NCL Alaska - Advice?

[cb3thatsme]

We booked the Pearl Sept 13, 2015 out of Seattle to Glacier Bay. The Pearl was just refurbished last year so its not like its a shabby ship. It's almost identical to the Jewel. We sailed on the Jewel last year and it was fabulous. So you should really make the decision on the itinerary not the ship, when choosing between the two. We found that the food and drink packages where way to expensive compared to what you'd pay if you just buy what you really want.

We book well in advance and always stay in a suite. That gives us $300 in "play' money on board that more than covers all we eat and drink.

If you wait until closer to cruise time they usually offer a deal to buy three specialty restaurants and a bottle of wine at a reduced price. That's the deal we go for so we get the specialties but its not every night.

Note that Cagneys breakfast is included for suite dwellers every day.

Suites come with a very nice espressos machine for your specialty coffee :)

Sushi al-a-cart is surprisingly good and cheap!

If you buy an alcohol drink package you have to buy for everyone in the suite.

Other options are to buy bottles of wine or buckets of beer. The staff will assure your bottle follows you to any restaurant or location that you want it.

lastly...attend the Cruise Critic Meet and greet!!!

 

Happy sailing

 

Thank you for all of the tips it seems like the consensus is that the specialty dining package is a little outrageous! I will definitely be using the onboard credit for specialty dining thanks for the tip! :) we decided on Jewel it just worked better for us :)

[texankhj]

Finally booked the Alaskan cruise we have always wanted to do but being from Texas - we are not in favor of the cold. Researched all the cruise lines and NCL Jewel fit our interests the best. Leaving Seattle August 30. Most excited about the excursions. We normally sail in the western Caribbean, so never book excursions through the ship. The Jewel offers 2 really good ones. I booked them early as I think they sell out quick. Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour in Ketchikan and Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer in Juneau. Check these out. Happy Sailing Alaska. I am super excited!

Edited June 26, 2014 by texankhj

[cb3thatsme]

Finally booked the Alaskan cruise we have always wanted to do but being from Texas - we are not in favor of the cold. Researched all the cruise lines and NCL Jewel fit our interests the best. Leaving Seattle August 30. Most excited about the excursions. We normally sail in the western Caribbean, so never book excursions through the ship. The Jewel offers 2 really good ones. I booked them early as I think they sell out quick. Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour in Ketchikan and Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer in Juneau. Check these out. Happy Sailing Alaska. I am super excited!

 

Have a great trip! Have you sailed NCL before?

I will check those both out! I've heard the Tracy Arm Explorer is amazing but pricy.. and I've never heard of the Crab one... please post back if you thought thought they worth it I would love to hear your feedback :) (On them and the ship! I'd imagine this is for August 2014?)

 

 

On a side note... Have you ever sailed out of Galveston?

I'm sailing RCCL out of Galveston in February and am looking forward to sailing out of a new port I've actually never even been to Texas! Or been on RCCL so its all new lol

[Thedesertrat]

Been there twice both on the Pearl. Glacier bay is excellent. I recommend the speakeasy martini in cagney's. The "free" meals in all the dining areas are very good. Unless you really need a particular "specialty" these are all you need. We have tried all the specialty and only find cagney's and the Japanese worth a change . Althought if you are a meat eater you need to go to the Brazillian! Also recommend go to Seattle three days early and take some city tours especially the underground!

 

 

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[texankhj]

Have a great trip! Have you sailed NCL before?

I will check those both out! I've heard the Tracy Arm Explorer is amazing but pricy.. and I've never heard of the Crab one... please post back if you thought thought they worth it I would love to hear your feedback :) (On them and the ship! I'd imagine this is for August 2014?)

 

 

On a side note... Have you ever sailed out of Galveston?

I'm sailing RCCL out of Galveston in February and am looking forward to sailing out of a new port I've actually never even been to Texas! Or been on RCCL so its all new lol

 

We have sailed out of Galveston numerous times as it is close. Main thing to keep in mind in February, the weather is inconsistent. May be warm sailing out and freezing coming back in. Or vice versa. We have sailed back in with ice on our balcony rail. February is Texas coldest month. The 1st day at sea will be cold. Once you get out of the gulf, it is instantly warm. Same coming back. So bring warm (Alaska type) for the sail out and in. And cool (shorts and T-shirts) while you are in the Caribbean. Kind of a body shock. We sailed on the Carnival Magic this past Jan. from Galveston to the Bahama's. It was freezing the entire trip. You just never know. As far as RCCL. I like the line. Really cannot tell much difference with any of them. Never met a ship I didn't like. If you would like more information on Galveston, let me know. Happy sailing!

[Budget Queen]

With Tracy Arm, for me, it is always "necessary" to purchase the add on ship tour. It is grossly superior compared to the cruise ship transit. I never compromise and alway book it.

 

Glacier Bay is ALWAYS escorted in with National Park Rangers. You can see at least 4 glaciers, but a lot of people don't. :) NCL does not have ship naturalists, and the lecturers I have sailed with, have a lot to be desired.

 

I have sailed on NCL multiple times in Alaska.

 

As for the "Alaska food", sorry, the salmon- they had as a special was ATLANTIC. Future cruisers, ask and see if they have changed this, but I highly doubt it. They do have the Juneau Alaska brewery bears on board, which are also available in every port. :)

[cruiserninja1]

Finally booked the Alaskan cruise we have always wanted to do but being from Texas - we are not in favor of the cold. Researched all the cruise lines and NCL Jewel fit our interests the best. Leaving Seattle August 30. Most excited about the excursions. We normally sail in the western Caribbean, so never book excursions through the ship. The Jewel offers 2 really good ones. I booked them early as I think they sell out quick. Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour in Ketchikan and Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer in Juneau. Check these out. Happy Sailing Alaska. I am super excited!

 

 

I am from Texas too. We are sailing on the Jewel June 6 2015 ! This will be my second Alaskan cruise .

[cb3thatsme]

We have sailed out of Galveston numerous times as it is close. Main thing to keep in mind in February, the weather is inconsistent. May be warm sailing out and freezing coming back in. Or vice versa. We have sailed back in with ice on our balcony rail. February is Texas coldest month. The 1st day at sea will be cold. Once you get out of the gulf, it is instantly warm. Same coming back. So bring warm (Alaska type) for the sail out and in. And cool (shorts and T-shirts) while you are in the Caribbean. Kind of a body shock. We sailed on the Carnival Magic this past Jan. from Galveston to the Bahama's. It was freezing the entire trip. You just never know. As far as RCCL. I like the line. Really cannot tell much difference with any of them. Never met a ship I didn't like. If you would like more information on Galveston, let me know. Happy sailing!

 

Thanks for the help :) I will ask if I have any other questions!

 

We are coming from Michigan so last year during February it averaged like -10 wind chill it'll be better than that hopefully lol

 

If it is a little cool I like that there is so much to do on the ship besides swimming! In Particular the Royal Promenade looks really really cool :D

 

Glad you didn't notice to much of a difference! I can't wait for my cruises next year I'm excited to try RCCL! I want to book NCL so I can try that too lol

[cb3thatsme]

With Tracy Arm, for me, it is always "necessary" to purchase the add on ship tour. It is grossly superior compared to the cruise ship transit. I never compromise and alway book it.

 

Glacier Bay is ALWAYS escorted in with National Park Rangers. You can see at least 4 glaciers, but a lot of people don't. :) NCL does not have ship naturalists, and the lecturers I have sailed with, have a lot to be desired.

 

I have sailed on NCL multiple times in Alaska.

 

As for the "Alaska food", sorry, the salmon- they had as a special was ATLANTIC. Future cruisers, ask and see if they have changed this, but I highly doubt it. They do have the Juneau Alaska brewery bears on board, which are also available in every port. :)

 

Thank you for all of your tips :D

[cb3thatsme]

Does anyone know if NCL still offers the Jazz Brunch in Le Bistro? I just heard about it and it sounds intriguing :)

[AF-1]

This may be a dumb question but does the basic soda package work in any of the restaurants?

 

Yes they do. If you buy the soda package before you sail; your sea card will have it already added; if you buy onboard; they will add sticker. NCL serves Pepsi products.