bill_the_traffic_guy

Do I tip the butler every time he brings something or just at the end of the cruise?

We were on the Jewel a few weeks ago for the final Alaska cruise of the season. We had an awesome butler... My wife and I discussed this very thing, but chose to tip him at the end of the cruise. We also brought him a small gift from our hometown and put that together with some cash in a card.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Enjoy your cruise and the service that a butler will give you.

My wife and I will be sailing the NCL Jewel on 9/13 and are looking for a whale watching excursion in Ketchican. Does anyone know what might be the best options available?

Thanks

I had no idea that there are still primitive airlines that don't scan checked bags. Any time I've had to search for a bag, the airline can scan the baggage receipt, or else look at my flight record which has electronic version of the receipt, and see exactly where the bag has gone since it was scanned in upon its arrival at whatever destination. It sucks that you has a different experience.

Not related to the original post, but flying from Rochester, NY to Phoenix, AZ through Orlando a few months ago. My flight from Rochester was late; I made my connection but my bag didn't. Southwest Airlines does not track their bags that way and the baggage folks in terminal do not know where the bag is. It has to be sent to it's final destination from wherever it is sitting at the moment.

Can you buy a transportation package from Norwegian? They might have something going from the ship to the airport in Seattle?

I checked with my rep (we are using a Friends and Family rate) and she told me that NCL does not provide transportation back from Vancouver.

I think it takes about 3 hours to drive from Van to Seattle. That doesn't take into consideration bottle neck traffic in Vancouver (which can be nasty) and delays at the border crossings which have been rather long at times, nor does it take into consideration possible delays disembarking (that are often beyond the control of NCL). So many variables...

I have been checking the wait times at the border and am watching the traffic on Google maps. It looks like unless anything unforseen, we are looking at about 3 1/2 hours in traffic. Worst case, we are using SWA airline miles and can change if flights are available without a change fee.

We thought about the train, but our flight leaves Seattle too early for the ride back.

My wife and I, along with another couple are taking the NCL Jewel in September for the 7-day Alaska, Seattle to Vancouver. My wife and I have taken this cruise 2 years ago but on HAL and we are new to NCL. I have a number of questions, most of which I have seen in previous posts but are a bit outdated.

We are staying in Seattle for 2 nights prior to departure. We have been to Seattle a number of times (have family there) and just love this city. On our last cruise we sailed from Pier 91 which was a pretty good experience. We are in a Penthouse Suite and don't really want to stand in line too long (wife has trouble with that physically). Would showing up around 1030 am be too early, or would it be better to wait longer?

I have read a lot of posts about cabins and food. We are in cabin 10164 aft facing SF Penthouse Suite and are looking forward to it. We do love the aft facing cabins (had one on the Valor a few years ago) and chose this one in particular because of the cruise we are on. The other couple that is going along with us will be on deck 11 in an aft mini suite. What sucks is that they are not eligible for the Cagney's dining for breakfast and lunch. Will we be able to order room service from Cagney's for breakfast or lunch for the 4 of us? Also, what does the butler do for you...within reason? Does anyone have any recent photo's or video of this cabin that they would be willing to share?

Several years ago my wife and I took a helicopter tour in Hawaii and loved it. The prices for this through NCL are pretty expensive (once in a lifetime though) - does anyone have any recommendations for finding this on our own, and which port would be the best for this type of excursion?

Lastly, we have chosen the option of driving from Vancouver back to Seattle for our flight home. Our flight leaves at 3:10 pm...I have taken this drive before but it has been about 7 years ago. I am assuming that we can disembark fairly early if we need to. We are only checking 1 bag per couple, and could easily carry our bags off if needed. Any thoughts? National Car Rental has an office at the airport in Vancouver, as well one at Canada Place but I cannot seem to make a reservation at that office. I noticed that there is light rail/subway that will connect to the airport from Canada Place - is this fairly easy with someone who has some mobility challenges? She can walk, just not really long distances or inclines very well.

Well...that is a lot of stuff - I appreciate everyone who contributes here. Every time we have cruised I have done some research here...lots of good info.

Why you would get a free overnight is beyond me???? And why you would be repeatedly told you would get a free overnight is also a big question????

 

Cruise air is booked at the CHEAPEST rates the cruise line can contract for. And the cheapest for most of March are those below.

 

AA flies nonstop PHX/MIA arriving at 2:40PM

 

US flies a 12:55AM (very early) arriving at 12:50PM (with two stops).

 

US also flies a late night (midnight) flight to Charlotte, with early morning connections into MIA. Also a flight to JFK that connects through Las . Arrives JFK early morning-plenty of time for flights to MIA (and there are a lot of flights from NYC to MIA). Also a PHX nonstop to EWR (Newark), arrives again very early morning, with connections to MIA.

 

Don't count on a free overnight. Don't count on a daytime flight. And don't let yourself be SURPRISED!!!!

 

BOOK YOUR OWN AIR and fly a day before. Book a Priceline hotel (although that could be iffy due to Spring Break) You will have soooo many less problems and will actually be able to enjoy your cruise. Flying all night and trying to enjoy the first day of your cruise will be a nightmare. And it is definitely a possibility that those are the flights you will be put on. Did you read the first part of this thread????

I have been listening to all of the advise on this thread - some pretty strange stories for a newbie to cruise air. We received our airline reservations - non-stop PHX to MIA the day PRIOR to the cruise, an overnight at the Hilton (confirmed) and RT transfers. After the reply from GREATAM I rechecked Carnival's site and they guarentee an overnight stay when flying from the west coast when you purchase the air option.

I guess the proof in in the puddin' so to speak. 16 days to go and counting...we'll report on our experience when we return.:)

I am new to the cruise/air option. We have reserved it from PHX to MIA for a March departure. I have been told repeatedly that the price includes an overnight prior to the cruise in MIA. When we made the reservation, the airfare through the cruise line was cheaper than it would be on our own. Now that the fares have come down some it might be a wash.

My fear is that we will be flying all day, and end up in a dive of a hotel. I know that the advise will probably be to forgo the cruise/air and book on our own, which might be my preference. However, one couple in our party has already paid in full...but technically we are not required to pay until the end of December.

Any thoughts?