MoyCoy

I'm not sure what is considered walkable for a 6 year old, but just a little over a mile is a really neat Maritime Museum. There are several old ships including one of the old time ferries that used to cross the bay. Coming back from there are the Jeremiah O'Brien (a World War II era ship), Ghiradelli Square, the old Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. There is a wax museum, a Ripley's Believe it or Not and the Musee Mecanique, which is the French name of the museum someone mentioned earlier. A lot of this is pretty touristy, but a lot of fun, if you don't mind the crowds. Lot's of restaurants, lots of activities. Lots of street performers.

 

If you have time you can take a ferry over to Alcatraz Island, an old military installation-turned-prison. Now abandoned. I've taken a few kids there and they always seem to love it. You would probably need to buy those tickets on-line in advance as it can sell out. I had a man who works on the island tell me that he as never seen any of the ferries be less than full, regardless of the weather.

 

I just realized this is an older thread and I'm too late to be helpful to this cruiser. When planning my cruises I often read old threads to get ideas. So, I hope this proves useful to someone.

I am going to San Fran again next week for a overnight, so this is indeed helpful. I went back to the thread to be reminded of what I I could do with my kids, again

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Oh my goodness, Wow. What great information !!!! Thank you.

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We had originally planned to purchase a excursion that takes you to cannon beach through RCI. But it sold out. I understand there is a car rental you can purchase. Maybe it is enterprise. And that the drive is an hour each way. I was wondering if we decided to not rent a car and do something around the pier, is there anything that would interest 6 year old twins. I am nervous that something may happen and we miss the ship. If we were to take our chances and rent a car, how long is the walk to the rental facility from the pier. Is there a enterprise pick up anywhere?

Thanks

I'm just back from the explorer on 7/28 if anyone has questions. I'll do my best to answer! It was a great trip! We booked it again for next year!

 

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Were the new soda machines working? How were the crowds when boarding? How was the food and service in MDR room?

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The last time I sailed Royal, we were childless. We are sailing on a 7 night Pacific Coastal on Sept 29th. I wonder can anyone inform me as to what time the kids club opens on embarkation day. Also does the kids club close for lunch. Will the kids club open on port days and for how long?

Lastly, Does anyone have any experience with First Night Done Right where you pay $15 for specialty dinning on the first night. You cant choose where you eat though. They let you know where you will eat in your cabin that day.

We just got off Explorer on Friday from 7 nights in Alaska we had Junior suite 1350 starboard side, loved the room attendant was great. The weather was mostly overcast with some periods of rain, temps never got out of the low 50's most of the time. Very windy which made it seem much colder. Skagway was prob the best day with little to no rain but over cast and cool. Formal nights were 2 and 5, food was phenomenal!!!!! Ate every night but one in the MDR no specialty dining for us. Shows were very good and Graham the CD was prob the best I have had of all the ships we been on. As you can see Flowrider was a ghost town with temps in high 40's at that time with strong winds. Raining and cold in Victoria, there were snow fluries there too.

 

 

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So formal night was on the second and fifth night? What did they serve ?

We will be parked closer to the pier on our next cruise on Royal. No need for a shuttle. I would do the Wharf again.

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I visited San Fran with the twins 3 weeks ago. We took a free shuttle to Fisherman's Wharf. We purchased speed boat rides from the shuttle , ate fish and chips, enjoyed the mirrored indoor play area for 5 bucks. We headed back to the ship (NCL ) before 3. We used the free shuttle. Easy Peasy. Thank you all for your advice!!@

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Thank you!!!

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Great Review~!

Can you expand on your comment about the dinning. You mentioned they had new choices for Breakfast. You also mentioned you liked the Windjammer more than MTD. Can you go a little deeper please. My family and I were thinking about foregoing formal night and eating in the Windjammer. We are sailing with my BIL who normally sails on NCL. He is not a fan of dressing up for formal night:D

We live in Seattle and will sail the Explorer this Sept on a 7 night Pacific Coastal. I agree with wanting warmer weather. We almost cancelled because of this. BUT indeed we are looking forward to not flying. We have flown to the East Coast a lot lately. The Easy Peasy of driving to port is tantalizing~

Thank you for your recommendation of Port Parking. I know that you liked Amorey, but I wonder , in your research.. did you find a cheaper option ---if one wants to leave the car at home ? We live on the East Side.

Thanks!

I'm back!!! Just signed up for last 3 days of Voom surf for free using my D+ benefit. Thank you RCL [emoji4]

 

Last night had a great dinner at Giovanni's... Much better than Jamie's on Harmony: Osso Bucco, Veal, crab ravioli, etc. Production show was "Fast Forward"... 8 out of 10 so pretty good. General Trivia at Schooner.

 

Today we're heading out to the ocean for

Our sea day. Sunny out in the ocean, still del behind is on land

 

 

 

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How did you like Voom? Was is reliable? Could you stream?

FO-6500 Family Ocean View Stateroom

Pacific North West, 7 day. Round trip From Seattle

Sail Date-- Sept 29th 2017

Explorer of the Seas

Thanks

I am booked in FO on a 7 night PNW cruise room 65000 Sept 29th. This is the first time I was able to book a Famliy room because we don't match the normal 5 and above requirement. I am sailing with my DH and 6 year old twins= 4 people. I was concerned about the motion of the ocean, but took a chance anyway. I am having a hard time finding ample information about this room. Any thoughts and would be appreciated.

I have only sailed the freedom class twice and Oasis class once. This will be my first sailing on this class of ship;)

I meant to bring home the Princess Patter from this cruise. But alas, it did not make it into my suitcase--boo;p. I also did not take a lot of pictures. So needless to say , this will be a short and sweet and informative

I did not fine a lot of information about this cruise so I wanted to write a little something for those who are searching in the future. I will also write this review from the standpoint of a Parent of 2 young children. I also live in Seattle , so this will be from a 'home town' perspective. I also used this cruise in a back to back situation.

Embarkation.

We docked on the NCL Jewel at Vancouver around 700am. We disembarked as SLOWLY as possible because we wanted the porters to be outside for the Ruby Princess by the time we disembarked. We walked off the ship around 945am. Waded through the lines and sea of people, found our bags, and processed to find a porter. We gained 2 bags along our journey and were short pre- printed luggage tags. I am use to the porters having extras at the pier. Alas , this time, no dice. The porters did not have staplers or extra tags. By 10am they had not received their supplies yet. Being the bold extrovert that I am, I proceeded to beg anyone and everyone for a stapler. And By 1030am, a kind porter drugged up some extra tags. Lesson #1 Always have your luggage prepared and ready to go beforehand.;p

We had intended to take the train to Richmond, eat lunch, and embark later. Boy oh Boy, did we change our minds quickly. It was cold and rainy AND the lines were already long for Customs. It felt like a eternity waiting in the custom lines with 2 antsy 6 year olds. But we are sure glad we did. We had a theory that the lines would be less around 3pm. We heard from passengers after we finished lunch in the buffet that the lines were actually worse. We made the right choice getting on right away. \

We did this same cruise 2 years ago on the Grand where we embarked in Seattle and disembarked in Vancouver. We than boarded the Solstice 1 day later in Vancouver. The boarding of that cruise was quite smooth. Vancouver to Seattle... Pure chaos! The time for' all aboard' was by 4pm. BUT people were still embarking at 4p, Crazy!

The co-ed portion of the spa is definitely smaller but I do love the separate facility side. If he does not want to do the spa, there is a steam room, lockers, and a shower right off the gym on the Jewel.

Thank you. See you in 2 days!!

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My Hubby was not too impressed by thermal spa video's he has viewed thus far. He was hoping the spa would resemble the one we enjoyed last year on the Breakaway. Are there any free steam rooms or saunas in the men's locker room? I purchased a spa pass. I wonder how crowded the spa becomes on sea days. It seems a quite a bit smaller than the spa on the Breakaway.

Also I was wondering if anyone recently off the Jewel can tell me if one is able to stream You Tube on the ship. How fast is the connection?

Thank you

I think the Gem has the nicest and largest Thermal Spa out of all of the Jewel Class ships. I was surprised at how much smaller the Jewels was compared to it

I will be on the Jewel. I'm a little bummed that the spa is not set up like the Breakaways. I like hanging out with my husband. There is a small area to do so, but it is really small. H decided not to purchase a pass with me. Is there a free Sauna and steam room in locker area?

Nice

We did it. Mini cancelled and everyone is on suite. Now we have to chase a refund credit from insurance.

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But it's not costing any more with a chance of gain?

 

 

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It will cost 10% loss. The taxes are all we would pay on the kids. The taxes in mini suite can't be transferred only refunded ,so that's a equal trade. We would have to fight with insurance..so that's not fun. What do u think? Would u do it.

Oh also the refund would have to go to a cruise that is with all of us. We planned to sail without the kids on the bliss next year. We would have to rebook our spa suite that only allows two. Maybe to 2 connecting minisuites

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New option was presented today by concierge. We could cancel minisuite, switch me and my daughter to suite using kids sail free promo and file for insurance on suite. We purchased Ncl upgraded ins which guarantee 90 percent back in a cruise credit. We my be able to use it on bliss next year. The only tricky part is if there is a glitch with refund

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And you can always have your butler bring the exact same food at 6 am daily.

 

Did you do this often? Have you ever ordered in for Dinner? How did that work. We were thinking about breakfast in the suite every morning and a few dinners, but was concerned the Butler would not be a happy camper with that. We are on the Jewel

I am doing a 5 day cruise on the Jewel in 5 days. I wonder if there is a laundry bag special on 5 day cruises? Also will there be a hot white party like on 7 day cruises. How exactly do the 5 day cruises differ from 7 day cruises--- in regards to events and specials?

Thank you

We were loyal to Royal..but looked for something new. We are platinum on Royal/Celebrity . We sailed in suites on Celebrity.

We sailed suites and minisuites on NCL . We are booked in a suite on the Bliss next year. Our status is only silver though.

Hope my loyalty status does not impair our chances

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I didn't read all responses, but I know you now have a suite and so I wanted tell you that there are plugs next to the bed

 

 

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Thank you

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