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Wonderful Alaska - and sunshine too! |
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Reviewed By: Wiggins, Clacton-on-Sea on 17th Jun 2009
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| Cruise Line: NCL Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Norwegian Sun |
Sailed:
June,
2009 |
| Destination: Alaska |
Age: 56-65 |
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We have just returned from a cruise to Alaska on the NCL Sun. We had a great cruise - the weather was unbelievable - we were so lucky - packed the coat - never had to wear it!
We had three days in Vancouver before the cruise - wonderful. Stayed at the Chateau Granville - super room, great position, free internet, no problems.
We checked in for the cruise and boarded very quickly. Our cabin on deck 6a (didn't want deck 6 as it has restricted view, but 6a was brilliant).
NCL - well, great ship but wow do they try to take your money! Drinks very expensive - got used to iced water! Bingo very expensive if you are not a regular bingo player but just like to play for a bit of fun - didn't bother.... photos 6 x 4 @ $15 - $20 - took our own! Diamonds - well, lots of them but again very expensive. Oh, and the Art Auctions - every day! Who goes on holiday to buy Art?????
Food - we found the self service very good - miss the rush hour if you can, but lovely views and good food. The Seven Seas restaurant (supposed to be the "dressing up" restaurant!) good food - order as many items from the menu as you want... small portions, but very good - but why don't they serve vegetables???
Entertainment - excellent - the three shows by the Jean Ann Ryan Company were brilliant - they worked hard and the shows were very entertaining. The other shows - the comedian and the singer - Jane Powell (Chocolate godess of love!) were very good. The Magician was very good too. We didn't take in any of the late night discos etc - but they were well supported.
Our cabin was clean, well equipped and very quiet - we didn't hear noise from anyone else - and being on 6a only those in the cabins walked by so it was very quiet.
We didn't do excusions through NCL having booked our own - much cheaper.... and it meant we got off the ship without being herded through to a bus. Hard to choose what to do in each port... so much to do.
Ketchikan - We took a float plane flight over the misty fjords - wonderful - and even saw a brown bear very close up. The views are spectacular.
Juneau - took a trip to the glacier... learned a lot about Juneau too. Very good trip. We left Juneau very early - to go to Tracy Arm and the Sawyer Glacier. Couldn't go to Tracy Arm as it was frozen! Went another route and had iceburgs floating by! Also saw seals on the iceburgs taking a lift down stream! A brilliant afternoon on deck in the sunshine with wonderful views.
Skagway - well of course the White Pass Railway trip is a must... we went up by coach and down by train... very good value and very educational too.
As the weather was so good, the two days at sea were more enjoyable - it was like a med cruise - the pools were full and everyone was on deck sunbathing and watching the islands go by. If you could only bottle the view and bring it home! When it wasn't so warm found the observatory bar a good place to watch for whales too.
We saw whales and dolphins as well as lots of snow covered mountains. Thoroughly recommend the trip, but can't guarantee such good weather... usually cold, wet and windy! Would love to go again!
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Breakfast and lunch in garden cafe, dinner in the Seven Seas Restaurant | | Entertainment |  |
| We loved the Jean Ann Ryan shows. Chocolate Godess of Love (Jane Powell) very entertaining. | | Shore Excursions | |
| Skagway - but they were all good | | Staff | |
| Being Free style - no-one in particular but very good service throughout the ship | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | n/a |
| | Cabins | |
| Yes - you get what you pay for! Being caravanners we are used to confined spaces! However the cabin was same as any we have been in when with Princess, Thompson or Island cruises.... they all fit your needs - you only sleep in it! | | Overall Rating | |
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