don't-use-real-name

OP - you did not note the cruise you are on and the weather - maybe perchance the towels where used as blankets to ward off a chilling breeze ? One of those port calls - was it at a Private Island (Cay) ? Ooops we left too many towels back there. Could be as simple as the laundry facility overloaded - mechanical function ? The cruise line not maintaining security on the return of used towels ? Stealing towels robes and not charging the guests for this ? Did you go to Guest Services and make an inquiry - talk to the Hotel Manager ?

YMMV - - - I would check-in when I arrive at the Cruise Terminal - They may be set up to do the check-in NOW or later - You may be told to buzz off till your appropriate time - You may get that early boarding que with the CAS - Won't know till check-in - But it makes sense to take care of the guests NOW as they check-in rather than pushing/kicking the can down the road making a bigger boarding mess ! CC Readers may have different experiences - - -

Excellent plan to do the land tour portion first and then relax on the cruise ship for the balance. I personally favor this method. Packing and unpacking living out of suitcase from night to night is bothersome to some. With the cruise at the end there is no need to go through these motions. But then consider that the land tour package at the end may be less expensive and the airline transportation issue less of a hassle. A matter of how much exertion and flaming hoops one wants to jump through - The tours themselves will be pretty much the same - maybe a difference in time of day and with that time difference - different animal species may or may not be seen.

Topsiders is a bar and grill {outdoor buffet} at the aft end of the pool area on deck 12 -There is no Spinnaker lounge on the DAWN - was renamed the Bliss Ultra Lounge deck 7 aft There is no inside sheltered viewing lounge areas on the DAWN per se - The pool deck is as indoor sheltered as it will be - The Promenade deck 7 is somewhat sheltered from the elements - And finally the Jogging Running track on deck 13 Other viewing areas are the forward and aft decks 13 and 14 The Great Outdoors nothing in the aft end - closest resemblance is Topsiders mid-ship.

Your booking is for the NON-Haven 2BR suite {11518} on deck 11 (there are 10 of these) Haven 2BRs are on deck 14 and cost a thousand or more dollars - On the JEWEL the Haven is not worth the difference - Any suite gives you the services of a Butler and Concierge - The Haven category has priority - The mini-suites none of this - Gold level used to be the Platinum - much ado about nothing - Still think the best way is book another 2BR suite and cancel out the 2 mini's - Problem with this is no adjoining cabins - Everyone with have the same perks whether they use them or not. Cagneys for Breakfast and Lunch - Priority Butler escorts - and priority tendering On the DAWN and JEWEL class ships I believe that the Butler services all deck 10 2BR suites This would be easy for that Butler to co-ordinate all your planned activities - And about ordering Room Service provided by your Butler - Suites no charge - The mini-suites there will be a charge even for the formerly Comp Continental Breakfast. Considering the cancellation of the 2 mini-suites and booking another 2BR suite if this is not immediately available call NCL and discuss or your Travel Agent if working with one.

The consists I have seen on the Alaska RR Denali Star route are the locomotives followed by a baggage car and then the Alaska RR cars (Gold Star Domes and coaches) then the White Wilderness Express cars and at the end the Holland-America Princess cars. When leaving Fairbanks the tracks curve such that one can see almost all the cars in the consist and then enroute to Anchorage there are several other notable points the main one being at Nenana. This is not always the case - the consists may have different scheme but the Alaska RR cars will for the most part will always be at the lead end of the train. Of note the Wilderness Express cars are premium cars like the Gold Star domes.

Only 11518 gets the suite perks priority escorted boarding - tendering - Breakfast/Lunch at Cagney's The other cabins 11520 11522 MAY perhaps get tag-along escorted boarding - tendering discuss this with your Concierge and Butler. Breakfast and Lunch at Cagney's only for cabin 11518 routine daily - maybe a one time exception for the other cabins to join - AGAIN discuss with the Concierge - don't expect this to be a regular routine event - maybe a one time exception - certainly not on SEA days when Cagney's is crowded - best on port days when most of the guests go ashore on excursions. You can not pay for the perks - BUT a tip to the Concierge of Butler may work for that one time exception but then if the ship is at capacity this may not work Alternative - cancel the two mini-suites and book another family suite The family suite can bunk down 2 in the master bedroom - 1-2 in the main room (convertible couch) and then two or three in the 2nd bedroom - with two family suites should cover your group of 8 - yes it will be tight but then all the suite perks are without question.

To be CLEAR - - - The Alaska Railroad operates its Coastal Classic train 7 days a week in season from about mid May to mid September (check their schedule for the exact dates). This train offers seating in Gold Star (Dome class) and Adventure Coach class This train leaves the Anchorage (downtown) Depot at 6:45am arrives at the Seward Depot at 11:15AM --- returns to Anchorage at 6:00pm arrives at the Anchorage (downtown) Depot at 10:00pm. This Coastal Classic train does not go to Whittier The Alaska Railroad operates its Glacier Discovery train 7 days a week in season from about mid May to mid September (check their schedule for the exact dates). This train ONLY offers seating in Adventure Coach Class This train leave the Anchorage (downtown) Depot at 9:45am arrives at the port of Whittier 12:05pm --- returns to Anchorage at 6:45pm arrives at the Anchorage (downtown) Depot at 9:15pm The cruise lines MAY use these scheduled services ! The cruise ship Chartered Trains ONLY operate on the days that the cruise line has a sailing scheduled ! The trains depart from the Anchorage AIRPORT at a time that is set by the Cruise line and the Alaska Railroad - - - For NCL it is usually departing the Airport at noon 12:00pm arriving port/ship side at the Seward Cruise Terminal around 5:00pm For baggage/Luggage handling contact the cruise line for details - - - Often the luggage is check separately and trucked to the ship and is awaiting you in your cabin shortly after boarding - - - You only take your carry-on with passport medicines camera electronic gear and an optional change of clothing on these trips to facilitate better handling/organization. The system work very well and efficiently ! Any questions - please contact the authorized authorities - - - This Post has only been generalization of the routine operation to be expected - - - And you well know how expectations go YMMV

Yes putting the deck furniture out tooo early - the noise of loungers and chairs being dragged across un-insultated decking reverberating on the ceiling of the cabins underneath. Some ships the jogging running track right overhead - some ships the Fitness center or other aerobics activity being conducted (but usually regulated in hours of operation) Also beware of the thundering bass boom box entertainment anywhere near your cabin ! ! ! ! ! Just a warning to check the deck plans to what is above and below you and see if you can live with those interruptions.

It could be as simple as smaller ship fewer crowds of folks - - - Ease in boarding ? Fewer hang-ups complications in conflicting choices dining entertainment excursions ? But then smaller ship in smaller port perhaps more congestion ? Tendering (ports) will always be a problem no matter the size of ship. So many pros & cons - - - - -

From my file pix - 1 looking out from stateroom entrance door 2 looking out the diagonal balcony 3 the cramped space - 2 loungers and useless cocktail table Noteworthy - this cabin can be viewed from above guests looking down from deck 13 Noisy cabin as the running jogging track passes directly overhead The same applies to the mirror image cabin 12530 *** ***Cabin 12530 may experience smoke from the port side smoking area pool deck 12. Both of these are opposite of the ships library - while a quiet zone there is an awful amount of foot traffic going forward to other suites and the hidden inside cabins. There are 4 meeting rooms are next to the library

NCL uses Pier 66 - the other guys Pier 91 Google Maps Map for reference - Zooom in for more detail SEA-TAC airport bottom of image - Pier 66 just off the Big "S" in Seattle Whether you do a walk-off or pick up your checked luggage - the time to the SEA-TAC airport is as noted about a (solid) 30 minutes with traffic cooperating. The check-in at your airline may vary with class of service and any affinity loyalty programs - and off you go to the mayhem of everyone going through a common TSA check point - although having the TSA Pre-Ck or GE and perhaps First/Business Class status may speed you through. Once passed that gauntlet you may have to take an underground shuttle to a remote satellite for your departure gate. All this considered the recommended departure time of 11:30 is valid - it can be tweaked if you want to push your anxiety comfort level - - - Flying eastbound it is a 5-6 hour flight crossing 3 time zones - Leave 11:30am PST arrive 7-8pm EST Using NON-STOP flights (and prevailing tail-winds) All this YMMV

To put this into another perspective - bush pilots flying multi-engine commercial aircraft. Ya donna hafta go to one of those theme parks for a thrill ride !

A Map may give better definition of where things are located at Sitka - Top of map - Cruise Terminal Right - Fortress of the Bear Bottom - Airport Center Right (bottom) Sitka Zooom the Map In or Out for more less detail Bottom Right Corner watch the map mileage scale - you can measure between points Google Maps The sail-away in the early evening is outstanding for photo ops

I believe that Holland-America and RockyMountaineer have some cruise-rail-tour packages centering on Vancouver as the cruise port. Tours in Alaska while they do use the Alaska RR as one of the methods of coordinated travel between points - it is not on same caliber as the Rocky Mountaineer. As a railroad buff both the Alaska RR and RM operate some of the most fantastic bi-level railway cars designed just for day time site seeing and creature comfort (meals etc.)

And the portions and service get bigger and better %#*$ !

Standard for the Garden Villa's is 6 bottles complimentary The Owners Deluxe Owners Suites get 3 Need more contact the Butler * there will be a service charge

Any dining reservations - best to check first thing on boarding at the Dining Reservations desk or the remote location with several crew people manning the system. Verify your reservations or make changes additions as necessary and get the printed receipt showing same. Teppanyaki is one of the most popular and difficult restaurant to get reservations exactly when you want them.

Ships with the Garden Villa - DAWN STAR JEWEL PEARL JADE GEM

Always smart to arrive a day early (if possible using NCL AIR) - Unless leaving from a MAJOR airport such as Atlanta or Miami with non-stop service you don't want to be hassled with a connection flight(s) especially when the weather is in flux or the airline NCL is routing you on is having scheduling/labor issues. There is an hour time zone difference between USA mainland and San Juan - A 2-3 hour flight MIA or ATL to SJU - most ships sail between sunset and 9pm After getting your luggage its about quick half-hour ride or less from the airport to the Pan-Am pier - a bit longer to the old town piers - but traffic is as traffic does. Not a problem - but put all this together it is best to have a cushion perhaps a whole day cushion to work with. On the return not so much a problem - get your luggage (walk-off or checked) - grab a cab - and off to the airport for most any flights after 10-11 am Flights to from Panama - I don't have idea - a whole nother ball (cruise) game Readers ?

It is not complicated - the letter received pre 2nd leg of the B2B should explain everything - if not a pleasant visit to Guest Services - POP the "?" Simply staying in the same stateroom your cabin attendant will take care of all the details in cleaning and resupplying the cabin If changing staterooms - pack all your luggage away and apply any tags provided for delivery to the new stateroom - remember to secure your valuables passports medicines camera etc. separately and take then with you for the moment until your new stateroom is available for occupancy. If perchance you are moving from one cabin to a Suite or Suite to Suite upgrade the Butlers will assist you. If on that 2nd leg of the B2B you will have earned enough Rewards points to move up a level check with the Next Cruise people (or Guest Services) for the entitlements. About the only complication is taking a shore excursion during the B2B change-over - POP the "?" at Guest Services for what is the best way to work this out. Boarding that 2nd leg of the B2B is a breeze - no waiting for groups to be called --- just go on board when the gangway is opened showing your "InTransit Tag" or just visiting tag whichever. Unless there is some Customs Immigration or otherwise issue you may be able to just stay on board if that is what you wish. Enjoy the almost empty ship (briefly) - The Buffet and perhaps one of the MDR will be open - may have trouble finding the one or two bars that are open - the stateroom areas may be restricted while the crew cleans - - - - -

Regardless of the method of the mandatory "Colonel Mustered" Drill - - - Locate that Muster Station in person within the first few days of the cruise How to get there easily - Remember elevators are out of service except for the wheelchair bound HC Is it easier to pass by your cabin to get the life vests or go directly to the Station where vests will be available - Remember in colder climates to have accessible cold weather gear at hand and suitable footwear when going to the Muster Station - In a real emergency - Stairs may be crowded - look for direction of crew members to use hidden crew stairs to get to the Muster Station - Pay attention to announcements - instructions - As noted in a previous post - go to your assigned Muster Station to be accounted for unless otherwise directed Don't be hard to find - this is not a time for hide and seek games - Take the Muster Drills seriously - your life and your love ones depend on it !

Additional note the Costa Concordia was tilted on its side making all the life boats on that side useless - the angle of the tilt which got worse made going to the other side of the ship difficult and successfully launching the remaining boats. Note that the crew did an excellent job in spite of the Captain's lacking instruction and then he too jumped ship early on abandoning his duties.

That is correct - San Juan originations/terminations from the Pan-Am pier and day port stops are at the old city piers. Google Map for reference - zooom in for more details Google Maps

For the first time new guest the Muster Drill is very important - Also for frequent NCL guests on a ship they have not been on before - What location is designated on the guests key card - Where that gathering assemby location is AND visit it - Remember to note the escape route posted on the back of the cabin door - Those that try to skip the drill are not life savers - In an emergency - this is not the time to ask --- Where do I go - What do I do - What's the deal with the vests - Why can't I use the elevators - The SUN needs improvement instead of standing out on a cold wind swept deck listening to a blaring deafening LOUDSPEAKER ! Oh you can not escape the requirement of the Muster Drill - The cruise line will find you ferret you out (petty annoying announcements) By the second day of the cruise have you do a Muster Drill make-up.