Happycrafter123

I can’t wait to see the photos you take!!! And maybe I’ll get some tips from you for the go pro when I hunt down the guy with all the camera stuff on the great outdoors deck lol!

@shadowmeboywhat type of camera (s) do you bring? i mainly use my iPhone but debating on a go pro and dusted off my old Sony cybershot —it’s a pain to get the photos off of it and in to my phone/Facebook but has a 30x zoom and takes nice photos. The go pro seem easy to use and magical downloads but has no zoom.- I haven’t ever taken the time to learn how to use a “real” camera lol!

That is so thoughtful and memorable to do it that way!

That is awesome! It looks like you make many! Do you hand out last day to Stewart and favorite staff? What all are you stuffing in there? I’m guessing you aren’t bringing carry on only either 😉

I’ve enjoyed your review so far, thank you! I liked the tips and details about the train, it’s a great option. Heading out for a similar trip in the Sun next week and wish I’d booked the Bliss just so I could have the thermal spa! As I’m packing was hoping fir some tips from you—did you bring boots, wear boots, wish you brought boots??? Also, the matter of hair straightening irons seems to be a grey one, did you bring one/ hear of any being confiscated?

Forecast for our trip looks like a lot of rain. Now to determine which garments need gortex treatment and which just get scotch guard… and of course looks like I am out of one of the Nikwax gortex treatments, and scotch guard bottle feels very light. Wish I had not left this till last minute! let’s see if I can get some by overnight delivery!

It’s a bit overwhelming trying to deal with all the stuff we’ve been piling up in the spare room for this trip. Our last 6 trips or so we travelled with carry on only and so that really helped to keep things in check. my fat cat is not happy about what is happening…/

The countdown is on! 6 days till cruise departure, 5 days till we leave home! First trip I can think of that we get to the one week mark and I HAVEN’T STARTED PACKING YET! Today will be the day, though hubby will be gone most of the day golfing, and I scheduled a hair appointment for this afternoon —got to look good for all those vacation photos 😉 lol! Some preparation shopping has occurred, in addition to three different types of gravol and two types of ginger medicine, I’ve gotten some mosquito stickers— have any of you used these? Not sure if there will be any but I know when we go to northern BC there are black flies and biting things so want to be prepared…. Also, with three sea days (counting the glacier viewing? And potentially poor internet, plus a smaller ship with less activities, I debated what I will do to fill that time. Downloaded some ebooks to my phone, booked the behind the scenes tour (though it was expensive at $121CAD per person) and plan to book a couple of wine tastings if they are offered. Maybe a whiskey experience if available….it’s been a challenge to get the dailies for the latest sun cruises so will have to play it by ear. Also picked up a couple of these cute painting books, there is a paintbrush attached in the back page and the paint chips are embedded on each sheet so this could help me while away some time and doesn’t require packing a full box of art supplies…

We will enjoy anticipating with you, plus your packing tips especially with the short turnaround window

I hope so that would be so cool to see the other perspective of another person, like in a novel where we go back and forth across characters! Plus I will pass the “good photographer” banner to you 😉

So in trip preparation news, I did manage to get an appointment with my doctor to ask about the nausea patch Scopolomine) as I had such bad nausea on it last cruise. I’ve read that the path from Seattle to the inside passage can be rough, and that the Sun may not have the best stabilizers. Unfortunately I’ve been advised these patches are no longer available here (canada? Bc? It was unclear) and the only option is ginger candies and gravol. Bought 3 types of gravol and these ginger candies: any other tips?

I believe you are sailing a week or two after us from Vancouver? It’s so fun to see the layering of experiences!!! I am noticing a lot of tips around a sweets lol! Gelato, truffles, fudge…..

That sounds awesome I’ll be interested in your tips and I can’t wait to see the amazing photos you take!!

I received an advertisement from Broadway across America about a Broadway themed cruise on the Norwegian Pearl. Have any of you done one of these? It looks like they have cool entertainment but then assuming all the NCL regular staples like food, pools and spa? Do you get to use your NCL latitude perks etc in these cruises or how does it work? Registration seems to be through the Broadway app not via NCL directly. Seems odd. Not planning to go on this one but my curiosity is peaked…..

Welcome to Vancouver! I hope you found an awesome dinner downtown (I always recommend Carderos on the sea wall just about 10-15 minutes walk west Of the convention centre/cruise port but too late now, add it to your list! ) Where did you wind up finding dinner? you sail tomorrow? Interested to hear the experience through Vancouver port, wishing you a smooth day ahead!!

Sorry I’ve been quiet work has been crazy busy and lots to do before I go. It’s interesting to hear the difference experiences and perspectives—thank you for sharing @mugtech your comparison to the Gem. Hopefully I will get a chance to sail her and compare at some point myself. we booked this cruise with little research on the ship itself, and I’m curious to see what it will be like. The nighttime entertainment and trivia aren’t things we really participate in much— usually we have excursions all day, maybe a nap, then dinner and after that and an ice wine nightcap I’m generally done in for the evening lol!. I’m hoping for a good comedian on at least one of the nights though, as hubby likes those. not even having sailed yet I am already staring to form opinions lol! And have determined if we do Alaska again with NCL to try to pick a ship with thermal spa—but my vote on that may change after this cruise depending on how it goes—we’ll see how packed or available the hot tubs are and I will let you know! The good news is there are about the same number of hot tubs on the sun as there are on the breakaway and about half the passengers 😉 based on other folks comments I am hoping there will be a lot less crowds and lines than the big ships and an easier experience getting on and off the ship, once again TBD! @YVRteacher you asked what I’m most excited about. I’m Excited about the itinerary, which was a big pull to book this one. But more importantly I’m hoping to have those moments of wonder like I have sometimes when I’m skiing and I pause, take a look at the scenery, take a deep breath of fresh clean air, and just feel the wonder of the moment. Hoping the Alaskan Wilderness will hold some of those moments. Maybe looking at whales? Or a sunset or sunrise from my balcony? Maybe a seal cavorting in the waves? Or an eagle gliding by. Who can predict the moments but hoping Alaska will have many of them. I’ll try to share some scenery photos not just photos of the food lol! i was observing to hubby that it seems many of you are repeat Alaskan cruisers over and over again, what is it that keeps pulling you back to go again? @YVRteacher@Seas2mountains and the rest of you “repeaters”?

Excited to see your review, we will be leaving about a week later than you on the Sun out of Seattle so very interested to hear of your experiences in port and any excursions you do or what you hear from others as I’ll still have time to modify my plans 😉 have a great journey!!!

Hi @jayseadee! What made you pick this one, and what are you most looking forward to?

Hi @YVRteacher! Happy Friday! good tips, thank you! I’m especially worried about hubby losing his phone he tends to dangle it over balcony railings etc, got him a neck strap but how do I make him wear it??? Lol! I've been debating for awhile about a go pro. I have a +10 year old larger camera but hate carrying it around and barely used it in the past 10 years. It’s now a pain to get photos off of it given technology changes, and don’t intend to replace it as I just can’t see myself lugging it about. Will dust it off and bring it, and plan to bring my phone, but dithering about the GoPro, which I could also use later on in the winter for skiing. Hmmm. It is expensive and yet another technology thing to master so not sure. Have any of you used a GoPro?? recovery from Pneumonia was slower than I ever imagined, I was on mega doses of antibiotics for 17 days! have you had it? Good news, my doctor has cleared me for travel now. However my stamina won’t be the same as normal, as I usually walk 10-15k steps per day (more on any lead up to ski season or Disney vacation) and now I’ve likely been less than 2k steps per day for a month, so have to review the excursions to remove any that will require too much walking as my muscle tone has surely diminished. I don’t want to be dealing with sore calves or burning thighs if I can avoid it. we are in MR at the base of Golden Ears park hence all the wildlife out here. I’m hoping on this trip maybe to see a moose though seems not that likely, and of course whales!! I love the idea to ask about what brought folks to Alaska! I will share the stories I hear.

@Sj cruiser 1 is this also your first Alaska trip?

Yes we stop in Victoria and my car will be in Seattle so won’t be planning to ditch early 😉

Yes so much controversy today, but I still love the mouse 😉 They had a promo for Canadians of 35% making it cost neutral (for us based on subjective selection of options//without drink package — we aren’t big drinkers)

Sometimes people cancel them or miss the cruise so if you can’t buy in advance you can check on boarding if there is a spot or waiting list

@cruiseny4life my curiosity knows no bounds! How have I inspired you for work not vacations? Do you work in parks or something cool like that?

Yes after her awesome reviews I wished we booked the Jewel it sounds like such a great ship! When do you sail?