What fun! Happy birthday, big girl! I too, have done Seattle to Alaska on the big ship (NCL Encore, Oct 2022) and small ship (NCL Sun, Oct 2023), so it’s been fun watching you do the same. Both times I went solo. I figure I’m in a position to reflect on pros/cons of both experiences. 2022 - Encore. Cabin: solo studio, just a few paces from the solo lounge Better: Entertainment, outdoor space (since I had no balcony, I bundled up and sat daily for hours in a comfy chair on The Waterfront, reading, meeting people, gazing at the sea/scenery), I liked the expanse of food options (The Local, snacks at the observation lounge and big buffet were great to grab something quickly). I also took advantage of Ladies night at the thermal spa a few times…$39 for four hours of access was SO worth it. I adored the observation lounge at all hours. Liked the complimentary coffee machine in the solo lounge (same as in the buffet except free). Less: the short port times, crowds to get on/off. Other than coffee, I really didn't find the solo lounge charming. There was extreme engine noise/vibration when the ship was in motion; never saw anyone else hang out there, ever. 2023 - Sun Better. My interior cabin was SO much bigger than the solo studio; even the bathroom was better (although I learned not to open my eyes if I was turned around; the curved wall gave me MRI flashbacks!). Loved the longer port times and I liked how at the cut-down Starbucks/bar in the morning you could nab complimentary pastries and muffins (unlike the bigger ships where Starbucks is Starbucks so pastries cost extra). Biggest plus: My 10-day cruise was a STEAL. Cruise, tips, insurance (but declined the drink package) for one - $650. Insane. Encore (with drink package) was about 3x that much for a shorter cruise. I also liked that there were more elevators-per-person and no long waits. I got a real kick out of the old-school production shows but there were only two on the ten-day cruise. Also (and this was pure luck, not NCL) the weather (and this was the last Alaska cruise…for any line….of ’23) was FLAWLESS. Not a drop of rain and the crew said it was the prettiest Glacier Bay run of the whole season. Less: missed a 24 hour grill or just grabbing a small snack meal from the Obs Lounge (never saw food there), No real comfy outdoor spaces like the waterfront. Wished for a bigger buffet. Wished for more entertainment; just three theater shows over ten nights. Other nights they just showed the same older films that could be viewed in the cabins. Upon reflection, if I did a cruise like this again I would choose…..the Encore or Bliss or perhaps even try The Jewel (which is doing some Seattle runs in Oct ’24 and beyond). Because the on-boat experience was more exciting and I’ve been to the ports a few times now. For me the biggest tipping point in this call is the Waterfront and its seating since with both cruises I had no outdoor space with my cabin. If I had a balcony cabin, I might go with the Sun again.
Thanks so much for sharing. We must have been on the Sun right before you! We will probably be doing a comparison between large and small ships as well but have never been a solo traveler so we appreciate you POV. Hope you enjoy the series. Have a great weekend! Emma & Jack
Thanks for the comparison. Nice to know what you enjoyed about each. I’m sailing out of Vancouver in July on the Jewel. This is my first NCL cruise. Can you tell me, what is the thermal spa? Is it a sauna? 🤷🏼♀️
@@sharoncollins7722the thermal spa includes the sauna, spa hot tubs, heat stone loungers and some other relaxing rooms/activities to experience. It is all housed in the Spa area and only people with thermal passes get access to it.
We went in late September last year. It was a great trip if you want to see most of the ports in a single trip. Ship was older but for Alaska where the focus is everything around you it works out.
Also thank yal for becoming members to our channel. Yal didn’t need to do that. You have already helped us out so much and continue to. Who would have thought a year ago as we were starting our channel we would end up be friends with the world famous Briggs! Emma & Jack
Thank you so much. This was in late September. We don’t really get seasick; however, it was relatively smooth vs what we have experienced before. But with Alaska it is always hit and miss with the seas. Emma & Jack
Honestly one of the best times to go with a kiddo as a lot of the excursions are free. We will have a video out this weekend around what to pack and included some things we always bring for our daughter and then we have a family friendly excursion video coming out in a week. Both of those will help you out. And if you have any questions after then just let us know. Emma & Jack
Ok. We always appreciate feedback but not really sure how to address this. Our entire channel is about not having to plan every detail and enjoying some of the chaos and changes that come with that.
@@lindsayslivealittle I wouldn't address a rude comment at all. You are very well organized for a family with a young child and keep doing exactly what you are doing.
What fun! Happy birthday, big girl!
I too, have done Seattle to Alaska on the big ship (NCL Encore, Oct 2022) and small ship (NCL Sun, Oct 2023), so it’s been fun watching you do the same.
Both times I went solo. I figure I’m in a position to reflect on pros/cons of both experiences.
2022 - Encore.
Cabin: solo studio, just a few paces from the solo lounge
Better: Entertainment, outdoor space (since I had no balcony, I bundled up and sat daily for hours in a comfy chair on The Waterfront, reading, meeting people, gazing at the sea/scenery), I liked the expanse of food options (The Local, snacks at the observation lounge and big buffet were great to grab something quickly). I also took advantage of Ladies night at the thermal spa a few times…$39 for four hours of access was SO worth it. I adored the observation lounge at all hours. Liked the complimentary coffee machine in the solo lounge (same as in the buffet except free).
Less: the short port times, crowds to get on/off. Other than coffee, I really didn't find the solo lounge charming. There was extreme engine noise/vibration when the ship was in motion; never saw anyone else hang out there, ever.
2023 - Sun
Better. My interior cabin was SO much bigger than the solo studio; even the bathroom was better (although I learned not to open my eyes if I was turned around; the curved wall gave me MRI flashbacks!). Loved the longer port times and I liked how at the cut-down Starbucks/bar in the morning you could nab complimentary pastries and muffins (unlike the bigger ships where Starbucks is Starbucks so pastries cost extra). Biggest plus: My 10-day cruise was a STEAL. Cruise, tips, insurance (but declined the drink package) for one - $650. Insane. Encore (with drink package) was about 3x that much for a shorter cruise. I also liked that there were more elevators-per-person and no long waits. I got a real kick out of the old-school production shows but there were only two on the ten-day cruise. Also (and this was pure luck, not NCL) the weather (and this was the last Alaska cruise…for any line….of ’23) was FLAWLESS. Not a drop of rain and the crew said it was the prettiest Glacier Bay run of the whole season.
Less: missed a 24 hour grill or just grabbing a small snack meal from the Obs Lounge (never saw food there), No real comfy outdoor spaces like the waterfront. Wished for a bigger buffet. Wished for more entertainment; just three theater shows over ten nights. Other nights they just showed the same older films that could be viewed in the cabins.
Upon reflection, if I did a cruise like this again I would choose…..the Encore or Bliss or perhaps even try The Jewel (which is doing some Seattle runs in Oct ’24 and beyond). Because the on-boat experience was more exciting and I’ve been to the ports a few times now. For me the biggest tipping point in this call is the Waterfront and its seating since with both cruises I had no outdoor space with my cabin. If I had a balcony cabin, I might go with the Sun again.
Thanks so much for sharing. We must have been on the Sun right before you!
We will probably be doing a comparison between large and small ships as well but have never been a solo traveler so we appreciate you POV.
Hope you enjoy the series.
Have a great weekend!
Emma & Jack
Thanks for the comparison. Nice to know what you enjoyed about each. I’m sailing out of Vancouver in July on the Jewel. This is my first NCL cruise.
Can you tell me, what is the thermal spa? Is it a sauna? 🤷🏼♀️
@@sharoncollins7722the thermal spa includes the sauna, spa hot tubs, heat stone loungers and some other relaxing rooms/activities to experience. It is all housed in the Spa area and only people with thermal passes get access to it.
Happy Birthday Poppy🎈🍭🧁🎈🧸🎉
She had an amazing time and was spoiled by everyone!
Emma & Jack
Taking our almost 2 year old to Alaska with us first week of September. Celebrating his 2nd birthday, which is the day after we get back
We hope you have an amazing time! We are heading back to Alaska around the same time on the Celebrity Edge.
Poppy is adorable! Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much! Thanks for watching!
Happy Birthday Poppy, 3 is so fun you guys!
She had such a fun time and it really turned into birthday week!
When did you guys do this one? We did a 7 days on the Sun 2 years ago. We both got COVID
We went in late September last year. It was a great trip if you want to see most of the ports in a single trip. Ship was older but for Alaska where the focus is everything around you it works out.
Also thank yal for becoming members to our channel. Yal didn’t need to do that. You have already helped us out so much and continue to.
Who would have thought a year ago as we were starting our channel we would end up be friends with the world famous Briggs!
Emma & Jack
@@lindsayslivealittle LOL world famous.
beautiful family & nice video. what month was it ? was seasick OK ?
Thank you so much. This was in late September. We don’t really get seasick; however, it was relatively smooth vs what we have experienced before. But with Alaska it is always hit and miss with the seas.
Emma & Jack
You guys are so cute!!!
Thank you so much. And thank you so much for becoming a member! You all do too much for us and we really appreciate it!
Emma & Jack
We are planning a 2025 Alaska cruise with a 2.5 year old. Any tips for doing Alaska with a toddler?
Honestly one of the best times to go with a kiddo as a lot of the excursions are free. We will have a video out this weekend around what to pack and included some things we always bring for our daughter and then we have a family friendly excursion video coming out in a week.
Both of those will help you out. And if you have any questions after then just let us know.
Emma & Jack
@@lindsayslivealittle perfect, thanks so much!
-your fellow Coloradan
Really amazes me how unorganized your family always is. Just I can’t deal with watching it
Ok. We always appreciate feedback but not really sure how to address this.
Our entire channel is about not having to plan every detail and enjoying some of the chaos and changes that come with that.
@@lindsayslivealittle I wouldn't address a rude comment at all. You are very well organized for a family with a young child and keep doing exactly what you are doing.
@@Americanalldaythank you much!