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Instead of fretting about running around trying to find $2 dollar bills to put in an envelope - you could go to Guest Services and get a Credit Voucher (charge against your on board account) for each crew member you wish to tip additionally and the non DSC Butler and Concierge. You receive a receipt that can be given to the crew member - and while not quite as classy as legal green tender in a pretty Thank You note card it suffices and the crew member gets the entire tip and not shared or pooled with others. Tipping is a personal matter - you can discuss it here or NOT keep it low key please. Not everyone has the same expectations of service and appreciates the service in the same way.

You can make (DIY) your own lanyards for far less the $10 - Instead of a neck leash consider a clip to clip on to your waist (belt band) Suggest a clip with teeth and spring action to secure onto said waist. I use a Retractable Key Back clipped to my belt - There are other modification that can be made inexpensively. In any event DO NOT PUNCH holes in the HALOGRAM IMAGE !

The Cruise Terminal at Seward is rather sparse - no real room for holding pens/waiting areas. In most cases - esp NCL - check in and board almost right away OR feel free to just roam about Seward. The scheduled AK RR Coastal Classic arrives timely for both options. In most cases your Checked Stateroom luggage is handled separately and will be found at your cabin door in the afternoon - only have your carry-on to tote with you. The Chartered NCL train arrives about 5 pm and does not allow as much free walk-about Seward time. The two trains can accommodate about half the ships guest capacity - - - The rest of the guests arrive by other means or have arrived a day or two in advance of sailing.

Times and Cruise/RR contracts change - - - File photo NCL JEWEL September 2019 - NCL contract train having arrived Seward Note one single Gold Star DOME car in the middle of the Push-Pull consist {?}

NCL configuration of those charter trains is set up between NCL and the AKRR. The Gold Star (DOME) cars would be a premium ride $$$ perhaps with meals/beverages ??? Alaska RR will only direct your inquiries to NCL - SO ! Contact NCL until you get the answer. Find out about specific seat selection - keeping traveling parties together - I believe that I have read that coach seating is first come first serve upon boarding - Plan to be in line first - - - When booking Alaska RR trips on their equipment when you complete the reservation have the agent make a specific seat selection in the car - if you don't do this then make a note when checking in at the Depot to get an assigned seat - MOST IMPORTANT if traveling with partners. If booking ONLINE without further to do seats maybe automatically assigned ? Not that it makes a big difference - the entire DOME car is under a glass roof ! Find out more about this - the front of the car has less traffic - the rear has the wet bar and the outdoor observation platform.

There are plenty of places where STUFFED Bear are filled with something other than human entrails. Feel free to amble up and pet these - (Anchorage Airport - Tongass shops in Ketchikan) And don't be expecting to pet those baby bears fresh out of mama's womb ! Unless you have had some recent tasty salt water food - you aren't an appetizer !

Unless you have a job function giving you that coveted viewing seat on the bridge - even then your viewing will be occupied by job functions. The cruise lines cruise well out to sea except for the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland - modest binoculars or telephoto opportunities with a camera or cell phone are not even going to see the waves crashing ashore on distant rocks. Only leaving or arriving at ports are viewing points close enough to take a photo of and and passing glance. At those times most apt to be wondering how crowded the gangway will be - what the weather is forecasted - will my shore excursion be waiting (a long or short walk). The time of the day (night) in passing viewing points will you be available to be up and ready seeing them or occupied with something else. Will someone (crew) be able to provide input to those viewable points - maybe announcements. Too many details to manage - Your balcony cabin faces in one direction - to see the otherside you are going to have leave it and find a point to see what is missing - perhaps topside - a Promenade deck walkway - or inside sheltered lounge. While doing all this searching for that - what was once in view may have passed or been missed. Remember there is "NO" video replay - redo - do-over - MAKE THE MOST OF IT ! {B2B cruise exceptions ?} One thing to note when you first board your ship after attending to dining show and shore excursions - take a tour finding out where the best photo opt spots might be. Plan a course of how to get there quickly so as not to miss what you seek ! After reading this and you blinked an eye - What did you miss ? What could you have seen ? Traveling solo - you can only cover one side/base with a partner you can do more and then share. Choices to be made - choose carefully !

Check right away after your cruise to check-up on NCL. There is a one year limit on adjustments: LATITUDES REWARDS LOYALTY PROGRAM Sign Up For Special Offers Let Us Call You At Norwegian, we value and reward our loyal guests. Our recently enhanced Latitudes Rewards Program will make your cruising experience even more incredible by giving you access to unlock a new world of rewards. Plus, the more you sail with us, the more points you receive, so elevating your status is a breeze. We look forward to welcoming you aboard! VIEW YOUR POINTS How ToEARN POINTS After your first cruise with Norwegian, you’re automatically enrolled in our Latitudes Rewards program so you can unlock a world of rewards that gives you access to the extraordinary. Enjoy exclusive onboard experiences, discounts, offers for members only and much more. Plus, the more you sail with us, the more you earn, so elevating your status is a breeze. Cruise Often Earn 1 point for every cruise night Cruise Well Earn 1 additional point per night for booking a suite* or The Haven Cruise Smart Earn 1 additional point per night when booking a Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer LATITUDES REWARDS FAQVIEW YOUR POINTS *Full-fare Suites booked when reservation was originally made. 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Onboard Discounts (including the pre-booking of shore excursions) are available on all sailings regardless of sail length. * Please visit our Latitudes Rewards Terms & Conditions for more details. 1 To redeem your one-time free cabin upgrade, please call 1-866-625-6086. 2 Discounts available in duty-free shops on all Norwegian logo merchandise. Cannot be combined with another additional discount or coupon. 3 For day, time and location, please come to the CruiseNext desk in the Atrium by 9:00 pm on embarkation day or by 9:00 pm on the second day of the cruise for Pride of America. 4 Shore excursion discounts are not reflected in the shopping section of My NCL on ncl.com. You will see the discount in the shopping cart and upon check out in My NCL on ncl.com. In order to receive your shore excursion discounts on board, please identify yourself as a Latitudes Rewards member and present your key card in person to the shore excursion desk at the time of purchase. 5 Photo discounts are not eligible for photo packages which include merchandise or Perspectives Photography Studio. 6 Benefit is available on sailings 5 days or longer, and entitles each guest to an appetizer, one entrée and dessert of choice. Upcharges apply to certain premium menu items; Raw Bar Seafood Platter is not included. Bottle of Wine offered in all venues offering Complimentary Wine list, Palomar not included. In à la carte restaurants, coupon can be redeemed for 4 menu items per person (Sushi, Wasabi, Nama, Teppanyaki, Hasuki, Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar or Raw Bar). Additional entrées will incur supplemental charges. Dinner coupons are non-transferrable. Solo guests cannot claim two dinners. Coupons can’t be used for the same venue twice. 2 guests maximum. 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If using commercial Cabo tenders - the capacity is known to the vendor - - - If using the life boats as tenders - the capacity is limited and posted and NCL would no doubt err of the side of caution reducing that number not blocking aisles to move guests speedily out of the LB to their excursion or other business. Maybe nudging tweaking that capacity on the first few boats going ashore and the last few returning to the ship.

Two of the same sources shows that all three cabins 11074 - 11076 - 11082 have the same bed location arrangement - Main bed is centered in the cabin with the convertible bed at the balcony door. Bathroom is near the entry door. The head of the bed is forward facing alternating with the adjacent cabin - so that adjacent cabin the head would be facing aft. Another way to look at this is the bathrooms are together on the same common bulkhead. The Sources: https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/Norwegian-Pearl https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/slideshow-cabin.php?ship=Norwegian-Pearl&cabin=11070 All the same photo arrangement Use the cruisedeckplan for seeking searching out more infomation - look for the YouTube icon for videos of a cabin. Changing decks may provide a different bed placement with the Main bed at the balcony and the convertible bed in the center with a drop down pullman from the ceiling. This will also change the class of cabin.

Agents clerks and NCL Reps may not be able to waive the rules - even their supervisor manager - "BUT" Come at this from the TOP down - Corporate names links: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) - Elliott Report Give it a shot - nothing ventured nothing gained - - - Good companies (cruise lines) don't let guests/customers die on the vine - Enough BAD PR and can be damaging to the health of the business !

$300 is not all that bad - consider adding more than a solo guest i.e. $300 / 4 = $75. Now that is getting downright competitive with train/bus excursion rates. AND the independence of a DIY agenda.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain - - - The BOOOM BASS music will give you thunderous vibrating music to lull you to sleep. #$%&*@ !!!!! 8661 not the best - - - All the aft deck 8 and some deck 9 and a few deck 10 cabins suites staterooms over the BLISS Ultra Lounge are subject to this (Noise travels upwards). Look at the NCL DAWN Deck Plan those that are centered in the aft are most apt to be conflicted - those that are least apt to are those facing seaward. The late wee hours usually end with somber music around 1 am. During the day time (at SEA) there maybe loud entertainment activities also. The sister ship the STAR has the same problem - - - The JEWEL class ships - the Bliss Lounge is replaced with the Duty Free gift shops. In booking cabins take care in using the DECK PLANS for the best selections - Remember to try and have occupied cabins above and below your location.

Call back for a 2nd OPINION - not having the train option puts a tremendous burden on providing BUS transportation - a train option can take the place of ten or more buses and make the luggage handling a great deal easier smoother !

No matter what ship you are boarding with all those reservations requests - the Dining Reservation Desk is likely to be busier than a swarming bees nest - Ask - inquire - make a point of finding out if there is more than one (remote) location where dining reservations are being taken adjusted bartered - have your plans in order to mix match with any show time activities before after the dining times. While you may have a Rewards status at this point it is almost first come first reserved exception to the (Haven) suites with Concierge and Butler help. Set your priorities and make the best effort to be on board as early as possible to get your times. Oh yes book as much as possible in advance to work with in tweaking those times. Not exactly tweaked to your need - in advance visit that restaurant and discuss with the Maitre-D or host/ess about changes - - - Most monetary methods of payment can be adjusted to your account later

Alaska RR equipment - Denali Train from Fairbanks to Anchorage - GOLD STAR (First Class) The B-I-G drawing point is the VIEW - the dome cars are full length all glass impressive ! Unlimited run of the full AK RR train - not private Princess HAL Wilderness Express Assigned designated seating Dome car seating - meals and beverages provide (2 alcohol drinks comp) Meals are served on the lower level of the dome car Open observation area end of upper level Restrooms on lower level Mobility assist elevator. ADVENTURE (Coach) CLASS Restricted to only coach class cars - no Gold Star Princess Hal Wilderness Express Open seating variety of car types a few old half dome cars All single level cars except for the half dome No open observation area Snacks and Beverages on your own dime in Cafe Car. Check the Alaska RR site for more details and fares Alaska Railroad | Alaskan Tours & Vacations | Train Packages The Gold Star dome cars almost always sell out well in advance ! In a nutshell that is what it is all about ! Have rode the Gold Star Denali train from Fairbanks to Anchorage return Gold Star Coastal Classic to Seward and the Coach only Glacier Discovery to Whittier

Any doubt - nothing wrong with bringing your own - Probably best to be sure - to have what meets your requirements.

Gibraltar is two counties on the same peninsula - Where does the NCL SUN dock - the UK pier - OR - somewhere on the Spanish side ? The Spanish side would perhaps be the more restrictive of the two ? Imagine a cruise to the Mediterranean and all the available wine sherry port and the alike abounding except for some maybe different cultural south shore ports. Google Map of Gibraltar: Google Maps Zooom in for more detail - - -

The Cruise Chartered Train leaves on the schedule of that cruise line - - - This one ONLY goes to the Anchorage airport --- has a variety of cars that the cruise line contracts with the Alaska RR - dome cars ??? The fare is set by the cruise line - - - The Alaska RR Coastal Classic train departs Seward 6 pm and arrives at the Anchorage Depot downtown around 10 pm - does not stop at the Airport - This train will have a mix of Gold Star dome cars {$213.00} and Adventure class coach seating {$105.00} In any event if the Bi-Level Dome car is requested/required - - - BOOK IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ! - - - It sells out fast !

Specifics not noted: Generally the NCL Jewel arrives well before 7 am - - - The charter train is there waiting for boarding adjacent to the Cruise Terminal - See image of charter train arriving at Seward - - - How the luggage is handled (I am guessing) but on board the night before your luggage is taken from your cabin door to the hold of the JEWEL and placed into wire rack devices that are forklifted from ship to the charter train baggage car. At the Anchorage airport RR station your luggage is made available for claiming. {{{there maybe cases of a direct transfer of your luggage to your airline ??? }}} As Northern Aurora has noted the train trip is about 4 hours - - - Leaving at 8 am - arrives Anchorage Airport at noon (maybe earlier) - Plenty of time to make flights at or after 2 pm

Airfare - there are few NON-STOP flights from the lower 48 states and these are expensive although the timing is usually better arriving early evening in Fairbanks. For less expensive flights and potentially more connection complications book the flights through Seattle - beware some of these arrive when the Mid-Night Sun is setting at none other than midnight - creating shorten nights slumber for whatever the next day activities. Another booking alternative book your flight to Anchorage and then there are frequent flights on Alaska Airlines to Fairbanks. There is of course always the potential of connections gone awry - but in the cruise season unlikely. Most all the airport hotels offer free shuttle service from the airport and the following day or there after to the Fairbanks Alaska RR Depot - this is not complicated. Less expensive hotels are usually found in and near the airport - - - If arriving early for a cruise tour - as noted find out what hotel the cruise operator uses and plan on booking that pre-tour accommodation as soon as possible or at the least to be as close (across the street parking lot) as possible to meet up with the cruise tour as planned. FYI the Alaska RR Denali Star train leaves daily at 08:20 am for the 12 hour trip to Anchorage.

Echoing GTJ - - - Yes I too am a railroad enthusiast and have a vested interest in a vintage steam locomotive with a fleet of private varnish cars. WPYRR take it once for the experience - Another cruise take it twice for another alternative view i.e. Bus up train back or excursion beyond Fraser - Not a train buff think of other excursions on subsequent visits - Or on that only one time trip think of alternatives to use both - First time Alaska cruise - Yes by all means take it all in as much as you can - Returning visits culture your shore activities perhaps in missed opportunities of that first - Yes it is nice to support the retail merchandise but there is a great deal more of Alaska than diamond merchants and novelty trinkets - your (photo) memory will thank you with the bear eagle otter whale sightings - outstanding scenic views of Alaska glaciers - rather than that trinket gathering dust on a back shelf mantel ! Thinking of those "MUST SEE" events excursions are these in their original form or just some commercial enterprise - Visiting Alaska on a one life time cruise - plan carefully don't be mislead by that man behind the curtain barking out "MUST SEE MUST DO" ! Overkill ? I don't think so - be happy bringing back those memories - pleased with how your time and dollar was spent !

Doors OPEN inward - would be a serious escape hazard if opening into the passageway/corridor !

Worse case scenario you get on board and no resolution - Go to the NEXT CRUISE desk and see if they can make the necessary corrections - they can pull up your history of your cruises and perhaps at least straighten out the mess for this your current cruise - it is worth a shot - - -

OP ? What port city is this disembarking at ? A mom and pop small port city may be different than a MAJOR metropolitan port. CC members can give you a good idea of how things are handled at your destination port.