Are you planning an Alaska Cruise on the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)? We recently went on our first cruise on the NCL Encore and it was such an amazing experience! We were very impressed with the service and efficiency. Here are some tips that might be helpful while planning your cruise.
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PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
This specific cruise had a port stop in Victoria, B.C. so a passport was required for all U.S. Citizens. Be sure to check the passport and visa requirements of the country you will be traveling to or through.
LUGGAGE
If you are staying in a balcony stateroom, I recommend taking medium sized suitcases since they are the largest size that fits under the bed. This will save a lot of space. The balcony stateroom accommodates four people. We brought four medium sized suitcases, one carry-on, and three backpacks. We put three suitcases under the bed and one in the closet. There are also two drawers under the bottom bunk bed for additional storage.
PORT VALET SERVICE
One of the best things we found out about was the port valet service. We disembarked from Seattle, Washington but I am sure other ports offer the same service. If you have a flight to take after disembarking the ship, the Port of Seattle offers a complimentary service that transfers your luggage from the ship to the airline at the end of your cruise. Your departure flight must be on the same day you depart the ship. All you need to pay for is the airline baggage fee. NCL will also print your boarding passes. Just make sure that the airline you are flying with is a participant of the port valet service. You can fill in the form online and find additional information here. You can also fill in the form once you board the ship.
If you decide to do the port valet service, be sure to pack miniature products. All your luggage will be picked up the night before you disembark the ship and whatever you have left with you will need to be packed in your carry-on luggage.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Be sure to book shore excursions prior to your cruise. You can book them once you board the ship but if there are particular ones that you would like to do, it is best to book them earlier as they do fill up. The shore excursion meeting locations are at the dock, right outside the ship so you will not need to worry about getting to a specific shore excursion. You will see signs for the different shore excursions. If the shore excursion needs transportation to get to the specific location, it will be set up for you. One thing to note, it is best to book your shore excursions with the cruise line. If the excursion happens to run late and the ship is scheduled to leave, the ship will be notified of the delay and you will not be left behind. All shore excursion tickets will be in your stateroom when you arrive.
DINING OPTIONS
There is a wide variety of dining options, which include specialty dining and complimentary dining. We did purchase several specialty dining options but to me, the complimentary dining options were great. The complimentary buffet was amazing. I honestly could have eaten every meal there for the entire cruise. They provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner and there is a different theme every day so the entrees are always different. They do have some same options like burgers and pizza.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
When you port in each city, there will be shuttles available to take you to the downtown area and back. If you enjoy walking, you will be able to walk to downtown in Juneau and Skagway. The walks are beautiful but it is also nice to have the option of catching a shuttle. You will need to catch a shuttle in Ketchikan and Victoria. Although the shuttle line in Victoria might look very long, there are many double-decker busses going back and forth so the wait is not too long.
If you are wondering about bottled water, you are not able to bring bottled water onto the ship. You can purchase cases of bottled water like we did but it was actually not necessary as they have water stations on the ship and they are always available. Some people brought their own water bottles, which I thought was a good idea.
If you need a taxi when you disembark the ship in Seattle, just be aware that most taxis will only take you to the airport. If you are unable to get a taxi, call the Seattle Yellow Cab to schedule a pick up. You can also schedule a pick up online here.
7-DAY CRUISE ON THE NORWEGIAN ENCORE
Here is a glimpse of our memorable 7-day Alaska cruise on the NCL Encore.
Day 1: Ship Departs Seattle
Our ship departed Seattle, Washington at 5:00 p.m.
Day 2: At Sea
This is a great time to explore the ship and all of its onboard activities and entertainment. There are so many things to do on the ship!
Day 3: Juneau
Juneau is a scenic coastal town and the capital of Alaska. Here you will find a street lined with jewelry stores and the famous Tracy’s King Crab Shack. There is usually a long line, especially when the ship first ports, but it does move quickly. If you do not want to wait in line, you can explore the city first, like we did. When we were ready to eat, the line was very short.
Day 4: Skagway
Skagway is a small town located on the Inside Passage on the south east coast of Alaska. Love the charm of this city, it looks like came out of a Hallmark movie. It is preserved as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
One of the popular shore excursions in Skagway is the White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway. It is about a 2.5 hour narrated ride on a vintage train with beautiful views of mountains, glaciers, and gorges. The start of the train ride is a short walk from the ship and the train ride ends in downtown Skagway, which is also in walking distance of the ship.
Be sure to stop by Klondike Doughboy. They make hot and fresh fry bread with cinnamon sugar. It was so good!
Day 5: Cruise Glacier Bay
On day 5 of our Alaska cruise, we stayed on the ship and cruised around the beautiful Glacier Bay National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 6: Ketchikan
Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. It is the fifth most populous city in the state with a population of about 8,000. This is where you will be able to go salmon and halibut fishing. Other shore excursions include land and cruise tours where you will see totem poles and maybe some wildlife such as bald eagles, sea lions, and whales.
Day 7: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Prior to arriving in Canada, you will need to complete the Canadian E311 declaration card provided by the ship. Once you arrive in Canada, you will be able to disembark the ship and start exploring.
Our stop in Victoria was very brief. We had just enough time to catch the shuttle to downtown, do some souvenir shopping, and get back to the ship in time for departure.
Happy Travels!
BK Travel Collage 