Yo Adrienne

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

We arrived at the port at 10:55am and were on board at 11:06am.  It was an amazing experience!

 

Wow...so glad everything went so smoothly for you...! 

When we did this cruise back in September of 2022, security/check-in was a nightmare.  The ships that had come into port were on time, so there was nothing unusual on that end.  But none of the port/cruise terminal staff (including the NCL staff) knew what they were doing...and it was total chaos...almost like none of them had ever done this before.  Our check-in time was 9:30-10...but we couldn't even go through security till almost 11...and there weren't any places for people to sit and wait.  (It looked like a "sit in" with everyone just sitting on the floor.)  Once we got through security and could check in though, things went a little more smoothly.

Hope our embarkation day (in two weeks) will go as well for us as yours has gone for you...! 🙂

Enjoy your cruise...looking forward to hearing your reports...! 🙂 

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...! 🙂 

10 hours ago, Milhouse said:

I popped into the Pan Pacific when out for a walk this afternoon while waiting for the missus to get off of work.  Oceans 999 was closed with a sign saying to visit the Coal Harbour Bar on the other side of the floor instead.  So I chatted with the bar staff (very friendly people) and they confirmed that if it's full on Open Table, they are fully booked. But they said to contact their manager (gave me her business card) as they occasional keep a second waitlist(??) in the event of cancellations.  (I'm not sure if this was a wink, wink, nudge, nudge moment or just a chance for a hail mary 😄).  Good luck on whatever you decide!

Demi Kammer - Asst Restaurant Manager

604-662-8111 x4148

604-230-9096 (cell)

demi.kammer@panpacificvancouver.com

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...! 🙂 

11 hours ago, martincath said:

No worries - I have a vague recollection about someone asking if/when the PPs buffet would return a couple of years ago, while Covid rules were still in place... if that was you then at least you know it did come back! I think it might be technically the only actual Buffet-service fancy hotel brunch now, as Arc in the Fairmont Waterfront did indeed ditch self-serve entirely and now operates a 'keep ordering small plates from the menu for 2 hours' table service version - incidentally I checked, and they are also sold out/unavailable for this AYCE brunch on May 12th. The fancy-hotel-buffet prices also climbed heftily, to $65pp from the prior $39 if I'm remembering rightly from just pre-Covid, and frankly the menu  looks a rather pale imitation of the glory days of yesteryear despite costing more!

 

 

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...! 🙂 )

6 hours ago, martincath said:

It's Mothers' Day - so it's sold out! All the swanky brunches in town sell out on Mothers' Day.

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...

5 hours ago, Katrina1547 said:

So far we've only done Jewel class (also Jewel and Pearl!) and we just love them. It's not too big, not too small. We LOVED the Jade, I have nothing to complain about the ship, and the crew were so friendly and helpful. We were on a 2 week cruise this time (had only done 7 days before) and we were so sad when they handed us the 'You'll be leaving us soon" debarkation instructions, I wanted to stay for the rest of my life! We are going to give the Breakaway a try this October, I'm sure it's also a very nice ship. 🙂

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...! 

2 hours ago, Katrina1547 said:

I was on Jade in Owners suite in December, they still have bathtub and separate shower. The shower is not big but big enough, my husband is a Large man and he was comfortable 

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...! 🙂 

2 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Check Harr Travels YT channel. I thought, I could be wrong Danny did a number of Jewel Class ship tours in the last 6 months

 

https://www.youtube.com/@HarrTravel/search?query=NCL Jade

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. 

18 hours ago, jbrooksodh said:

Well we took the plunge and booked Sun for June 17, 2024!  Very excited.  Just a short 501 wait!  Thanks again to everyone who put in their two cents!

 

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...!" 

15 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

The Jewel went into dry dock during Covid for an additional refurbishment that focused on the cabins and the public lounges.  On her next dry dock Moderno and O’Sheehan’s will be replaced with Los Lobos and the Local while La Cucina will be replaced with Onda.

 

 

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... 😃

58 minutes ago, Captain-John said:

If you don't get an answer sooner, I'll be at Cagneys again on Tuesday and I'll let you know. 

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, 

6 hours ago, hoopslover said:

We got off a b2b on the Jewel 2 weeks ago. Capacity was 1600 according to the crew we asked. Main dining room was great. They were using all of the window area tables and the center was empty. 

We stayed at Pan Pacific and bell services took our bags to the ship which was great. We had a separate entrance from the hotel to the ship's check in. We were early and had to wait in seats in a large hall for the ship to be ready to receive us. We were on board by 11.

On side note our friends boarded in Vancouver while we were traveling and it took them 3+ hours for check in because there were 4 ships in Port. The Jewel leaves on Mondays so only 2 ships were there.

Turnaround in Seward was easy except.our new key card didn't show that we had completed the safety video and they made us go back to guest services to get cleared with a new key card. Then back to the muster station. 

Crew was great and the entertainment was outstanding! Have them get a seat in the Spinnaker on Glacier days early. It gets crowded especially if it is bad weather outside.

I am sure they will love the Jewel.

 

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...! 🙂

2 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Agree but what I am trying to find out is if the HDMI port on the Sun's TVs is usable/accessible.  Sometimes they are affixed to the wall in such a way that, while the port may exist on the back of the TV, you cannot get to it to plug anything in.  Still hoping to get an answer but I realize the majority of folks probably would not have noticed.  Just trying to avoid bringing unusable items and then having to drag them around Europe after the cruise.

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.)

6 hours ago, martincath said:

You're welcome again!

 

Random tidbits I have a-plenty, but the odds of any given one being useful are slim enough I try to keep the trivial knowledge for pub quizzes and stick to relatively focused material - so more info about you and your traveling companions like what you already saw on prior visit(s) and if any of that was so beloved you'll be doing it again, tolerance for 'urban grit' while sightseeing or dining out, mobility, arty-farty-culture-vulture stuff or outdoorsy stuff or both, a ballpark budget for transport/food/entry tickets, which hotel(s) you're in Pre- and Post-cruise, all helps filter the data toward the potentially-useful-to-you!

 

A few notes I always find applicable:

1) Tripadvisor is very useful to help cut down on the noise, especially if all of your party look at it individually and make their own short list of things. Sounds like you have maybe 3 days for sightseeing, so you can check off several downtownish areas while still having time to relax and eat well rather than constantly rushing from site to site - so if everyone picks a 'top 5 things I would like to do' then compares the lists you should quickly find out which sites are tops for everyone and become Must Dos for you; whether there's a split opinion on Site X & Y (so maybe a couple of folks go to X, a couple to Y, and then meet up for lunch after)

2) If everyone is mobile enough to walk at a leisurely pace for a couple of miles, then especially as repeat visitors the 'meet up with a local and get off the beaten track a bit' sites are fantastic - here in Vancouver that would be Stroll Buddy (full disclosure, I am one of the local Buddies, but given the service is entirely free and exactly who you meet with has a whole mess of random factors involved, I don't think I'm breaking the rules in mentioning!) If you go put in your dates, interests, contact details etc. all the local Buddies will be notified and the ones available on your dates will reach out - end result is a custom walking tour just for you, no payment or tips expected.

3) Free city wifi network (broadcasts as #VanWiFi all over the place) is the ideal way to keep in touch if you don't have free Canadian data/calls. If your party does end up splitting to do different things, you can coordinate meetups with email, messenger apps, VOIP calls etc. and also make use of maps to avoid getting lost.

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...! 🙂