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All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary. For entertainment, the Stardust Theater hosts live shows, and there are numerous bars and lounges where you can enjoy a cocktail while listening to live music. It’s a day to explore the ship’s offerings and find your favorite spots for the days ahead.
Food For Any Taste. At Any Time.
But with third parties like Viator or Get Your Guide, they can likely find cruise-specific tours and often have all the necessary details for getting you to and from your cruise port dock. Alaskan Cruises are typically only offered from May through September. If you want the best weather July and August will provide warmer temperatures and typically sunnier weather. But overall, the weather in Alaska can be rather wet and cloudy many days out of the year.
Ketchikan Port Day
Also, popular ship activities will be very crowded on your two sea days. If that doesn’t bother you and you decide to book for Alaska, be sure to reserve your preferred dining venues and ship activities as early as possible, because everything fills up fast. To guide you through a 10-day journey aboard the Norwegian Sun through the Inside Passage route, offering invaluable tips and insights. Moreover, our hints help you select a 7-day cruise itinerary if you have less time for a trip.
Day 7: Sea Day/Victoria, BC
That’s probably why it was always quite busy during our sailing. This upscale Mexican restaurant offers a wide selection of classic starters and entrees, including the tableside-prepared fresh guacamole. There is also the cheesy, queso fundido, along with handhelds like quesadillas and burritos. Of course, you can’t help but order a margarita (or 2) while enjoying these selections. The pub-style menu features my favorite go-to snacks, like chicken wings and pretzel bites.
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The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler - The Points Guy
The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler.
Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north. The snow covered mountaintops and dense forests set the mood for an Alaskan cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Make the experience more than a great backdrop by riding with sled dogs, watching a lumberjack show and flying high above the Mendenhall Glacier. Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog.
Day 2: Sea day
For an Alaskan Cruise, the pools were barely touched, but the hot tubs are highly sought after. In the late evening, it was hard to snag a spot because they were often very full with other tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, go at unique times, such as morning or lunch/early afternoon. These were the days when you could tell everyone was onboard the ship because everywhere was busy. And because the temperatures were chilly, many people preferred to be indoors against the windows to take in the beautiful views (but there weren’t nearly enough seats for the number of people). (If you’re properly dressed, then the time outside can be enjoyable too).
Norwegian Cruise Line will take a ship out of Alaska in 2024 - Travel Weekly
Norwegian Cruise Line will take a ship out of Alaska in 2024.
Posted: Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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They probably contain more pee than water on sea days, but you’ll be totally in charge of how much pee is in them on port days while everyone else is off the ship. I was in the throngs of despair, yes, but at least there was guacamole and I was alone so I could double dip. The shareable guacamole was prepared table side which was a little awkward for this introvert, terrible at small talk. “Seattle.” And then I remembered protocol, looked at his badge which said “Philippines” and asked “small town or large city? ” to which he responded “Manilla,” to which I replied, “oh, BIG city” and he moved on to his next table.
This pretty much consisted of a country line dance class followed by live music and dancing. It’s too bad there wasn’t a country band featured in this venue as there was in pre-COVID times. Normally a crew area, the ship’s helipad was open today for guests to marvel at these glaciers.
Things to Do on an Alaska Cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line
If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.
You’ll recall I sacrificed an entire night of blissful cruise sleep to tiramisu like 72 hours ago and vowed to never order it again. When it comes to dining, Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator of the Freestyle approach. Thus, Norwegian Encore features several specialty restaurants including the signature steakhouse Cagney’s, Onda by Scarpetta, Le Bistro, and more. There’s also three complimentary main dining rooms, The Local Bar & Grill, and the Garden Café buffet. When you get thirsty, there’s plenty of bars to grab a drink too, including two of our favorites, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar and the District Brewhouse. Your tour might include a ride on the scenic Alaska Railroad.
So, we enjoyed the music, views of Victoria, and some espresso martinis. The dinner and a show experience at Teppanyaki is always a good time, and this visit was no different. Our chef served up the grilled veggies, garlic fried rice, and our entrée of choice with a side of humor. Of course, I opted for the Chicken Yaki Udon and Don did a combo of steak and calamari. Since we were docking in Victoria this evening, only one bar per deck was allowed open on the ship.
Our 10-day Alaska cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun was a memorable experience with a few hiccups. Whether you’re considering a 7-day cruise or a 10-day itinerary, our detailed Alaska cruise review aims to provide you with the insights you need to make an informed decision. This detailed review will guide you through every facet of our journey, from our departure in Seattle to our final port. We cover it all—port of calls, shore excursions, onboard amenities, and even those hidden gems that elevate a cruise from good to great.
The bathroom and shower did feel a bit more spacious, whereas the balcony itself is somewhat smaller when compared to other cruise lines. Nonetheless, we still recommend a balcony cabin especially in Alaska. Norwegian Encore boasts all the bells and whistles of modern mega-ships making it an attractive option for families and multi-generational groups. I would highly recommend the Norwegian Encore for an Alaska sailing as well as Alaska overall in terms of a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation experience. We would have liked to have experienced more shows on the ship, as well as wish the family-friendly activities (go-karts & laser tag) did not cost extra money and did not require reservations. NCL is not very forthcoming on when and how to make dining and show reservations, so mark your calendars accordingly.
