Expensive and crowded

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 77

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Jewel

7 Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 08, 2015

Ship: Norwegian Jewel

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 8052

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Even with drink package, EVERY person must show room card, enter tip amount, total, sign, and date for EVERY drink. Huge inconvenience. Severs and customers waste much time here.

Seattle attaches a drink tax (not included in drink package) for every drink will at port for a good distance away from their port.

Very crowded, be prepared to be bumped and pushed in buffet and pool area's.

High costs. Your credit card will be hit for $300.00 as soon as you get on the boat. Some restaurants will still cost you 20 to 30 dollars more because of better food, service, and atmosphere. Atmosphere is a little better, food about the same, service is much slower. Don't waste your money.

The prices for excursions and transportation right at the dock exit when getting off the boat is legalized theft. Walk to the local transportation and unaffiliated Norwegian vendors. you will save hundreds. To go from the boat to the Alaskan brewery would have been $20.00 out and &20.00 back per person ($40.00 total) through Norwegian vendors, we did it for $5.00 per person round trip.

On a good note, getting on and off the boat was very easy and fast for the thousands of people on board.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Very small (tight). Toilet was often disabled.

Ship tip

Do not use Norwegian affiliated vendors off the ship. $$$

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

1 out of 5
Don't spend any time in Seattle, very expensive, crowded, and dirty. Homeless people sleeping on the streets and then waking up to drink their own urine.

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Cruise Sawyer Glacier

5 out of 5
best part of the cruise. We had poor weather, but it was still awesome. And believe it or not, there was no extra charge for this!

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5
Train ride was very long and very expensive, but the scenery was unbelievable.

Victoria, British Columbia

1 out of 5
This is a retirement city. Pretty, but not much going on and everything closes real early.
Was this review helpful? 77

7 Comments

glomarrone    9 years ago

I took a cruise out of Seattle last year.  We flew in two days ahead of our HAL cruise and enjoyed every minute of our visit in the city.  We rode public buses and walked everywhere. We even rode the ferry just for fun. Sorry to read that your experience was different.

Cmonster    9 years ago

I'm not one to do that. this is not a 40 thousand dollar cruise. I have no expectations other than relaxing and just being in Alaska. thanks.

lbdomcik    9 years ago

You make the trip what it is. Enjoy yourself & don't pick apart everything. Even the best porter & waiter/waitress can have a bad day. Have fun!

Cmonster    9 years ago

I leave on the 12th and hope we have a good time. I saved for years for this vacation.

lbdomcik    9 years ago

Just amazes me how different the reviews are. I guess everyone's expectations vary a lot. My husband & I are very simple people & have cruised with Norwegian twice. Both times were awesome. Will be going again in a few weeks & can hardly wait. We love Norwegian!!!

ericm999    9 years ago

Thanks for the honest review and the cruise tips. I'll be boarding this cruise on Sat.

Cmonster    9 years ago

Yikes. what a poor review. very different from others on the same cruise. I'm hoping my experience is better.

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