mbarker10

36 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Permits are for the Mendenhall glacier for environmental reasons and crowd restrictions. The tram is not under a permit system. Your tour was changed because the operator of the first tour did not have enough permits for the season. You will be able to book the tram separately.

I know. But I’m saying my original excursion included the tram and the tram is the only thing dropped. I’m guessing it is an overlapped timing reason with the permit issue.  I get what everyone is saying about the permit; unfortunately it won’t let me book the tram separately and I am glad to have the advice it might be better to wait and see what the weather is like. Everyone has been helpful!

5 minutes ago, Asawi said:

When is the cruise? I remember reading some time ago that the tram wouldn't open until May this year. Closed for staff education or something like that in April.

Not until June which is one reason I don’t as surprised it was already canceled 

5 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Hi! I looked up the tour description and you still get the full Mendenhall Glacier experience. The bus will take you to the parking lot closest to the visitor center. From there you can do the very short walk to the viewpoint or do the 30 minute walk to Nugget Falls which puts you right up close to the glacier. The visitor center is also interesting and has exhibits, films, and a gift shop.

 

You will definitely have enough time to do the tram after the glacier. Just book NCL’s Juneau tram excursion. 

 

I have been to Juneau many, many times (in April, May, July, August and September) and have never once seen a long line for the tram. There are two trams that run continuously and each tram has a capacity of 60 people. The ride is 6 minutes. The math on the Goldbelt team website states that in an hour 1050 people can use the tram.

 

You’ll have a great day in Juneau! Be sure to buy some truffles (I love salted caramel and huckleberry) from the Alaska Fudge Company.

The tram excursion is what we booked and what was cancelled. It is now no longer available as an option. It is missing from the description of the new swapped excursion. 

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

It essentially says that the tour operator (not NCL) did not get enough special use permits to operate the tour. They have rebooked you on an alternate tour to the park (which does have a permit).

 

The cancellation has nothing to do with the tram. And unless you have a very long port call, doing the glacier and the tram can be challenging (the line for the tram can be 45 min to 1 hour+ going up and down,,, if you try to leave the top too late, you'll watch your ship sail away without while you're stuck on the mountain top). 

 

 

I assumed it had to do with the team because it’s the only thing now missing from the tour. The description otherwise stayed the same. The tram has been dropped entirely from the excursion list, and has been replaced with this one, which doesn’t mention it in the description at all. So I just figured that was the issue. 

8 hours ago, SoloAlaska said:

It may have been an issue with one vendor being out of passes but they are offering a different tour with another. Have you looked at booking the tram separately? If you have FAS atleast the first person would be free.

Yeah, I mentioned in my post that currently buying tickets to the team is unavailable 

1 minute ago, Panhandle Couple said:

There is limited parking at the Glacier viewing point.  The tour operator that NCL uses obviously has their slots assigned.  However it may be the TIME of the slots that impacts the ability to return to town and use the Tram.

 

Glacier is ~ 12 mile drive to and from, but time involved could be up to 3 hours round trip from ship.

I read this as you WILL be going to the park, but not the tram.

 

The tram is not owned by the US Park service, it is locally owned and controlled.  There could be 4 other ships in port that day, and the predictability of when the tram is available is complicated.  1 or more other tour company (ship) may have bought up the available slots.  In addition, they keep some slots open for FCFS walk ups.    

 

Also note, rain and fog can make the tram experience not all that great.  Local weather can be unpredictable, rain and fog in the morning, and then clearing and sunny in the afternoon, or vice versa.

 

You might want to look at a combined Glacier and Whale watching tour.  They will do the whale watching even in rainy-foggy weather.  It means less time at the glacier, but whale watching there is OK, especially if you have never seen them.

 

Thank you so much. Incredibly helpful info!

Just now, shof515 said:

these restriction is newer and started this year, the national parks is reducing the crowds that go to mendenhall glacier park

But we still get to go to the glacier it seems? Or close to it. So I assume we won’t be going to the park itself then. That’s a bummer! I didn’t realize there was a difference. 

Our first time doing NCL and Alaska, and we got this email today. Any ideas what permit restrictions mean in relation to taking the tram? I tried to see if I could just buy tickets online but it says unavailable. 

23 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

You need to ask for it in the MDR.  When there was a separate drink runner, they usually handed it to you with your drink.  So few tip in the MDR, they just don't bother.

We didn't have to ask the first couple nights, but then we started to after that sort of hit and miss. So I'm not sure it's related to not bothering; I think they get busy. It was fine; we always asked so we could be sure to tip.

We didn't have to sign every time on the Magic a few weeks ago. This happened most commonly in the MDR, so idk what's up with that. 

4 cruises and I've never laminated/taped/anything lol.

16 minutes ago, xDisconnections said:

My pleasure! Sometimes you need a more negative outlook to have a more open visual of what you’re looking for.

 

My advice- check out Princess or Holland America. They have the largest presence in Alaska with the most experience in the area. They secure more permits than the competitors for some glacier viewing experiences and have the connections to bring local experts onboard to really elevate and immerse you into Alaska.

 

This is one of the few itineraries where cost shouldn’t be a factor and it’s better to reserve exactly what you’re looking for.

Good to know. I'd looked at the NCL Alaskan itineraries, so I'll look at Princess and Holland as well!

8 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

I wouldn’t book it. So many negative factors to consider when comparing against other options.

 

Shorter cruise, only two Alaskan ports, visits Tracy Arm instead of Glacier Bay, only one scenic cruising day and also RT Seattle… a better option would be one way with Whittier or Seward to combine time in Alaska. Also, the fact that it’s on Carnival instead of one of the cruise lines with more Alaskan experience.

 

The Carnival option is the exact opposite of what I would want in an Alaskan cruise. Aren’t they also a random midweek departure on Carnival or did they finally move away from that?

This is definitely helpful. I have read repeatedly that glacier bay is not to be missed, so it may be in our best interest to wait until we can get a better itinerary. As much as I want to go, I know this will probably be a one and done (the Alaskan itinerary) so it may be more worthwhile to wait for an itinerary that will be amazing. Thanks for the advice. We’re not cruising in 2023 but we may push this to 2024 and get a truly exceptional itinerary. 

12 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Other than it is a 6 day cruise, you should just go for it.  Hopefully, you will return in the near future for the typical 7 day cruise.  Have fun!

Thank you!

11 minutes ago, Pyxie said:

I just booked this same cruise. $100pp (before taxes and port fees) for a balcony with $200 OBC. We weren't gonna do Alaska for 2 more years, but I figure we likely aren't going to see prices like that again.

 

Yes, the plane tickets are EXPENSIVE.. They are going to cost us more than the cruise itself, but all-in will still be less than the cruise would have been normally.

We weren't either! I had Alaska on our 2024 cruise list, but ugh it's so cheap. And yes, plane tickets are more than the cruise! I'm not getting that OBC but otherwise yes. I think mine showed up as $135 pp for a balcony.

22 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

No, why would it be an issue? I'm on the 8 day spirit in August to Alaska. Book and go because cruise prices elsewhere and on other lines are double what we are getting on Carnival. 

Makes me nervous with prices so cheap is all. Just wasn't sure if there was some odd scenario that was making prices cheap besides trying to fill up the boat. Thanks!

Prices are super low right now, and me and the husband can go for under $1000. 

Start: Seattle Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord Juneau Ketchikan Victoria End: Seattle , on the Spirit, 6 day. Plane tickets are gonna eat us alive but I figure we won't see prices like this again.

Anything particular I need to know about this cruise? Anything that makes you go ehhh I wouldn't do that? Or special circumstances?

Just to add, even if a day pass isn't available or shows sold out, I was able to go to the Spa Desk and ask for availabilities and got one for one day easily. It was $40.

Yes, definitely. the website is carnivalwifi.com and you just switch between users. easy peasy.

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Isn't that the kind of crazy stuff we all seem to run into?! I'd imagine the system is operational 24/7, perhaps they were waiting on tech support (or some person familiar with the system) to arrive. 

 

Tom

I know, it was weird. I asked why and the check in guy just shrugged. I had it pulled up on my phone ready to go!

On the Magic now, boarded out of Port Canaveral Saturday. We had 10 am check in and for some unexplained reason, they told us they can't use verifly until 11 am. Also in San Juan we were asked to show our vaccination records, so I'm glad I had paper copies anyway.

The Mardi Gras docked there, and I'm on the Magic now. We're docking there tomorrow, but for a very short time. Only 4 hours.

Hello from the Magic. Just had a notification about this post, so coming back to it.

We had the 10 am embarkation time, and ended up having to use papers. He said VeriFly couldn't be used until 11:00 and after. No explanation why. But it was fine regardless. 

I downloaded VeriFly for our Magic cruise on Saturday and didn't have any issues. Uploaded everything within minutes. I'm hoping it'll save some time at the port.

On 3/7/2022 at 12:24 PM, jimbo5544 said:

Looks gorgeous. We're headed out on the Magic Saturday and really looking forward to GT.