www3traveler

We are sailing next Saturday in the Jewel (if they get things fixed on Friday) and I have all kinds of questions popping into my head at the last minute. Here are just 2 for now:

 

We have paid for the airport to pier transfer through NCL. . . . So when we turn over are luggage to this shuttle, do we have to claim it again at the pier and walk it through ship security, or does the transfer take care of getting the luggage to where it needs to go at the pier? I was hoping not to see it again until it appeared in my cabin. . . . .but then I read that you have to accompany your luggage through the security.

 

Also, on the morning of disembarking, do you eat breakfast on the ship before they "kick" you off ?

 

Thanks for your help. There may be more questions before next Saturday!

When you arrive at Baggage Claim in Seattle, a Norwegian representative will meet you. They will guide you to the Norwegian luggage holding area, you drop off your bags and do check-in. Then they will direct you to the correct bus to go to the terminal. Your bags are put on a truck and delivered to the ship and the ship in turn delivers your bags to your cabin.

Please keep in mind that there will be several cruise line representatives at the airport doing the same thing. It can get very confusing with so many people trying to do the same thing. Norwegian is the only cruise line to use the Bell Street Terminal. All the other cruise lines use Smith Cove which is several miles from the Bell Street Terminal.

Happy cruising. The Jewel is a wonderful ship with a great staff.

The Getaway is going to Europe for the summer season. No different than, The Star, The Jade, The Spirit or The Epic.

I travel single all the time.

The Epic, Breakaway, Getaway and The Escape all have Studio cabins meant for one person and priced that way. They are really nice. Yes, they do have a Studio Lounge for singles to gather. I do not use it very often but others do.

I love The Getaway. Will be on Her over Christmas for the second year in a row. It might very well become a yearly thing.

Right Silas has come over from The Escape and is currently on board while the Getaway is in Rio for the Olympics. Do not know beyond that.

JC went aboard The Sky yesterday.

The ports are Alaskan time. You will receive a note on your bed as to when there is a one hour time change forward and back again. The ship run on the local time.

I think that the Organizers have bigger problems than a ship arriving late. At least they made it.

I doubt if there are any pictures of Her arrival. They were close to 14 hours late in arriving due to a passenger medical emergency.

In Barbados, they have a Concode on display in a huge hanger. If you take the tour to the Concorde, you will be allowed to climb up in it and sit for a bit in one of passenger seats. Two seats on each side, very very small space hardly head room. The reason the Barbados has one is that the Concorde used to fly to Barbados every Saturday. It is something to see. would love to go back.

gusbourg,

Are they treating Seattle as a port of call or for those who live in the area, will you be allowed be allowed to disembark upon arrival?

What time is being given for your arrival?

I am about to leave home for my 30th Norwegian cruise with 6 more booked behind this one.

Every cruise is different because you have a different mix of both passengers and staff. Have I met passengers and staff I would rather not see again Yes. Have I missed ports of call for one reason or another, have I been delayed getting to or out of a port because of a medical emergency or the death of a passenger YES. Have I let it bother me NO. Things happen including mechanical just as it would at home.

I would tell that you and you alone can make a difference in your cruise. If you go into with a positive attitude, you will have a good cruise. Enjoy.

I love Norwegian and have NO desire to ever cruise with another line.

When I was in Seattle on Thursday June 16th and Friday June 17th there was an Oceania ship docked both days. I was surprised to see them.

Is there a ship due there on the Friday? I had a quick look and couldn't find a 2016 schedule, but based on 2015 there were usually ships there on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

 

If that's the case for this year then that would be another reason for finishing the cruise early rather than starting the next one later.

 

Just to clarify for the easily confused, the above statement doesn't mean that I need as essay on why compensation should be paid. :)

Yes, Oceania docks there on Thursdays and Fridays.

To add another dimension to this discussion:

If I understand the situation correctly The Jewel will be returning to Seattle on Friday August 12th for repairs to the azipod. Is the Jewel scheduled to dock at The Bell Street Terminal? If so, WHERE will the ship already scheduled to dock there be docked? How do you get Her passengers off and board those waiting to board? Yes, She could dock at the Smith Cove Terminal IF there is space.

If the repairs to the azipod do not go well, what do you do with The Pearl scheduled to dock in the same space Sunday?

Azipod's fail on a regular basis especially the early generation which I am assuming this one is.

I am wondering if this problem was discovered YESTERDAY during the Coast Guard inspection in Skagway????

Yes, by law they have to stop in Victoria (foreign port of call) before returning to the US. It would be nice if someday under enough pressure Congress would either repeal or update that law.

Seattle is the safest place for divers to go under the ship for the needed repair work and probably the only place where the needed parts are in place.

I am sorry that this is taking place but I also glad they are addressing the issue before it becomes a bigger issue. Mechanical parts fail. If we drove our own cars as hard as cruise ships are used day in day out, week in week out, I guess we would a failure of a mechanical part or two.

Does anyone know the current captain of the Getaway?

 

TIA

The Getaway will be changing Captains this Saturday in Rio. Not sure who the Captain will be.

I have stayed at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street a number of times and would do it again. It is across the street from the French Quarter. A number of attractions are within walking distance as well as several very well known and expensive restaurants. It is also a short distance from the Port of New Orleans.

Enjoy your cruise and this very historic city.

Seeing the name Lars reminds me to ask about the other Lars -- Does anyone know if Lars Bergstrom is back to work ? I had heard that he was back on his feet from the motorcycle wreck and could possibly get back to a ship.

I understand that Captain Bergstrom has retired.

There are several long term stay hotels in the downtown Seattle area. The ones I can readily find are all Marriott Hotel properties. The ones I am finding are all in the South Lake Union area close many major attractions and NOT that far from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal.

I would do 2/3 in Vancouver and as much time as possible in Seattle. Yes, travel by Amtrak.

Where are you planning to stay in Seattle? I spend a few days in Seattle in June, ran of time to see all the things I wanted. Lots of road and building construction happening right now.

I have several decks given as prizes for Trivia players.

I would not plan a flight before 1 P.M.

Summer is prime freeway construction season especially on weekends.

Sometimes SeaTac Airport is really backed up especially through Security and with several cruises ships disembarking passengers, there might be a wait there.

Have you thought about staying in Seattle a day or two either pre or post cruise?

Does anyone know where Captain Lars Bengtsson is going next? I missed him on the Gem last week - he'd just left for vacation and one of the crew told me that he won't be back to the Gem at all (they weren't sure what ship he was going to after vacation.

 

Love him - he is too funny!

Yes, Lars has been assigned to a new ship when he returns from vacation. Not sure which ship or when and things could change. They serve a little like being in the military- you serve on one ship for a period of time and then move to another. He has been on The Gem for awhile now so it is probably time for a new assignment.

Yes, he is very fun and a very kind gentleman.

Studio cabins are ONLY found on the newer ships: Epic, Breakaway, Getaway (maybe The Joy).

Sometimes on ships that do NOT have studios, Norwegian will run a special for an inside cabin at what would be a Studio price. What you are seeing means that on The Gem for example on some sailings, you can get a reduced price as a solo passenger. The symbol and pricing would not apply to the Breakaway.

Yes, sometimes cabin pricing gets very confusing.

Do not be afraid to sail alone. You will meet lots and lots of other people who sail solo. I have for the last 8 years and I am 70.

Enjoy.

Thanks all, we are also booked first class, so I think that gets priority too. Ii think I should be fine

One other point to keep in mind, The Pearl will NOT be the only cruise ship disembarking passengers. There will probably be at least three others, which will make SeaTac for awhile Sunday morning very congested.

Summer is prime weekend freeway construction season in Seattle. I would not risk a flight before 1 P.M.