Friday, April 12, 2024

10-Day Alaska Cruise Review: Norwegian Sun Experience

ncl alaskan cruise

But from the inside after I’d already sweat through three base layers. Some may be wondering why I cruise to Alaska so often and why I’d want to do the exact same thing two cruises in a row. It’s always magical, ethereal, with so many lessons to teach me.  And it’s never, never the same. In October, as the environment around me began settling into winter, I witnessed the retreat, slowing down, and self preservation necessary for surviving a harsh season. You'll pass some beautiful scenery, most notably Hurricane Gulch Bridge, where the train crosses a 918-foot bridge poised some 296 feet above a creek. Unfortunately, the viewing platform can be crowded with other travelers blocking views and viewfinders.

Land Vacations

The service tonight was…off, until it got really comically bad. The high point was when my waiter approached the table next to mine and called a clear “ma’am” a “sir.” I generously thought, “language barrier? ” but when he realized his mistake three courses later, he just busted up laughing and was like, “you’ve been a lady this whole time?

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Norwegian has the newest fleet in Alaska, with unmatched amenities such as 20 dining options, the largest suites available in Alaska, and a world-class spa. Join an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Aleutian Ballad, as seen on Discovery Channel’s - The Deadliest Catch. Experience Alaska’s premier attractions glaciers and wildlife, from two very different vantage points, by land and by sea.... …and delicious complimentary snacks and unique desserts, many with an international flair and not available anywhere else on the ship. All my food was good (the corn with a side of corn and the salad) to great (the guacamole and cake) but again, not worth the a la carte price ($60 + 20% service charge) I’d have paid without my Platinum voucher.

Not All Destinations Are Built the Same: Choose Your Alaska Cruise Tour Itinerary Carefully

It is a great depiction of a humpback with intermittent water spraying up from the fountains. 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. While always a good time, a rather tipsy contestant made the show even funnier. Don started with the escargot and endive salad, while I did the goat cheese croquettes salad.

ncl alaskan cruise

Head deeper into the frozen wilderness with one of our Alaska Cruise Tours on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit, combining your cruise with an immersive land holiday that goes beyond the expected. Spanning from 11- to 14-days, these cruise holiday packages include overnight stays in Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Talkeetna, and Valdez. Exclusive to Norwegian, all Cruise Tours are led by local Alaskan guides to provide you with an authentic Alaska experience. Speaking of something else we hadn’t done all cruise, that was get a mango meltdown, one of NCL’s signature frozen drinks. So, in the name of research, we headed outside to the Surf Bar to do just that.

Night Alaska CruiseDetails

ncl alaskan cruise

Honestly, we don’t really like that many of these game shows and activities take place in the Atrium as opposed to the theater or another entertainment venue as it’s almost impossible to ever score a seat. We think the Food Republic is a hidden gem, but for some reason the venue is never busy. With the specialty dining package, cruisers can order 4 plates off the menu. This makes it a great dining option with friends as you can share multiple plates. Following the comedy show, we made one more stop of the night at my favorite bar on the ship, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. We had to start the cruise off right with a Raspberry-Guava and Jalapeno Cucumber mojito.

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Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:14:20 GMT [source]

With most of the glacier viewing done around noon time, we made our first (and only) visit to the Garden CafĂ© for lunch all week. The selections were pretty typical of a cruise ship buffet, with nothing really wow’ing us. We then spent the next hour or so walking along the boardwalk in Juneau. We then continued to a great vantage point of the cruise ships, where we took some photos of Norwegian Encore, Ovation of the Seas, and an Un-Cruise vessel.

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So, even though it was fairly busy, we had no issues finding a spot to call our own. Even in the sauna and salt room, there were only a few other cruisers with us. Since we were docking in Victoria this evening, only one bar per deck was allowed open on the ship. This meant that we wouldn’t be able to grab final drinks at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar this evening. So naturally, this meant we stopped by for a drink now before it closed.

The Newest Ships at Sea

After days on the road in Alaska, there might be mixed feelings about the cruise tour experience. Some feel a bit trapped by the heavily scheduled tour, long train/bus rides and restrictive meal offerings. Although the lodges are well appointed, they are often off-the-beaten path, leaving sightseers at the mercy of shuttle buses. Most cruise tours give you a choice of one-, two- or three-night stays here; you need at least two to get the most out of your experience. Hop on a Park Service bus to seek out bears, moose and caribou, splurge on a flightseeing trip around Denali, or take a rafting trip on the Nenana River.

It was also my first time cruising solo on the Bliss (last time I had my son with me). I’ll be providing a detailed trip report from each day as well as highlighting some features I loved about the Bliss (and a few I didn’t) and some tips for those booked on or considering her. The first two are videos, one a full ship tour and one a cabin tour. The third takes you to all the dining menus (MDR, specialty, fast casual, room service, and more) I collected onboard. As always, feel free to ask questions or share your own experiences on the Bliss to the comments. To guide you through a 10-day journey aboard the Norwegian Sun through the Inside Passage route, offering invaluable tips and insights.

We also explored downtown Skagway, a delightful blend of the old and the new. And for the adrenaline junkies, don’t miss the helicopter tours with glacier landings. As the day wrapped up, we relaxed at a local brewery, the perfect end to a day brimming with adventure and history. 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. The Norwegian Sun offers a more intimate cruising experience with fewer passengers.

Whether you’re seeking to go wild or dive into the region’s unique history, Haines offers something for everyone to enjoy. 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.

No matter when you come, prepare for changeable weather; it can be wet and chilly, even in the middle of the summer. With the exception of flightseeing, excursions generally run regardless of rain, so bring appropriate gear. Conversely, when the sun is out, it can reach the upper 70s in northerly Fairbanks. In May, one of the best months to cruise to Alaska, Denali emerges from its snowfall with wildflowers and animals searching for food. Likewise, the tundra starts showing fall colors as early as mid-August, and bears are visible as they frantically beef up for the winter.

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