Live from the NCL Sun June 30-July 10, Summer time viewing of whales, bears and eagles!

[new-to-cruising22]

First time to Alaska and first cruise on NCL! 
 

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, new-to-cruising22 said:

First time to Alaska and first cruise on NCL! 
 

That is a WINNING combo! 😎

[Seas2mountains]

I’m excited to read about your experience and the opportunity to “stay” in Alaska through your live review!  
 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise!!!

[YVRteacher]

@Happycrafter123 what are you most excited about on this cruise?

[mugtech]

          Interested on your take on the functions and entertainment on the Sun.  Took the Sun through the canal and up to Alaska in 2015, was an enjoyable cruise, but it is my least favorite of all the NCL  ships I have used.  Liked the Gem and Jewel, had more variety of food and better bands.  The Pride of America not too thrilling, but 7 days in Hawaii tops all other itineraries, plus Pride does not have a casino.  Found the Spirit was quirky and different enough for a port intensive 12 days in the Mediterranean.  

[ChiefMateJRK]

6 hours ago, mugtech said:

Found the Spirit was quirky and different enough for a port intensive 12 days in the Mediterranean.

What didn't you like about the Sun?

[mugtech]

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

What didn't you like about the Sun?

         It was a step down from Gem in most every respect, the music in the bars was not as good.  Leo spoiled me on Gem.  The general feel for most areas was down, they replaced the flooring on our deck and the workers wore masks all day, no consideration for the guests.  Many developed a terrible cough.  They had a Four Seasons group, then they got off the ship and another Four Seasons group from Vegas got on the ship.  We ate in the Four Seasons Restaurant on board, got tired of Frankie Valle.  The guy who ran trivia was a Canadian who flooded the contests with questions about tennis and James Bond because he was a fan of both.  Was very proud that Canada invented basketball, but he knew nothing about the NBA.  There was very little information available about the Panama Canal, Glad I read The Path Between the Seas.

[Happycrafter123]

Sorry I’ve been quiet work has been crazy busy and lots to do before I go.  
 

It’s interesting to hear the difference experiences and perspectives—thank you for sharing @mugtech your comparison to the Gem.  Hopefully I will get a chance to sail her and compare at some point myself.

 

 we booked this cruise with little research on the ship itself, and I’m curious to see what it will be like.  The nighttime entertainment and trivia aren’t things we really participate in much— usually

 we have excursions all day, maybe a nap, then dinner and after that and an ice wine nightcap I’m generally done in for the evening lol!.  I’m hoping for a good comedian on at least one of the nights though, as hubby likes those.  

not even having sailed yet I am already staring to form opinions lol! And have determined if we do Alaska again with NCL to try to pick a ship with thermal spa—but my vote on that may change after this cruise depending on how it goes—we’ll see how packed or available the hot tubs are and I will let you know!  The good news is there are about the same number of hot tubs on the sun as there are on the breakaway and about half the passengers 😉

 

based on other folks comments I am hoping there will be a lot less crowds and lines than the big ships and an easier experience getting on and off the ship, once again TBD!

 

@YVRteacher you asked what I’m most excited about.  I’m Excited about the itinerary, which was a big pull to book this one.  But more importantly I’m hoping to have those moments of wonder like I have sometimes when I’m skiing and I pause, take a look at the scenery, take a deep breath of fresh clean air, and just feel the wonder of the moment.  Hoping the Alaskan Wilderness will hold some of those moments.  Maybe looking at whales?  Or a sunset or sunrise from my balcony?  Maybe a seal cavorting in the waves? Or an eagle gliding by.  Who can predict the moments but hoping Alaska will have many of them.  I’ll try to share some scenery photos not just photos of the food lol!

 

i was observing to hubby that it seems many of you are repeat Alaskan cruisers over and over again, what is it that keeps pulling you back to go again?  @YVRteacher@Seas2mountains and the rest of you “repeaters”?

[shadowmeboy]

On 6/15/2023 at 7:25 PM, YVRteacher said:

When in Juneau, go to the Alaskan Fudge Company. Buy truffles for now and truffles to bring home.  They are pricey but worth it.

Their fudge is amazing too! We stop there and Caribou Crossing (right next door) every time in Juneau.

[shadowmeboy]

1 hour ago, Happycrafter123 said:

 

i was observing to hubby that it seems many of you are repeat Alaskan cruisers over and over again, what is it that keeps pulling you back to go again?  @YVRteacher@Seas2mountains and the rest of you “repeaters”?

Alaska is spectacular. You never know what you will see. Plus, I have favorite places to visit in ports and love going back. Plus it’s a short drive to the port from home, so no flying!

 

I can’t wait to be on this cruise with you. Let’s meet up for a drink!

[YVRteacher]

8 minutes ago, shadowmeboy said:

Their fudge is amazing too! We stop there and Caribou Crossing (right next door) every time in Juneau.

I know! I’ve read and re-read every one of your trip reports. I love them. I’m so jealous I won’t be on this cruise with you and @Happycrafter123

[YVRteacher]

Hmmm. As a repeater (love that term!) there are  so many moments that are special. It’s that first breath of crisp, fresh, clean air. The smell of Douglas Fir mixed with salt ocean spray. It’s the eagles and the ravens. The friendly people with amazing stories, the flowers and glaciers that change with every season and it’s walking through small towns and exploring. It’s the snow pack in May and the drizzle in July. It’s the whale spouts, tail flukes and breaches. It’s being on the ocean so close to land that there’s always a view and it’s always interesting.  It’s the docking procedures and of course the truffles.  All of it.  I love all it.

[Happycrafter123]

9 minutes ago, shadowmeboy said:

Alaska is spectacular. You never know what you will see. Plus, I have favorite places to visit in ports and love going back. Plus it’s a short drive to the port from home, so no flying!

 

I can’t wait to be on this cruise with you. Let’s meet up for a drink!

That sounds awesome I’ll be interested in your tips and I can’t wait to see the amazing photos you take!!    

[Happycrafter123]

13 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

I know! I’ve read and re-read every one of your trip reports. I love them. I’m so jealous I won’t be on this cruise with you and @Happycrafter123

I believe you are sailing a week or two after us from Vancouver? It’s so fun to see the layering of experiences!!!   I am noticing a lot of tips around a sweets lol!  Gelato, truffles, fudge….. 

[shadowmeboy]

2 minutes ago, Happycrafter123 said:

I believe you are sailing a week or two after us from Vancouver? It’s so fun to see the layering of experiences!!!   I am noticing a lot of tips around a sweets lol!  Gelato, truffles, fudge….. 

I don’t think the sweets are a bad thing, in moderation! 😉

[YVRteacher]

Yes, I’m on the Spirit for the first time from July 5-19 as a back to back from Vancouver->Seward->Vancouver.  Then home for one night and fly to Iceland for a B2B for 23 nights. This is my summer of NCL.  Is it too soon for me to start trip reports???

[shadowmeboy]

19 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

I know! I’ve read and re-read every one of your trip reports. I love them. I’m so jealous I won’t be on this cruise with you and @Happycrafter123

Ah! Thank you!

[YVRteacher]

@shadowmeboy are you going to treat us to a trip report on this cruise?

[YVRteacher]

Has Susan finished her teaching for the year? We go right up to June 30.

[Happycrafter123]

So in trip preparation news, I did manage to get an appointment with my doctor to ask about the nausea patch Scopolomine) as I had such bad nausea on it last cruise.  I’ve read that the path from Seattle to the inside passage can be rough, and that the Sun may not have the best stabilizers.  Unfortunately I’ve been advised these patches are no longer available here (canada?  Bc?  It was unclear) and the only option is ginger candies and gravol.  Bought 3 types of gravol and these ginger candies:   
 

 

any other tips?

[Happycrafter123]

4 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

@shadowmeboy are you going to treat us to a trip report on this cruise?

I hope so that would be so cool to see the other perspective of another person, like in a novel where we go back and forth across characters!  Plus I will pass the “good photographer” banner to you 😉

[Happycrafter123]

11 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Yes, I’m on the Spirit for the first time from July 5-19 as a back to back from Vancouver->Seward->Vancouver.  Then home for one night and fly to Iceland for a B2B for 23 nights. This is my summer of NCL.  Is it too soon for me to start trip reports???

We will enjoy anticipating with you, plus your packing tips especially with the short turnaround window

[YVRteacher]

I already have a packing pile for Iceland which is different from my packing pile for Alaska. I travel with carry on only luggage so this is a challenge!

Edited June 21, 2023 by YVRteacher

[YVRteacher]

Did you know NCL has free seasickness medication at Guest Services? I get incredibly seasick and manage by wearing the acupressure wrist bands (I buy them from London Drugs) and taking an anti seasick tablet every 12 hours without fail. 

[YVRteacher]

5 minutes ago, Happycrafter123 said:

I hope so that would be so cool to see the other perspective of another person, like in a novel where we go back and forth across characters!  Plus I will pass the “good photographer” banner to you 😉

Like a Jodi Picoult novel!