Yo Adrienne

DH and I will be on the Jewel's B2B (Vancouver-Seward-Vancouver) right after you...so I'm really looking forward to reading your review of how it all goes for you and your dad. Sounds like you've got a great attitude in how to do this...and make the most out of it...without letting the difficulties of your dad's health get in the way too much. I actually have 2 questions for you...if you don't mind for once you're onboard (and of course, no big deal if you don't have the time and/or a way to answer)... 1. What's the internet like and do they have Starlink yet...? (We absolutely have to have good internet signal...so we always upgrade our package anyway...and then it's been fine. We'll most certainly do so again for this trip.) 2. We were last on the Jewel in September of 2022...and there was a lovely asian gentleman who was our preferred server in Cagney's. He was very tall, a little "older"...and all we can remember was that his nickname was "Putu" (or something like that). If there's any way that you can find out if he's still a part of the crew onboard and can let us know, we'd really appreciate it. (But again, no worries if you're not able to...we know you'll have your hands full helping your dad enjoy his trip.) Have a great time...and we look forward to reading your posts...! 🙂

Thank you so much for this info...I really appreciate it...! 🙂 I did reach out via email to them...but haven't heard back...so I'm guessing it's a "no go" for us. We'll probably find something else fun to do on Sunday, instead. Since you obviously know the area...any ideas/recommendations for a good asian restaurant that would deliver to PPV on Saturday late afternoon...? (We arrive later in the afternoon, so will probably want to stay in, rather than venturing out for the evening.) We've ordered from Hon's (last time was about a year and a half ago...and it was very good)...so just wondering if you happen to know if they've kept the quality up...or if we should consider any alternatives, too. Thanks for any suggestions you might have...! 🙂

Thank you so much for the scoop...! I really appreciate the recommendation for Medina, too...! 🙂 Another question for you, if you don't mind. Any thoughts/recommendations on a good asian restaurant that would deliver to PPV on a Saturday night...? (We'll arrive at the hotel late in the afternoon--so will just wanna be able to order in for delivery, rather than venturing out.) We've ordered from Hon's before (about a year and a half ago when we were last at PPV)...and it was excellent. (And indeed, I did ask about the PPV Sunday brunch several years ago, so it might be me you're remembering...! 🙂 )

Thank you...I was wondering if that was the case...! 🙂 (I saw/read somewhere that they were accepting reservations beginning 60 days in advance...but I've been trying long before that, to no avail...so maybe that wasn't accurate.) Guess we'll just find something else fun to do in Vancouver instead...! 🙂

DH and I will be staying at the Pan Pacific Vancouver in May prior to our cruise. Years ago, the hotel had an excellent Sunday Brunch in their Oceans 999 restaurant. Then covid hit...and the brunch was gone. Currently on the PPV website, they list the Sunday Brunch as available to book (using Open Table)...but when I try to book it for May 12, it says there's no availability. (In fact, it says there's no availability at all in Oceans 999 on that date). Just out of curiosity, I looked at prior Sundays...and other Sundays after that date...and there DOES seem to be availability for brunch on those dates. Does anyone have the scoop on what's going on there...and whether there will actually be a Sunday brunch in Oceans 999 on May 12...? Thanks in advance for any info...

Thank you so much for your thoughts...this is great to hear...! (We've seen some negative reviews/comments about the Jade, but many of them are old--at least a year or two ago--so it's really nice to hear that your great experience is so recent.) How was the food...? Were there particular restaurants that you liked/disliked...? (In all honesty, we've never had what we would consider a bad meal in any of the specialty restaurants...and even the main dining room meals were very good.) Any especially good menu items that you really liked...? (We're not big seafood eaters, so we're always curious what other "specialty items" are available.) Was the ship at full occupancy...? Did it feel crowded...? Anything else you can think of that's worth mentioning about the ship...? Again...thank you so much for your insights...I really appreciate your input...!

Thank you...! 🙂 We're considering a cruise on the Jade for 2025. We've never been on this ship before...but we have been on other Jewel class ships (Jewel and Pearl) and also the Sun...and loved 'em. We know they're smaller ships without all the bells and whistles of the "megaships"...and we're totally fine with that. We prefer the smaller ships...and won't be traveling with children/teens, so don't need activities/areas for them. Overall...how did you find the ship and crew, etc...? Any thoughts/insights (good and bad) you can share would be most appreciated...! 🙂

He does have a lot of videos...but unfortunately, not of the Jade.

Considering a cruise on the Jade...and wondering about any renovations/refurbishments that were done in the Owners Suites when the last drydock was done in 2022. Specifically...were the bathrooms updated, bathtubs removed and replaced with larger showers...as was done on the Jewel...? (I can't find specific information about this...and most videos I found online were prior to the drydock.) Thanks in advance.

Hope you were able to afford a balcony cabin/suite...but if not, the Spinnaker Lounge is great...! And be sure to pack so that you can put on "layers"...cause even in June, it can be cool and rainy...! Enjoy...! 🙂

Seems to me that I read somewhere online that the Jewel will be converting a couple of the onboard restaurants...La Cucina and Moderno...to different restaurants...but I haven't been able to find any verification/details about this. (My TA couldn't find anything either...not even when she contacted NCL directly.) Anyone know if this is true...and if so, any info on what will be changing and when those changes will be coming...?

We've been to Sitka multiple times (including on the Sun--most recently in May 2022)...and each time we've docked at an expanded pier area which is about a 10-15 minute shuttle/bus ride outside of town. The bus is free and the drivers are usually pretty entertaining...and it's a very pleasant and mostly scenic ride. They've actually created a nice visitor center at this dock--some shops and a restaurant are now there--so it's a fun way to begin a visit to Sitka. In the past, we've seen a few ships out in the harbor in the center of town where a tender was required, but have never actually tendered there. And just FYI...if you do have the opportunity to visit Sitka on a cruise, I'd definitely recommend it. Not many of the itineraries include it...so it can be much less crowded than the other ports. Of course, it has its share of shops and restaurants...but it's also beautifully scenic. Plus, the Alaska Raptor Center is located there--a must if you enjoy seeing eagles and other raptors.

Your choice should really depend on what it is you're looking for from an Alaskan cruise...cause these two ships...and their respective itineraries will give you very different experiences. We've been on the Sun to Alaska twice (most recently was in May of 2022)...but have never done the Bliss, so can't provide info about a comparison between the two. But, what I can tell you is that the Sun is a smaller, older ship. You wouldn't find the same bells and whistles (racetrack, waterslides, megashow entertainment, etc.) as you would on the newer, megaships. Also, the Sun doesn't have an actual Haven. So, if any of those things are what you want, you will be disappointed on the Sun. I can also tell you is that we absolutely love the Sun (and the Jewel, for that matter). The food, service, and crew were phenomenal. Despite being an older ship, it's beautiful...and very well-maintained...! Also, we prefer cruises that are longer than 7 days...and the Sun offers those...! One way to help you decide would be to take a look at the various itineraries offered...and see what the ports and port times for each of the cruises are. That can make a huge difference in your shore excursion choices. And that can make a big difference in which ship/itinerary you'd prefer. Regardless of which ship/itinerary you choose, cruising Alaska is amazing...! We've done 7 Alaskan cruises over the years...and are already dreaming of our next one...! And as www3traveler says..."Whatever ship you choose...enjoy...!"

We will be picking up friends at Port Canaveral after their cruise on the Escape on Saturday (1/28), so we’re wondering what the best way to coordinate this is (i.e., how do we pick a specific location to meet them...and what is the best place to meet them). We would prefer not to have to try to park there and then go and look for them. We dropped them off at the port…and that was easy, but we’re not particularly familiar with the port/terminal areas…and it looked like the pick-up area was very crowded and much more congested. They likely won’t have cellphone service till they arrive back in port on that day…so we can’t really plan ahead with them. They will have luggage, so can't walk a great distance to farther away areas. They are cruising in the Haven, so they will probably do breakfast before disembarking…and there’s no rush to get them to the airport for a departing flight on that day. Any specific suggestions…? Thanks in advance.

We're contemplating a cruise on the Jewel in 2024...so it would be fun to see these changes. When are they supposed to take place...? (We were on the Jewel in September and there was no word of that back then.)

We will be driving a couple of friends for their cruise out of Port Canaveral later in January...so we're wondering what we can expect in terms of traffic, baggage, etc. in the area and as we get to the cruise terminal....? They are cruising on the Norwegian Escape (Haven) and their check-in time will be 9:30 a.m. It will be a Saturday...and there will be 4 ships (including the Escape) arriving/departing that day. Any and all info and suggestions are greatly appreciated... (I've also posted this in the "Florida Departures" forum.) Thanks in advance... 😃

We will be driving a couple of friends for their cruise out of Port Canaveral later in January...so we're wondering what we can expect in terms of traffic, baggage, etc. in the area and as we get to the cruise terminal....? They are cruising on the Norwegian Escape (Haven) and their check-in time will be 9:30 a.m. It will be a Saturday...and there will be 4 ships arriving/departing that day. Any and all info and suggestions are greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance... 😃

If you wouldn't mind checking and reporting back, that would be wonderful...! 🙂

DH and I are looking at replacing our steak knives...and we really like the ones that NCL has in Moderno and Cagneys. Does anyone know what brand and style they use in these specialty restaurants...? (We were on the Jewel last month and forgot to ask..!) Thanks in advance,

Thank you...we've never done a B2B before, so this is very helpful...! 🙂 Hopefully you won't mind several questions: * Did you have the same cabin for both legs of the trip...? If so, did you still have to pack up your luggage...? (We'll be in the same cabin for both.) * Did you have to do a second check-in for Seward...? Did you get the new keycard once you arrived in Seward...or the night before...? When/where were you supposed to watch the safety video again...? * Did you have to fully leave the ship in Seward and then wait to reboard...or were you able to wait in a designated area on the ship...? * If you did leave the ship in Seward, did you do any excursions and/or could you just wander through the town...? When re-boarding, was there any special process/entrance you had access to--instead of using general boarding.

We were on the Sun back in May and had a great time...hope you enjoy it, too...! Very much the same as you describe...sailing at only about half capacity. But because of this, we found the service to be excellent. The crew were so anxious to help guests have a great time. We thought the food was excellent...frankly, it was some of the best we've ever had on NCL. (Maybe it was that the ship had just returned to service after the two-year shut down and they were anxious to make a good impression.) Cagneys, Los Lobos and La Cucina were excellent. (If you see this before going to Cagney's...or if you go again...see if you can have Caterina as your server. She's delightful.) We love the smaller ships, like the Sun. Agreed...not as many bells and whistles as the megaships...but as long as you know that in advance, you won't be disappointed. We never went to any of the shows in the theater...and instead, opted for the lounge performers. The shows in The Bliss Lounge were VERY good. (I can't recall the names of the shows, but do check out the Freestyle Dailies and ask a crew member for a description...cause the names of the shows aren't particularly descriptive.) We also "followed" the Banda Duo to almost every location where they played...! They were SO good...so if they're still performing on board, do check 'em out. (And congratulate them on their recent engagement...!) Hope you have a wonderful cruise...! 🙂

DH and I (no kiddos) will be taking the Jewel to Alaska in a few weeks...so just looking for info from recent cruisers (in about the last month or so) about what your on-board experience was like...? We're not really curious about the ports/shore excursions (we've been to Alaska many times.), nor for a comparison to other ships in the fleet. We've been on the Jewel many times in the past (and loved it), but not since the re-start of cruising. We'll be in the Haven, so we know we'll have access to the concierge and butler...as well as the suite breakfasts and lunches. For those who've experienced these, how was the quality and service...? Also curious how things are on the rest of the ship (fitness center, spa, specialty restaurants, entertainment, main dining rooms, buffet area, etc.). And how's the crew doing...? (We were on the Sun back in May...and the crew seemed genuinely happy to be back--and anxious to make sure guests had a wonderful experience.) We're doing this as a B2B (Vancouver/Seward/Vancouver)...so also curious how the embarkation/disembarkation processes in Vancouver and Seward were. Any and all info is greatly appreciated...! 🙂

We were on the Sun back in May...I asked my hubby (the tech guru in our house), but he couldn't remember specifically. If I recall correctly, depending upon which type of cabin/suite you're in, the TV is mounted on the wall. That being said...I think we tried, very carefully to get access to the HDMI ports on it (it's tricky, cause the TV is so close to the wall)...and I think we might have been able to get it to work. (We did bring the correct cables along.) We were trying to stream (we had the unlimited wifi with streaming package)...and I think it was the "streaming" part where we had an actual issue. (We were able to stream on our devices when we went to several of the lounges, but it seems to me that the wifi wasn't strong enough to actually work when we tried to do it through to the TV. We didn't have movies/shows downloaded onto our devices, so I don't know if that would work better.) One thing I would point out, the Sun did have a number of TV/technical issues (we were on only the second cruise since the ship came back into service after the two-year shut down)...and there were times when we couldn't get anything on the TV...so that issue might have been corrected by now. Hope this is helpful...and perhaps someone who's cruised more recently on the Sun could give you a more up-to-date answer than me... (Quick note: if you happen to be in a suite and have access to the suite breakfasts and lunches in Cagney's the service there is absolutely terrific...and the staff there is wonderful.)

Based upon your expertise...here are the specific things we'd love to hear about from you: 1. We'll be staying at the Pan Pacific. Don't suppose you've heard anything about the possibility of the hotel reinstating their wonderful Sunday buffet brunch...? We indulged when we were there 4 years ago...and it was probably one of the best brunches we've ever had. 2. Another food related question...any thoughts on the best asian/chinese restaurant that can have food delivered to the Pan Pacific...? (We're used to doing Door Dash.) We're not looking for the standard chow mein, etc...we like the "real deal"...shu mai, har gow, bbq pork & duck, chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, etc. 3. If I ask another foodie related question, I think you'll get an idea of our interests...how is the Granville Market doing these days...? We often take a run over there and bring back a selection of goodies to our hotel for our own in-room dining. 4. Finally...not a food related-question. With regard to covid testing (not a debate on whether testing is effective or not)...just wondering whether you've heard any updates on when/if pre-cruise testing will be going away any time soon for Canadian cruise departures. Once again...thank you for your thoughts...and helpful insights...! 🙂

Again, thank you so much for these insights...! They're VERY helpful...! We actually disembark the day before our return flight home...there's only one direct flight from YVR to our hometown US airport, and disembarking on the same day as we'd fly out would be SO iffy that we decided it would be better to just stay the extra night...and fly out the next day. If you think of any other helpful hints or other bits of info come your way, I'd love it if you shared 'em here...! Sometimes, even the most random tidbit shared could be SO helpful...! Thank you again...! 🙂