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I planned this cruise back in September 2019 but had to make the decision to not go, then 2020 and all that went down with it delayed this adventure.
On our last camping trip it was decided we would go on another big camping trip in 2026 and I stated I want to go overseas before then or any other trip that was more than a weekend. So the planning began in July/August 2023 and was looking at going to Turkey going with the same tour group I booked my Egypt trip with, but another hurdle hit in October and I would not take the risk going there. So where and when was thought about and decided my birthday was a good time and the cruise I wanted to do before was going in the reverse direction. With arriving in Seward, the natural progression to travel down Alaska seemed a natural progression. So the planning began for two cruises back to back.... Working out cost for me as a solo traveler and also with Nathan was fun. Nathan is going on his first cruise and we are going off on an amazing holiday/cruise. Our leave has been booked and the cruises have been booked, inside cabin for the first leg then Club Balcony cabin for the Alaskan leg. Think about going from a space of no more than 12-25 square meter and no windows with basically a bed and ensuite to 25-26 m2 with a bed, couch, ensuite and balcony that is 5m2. Still to book flights to Tokyo, a night in Tokyo, flights from Vancouver and Shore excursions... |
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27th Dec
Cruise fully paid, one thing completed, still have flights to Tokyo and flights from Vancouver to work out and accommodation for the night at Tokyo. My passport is up to date but well.... someone else needs to update theirs. Flight decisions are interesting, part of the planning of the cruise was when to fly there, depending on who I fly with one company has departure and landing same day others are next day. When asked what day are we flying out? and I give either the 8th or 9th not sure, it gets confusing. |
4th Jan
Flight to Tokyo booked and one night in Tokyo booked, have used Qantas frequent flyer points for the accommodation, one expense we don't have to worry about, now to organise flights home and one night in Vancouver, will use frequent flyer points for that one too.
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10th Jan
Cruise cabin for the Alaskan leg allocated, not sure about the room. We were initially assigned 11110, this cabin had an adjoining room, was under the buffet and was on the Starboard side,
I contact NCL agent to see what I could do about getting the room changed to port side, I really wanted a port side balcony, the port side is facing land when sailing down to Vancouver, because I had booked a guarantee cabin I could not select a specific cabin, the only option was to change the room back to a guarantee cabin and roll the dice.
Well they rolled on to cabin 11612, this gave us port side, which I wanted it still had an adjoining room and now under the kitchen,
OMG I hope we are not under the dishwashers and I do hope our neighbors do not have babies or are trying to make babies. Might need to pack ear plugs just in case. Picture of both locations.
19th Jan
We have been allocated cabin 9505, port side interior cabin, Can't go any further forward as an interior cabin, I have placed a bid for an upgrade to either balcony or club balcony, won't find out until possible a couple of days before boarding (fingers crossed). I expect rough seas on the 4 sea days crossing the Pacific/Berring Sea so might have to request a bucket or take some of those special hospital bags.
25th Jan
Last of the flights booked.... Yee haaaa. Vancouver to Perth with a stop over in Hong Kong. Have been told about maple crème cookies from Canada, the team at work, would like me to buy a suitcase full.
All overtime shifts now go to excursions and supporting the local communities.
I have worked out what I want to do in Tokyo, I also have a "If not too tired" The Shibuya Scramble is the first on the list with both the crossing and the 3D Akita on the billboards and Tokyo SkyTree is last for dinner and a view of the sunsetting.
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16th Feb
52 days till we fly out. Received an email a few days ago advising the itinerary has changed, in my opinion for the better. We have one additional port Kushiro in Japan and one less in Alaska. The port in Alaska had no excursions and there will be excursions released in about a week from now for Kushiro. We have been busy with port excursions, researching and working out what we want to do. There was a selection of fishing excursions Nathan could do, his preference was to go for the King Salmon, however wrong time of year (too early in the season) so Halibut fishing in Ketchikan it is, and I will go snorkeling while he is fishing, might be a bit chilly but wet suits are provided. We are booked for a Spring Wildlife Cruise in Seward and in Juneau we will be Kayaking on Lake Mendenhall. Ports yet to book in are Kushiro and Skagway, both Hakodate and Icy Strait will be just us wandering. |
27th Feb
41 days till we fly out.
Thermals and wet weather gear mostly purchased. Hopefully we will be warm enough, try buying clothing for freezing temperatures when we have been going through 38 to 40 Celsius days. White Pass Scenic Railway has been booked. It looks like we will have to go onshore via tender due to landslides that happened a while ago. The new landing/dock was being brought up via sea and was broken into 3 pieces. 2nd March
37 days till we fly out. Now to plan Vancouver tours. Have to do "Vancouver Lost Souls of Gastown Walking Tour" this one is done in the evening. Whistler is a must and so is getting on a suspension bridge with the tour also taking us to an animal refuge, if we don't see bears on the cruise we will see them here. |
30th March
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9 days till we fly out.
How the time has passed, I have lost count of the OT shifts done to get this far.... Check in for leg 1 completed and have our boarding passes, we managed to check in early enough to get the first boarding times. 2nd leg check in is in 2 days, but will do that on the ship. Had a few panic moments over the last few weeks, all of which are medical, all the way down to not realising that I would need a letter from my specialist for tablets I sometimes take, apparently it get classed as importing when you bring them into Japan. I have pulled out my hoard of things suggested to take for the cruise and have already identified what I will not take. I am second guessing taking my "Oodie" which I want for while we are sitting on our balcony watching glaciers as we cruise on by, the weather forecasts think it will be worth the space. |
I have been watching the forecasted weather where we are going, one case of frost bite coming up.
Tokyo Min 10 - Max 18 Sendai Min 6 - Max 15 Hakodate Min 2 - Max 11 Aomori Min 3 - Max 13 Kushiro Min 2 - Max 10 Unalaska Min 1 - Max 4 (Dutch Harbor) Kodiak Min 0 - Max 4 Seward Min -2 - Max 6 Icy Strait Min 0 - Max 8 Juneau Min 2 - Max 8 Skagway Min -1 - Max 9 White Pass Min -4 - Max 3 Ketchikan Min 3 - Max 10 Vancouver Min 9 - Max 17 Possible snow at a few locations I am Snorkeling at Ketchikan Nathan is fishing at Ketchikan |
12 Days. 8 Ports. 1 Amazing Holiday
Get a little wild on Norwegian Jewel as you cruise from Japan to The Last Frontier. Embark in Tokyo and experience four ports in Japan before making your way to Alaska for Dutch Harbor and Kodiak.
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Once a sleepy fishing village, Yokohama is now one of Japan's largest ports and your gateway to Tokyo. Ancient traditions and historic sites blend into modern culture, crafting a city unlike anywhere else. In Tokyo, you can walk among both neon-glowing skyscrapers and regal temples. Browse stores showcasing the latest advances in technology or retreat to one of the tranquil gardens surrounding the Imperial Palace. Savour traditional cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and witness the centuries-old sport of sumo wrestling. This cosmopolitan hub offers a vast selection of attractions and activities and a wealth of culturally and historic sites. Whether this is your first or fifth visit to the city, Tokyo will captivate your imagination.
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Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Sendai is nicknamed the "City of Trees," which is easy to see why as you explore this vibrant city. Historic sites and museums dot the cityscape, allowing a glimpse into the region's storied past. From delicious street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, Sendai offers numerous ways to savour local cuisine as you browse boutique shops. Or journey outside the city to dormant volcanoes, rolling hills and relaxing hot springs to soak in the surrounding natural beauty.
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The best view of Hakodate is seen from high atop its namesake mountain. Ride the gondola to the observation deck and gaze down at the spectacular vista below. Immerse yourself in history within the star-shaped walls of Fort Goryokaku and explore the site of famous battles that transformed Japan. Work up an appetite strolling along the city's sloping streets and enjoy a mouth-watering seafood rice bowl (kaisen-don) from the Hakodate Morning Market.
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In Aomori, immerse yourself in history as you visit fascinating archaeological sites, ancient villages and cultural museums. Come hungry for culinary delights and create your own donburi from the fresh, local seafood sold at Furukawa Fish Market. Or discover one of the city's many apple groves and taste green and red apples and homemade jams and juice.
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Located on Amaknak Island, Dutch Harbour's history is as dramatic as its landscape. From ancient Aleut communities to the development of a thriving fishing industry and bombings during World War II, you can dive into the island's past at one of the local museums. Explore the bay on a boat or kayak tour where you may see bald eagles, whales, sea lions, otters and more. Or journey into the surrounding mountains on an exhilarating hike where you will be rewarded with breathtaking vistas.
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Kodiak is located on the eastern coast of Kodiak Island - the second largest island in the United States. Guests will quickly see why this location is referred to as Emerald Isle with large swaths of untouched, pristine forests and meadows blanketing the mountainous landscape. More than 200 species of bird call Kodiak Island home, as well as the famous Kodiak bears, mountain goats, elk and more. The surrounding waters are as rich in wildlife as on land with halibut, salmon, harbour seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales and others traversing its icy waters. Whether you prefer to tour by land or by water, spectacular vistas and abundant wildlife await your discovery.
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Best known for its beautiful parks and mountain scenery, Seward, Alaska is not to be missed. There is nearly an endless variety of outdoor activities to enjoy in Seward, from mountain biking and climbing, to rafting, sea kayaking, and dog-sledding, and even skiing, fishing or white water rafting. Explore scenic hiking trails or have a picnic among the pristine landscape. There's no shortage of enjoyable pastimes in Alaska's City of Seward.
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7 Days. 6 Ports. 1 Amazing Holiday
Discover Alaska on this 7-day cruise aboard Norwegian Jewel. Depart Seward for some of Alaska's most scenic destinations. Watch for humpback whales, porpoise and sea lions in the waters surrounding Icy Strait Point. Enjoy a traditional salmon bake in Juneau. Experience the thrill of dog sledding in Skagway. Learn about Alaska's rich logging history by watching a lumberjack show. Then cruise the Inside Passage to arrive in Vancouver.
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Best known for its beautiful parks and mountain scenery, Seward, Alaska is not to be missed. There is nearly an endless variety of outdoor activities to enjoy in Seward, from mountain biking and climbing, to rafting, sea kayaking, and dog-sledding, and even skiing, fishing or white water rafting. Explore scenic hiking trails or have a picnic among the pristine landscape. There's no shortage of enjoyable pastimes in Alaska's City of Seward.
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The Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Its awe-inspiring, turquoise-coloured face towers nearly 400 feet tall - 250 feet of which are underwater - while its icebergs are often three or four stories high. At nearly six miles wide where the ice meets the ocean and 76 miles long, viewing this massive glacial mass is an experience not soon forgotten. As you cruise near the glacier, keep an eye out for the region's rich variety of wildlife, from bald eagles to harbour seals, orcas and humpback whales.
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Venture “where the north wind doesn’t blow.” Known for this famous saying, Icy Strait Point is the ideal landing spot for adventurers seeking a new experience. Breathtaking and exciting, Icy Strait Point truly takes you where the wild things are. It’s one of the few places in the world where wildlife outnumbers the human population. A trip here certainly satisfies your taste for adventure. Take a cruise from Icy Strait Point and enjoy Alaska's awe-inspiring scenery and the many excursion options that Norwegian Cruise Line has to offer.
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Juneau has been called “Alaska's peak experience,” certainly due in part to its unparalleled glacier viewing from such places as Tracy Arm Fjord, the Juneau Icefields and Glacier Bay National Park. Kayak up one of the area's many protected waterways, go flightseeing, tour historic downtown or try your hand at panning for gold. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier lies nearly 12 miles outside Juneau, a treck worthwhile.
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In a single year from 1896 to 1897, this remote town along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. Today, travellers come in search of other riches - to experience yesteryear along Skagway's charming boardwalk lined with buildings that replicate those Gold Rush days.
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Its Tlingit Indian name, Kach Khanna, means "spread wings of the eagle." Chances are you'll see one of these magnificent birds perched atop a Sitka tree. Thanks to its abundant rainfall, Ketchikan is surrounded by some of the world's most lush wilderness.
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Vancouver, British Columbia
Positioned between the snow-dusted North Shore Mountains and the rich, blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver blends big-city sophistication with small-town charm. Don't miss Queen Elizabeth Park - a 130-acre civic arboretum accented with sculptures by modern artist Henry Moore.
Positioned between the snow-dusted North Shore Mountains and the rich, blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver blends big-city sophistication with small-town charm. Don't miss Queen Elizabeth Park - a 130-acre civic arboretum accented with sculptures by modern artist Henry Moore.