don't-use-real-name

Damage the key card - you will have to go to Guest Services for a replacement. You won't be able to get into your stateroom - You won't be able to get drinks at a bar - You won't be able to purchase gifts or duty free - Your gaming in the Casino is cut off - If you are off the ship MAY have trouble getting back on ? Regardless don't mess with the black stripe on the back of the card. Punching holes - have Guest Services do it for you. Don't know if placed near a magnetic (charging) device for a period of time rendering it void. With all this "Do you feel Lucky?" Guest Services is always interested in how the card was compromised.

Call and see if the tour is still available (not sold out) - Probably is but call you won't know until you do - If not can it be added to the existing reservation ? Without penalty or rebooking the reservation losing perks bennies promos etc. Call the source Celebrity - don't wait !

As noted - TIPPING not one size tip fits and covers every situation !

Thread started July 2019 - - - Something no worse than an adult scavenger hunt. Regarding ducks overboard - certainly not intentional - Maybe carelessly located in/at wind sweep open deck area - An excellent idea to keep young minds (and old farts too) occupied during passages on open sea day sailings.

Don't tip at each and every stop - overnight lodging (except to the lodge itself maid service) Wait until the final day of the tour and cash handed discretely or in a Thank You note envelope. What to tip ? Who to tip ? Well that is up to how well the tour was presented conducted and of interest to you and questions commentary provided. No right or wrong answers. Depends on who did the touring the commentary - the Guide - the Bus Driver - any others. You could combine the individual tips for both - presuming that the tips are pooled/shared. The amount ? I am reluctant to share that as I would not want to set a misunderstood standard. CC Readers may offer what they have tipped or a range of compensation - - - Tipping is for the most part a personal judgment matter. On another note: If the tour service was not up to your standard or expectation - maybe a comment note to the tour folks to let them know of their perceived failing room for improvement. Tipping is always a tough subject here at CC.

I don't have the exact facts - just what I have observed September 2019 NCL JEWEL. Arrived at the Anchorage Depot with luggage and stateroom tags attached. Luggage loaded into a truck and hauled away to the ship while we rode the Coastal Classic train in Gold Star and had a blast. Arrived at Seward walked to CT check-in and went on board - a few hours later about 2pm luggage at stateroom door - perfect ! it may have helped being in a Haven DOS - - - Back at the Anchorage depot while I did not see a uniformed NCL agent - there were people with a handful of stateroom luggage tags - purpose to tag luggage that the guests did not have. Mass pandemonium in the depot - fortunately I had dropped by the day before and got my seat assignment selection and paperwork in order. Two days before had taken the Denali Star from Fairbanks and noted that the customers luggage was loaded in small wire rack bins (holding about 25-30 pieces of luggage) and these were fork lifted into the baggage cars where a small hand dolly moved stacked and organized the checked baggage by station - On arrival at Anchorage these containers were off loaded in that same (claim) area as we checked in for the day of the cruise. So luggage is not handled by the piece in loading/unloading - but by a fork lift and small container - very efficient and fast. Having worked for a major airline for 30 years I am very keen on how luggage en-mass is handled - the system that the Alaska RR and the cruise line (NCL) have worked out is flawless except for when a bag loses it handle or tag and awaits for the guest to file a claim at lost and found. Since this system is working so well I presume that the other guys cruise lines are doing the same. In July of 2013 NCL SUN sailing out of Whittier - the luggage with stateroom tags was taken by the tour excursion operator by truck and delivered direct to my cabin. We boarded a bus for the trip from Ayeska to Whittier - no AK RR. As with any enterprise - Have a ? - Ask ? - Find the answer/person - hauling your own luggage (baggage) around from point to point is just not a working solution to having a pleasant time.

Yes it is the common practice tried and true - - - When using the coordinated Alaska RR and Cruise ship luggage service - you use the baggage/luggage checks provided by the cruise line or self printed ones and the luggage then knows where on the ship it needs to go to your stateroom. No railway check tags required. The system works perfectly - luggage that has lost its bag check is taken to the ships lost and found awaiting your claiming.

INSIDE PASSAGE - any passage with - land - island - something between you and the open Pacific Ocean. Commonly the passage between Vancouver Island and the Canada mainland is what folks think is the Inside Passage - true it is - BUT there are also inside passages in the southeast panhandle of Alaska (USA). Ships sailing out of Seattle see the Alaska inside passageways - those sailing out of and returning to Vancouver see the Canadian one which is spectacular because of its narrowness - almost can reach out and touch land in passing.

When using the coordinated Alaska RR and Cruise ship luggage service - you use the baggage/luggage checks provided by the cruise line or self printed ones and the luggage then knows where on the ship it needs to go to your stateroom. No railway check tags required. The system works perfectly - luggage that has lost its bag check is taken to the ships lost and found awaiting your claiming.

The train depot is very close to the port, not 5-6 blocks. The Google Map does not distort information. The relevant distance (length) of the blocks maybe in question but a number is a number. My reply was my personal experience September of 2019 Of note the cruise charter trains do not terminate at the Seward depot but at a siding within a block of the Cruise Terminal - refer to the Google Map and locate Ferry Terminal road the siding runs adjacent to that road

At the Anchorage Depot your luggage maybe checked in a pavilion next to the depot - The luggage will be transported by truck to your ship and be taken on board - placed at your cabin door. This arrangement is in coordination with the cruise line and works very well in eliminating extra handling of the luggage from point to point. Some checked luggage maybe on board the Alaska RR Coastal Classic train and would need to be claimed at the Seward Station if other arrangements have not been made. This luggage checking service is at no cost to the guest passenger - it is a win-win for both the cruise line - Alaska railroad and the guest. You only take your carry on: (Passport - boarding documents - cameras - cell phone - medicines and maybe a change of clothing weather proof cover) When you arrive at Seward you have about 5-6 block walk to the cruise terminal - flat land but not paved all the way especially if taking a short cut. Shuttles are provided for those that need. My partner and I walked it in less than 15 minutes - checked in and went right on board for the party to begin. Google Map for reference - the white rectangular building in the lower right corner is the Cruise Terminal - in the upper left corner is the Alaska RR Seward Depot - Zooom the map in and out for more or less detail - - - - - Google Maps

Book as many of the options you can prior to boarding (there are limits in play) When you get on board go to the Reservations dining desk or a temporary set-up to finalize your selections - When checking in at the restaurant you can tell the host how the payment is to be made or has already been made - - - Your promo dinner may include a beverage (wine) One of your Platinum dinners will include a bottle of wine Advantage to Suite/Haven guests having a Concierge to assist in the reservations.

That 10 hour excursion must have included something else. Circa September 2018 The excursion I took from Juneau (float plane dock) took 5 hours round trip to see the South Sawyer Glacier (Tracy Arm) and an added bonus the North Sawyer. Saw whales going and returning - box lunch - beverage snack bar - viewing binoculars available - Crew fetched a chunk of glacier ice out of the channel for everyone to touch and feel it. All this certainly not 10 hours - maybe that excursion did Dawes/Endicott too or some extensive whale watching ???

Yes you can see the fjord from a balcony cabin - Your ship transits the fjord round trip so your cabin would OK. Most transits of the Fjord are in prime daylight - 6am seems a bit odd. HOWEVER - being topside to see the fjord (both sides) is the best. You wouldn't need to stay long in viewing caring for your little one. Options: Walking the Promenade deck you would be close to the comfort of the ships interior and shelter The ships buffet or cafe restaurant may offer windows to view You certainly will have ample opportunity to research the best view points.

Yes the kiddies would be back in school - so a more non-Disney mature cruise. Weather will be a big factor - you would be sailing in coastal North Atlantic ocean waters with lingering after effects of Caribbean hurricanes. Some ports maybe cancelled or delayed due to fog and tides. Early autumn visits are recommended over end of season cruises - But take what you can book. Clothing dress warmly in layers - outer layer rain moisture proof - Unless the weather is downright nasty to the "n"th degree nor'easter don't let that hold you back from shore excursions and DIY ventures. A B2B the outer leg maybe perfect - but beware the return weather may change in that short a time. In every respect take this cruise and enjoy it !

A thing to consider in restoring that damaged section to the Railroad Dock is the rubble and large rocks that have rolled over the damaged dock into the water - these must be removed to prevent a ships hull from being damaged while tying up lines.

Some of the rechargeable devices may have LITHIUM batteries and thus pose a possible hazard if left on too long and cooked to a fire temperature. Some of the older models do not have the automatic shut off or reducing the charging function when fully charged. Electric toothbrushes aside and USB charging stations should not pose a safety hazard. In any event leaving a charging device next to material that could spark a fire - avoid that. No smoking in your stateroom applies to your devices also - - -

Cruise Ship Schedule Calendar Combined Ports (secureservercdn.net) Re-Check your schedule itinerary - don't find Majestic Saturday July 9th - However there are only two ships scheduled for that date - There are two available docks not affected by the rockslide - And there has been tendering activity from one of the (rockslide) Railroad dock

The Hawaiian Beverage Package - how is it different from the Premium Beverage Package and is the Premium PLUS applicable in Hawaii resulting in all coffee drinks - no charge ?

And try your coffee with a touch flavor essence of "KONA" !

Perhaps not - - - But then - - - Crowds - waiting times half hour or better - times a wasting for delaying dinner to see a show or other sail-away event - Chance offer it to the host for an alternative - May be the ice breaker to solve the problem - More in likely only going to happen that first cruise night.

If you would like to share a table just ask the host ! Usually table sharing is appreciated on the first night of the cruise when those without dinner reservations overwhelm the MDRs during the prime dining time. The host is looking to accommodate the crowd and your offer would be one of the solutions. The table selection location may not be the best. Checking with the host well in advance may have better results. But NCL does table share in the MDRs - - -

Pre-Cruise land tour on NCL SUN years ago - 2013 - - - First time trip on tour - OK - all right In review would DIY on future cruise/tours Yes TIPS by $cash$ -

I would be more concerned with sea-sickness (mal de mer) on a small craft rather than a large cruise ship. Windy yes but rip tides are not going to affect the island cruising. Oh there would be exceptions - maybe in a major tropical storm just like one would experience in the Caribbean (hurricane zone) or a down right nasty Atlantic don ' eastern. Relax for the most part you will always have stable solid footing - the cruising portion is done during the night sleeping hours between the islands.

From one of my previous posts about the Inside Passage - - - INSIDE PASSAGE - any passage with - land - island - something between you and the open Pacific Ocean. Commonly the passage between Vancouver Island and the Canada mainland is what folks think is the Inside Passage - true it is - BUT there are also inside passages in the southeast panhandle of Alaska (USA). Ships sailing out of Seattle see the Alaska inside passageways - those sailing out of and returning to Vancouver see the Canadian one which is spectacular because of its narrowness - almost can reach out and touch land in passing.