cruisingrandy

All 3 of us did EMED this morning from hotel in Anchorage and was very easy. I agree watch YouTube video first so you know what to expect.

Got upgraded from balcony to aft penthouse on Jewel may 23

We are on May 23 sailing and just did online check in.  The earliest if showed was 11:30-12:00 for us and I picked it so we could checkout of our hotel and get rid of luggage and eat  lunch and return to Seward for a little while. 

How many rooms does a Butler wait on

I assume they only charge the $17 or $12 fee for the ride to Mendenhall, Not the return to town?  I wonder because there are 3 of us and I have Lifetime Park pass to save their $5 fee.  I am thinking take taxi or bus and walk the 1 1/2 mile to Visitor center to avoid the $12 or $17 fee. then take taxi back. I wonder if it is possible to get a taxi at visitor center for the return.

Here are 2 websites that show what ships are in different ports each day

Cruise Ports Schedules 2022-2023-2024 | CruiseMapper

2022 Schedules | Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska (claalaska.com)

20 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Mostly because after spending thousands of dollars at a cruise, you don't want to be spending time filtering your own water in a cabin. A few bucks for some boxed water is money well spent. 

You dont spend anytime just fill it up and drink it

Why not just buy a refillable water bottle with a filter in it, that's what we did

I was on their list, but I think I will wait a little longer to book with Chilkoot for our May Jewel cruise.  I looked today and we are the only ship in port that day so should not fill up ahead of time.  Some days it looks like there are 3 or 4 ships in Skagway.

38 minutes ago, LisaLisa87 said:

 

We're on the 5/22 Breakaway sailing. I was in the Planner a few days ago (maybe a week?) and didn't see this option. I just paid for it in case they take it away! We like eating at the specialty restaurants, and I had been debating between purchasing additional 2-meal packages or just paying as we go. This option to upgrade made the decision easier!

We are on May 23 Jewel and I don't see any Speciaty upgrade deal, just the regular price

58 minutes ago, atanac said:

Ezz Pzz...Seward to Seattle.

Other problem is dock space at Seattle is limited, but It would love Seward to Seward RT

Hopefully some local business will set a covid test site when cruising season starts as there will be  a

lot of people needing a test.  Or cruise lines just do away with the tests altogether if you  have had the 2 shot vaccine.

9 minutes ago, che-vos said:

We are scheduled on the Jewel, May 23rd, for our first Alaskan cruise. We've been cruising since 2001, but living in Alabama we have always driven to all our ports.  First time having to fly for a cruise. (We have flown many times for other trips, just not cruises)

 

We are flying with NCL with the second passenger flies free promotion. Transfer included.  Just figured that was easier since our cruise begins in Seward and ends in Vancouver.

 

Anyone have experience on flights booked into Seward by NCL?  What time did they get you to the airport? I'm trying to decide if I need to tell them to get us there the day before, but honestly we'd rather not have to have the hotel room even if it means getting there at an odd hour (3am). But then I'm worried that since the boat doesn't set sail till 9:00pm, they will get us in at some late hour the day of our cruise, with a 3-hour transfer ride to the port. Don't want to show up the boat at 6:00 p.m.   Any thoughts or experiences are welcome.

  If you look at transfer for this cruise , it says you will arrive at ship approx 6pm.  Join the group on the Jewel may 23 on the NCL Cruise line Roll call page.  My family of 3 are arriving 4 days early

20 hours ago, SightCRR said:

The CLLA in the past has been very accurate. 

 2022 Schedules | Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska (claalaska.com)

It shows WW (ward cove-west) not WE (ward cove east). 

KTN-Ketchikan-2022.pdf (secureservercdn.net)

Take Care, sightcrr

What is the difference between WW  & WE

On Jewel SB May 23 and able to book both Dining and excursions.  I think they just open up like 120 days +- a couple before sail date.  I had booked excursions before, but just this week was able to book Dining.

Found my answer

10 hours ago, complawyer said:

1st, you need to book a cabin. decide what type of cabin you want, from an indoor to a haven.  ncl will send you an email saying "lets get you upgraded" if you are eligible. im not sure of their criteria for eligibility. ive had a haven 2 bedroom suite and they sent me an upgrade offer for the higher available suites, owners suite,deluxe owners suite, garden suite, you'll be able to see this when you log in to view status of your cruise. go to ncl.com, and click login. 

 

im very happy and satisfied with the 2 bedroom and personally find no need to bid for an upgrade

 

regardless of the category, they will show you what upgraded cabins are available, with a diagram in dollars going from a minimum bid for that specific cabin, to a maximum bit. you bid what you want to bid (taking in consideration) each bid is multiplied by 2.

 

this chart also indicates the strength of your bid. if you wish to bid the "suggested maximum" there is a good chance it might be accepted. if you bid the minimum ,your chances are not so hot.

 

regardless, if you are not sent a notice saying lets get you upgraded, you will not be able to bid.  my advice (although im absolutely certain many will totally disagree),is just pick the cabin you want, that you will be comfortable in during your cruise,and dont worry about a bidding process.

So if there are 3 people in the cabin do they charge x3 or x2 for the upgrade?

17 minutes ago, magicsoccer said:

Our cruise is scheduled to leave from Seward at 9pm.  I have never left on a cruise that late.  What is the normal time that they would start boarding?  We are just trying to decide what we can do in Seward the day the cruise leaves and still be on board in plenty of time.  Thanks

When are you arriving in Seward?  We are on the same cruise with you and we are going to Seward the 22 and doing the 6 hr Fjord cruise that day, on 23 probably just do check out the Seward. There is a thread for this cruise in  NCL Jewel page

Yes thank you I ordered mine also

44 minutes ago, GStuart said:

Canada's port closure to cruise ships ended in November. I've not heard any plans so far to reinstate the closure.

 

I dont know about port closures but all the Skagway tours to yukon are on hold because of border crossing problems

13 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

I have a Jewel cruise scheduled and have been wondering the same thing.  Final payment date is in one month--at the moment I do think I will make it.

I have a Jewel cruise May 23 that's why I posted this. I have already made final payment as it is due Jan 21

I am just curious and think this would appeal to me.  If Canada stays closed is it possible for NCL to do Seward Round trip cruises like they did Seattle last fall.  Other lines Could also do Whittier or is there a reason this is not possible.  Did congress allow not stopping at foreign port only last fall or is it for a longer time.

5 hours ago, cruisingrandy said:

Has anyone's date changed on your NCL account yet?  I got the email but in my NCL account it still shows 12-31-2021 as end date?

Just recently Date was updated to 1-31-2022 so all is good

Has anyone's date changed on your NCL account yet?  I got the email but in my NCL account it still shows 12-31-2021 as end date?

20 minutes ago, AKStafford said:

You'll need a guide. It's required by the people that own access to the glacier. I've not heard of any the tour providers offering any deals, but you could watch their websites or follow them on social media. Mica, NOVA & Matanuska Glacier Guides are the ones I'm familiar with. 

Companies usually offer a discount to drum up business. The Alaska visitor season is short enough and busy enough that there's not a lot of  reasons why local companies would need to offer a discount.

OK Thanks