in the vicinity are good, so there is no need to pick the Hyatt instead of the Fairmont other than price. If you have not visited Vancouver before, this neighborhood is a good choice.

To reiterate, talking to other passengers I was told that those other passengers, in their own words, expressed a preference for driving to and parking at the Bayonne port. I live in Manhattan and greatly prefer to use that port -- I could conceivably walk there, but the last time I came and went using the bus and subway which didn't cost me any money as I have an unlimited Metrocard.

Talking to other passengers I was told that those other passengers, in their own words, like RCL and do not like Carnival. I am not expressing my opinion here. I am not a huge fan of the bells and whistles on Royal and would not pay extra for these things for my taste. We made limited use of the ice rink. I don't particularly care for cruise ship production shows. There -- that part is my opinion.

Bottom line. The company that runs each line know when and where they will make money and they make decisions based on financial performance. Sometimes they are testing new things. On the trip last December I met many people who were paying very low rates and also were not big spenders when it came to the bar, casino and specialty restaurants. People like me. Perhaps the cruise line is looking for customers who spend a bit more during the cruise as well.

Then how does NCL and RC sail all year with not cheap cruises?

Royal attracts different passengers. If you are coming from Pennsylvania or New Jersey it is relatively easy to drive to the Bayonne port and park there for the length of a cruise. Manhattan is a different situation. Royal also has newer ships with more exciting features. I have been on Royal, NCL and Carnival in the winter. Talking to other passengers, I met quite a few on Royal that would not sail out of Manhattan in the winter and have an identifiable preference for the Royal ships and itineraries.

As for NCL, prices for the same trip on Carnival are usually lower, but not always by any significant amount. Sometimes $10 per day.

I was on the Splendor in December and was hoping to repeat the trip in December 2014. I was happy with the ports, the ship, the fellow passengers, and very happy with the price. It is hard to imagine Carnival making money on passengers paying $40 per day.

We had a really nice time last summer going up to the Yukon with stops along the way. We were fortunate to find an operator with a smaller vehicle (Tom, who runs an outfit with his wife) and got a wonderful, personal tour. There are probably a number of folks who provide a similar service. For us, a smaller group was best, with someone else doing the driving. I would do that again in a heartbeat.

Celebrity always has gluten-free food on their MDR menus. My wife is gluten intolerant and was able to eat very well on our last Celebrity cruise.

Hint -- it you eat something gluten-free and want to have it a second time, ask right away to see if it can be prepared later in the cruise. No promises here, but we found Celebrity was very accommodating.

If you are asking about the space above the Lido buffet, it is the Rotisserie on the Splendor. While I prefer the fish and chips on the Glory, it was not that big a deal. The space is nearly identical and is a good place to avoid crowds.

With the number of ships that have had real problems in the past few years (engine room fires, etc.) everyone should know whether the muster station is. Unfortunately, the drill takes a very long time because Carnival makes an effort to get all the adults out on deck.

I was on the Splendor December 11th -- people with children were being divided up so that one family member could sit inside with the kids while the other family member went to the drill.

Do what you can to make it a quick process -- show up on time, remain quiet, stay off the phone, leave the camera in your pocket. The cruise line is not doing this for the pleasure of keeping passengers on deck. They are taking safety very seriously.

I, too, am disappointed. I was on the Splendor in December and was pleasantly surprised -- I like the ship, the fellow passengers, the food and even the ports. Really, I didn't expect to enjoy the ports, but I went to Cape Canaveral and also to a beach in Freeport. I was hoping to book another December cruise at a bargain price.

The corporation made a business decision. Either they weren't making money or they think they won't make money in the future or they anticipate they may be able to make more money elsewhere. Don't expect a clear answer.

I'll continue to cruise out of NYC for my own reasons -- I can take a subway to a bus to the ship rather than spending an additional day or two in transit to get to Florida. If anything, this will get me to cruise from Europe next time.

We should all feel fortunate that these are our problems.