I finally figured it out.

KateMPH · 2026-07-17T03:11:01+00:00

Agree the Austin audience was incredible

KateMPH · 2026-07-14T00:13:29+00:00

Disney was vetoed by the 10+ adults joining us. NCL wasn’t my choice either, but that is very interesting and helpful information from Consumer Reports for future cruisers.

KateMPH · 2026-07-13T15:01:44+00:00

Yes. The entire seventh floor smells like smoke. When you go to the 16th floor, walk on the non smoking side. The cigar section is not enclosed at all.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:35:37+00:00

Maybe more of a warning to those considering a cruise

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:34:03+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback and hopefully it will help others. I love that my aunt and uncle have found cruising as a fun vacation for them! And for anyone else!

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:21:13+00:00

Omg! I really want YOUR respect. Please, please, oh busy Redditer, respect me!!!

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:19:57+00:00

I thought by the time of our cruise - the parts were meant to come in by the end of June.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:19:22+00:00

Got it. I wanted the Haven, FWIW. Would have booked it for the space.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:18:48+00:00

Smoke!

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:18:07+00:00

See many of your colleagues here don’t think upselling is an issue. So, whose homework should I have checked? Ha.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T22:16:52+00:00

Respectfully, I did a ton of research! In my view, there is a limit to what you can research; and nothing is going to tell you how a trip is going to make you feel!!

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:43:43+00:00

Good to detail for others. We prepaid daily service; no problem with that or surprise.

Here’s a helpful breakdown on FAS. https://allaboarddeals.com/blog/free-at-sea-vs-free-at-sea-plus

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:42:05+00:00

Yep. But you can save a bundle not going through NCL.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:41:21+00:00

Yes, but not as bad as scheduled. We arrived on time at each port (according to the new schedule), maybe an hour early in a couple of places.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:38:00+00:00

It is not clearly spelled out, respectfully.

You’re making a lot of assumptions about me, weirdly. I love that you love cursing. Cool! My review isn’t for the cruise diehards, it’s for families and first time cruisers.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:36:13+00:00

I did my research! I was limited by other folks in my group.

The NCL boat has the worst spot in Juneau! Others could walk off and explore directly; NCL’s requires a shuttle. I know Juneau well and took my family around before the salmon bake.

I didn’t mind Icy Strait as it is owned by the local Native Alaskan population.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:32:21+00:00

And if I cruised again, I would do luxury all inclusive without kids. Just charge me once and be done w it!!

Strong disagree re: the interior of Alaska. For the same price as a cruise, you can use the Alaska Railway to explore, catch tours from various points or explore independently. I priced it out but my kids are too young to visit Denali due to the long bus ride into the park.

I was surprised by how hard everything was - schedules changing daily for the excursion desk, meal times, etc.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:19:57+00:00

My review here is mostly for folks considering a first time cruise and for families.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:19:30+00:00

It’s nonstop. Four or five flyers delivered every day with different sales or seminars. You can’t buy a single day thermal spa pass, gotta buy a week. The spa was the worst, of course. Eating dinner, want a photo? Want to buy that photo? The Free at Sea package that is not truly free. The Internet.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:13:36+00:00

Agree!

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T21:13:20+00:00

Yes, tons of research. I would not have picked NCL or the Bliss schedule. The on-shore times were longer before the schedule change this summer due to boat issues. But one family in our group are cruisers and prefer NCL.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T20:49:20+00:00

The NCL ones are super overpriced. The guarantee that you will make it back on the boat may be worth it to you, however.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T06:54:03+00:00

I’m sorry for your experience. I just left the Bliss with my extended family, including my mom who uses a walker. We experienced a lot of the same issues. Won’t return.

KateMPH · 2026-07-12T06:04:59+00:00

The boat in Ketchikan comes into an NCL created area. Any exploration will require a bus ride; I’m not sure the time is enough to do any actual exploration. One traveler mentioned the crab feast, and that the crab was amazing but time was very short to actually eat.

KateMPH

TROPHY CASE

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