AK Dreaming

As the OP I thought I would let you know how it went. We were 3 women in a Balcony Suite cabin. I was told by NCL that they steward would help with the extra bed, but he never did. It was not a vacation ruining situation, but it did make the cabin much less usable and much less comfortatble during the day. Overall I would say there is totally less customer sevice than in the past. On a side note, it was my first cruise on the Bliss and I was not impressed. Much prefer the Getaway ships.

It sold out very fast. I was fortunate enough to get a balcony cabin but I signed up for the presale as soon as I heard about it. Others could not log into book until their presale time and by then it was sold out. Now they have a waiting list that you could not even sign up for until your designated booking time.

Thank You!! That is perfect. If we can go when I want in April they will be 9 and 12. My nephew turns 13 in May. I was afraid it would be to childish for him but the schedule looks like he would have plenty to do as long as there are enough kids. We will be taking them out of school so that is a concern.

Planning to take my niece and nephew on a cruise next year on the Bliss. They are age 9 and 12. What age appropriate activities can we expect in the Splash Academy? Not sure they will attend but I've never had kids with me and want to give them options.

My spouse was a guest entertainer and when I went on a cruise he was working I was given an employee name tag as they are required to be worn in crew areas at all time.

I always buy cruise insurance and usually by the cruise line because it is simplier. I have purchaed outside insurance sometimes. For an upcoming cruise I was searching for insurance as it is a Sixthman cruise and they are all non-refundable once booked. I usually book with my Cruiseline credit card for points but this was with Sixthman so I used my American Express. When readinging my coverage it seems like American Express provides many of the same cancellation and delay coverages as the Insurance policies. Has anyone just used American Express? How was the service if needed?

Yes. Thank you. I found a lot of info there and on the sixthman site. Was hoping for actual experience because I've found that to be way more reliable.

Of course it is a personal choice, but if asking for what we do, then yes. I alway bring cash for tipping at all restaurants.

I’m looking for actual experience from cruisers.

I'm looking at booking a Sixthman cruise on the Gem in 2024. The presale is next week and I've never done a Sixthman cruise before. I am saphire and I do see that I get some of my benefits, but I have many questions that I cannot find answers to and was hoping someone with experience could fill in some blanks. 1. I saw that I get a 30% discount on the drink package which I assume is not included in the pricing. If there are 3 of us in my cabin will the discount be for all 3 of us? 2. The website gives 3 ways to pay. All at once, quarterly or monthly. All starting as soon as you book. Do they offer the same cancellation policy as NCL normally does. I don't mind paying in advance, but the cruise is November 2024 and that's a long way off. 3. The website only shows pricing for the cabins. Are the drink packages the same as a normal NCL Cruise? 4. On a typical Sixthman cruise are most of the activities an extra cost? (photos with guest, crafts, panels) 5. I usually get trip insurance, does Sixthman offer their own or is it NCL insurance. 6. What is usually included in the Sixthman fare? Any other information regarding Sixthman will be greatly appreciated.

I'm planning to book the Gem in 2024 for a Sixthman cruise for my mom. I am Saphire, will I get any of the benefits of the Laititudes program on a Sixthman cruise?

On the Bliss on the April 22nd sailing we ate at Teppanyaki, Food Republic, Cagney's, Ocean Blue and American Diner and it only happened at Cagney's. This time instead of the hard sell at dinner is was just included in our pictures at the photo center.

Hi!. Yes it was the April 22nd cruise and I was at the meet and greet. I will say the Bar staff in the OL as on the rest of the ship was fantatic! I think I had set the bar really high for the OL going in as the Escape, Getaway, Breakaway and Epic I usually sail on do not have one and I was really looking forward to enjoying the experience. For me they kept the temp in there way to hot. I think the space could be used better IMHO. I problaby will go back to the other ships in the future but the Go Carts were cool!

If it were just "people who got there before me and got a seat" as you claim but were not there, it would be what I said. It was people who lay with their head to feet on a whold couch sleeping in a public area.

The whole week I never found a time it didn’t feel like a homeless camp 🤷🏻‍♀️. Maybe if we’d been there at 5:30 am and “reserved “ seats before people came to sleep all over them. But as mentioned previously it was as hot as a sauna in there anyway.

I've sailed NCL many times, but this was my first time on the Bliss. It is a very large ship and can get crowded in certain places. We were able to work our way around this and never really felt the burden of the large ship and almost 100% capacity, but it takes some planning. The ship is lovely. The crew is great and the food is amazing. Alaska never fails to impress and delight. A couple let downs from the Bliss were the thermal suite and observation lounge. I was excited to see both the thermal suite and the observation lounge on this big ship. I usually get a Thermal Suite pass, especially in Alaska. But this thermal suite was so small and disappointing. We went on a tour and I thought maybe me missed part of it. It felt very small and cramped compared to the Epic, Escape and Breakaway. By far the biggest let down was the observation lounge. It is basically a flop house for anyone not wanting to be in their cabin. People sleeping on chairs and couches. More chair hogs than the pool deck in the Caribbean. The food they put out is the same everyday and not at all appetizing. It really feels like wasted space. The worst part of the service was the change to once a day room cleanings. We were three women in one Club Balcony Suite. I asked NCL before and after booking about the set up and take down of the extra bed each day and was assured it would be done even though there was only one service per day. This was a lie and it was never done not once. The couch being a bed basically made the room unusable for anything but sleeping the entire cruise. Embarkation was organized and fast. Debarkation was a mess. Luckily I went down to ask and realized what was going on. We got of quickly after. I don't think the big ships are right for Alaska. I did the Jewel in Alaska last time and I will return to that size ship for all future Alaska cruises.

Another vote for Alaska! Spain and Italy were beautiful also. Finland, Sweden and Copenhagen were all disappointing imo

Glad you made it!! See you tomorrow!!

Yes. I alway bring snacks.

We have a direct flight from Fort Lauderdal tonight and I'm freaking out about delays. You my new friend are BRAVE. Hope to see you at the Meet and Greet!!

After a day of drinking on the ship I fell asleep in Burn the Floor (which I loved). So sleeping is not always a sign of a bad show. LOL

I can't believe I'm acutually getting into this conversation but just because it is a publicly traded company does not mean the money you pay for your cruise gratuities goes to the people that serve you. They can pool all the money from all the ships and award people based on time on ships, level of job and from what I've "been told" Comment cards goes into the calculation. That being said before Covid I was sailing about 4 times a year and have never considered removing fees "my choice". However, based on what I've been reading on these boards lately about the service and my personal experiece last September on the Getaway I can understand. It may possbily be the only way to get NCL to pay attention to the lack of care passengers are getting.

Hi there! I'm also a Steeler fan living in Florida. This is my fourth time to Alaska. My first time was going to be a once in a lifetime trip. Once there, that changes for many. I've been to a lot of places but Alaska is by far the most beautiful. I"ve done my share of Whale watching. But every time we find something new depending on what month we go. Helicopter to a Glacier, Float plane to see Bears, wild life viewing trips and of course shopping. This time we are trying the Train in Skagway, mushers camp and kayaking. Already planning my next trip in my head.

I packed on Sunday. Woke up this morning realizing everything I forgot. Plan to repack tonight after work. Flying out on Friday.

I'm a simple Jack and Diet Coke kind a girl. But in Alaska I've been know to have a Hot Chocolate with Baileys. The Carribean is aways a Margaritta. Let your festive mood dictate you beverage.