LIVE ALASKA NCL BLISS 04-22-2023 to 04-29-2023 Review

[Sugar Magnolia]

11 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Onward…Texas Q was very good.  The brisket was tender and flavorful.  The sides were all quite tasty.  Service was great.  What more can you ask for?

 

Dessert?

I am a fan of Q's banana pudding.

 

[lovinger]

On 4/10/2023 at 12:26 AM, fandangocruiser said:

We like it because: 

1.  I'm a news junkie and spend a lot of time surfing. 

 2. Service is usually very slow, and I hate to watch the arrow circling around, knowing that the meter is running.  

3.  I use my tablet before going to bed, and sometimes forget to log out, but that's not a problem if you have unlimited wifi.

4.  Bonus points:  After the first day, the upcharge usually drops about $10-20.  After the second day, they'll tell you the offer is no longer available.  Plan accordingly.

 

How does the price of the unlimited WiFi on ship compare to pre-purchasing? I cruise on the Bliss on 4 days and it costs $109.93 to upgrade now, but I wanted to check out the signal qualify first. Thank you!

Edited April 25, 2023 by lovinger

[graphicguy]

54 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Dessert?

I am a fan of Q's banana pudding.

 

I forgot to take a pic of the banana pudding.  But, I 2nd the vote.  It was really good, too!

[graphicguy]

26 minutes ago, lovinger said:

 

How does the price of the unlimited WiFi on ship compare to pre-purchasing? I cruise on the Bliss on 4 days and it costs $109.93 to upgrade now, but I wanted to check out the signal qualify first. Thank you!

Not sure there is any difference between pre purchase or purchase on board.  The other internet sites seemed to work better than Cruise Critic.  But, WiFi quality is pretty poor overall.  Personal opinion….shut your phone down while on board and use whatever’s available when you dock (as I am now).  Save yourself $100+!

[PATRLR]

On 4/23/2023 at 9:32 PM, graphicguy said:

Not going to give them any pub, but one of them,  who threw a hissy fit because he wasn’t allowed to eat in the Haven, was in a wheel chair.  That has nothing to do with his horrid behavior, but may help identify him.  The Concierge be skewered was Adrian…..great concierge, but no longer with NCL!

I don't understand why those two have so many followers.  Their videos drag on and on, takes them forever to make a point.  I listened to a few a while back but found them un-watchable. 

I just tried to watch the one mentioned here, more of the same, unwatchable.  He starts reading this multipage letter he sent to Andy Stewart and says something about Andy reading the letter and I couldn't help but think there ain't no way he's reading that letter.

[graphicguy]

Latitude Members-Gold and above I believe, we’re allowed to get an early escort off the ship.  Good news/bad news…no crowds….the town doesn’t really open until 9:00!

 

Another tip…if you can’t get the White Pass train at the time you prefer, buy it in town.  They have openings.  I ran back to the ship to get a refund on my 2:00 excursion.  Got one leaving earlier in town.  After discounts from NCL, pricing is similar.  But, the schedules are available in town that NCL may not be able to get!

 

There is netting and barriers around where the rock slide occurred.

[graphicguy]

Skagway is about ⅓-½ mile from the ship….maybe a 10 minute walk.  So, instead of waiting for the bus, I hoofed it.  Nice, brisk and chilly hike to warm the body!

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

BTW…getting strong Verizon signal and LTE speeds in Skagway.  

 

Cruise Critic, while better, is still slower than all of the other WEB sites I visit!

Edited April 25, 2023 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

Temps in Skagway are around 35-40F.  Sun is peaking in and out!  No rain in sight!

[eileeshb]

22 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Skagway is about ⅓-½ mile from the ship….maybe a 10 minute walk.  So, instead of waiting for the bus, I hoofed it.  Nice, brisk and chilly hike to warm the body!

 

 

 

 

Is that the distance from where the pier shuttle drops you? Or were you allowed to walk the pier?

[KKB]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Not sure there is any difference between pre purchase or purchase on board.  The other internet sites seemed to work better than Cruise Critic.  But, WiFi quality is pretty poor overall.  Personal opinion….shut your phone down while on board and use whatever’s available when you dock (as I am now).  Save yourself $100+!

It doesn't seem to matter what ship I'm on, CC just doesn't play well--NO idea why.

Sailing Quantum of Seas to AK in Sept comped.

I wasn't going to get internet for $140...figured I'd just get data in port. 

But BFF is going now...perhaps we will share a plan.

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, eileeshb said:

Is that the distance from where the pier shuttle drops you? Or were you allowed to walk the pier?

⅓-½ mile from pier into town.  And yes…you can walk along the pier into Skagway!  That’s what I did!

[Nataly1982]

2 hours ago, eileeshb said:

Is that the distance from where the pier shuttle drops you? Or were you allowed to walk the pier?

Hi. I discovered that YouTube is a great way to familiarise yourself with ports. 
 

Here is 2 mins video about Skagway. 
 

Hope it’s ok to post YT link on here. If not just search YouTube for “Skagway Alaska what to expect in port ncl Alaska cruise”. He has videos about other ports as well. Hope this is helpful. 
 

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

15 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

So what was the ceremony like when you were anointed into the 🐀 pack? Were mazes and treats involved?😀

It’s super secret, but let’s just say the brew house had to check their beer budget after they finally kicked us out, allegedly for some function that would help them repair that budget.

 

@YVRteacher  please check my sig. That will be your first step on an incredible journey. @graphicguyhas mostly survived.   
 

Incredible?  We’ll, as Doctor Evil would say, “I really can’t back that up”. 🤣

Edited April 25, 2023 by ChiefMateJRK

[eileeshb]

13 minutes ago, Nataly1982 said:

Hi. I discovered that YouTube is a great way to familiarise yourself with ports. 
 

Here is 2 mins video about Skagway. 
 

Hope it’s ok to post YT link on here. If not just search YouTube for “Skagway Alaska what to expect in port ncl Alaska cruise”. He has videos about other ports as well. Hope this is helpful. 
 

 

Sure you can post videos, but that video pre-dates the rock slide and what impact that has had on the railway pier cruise ship berths. That’s why I asked the question .. last week @ChiefMateJRK said it was shuttle buses from the ship gangway to the pier entrance,  now. @graphicguyis saying they’re allowed to walk from the gangway . 
meanwhile other cruiselines are still iffy about using the railroad dock forward berth as that is the one with a worrisome boulder uphill. 

Edited April 25, 2023 by eileeshb
Fixing autocorrects

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 hours ago, laudergayle said:

Yay that it is still operating.  I bet it will look beautiful seeing the snow.  Pics please…when you can.

We took the cheapo bus excursion to the Canadian border and it was snowing near the top. Spectacular! 

[graphicguy]

Let me amend my post about walking along the pier into Skagway.  This a.m. (7:30) when escorted off the ship, the shuttles weren’t running yet.  So, I just strolled downtown unobstructed.

 

On the way back after the White Pass train excursion, they steered us to shuttles back to the ship.  So, Chief is right.  But, you disembark early enough, no one is around to keep you from hoofing it into town!

[ChiefMateJRK]

13 minutes ago, eileeshb said:

Sure you can post videos, but that video pre-dates the rock slide and what impact that has had on the railway pier cruise ship berths. That’s why I asked the question .. last week @ChiefMateJRK said it was shuttle buses from the ship gangway to the pier entrance,  now. @graphicguyis saying they”re allowed to walk from the gangway . 
meanwhile other cruiselines are still iff about using the railroad dock forward berth as that it the one with a worrisome boulder uphill. 

Everybody, at a minimum, has to shuttle past the rock slide.  I can’t help but think of the Harry Chapin song when we go by it. I believe it is called “The Rock.”  One driver told us it is really just one house sized rock they are so worried about.  Those old railway diesels are parked there as a sacrificial measure. 
 

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Let me amend my post about walking along the pier into Skagway.  This a.m. (7:30) when escorted off the ship, the shuttles weren’t running yet.  So, I just strolled downtown unobstructed.

 

On the way back after the White Pass train excursion, they steered us to shuttles back to the ship.  So, Chief is right.  But, you disembark early enough, no one is around to keep you from hoofing it into town!

I stand corrected!

[depplep]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Temps in Skagway are around 35-40F.  Sun is peaking in and out!  No rain in sight!

I'm going to die in October! If you think of  it can you post a picture of the beer menu? Would it be the same for Encore do you imagine?

[graphicguy]

Just returned from the White Pass Train Excursion.  Pics to follow, but in a word, stunning!

 

The final 6 miles of tracks up through the pass are still snow covered.  So, the last little bit of the train ride is unavailable.  

 

From our vantage point, you could see it was quite snowy still.  So understandable!

 

I’ll see if I can post pics.  Back on board for lunch, but will head back into the town a little later!

[SightCRR]

Looks like nice day from the faa camera. 

[graphicguy]

Not sure what beers are on which ship.  I drink Stella Artois.  I’ve not even seen a beer list.  So, I know they have Stella.

 

My friend @ChiefMateJRK drinks Guinness, so they have that, too!

Edited April 25, 2023 by graphicguy

[fastpitchdad]

24 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Not sure what beers are on which ship.  I drink Stella Artois.  I’ve not even seen a beer list.  So, I know they have Stella.

 

My friend @ChiefMateJRK drinks Guinness, so they have that, too!

 

On tap? Nitro?