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Embarking on a 10-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun was an adventure we’ll never forget. From the awe-inspiring landscapes of Juneau and Skagway to the cultural richness of Sitka and Ketchikan, each port of call offered something unique. Icy Strait Point was a standout, offering a less crowded experience and incredible whale-watching opportunities. We also explored downtown Skagway, a delightful blend of the old and the new.
Ship overview
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
It did feel like our Norwegian Cruise Ship had the least priority for docking locations (other cruise lines got to dock right in town). We were pleased to find lots of great restaurants and breweries (our personal favorite) in each town. We were hoping that local seafood would be really affordable, but were a little disappointed to find out it was still very expensive. There is the guest services desk in the main atrium (deck 7- middle of the ship) where you can discuss any billing issues on board. Topsiders Bar & Grill pretty much just had pool grub, like burgers and hot dogs.
Our Honest Review Of Norwegian Jewel Alaska Cruise From Vancouver To Alaska
The day before our cruise our flight from Minneapolis, MN arrived at 8 AM in Seattle, Washington. It is also a good alternative for those looking for a light breakfast or lunch. Food items include danishes, mini quiche, fruit, bread, cheese, fruit, and desserts.
Skagway Port Day
Set in The Jungle (also known as the local pub), the talented cast perform everything from classic rock hits to sing-a-long favorites. So, leave your worries behind and toast along with the lads during this award-winning show. The two comedians on this sailing were Travis Nelson and Lucas Bohn. Of the two, we thought Lucas was funnier and definitely the edgier comedian.
There is a wide range of excursions for Alaskan cruises at all levels of activity and interest such as wilderness adventures, hiking on glaciers and inland tours. Explore the rugged landscape ofDenali National Park, which covers 6 million acres of wilderness. Enjoy a ride on an Alaskan railway, go sightseeing, enjoy some locally caught fish, or even have the opportunity to hug a husky puppy—something for everyone. A week-long cruise to popular ports filled with glaciers and marine life. Or, longer itineraries that allow cruisers to become more immersed in all that the “Last Fortier" offers. Our 10-day Alaska cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun was a memorable experience with a few hiccups.
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So, Don and our friend Adam suited up for a battle on this most intricate laser tag course at sea. The lost city of Atlantis laser tag course is $9.95 for a 10-minute game and is a fun activity for all ages. Wanting to see what the view was like from our balcony, we then hurried our way up to our cabin in time to catch the view on the starboard side. During a cruise through Glacier Bay, there is the opportunity to typically see 5 glaciers depending on the weather. Thus, our first, and probably longest, glacier visit was Margerie Glacier around 9 AM.
What did throw off our timing a bit was the sequence this Captain took compared to our previous visits. However, our Captain on Norwegian Encore completed three full turns. The Cavern Club, inspired by the Liverpool landmark, typically hosts Beatles tribute bands.
Any pre-booked shore excursion tickets are placed in your room on this day. It is very laid back and overlooks the activities in the main atrium. Our early flight allowed us to have an entire day to explore Seattle, which we highly recommend leaving or finding time to do. This allowed them to plan ahead of time which activities they wanted to spend their onboard credit on and prevented overspending. All of the information regarding the next day’s activities and showtimes can be found in the daily newsletter called Freestyle Daily. Then get comfortable with where the bars, restaurants, theater, spa, and casino are in terms of being in the front (fwd), or back (aft) of the ship.
While Don debated grabbing something to eat at Tracy’s, it was getting a bit chilly so we just headed back to the ship instead. Back onboard, we b-lined directly to the dining room to ensure we could get sat before it closed. Following the comedy show, we made one more stop of the night at my favorite bar on the ship, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar.
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. For kids, our Alaska cruise is like a theme park with the best rides. Only Norwegian offers Freestyle Cruising®, giving families the freedom to do their own thing on their own schedule.
Securing the necessary photos and videos, we were finally ready to go ashore around 5 PM. About 2 hours after the ship was cleared, there were no lines or waits to get off the ship or secure a shuttle to the downtown area. As our first meal in the main dining room this cruise, we were pleasantly surprised. Historically, we have not been very impressed with NCL’s MDR, but this meal might have changed our mind. Both options were very good and probably some of the best we’ve had at sea. After the show, we felt it was only proper to round out our night at the District Brewhouse.
Our guide gave us a brief tour of the grounds with some narrative about the poles, as well as visiting a replica clan house and a restoration building with some artifacts. After some free time to walk around on our own and visit the gift shop, we were off to Downtown for our lumberjack show. Sipping the signature smoked peach margarita, we stayed for a bit before calling it a night.
Normally a crew area, the ship’s helipad was open today for guests to marvel at these glaciers. We started our day here, accessing it through a hallway on Deck 8 near the District Brewhouse. Honestly, we weren’t all that impressed with the view from here, especially being short like me. Following this set, we ended our evening in the Sugarcane Mojito Bar with some drinks and live Latin music.
Upon arriving back into Skagway around 5 PM, we decided to walk back to the ship given the nice weather. Unfortunately, the fudge store was closed and Starbucks was no longer in existence. So, we had to wait until we got back to the ship for our afternoon dose of caffeine. Now, it was time for the highlight of the tour–our trek up the Klondike Highway into Frasier to board the White Pass Rail. During this nearly 3,000 foot climb in elevation, we made a couple stops for photo ops. With the Not So Newlywed game show occurring at 9 PM and our Choir of Man reservation at 10 PM, we made our way to the Atrium after dinner for the first half of this game show.
She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network. Disembarkation instructions are placed in your room on this day. This was, by far, the most scenic day of our Alaska Cruise as Glacier Bay National Park is absolutely stunning. The hotel will also store your luggage for you before and after your cruise based on your flight times and if you’ll be walking around Seattle. Terminal 66 is literally right across the street (you can see the Encore directly outside the hotel windows!) and you simply walk there the morning of your cruise. We’ve written an entire article on how to spend 1-day in Seattle that will show you what you can realistically do and see in Seattle before your cruise.
Still, it was fun to watch the competitions including axe throwing, speed climbing, sawing challenges, log rolling, and more. Rushing out of dinner rather abruptly, we made it to the Social comedy club just in time for the 9 PM show. Besides Choir of Man, this is the other show that requires reservations. There are two comedians featured here with several showings throughout the week. Taking the approximately six-minute trip up Mount Roberts from the lower terminal, we ascended to a height of about 1,800 feet. At the top, there are viewing platforms where you can look down onto Juneau and several of the docked cruise ships.
