Encore/Bliss to Alaska in…October?

[zackarykeef]

Hey, all!

 

Looking at booking a cruise to Alaska in October, and I just wanted to hear from some of you who have actually been during October (not just what you’ve heard).
 

We’ve done Alaska once in June with all of the excursions, and it was amazing. So…we have had the full experience.

 

The reason we’re considering October is because prices for Haven are insanely cheap. Yes, I know why it’s cheap. It’s not really the cruise season. Winter starts. It’s dark earlier. It’s the rainiest month, etc etc

 

But can anyone who has actually cruised Alaska at that time comment on your experience? Thanks!

[mslaabs]

We did Alaska this past October. It rained in Ketchikan, as it has done all three times we've been there. Other than that, we actually had pretty good weather. Yes, it was cold but I bought one of those bands that covers your ears and had gloves and I was good to go.  Being out on deck for an extended period of time, required an extra layer of clothes for me (think wind chill).  I didn't go on NCL but the cruise line we were on had waiters walking the decks handing out hot chocolate.  We saw whales from the ship and the scenery was still wonderful. I didn't find the daylight to be an issue. I would go in October again. 

Edited May 6, 2022 by mslaabs

[gknep]

Possibility of rough seas the first and last days as you pass to the west of Vancouver Island. 

[phissy]

We are on Bliss now. April 30th cruise.  We normally go to Alaska in the late fall. late September. 
This time, we were able to experience more of a winter experience. More snow in mountains , especially Glacier Bay. Some rain during ports, today at Ketchikan, no rain. Heading to Victoria now. Clear blue sky and whales attracted to the sunset. Yes, it is cold but, it is Alaska.

[hallux]

 

[jbpinkie]

On 5/5/2022 at 11:43 PM, phissy said:

We are on Bliss now. April 30th cruise.  We normally go to Alaska in the late fall. late September. 
This time, we were able to experience more of a winter experience. More snow in mountains , especially Glacier Bay. Some rain during ports, today at Ketchikan, no rain. Heading to Victoria now. Clear blue sky and whales attracted to the sunset. Yes, it is cold but, it is Alaska.

We will be on the Bliss in two weeks. I have googled the weather and am prepared for our port time. Curios to know how the temperature is kept onboard at night? We are from TX so I am wondering if we should bring sweaters to wear in the dining room etc? Any advice is greatly appreciated 💖

[phissy]

1 hour ago, jbpinkie said:

We will be on the Bliss in two weeks. I have googled the weather and am prepared for our port time. Curios to know how the temperature is kept onboard at night? We are from TX so I am wondering if we should bring sweaters to wear in the dining room etc? Any advice is greatly appreciated 💖

We just got home from our cruise. 

Temperature on board is very comfortable.

That said, I would not wear a sundress when going to restaurant in the evenings. It would be chilly for that.

 We wore nice slacks and nice top/ shirt/sweater to dinner in the evenings.

Only time you would need to be aware of temps is when you try to go across deck 16, to get to mid ship from Garden Cafe (forward).

 Cafe is inside and pool area is outside then back inside for midship elevators.  Just go across on 6, 7 or 8. to get to aft part of ship (dining rooms are aft)

 

We have cruised with NCL for 16 years.  This was our 10th cruise to Alaska.

It is a shame so much has changed, both onboard and ports.  

Non Refundable OBC can no longer  be used for restaurant tips, or any gratuities. No Casino use. No vouchers to staff.   Used at gift shop. 

NCL has reduced shows, entertainment on board.  Reduced offerings in dining rooms and buffets.

Those with Dining package, now 2 dinners for 7 day. Before it was 3 dinners.

Open bar charges tax on drinks. Be aware that Seattle area, not just when docked at port , charges 10.5%. Other ports charge taxes also. 

 

NCL has  changed port conditions and times.

 

 

Juneau has always been a shuttle bus port. Plan accordingly. At least, they stay a reasonable amount of time there.  Currently, shuttle bus is complementary.

 

Skagway is still dock at town port (for now) So, easy to go into town or get to Railroad excursion . Hope they work out excursions there. Many spent a lot of money for excursions that went sideways and not what was promised. 

 

Ketchikan has been messed with the most.

 

NCL has their own dock now and it is 8 miles from town.  No more just walking off ship and being in town.

VERY Short port time there.   Onboard time is 12:30.  

Shuttle bus port now. Last fall, NCL charged $8 for bus but many rebelled as lines were very long and very few buses.  NCL backtracked on charging for buses,  for now. 

many missed the buses because we were not told that last bus to town is 9:30 am. no exceptions. Talked with a group that was down at 9:35 and told no. The bus was still there but they did not want to wait to load these people.

Last bus back from town is 11:00am.  Most had to buy souvenirs at the warehouse NCL is using to hold  passengers waiting for buses.  Mostly crew members are there to use free internet. Very cold as it is not climate controlled.

 

Glacier Bay is still the jewel of Alaska. Beautiful day exploring the area. Very cold out on deck.

 

Victoria is now seeing cruise ships again. It has been 2 years since ships have been allowed to dock in Victoria.

Very short port also.   We arrived 7:30 and ship was not cleared until 8:30pm. All aboard is 11:00pm

Also a shuttle bus port.  NCL did not post in the Daily that there is a charge for this shuttle bus.

It is $ 10pp to go into town.  Since it was dark, we opted to stay onboard.

 I met people in elevators that were upset that they were not informed that they needed to pay for buses. They did not bring cash for bus and did not want to spend time going back to ship then walk back for bus.  

We always knew there was a fee, just never sure how much each year.   NCL did a poor job in not publishing this and not including it in the announcements for preparing to go ashore that night.

 

I guess I just did a review of our cruise, and hopefully, answered your question somewhere in there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tyrannosaur]

@phissy thanks so much for the detailed information!  Did you use the Norwegian transport to and from airport in Seattle by any chance?  Wanted to know when the NCL transport starts to run in the morning on the last day (to airport).  Please kindly report if you have any information about the NCL transport.  Thanks.

[jbpinkie]

Thank you for all of the information. We are experienced with NCL but not Alaska so all of your tips are greatly appreciated 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, phissy said:

Open bar charges tax on drinks. Be aware that Seattle area, not just when docked at port , charges 10.5%. Other ports charge taxes also. 

This is not exclusive to NCL, ALL lines are supposed to charge tax on drinks where applicable.  Some may play games with it so as not to charge the taxes (I've heard some wait until outside the boundary to 'charge' the account for the drinks so the taxes don't apply), but taxes on drinks are certainly not NCL's fault.

 

As for the short stop in Victoria - it's more of a procedural stop than anything, to satisfy the PVSA.

Edited May 7, 2022 by hallux

[phissy]

1 minute ago, hallux said:

This is not exclusive to NCL, ALL lines are supposed to charge tax on drinks where applicable.  Some may play games with it so as not to charge the taxes (I've heard some wait until outside the boundary to 'charge' the account for the drinks so the taxes don't apply), but taxes on drinks are certainly not NCL's fault.

I agree.

I was just supplying information given by previous cruiser. That poster reported that taxes were added to all drinks, even when they thought they were in "open waters". I guess by the end of their cruise, they had about $100 in taxes on their bar tab. Those new to cruising may not be aware that taxes may still be charged, even when the ship leaves the dock.

[julig22]

6 minutes ago, hallux said:

As for the short stop in Victoria - it's more of a procedural stop than anything, to satisfy the PVSA.

Might have started out that way but on the Bliss next week and there are 10 NCL excursions in Victoria. We're scheduled from 7:30 to midnight, not that much shorter than Ketchikan or Juneau for this trip.  Butchart Gardens is certainly doable.  Me, I'll be looking for Orcas and other wildlife.

[rsato]

My wife and I were on the October 3rd sailing of the NCL Encore last year and stayed in the Haven. We have been to Alaska 6 times, and the weather on the October 3rd sailing at Glacier National Park was fabulous. It was a cold mid 30s, but no clouds, brilliant sunshine, and no wind. The huge Encore was able to navigate close to the the glaciers and get great views. I actually enjoyed the visit to GNP while relaxing in warmth of the port side Haven hot tub and it was the best glacier visit I have ever had!

 

Besides the perfect visit to the glacier, the other ports were not as appealing. Juneau was fine but cold, we took the tram to hike on Mount Roberts but had to turn around due to the icy trail. And Ketchikan was so rainy we didn't bother to get off the ship.

 

Also you may be able to see the northern lights. We didn't stay up until 2AM but fellow passengers posted amazing pictures of the northern lights on our sailing.

 

Of course past experience doesn't guarantee future conditions...

Edited May 7, 2022 by rsato

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 hours ago, phissy said:

Shuttle bus port now. Last fall, NCL charged $8 for bus but many rebelled as lines were very long and very few buses.  NCL backtracked on charging for buses,  for now.

Wasn't that just the very first sailing?  Necessary to throttle demand in the absence of available buses?

[Sand and Seas]

Bliss cruise in September also goes to Sitka.    Is anything walkable from port?

What would you do in Sitka?

[julig22]

6 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

Bliss cruise in September also goes to Sitka.    Is anything walkable from port?

What would you do in Sitka?

Haven't been to Sitka yet but going on the Bliss next week.  Booked the Sea Otters, Raptors & Bears excursion.  But that's because I go to Alaska especially for the scenery & wildlife.

[BermudaBound2014]

23 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

Bliss cruise in September also goes to Sitka.    Is anything walkable from port?

What would you do in Sitka?

 

Sitka is a great little walking port. There is a super easy trail (less than 2 miles if I recall correctly) just a short hike from town. Sitka National Historic Park. Very informative pretty little walk can easily spend a few hours learning about all the history. There are also several trail heads you can pick up just outside of town. Museums and a science center in town also. 

https://sitkatrailworks.org/trail-information/