Table Of Content
Alaska cruises are generally divided into two types, Inside Passage cruises and Gulf of Alaska cruises. The Inside Passage has been the traditional way to cruise Alaska, with most ships sailing round-trip from Vancouver or Seattle, through glacier country as far north as Skagway or Juneau. Gulf of Alaska cruises cover more territory as they travel from Vancouver through the Inside Passage and up to Seward/Anchorage (or the reverse).
Norwegian Encore Alaska Cruise Review – Day 4
Cruise on the Wilderness Explorer expedition vessel through Misty Fjords, a waterway that ancient glaciers carved out of the rugged landscape. 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. There is a $9.95 + 20% service charge per room service order (but you can order as much as you want). When I checked the forecast this morning it looked like rain and temps hovering around 35 degrees so I suited up like a deep sea fisherman risking life and limb for her daily catch despite a promised hurricane. I sought out some standing puddles just so my rain boots wouldn’t start looking for alternate employment. I saw the first signs of vibrancy, of life bursting through the surface ready to grow and embrace the coming warmth.
Welcome Aboard Norwegian Encore
It plays 4 different times during the 7-day itinerary and requires reservations. 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. Different ports of call on a cruise to Alaska include Sitka, Icy Point Strait, Dawes Glacier, Valdez, Seward, Whittier, and more. Our only other experience cruising together as a family was on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy that we write about here. The most complete tour of Denali and Alaskan life in the past and present.
Destinations & Ports
Feeling a bit tired from all our recent travels, we didn’t do much in Seattle this time around. With the beautiful weather, we did manage to walk around the waterfront area a bit and grabbed some food at Elliott’s Oyster House. For this Norwegian Encore Alaska Cruise Review, we flew into Seattle a day early as we always recommend. Booking a hotel stay at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront, we were in a prime location to get to Pier 66 on embarkation day. Having just returned from Alaska on Princess Cruises, we were eager to explore more of the region on this trip.
Norwegian Bliss Ship and Cabin Tours
It’s too bad there wasn’t a country band featured in this venue as there was in pre-COVID times. This course covers over 1,100 feet with 10 turns and 4 points that extend up to 13 feet over the side of the ship. There is also a viewing area where bystanders can watch the race and provide a temporary speed boost to their favorite drivers.
Day 7: Sea Day/Victoria, BC
Day 4 of this Norwegian Encore Alaska Cruise Review had us calling into Skagway for a full day. We also had a comprehensive tour booked for today, the aptly named Best of Skagway shore excursion. While it was a gorgeous day in Seattle, as the ship pulled away and starting picking up some speed, it got noticeably windier and colder.
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. With nothing concrete on the agenda, we slept in until around 8 AM this morning. Don walked around collecting the remaining photos and videos returning with our morning dose of Starbucks. Given the time, we decided to grab a quick lunch at The Local to hold us over until our dinner at Q Texas Smokehouse this evening.
Airfare for a Gulf of Alaska cruise is generally more expensive because Anchorage is so far north. While the cruise industry has undeniably expanded in Seattle, both the city and the cruise lines are working to keep the industry environmentally responsible and sustainable. This will ensure many years to come of amazing cruise vacations with travelers able to enjoy the pristine waters, remarkable scenery, and stunning wildlife of the region. The ship will be offering 7-night sailings through mid-October, visiting destinations such as Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria, with scenic cruising in the phenomenal Glacier Bay. All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel.
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska - Cruise Blog
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Hiking trails, wildlife sightings, and the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center offer captivating experiences for nature enthusiasts. After working up an appetite, indulge in a meal at the mountaintop restaurant, which serves a delicious selection of fresh seafood, regional dishes, and Alaskan specialties. As you savor your meal, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and waterways. Speaking of something else we hadn’t done all cruise, that was get a mango meltdown, one of NCL’s signature frozen drinks.
Tonight’s dinner was at Los Lobos, the Mexican specialty restaurant on Norwegian Encore, for 7 PM. After our balcony, we ended up spending the rest of our glacier viewing time between the Vibe Beach Club and the pool deck. The Vibe Beach Club, while an up-charge, is a hidden gem even in Alaska. This outdoor space provided uninterrupted views with fewer crowds and great views from the hot tubs. What did throw off our timing a bit was the sequence this Captain took compared to our previous visits.
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The beautiful small coastal town of Seward, which is most known for its picturesque scenic views and many visitors’ attractions, is a perfect addition for your next Alaska cruise. Filled with icy fjords that tower over the Pacific Ocean while snowy peaks stretch toward the horizon, Alaska feels boundless. Sail the youngest fleet cruising Alaska’s captivating coastline on any of our three award- winning ships and explore the Last Frontier as intimately as the locals do. But the worst part was when the Captain came out and, even though I was sitting second row center, didn’t even acknowledge my week-long attempts at seduction with a little wink or nod or some other sign that he knew I existed. This afternoon I lunched at The Local (complimentary pub restaurant) where I ordered the Reuben with no corned beef (because there isn’t a single vegetarian entree on the menu).
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. 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.
With some coffee in hand, we went back to the room after lunch to get some work done before our 7 PM reservation. In search of the best spot on the ship, we walked back to the Waterfront. From here, we were able to walk around this 1/3-mile long promenade keeping up with the glacier as the Captain made his first 360′ turn. Saving just a tiny bit of room for dessert, we finished off the meal with the butterscotch budino and tiramisu. After this nearly 2-hour feast, we waddled our way up to the Observation Lounge for some music by the Lemon Duo, one of the live music acts we had yet to see. After about a half hour, we continued on our music tour to the Cavern Club.
There's a reason why the best way to cruise Alaska is with Norwegian - we've got something for every type of traveller. The newly revitalised Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Spirit bring that and more with beautifully renovated spaces and staterooms. Sitka is the first and oldest city in Alaska so it’s fitting that it was the very first port of the 2024 cruise ship season.
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