Alaska 2025

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Uneducated Cruiser here. And just booked an Alaska 2025 itinerary for a party of 12 in 4 cabins. I have only 2 cruises of experience cruising and no experience on the cruise line we chose - Norwegian. Selected based on Glacier Bay itinerary and family that previously sailed this one, and booked quickly based on their Black Friday “sale”.

So at this point we are into this for the deposits. We booked directly with NCL over phone, and I have filled out the paperwork to transfer to Costco for the cash back .

We have 2 sets of “mini-suite?” connecting cabins on the 9th deck. Connecting was important to our travel partner party of 7; not so much to my party of 5. This appears to be above deck 8 with public spaces, including restaurants. They were the only non-super suite cabins available for 7 with connections. Should I keep watching to move to a different deck? The limited research I have done seems to indicate for Alaska scenery you want to be higher? And I have no idea if over the restaurants will be problematic…. Any thoughts?

What else should I be figuring out now?

Thank you for sharing your expertise.

 

[DaveNV]

If there are 12 of you, I doubt noise from elsewhere will be a problem. So you're probably fine. Better to be above a restaurant than a bar or theater.

We did an Alaska cruise on Holland America several years ago, and scenery from the ship was fine. You won't be THAT close to things, so I think the deck you're on is great, as long as you don't have a lifeboat view or something. And if you do, leave your stateroom and walk around. You'll want to do that anyway, so everyone gets a good look at the scenery. Stateroom balconies are pretty small, so gathering more than two or three people on one isn't very satisfying. Better to be out in the common areas, especially in Glacier Bay. The ship will go back and forth in front of the glacier, so you may see calving. You'll want to be outdoors for that. The front of the ship is a good spot for that view, so you can cross from side to side, as the ships turns and goes the other way.

Check some of the usual sites for stateroom reviews of your cabin, and to get traveler experience with the space.

Have fun! It's an amazing place.

Dave

 

[Seaport104]

I booked one as well for 2025! Will be a first cruise for all of us so happy to follow this thread

Question - First time I've heard regarding a transfer to Costco. What does this entail ? Pros and cons of a transfer to Costco?

 

[mentalbreak]

I booked one as well for 2025! Will be a first cruise for all of us so happy to follow this thread

Question - First time I've heard regarding a transfer to Costco. What does this entail ? Pros and cons of a transfer to Costco?

You have a certain amount of time to make the transfer and rules depend on the cruise line, but with Costco Travel as your travel agent, they issue a Costco gift card after the trip. I think they are sharing the commission in the form of a Costco shop card.

 

[beejaybee]

I booked one as well for 2025! Will be a first cruise for all of us so happy to follow this thread

Question - First time I've heard regarding a transfer to Costco. What does this entail ? Pros and cons of a transfer to Costco?

We transfer our Celebrity cruises to Costco all the time. You will need to complete two forms:
the cruiselines transfer form and the Costco transfer form. The phone # for Costco Travel is: 425.657.1900. Just make up an agent name.
Once your booking is transferred you must deal with Costco for any changes or questions re: your booking. We have always found the Costco reps to be extremely helpful but we know what we need when we call them. They must call the cruiseline while we are on hold to confirm our requests if they are possible. For example I called regarding a price reduction on our upcoming cruise. The Costco rep came back with an even lower price than I expected, but we would lose our previous awarded the OBC and she advised us we'd lose financially by taking the lower price.

 

[dioxide45]

We sailed on the NCL Encore to Alaska this past September and it was fantastic. While the weather wasn't the greatest and we missed Kechikan. Another issue with NCL is Skagway. They port at a doc that is several miles from town. Yes there is a little area there where you can shop, but nothing else. It is really more like a commercial shipping port in Skagway. The other cruise lines dock in town.

Since we went in September the ship was able to sail up Johns Hopkins Inlet, something that can only be done by cruise ships after August 31st. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was truly the highlight of the trip. Words, and photos, can't even describe it. We booked a balcony and stayed out there the whole day while in Glacier Bay. We didn't go to any of the common areas. The cruise ship will do a full 360 rotation while close to the glaciers, so it doesn't really matter what side of the ship you are on. Another tip, be sure to pack a pair of binoculars.

 

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@dioxide45 this is the ship we are booked for, but mid-June. Appreciate the insight.

 

[mentalbreak]

We transfer our Celebrity cruises to Costco all the time. You will need to complete two forms:
the cruiselines transfer form and the Costco transfer form. The phone # for Costco Travel is: 425.657.1900. Just make up an agent name.
Once your booking is transferred you must deal with Costco for any changes or questions re: your booking.

@Seaport104 on the costco travel site, go to the help center. Then search “transfer CRUISELINE cruise to costco” (with your cruise line name). They have step by step instructions, including the form you send to the cruise line, and a link to the online form you fill out for costco travel. Very easy.

 

[Seaport104]

@Seaport104 on the costco travel site, go to the help center. Then search “transfer CRUISELINE cruise to costco” (with your cruise line name). They have step by step instructions, including the form you send to the cruise line, and a link to the online form you fill out for costco travel. Very easy.

Thanks!!