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This casual, urban beer hall is home to one of the most extensive beer lists found on any cruise ship. Our cruise featured several Alaskan brews on tap, boasting over 20 beers on tap and up to 50 ales, lagers, and stouts in total. In the evenings, Ryan offered a variety of pub-style tunes alternating between guitar and piano, making for some lively nights in this venue.
Norwegian Sun Alaska Cruise Review – Final Thoughts
Cruisers can then opt to purchase additional night packages if they choose. Cruisers who have loyalty status with NCL may also receive additional meal credits. This thermal suite on Norwegian Encore is one of the biggest in the industry, featuring a hydro-pool, heated stone loungers, and several other experiences like a sauna and a salt room. It also has amazing aft views from the 270 degree wall of windows blanketing the back of this Deck 17 space. Despite all the other onboard and ashore activities, we made sure to reserve some time for a little relaxation here. Adults have their own pool too, just a bit more forward on the same deck.
Day 3: Juneau, Alaska
Tonight on the menu for Don was Asian spareribs summer roll, bang bang chicken & shrimp, and the lava cake. While still better than our original expectations, we did enjoy today’s lunch better than dinner. Securing the necessary photos and videos, we were finally ready to go ashore around 5 PM. About 2 hours after the ship was cleared, there were no lines or waits to get off the ship or secure a shuttle to the downtown area.
Dinner and Some Laughs
We liked the modern conveniences like USB outlets near the bed for charging phones and the “make up room” and “do not disturb” buttons in the room. Overall, this cabin had a premium feel with adequate space for a week-long cruise. The closet included a clothes bar with hangers along with a series of shelves.
Don walked around collecting the remaining photos and videos returning with our morning dose of Starbucks. Our guide gave us a brief tour of the grounds with some narrative about the poles, as well as visiting a replica clan house and a restoration building with some artifacts. After some free time to walk around on our own and visit the gift shop, we were off to Downtown for our lumberjack show. Thus, we were up early and headed ashore by 8 AM to meet our tour in the main terminal building. This building is quite large but is basically just a gift shop and tour meeting area.
Ketchikan Port Day
With most of the glacier viewing done around noon time, we made our first (and only) visit to the Garden Café for lunch all week. The selections were pretty typical of a cruise ship buffet, with nothing really wow’ing us. Along the way, there’s also opportunity to see the Lamplugh Glacier, Grand Pacific Glacier, Reid Glacier, and the John Hopkins Glacier. During this time of year, cruise ships are not allowed past Jaw Point, meaning the John Hopkins Glacier is about 6 miles away. After our balcony, we ended up spending the rest of our glacier viewing time between the Vibe Beach Club and the pool deck. The Vibe Beach Club, while an up-charge, is a hidden gem even in Alaska.
What's New for the 2024 Alaska Cruise Season - Cruise Critic
What's New for the 2024 Alaska Cruise Season.
Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Seattle Marriott Waterfront is literally across the street from NCL’s docking location in Seattle. Checking out of the hotel by 11 AM, we simply walked across the street, dropped our bags with the porters, and were onward to the terminal check-in process in no time. Also sailing out of Seattle, Norwegian Encore is back for another season in Alaska. In addition, the captain opens up the bow of the ship on Deck 8 for this day only, and passengers can enjoy coffee, tea, and hot chocolate while viewing Glacier Bay outdoors.
If water activities are more your speed, kayaking tours are available at Mud Bay, a serene spot perfect for paddling. As we paddled through the serene waters, we were greeted by local residents—sea lions and bald eagles. It was a surreal experience, paddling while these majestic creatures went about their day. We enjoyed local food and had a chance to admire the famous whale fountain. In summary, this review is your compass if you want to navigate the complexities of planning an Alaska cruise. We’re committed to sharing our hard-earned knowledge to help you embark on the adventure you’ve been dreaming of.
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Another way to secure a lower price is by booking a cabin on a lower deck. Cabins on higher decks often come with a premium price tag due to their desirable views and proximity to amenities. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of convenience, you can find more affordable options on lower decks. One of the standout features of Norwegian Bliss is it’s incredible entertainment offerings. The ship boasts a state-of-the-art theater that showcases Broadway-style shows, as well as a variety of live music acts and comedy performances.
Following the comedy show, we made one more stop of the night at my favorite bar on the ship, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. We had to start the cruise off right with a Raspberry-Guava and Jalapeno Cucumber mojito. Back to the cabin, we finished unpacking and got ready for dinner.
Finally, you go to a show and have 2 more cocktails ($10 + $14). If you are not going through the Free At Sea promotion, then the unlimited drink package costs $109 per day + Gratuity. Staff will direct you through the remaining steps, from the security checkpoint and collecting your room key, etc. First, you can check any luggage you don’t want to drag around the ship before your rooms are ready.
Exclusive to Norwegian, all Cruise Tours are led by local Alaskan guides to provide you with an authentic Alaska experience. You can witness calving glaciers, spot wildlife such as whales and eagles, visit charming coastal towns, and immerse yourself in Alaskas rich cultural and natural heritage. Whether youre interested in outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking or prefer a more relaxed experience, there are various cruise options to suit every travelers preferences. Additionally, sailing on an older ship from a brand you like can also help you snag a great deal on an Alaskan cruise. Cruise lines frequently introduce new ships with updated features and amenities, which can come with a higher price tag. By opting for an older ship, you can enjoy the same itinerary and destinations at a lower cost.
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