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St Louis Cardinals

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    First Haven experience to Alaska on the Bliss

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I’m in 18126 next week, thankfully I sleep through everything! Do you have a pic of the balcony?

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

    You are going to have an amazing experience! I do not have any photos of the balcony. It is very long (wide), but not very deep (probably standard balcony depth). You can look down into the balcony below which is deeper. There is an overhead light, 2 chairs and a cocktail table. You may need to slouch in the chair in order to avoid the top of the railing blocking your view. It is not a quiet balcony as ping pong is constantly played just next door on down on deck 17.

    First Haven experience to Alaska on the Bliss

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    THANK YOU for this. I booked deck 17 next to the observation lounge. I see a silver door inside the lounge that I am guessing goes to the hallway to the cabins. However, I did not know if its open for passengers and not crew only. Hope you are having a great time!!!!

     

    Deck 17 is perfect; good call. We were in 18126 (Port side in the rear of the Haven) and there was a lot of service door slamming (across the hall and at the end of the hall) and a lot lot lot of public sun deck noise above at all hours.

     

    TRUE. The Designers blew it on the carpet in the Haven Lounge. The reflection of the 'pretty' pattern in the carpet reflects up on the front observation glass and is indeed very distracting.

    First Haven experience to Alaska on the Bliss

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Is the king crab night in Haven or buffet? I think I saw that was buffet?

     

    We had King crab in the Haven on the Thursday night of the trip. It was very sweet and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It is super super expensive at all of the port restaurants in Alaska. If you are in the Haven, make it a point not to miss.

     

    I think the Garden Cafe served Snow crab earlier in the trip.

    First Haven experience to Alaska on the Bliss

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Emir is awesome !!

     

    I sat down at the bar and asked if it was open.

    Emir: "No, closed."

    Me: "OK, I will wait. When do you open?"

    Emir: "Tomorrow"

    Me: "Oh.......well, can I get a drink while I wait?"

    Emir actually cracked a smile and bought me a Martini (no UBP for me). Dry sense of humor; funny. Excellent Mixologist.

     

    Next day I go in and ask Emir for a Miller Lite.

    Emir: "What's wrong?"

     

    Sidebar on restaurants. IMO, the Haven is the best of all the restaurants in terms of overall experience. The King Crab night is NOT to be missed. Big fat legs that arrive perfectly split in half; just dig in and enjoy. On the June 9 cruise, we noticed that the speed of specialty restaurant service seems to have been ramped up to satisfy demand (just a guess). We were booked at Cagney's for 90 minutes (not the usual 120) and were actually pushed out in about 40 minutes! Way too fast to enjoy it.

     

    Not looking to highjack your thread, Cyclops. Good pics! Different from previous posters. Thanks.

    First Haven experience to Alaska on the Bliss

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Cyclops, if you enjoy cocktails, go to the Haven bar. Look for Emer behind the bar (black eye glasses). Try the famous Smoked Old Fashion and tell him Cruise Critic sent you. This drink is only available in the Haven. He will get a kick out of this, but it is best to order when the bar is not swamped. It is awesome and the smoking process is really fun - have a camera ready. I saw it on a post from the Transatlantic (or Panama) cruise and I ordered it on the June 9 Alaska sailing.

    Bliss June 9 - 16th Bliss?

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    We arrived at Pier 66 at 11:30AM on Saturday June 9 so HAPPY HAPPY. We walked away from Pier 66 at 7:45AM on June 16 so SAD. Why is that?? Huh.

     

    It was a great trip; I wish we could have a 'do-over'. The weather was perfect; no rain coat was ever needed. It was super windy as usual in Skagway.

     

    If I recall correctly, we sailed the Endicott Arm and saw the Dawes Glacier. I think the ice is an issue at Sawyer. There were some Humpbacks and lots of seals floating on the ice.

     

    The ship seemed to hold the people fairly well; but be prepared to take the stairs as the elevators are really busy zipping up and down between the many decks. The muster drill is an extra special hot mess.

     

    Of note:

     

    The specialty restaurants have cranked up their output. Our reservations were booked for 1.5 hours (not 2 hours as previously reported) and we were usually out in no more than 1 hour. There were people that could not get into the restaurants and they had Free at Sea dinner packages; oh-oh. The demand is exceeding supply...

     

    The go-karts have been a hot topic. We rode 3 times, and I enjoyed them. There are problems, here. While not super fast, they require some strength and skill to drive quickly through the hair-pin turns. It takes one or two drivers to ruin the experience for 8 others. Some are just too small to be on the track. Some just can't handle the kart. The skill levels allowed on the track are too varied. I was stuck behind a man who began the race by promptly running into the wall and getting stuck...I was unable to leave the starting grid and all the cars on the track were slowed until this could get cleared up. We saw a kid get rear ended by an adult. The kid walked off the track shaking his hand in pain. The adult was kicked off the track and mom was waiting for the adult. She verbally destroyed him with many many many F bombs and metaphors comparing him to anatomical body parts. I bet half the Bliss heard this. Her husband tried to move her back. It was an amazing display. The adult tried to walk away; and the next thing we saw was about 10-12 white uniforms running after them. I ran to watch but lost track. The white uniforms came out of nowhere....like a Vegas casino.

     

    Jersey Boys exceeded our expectations; terrific. Looks like more demand than seats, though.

     

    Beatlemania was blah. Somebody else on this forum reported they sounded drunk. I wonder if it is a bad effort to sound English. Don't know.

     

    Great cruise!

    Bliss Go Karts

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Each time you get in line with your reservation, you will watch the 'safety' video in the staging area. They do a decent job moving people; just like something you would find at Disney World. There will be carts on the track, while the next group is climbing into their cars...and another group is likely watching the video on the rules....no bumping....no passing on caution yellow...no going backwards! Every car is monitored for behavior by track marshals, you will be slowed or stopped remotely if you misbehave.

     

    Because the track is so curvy, high speed is not really necessary. The speeds feel perfectly 'sporty' for the size of the track. I enjoyed trying to get the right line to make the next pass. I didn't see my time, but I was listed as second place...I was sure I won!

     

    Regarding the Haven, I am actually in the Haven. There is no special time for Haven guests. I simply booked at the concierge desk.

     

    I am pretty sure most people left with a grin....

    Bliss Go Karts

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    On the Bliss at this moment; actually just got off the go carts. It exceeded my expectation by a lot and I will go again later in the cruise. $9.95 for I guess about 8 laps - the ride did not feel short at all. As far as speed, they are more than satisfying. Note I am an engineer/automobile enthusiast.

    The only problem is the allowance of smaller kids who are not able to handle the car. It does take some strength to steer. This slows traffic. The marshalls will slow you down. I had some open track today and some really good racing with another driver.

    You MUST make a reservation...make as many as you want (can afford). DO NOT show up without a reservation; you will not get in. The reservation process helps significantly with the wait times. But, be prepared for the process (sign in, safety video, and ride) to take an hour.

    All in all - Thumbs Up.

    Alaska - Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer vs. Staying on Bliss

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Hi CC Community,

     

    My wife and I + two boys (11 and 9) are taking our second cruise this August on NCL. This time to Alaska on the Bliss (can't wait).

     

    I have a lot planned this trip already and was wondering if the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer excursion was really that much better than staying on the ship that day? To give some context, here is what we have planned already:

     

    Ketchikan: Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast (boat tour and yummy fresh crab)

    Juneau AM: Helicopter Tour and Land on glacier walkabout (booked through Viator)

    Juneau PM: This is the afternoon that the Tracy Arm excursion is offered. Should I add this or stay on the Bliss?

    Skagway: Not decided yet. Leaning toward Chilkoot Trail Hike and River Float. Also interested in the train that day. I like the idea of being IN nature vs looking AT nature.

     

    Thanks in advance for any advice you all have.

     

    Kevin

     

    You mentioned that you like the idea of being IN nature vs looking AT nature, so I would recommend taking the Tracy Arm excursion. You will really feel like you are in Alaska. With some luck, your Captain will maneuver the boat for closer wildlife sightings. The 'experience' is measurably better than being on the ship, IMO.

    2014 Identity Captain, Hotel Director, Concierge, etc.

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    We met Niklas Persson on our May 31st cruise on the Jewel. He was at the Captain's VIP party in the Haven and was travelling as a passenger (wearing jeans & shirt). We had a chance to talk with him and he did seem very personable! Wish he had been the Captain for our cruise.

     

    We had Captain Kenneth Harstrom and he got off the Jewel the day we docked in Seattle (June 7th) for his vacation. He indicated to us he would be back on the Jewel in mid-August and finish up the Alaska season.

     

    Our concierge was Bruno Dentone (not impressed)

    Our HD was Richard Janicki (not impressed)

    Our Butler was Roland (not impressed)

    The Courtyard Butler was Peter D'Silva (very good, friendly, accommodating)

     

    We were not impressed with our concierge & butler because we always had to seek them out if we needed anything otherwise they had little or no contact with us. We've had much better care on our past cruises. We have been very impressed with most of the HD's on our past cruises, but Richard just wasn't that friendly or outgoing and not that visible around the ship.

     

    Just our personal observations.

     

    You missed Virginia Brotherton by 1 week; I think you would have been pleased. We felt she was top shelf. She was everywhere. She is on vacation and will return to the Jade or Gem…out of NY later this year.

     

    We also had Roland. While he did not 'fall all over us', the few times we needed something, he was readily available on his mobile and served our needs promptly. He made the customary first visit within 15 minutes of our walking through the cabin door and we found him to be a pleasant fellow.

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