KasiaCzub

All those positions rotate so it would depend on the date of your cruise. Dan recently joined the ship as did John, but they could rotate off on short notice. The butlers rotate from suite to suite so it might be difficult to pinpoint which butler you will get until a week or two before you go.

Thanks. We set sail August 6th.

Hello! We are sailing in August and trying to firm up our shore excursions. Sounds like the train in Skagway is the thing to do!? I have read a couple of bad reviews regarding it—that it was boring and that if it’s overcast, you can’t see anything. Does anyone have any opinions regarding this? Ive also heard that if you don’t buy tickets ahead of time, they may be sold out?

 

We are thinking of combining it with dog sledding/and or gold panning. Any suggestions?

 

Does it take very long to tour the town itself?

 

Thanks in advance!

We thought about the train, too, but we have 2 younger kids (9, 11) in our group of 8, so we are renting a Jeep and traveling up the road to Canada ourselves, so we can stop along the way if we see interesting/cool sites. We are using Green Jeep rentals (I think now called DIY Jeep rentals),. They are rated high on TA and include a CD and map explaining points of interest.

We are staying at the Holiday Inn downtown Vancouver. I think it's reasonable and close to everything.

I have done a few cruises with Norwegian and plan on using them in the future. I have one payed up for October. I've always booked direct with NCL either online or via an NCL cruise consultant. Would I get something more if I booked through an agent? I like Norwegian, just not sure whether I should try an agent next time. Advice?

I don't have status with NCL, as this is our first cruise. I used ************* dot com to see what they could offer and there were a few travel companies that provided quotes. One was significantly lower than NCL with some good perks (free OBC, port credits, etc), so we chose to go with them. The process has been very smooth so far. We are going on the cruise August 6th to AK.

You are in the Gem GV correct? If so, you probably don't want to tell them to empty the fridge. Normally for rooms (OS, DOS, GV) that have the unlimited in room water and soda, they have it in the fridge already and no other charge items. Not always, but typically. I'd just wait until you get onboard to see if an issue.

 

With the new Nescafe machines, haven't seen any hot chocolate pods. The best they can do is packets.

 

They may help you out with the beer, but in room drinks with the UBP is not covered.

Thanks for the information. We are in the Jewel GV. I figured they can't have room for both bottled water, soda and a pitcher of iced tea, and I would rather have a pitcher in there. But maybe they can finagle a way to have it work. We don't mind drinking our bottled water room temp. Thanks for the info on the hot cocoa, we will either bring pods or just use hot water and mix with the packets.

norwegianconcierge@ncl dot com

HI

How can I find out who the Cruise Director, Butlers, and Concierge are for our cruise?

We are staying in a Garden Villa and I wanted to get some info about them in advance to perhaps bring along a small gift for them that goes along with the tips we will be providing (for butler, concierge and room steward).

Thanks in advance!

That is the BEST room for family time and celebrations. We were in 14500 in June and it was by far our best family vaca EVER!!! Enjoy every minute and I know the Crohn's deal - we lost my brother in law to it 12 yrs ago. Have a WONDERFUL cruise,,,,,and don't you DARE give up that master!!!...besides....there isn't a bad bedroom in there, even with a roll away. :)

So sorry about your BIL. Crohn's robs families of so much. My 22 year old has been through so much since being dx 18 months ago.

We are in 14000 I think--and yes, we are super excited. Actually, the rest of the family doesn't know we are in the Villa. They all think they have inside rooms. HAHAHA. I can't wait to see their faces when we get escorted up to the villa~

Hi Kasia. Thanks so much for such a thorough answer. It really does help because this is all new to us and we are really only finding out what to do via here. We don’t sail until the second week of Sept so we will wait until a couple of weeks out to send an email re drink lists etc. If you do have the time please do let us know the other things that you are requesting so it gives us an idea of what we can ask for. Even down to the snacks they leave in the suite we weren’t sure if there was a list or not so any info really is helpful. Thanks so much for your time.

I haven't seen a list, and folks have said just ask what you think you will like and the butler will do their best to try to get it. So, that's what we did.

Here is the note I will be sending to pre-concierge. I understand that most of this may not even be finished before boarding as the butler is responsible for most of these requests, but hopefully he/she will get a copy of this and know what we are thinking. My intent is to go through this with the butler and see if this seems reasonable, or if there are questions/concerns. It's my understanding from reading the posts on CC that the butlers like to have direction from guests as as their job is to be sure the guests' needs are met. So I figure the more information I can share with our butler and concierge, the better. As I said, the information I have below are requests from folks who have stayed in the Haven and/or Garden Villa in the past. I compiled what I thought would be things we would want/need.

"We will be arriving at the pier about 11:30am

• Please remove everything from our refrigerator.
  
• It would be great if you could keep our fridge stocked with a pitcher of unsweetened of 100% cranberry juice, pepsi, orange soda, sierra mist, and a pitcher of iced tea, along with a plate of lemon wedges for the tea and splenda and truvia.
  
• We prefer still water, but would like a few sparkling, if possible for mixers.
  
• We would like a blender and cooler of ice.
  
• If you are able to provide fresh fruit to make smoothies (bananas, strawberries, pineapple is fine), that would be fantastic.
  
• Please leave extra coffee (both caffeinated and decaf) and hot cocoa pods, as well as almond/soy milk and splenda/truvia for the coffee.
  
• We would like 4 extra pillows – 2 Climaretlle and 2 down, and a reading wedge.
  
• We need an egg crate topper/memory foam topper and roll away bed for one of the bedrooms.
  
• We will likely order breakfast and perhaps dinner in the suite a couple of times. We will do our best to let you know the previous night so you have notice.
  
• If possible, we would love to have all dinner menus for the week brought to us at the beginning of the cruise. I will then work with your to discuss which nights we will be going to what restaurants, and which we may want to dine in our room.
  
• As far as snacks go, we have one vegan, so any type of vegan snacks would be great. Others love pretzel bread sandwiches, warm pretzels, chips and salsa/guac/pita bread, some low carb snacks (maybe meat and cheese?) skittles, PB &J, gummie bears, cheese/fruit plates, sushi, and peanut M&Ms, as well as the usual sweet and savory snacks. NO SHELLFISH--2 have allergies.
  
• If we have the ability to go on a bridge tour we would love that.
  
• We would greatly appreciate pastries and coffee each morning. Please don't ring the doorbell, just come on in! It's okay to deliver by 6:30 or 7am.
  
• We would love to have beer on ice.
  
• Our choice of mixes: daiquiri, pina colada, tonic, bloody mary, club soda, olive juice, bloody mary garnishes (olives, celery, lime wedges, beef sticks, if possible)
  
• We would love extra blankets for our balcony if this is available.
  

Thanks so much. Looking forward to our week onboard."

That’s great and explains what we needed to know. Thanks very much

HI.

We received our luggage tags about 2 months prior. I also received a letter about how to email or call the pre-concierge with requests. I emailed them last week (we sail in 2 weeks) asking for the beverage list and they sent a letter with the beverage and pillow lists to choose from. I am going to send them our choices, as well as requests to do a few things in the villa for our cruise. If they don't have it done when we arrive, no big deal, but I want them to be aware of our needs prior to the cruise so they know and can plan their time with all of the other things going on.

I do have a long list of requests, though we are pretty low key, but we have 8 traveling, so different diet needs, etc.

I am happy to share what we are requesting if you would like. I got most of it from reading other posts.

Thanks every one. The brothers are adults and would prefer their own beds. I think we may end up with a roll away for one of them and the other can have the king. They can play rock, paper, scissors to see who gets what. haha.

I know the master suite has the king plus a couch that looks to fold out into a bed, but NO WAY in hell am I gonna give up my master suite. I am paying, so I get the best bedroom!

Thanks, everyone for your input. We have had a tough year last year with almost losing my son twice to Crohn's and complications from a couple of surgeries, so we are using this cruise to celebrate birthdays and living life to the best of our ability, as tomorrow's not guaranteed to anyone!! (But he still doesn't get my master suite!!LOL).

Cathy

HI All

I have a question. Does anyone know if any of the beds in the 3 BR Garden Villa (Jewel) split from the King/Queen to a Single/Twin? We have 8 people in the Villa and 2 are brothers who would prefer not to share a bed but would be cool with sharing a room.

Our other option is to have a rollaway bed put in the living room, but would prefer to use the bedrooms for everyone to sleep.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

HI All

We are a family of 8 that will be in the Garden Villa on the Jewel cruising Vancouver northbound to Alaska August 6th. I thought I would provide this information for those that want to know the current liquor choices for this room. This is the list I received from the concierge:

In addition to the luxurious feather pillows in your suite, you can also select from the following pillow options: Pillow Options

Overfilled Firm - firm but not too hard

Climarelle - body temperature regulating

Ultra Foam - deluxe memory

Reading Wedge

Hypo-Allergenic

Coffee

Regular

Decaffeinated

Tea

Jasmine

Green Chamomile

Citron

English Breakfast

Water

Still

Sparkling

Extra

Towels

Washcloths

Hand

Bath

Please choose 6 bottles from the list below.

Liquor

Caña Brava Rum

Bacardi 8 Rum

Aylesbury Duck Vodka

Kettle One Vodka

Fords London Gin

Tequila Cabesa 100% Agave

Dewars White Label Scotch Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey

Bulleit Kentucky Straight

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky

Campari Cinzano Sweet or Dry

Bailey’s Irish Cream

Kahlua Original Liqueur

Hidalgo Reserva 12 Year Old Brandy

Sauvignon Blanc North and South Norwegian Proprietary Wine

Chardonnay Robert Mondavi “Private Selection”

Rosé 6ème Sens Gérard Bertrand Languedoc

Red Blend North and South Norwegian Proprietary Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon Beringer Founder’s Estate

Sandman Founder’s Reserve Port

Sodas

Pepsi

Diet Pepsi

Sierra Mist Soda

Orange Soda

Tonic Water

Ginger Ale

Club Soda

I hope this helps folks who may also be getting this amenity.

Also, I will be posting our trip report as this is our first family cruise together to Alaska! We are extremely excited and will be celebrating a 40th, 50th and 65th birthday!

We are a family of 8 going on that same cruise I believe--North to Alaska!

When we sailed the GV a few years ago, we did use their transport. I believe there was a distance limitation, but I can't remember what it was. I know we were covered going to my house (~30 miles from port), but my friend was not (~90 miles from port).

 

I think you will probably be too far outside the limit to get to Anchorage from Seward.

Thanks! I figured as much, but you never know!

We are a family of 8 and are planning to reserve the Haven 3 bedroom garden villa on the Pearl for our first Alaskan family vacation. One of the perks of renting this is the free limo shuttle to the airport after debarkation.

The question I have is will NCL drive us from Seward to Anchorage? It's at or over 2.5 hours, so I am questioning whether this perk is if the airport is in the same city. I am planning to call NCL to ask, but thought if anyone on CC knew off hand if this is what they will do, then that would save me from talking to the rep and try to get sold on other things. lol.

Thanks in advance!

Cathy

Welcome to Cruise Critic. You will probably get more answers if you ask this on the board here for NCL. Lots of Haven experts there. Located under Cruise Lines A-O. EM

Thank you! I will do that. (newbie here!)

We are a family of 8 and are planning to reserve the Haven 3 bedroom garden villa on the Pearl for our first Alaskan family vacation. One of the perks of renting this is the free limo shuttle to the airport after debarkation.

The question I have is will NCL drive us from Seward to Anchorage? It's at or over 2.5 hours, so I am questioning whether this perk is if the airport is in the same city. I am planning to call NCL to ask, but thought if anyone on CC knew off hand if this is what they will do, then that would save me from talking to the rep and try to get sold on other things. lol.

Thanks in advance!

Cathy