CaribbeanLuver

Thank you! I'll look for a later flight.:)

We will be cruising with NCL for the first time in July. Our return time to Seattle shows 8am. How does the disembarkation process work? Is self disembarkation an option? Is a 10:40 flight too early?

Thanks in advance!

As stated, the cruise line will not make that much difference. The difference is that it is Alaska, and the cruise will have a totally different feel. You will probably want to set aside a healthy budget for excursions if you really want to see Alaska, although there are some worthwhile things to do that are inexpensive like the "drive up" glacier in Juneau. Excursions in Alaska are expensive. The cruise ship will not always have the "best" tour either for the experience or the price, for example, the whale watch tours. Read the Alaska board here for all the info you can get. Many post very detailed reviews and there is loads of info about excursions, what to pack, weather, you name it.

Thank you! The first thing I've noticed while researching is how much more expensive the excursions are AND the hotel prices in Seattle near the port!

I have sailed Carnival in both Alaska and the Caribbean.

Sailed Alaska on Holland-America.

Sailed NCL both in Alaska and the Caribbean.

(Check my signature line at the bottom of this)

 

Differences:

1. Port stops and Glacier viewing vary with each cruise line.

2. Ports (origin/destination) Seattle - Vancouver - Anchorage (Seward and Whittier)

Ports - Victoria - Nanaimo - Ketchikan - Juneau - Skagway (Haines) - Sitka* - Icy Straight Point* (Hoonan) * tendering ports.

Glaciers - College Fjord - Hubbard - Glacier Bay - Tracy Arm/Sawyer

3. Shore excursions variable with Cruise Line and contractor.

4. Meals and Services - NCL being "FreeStyle Cruising" and with multiple Specialty Restaurants.

5. NCL has Butlers and Concierges for suites.

6. And not much else different - all ships have casinos - buffets - main dinning

rooms - entertainment (theatres) - lounges and bars - spas - athletic workout

rooms gear - swimming pools - hot tubs - jogging/walking decks - gift shops -

duty free shops - medical centers - some have libraries; chapels and quiet rooms/places.

7. And did I mention FOOD !

 

You can't see it all in one cruise let alone three - it is a repeat adventure.

There is more to cruising than just sailing - take a land tour to Denali (hope the "Mountain is Out" for you)

- ride the Alaska Railroad just for starters.

Thank you!

Dh & I have only sailed Carnival and the Caribbean so far. We just booked an NCL cruise to Alaska for July. Wondering what are the main differences?

We got it for $145 through last minute travel club (end of October). They had $100 cheaper than through Expedia.

We have only cruised Carnival so far and it's not that we're Carnival cheerleaders. I've found some cruises on other lines that were comparable price wise but haven't been able to find as good of itineraries. Also, I LOVE the beds on Carnival and would be so disappointed if another line's weren't as comfortable.:D

We've done both and love both. Now it just depends on what kind of vacation we're in the mood for. Cruising is a more active vacation, IMO. There's something new to see and do at every port. AI's are great for relaxing and not being on a schedule. We mix it up.:D

I booked the IC for this September directly thru the hotel site. They had a great price if you prepaid your stay. It worked out to be $130 a night for a port view double/double!! :D

Wow, that's an awesome price! The cheapest I can find through them directly is $ 236.00. :eek:

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'm surprised to hear there is such a difference in these hotels as they have been comparably priced on the sites I've searched. Guess it is well worth to pay a little extra for the ITC.:D

Has anyone stayed at both? If so, which do you prefer?

Also, I'm probably going to book through a travel site and from what I've seen it doesn't allow me to pick a room that is on port side. Do you think this is something I could do when we arrive?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, you've got more than enough time. It's a half hour tops to get there, depending on how many photo stops you make.

Thank you!!:)

How far from port are the flats? We are doing the Woodwind snorkeling at noon but our ship arrives in port at 7am. Wondering if we have enough time to get to the flats and back.

132 :eek::D:D:D

We sailed on the Victory in 2009 before the 2.0 upgrades so probably don't have too much good info. But she was beautiful!

Pictures! And I particularly like the humorous ones. :D

We had FTTF on the Liberty in 2013. We had our luggage minutes after getting to our room at 11:00. It's also really nice to not have to wait in line at the service desk. Worth every penny to us.

Does anyone know of any private operator that offers this in St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua, Aruba, or or Grenada? Would post this on a port board but isn't specific to one port.

What's great to do here? We love beaches and snorkeling but are open to anything!:D

Some of us that book inside cabins do so because we choose to spend our vacation money on other things. Who is to say just because you're booking a balcony or suite that we aren't spending more money on other things?

I find this whole issue ridiculous. There isn't a loyalty program out there that will sway my decision on which cruise to book. Perks are nice but a $9 drink or a party or a pin make any significant difference to me.

I can't speak specifically to that restaurant but I work at a steakhouse. Big parties are always served their food at the same time and with the same attention as small groups. I don't think you need to worry!

The insurance Carnival offers is pretty decent and reasonable. Life happens, best to be prepared.

FLL is currently a giant mess of construction both inside and out.

The north terminal at MIA--used by American, the only airline flying non-stop MCI-MIA--just completed a top-to-bottom upgrade. For a domestic flight you will grab your bags and be in a taxi far faster than at FLL.

All the budget carriers that use FLL over MIA makes FLL a giant clusterflop on busy cruise turnaround days. And the horror you really want to avoid is changing planes at DFW or ATL just to save a few dollars. Book that non-stop to MIA and don't think twice about it.

Thank you! This is good info to know.

Anyone know how many?

Our cruise leaves from Miami and we can get a straight flight from KC to Miami. Flights to FLL are longer. However, I've read horror stories about the Miami airport. Thoughts/advice?