MartaMartian

I like to go on hiking excursions and walk around ports on foot. I’d also like a small bag to hold my ship card and essentials onboard. I prefer something compact with RFID protection and big enough to hold a small water bottle. Any recommendations?

We’re still going to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. They’ve increased the time in port for Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan but totally changed our time in Cabo.

Norwegian just cancelled a lot of the Bliss’ stops at Ensenada, stating due to fuel efficiency. However I have also heard the port was cancelled due to civil unrest. Can anyone confirm? Has anyone else’s stop at Ensenada been cancelled on other cruise lines? Or do you just not port there at all?

Beautiful! 🤩 I hope we get to see bears! Which port or excursion gave that opportunity? I do have an excursion booked for Fortress of the Bear in Sitka but it seems more of a zoo type thing.

We’re going in August as well, right before school starts. I know school is already in session for most of the country so I’m anticipating fewer kids. What was your experience sailing that month (as far as weather, ports excursions)? When I was researching RC there was lots of excitement about the Black Friday sales. I did pick up some discounted excursions but the other packages didn’t seem like a great value. I’ll keep checking back.

I did a lot of research and even made a spreadsheet comparing Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, and Royal. I looked for long port times and the availability of covered pools and things like go carts. None of the NCL ships sailing to Alaska have covered pools! I saw lots of reviews complaining that NCL docks farther away, and you have to wait for shuttle busses, then feel rushed to get back to the ship due to shorter port times. I also hear that the racetracks are closed a lot on sea days due to wind. Ovation has a covered pool (in fact 2, one adults-only), you get hours longer in port, and their bumper cars are indoors, so there’s a higher chance of being able to use them. I liked the Sky. I think it’s more like classic cruising where you get to know your fellow passengers and staff. It seems the Sky is doing an around-the-world cruise in 2025, leaving from NY and ending in Korea. Sounds like a nice way to see the world! If it were just me and my spouse, the Jewel one-way from Vancouver to Seward sounds like the perfect Alaska cruise. But gotta keep the kiddo entertained so RC it is! Bigger ships intimidate me in a way, although I’m sure I’ll have a fine time on the Bliss and Ovation.

Paying the $750 non-refundable deposit for RC was indeed painful since I’d only booked with NCL and Carnival before.

Cruiser2015, we’re on Ovation departing Seattle 8/23/24. I did not know about the MDR salad bar on RC, thanks! I did thoroughly enjoy my MDR breakfast and lunch on the Sky. Can’t wait for more on the Bliss! Panama Canal transit is definitely a bucket list for me, hope you enjoy it!

Thank you, Wilmingtech. So far I have only sailed on the Sky and found it was also hit or miss with the dining. It was really a big perk for us to have those FAS dinners included, and I certainly enjoyed them. I may purchase a sea day lunch at Izumi for my husband and I. Funny cause people say NCL nickels and dimes but I’m finding it more from RC, and I haven’t even boarded yet!

AlexandNessa I don’t know of the Star class on RC. I agree about the Black Friday sale, I have proof I would have saved money by booking a few days earlier. We’re booked on Ovation, which I believe is Quantum class. Really, I’m pleased with my booking, just feel spoiled by how easy things seem with NCL by comparison.

Hallux, can you tell me what you liked? I’m definitely booking for my kid. It literally came down to, what is going to produce the least amount of whining because there is no way I am buying internet! I normally sail with my cousin, who’s 20 years older than me, and it’s a “girls cruise”. This RC cruise with my family, since my husband doesn’t drink, I’ve decided we’ll stick with the 2 bottles of wine we’re allowed, and a 12 pk of sparkling water. The rest of the drinks we can pay as we go. I imagine I’ll be trying to eat/drink on shore a lot.

Thanks for the reply. I definitely looked into Princess for my Alaskan cruise. They seemed to have great programming and activities for Alaska and some cool ships up there as well, like the Majestic Princess which is designed for the Chinese market. Would have done it if it was just my husband or with younger kids. I think it’s kind of like NCL where you have the sail-away no frills package, the FAS, and the FAS+. They have the Medallion instead of a card, which sounds more convenient.

Let me preface this by saying I’m a cruise newbie. My first cruise was in 2022 on the Sky and I enjoyed it so much I booked the Bliss for a Mexican Riviera cruise in 2024. I did a lot of research before I chose Norwegian. I like Freestyle and FAS. It’s been super easy for me to book and manage my cruises. That being said, I decided to book a RC cruise to Alaska, mostly because of the port times and it seems my 12 year old will find more onboard to interest him. I’m happy with the ship, cabin, itinerary, and price (more or less). However, figuring out how RC “works” has been a headache. Drink package? Forget it. All of them are crazy expensive. MyTime dining? I had to select “MyTime” 9 months in advance in order to insure something that might work for us. All of the prices for internet, drinks package, excursions, etc, seem to be in a constant state of flux, and the advice is to watch prices, cancel and rebook. I do not have time for that. I hear the food is not very good (not that I was particularly wowed by the food on the Sky) and Royal wants you to pay extra not only for dinner but also for lunch, in the specialty restaurants. Doesn’t seem like they have many late night options either. Any survival tips from NCL fan? This will be my lemonade, drip coffee, and tap water cruise 🤣

Anyone still following this thread to complain about wine? I’m not a wine snob, by any means. However, I found the wines, even the ones included with FAS+, are pretty average. But did you know? According to the fine print, if you have the beverage package, there is NO LIMIT to the amount of wine you can bring on board, without corkage? It may be worth your while to pick up a few bottles of your liking and take it with you to dinner, the pool, etc.

Thanks, everyone, for the information. I would like to do a wine tour in Ensenada Feb 2024 as well!