Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

BirdTravels to Alaska on the Norwegian Joy

BirdTravels

By BirdTravels,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Canvas by U - paint a master piece was offered 4 times on the cruise (whale tail twice) Sign-up in the Social as soon as you board. Sells out fast. $35 per session. 

 

Instructors take you through step by step. No prior experience required. Works better with a large glass of wine. 

 

5D1FF33A-97BF-422B-9EDF-4E0288307724.thumb.jpeg.381f44db2f772f2a50fb269c72d0943e.jpeg

 

 

C6628320-C6FC-4A3D-86A0-D3156036CA1C.jpeg

75DCDDC7-1ADD-46A7-9E9D-F712B0CCBA9F.jpeg

28CFF9C4-8FD4-41E4-ADD3-02088E13D23B.jpeg

Edited by BirdTravels
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well folks, that’s a wrap. Thank you for joining the Bird on a wonderful 7-day Alaskan adventure on the beautiful Norwegian Joy.

 

We had great “shorts weather” in each of our ports. The past couple of days returning from Icy Strait, the water was almost glassy most of the time making it easy to pick out whales and sea life. 

 

We arrived in Seattle in a pouring rain. But our voyage is over. 

 

Self Assist walk off didn’t start until around 7:15 (delays clearing the ship). We left our room around 7:40. The concierge routed us to priority disembarkation. But we were held at the gangway and again in the terminal due to long lines at customs. The CBP officers wer out of their booths doing a quick ID check and verbal declaration, but it was still a long line. 

 

We used the NCL shuttle for $20 pp. as fast as they could load the motor coach, they were sending them to the airport. We were elated that we were not standing in the pouring rain looking for an Uber. 

 

Bye!

 

1C9748CB-0B19-4DF3-A03E-7A9D641F0CCE.jpeg

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites
david_sobe

david_sobe

Posted
Posted

Thanks again for another wonderful review.  Your photos are always top notch.  The bear and whale photos were taken during an excursion?  If so, which was it.

How was the Galaxy Pavilion?  I heard NCL changed their 90 minute unlimited games and is open to anyone now.  True?  Was it crowded?  If true, I could see a long wait for some games on sailings with lots of kids (Encore and the Caribbean).

What was your room?  Balcony concierge?  Overall, how was it staying in these kind of suites.  Was it truly a Haven-lite experience?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

Posted
  • Author
Posted
34 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Thanks again for another wonderful review.  Your photos are always top notch.  The bear and whale photos were taken during an excursion?  If so, which was it.

How was the Galaxy Pavilion?  I heard NCL changed their 90 minute unlimited games and is open to anyone now.  True?  Was it crowded?  If true, I could see a long wait for some games on sailings with lots of kids (Encore and the Caribbean).

What was your room?  Balcony concierge?  Overall, how was it staying in these kind of suites.  Was it truly a Haven-lite experience?

Bear and whale were on the Icy Strait Whale and Wildlife shore ex and the Juneau Glacier Explorer shore ex. 

 

Dispite what the internet says, the Galaxy Pavillon was pay-by-the-ride. Most rides were $5 (some a little more). There was initial interest on the first day, then a slow trickle on other days. NCL must be making money since they are taking space on the Encore for one. 

 

Concierge Balcony (vs fake balcony). It is a small ship suite (not Haven) lite. Very little benefit (other than a bigger room and upgraded amenities). In some ports, they allowed us to bypass the boarding lines. Others not. Nothing written down. Even in the Seattle terminal, no one could provide information on where lunch was and where priority suites seating was. Not that it mattered, several hundred non-suites/non-priority guests were boarded before they called for Concierge passengers.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Steff79

Steff79

Posted
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

A busy day at the Vibe at 11:30 on our second sea day. 

 

ACB9A971-2F60-4A79-98E3-48286EC98A78.jpeg

5274658F-E467-40C3-A3CA-224713E43DFF.jpeg

it is great that NCL is sending 2021 Encore with a bigger Vibe to Alaska. Nobody has to worry about not getting a seat at the vibe.

 

great review / pics. thank you. thinking about booking a Alaska cruise for 2021.

Edited by Steff79
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Msmojo66

Msmojo66

Posted
Posted
On 8/6/2019 at 1:01 AM, BirdTravels said:
On 8/6/2019 at 1:01 AM, BirdTravels said:

On port days, in addition to Value pricing, the spa offers specials. Multiple mini treatments for a fixed price. 

 

Wish I had gotten this one!!

 

E734A59B-B33C-4653-8316-B6AC090298A6.jpeg

On port days, in addition to Value pricing, the spa offers specials. Multiple mini treatments for a fixed price. 

 

 

E734A59B-B33C-4653-8316-B6AC090298A6.jpeg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Msmojo66

Msmojo66

Posted
Posted
On 8/8/2019 at 5:15 PM, Ptroxx said:

Is anyone decorating their doors?     Seems some cruises have been told no more door decorating.   

We were on this sailing and had our door decorated.  We were also on deck 8, last cabin in front of ship, so hardly anyone could see it, until glacier day and they opened employees section to upper deck so a ton of people saw them!!

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Msmojo66

Msmojo66

Posted
Posted
On 8/8/2019 at 6:10 PM, BirdTravels said:

We have a very special room steward!  

We had no towel animals.   Very disappointed!!!    I'm sure the girls (both 11) would have enjoyed them!!   We learned a very valuable lesson....do not pay extra for a large balcony cabin!!!!  We were in 8112, one of 4 large balconies.  Super excited for this balcony room, had 2 chairs, large table and 2 lounge chairs....could have had more!!  Could hardly use it...while sailing too windy, even in Seattle, that day was breezy and  ruined it for us.  Wanted to use it for glacier day...didn't last, until they slowed down and did the rotate thing.  We were so disappointed, as we seriously paid a lot extra for this room and with mom being cane assisted, it was a chore to get to the room!!!  Such a long walk to room and let's not even begin to discuss elevators!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...