Thread: Specialty dining on the night leaving Glacier Bay

Hi all, I am going to change my mind about specialty dining and am thinking about the possibility of booking one such occasion during the evening our cruiseship leaves Glacier Bay. The ship is scheduled to leave GB at 4 pm. We have an aft suite so I still want to be able to enjoy the views leaving GB prior to dinner.

I am wondering, can anyone with experience (or maybe no experience, just an opinion) give me some insight as to what time might be best for this evening so that we don't miss viewing opportunities leaving GB? Thanks for any insight.

HAL pretty much keeps to the printed schedule in Glacier Bay so if it was me, I would plan on dinner around 7 - 7:30PM. That should give you plenty of viewing time and give you time to freshen up for dinner. You will be going out the same way you came in. Sitting on the aft is awesome!

There have been rare instances where the time allotted to a ship may be changed. Doesn't happen very often since only a few are allowed into Glacier Bay.

If you're northbound from Glacier Bay I'd hold off on dinner until 8 - the scenery for almost 4 hours is fabulous, as is the whale watching (often) for about an hour after leaving GB. Southbound the scenery is of course good but not different enough to delay dinner for. Experiencing the specialty restaurants, though, is highly recommended - we got engaged and celebrated my 60th birtrhday in Pinnacle Grills on the Amsterdam and Noordam respectively

Thanks for the advice, Explore North! Much appreciated

On ething on HAL ships that I have noticed when Glacier Bay -- they tend to pick up speed a little -- thus it doesn't take as long to leave Glacier Bay as it does arriving.

You will be heading Southbound after you leave Glacier Bay -- going to Ketchikan.

Being as you will be in Ketchikan until 6 PM -- there is a strong possibility that you will have a formal night the evening of Glacier Bay.

Thanks for the tips, Yonnie. I am soooo glad we took a portside cabin for this cruise. I know that many say that the views are far more breathtaking up on deck, but we really are looking forward to enjoying the views from that suite.

Formal night, hm, thanks for that tip. Think it would be bad of me to wear the same dress for both nights?

Originally Posted by SailKeyWest

Thanks for the tips, Yonnie. I am soooo glad we took a portside cabin for this cruise. I know that many say that the views are far more breathtaking up on deck, but we really are looking forward to enjoying the views from that suite.

Formal night, hm, thanks for that tip. Think it would be bad of me to wear the same dress for both nights?

I usually only take 1 formal outfit...once in awhile I take 2, but I have no shame! Who remembers what you wore anyway? If it's a really striking outfit you'll want to be seen in it twice.

Luggage limitations are making us think twice about what we pack when we fly. For Alaska your clothes are going to be heavier and bulkier (pants and jackets take up more room than shorts and bathing suits), so make them do double duty and layer a lot.

Thank you for the packing suggestions, Char. I hadn't really planned on bringing a bathing suit, I guess that I should just in case we go to the spa or something?

We are flying first class (for the first time, yay!), and the Delta site says that we can bring more luggage than usual, but I don't want to have to pack my closet to go on vacation. I was thinking about getting a few fleece pieces and some sweaters. So far my packing list looks more like a first aid kit/home repair toolbox

Originally Posted by SailKeyWest

Thank you for the packing suggestions, Char. I hadn't really planned on bringing a bathing suit, I guess that I should just in case we go to the spa or something?

We are flying first class (for the first time, yay!), and the Delta site says that we can bring more luggage than usual, but I don't want to have to pack my closet to go on vacation. I was thinking about getting a few fleece pieces and some sweaters. So far my packing list looks more like a first aid kit/home repair toolbox

Isn't it nice that Delta let's you check 3 70 pound bags if you are riding up front! I still only pack 2 that are less than 50 pounds because we don't take anything that we can't handle ourselves. (the older we get the less we can handle )

Yes--a bathing suite would be advisable. I haven't taken one to Alaska, but if I planned to use the spa area I certainly would.

I was going to recommend not booking your dinner in the Pinnacle until you get on board, since formal nights are sometimes determined at the last minute, based on last minute changes from the various ports.

As for formals, I have been taking a long black skirt and different dressy tops. Separates are easier to pack than dresses, and this way I have more choices of what to wear. For your first formal, you will get a corsage since you are in a suite, and if you have a couple of tops to choose from, you can pick the one that matches the flower the best. But if you have one gown that makes your feel wonderful, take that and wear it as often as you want!