Extremely disappointed
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
7 Night Alaska With Dawes Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: September 21, 2024
Ship: Norwegian Bliss
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: 18116
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 2 months ago
Review summary
The Haven experience is top notch, however this last experience with port cancellations and the pitiful excuse of compensation has left a bad taste in my mouth. Alaska was a bucket list destination for us. It was by far the most expensive, cost of the cruise and having to take time off work (we are both self employed so no paid vacations). The thought of getting to see Alaska for the first time, made it all worth it. We knew it would probably rain so we brought along all the gear. We didn’t get off in Sitka because it was pouring rain. We were promised stunning scenery that will take our breath away. I did get some great pics, but nothing like photos I had seen from other cruisers. They cancelled our last two ports, and we were supposed to see Dawes Glacier and it didn’t happen. We did get to see some orcas, on the observation deck, in the pouring rain😆 About the cancelled ports… this is where we get frustrated. The ship was supposed to alter its course in an attempt to outrun this storm system, but our sister ship, the Encore, made it to its port at Ketchikan and had no issues, as well as the Sun and another ship that I don’t recall the name. They offered us a pitiful $150 on board credit, and 15% off a future cruise. ( BTW that 15% was for the first guest only, and equaled to about $375 for cruise I was looking into). According to news sources Royal Caribbean, had a similar situation happen when they had to cancel ports due to the hurricane(Milton I believe) they offered, up front, to refund the cost of the two ports(which I had asked for initially from NCL and they shot me down and said they wouldn’t do any more) I feel that the cruise home was horrible, they had puke bags on the stair wells, so why couldn’t we make the ports again?? Since the other ships made it just fine and had great weather? I feel this was all handled horribly and I’m not sure about dealing with a company that values $$$ over the people that pay them several thousand dollars to be there!Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Bring euro adapters for extra outlets, visit cruise specific YouTube reviews, and research the ports you are visiting on your own, don’t rely solely on the ships website. I found that third parties with no financial gain often have the best information and reviews. Pack OTC medications!!! Tylenol, ibuprofen, anti nausea, cold meds like Sudafed and robitussin… weather and temperature changes often cause my allergies to flare up, You won’t be able to find these on some ships, the bliss had a kiosk but I believe tylenol etc. was very expensive. I have acid reflux and forgot to pack my prescription meds. I asked about tums, and they didn’t have anything like that, and said I’d have to visit the ship’s dr. This is where having a butler comes in handy, at about 3 am I asked for some baking soda ( 1/2 tsp 1/2 cup water makes a great antacid!) and the brought it to me! BABY WIPES!! The toilet paper is standard issue gas station fare! Bring thank you cards for the room steward, butler, favorite bartenders etc. Talk to seasoned cruisers while onboard, find out what tips/hacks they use,
Ports of call
Sitka, Alaska Did not visit port
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska Did not visit port
KETCHIKAN (WARD COVE), ALASKA Did not visit port
Disembarkation
7 Comments
NavasotaCruiser 2 months ago
RedDawn55 2 months ago