RN7997

Thank you!!! I am praying for calm seas but essentials are being packed!

I really hope to see bubble feeding we are booked to whale watch with Harv and Marv so we will see! I JUST got a surprise!! Island wings HAS availability! My boys have no idea I just splurged and booked a bear watching by flat plane to Neets Bay!!!!! I plan to surprise them! I hope my nerves can handle both the plane and the bears LOL

Hey everyone! We are cruising out of Seattle this Saturday! I am doing the daunting task of packing ME today! I totally grasp the idea of layers (thanks to all of you) so I am getting all of that together today. If I can get ME packed and out of the way the guys in my home will be much easier:) Other females I am sure you can relate!

A few questions:

1) I ordered good waterproof rain jackets (non insulated Columbia for guys and Northface for me) that should arrive by mail today or tomorrow. How heavy of a jacket for underneath do you suggest? Do you think a tee shirt and sweatshirt under that is enough for August? In ports we are walking around Ketchikan and Victoria. Skagway tour to yukon and probably train back and in Juneau Harv and Marv boat tour if that helps.

2) I have a pair of slip on over the calf rain boots.....good idea to pack? Would be nice in port if raining but they are very heavy for packing. I wear Brooks pure flow sneakers which have a good bit of mesh and are not very water resistance so debating on best footwear for me.

I am curious for those of you that have sailed the Jewel with Sawyer Glacier after Juneau where was the best place to be for viewing the glacier. Any recent travelers that can speak to the sites you could see from the ship. I have the small boat add on booked and still debating. Read great things but also read someone said there are times the Jewel gets just as close and views are similar?

If you have pics that is even better!

I leave next Sunday on the Jewel and have been watching too. At one point it showed 60s-70s and mixes of sun in the forecast now just a week out looks like 50s up to 60s with rain daily :( This is my first trip like this too. Rain jacket is on order! lol Hoping it changes!

Booked a guaranteed quad balcony for Jewel August 15th and was just assigned Balcony BC 9160. Never sailed NCL.....was hoping for a complete aft, spa suite or better but doesn't look like a bad spot:)

I highly recommend Dyea Dave for Skagway/Yukon tours. Does a great job with a White Pass RR combo.

Thank you I did go ahead and book with Dyea Dave. We booked the Emerald Lake tour. Sounds like it can make for a long day but I really want to see that lake:) I like that his tour will allow me to be flexible and book a one way pass on the train if the weather is not foggy that day. Looking forward to it. Thank you once again for your help.

@lynncarol sounds like a neat experience thank you for your suggestion. I will certainly look into it, but these ports are a killer with costs so I might have to consider that for a return trip. Much thanks and glad your family enjoyed.

I hope we will see bear on one of the tours we are doing this trip:)

I do understand that but I have 2 sea days and the day in Victoria we are not in port till apprx 530PM so we will actually have a fair amount of time on the ship. Since I have never cruised this line and the last couple cruises I did with my kids were on larger ships like Oasis and Liberty (and in warm weather) I am also considering the onboard experience as well. I think I FINALLY nailed down just about all my port plans.....a couple details to decide but that that sorted for the most part:)

We booked our trip very last minute so I have been focused on the ports. I am not new to sailing but I have never sailed Alaska or NCL cruise line.....so I am excited and nervous:)

We are sailing the Jewel RT Alaska from Seattle. Can anyone tell me what the "do not misses" on board are when it comes to shows and entertainment? How about for the teens? I see that they have a teen club my kids are 17 and 15.....too old? Anything fun for them to do onboard? As far as the ship venues are the kids allowed to go in the areas with us that have karaoke? I have heard there is a white out party the last night? How is that? Im a bit concerned reading about the food. I paid a good penny for the trip and I don't plan to spend to do the specialty.....so I hope the food is better then I am reading reviews for.

Any other tips you can offer knowing I have primarily sailed royal caribbean would be great!

Thank you

Is it at all possible to wing it and book a whale tour with a vendor on arrival? Are there discounts offered last minute for boats with availability? The more I read the more torn I am :(

if you do a search you;ll find many positive reviews of Seattle Express. No one has mentioned that it took forever due to lots of stops.

If time is your concern, look at http://www.flatrateforhire.com which is a flat rate taxi service. They charge $29 to go downtown, $35 to Pier 91.

THANK YOU for sharing! We will be cruising soon and on departure day we are scheduled to dock at 8am and we have an 1130 flight out of SEA. I just called this company and they quoted me $29 for my family of 4. Said to call when ship arrives and they will come within 10-15 min to pick us up!

I will be cruising Alaska from Seattle on the 15th. My family arrives by flight into SEA on the 13th but not till 1130PM. I am trying to decide where to stay, how to rent a car, if I need a car etc. Is there a way to pick up a rental car at those hours? My husband has a work thing on the 14th and my son and I would like to explore seattle a bit.

Any suggestions for any of this?

Hotel?

Car?

Sites to see with a 15 year old boy?

Also returning car and getting to port?

Lastly after the cruise we have an 1130 flight! What is the best/quickest way to get from the port to the airport on that Saturday after we get off the ship?

THANK YOU!

I would be curious to know the vendor as well. I am waiting on a reply email from Harv and Merv to see if they have space. I know someone on my cruise has a private boat day booked with them....I asked if there was room to join but my roll call is not active so I didn't see a reply yet. After lots of reading and suggestions if I can find a whale vendor I think I might cancel tracys arm and see it from the ship this trip.....at least that way I get both. I just can't see spending $1500 in a day for excursions, so one must prioritize right.

Thank you ALL so much for your help and time in replying! I am narrowing this down a bit!

Kitchikan: Might just wing it, take shuttle to see poles, salmon, and lumberjack show. (just need to decide if I want to prebook tix for lumberjack or wait till Im there...are they cheaper direct vs the $35 pp through the ship?)

Juneau: we are only in port 7am-130pm and then the ship sails past Sawyer Glacier. I have the small boat Tracys Arm add on booked as of us but we also really want to see the whales. After reading multiple posts and speaking to my family I am thinking I will cancel Tracy's arm and book a whale tour. (I have an email out to Harv and Merv to check availability). The small boat is $209pp and the whales are apprx $150pp from what I can gather. With a family of 4 I think if we do the whales and sail past the Glacier at least we will get BOTH (although I am sure the perspective is not the same).

Skagway: I have read that on a really foggy day there is not much to be seen from the train. I was debating between a few companies vs skipping train and renting a car. I opted not to do the car so that we can hear what the guides say and learn the history. I booked with Daye Dave. The tour is the same as others and it gives me the flexibility to book the trail one way on site. If the day is too foggy to see on train then I am not out the cash.

Victoria: We are only there 5-midnight......I haven't looked into this one much yet. I heard gardens and did I read there are fireworks in the area there???

Seattle I have not gotten to yet....whew this has been alot to take on in a short time. I am so grateful to this board and everyone who has helped me.

Great trip with temperatures in Seattle in 80-90's, Victoria was in 70's with Sun but ... all other days temperatures in low 50's: cloudy but surprise no rain in Ketchikan, continuous rain in Juneau (sideways) but still able to get as close as possible to Tracy Arm in morning with minimal ice (although Captain Club watching from Heliopad cancelled) and great whale watching trip in afternoon

That you for this update. I am sailing from Seattle in 2 weeks. I am curious when you say sailing Tracy's arm did you do a small boat tour or watch from ship? I have the small boat tour booked but I am considering canceling to do a whale watch tour and see Sawyer from the ship?

Where did you get your rain gear? 50's? Ughhh I was hoping for warmer weather. Headed out now to get some things for this trip. If you are online any tips would be greatly appreciated. What type of shoes would you have suggested?

Thank you for the review. I am debating what to do at that port. I know the train is a highlight but seems there is so much else to see on the highway as well, so I am looking into these 1/2 and 1/2 trips. Did this tour take you to Emerald Lake by chance?

Hmmmmm now I am really confused......

Great tip on the binoculars!!!! Good to know cruising wish I will stay excited about that then. As for rain gear are disposable ponchos and umbrellas over our clothes sufficient you think? We don't have "windbreakers" so Id have to go purchase something to take.

Take shorts & a bathing suit. It was 80 + at times on our cruise. rain gear of some sort is also a good idea.

 

Don't be sad about missing the whale watching. We say more from the cruise ship than the people who paid for the excursion, including one breaching right outside our window on deck 5:D

Oh I like the sounds of 80! Being able to see all of this and sit by the pool with a cocktail would be amazing!!!! Soooo good to hear about the whales.....I am just torn on some of these things. I certainly hope the $209pp rate for the 4 of us for Tracys arm was the way to go??

Thank you everyone! I booked the Tracys arm add on so we got that accomplished! Really glad they had room yet. I am sort of feeling like I am missing out by not doing a whale tour but I refuse to do 2 tours that are sooooo expensive in a day for 4 of us. I think Mendenhall by shuttle and lunch at Tracys Crab shack before our tour sounds perfect! I booked tracys arm bc of the rave reviews....I know the ship sails by and turns around. I hope that is worth the $$$$ it costs?

For Skagway I was all Railway then I read reviews about Emerald Lake, huskies, bear sitings, and photo opps with the bus tours. The bus tour that seems to appeal most to me so far is Trail of 98 Tours.....anyone familiar? Only issue is there is not an option for the railway at all AND the price is for the 14 person bus so Id have to find people to go with us (Wednesday Aug 19th) if I went with them. I see Chilkhoot charters offers a pretty rounded tour to Yukon rail, bus, emerald lake and time with the huskies. This may be a REALLY Dumb question but I assume the Scenic pass and Yukon railway are the same train?

Hi there. I am sailing NCL Jewel and we are in port 7-130 then our ship sailed past Sawyers Glacier. I am going to book the small boat add on tour to Tracy's Arm which is scheduled for 115. Can anyone tell me the best way to see whales and also Mendenhall Glacier? I see there is a shuttle to the Glacier? Should I expect to see whales on the tracys arm voyage?

Thank you for the clarification about not being able to take Adventure bound but rather must book with ship. I am going to go online and do that now. That tour is $209pp with the ship it appears. What do you suggest in Juneau before then? It would be nice to see the other glacier and whales but with paying this price for the Gjord for 4 of us I want to keep a 2nd excursion reasonable. Is there a way to see those affordably? Or is something else suggested?

but we booked through a private company instead. Price was similar, but the private company did the train one way and a motor coach back, which was much better than the large bus used by the cruise line. We visited the dog camp on that same tour. Hope your have a great trip.

busy one can you tell me what private company you used?

Thank you!!! Also did you see any Moose on your trip? I think they are beautiful creatures and would love to see one during this trip!

Hi everyone. I am sorry if my questions are redundant BUT I have a very limited time to plan so your help is appreciated. I am usually a HUGE planner so to unexpectantly have an opportunity to book a cruise and leave in 2 weeks is GREAt but stressful in planning. I have cruised before but not with Norweign and this is my 1st Alaskan (and non tropical) cruise.

We will visit Kichikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria. I goggled the weather for each port and seems it will be mid 60's-70s during the day with chances of rain. I am traveling with my hubby and our 2 teen boys.

Questions:

1) I get packing in layers. I am from PA where it is hot and humid now....do you think I should pack some shorts for this trip?

2) Bathing suits? On this trip are the pools open and being used? Are they heated on the Jewel?

3) How many formal nights does the Jewel have? Is there a lobster night? Dress code same as Royal Caribbean?

4) Are you allowed to bring any drinks onboard? What drinks are included? My hubby and I got the unlimited beverage package included with our stay. I like to keep bottled water in my room. Can I carry that on?

4) We are in a balcony guarantee......anyone ever get upgraded in this category?

5) Ports: SOOOOO many options and it is confusing.

Kichikan: We don't eat fish so not interested in fishing. Would be neat to see the salmon jumping though. Where can we do that? Is the lumber jack show something we can just show up for an pay for there or need to prebook? Is there a vendor besides the cruise line?

Juneau: I know our ship shows it sailed by Sawyer glacier. I was interested in doing the all day tour with Adventure Bound but I am not sure if that is possible because of the way the ship sails by it? Would the non ship sponsored tour take us to where the ship had moved to? Or should I do something during port time and then take the add on to go there?????? Seems like a lot of $ through the ship to sail ahead vs the all day tour Adventure bound offers? Any other suggestions welcomed. I hear about Mendenhall Glacier too? Is it possible to do both of these.....confused by this port. I am willing to spend some $$ at this port as this seems like it will be the neatest port IMO. I don't want to miss anything!

Skagway: Hubby saw the rail train on TV before and looks really neat. Haven't had a minute to research other things yet but I am sure we will do that. Vendors? I prefer to do things with local vendors vs through the ship unless necessary. Any other suggestions?

Victoria: No idea yet.....seems like we are there late in day for an evening visit...ideas here?

Also I will have all day Friday in Seattle any suggestions on places to stay, eat or something to see? My hubby has a work thing that day so something that a teen boy would also enjoy would be great!

Any tips for Seattle port or getting to the port from the hotel? How far from port is the airport....we have an 1130am flight home departure day.

Thank you in advance for letting me brain dump my questions!! I appreciate your help in advance!

I am jumping on a RT Seattle cruise last min...leaving on the 15th on the Jewel. I just goggled the weather for each port and looks like it will be 65-75 at each port with chances of rain. This is GREAT news! I am glad to read I wont need full on winter wear. Its so much to pack and heavy. I am from PA where it is in the 90s and hot and humid now....how is the humidity in these places (same ports as OP)?