SpanishForker

The Cruise Ship Schedule for Skagway has the Encore docking at the Ore dock this year after mid-May. I don't know how that might change things with regards to meeting tours.

https://claalaska.com/?page_id=1551

The website still allows you to book Port Valet for NCL cruises. I just booked mine for our cruise on the Encore in July and everything went through fine. Hopefully it won't be cancelled like the OP's reservation, but if NCL was not participating this year you would think it would be disabled on the Port Valet site.

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

You would need to bring your packages back to the cabin. 

Thank you for the answer. How easy is it to come and go from the ship in Ward Cove?

I figured I would ask this question here as Ward Cove is used by NCL the most if not exclusively. I am looking to book the Totem Bight Park excursion for our July 24 Encore cruise. It starts at 10:45am and lasts 2 hrs. This would be cutting it close to all aboard time at the finish. I assume we meet for the excursion in the warehouse at Ward Cove. If we wanted to do shopping before the excursion is there a place to hold our packages until we return or do we have to run them back to the ship before the excursion? Thanks!!

Just wanted to pass this information along. I had/have a Spa Balcony booked on the Encore for July 2024 and my previous confirmations all had me as having a B9 Cabin Category. I just made a payment today to utilize the AMEX offer and the confirmation they sent me has it listed as Stateroom: B9-BA. So it seems at least as of right now the NCL confirmations are still making a distinction as having booked a Spa Cabin while also acknowledging the reclassification of the cabin type.

18 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Sign up at the Box Office on embarkation day. They will have each of the pictures for the week on display and a sign up sheet for each. You know exactly what picture you are signing up for and the date/time of the class. 

Thank you so much for the answer. 

On 9/10/2023 at 1:11 PM, BirdTravels said:

Are you an aspiring artist? Or just someone who enjoys getting the creative juices flowing? Canvas by U is a great opportunity to try out a step by step instructed class to create a masterpiece that can be sold by Park West at auction. $35 and an hour of your time is all it takes. The instruction and all of the art supplies are provided by the cruise staff. 
 

There were three classes this week, all sold out, but a few stand-by artists got in. 

 

My wife would love to do this. When you sign up do you know which painting will be offered at what date/time? She would love the landscapes, but not the coffee one.

20 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Several weeks ago I was criticized for recounting a conversation with NCL where I was told that I shouldn't book NCL air if I was picky about my flights.   Several posters thought I was making that  up, that no agent would make such a statement.

I just called the main NCL line yesterday to cancel the air portion of my booking for next summer as I bought flights at about $50 more than the air promo, but got to pick my times etc. and the representative on the phone said I made the right choice. He basically said the air promo works well for some people when headed to Europe etc where flights could be crazy expensive, but for domestic it was better to book them myself.

12 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

But,, those who paid a premium for large balconies, the balconies are still secured and unused as we sail Glacier Bay. 

Have the seas been rough or is it just wind etc. keeping these balconies tied down?

We are planning on doing this for our cruise out of Seattle next year. I know that on the Disembarking "timeline" there is a specific time for PortValet passengers. If your flight is later in the day I assume you can disembark later in the process.

Thank you for these. We aren't sailing till next year at this time on the Encore, but these give us a framework of what to expect.

Thanks!

Thank you all for the information. It is greatly appreciated.

We are sailing on the NCL Encore out of Seattle in July 2024 and I know that the booking window is fast approaching for hotels. We plan to fly in one day prior to our cruise and then will probably UBER/Lyft over to Pier 66. I have a bunch of Hilton points I would like to use if possible and wanted to get a recommendation on a Hilton branded Hotel that works well for Pier 66. I would also greatly appreciated any dining recommendations things to see etc. near said hotel.

Thanks!!

Does anyone know if these AMEX offers ever appear on the Delta Platinum AMEX?

Loving your trip report. We had a great whale watching excursion in Cabo back in 2011. Glad to see they are still putting on a show.

Also remember that Soda is included in the Drink Package, so if the non-drinker drinks soda that will help with the cost as well.

10 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

For us, the quality of the food and service at Cagney's has been on a steady decline for a few years (pre- and post-covid). They are down on the list of restaurants to dine in.

 

In 2019, before the shutdown, we even had the Cagney's restaurant manager chasing down on the ship to apologize after I complained to the assistant general manager about abysmal service and food. 

How would you personally rank the Specialty Restaurants on the Encore? 

On NCL (Encore Specifically), what are the table minimums for things like roulette and craps?

1 hour ago, cruzrbachoua said:

If you think you want to do a cruisetour I would book that first and downgrade...as those do sell out fast as the lodges have limited space.  I know the lodges have their own website that shows a booking calendar so it is possible (I believe) to book the lodge for your kids BUT they will not be on your transportation between lodges as they would be on their own to get from one to the next.  

 

I have read a lengthy review on here of a land/cruise tour it was quite helpful....

 

this is the link for the lodges

https://www.princesslodges.com/

Thank you for the responses.

Do you happen to have the link for that review?

I am new to Princess and cruising in general (2x DCL cruises in 2010 and 2011) and have never been to Alaska. I am trying to figure out the best options for a 25th anniversary trip (July 2024) for my wife and I and potentially adding our kids (24yo, 20yo and 17yo at time of the trip) in for part of it. This probably would be our only trip to Alaska as we like to travel to different places every year so I want to get it "right". Currently I have a RT cruise booked on the NCL Encore in a Spa Balcony for just my wife and I, but am thinking of doing a Princess cruise with land instead.

If it stays just my wife and I, I think I would want to book a cruise tour with some amount of time in the interior of Alaska. Can I book the cruise only and upgrade to the cruise tour at a later date? or should I book the cruise tour now and downgrade to a cruise only if we change plans? What is the most advantageous moneywise?

If we want to bring the kids into play can I book a cruise tour for my wife and I and then just a land tour for my kids? Or should I book the cruise only and then book the land part through Princess Lodges (which is currently not open for booking yet)? Do the cruises and the Princess Lodge tours link up well? So many questions.

Any help, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

I am loving following along on your cruise(s) and enjoying all your pictures.

I don't want to derail your thread, but I had a question about your continuing to use Princess for Alaska cruises and wondering what makes them the winner in your mind?

Look at your confirmation pdf and see if it has the AIRDEV designation next to your names. It would also appear in the itinerary portion as well. If you do have those designations it might give you more of a leg to stand on, but as others have said here and in the past NCL air is practically umoveable once booked.

I hope things still turn out well for you!

The $50 off is also only for the first person on the cabin reservation. So say the lead passenger doesn't want to go on the excursion the second person doesn't get the $50 off. 

Has anyone done these excursions when the ship has an afternoon visit to Juneau? Our scheduled timing is 2:30-11pm on the Encore in July 2024 ( I know things can change as we are far out). I noticed that there are two versions of the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer (5hr and 7hr) other than time is there a difference? I would love to do both the whale watching and then the glacier tour, but not sure how it would fit together.

3 hours ago, MrsTocko said:

Hope it helps.  We love Alaska - and are trying to figure out our next one. Your wife is lucky, and that will be a lovely gift.  DH has told me he will never surprise me with a trip, because I plan it all so well, he is afraid that he will not get a good deal. He DOES surpise me with day trips, so it works out.  I DO get to plan every little thing about our vacations, with no argument (or input) from him, he decide destination together, and means of travel (cruise, road trip....) and I take it from there.

 

MrsTocko...I am the YOU of our relationship so it should work out. I do all the planning and such and my wife is along for the ride. I will "give" her the gift before the 120 day mark so that we can book the excursions and dining together.

Thank you all for the helpful advice.