Live from the NCL Sun June 30-July 10, Summer time viewing of whales, bears and eagles!

[Happycrafter123]

Such a gorgeous day!

 

I’m guessing many cruisers must be out enjoying the sun this morning as it’s relatively quiet at port.

 

UberXL from Warwick hotel to port was $19

 

Smooth drop off of luggage and check in.

 

 

waiting room at 10:30am now has 75% of seats taken.

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

We boarded at just after 11, and got our room about 3:30.  Sadly realized I did not pack skin cream or sandals (???how does that happen??).

 

Great band on the pool deck and enjoyed the pool and drinks while waiting.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[Happycrafter123]

Todays daily

 

[Seas2mountains]

Just wanted to stop in to say that I hope you have a wonderful cruise! It looks like you will have beautiful weather. 
 

Both of our ships will overlap in Juneau for about an hour on Sunday. We will be sure to wave. 
 

Looking forward to reading more of your review when our cruise on the Spirit ends. 

[KACTravels]

On 6/20/2023 at 9:58 PM, YVRteacher said:

Yes, I’m on the Spirit for the first time from July 5-19 as a back to back from Vancouver->Seward->Vancouver.  Then home for one night and fly to Iceland for a B2B for 23 nights. This is my summer of NCL.  Is it too soon for me to start trip reports???

Wow!!!  I didn’t know you are going to Iceland B2B. Good for you!  Can’t wait for your trip report. 

[KACTravels]

@Happycrafter123!  I just started following and wish you an amazing cruise. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. What type of crafting do you do?  Did you craft anything for the cruise?

[Mizunosport]

I am so excited to follow along! Especially seeing the dailies! We get on when you get off 🙂 

[Happycrafter123]

15 hours ago, Mizunosport said:

I am so excited to follow along! Especially seeing the dailies! We get on when you get off 🙂 

You must be excited getting organized!  It loooks like you will also get more sun than we will 😉. Where are you coming from?

[Happycrafter123]

16 hours ago, KACTravels said:

@Happycrafter123!  I just started following and wish you an amazing cruise. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. What type of crafting do you do?  Did you craft anything for the cruise?

I debated decorating ducks but wound up just bringing the ones as I got them with no extra decorations.  I brought some wool and crochet needles to work on a new scarf.  Do you craft?

[Happycrafter123]

Day 1 summary and first day observations 

 

Day 1 was excellent.  I had more fun than any other embarcation/sea day on a cruise.  Normally I avoid the main pool deck due to the large crowds but it had a nice vibe and enough people that we struggled to find chairs but not too many to feel overwhelming.  Good music selection and live band for a while.  Did the conga.  Danced a bit.  Went in the pool and hot tubs.  Then went to the spa raffle which I thought would be boring but the facilitator made it really fun.  On to a marvelous dinner at le bistro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall demographic on this cruise is much younger than the last couple we went on, a lot of folks in 30s and 40s and kids.  I don’t have kids but enjoy the energy and it’s nice that there is a younger feel to the crowd.

 

I knew beforehand that the ship has an odd layout and had noticed folks complaining about it before and did not expect it to be an issue for me but it is.  When you are cold and tired and can’t figure out how to get from dinner to your room without going outside since you can’t traverse from aft to forward without going outside except in limited spots, that is extremely frustrating.  The ship runs very cool, in addition to that need for frequent inside/outside navigation and I expect I will start carrying a coat around.  

 

And yes, this ship rocks a LOT more than the larger Breakaway and Getaway ships.  It bobs and sways continually.  

 

 

 

As we tried to find a way from dinner to our room last night we stumbled upon a theatre with a comedy act, great comedian!  Did not catch his name and it does not show up in the daily but I hope we will get to see him again.

 

 

I’m not so happy news, my onboard account shows significant tax charges on drinks yesterday.  Not something we encountered on our prior (european) cruises.   

 

Yikes!  That adds up in a hurry!

[Mizunosport]

27 minutes ago, Happycrafter123 said:

You must be excited getting organized!  It loooks like you will also get more sun than we will 😉. Where are you coming from?

 Right here in Seattle 🙂 Might be a touch warmer, but looks like the ship is running cool? I will be packing more coats and layer. The nice thing about not flying is being able to bring some extra creature comforts 😉 The bobbing and swaying has me so nervous since our cabin is forward.

[KACTravels]

3 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

I debated decorating ducks but wound up just bringing the ones as I got them with no extra decorations.  I brought some wool and crochet needles to work on a new scarf.  Do you craft?

A little. I have a Cricut because I make stencils for my Royal Icing Sugar Cookies. Because I have a Cricut I dabble in other crafting with Vinyl, paper and Iron On Materials 

[Happycrafter123]

2 hours ago, KACTravels said:

A little. I have a Cricut because I make stencils for my Royal Icing Sugar Cookies. Because I have a Cricut I dabble in other crafting with Vinyl, paper and Iron On Materials 

Ah, yes i have a silhouette cameo and do card making and paper crafts too but not for my cruising.  I should use it more for decorating vacation shirts or something but haven’t so far.   Find my craft blog searching happycrafter123 on google.

[Happycrafter123]

Today was fun so far.  I had an awesome manager special massage for $179 plus tax and tip that was 75 min.  Very very very enjoyable.   Also did the Mccallan Whiskey tasting sensory experience which was interesting.

 

 

 

Attended the latitude event (boring and no stats about the ship or anything, the cruise critic gatherings I attended my last two cruises were much more informative) it did have a great musician and I really enjoyed just sitting and listening to that.

 

 

have decided I am unlikely to cruise the sun again.  Actually much prefer the energy and casualness of the sun, and good music, more personable etc over larger ships, but way too rocky and way too cold with poor layout.  the buffet is a horrible crowded and cold experience and we have to wear coats inside to eat after standing in long line ups to get food, have to fight to find a seat, to finally eat stone cold food.  Not a great experience.  And thermal spa would have made my days better in this cold weather.

 

tonight we have a show and dinner at Cagneys. Mmmm already thinking about filet.

[Happycrafter123]

Spa special was discounted an additional $50 for this To $179 plus tax and 20% tip, for those who attended the spa raffle event.

 

i really liked the eye treatment, it felt good and I think my eyes look better 😉

 

 

[Mizunosport]

41 minutes ago, Happycrafter123 said:

Today was fun so far.  I had an awesome manager special massage for $179 plus tax and tip that was 75 min.  Very very very enjoyable.   Also did the Mccallan Whiskey tasting sensory experience which was interesting.

 

 

 

Attended the latitude event (boring and no stats about the ship or anything, the cruise critic gatherings I attended my last two cruises were much more informative) it did have a great musician and I really enjoyed just sitting and listening to that.

 

 

have decided I am unlikely to cruise the sun again.  Actually much prefer the energy and casualness of the sun, and good music, more personable etc over larger ships, but way too rocky and way too cold with poor layout.  the buffet is a horrible crowded and cold experience and we have to wear coats inside to eat after standing in long line ups to get food, have to fight to find a seat, to finally eat stone cold food.  Not a great experience.  And thermal spa would have made my days better in this cold weather.

 

tonight we have a show and dinner at Cagneys. Mmmm already thinking about filet.

 *Adds spa raffle to the to do list and runs to check Bonine supply* 

 

I am going to feel like a pro thanks to you!

[YVRteacher]

You can get free anti seasick tablets from Guest Services. They are non drowsy and (for me) are wonderful.

[Happycrafter123]

Todays sea day had lots of activities!  Here is the daily:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[Happycrafter123]

Glorious day today!  We are cruising through the inside passage now so the water is calm, and the sun is shining.  We are scheduled to get to Juneau at 3:45 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[Happycrafter123]

Today’s daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[Seas2mountains]

Welcome to Juneau from our view on the Spirit!   The weather report predicts sunshine in a few hours. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and great weather! 
 

If you have tickets for the Tram, they had a sign out this morning to say it might be running at 2pm but we haven’t seen any go up the mountain yet. 

[Happycrafter123]

22 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

Welcome to Juneau from our view on the Spirit!   The weather report predicts sunshine in a few hours. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and great weather! 
 

If you have tickets for the Tram, they had a sign out this morning to say it might be running at 2pm but we haven’t seen any go up the mountain yet. 

 

 

 

 

@Seas2mountains I just took a photo of your ship too!  How was your day in Juneau?  I will have to go read your live to see what you got up to 😉

 

yes got a notice tram is not available.

 

we are whale watching today, though Hubby has a small group private tour with Harv and Marv and I have NCL photo safari.

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

We are coming into Skagway now.

 

a rough technology day so far—lost connection to NCL app so can’t get the daily or check what’s happening…..or even find out hours for internet manager.  can’t connect to go pro to download or view yesterday’s photos……sigh…sometimes you just have to hope it will work later.

 

Yesterday was a great day but today is starting out a bit rougher.  Looks a bit grey and 40% chance of rain.  Hopefully it warms up, the rain stays away and I can get my technology working.

 

Today we have the best of Skagway tour booked with NCL.

 

 

[Happycrafter123]

review of yesterday’s photo safari with NCL

 

nice group size of 14 people.  A fun crowd, everyone was friendly and chatting with each other, I felt very fortunate to have such a nice group of people to spend the day with.  

 

 

we started the journey with a walk in the woods at the glacier.  This was not overly strenuous but would have been challenging for those with mobility concerns.  We learned a few tips for our various cameras or iPhones.  Weather was good and the air fresh.  A few mosquitoes (bring your mosquito repellent!)

 

 

 

after that we drove over to the marina.  We had a pretty big boat for the size of grouo which was comfy to spread out and enjoy the views.
 

 

 

 

 

 

we saw tons of whales as well as several instances of bubble feeding (I sadly did not get photos on my iPhone of that and still can’t download off my other camera or go pro, crossing fingers I have some good ones)

 

when we got back to ship there was a short line up to enter the ship.  
 

starving after a while 6 hours away from the ship I raced to buffet.  They were scheduled to close at 9:30 and I got there at 9:35.  There was a long line and lots of folks arriving at that time and thankfully they kept the food stations open till almost 10 so late arrivals could grab dinner.

 

 

still feeling wide awake despite the late hour, headed to the Atrium to listen to my new favorite entertainer, Matthew, and enjoy a fancy coffee from Starbucks.

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2023 by Happycrafter123

[shadowmeboy]

Went railfanning in Skagway this morning!