Thread: Taking Grandma to Alaska in May...

Hi everyone!

I'm Debbi--I'm new to this site, and have never been on a cruise beforeso that makes me a full-fledged newbie.

I decided last year to take my 75 y/o Grandma on a cruise to Alaska. She's been on a cruise before, but never to Alaska, so I thought, why not? I hadn't been there, either. We are booked on deck 11 of the Norwegian Star, as I've heard, and read, that one can't do Alaska without a balcany. I decided on NCL because of the free-style dining. I'm a very laid back, casual kinda gal, so I wasn't thrilled with the dressing-up-for dinner thing. Jeans and flip flops? Now that I can ~totally~ do!

I must admit, there are a number of NCL naysayers out there. I've read every review I can find, stellar or not, and must admit to being nervous. I want Grandma and I to have a good time...not to be stressing out about making reservations--or, worst yet, having our reservations stolen! This leads me to ask: Has anyone sailed on the Star before? I see a lot of reviews for the Pearl, so I'm curious to see how the Star fares. I'd be appreciative, too, of any insight for a first time cruiser! It's getting closer!

Welcome to CLF!! Wow wonderful to take Gram!! Where you are a first timer this is my advise!! Every cruise line have cruisers that love and hate it!! you will never know what you prefer till you cruise!! My feeling is there is no BAD cruise, you don't have to cook, clean, make beds, and you get pampered for a week!! It is a floating hotel that takes you to your destination!! You already made a great decision wanting a casual cruise, that is what NCL specializes in!! We have an NCL guide that knows everything about Norweigen and he will be happy to give you all the info you need!! Glad you found us!!

Welcome to CLF!!

You are going to like it here.

Akaska -- beautiful!! Have been there several times.

Hi Debbi, we took my Mom (73) on a carribean cruise on the NCL Spirit 3 years ago. She's been almost everywhere on cruises, but this was her first with the grandkids, and she loved it.
Same thing, lots of negatives, we started to get really worried.
Here's what I decided. We got a great price on our cruise, we were going on a trip with Grandma, and like Sue said, I wouldn't have to cook or clean or do anything I didn't want to do for a whole week. If everything wasn't exactly perfect, that was ok.
Even in the best five star hotels, if you look for things to complain about, you'll find them. I don't think you and Grandma will have a lot of trouble with freestyle. It seems like the people who complain the most are usually traveling in large groups, which are difficult to accomodate. We never waited more than 15 minutes for a table in the main dining rooms, and had no problems in the specialty dining at all.
Was every single thing fabulous? no, but it was pretty darn good.
My Mom can't come with us on our next NCL trip in March, her health has declined, but when i told her we were going on NCL again, she said "oh, that was the best". Now she's been on some really really nice (more expensive, more amenities, better food) cruises, but I think it was the best for her because we were together.
All that being said, someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in on how old the Star is? I haven't read many reviews on it because we aren't cruising on that ship. Is the Pearl doing the same itinerary? It's a very new ship, I know. You are far enough away that you can cancel and rebook,can't you?
Whatever you decide to do, you and Grandma will have a great time.

Welcome! Pull up a chair and stay a while!

My first time to Alaska was with my Granparents (who were 80 at the time) on the Dawn Princess. They had a good time.

Our first cruise was on the NCL Sky (now Pride of Aloha) and it set the tone for all future cruises. We love everything about it and wouldn't hesitate to go NCL again...at least on their regular ships. NCLA has had miriad problems.

Hi Debbi,

As Sue said I am the local NCL guide. Of my 25 cruises 19 of them have been aboard NCL ships. Let's get together over on the NCL board and I will try to answer all of your questions. I find getting your questions answered truthfully is the best way to alleviate your fears about something new.

Oh, and by the way Welcome Aboard.

PE

Welcome to CLF, I'm so glad you found us. You and your grandma are going to have a wonderful time. In Oct I was on a cruise with my two little grandsons and it was one of the best I've ever been on. We had a blast. Don't worry about what you hear or read, no matter what,any vacation is what YOU make of it. I can have fun anywhere


BTW Care to take another grandma with you?