7/20-7/29/2019 - 7* cruise to Alaska and GGWU event

NCL veteran here. Definitely check in with a host. Hopefully at some point they will give you a drink card. It's only good when playing but better than nothing. Also, you can get bottled water with the casino drink card but not with the regular drink packages. Pick up a couple every day, take them to your cabin and you can have something to take on your excursions.

 

I have a drink card. I just don't want to have to "hang around" the casino to get drinks. I'm NOT that cheap. At my age, I'm mostly about convenience.

Here's a picture from my session win

A note to my BFF, they're still up by the pool and it is a brisk 50-60 degrees, so, people do swim in this weather.

So this afternoon, we ate "breakfast at 11AM, and then scheduled to eat lunch after the speedway.

Here's some pictures on the way up to the speedway





And the speedway


The speedway is most impressive. Me and my son loved it!! The cars are electric, but have "motor sounds". There is a master switch where they can limit or shut down all the cars on the track.
After racing, we used a premium dining experience at American Grill for lunch.
It is a diner right by the Speedway.
I has a diner motif

We ordered Nachos, which we ended up taking back to the room,

Cheese sticks, and my son was amazed that the batter was so thin. "If I made them from scratch, the batter would be that thin, but I'm lazy and I buy frozen cheese sticks". "Oh" he said.

I had southern Fried Chicken. Everything was good, as usual.
Went back to the room where I took a nap. At 9PM we went down to the Local Bar and Grill. I had Chicken Pot Pit and my son had the seafood basket. Fried shrimp, calamari, fish and french fries. Sorry, no pictures.
Since I had "used up" one premium dining certificate, we'll have to a la carte or skip one of the other three meals. I went over to the casino and asked the host if my play warranted me any "extra" premium food comps. She said "No, your point total is good for $9.57 in free play". I asked her how many points I would need to get one premium dining, and she said 5000 points. 5000 points is $25,000 coin in. I'm not that much of a degenerate gambler and I no longer chase comps.

So, I sat down to a $1 wheel of fortune machine and made $100 and $10 free play, and other than the slot tournament on Thursday, I'm pretty much done with the casino. Since I don't think I'm ever coming back, there's no reason to play for level. Besides, I have GGWU in Las vegas when I get back.

Went downstairs to find out about checking out early on Saturday. We have a 9:35AM flight out of Sea Tac, and the Guest Services people advised us to be "at Level 7 forward at 7AM".

That's all for today. Clock change for tomorrow, back an hour.

So, tomorrow in Ketchikan, I'm going to pick up playing cards. The Joy has a very nice card room and library, but they don't sell playing cards on the ship. They don't give out used cards at the casino. Another WTF!?!?!?

 

Time your token fall playing with the ship rocking and you could make a motser

 

I knew I had pictures from yesterday's breakfast. . . . . This is from the garden buffet.


I had clockwise from 9 o'clock
Salami, ham, salmon mousse, hash browns, sour cream, (the biggest effin) capers I'd ever seen, herring, and sausage

 

OK, I went downstairs to see if I could get my shore excursion credit, but I was told that it would be applied after any existing shore excursions.
Walked around the casino, and got the layout of the table games and took pictures.

1 crap table (last night it was $25 min!!)
1 poker table
They also had:

Three card poker
Mississippi stud
UTH (Ultimate Texas Hold 'em)
4 or 5 Blackjack tables
Roulette

There is also a high limit room with three table, baccarat, blackjack, and I didn't see the third table. Maybe later.

Trying to wake my son up from breakfast. We're docked in Ketchikan. I know where to go for playing cards . . . . .

 

Hi @DaiLun :

If you want to get "free" drinks with your casino-at-sea drink card, the way to go is to belly up to the casino bar and play a little video poker. Usually you can get a bartenders attention right away. If you give them a buck they will think you are a super high-roller. Most guests don't tip other than the auto-tip percentage as they charge the drinks to their cabin. I am not sure if any of the auto-tips filter down to them. Since most workers come from developing nations, a small tip goes a LOOONG way back at their home country and they appreciate it.

All the buffets have water dispensers so you can always fill with drinking water any container you have -- just use a nearby clean glass as an intervening device.

If you have an early flight connection back home, rather than color coding your check-in the night before and worrying about collecting your luggage at the dock, just walk out and carry your own luggage (assuming they are wheeled) and head straight to a taxi.

What kind of stateroom do you have? Oceanview or balcony?

Thanks for the cruise report. Are there any older teen events that you son might enjoy? When my kids were older teens, they liked those organized events and we only saw them for excursions and dinners.

Good luck on the slot tournament.

FAB

 

OK, fixed the name issue on all of the pictures.
Went to breakfast at the Local pub.
I had an omlette with a 1/2 order of CBH (Corned Beef Hash)


my son had

So we went shopping this morning. First place was Wal-mart to pick up decks of cards. I picked up a couple of extra decks. Maybe we can sell them and subsidize the taxi ride.
Here's my son


I gave my son a lesson in souvenir shopping and resisting high pressure salesmen/women in the jewelry stores.

We spent much of the morning getting the "free" stuff, since many of the jewelry stores in the tourist area give a "loss leader" to get you in the store.

However, I set a firm number to discourage them. "It's for my ex-wife.", I growl. $100 is the limit . . . ., or throw them a bone and buy something for $30>. But always take the free gift., like the commemorative Alaskan Coins (gift box is $10.00)


The infinity bracelet (charms at each stop along the way)

Here's a nice bracelet for my Aunt Katie (notice the initials for the state of Alaska "AK")

Orca necklace

Whale tail necklace

and an "N" bracelet for my son's Mom.

I also explained to him about "hoarding" emergency presents. If he needs a present for a female on short notice, he has a "stash" of presents. I also explained to him the strategy of buying presents in advance, then doling them out as necessary. He now has presents for his Mom for this trip, Christmas, and her next birthday. Hey, it's always worked for me.

I will use the Infinity bracelet as a gift to my "casino cutie" if I cash in the slot tournament.

So, at breakfast, I asked the hostess to explain how long their shifts are, because once upon a time, in the mid 80's, I applied for an IT (Information Technology) job aboard a cruise ship. The first thing that was explained to me was that the pay was $20,000 a year, (In the 1980's IT guys normally made twice that) but you lived on the ship for 9 months out of the year. On the Norwegian Joy, the shifts are flexible, but they typically work between 12 and 16 hours a day. Their contracts are for 8-9 months, and at the end of the contract, if they performed suitably, they could renew their contract or go to another ship, but as she told me "It's all up to you".

OK, that's it for the morning. I asked my son where we were going for lunch. He said "Yes". Teenagers . . . . hmph

 

OK, to all the people saying, you can get your drinks from the casino. I appreciate the suggestions, yeah, I know, but I am at the far front of the ship. My window overlooks the bow of the ship. It's like being at the end of the hall at the Mirage (where I've been before, BTW)

So, if your cruise consultant tells you that you're at the far forward or far aft end of the ship (and trying to make it seem like it's a good thing), think twice before accepting that stateroom. I would rather be amidship with no window than in this room.

However, one more reason to to go to the casino.
BTW, more pics of "Free stuff"

 

OK, so this afternoon was going to the Joy "sale". Their tax and duty free stores had their "sale".

NCL themed T-shirts were $15 each or 2/$10. here's a sample

I took care of most of my souvenir obligations, and went to the ship duty free store and got their "free" charm bracelet.
OK, I redid the picture of the bracelet and charms

More charms to come. That's how they get those that have what I like to call "collectoritis", which I have a mild case of.

OK, almost time for dinner at Teppanyaki, the benihana-style Japanese BBQ. I'm introducing my son to new cuisines. That was one of my goals.

See ya later.

 

Yeah, I'm the same. I'd be all over those charms and the store promo gifts, as would my mother. These posts are extremely informative. My Alaskan cruise follows yours by just a month so your updates are both fun and super helpful to read.

 

@DaiLun I like teppanaki and the NCL showmanship at the cooking table was particularly good. Hope your son enjoys it

 

I'm enjoying sailing along with you DaiLun. Thanks for taking time to share with us!

 

1)Are you traveling NCL?
2)Are you traveling On the Norwegian Joy? What cabin # did they assign you (just approximate). I can give you and idea of where you cabin will be.
3)Would this be your first cruise? First Alaskan cruise?

 

OK, so dinner at Teppanyaki was enjoyable. I had the Filet Mignon and Jumbo Shrimp, and I was stuffed on the way out. The chef was very entertaining, he and his partner (the chef behind his back) sang many songs. The show was good, as good as any teppanyaki I had ever been to, but teppanyaki is mostly about "the show", which is what I wanted my son to see. I believe that he enjoyed himself, and he was full.

We went back to the room, since tomorrow we have an AYCE Salmon Bake in Juneau, we must do all of our "gathering" in the morning, so I will get him up early, and we'll go have breakfast at the buffet. I want him to try smoked salmon before we have cooked for lunch.

Tax and Duty Free shops are having another round of sales on Thursday, our second "at sea" day.

 

You are lucky you have a SON onboard instead of a daughter! Lol My daughter went shopping crazy on our last cruise. They didn’t even have to high pressure sell her! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

Thanks for taking us along on another of your adventures.

 

OK, Tuesday morning. Juneau. It's raining.

I asked my son to pick the breakfast venue. He chose one of the ships restaurants, Savor.

The ship has three main dining rooms. All serve the same menu. "It's the ambiance", as the manager at Savor told us.

The Manhattan Room - Smart casual - deck 7 aft
Taste - Cruise Casual - deck 6 mid
Savor - Cruise casual - deck 6 mid (across from Taste)

My son had Eggs Benedict with Hash Browns

I had smoked salmon on a bagel. My waitress questioned my choice, saying that it wasn't much food, and I told her that I was going to an AYCE Salmon bake later in the morning and wanted to have an appetite.

It was tasty and will tide me over until the salmon bake.

We got off the boat and it was raining!! They were selling ponchos for $3.00 but I had a hat, and my son had a hoodie.

I realized that I hadn't taken the salmon bake tickets, so I went back to the room to retrieve them.

I returned and we took the shuttle bus to downtown Juneau.

There is the Mt Roberts tramway, which I had considered as an excursion, but passed.
It goes from here

to there. If I heard the tour guide correctly, it's 1850' to the top.

My son and I walked around downtown. We had twqo "musts" to do. Get a collectible coin from Milano Jeweler

, and get another charm from Diamonds International.

Here's a picture of my son next to a King Crab pot

and a big stuffed bear

Mission accomplished, then we went to Taku Smokeries and Fisheries to buy some addl. souvenirs.
I bought:
A potholder ($10.00, But I needed one at the house)

Rub - I have a 2 lb. tri-tip in my freezer just waiting for this!

Jerky - I asked the lady at the counter about the cruise ship regulations about not bringing food on board, and she said that sealed, packaged food is OK, so long as you don't OPEN IT before you debark at your final destination.

And finally, 8 oz. of salmon. Yeah, I know that I could buy it at home and probably for less, but Juneau is an island, so I chalk it up to supporting the local economy. Besides, smoked salmon is so yummy!!!!!

The smoked salmon wasn't that much. $16.00 which equates to about $32.00 a lb.

We came back to the ship and in about 30 minutes we'll go down for the Gold Creek Salmon bake!
Pictures and details on my next update!!

 

Thanks for taking us along. I'll be on my first Alaskan cruise in September and really looking forward to it. We're also going to the salmon bake in Juneau

 

OK, got back to the ship, and departed for the Salmon Bake at 10:15. When we got to the dock, we were told that we would have to wait for the 10:50 bus, which ended up being late.

The bus ended up being a few minutes late, which coincided with a very interesting story about yesterday's departure.

ANYONE TAKING A CRUISE OR THINKING OF TAKING A CRUISE SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THIS

Be on board before the listed departure time. 1:00 means 1:00, not 1:15, not 1:05, not even 1:01.

Yesterday, my son and I were sitting in the observatory lounge at departure time, and we kept hearing an announcement of the ship's communications system.

Norweigan Joy is looking for Mrs. xxxxx xxxxx and mrs. yyyyy yyyyy, Mrs. xxxxx xxxxx and Mrs. yyyyy yyyyy, please contact guest services or call xxxxx. We heard this message every 5 minutes from 15 minutes before departure. At shore ports, the ship keeps track of who's on board and who is NOT on board by your cabin key, which you use when you exit the ship and when you return to the ship. We "assumed" that the ladies made it on board, because we heard nothing more after departure.

Well, apparently not. A guy from South Carolina told me that his grandkids saw two women running down the pier as the ship had pulled away. They MISSED THE SHIP!! What happened after that I don't know, but they were left behind. Cruise ships are on very exact schedules. In fact after we depart today, the Norwegian Bliss will be pulling in behind us, so we need to leave ON TIME in order for them to return to port.

OK, end of story, if you miss the boat, don't say that I didn't warn you.

While at the dock, I had an opportunity to take a panoramic picture of our ship.

I also had an opportunity to take a better picture of the Mt. Roberts tram destination:


So, armed with that information ()about the ship leaving without two ladies), our lunch was supposed to start at 11AM, and the ship was departing at 1:30PM. The buffet was held at an independent site, the Gold Creek Salmon buffet, about a 15 minute drive from the Norwegian's dock.

From the NCL website:
"A short, narrated bus ride brings you to Salmon Creek, the outdoor site for your salmon bake. Listen to live Alaska folk music while you dine under translucent, heated domes shielding you from the elements. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast. Savor Alaskan caught wild salmon barbecued over an open alder wood fire accompanied by chicken, potatoes, baked beans, wild-rice pilaf, a variety of salads, cornbread, lemonade, coffee, tea, hot apple cider, hot chocolate as well as blueberry cake for dessert. Beer, wine and soda are available for purchase.

Stroll through the woods and roast marshmallows over the campfire . Take a short walk along Salmon Creek, a salmon spawning steam, to a breathtaking waterfall. Here you can also explore the remains of the historic Wagner Mine and try your hand at gold panning. Stop by the Trading Post to browse and shop for Alaskan items."

It was all that and more. Nestled in a scenic wooded area, a buffet was set up. First there was a station where New England (white) clam chowder was served.
Then, the buffet. 2 lines, each with coleslaw

salad

Olives and gherkins, and pickled beets

cornbread

baked beans

rice pilaf

potatoes au gratin

chicken wings

And then, the salmon. These are the chefs the head chef is the lady in the back

and this is my seconds of salmon, topped with a glaze that is sold in the gift shop


Everything was delicious. the salmon had flavors that were definitely characteristic of "wild caught" vs. farm raised.
My son wanted to roast a marshmallow

He wanted you all to have a close up view

A last view of Gold Creek before we went back to the ship

We got back to the ship in plenty of time, and it was a madhouse. I stopped at the 6th floor bar for a drink, and when I realized that I was NEVER going to get an elevator to the 9th floor, I hoofed it up the stairs and back to the room.

Would I do it (the salmon bake) again? - YES if you like salmon, definitely go for it.
What would I change? I wouldn't take the last session of the day before departure. The 10:20 seating would have allowed more time to eat a leisurely meal.

So, the ship has departed (to make room for the Norweigan Bliss), but we have been sitting in the harbor for 30 minutes.

Things I gotta do today . . .

Go to the Galaxy Arcade and turn in my tickets for a Pokemon Go starter kit
Pick up today's charms. Paw, Shell, and turtle
Go outside when we pass the Holkam Bay Glacier Fjords. I told my son we have to go outside to at least take a look, especially since the weather is so nice. It's almost 80 degrees today . . . .

OK, see you after dinner. I am going to dress up (put on long pants and a collared shirt) and we're planning to eat at The Manhattan Room for dinner.

 

OH, and if I didn't mention it before. BRING A DECK (OR TWO) OF PLAYING CARDS IF YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT PLAYING CARDS.

They are not sold on the ship (as far as I was told) and are not available from the casino.