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Those slippers you should not have to look far - when hanging your cruise wardrobe in one of the closets you should find them in or near a wicker basket used for return of laundry. Also the durable laundry bag and inventory invoice form. That wicker basket may not be on the floor - it may be on a shelf above with the life jackets. LOOK around and be amazed what is hidden behind closed cabinet doors/drawers - the Owners Suite - Deluxe Owners Suite and Garden Villas have sets of dish silverware and beverage glassware for entertaining and party ready from the first moment upon boarding. If you use any of it the Butler will replace it - the Cabin Attendant will remove the used stuff.

The scheduled Alaska RR Coastal Classic train (NOT NCL charter train) arrives and departs from the Depot about 5 some blocks away (map image) and arrives and departs from the downtown AK RR Depot. The cruise line charter trains arrive and depart from the Anchorage airport and a siding adjacent to the Seward Cruise Terminal (photo) The cruise line charter trains do not have all the fancy double deck cars that the AK RR Coastal Classic does. The Alaska RR does not have service between the downtown Depot and the Anchorage Airport (at least for the present time) - 2 totally different separate operations - the Charter cruise line trains ONLY operate in conjunction with the ship movement. Map Image - Cruise Terminal is white rectangular building in lower right - The AK RR Depot is in the upper left adjacent to Hy 9 Zooom in/out for more/less detail .Google Maps Photo of Airport to Cruise Terminal late afternoon - train leave airport around noon and arrives on the siding next to the cruise terminal around 5 pm.

If you are thinking of loading up a TRAY with food - BRING YOUR OWN TRAY !

Ah those little itchy tags placed at the most opportune places to maximize itch irritation. and at times of discomfort causing one to dance a new whirling dervish devil dance while promenading the grand atrium ! On cruises of length 6 or more days there maybe a bag laundry deal available for all guests. Cruises of more than 10 days it may be offered again. The Gold and higher Latitudes guests can get their free or reduced (half Price) laundry done at any time - no need to wait for the bag deal Varies by ship but generally the middle day of the cruise is bag deal - receiving the clean laundry the following day late in the afternoon. The Latitudes guests may experience laundry back in the late afternoon on the same day as noted varies by ship (make sure to give to Cabin Attendant early in the morning) !. With this in mind guests should expect to have clean clothes to walk off the ship on the final day of the cruise. On that final day of the cruise just remember NOT to pack away ALL your clothes in your luggage - leave something presentable for disembarking clean or otherwise.

PPSRVCHG pre-paid service charge Since you purchased the cruise from (your) TA check with them about a refund/explanation You indicate that you prepaid this with at the time of purchase - Since you are not on board the BLISS as this time check with your TA - - - If on board the BLISS contact Guest Services and have the refund to your on board account. If this would have been noticed post cruise have your TA fix it. Get this squared away before sailing to avoid further complications inuendo etc..

NO HAVEN - but SUN DECK - - - LINK LINK: Norwegian Star Deck 13 Deck Plans (cruisedeckplans.com) The STAR does have a sun deck - Deck 13 forward - a tiered set up with multiple levels of deck lounge chairs and a Hot Tub. Viewing that LINK click on the small mini cameras for what it looks like - - - - -

As close to a private deck on both ships (DAWN & STAR) would be deck 13 forward -OR- on the STAR deck 13 aft Heli-pad - on the DAWN deck 14 aft open sun deck space. As for intimate privacy - not possible with both ships or for the most part any NCL ship.

Scenario - you are boarding and going through the security line - bottles of wine are discovered - you are directed to the Paid Corkage counter - you show the NCL (or private otherwise employee) you have the PP or P beverage package - you pass "GO" and a free to go aboard - no PP or P beverage package you pay the corkage fee a paid corkage sticker is a applied to your wine and your on board account billed accordingly.

Battery operated fans especially those power by lithium batteries and then those powered by rechargeable batteries would be prime suspect. USB powered devices should be no-problemo - extreme low voltage and having nothing to do with the ships electrical grounding !

Sun Rise at the Haleakala summit can be just as amazing and perhaps more so - the morning weather generally being more clear and fewer clouds. AND CERTAINLY "YES" the temperature is best tolerated mid-day in bright sun light. Definitely wear some warming clothes and/or have a place to seek brief shelter to warm up. 10K altitude is going to be semi-breathless which may lead to spells of dizziness if one tries to move about in an athletic manner. The organized cruise tours are probably suited best for the sundown show rather than the early morning trek (i.e. getting up 3 am). With two port days on Maui a half day spent at Haleakala is time well spent (IMO) !

OP - You did not state the cabin number on the JEWEL - - - Info could result in a deckplansdotcom further search - - - Wait till you are on board. Work it out from that point. A YouTube video or pictures of the exact cabin would be helpful Not all Club - Angled balconies can accommodate every seating arrangement. Normal complement would be 2 chairs and a coffee table. With suites and larger cabins other possibilities would be possible.

(Does anyone know at what temp?). Look at it this way if you can walk-about the pool area in a swim suit - shorts should be no problem most anywhere on the ship except maybe in the forward area (bow) while underway viewing a glacier (wind blowing over an ice block effect). One thing for sure if off on a shore excursion to the interior beware of the local residents (mosquitos) requesting frequent blood transfusions and those open legs provide the right target ! No need to check what type - all comers are welcome.

Prior to the start of the cruise season around mid May (Saturday the 13th) transportation links maybe limited to only those days that a cruise ship port calls at Seward. Check carefully so as not to be visiting without a method of economically moving on !

Basically colors are unique to a specific ship and when two or more ships are boarding at one port the color helps insure your luggage gets on YOUR ship. If printing your own tags (color or B & W) just make sure you are giving your luggage to the right porters at your ships check-in. Color confusion happens with colored tags used in debarking of luggage at the end of the cruise. The cruise line provides the color group tags. The colors are used to help locate your luggage in the claim area arranged with your time of debarking. Leaving earlier than you assigned debarking time may result in your luggage not being ready for claiming. Disregard the color tags if doing a WALK-OFF does not apply ! On a large mega break-class ship the luggage that is handled easily exceeds the luggage of 10 747 jets - the baggage/luggage gorillas are in 7th heaven !

Your promotional fare offers FREE AIR or second guest fly's free --- You can take it or leave it perhaps get a credit if not used ? May not know your airline until a few days before cruising - In the DTW LAX market would suspect Delta - but Delta is expensive maybe some other low cost untimely carrier. NCL AIR - their schedule to book flights (may not be non stop) and class of service - additional co-ordinated connection/transfers from/to ship airport ? Your own - schedule class of service - form of payment perhaps rewards miles points - upgrades and credit card free checked luggage - DTW --- LAX is a 4-5 hour non-stop flight - connections worse ? Worth the time for review discussion planning - there is the comfort factor on long flights.

To note the differences between Tracy and Endicott - Google Map reference: Tracy is in the middle left of image and Endicott while not marked is due south of Tracy and an almost straight channel. Being south does not have much reflection on the melting glaciers - it is the flow after the chunks have caved off flowing to the open sea. These chunks get jammed up at Tracy and therefore the cruise ships avoid the hazards of a lot of ice clutter. Google Maps

Had it go both ways - everyone off the bus check passport ID physical scan for uneasiness due to being other than cruise related ? Terrorist level raised related ? AND then remain on bus officials come on board for perfunctory passport ID check and on the way - half hour waiting time waiting for traffic to clear the entry portal (several buses waiting).

Snow drifts windchill lions tigers and the bears come out of hibernation and then the friendly polar bears come around for a scratch behind the (bears) ears - - - Believe all that and I have a bridge to no-where to sell you cheap at Ketchikan ! Coastal and interior weather in the summer time can reach 80 degrees "F" or more - really big time for those shorts ! In all fairness guests acclimation to the weather can vary on where that guest is from ! My first trip to Phoenix in mid-winter years ago - being from Minnesota was astounded to see kids wearing parkas going to school and activities and I am in my shorts and polo shirt enjoying the 100 degree temperature change ! Que Sera Sera - - - - -

In the direction of travel - ascending to the Summit YES the left side looks down and back to valley below - the right side looks at foliage - rock walls. The descent back to Skagway this reverses as the train upon reaching the Summit no longer just moves the locomotive power from one end of the train to the other (like it used to be). With a LOOP in the track at the Summit the right side looks down and back into the valley - indeed an improvement ! Trains going to/from Fraser are not loop reversed - Trains going to/from Carcross I believe there is a WYE to reverse the consist of cars and locomotive power ?

I worked 29 years for a major airline changing hats function with Lost & Found. I have seen pretty much everything that can happen to luggage baggage freight cargo. Actually happening on NCL or other cruise lines - - - Take a look at the cruise line's naughty room aka guest services Lost & Found - - - There maybe more than something naughty going on with those distressed pieces of luggage. Luggage/Baggage gorillas may be found in almost any travel industry. Except for computer sorted luggage machinery - what could be so bad about placing more than one tag on {OR IN} the luggage in case of loss of ID (handle included). I like to feel good about having my cruise line checked luggage at my stateroom door sometime in the early afternoon - - - - - !

And then it may depend on the shorts - bermudas - hiking - capri - but only the BOLD in spirit go about in short shorts - appetizers for the bears - - - Harold ! Egad put some clothes on - It is warmer than you think in Alaska - it is NOT a winter cruise vacation you know ! YES you see PR photos of winter glad gear for guests visiting a glacier by helicopter. One would respect wearing the proper gear if stranded on/in an ice box of sorts. Brief exposure (did I just say that) is OK but frown upon in the Main Dining room. You are pushing it expecting to get an Alaska SPA sun-tan. The legs are the last to experience frostbite - go for it ! I wear summer weight thigh length KILTS everywhere in Alaska - it is a better conversation starter - - -

BOTH sides work well - AFT and FORWARD also - anything above the hull line. Seriously - unless near a port you are some 10 or more miles out to sea and will just see the dull edge of the coast line and mountains in the distance. Advantage sailing out of Vancouver you will most likely sail the Canadian INSIDE PASSAGE but it will probably be in the dark of the midnight sun - sleep time. As for a quick answer - generally northbound cruises starboard (right side) is guaranteed to see land with binoculars telephoto lens zoom cell phones. When near a glacier the ship is positioned so that everyone with have an opportunity to see it. Another general statement unless cruising at SEA (day) cruising is done at night between ports so that you can have your port time in the daylight time.

The Amtrak TRAIN schedule only works if planning an overnight stay Not the greatest for connections to the Empire Builder or Coast Starlight The BUS service alternatively is no better than the existing surface Quick Shuttle. Anything to do with flying is a challenge via Seattle - Flying into and out of Vancouver is not competive - VERY EXPENSIVE All small (100-150 passenger) aircraft between YVR and SEA more distant cities larger aircraft 150 plus +++ As for the Border WAIT times - variable with the security terrorist times. Don't know about the times on the Amtrak train - but Bus service can be half hour minimum to more depending on guest documentation - 4 hour trips nominal between Canada Place Cruise Terminal to Seattle Airport without issue. Plan carefully - don't push the envelope limits for critical connections - As above the Amtrak train is scenic and worth it but plan on an overnight !

Check directly with WPYRR folks for the best method to handle your group venture - Email or phone call: Book Alaska Shore Excursions with White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (wpyr.com) RESERVATIONS 1-800-343-7373 info@wpyr.com You maybe able to have an all reserved car for your party - seating in any event is not assigned - As noted see about getting the end car or almost end car of the train - With the loop at the Summit you will be in the same car position for the whole trip. Car capacity is around 40 guests

IN ANY EVENT - take the time to PRINT another luggage tag or an additional copy of your cruise contract and place it INSIDE each piece of tendered checked luggage. If the handle to your luggage with tags loses it mind and become detached at least opening the bag will result in the clue to return your luggage to you. Don't attach flimsy tags to unstable handle attachments - THINK !