Augustsunshine

Wow, quick answers! Thank you both. There is also a National Express bus I am looking into

I have seen some references to a shuttle from the airport to the cruise port. Not sure if it is through NCL or not. Does anyone have any experience with this? Know it would not be the cheap option but have had good experiences with similar arrangements elsewhere. Wonder if anyone has used it and how long it took to get to the port.

Don't intend to get people riled up! Please! Know your experience is what you make it etc. I am in mid-60s in good shape traveling with 72yo husband in excellent shape. Like to do mild hiking and outdoors-ish activities. European travel limited to one visit to Edinburgh. Have done a wonderful cruise to Alaska and have a deposit down on a NCL 9 day to Norway in June 2018. Think that might be something like the Alaska trip. Would like start booking air reservations soon for best prices. Could still do a different cruise. Have been reading a lot of CC reviews. Still not sure if the Fjord Cruise isn't one small port very similar to the last. In the rain. ;). Don't travel a lot so this trip is a big deal to us. Any thoughts? Don't be mean.

:confused:If you are planning on using the pass with member of the opposite sex, just be aware that most of the spa is in the male only or women only areas. The "co-ed" portion only offers a largish hot tub spa pool and about 6 or 8 warm tile loungers which I found to be usually all occupied. However if it is important to you to have access to a hot tub, it might be good to get the pass. The ones near the pool deck were packed with kids etc. most of the time.

Thank you

I have done a couple of cruises, Disney once and NCL once, so I understand booking excursions through the ship vs independently. Now I am looking at Viking and just don't understand how booking excursions would work. It seems like there are a limited number of "free" excursions available to book at different dates depending on which class cabin you have reserved. Are there then other excursions available through Viking that are not free? Are there a variety of offerings? If one advantage to sailing with Viking is that most things are included in the price, it doesn't seem to make sense that the included excursions would possibly not be available and you wouldn't know it till after you had committed to the cruise.

Giving a vote to using the stairs all the time. Read something suggesting doing so to reduce exposure to sick individuals but it also saves so much time and frustration. Cruise ships or hotels, how many times have you seen the throngs waiting for elavators. Take the stairs if you can and be wary of handrails too. Not a germaphobe but still....

This is an older post but wanted to reply with my experience. I have been many years off (mostly) and on Low carb/paleo. Most important when dealing with "challenges" i.e. The vacation, the Christmas visit to the relatives etc. is to have a plan to immediately get back on track afterwards For me, I always start a vacation well with my jerky snacks and determination but it only lasts a couple of day then wahoo! That's ok, we are human. For the last year or two I cook and freeze a couple of days worth of favorite very low carb food for when I return. Yes, I usually gain 5or 6 pounds on vacation:( but, actually, some of that is fluid. A week of pretty strict Keto and salt reduction will eliminate the gain. :halo: Refuse to Regain!

hi All. I have cruised with NCL one time previously but it was very much a last minute decision and I paid in full immediately. Now thinking about a cruise in 2017 BUT can not find anything on the NCL website regarding the basics of the financial aspects. Does anyone know where I could find information on policies regarding when or if I can change dates, what are policies regarding canceling. When people on CC talk about the 30 day period I have no idea what they are talking about. It must be available somewhere!

I certainly appreciate everyone on Cruise Critic who takes the time to answer newbie questions. I did look at your link and got some ideas for post cruise. Thanks again

Hi all. I would like to check my luggage at the end of the cruise, see Seattle a bit and then to the airport. I know latest pickup is around 3. Does anyone have any information about how the pick up works? Do you present a ticket and get your bags? How does that work if you just place them on a conveyer belt. Also how long does it take to get the Luggage back? Anyone with a bad experience or misplaced luggage? Just trying to plan things out for July.

Darn

Hi all, I came across a reference to checking your luggage through to the airport when you return to port in Seattle. Specifically, it said to arrange this through Customer Service on board. Has anyone who has sailed on the Jewel done this? Would be great to have some time in Seattle without shlepping the suitcase around.

I understand from the Forum that you can not pre book reservations for the nightly entertainment on the Jewell. Is it even necessary? Do people line up and hope for the best? I understand some shows are associated with dinners. Very unclear how this works so any help would be appreciated.

Just wondering if staff on board will expect X tra. Don't really mind the prepay as

I know people work hard but it is a large amount

Wondering how to do reservations for the shows. I do see references to reservations in some posts but nothing on the NCL site. I am sailing in about 50 days. Is it too early? Is it unnecessary?

I understand the corkage fee. Do you keep the wine with you and bring it to meals? Do they confiscate it from your luggage and serve it in restaurants? Do you just declare it when you are checking in and pay the corkage fee? Sailing on the Jewel in early July. First time on Ncl :)