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As I see Denali is like 6-8 hours train ride from where cruises start/end (Anchorage?) and in Denali it requires 8 hours in a bus to see the animals. 

So all in all it is usually 6-8 hours train ride for 2 nights and back while a lot of time in bus also in Denali??  I guess it will be too much for us.

Is there any other short distance place near Anchorage  (or any place the cruise start/end) with Alaska wildlife? How is Anchorage  Conservation center? It it like a regular zoo or a different experience?

In case I want to have Glacier Bay is the route from Vancouver always  go through inside passage (which I read it exceptional)? Is the one from Seattle never goes from there? How nice is it?

Look at this link for people stand on deck. They seem quire close

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles/a-day-in-glacier-bay?stay=1&posfrom=1

Or this:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2024/05/07/how-to-plan-a-memorable-first-time-alaska-cruise/

Isn't is so on all cruises?

In iceland I got with zodiak boat maybe 20  meters from glacier

1 hour ago, nordicacres said:

I don’t think your expectations fit with an Alaska cruise. We saw smallish chunks of ice in the water, but mostly only near Hubbard Glacier (and that’s because we took a small boat tour). You won’t see whales or dolphins close to your cruise ship. We did spot some Humpbacks on several occasions, but they weren’t close to the ship. Sure, you’ll see fjords, but if you want glaciers you need to specifically choose a cruise that includes at least two glacier days. Also, the typical ports are touristy. If you don’t want to walk around touristy areas you will need to take an excursion or rent a vehicle. I would consider another location, personally. I also feel that Norway is prettier than Alaska so it may be a let down for you. Maybe not.

Well I got to the Alaska idea as in google photo I saw cruises of ship right close to ice/glaciers with many water reflections. But maybe I was wrong and you really need to take a small boat to see it from close? In Norway the cruise ship was really near the mountain could almost touch it.

How is the Glacier Bay or Inside Passage? Which one is better? (sometimes I see this in schedule and sometimes the other..)

I do not mind take excursions on ports but prefer not helicopters or small airplanes.

In fact we did a very short cruise in Norway and maybe it is a good option but the point is that not too much wildlife there and I have read that in Alaska it is quite easy to see whales, seals, eagles etc...

In Iceland there was a famous beach of seals that you sit really close to them.

Thanks!

The point is that I wand a big ship with facilities for the kid so she will enjoy also. 

I just wondered if my imagination regarding Alaska is as I described or that I will find myself with no too much views/glaciers from ship, no whales/dolphins/seals and in all port the main things will be taking helicopter tour or walk between stores.

I imagine that she plays with facilities some of the day, I could see beautiful views from deck, sometimes also whales and when we get down to port we get by bus/train/boat to see wildlife (eagels, whales, seals etc) and glaciers from close, maybe some easy hiking.

I usually like traveling in scenic nature like I had in cruise to Norway, road trip in Iceland and traveling to switzerland. This times might go cruising with my 12 years daughter. I expect to see:

- large chunks of Ice not very  far from ship

- whales, seals, dolphins, sea lions

- eagles, salmons swiming back, maybe bears from distance??

- scenic views with many reflections, fjords etc.

What I do NOT want:

- go on Helicopter or small jets

- walking around villages to see streets and stores.

My questions:

1. Do you think it is possible to expect or I am completely wrong and Alsca cruise is not for me?

2. in respect to ot which ports are MUST when I search for a cruise and which ports are nice to have?

3.  Would it bettet to add a land tour before/after cruise as it cost way much more? Should it be only by ship or are there private companies?

3 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Traditional dining does not show up in the app.

 

It should be listed on the RC invoice. If you only got the TA's invoice, not the actual RCL invoice, they can send it to you if you ask. I had one TA who only sent his own invoice (until I asked for both) and my current TA sends both by default.

 

Hope that helps.

 Thanks!

Well I'm based out of US and the invoice I got is not even in english. However, this agent is marked in RCL website page of "locate international representative" they have by country. Does it mean the agent is RCL itself or  should I  ask two invoices as you suggested?

Maybe you have the official email of RCL US/International office so I could ask them directly?

I have booked a cruise for Summer 2025 (more than a year) through agent. She said she booked us traditional dining for 18:00 as I asked. While in RCL app I can see my room number I cannot see the dining option or hour. Also cannot see it in the reservation emails I got from the agent.

How is it usually?

Should I get also any emai from RCL itself or only from agent?

Thanks.

I am from Israel

I consider to go on summer 2023 2 adults and 2 small children. I do not want to pay high deposit in advance.

- are there any sales or how to find when there is low deposits (in NCL for example I saw 500$ for all of us)?
- would it better wait 3 month before the voyage starts?

I am relating to a classic architecture ship (like queen marry etc) and voyage to north europe (around Britain, Norway and/or Iceland)

Is end of September/begin October considered good or worst time for cruise?

Hello

is end of September a good time for British Isle cruise or a bad timing?

Thanks you all!! Two more questions:

- will the classic package include cappucino?

- if we sail with children and only get 2 perks - will they charge me for them as well? The children drink water only.

Hello

I see celebrity has 3 perks proposal and I find it difficult to choose from.

Dring package - we need sometimes cola for my wife, mineral water for the baby. Since we cruise on UK I guess i will drinks beers on shore. So is it worth it?

 Tips - can I just skip it and pay directly to employees?

Internet - will it actually work?

Credit onboard - can I use it for reservibg excursions before the trip?

Can I use it for my children on board as well? Like special dining?

Finally - if there will be a drop off in price in future - how can I contact to ask for the drop off as well?  (For example - kids for free)

Has anyone been on cruise during summer to these destinations?

Have seen great and many reflections on water (of mountains etc) during cruise?

We will cruise on July with Holland Smerica and I hope for reflections.

What part of day is the best for it?

Well we will be in Nieuw Statendam and I (40 years old) will be with children so cannot go to the aft sea view pool as it to adults only, just the lido pool area.

The ship arrives to ports at 07:00 and in other day at 08:00 and cruising few hours between fjords to reach it. So I thought to wake up early.

What about the cafe? What about the observation at the last floor?

I know children are rare on HAL but mine are not into big water slides and well behave. First time on ship will be quite an adventure for them. This cruise suits us by price and date (also looked specifically for fjords).

However, we all getting up quite yearly at home.

thismis our first cruise ever. Going with family to Norway fjords and have few questions:

- what is open during ship in port - which restaurants? Pools? Anything else?

- what time all restaurants gets closed and when open? I plan to wake up around 04:00 or 05:00 in morning to see the ship travels through fjords and hoping to eat breakfast around 06:00...

- can eat breakfast outside to enjoy the view? Any recommendation?

- BBC earth - what is it about? Lectures? Movie? Anyway of lectures about the destination, Norway?

Thanks for your reply!!

It seems both two floors above us are loaded with dining rooms, world stage, grand cafe etc. But the pool and kids club are on upper floors.

Well we have two full days at sea and kids are going to sleep quite early but we get up early as well (at most places the ship dock at 07:00 AM). We are 5 rooms from an elevator. Cannot we count on that?

Can we bring green apples to the ship?

Most ship cabins are small due to the fact that you got a larger cabin it should be easier for you. How long is the cruise. You mention two showers are you in a sweet.

 

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Hi,

It is called family suite. I wonder if the position floor num/rear-middle position/facilities in the floor above is good or bad? In case a family sea sickness will it be a good position or the worst one?

We sail for a week in Norway fjords, coming from Amsterdam

Hi

This is our first cruise ever. We reserved (next year) for Holland America to Norway Fjords on summer in their newest ship.

We are two adults, child 8 years old, child 4 years and a baby will be 1.5 years.

The ship diagram is:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships/ms-nieuw-statendam/0.html

and we got room FA1162 on deck1. Is it good or bad? What are the disadvantages? I do not have sea sickness but no other family member has been in ship yet, so cannot tell.

We got good price and a family room with two showers and ocean window.

The room is between the middle and the rear.

We will stop on our cruise in small places like Eidfjord and skjolden and there are ship tours and private tours. As the ship is large and we will be only 2 people (one adults and one child) on these tours would it be better to count on local tours (or because of too many people on ship first ones comes, first one served)? Or just better to take ship tours?

Our first cruise ever! ordered on HAL new statendam for a family of two children and a baby. Family room 1162. We usually wake up very early (06:00 or 07:00) and I guess we will be hardly in room.

Our children do not need the big slides but only a pool, playrooms, movies and I would be happy if they could join any of the food making workshops (could they?).

I did not understand if the food in grand Dutch cafe is for free? Like the pancakes....

Can I pay tip personally and avoid the automatic tip? How?

I really like to pay in person and ofcourse seems not reasonable to pay tips for the baby who will not even eat.

Will there be place in Jaccuzzi or is it always crowded? I mean the free ones.

What other suggestions?

It is for summer 2019 to Norway.

in our cruise we will be only in Eidfjord and Skjolden (and also cities as Alesund and Bergen).

I guess I will not have opportunity to see a fjord from above which I like very much (although saw similar views as Achensee in south Germany) so maybe it is an opportunity. However, I have read the waterfall is very unique and dramatic.

I can take a taxi to kjeasen and stay 20 minutes before going back or taking cruise tour to the waterfall. If we skip the money issue, which one to choose and better experience?

Another question - as the way to kjeasen is one narrow for one car only what if someone not obey the rule and come in the opposite direction at the wrong time? Will drive all the way backwards? Is the road safe enough?

I mean only view during cruise. I have read that Naeryfjord is spectacular but do not know if we will go through there in that scenic cruise

In holland America website for cruise in Norway:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/details?webItineraryIdForAudit=E9N07G&fromSearchVacation=true&guestsCount=2&voyageCode=J950&selectedMeta=Interior&shipId=NS

I see half a day "Scenic cruising Sognefjord"

How can I know if it includes Naeroyfjord towards flam or not?

In holland America website for cruise in Norway:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/details?webItineraryIdForAudit=E9N07G&fromSearchVacation=true&guestsCount=2&voyageCode=J950&selectedMeta=Interior&shipId=NS

I see half a day "Scenic cruising Sognefjord"

How can I know if it includes Naeroyfjord towards flam or not?