mnmama43

Hello always help and awesome community! I got a lot of incredibly helpful information when I asked about Alaskan excursions so I'm asking another question! We will have a 7 day south-bound Alaskan cruise booked for July '24 booked. We will be on the Noordam. Our TA put us down for the fixed dining first seating so I'm wondering how that all works. We are going with my brother and sister in-law as well and they have the same dining time. Here's the questions: can or should we ask to always sit with more than just the 4 of us? How many could we be seated with? Both my hub and I are pretty out-going and look forward to meeting new people. what happens on nights when we have an excursion that ends later? or what about a night we want to eat somewhere else, like doing room service for a quiet night or making a rez at Pinnacle or wherever? Would we even do fixed dining? We all have Club Orange or are Neptune suite level so there is something I believe about a 'separate' MDR line? Thanks every one in advance!!!!

Wow - I'm talking detailed notes. Thanks everyone so far!

This seems like a really helpful place so thought I'd ask. We just booked our 2nd ever cruise on HAL. First was NCL over 7 years ago to Caribbean-Meh!. We choose HAL (first time!) to Alaska. Starting July 25, 2024 on 10 day Denali starting in Fairbanks then, after 3 days on land, we cruise southbound 7 days and disembark in Vancouver. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the excursion choices to make-some of them are already sold out. Here's my questions/pleas: -I have a $200 credit for the HAL excursions but I know a lot of people talk about using other venders. My worries is WHO? I don't have anyone to ask or check with or plan this for me and I don't want to be stuck with a dud! When would I book those, and are any going to be 'same-day'? -Which excursions, HAL or otherwise, are absolutely not to be missed?? This would be for 2 nights in Denali, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Katchikan. -Can we generally just make a day of wandering around the ports above? My hubby is not so hot to 'overbook ourselves' (his words) with back-to-back tours at every place for all day. We would like to be kinda chill and just see nice stuff and maybe eat really good local food. Could we even hang out on the ship a few of the ports and look at things from there? -My main hopes are to see some whales!!!!!, maybe salmon swimming/spawning if in season, big game wildlife and awe-inspiring sights! We have a lot of Bald Eagles where I live so not crucial I see those. Thanks everyone!!