Semi Live Encore Haven to Alaska Sept 22-29

firstmickey · September 22

Hello friends from the Encore! This is our sixth Haven cruise on NCL and first time to Alaska. We currently live in Florida (originally from Pittsburgh) and now that we live there full time, we are branching out of our Caribbean cruise life. We are Dan and Donna celebrating our 32nd anniversary this cruise plus Dans recent retirement in August.

We started our vacation a week ago in Seattle. We stayed in a lovely AirBnB in upper Queen Anne. We did all the touristy Seattle sights plus did Evergreen Escapes tours to Olympic national Park, Mt Rainier, and Snoqualmie Falls plus wine tasting. We highly recommend this fabulous tour company if you get the chance. We did a lot of going and walking and are ready to relax!
We have had glorious sunny and 67 degree days this week in Seattle without a drop of rain.

I know how to pack for the Keys, the Caribbean, and Disney so Seattle and Alaska caused me much packing anxiety. We brought way too much stuff but hey, it’s unpacked already and there if I need it.

I did a semi live in July on board the Breakaway but then started having too much fun so I finished it when I got home. Probably more of the same for this cruise unless I’m huddled in my room freezing!

We arrived at the port at 11:30am, a porter took our bags, and we were on ship by noon. We were escorted past the security line in front of everyone to Haven area. Once through security, we waited about ten mins in Haven lounge and were escorted on board to our muster station in the theater. From there we went to the Haven lounge for a brief tour.

We met our concierge, Dillip, who was very gracious. We’ve already been nicknamed D and D again this cruise.

our rooms were ready and our luggage came immediately. So we unpacked and then wandered all around the ship. Went to the Haven restaurant for lunch about 1:30p and met the executive sous chef, Ryan, and asst maitre’d Geanina.

Our new bartender friend this trip is Paul.
we already feel like it’s home!
we just met our room steward, Joy, and our butler, Rey. He said we can call him Casanova. 😀

we are being a little lazy in our cabin right now because we have had a very busy and active week so far.

Hope you enjoy Alaska cruise from a newbie perspective!

firstmickey · September 22

Some pictures from our week in Seattle

The mountain was literally out every day this week except for the day we went there to tour!

the gum wall is so gross

we walked all of Queen Anne and saw Meredith Grey’s house from Grey’s Anatomy.

firstmickey · September 22

Chihuly, Space Needle

firstmickey · September 22

At Olympic National Park, we visited Hurricane Ridge, the Elwha River, and Lake Creacent. It’s a 30 min ferry and then 90 min drive. We did a small van tour and there were six total of us. Really nice group and knowlegeable guide.

salmon were in the Elwha river which excited our guide because apparently they are returning after being gone with the dam.

firstmickey · September 23

Sailing away!

firstmickey · September 23

firstmickey · September 23

Some pics from our ship wandering today.

haven courtyard

cabin

haven observation lounge

snacks

firstmickey · September 23

Started our new bartender friendships today with Paul and Aggie in the Haven bar.

Met some fun people in the bar before dinner then Haven dinner.

I had butternut squash soup which was yummy and Dan had the ahi tuna. We were surprised. BY the thick cut of his tuna compared to when we had it on breakaway in July.

I had the rotisserie chicken and switched out asparagus for broccolini. The chicken was moist and tender. Dan had lamb chops. we both got the porcini risotto instead of potatoes.

Although the flavors were good, My meal was extremely salty. Dan said his was not as bad.

we walked around after dinner and then went to see the two comedians in the theater. The guy was mildly funny, but we thought the woman was horrible. She sang parodies and it just wasn’t our thing.

long day today so headed to bed. Everyone I know on east coast time is sleeping lol. let’s hope none of them wake me up tomorrow!

Edited September 23 by firstmickey

firstmickey · September 23

Good morning from my new happy spot. Loving the coffee machine in the haven observation area and a quiet space to read while Dan is still sleeping.
weather: foggy and drizzly and nothing but open seas. However the ship horn is sounding frequently and it’s a touch rocky.

the crew said last week was extremely rough until getting to Juneau. Hoping I don’t need my Dramamine or I will be sleeping in this chair all day!

Sand and Seas · September 23

Loving your review and pictures! We have enjoyed Haven on other ships but haven't been in Haven on Encore....yet😉

Thanks for sharing with us!

firstmickey · September 23

Many people are seasick today including Dan who is currently resting in the cabin. We had gone to the theater for the Alaska presentation and you could really feel it in there. The pool waters are really sloshing around in main and Haven pools.

got the “free” bracelet and the five charms ($10) and my encore ship ornament. Now back in observation room watching the gray drizzle and the soothing foghorn. Curled up with my kindle and cup of tea.

one thing we have noticed on this ship is that the senior officers have made an effort to greet everyone. More so than I’ve noticed on any other NCl ship.

nothing exciting going on this sea day but after our busy Seattle activities, it’s a welcome change!

Rotonda2017 · September 23

Thanks for the review so far. Never sailed on Norwegian but have cruised the inside passage twice on other ships. Have a bunch of friends that are on the ship now with you but I haven't heard from them yet. I know that for one gal, it's her first cruise. Hope the seas calm down for everyone!

firstmickey · September 24

Not a fun day at sea today. Many passengers and some of the crew are sick. They cancelled Choir of Man tonight and are moving it to Thursday.

I ate a light dinner in the Haven and when Geanina heard Dan was ill she made a care package of light meal plus green apples for him and delivered it herself.

hanging out in the room tonight and watching football.

firstmickey · September 24

Slight clearing up of the weather to have a beautiful sunset.

firstmickey · September 24

Woke up to calmer seas here this morning and a view of what looks to be Sitka.

firstmickey · September 24

Sunrise and some beautiful views. Watching for whales but no luck yet.

schnapperin · September 24

So glad you‘re doing a live! We’ll be joining join aswell - and booked the Mt Rainer tour too. One question about that, are hiking shoes really necessary as I‘m on the one to Miami and don’t plan on packing them

firstmickey · September 24

The Mt Rainier tour was ok without hiking shoes if you have good tennis shoes. I wouldn’t do Olympic National park without them. Hope the mountain is out for you! We saw it every day except the day we went!

current location. And we are walking deck 8 which is not as crowded as deck 17!

cruiservictor · September 24

Hello from your sister ship, Norwegian Bliss. We are docked in Juneau and you will pass us on your starboard side when you arrive in a few hours.

Triguy2009 · September 24

Donna, We love the Encore Haven! Please tell Genina and Paul that Jay and Nina (pronounced nine-ah) say hello. We sailed with them on a back to back Seattle-Alaska - Seattle to Miami last year. They are both great.

Take care

Jay

cruiservictor · September 25

Did you see me waving from the Bliss as you sailed by?

firstmickey · September 25

3 hours ago, cruiservictor said:

Did you see me waving from the Bliss as you sailed by?

I did! I waved back! Lol

firstmickey · September 25

We docked in Juneau an hour earlier today. We didn’t hear the announcement so we had a leisurely light lunch and watched people disembarking. Our excursion today was Mendenhall Glacier and Salmon Bake. I really wanted whale watching but we booked late and none were available.

we took a large coach bus to the Glacier and our guide Kelly kept us entertained with her stories. It was a downpour when we arrived at the glacier but we had our 3:1 jackets and rain gear. I haven’t been this wet and cold since I lived in Pittsburgh. 🥶

we had cell service so we called our daughter to find out more about the hurricane Helene in Florida and she may or may not evacuate to our house while we are gone. She lives in a flood zone of St Petersburg.

back at the glacier, we hiked to the photo spot in the rain and took pictures. We did half of the golden nugget hike but by then I was tired of being wet. We visited the visitor center. It cleared up and you could really see the blue in the glacier so more pictures. With the fall colors, it was stunning.

firstmickey · September 25

After the glacier, we loaded on the bus to the Salmon bake which included wood grilled delicious salmon and a buffet of rice, baked beans, coleslaw, Caesar salad, ribs, potatoes and cornbread. The secret salmon glaze was brown sugar with butter. It was delicious.
you could walk around on a small trail and pretend pan for gold and eat all you wanted then take the shuttle back to port when ready. It was touristy but fun.