cardinalsfancruiser

Heading to Belize on NCL Breakaway in Nov with kids 11 & 13. Hoping to snorkel, zip line, and cave tubing. Suggestions please!

You will find all you need at http://www.claalaska.com and click on "Alaska Cruise Schedules". We just returned from Alaska last night and we were blessed with warm weather (75-80F) in every port.

Thank you!!! This is exactly what I was looking for.

How can you find out which dock your ship docks at while in port at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway?

I am not sure my answer will be great help to you. We generally drive down to Seward every summer and we have always used Major Marine. We have been so happy with them we never have tried Kenai Fjords.

 

Major Marine has a number of vessels of different sizes. All the ships we have been on have had excellent sound systems so that you can clearly hear the broadcasts from the NPS ranger and staff; the commentary is broadcast both inside and on the outside areas . You are assigned a table which is "your" table to stash your jackets, backpacks and so forth. That table is also where you will dine. They have an very organized system for the dinner, which is tasty and all you care to eat. Both the meal and dessert services are timed to be served in a sheltered (calmer water) area. The junior ranger program seems to be very popular and the kids I've seen have been very engaged.

 

The only comment I will offer is that on every trip we've taken someone has become queasy or seasick. So if one of your family is prone to motion sickness be prepared with Bonine or some other such product.

Thank you for the post. Did you pay the $19 for the salmon/prime-rib dinner?

We will be arriving in Seward on the NCL Sun on Aug 15. We would like to do a boat tour to see the glaciers. It will be 2 adults & 2 children (8 & 11). The more glaciers the better. We will have a rental car to drive to Anchorage that night. Right now I am comparing:

Kenai Fjords Tours - National Park Tour with Fox Island. There is a discount of $50 for adults and $25 for children when booking 2. Therefore cost of tour is $147 and $73.50 $441 before taxes). Cruise is 1000-1830 (8.5 tour). You get lunch and salmon & prime rib dinner. The only catch is you only get to see Holgate or the Aialik Glacier depending on activity between the two. National Park Ranger and Junior Ranger program is only done at Fox Island.

Major Marine Tours - 7.5 Hour Kenai Fjords national park cruise. $169 adult and $84.50 for children ($545 before taxes). You get to see Holgate and Aialik Glaciers. Providing a full narration to your journey, a uniformed National Park Ranger will guide you to the many spectacular sights while fielding any questions you may have. Plus you can work on the Junior Ranger Program with the Ranger during the cruise. The salmon/prime rib dinner is an additional $19 each.

Does anyone have any experiences with either cruise? I like having the Ranger on the ship with Major Marine. But the Kenai Fjords is cheaper but only get to see 1 glacier.

Thank you in advance for any advice/suggestions/recommendations.

I am embarking next week on my first NCL cruise, and starting to question what I need to pack.

 

We have UDP, and are scheduled to eat mainly in either Cagneys or Moderno, with one night in La Cucina.

 

One of the things that got us excited about NCL was not needing to bring formal wear, but it appears that isn't necessarily the case.

 

Basically, what are we expected to wear? We don't necessary care about a formal picture with the captain, or any other pictures for that matter. We just don't want to look out of place.

 

For most nights, at Cagneys or Moderno, would a collared button down shirt and a pair of khakis be ok? For that matter, could I just do a collared pullover versus a button down? Will I regret not bringing a jacket? I believe the night we eat at La Cucina is the "dress up or not" night.

 

Thanks.

We have sailed on NCL 5 times and have definitely eaten ate all of those restaurants. For these restaurants I would recommend khakis and a nice collared shirt. Ladies would be dress pants/skirt/dress. You do not need anything formal. No jacket is required. My husband would wear khakis and a collared shirt every night.

My family and I are going on the NCL Spirit from 26 Dec 15 - 2 Jan 16. My son has always wanted to swim with the dolphins. He is now tall and old enough (he will be 8 and a descent swimmer). There are several dolphin swims available at the ports we will be at: Costa Maya; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Has anyone done a dolphin swim before? Can anyone recommend any of the dolphin swims at these ports?

We plan on doing the following on these port days...so I am trying to figure out how to put it in and what I will have to forgo.

Costa Maya - Blue Kay beach

Grand Cayman - Native Way: Snorkeling, StingRay Bar & Rum Point

Jamaica - Marvyn's Paradise Tours: Blue Hole, Dunn's River Falls & Scotchies (lunch stop)

Thanks in advance,

Kristi