Alaska

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

zhenlee1

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 30

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

7 Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 05, 2015

Ship: Norwegian Jewel

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 5090

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Trip started off badly when NCL (via the customs laws) would not allow my wife to board for she had left her green card at home. For a first cruise I was miserable for the first few days for my boys and I were were like.a car with three wheels but things did get better after we reached port for I was able to call home and speak with her for 35 minutes. I bought her a nice Tanzanite necklace in Ketchikan.

Cruising was an interesting experience for where else could a schmuck like me be so well treated by the working staff. Our junior room steward Leo in particular was a sympathetic voice when I was in the dumps. The ports themselves seem commercial to me but I enjoyed myself in Skagaway due mostly to the longer port stay. Juneau felt rushed with just 6 hours in port and only 1 in town after a visit to the Glacier. I wish we could have gotten to Victoria earlier for its tough to justify spending my hard earned money to see the gardens when the ship arrives at 5 and you get off the ship at 530 with under two hours of daylight left. The ship itself was fine but not everyone is into live entertainment in the evenings for I would have liked seeing some of the movies shown in our rooms on a large theater type of screen with popcorn. Too much prodding to sell more things to the passengers for even the live entertainment performers were hocking their CD which was a turn off for me.

I liked the food for we mostly ate in the Garden Cafe which was informal as opposed to the Main dining rooms. The two steak houses were fine as were the Pan Asian restaurant. The acrobatic act on the final night was fun and the trip itself would have been great if only my wife were with me for the week.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 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

5 out of 5

We were surprised but up to 4 people would have been fine in such a small room. Bathrooms were a bit small for I found it hard to turn around in there.

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5

Ketchikan, Alaska

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Cruise Sawyer Glacier

5 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

Traveler Photos

7 Comments

zhenlee1 9 years ago

As I said, the lounge singers are not for everyone and at night the scenary can't be seen. Its a small matter and would cost the cruise little for on the last night of the cruise there was nothing for people to do if they chose not to see Victoria.

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Cmonster 9 years ago

The security is required for our benefit and I am glad they are strict. This should have no bearing on the review. I'm sorry but you can watch movies and eat popcorn everyday. You embark on this amazing, once in a lifetime scenic voyage and that is what you mention? This reminds me of the woman who comnented they took her clean towel out of her room when it didn't need washed. What a shame.

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chadley77 9 years ago

Wow Tatt that is a little harsh. Clearly she should have remembered her green card and she should know that security is high everywhere. That said, lots of people in this country have them.

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AONEAL05 9 years ago

I understand..... The hubby and I so look to our time together on the cruise. Hope you plan something for the both of you next year.

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zhenlee1 9 years ago

I'm mostly over her not being on the trip for I so wanted our first experience to be totally positive but I received solace from the lower staff members who are not likely going to be regular crew. Not easy to go on a cruise in the evenings alone while everyone else has their spouses with them but hopefully an honest more personal review will help others.

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AONEAL05 9 years ago

Im so sorry to hear that. Im sure the family was heartbroken. I know it can be crazy getting everything packed and ready for everyone. Im glad you all were able to enjoy some of the cruise and hopefully you all can plan another one next year!

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LindaLea 9 years ago

You can't blame NCL for not allowing your wife to board. If she forgot her green card at home, that's not their fault. Customs and Homeland Security regulations are nothing to take lightly. Follow the rules, or stay home. Required documents are shown on EVERY cruise line website, so you shouldn't have been surprised. As for the short times in ports, that's all shown on website, too.

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