The Alaskan Jewel! Welcome Aboard….You don’t Exist!

Not the best boarding experience, but always feels better once on the ship. However I sense the troubles are not over :sad2:

Pretty neat how close you got to the ship on your morning stroll, nice to have a peaceful walk/hike :rolleyes: to get your day started.
 
Oh. My. Gosh... this is not going well at all. Crossing my fingers that concierge DOES fix it...
 
Well now the title of your TR makes sense. How strange. I have a feeling like we have not heard the end of this
 
Jen, I always say how fab your pics are, but I think this was one of the best sets ever! I LOVE the Chilulily exhibit! Those sculptures are amazing! Have you ever seen the ceiling in the Bellagio at Vegas? Another masterpiece!

I especially loved the ones you got with the Space Needle in it! It's a shame you didn't go up there. We did the CN tower in Toronto a few years ago. THey had a glass floor in one section, it made me nauseous to look down it, but DS was jumping up and down on it, laying down, etc… I also had to close my eyes on the elevator.

I sure hope the rest of the trip is smoother than your check in! How scary to be told you don't exist!
 


Goodness, I hope everything works out better for you. The dog looked like a Samoyd. Not sure if that is spelled right, but I used to have one. Very friendly dogs. They are sometimes used as sled dogs.
 
Wow, Jen! I haven't posted since you started and I kept putting off my responses until now. First of all, loving your TR so far! Your photos are beautiful. This is going to be quite a bit of responses so here we go!

1) I LOVE Cheesecake Factory. DH and I used to go a lot, but honestly we don't go anymore. We should go in the near future. I really miss their cheesecakes. So yummy! I love that each of you got your individual desserts. I know I wouldn't want to share! HA, HA, HA!!!

2) Visiting Seattle would be very cool someday. I would love to visit Pike Place ? (the public market at the waterfront). The waterfront pictures are so beautiful. I would get a kick out seeing the flying fish at the market!

3) The Chihuly Museum was AMAZING! I didn't know there was a museum, let alone so much artwork! That was so great to see! We've been on Disney Wonder and I love the chandelier there. However, our firsthand experience is at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. I don't know if you're aware, but they have a spectacular and enormous ceiling artwork of glass.

4) I love that Claire was adventurous enough to trek along with you!

5) When you couldn't sleep the morning of your cruise and you going down to the port: I would TOTALLY do that as well! What a great sneak peek of what's to come. My dream is to one day have an aft balcony stateroom. We have never had a balcony and what a way to go. Is it noisy when leaving and entering port?

6) I finally figured out how you came up with your TR name. That is my biggest nightmare! All the planning, you paying a premium for a suite, paying for the beverages, etc. and, what? They can't find you? They supposedly fixed it, yet they still can't get it right?

I'm in suspense now! I need to know what happens next!!! Last year we had a staycation at the Grand Californian in a DVC villa. I booked activities as well as cabañas at our hotel as well as at Disneyland Hotel. When I checked in, they couldn't find one of the cabana reservations. I waited in fear and anticipation. Luckily I kept ALL my confirmation numbers and showed it to the CM. The CM went to the back for several minutes then all was well after that. WHEW!!!

Can't wait to read more! Amy
 
Last edited:
I am late to the party but am now enjoying all your great photos and details! Like others, I sense your troubles aren't over yet but am intrigued to find out what else happened! By the way, yes, popcorn place at Chicago midway is nuts on Clark and the Carmel and cheese mix is the Chicago mix. I lived in Chicago for years and am married to a Chicagoan. He loves that mix but I always pick out the cheese pieces! We are going on our first cruise next summer, destination Alaska and I am biding my time reading trip reports, so thank you for helping my wait be more pleasant!
 


AquaDame said:
Oh. My. Gosh... this is not going well at all. Crossing my fingers that concierge DOES fix it...
Click to expand...


Yeah.....um yeah!

DisDance said:
Well now the title of your TR makes sense. How strange. I have a feeling like we have not heard the end of this
Click to expand...

LOL! It was not a good start!

Beth D said:
Jen, I always say how fab your pics are, but I think this was one of the best sets ever! I LOVE the Chilulily exhibit! Those sculptures are amazing! Have you ever seen the ceiling in the Bellagio at Vegas? Another masterpiece!

I especially loved the ones you got with the Space Needle in it! It's a shame you didn't go up there. We did the CN tower in Toronto a few years ago. THey had a glass floor in one section, it made me nauseous to look down it, but DS was jumping up and down on it, laying down, etc… I also had to close my eyes on the elevator.

I sure hope the rest of the trip is smoother than your check in! How scary to be told you don't exist!
Click to expand...

I have never been to Vegas, but I have heard of it. I probably have googled it at one time....I should again.
Maybe if we go back we can make time for the needle....or I can bribe Claire to go up!
I have been in the one in Toronto...I think I had just graduated from high school when I went there.

Angelrose said:
Goodness, I hope everything works out better for you. The dog looked like a Samoyd. Not sure if that is spelled right, but I used to have one. Very friendly dogs. They are sometimes used as sled dogs.
Click to expand...

That dog was so pretty!
 
pepe3penelope said:
Wow, Jen! I haven't posted since you started and I kept putting off my responses until now. First of all, loving your TR so far! Your photos are beautiful. This is going to be quite a bit of responses so here we go!
Click to expand...

Glad you could make it! And thanks so much!

pepe3penelope said:
1) I LOVE Cheesecake Factory. DH and I used to go a lot, but honestly we don't go anymore. We should go in the near future. I really miss their cheesecakes. So yummy! I love that each of you got your individual desserts. I know I wouldn't want to share! HA, HA, HA!!!
Click to expand...

I just love that place. It's probably a good thing there isn't one near me!

pepe3penelope said:
2) Visiting Seattle would be very cool someday. I would love to visit Pike Place ? (the public market at the waterfront). The waterfront pictures are so beautiful. I would get a kick out seeing the flying fish at the market!
Click to expand...


Yes Pike Place Market....it is really cool. I would've loved to have gotten something to eat there but there just wasn't enough time.

pepe3penelope said:
3) The Chihuly Museum was AMAZING! I didn't know there was a museum, let alone so much artwork! That was so great to see! We've been on Disney Wonder and I love the chandelier there. However, our firsthand experience is at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. I don't know if you're aware, but they have a spectacular and enormous ceiling artwork of glass.
Click to expand...

It is amazing. I did know about the on in Vegas, but I have never been to Vegas. I can see if we ever go...I would be dragging Skip there just to see it and he would be rolling his eyes.

pepe3penelope said:
4) I love that Claire was adventurous enough to trek along with you!
Click to expand...

She likes to keep busy too and never wants to miss out on anything.

pepe3penelope said:
5) When you couldn't sleep the morning of your cruise and you going down to the port: I would TOTALLY do that as well! What a great sneak peek of what's to come. My dream is to one day have an aft balcony stateroom. We have never had a balcony and what a way to go. Is it noisy when leaving and entering port?
Click to expand...

I like to explore so it was nice to see a little more of the city. I never really noticed noise. so either I am deaf or it wasn't too bad...and it could be a little of both.

pepe3penelope said:
6) I finally figured out how you came up with your TR name. That is my biggest nightmare! All the planning, you paying a premium for a suite, paying for the beverages, etc. and, what? They can't find you? They supposedly fixed it, yet they still can't get it right?
Click to expand...

I just don't get how a major cruise line could have this happen. Really...as you will see...the way they handled it was not right at all.

pepe3penelope said:
I'm in suspense now! I need to know what happens next!!! Last year we had a staycation at the Grand Californian in a DVC villa. I booked activities as well as cabañas at our hotel as well as at Disneyland Hotel. When I checked in, they couldn't find one of the cabana reservations. I waited in fear and anticipation. Luckily I kept ALL my confirmation numbers and showed it to the CM. The CM went to the back for several minutes then all was well after that. WHEW!!!
Click to expand...

I would be so mad....but Disney is pretty good about "finding" stuff when something gets lost.

Mrs Green said:
I am late to the party but am now enjoying all your great photos and details! Like others, I sense your troubles aren't over yet but am intrigued to find out what else happened! By the way, yes, popcorn place at Chicago midway is nuts on Clark and the Carmel and cheese mix is the Chicago mix. I lived in Chicago for years and am married to a Chicagoan. He loves that mix but I always pick out the cheese pieces! We are going on our first cruise next summer, destination Alaska and I am biding my time reading trip reports, so thank you for helping my wait be more pleasant!
Click to expand...

Thanks for joining in. That popcorn was pretty darn good. And good to know about the Chicago mix...who knew there was such a thing?
You will love Alaska. It really is just beautiful and stunning scenery all the time.
 
After the photos, Mr. Gnat led us to the ship. He kind of weaved in and out of people and was leaving us behind. The other family had a member in a wheel chair and I kind of felt bad for them.


port22 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port23 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

At one point he did stop and wait for everyone to catch back up.


port24 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port25 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port26 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port27 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

It really did seem odd to be getting on a ship this way…but at the same time it was kind of neat too.


port28 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


A guy was handing out cold towels and Skip asked if he should get one. I told him he could if he wanted to….but none of us did.


Mr. Gnat just kind of mumbled that we should get in one of the 2 lines to scan on the ship and he waited off to the side.


port29 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port30 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


port31 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


It should be really exciting to see this sign.


port32 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


And it was, but I admit, I was worried and fuming a bit about the whole “You don’t exist” incident.


port33 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I was really trying to let those issues go and get excited about our adventure and kept trying to reassure myself that once on the ship everything was going to be put right. But of course it was constantly nagging me and until all was put right I just couldn’t relax.


port34 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Once both families were all scanned on, Mr. Gnat led us through the doors to the atrium….where I failed to take a picture…and we were met by a butler to take us to Moderno for lunch. He whizzed us to an elevator and this is the only picture I took as we boarded.


board1 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Once up on the 13th floor we were pointed to the Moderno/Cagneys check in desk where Florentina, our Concierge person and another gal were standing.


She asked our room numbers and I told her our issue. She looked confused. And then she said, “Well, sometimes that happens when you upgrade last minute.” Once again I told her this was not a last minute upgrade. She asked when I booked and I actually said June….I think my mind was just all over the place. In reality I booked in April and upgraded in early May. Then she said…. “Most likely your travel agent made a mistake.” Nope, she didn’t. I happen to know my travel agent personally…..I look at her in the mirror every day…..and I told Florentina just that! Now she had a very worried look on her face. I knew then she wasn’t sure what to do and that made me nervous. She did say we would get this all taken care of.


She handed out packets to the other family and told us she didn’t have one for us…surprise..surprise! But one would come to our room later. We did get something later, but it was not the WHOLE packet.


After she told us her services and explained a few things we were led into Moderno for lunch.


board2 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


board3 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


A few quick pictures around the place.


board4 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


board5 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


board7 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


During this whole ordeal I had been messaging with my friends Deb and Brook…who are also co-workers. Of course they wanted a minute by minute update and so far I wasn’t able to give them much other than we made it on the ship.


Florentina came over and asked what package promos we had booked with and I told her and she asked for proof. She gave me a “I don’t believe you one bit look”. I had just about everything under the sun in my folder except my Amenities sheet….which I found on my desk when I got home.


I told her how I had been in contact with Concierge prior to the cruise and everything was in my NCL account..even just that morning when I looked. She said she needed the amenities shown so she could add them….And then she said..”you can pull them up on your phone right? You still have service?” yes I did, but it was slow and also at this point I got really annoyed. They should be contacting someone off shore to get my stuff sent…I shouldn’t have to waste my vacation time to do this. And there was never an offer of free wifi to access this or a laptop or computer.


I pulled up my stuff and Florentina said that showing her wasn’t any good, she needed it all emailed to her. Since the connection was so slow I messaged my friends and they went into the reservation and emailed EVERYTHING they could find directly to her. Skip did mention to her that if she didn’t believe us he would be happy to show her his credit card bill. LOL!


In the meantime, we ordered our lunch.


food1 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Claire and Skip got the clam chowder and I tasted it. It was pretty good.


food2 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I got the shrimp.


food3 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


shrimp by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Skip asked why we were not eating at the buffet. I told him eating here is a perk for concierge guests. We can eat here for breakfast and lunch every day. He said, he wasn’t, he was going to the buffet daily! LOL! That’s perfectly fine, but Claire and I may come here again.


We had been told by the guy on the bus that the Blue Angels were in town and were performing tomorrow, but we may see them today practicing. Right then we saw them go by and I tried for a quick shot.

blue angels by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Our main courses had arrived now.


Claire and I both got a steak. Claire is a big steak eater and she had it for most of her meals on this trip.


food4 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


They had the most wonderful truffle fries!


food5 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr

Skip got a turkey burger and after he ordered it he said “why the heck did I order that?” No clue dear!


food6 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


One thing to note, unless you actually make an effort to ask for something other than water, that’s all you are going to get. Never at one single meal did the server ask if we would like something to drink. We just automatically got water. Sometimes they would offer an alcoholic special, but that was it. We learned fast to remember to ask for what we wanted to drink.


Skip was more amused about everything than anything else…..and I guess I am glad for that. He kept saying “You and that lady are going to bump heads soon. I can see you taking her down.” At least he was in good spirits!


We ordered dessert and as we waited I ran over to Florentina (she has a little desk set up right in Moderno) and told her that one of my co-workers emailed her everything. She said that won’t work, it has to be directly from NCL. Yes, it is….she went into NCL and forwarded it all to her email. Sure enough she opened her email and had several emails with my reservation # on it. She started opening them to look it over and then the one with amenities wouldn’t open. I was watching and she was clicking the wrong button to open it and it took all I had to not grab that laptop and open it up the right way. Finally she got it open and said she would get everything fixed and would have new key cards printed up later. We can order any drinks we want and they will be taken off, so no worries! That made Skip a happy camper!


I asked about our dining and excursions. She said those are all most likely in the system. If we don’t have our tickets when we arrive in the room, let her know and she would take care of it.


Ok, I was starting to feel a bit better now and relaxed just slightly as I enjoyed my dessert.


Skip got the carrot cake.


food7 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I got vanilla ice-cream…..which was heavenly good.


food8 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


icecream by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Claire had asked for strawberry ice-cream, but our server came back and said they currently didn’t have any and would have to run to another area to get some. Claire went with raspberry instead.


food9 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Once we were done with the dessert, we walked out to get a breath of fresh air.


seattle space needle by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


I was starting to relax now and was sure things would get better.


board6 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


board8 by Jennifer Dowling, on Flickr


Up next….Can we really relax with no worries now?
 
Last edited:
Unbelievable! I would be screaming and bawling by that point! The customer service seems completely inadequate. Why the burden was on you when it was all their own company's fault?!? I am not as organized as you, so I probably wouldn't have been able to get what I paid for in this case. I hope this was the end of your troubles but I still have trepidation for you!
 
Wow, holy inappropriate handling of the situation by NCL. I hope you have your feedback email already written up and sent!

Jill in CO
 
Wow, Jen! I would also have been flaming mad!!! I'm REALLY big about customer service and hate that they put the burden on you. So far, I'm not impressed with NCL's treatment toward you. Let's see how things go next post! Amy
 
:sad2: And this is CONCIERGE? What would have happened if you were a "peon"? What would have happened if your friends were not such rockstars I wonder. I love that Skip was calm and taking it in stride - speaks volumes for you, way to handle it!

I gotta say, I love that Claire had on her DCL lanyard... :smooth:
 
I too applaud your restraint when dealing with your check in issues, especially since you booked yourself. I'd have been hotter than cheap fireworks.
 
So sorry to hear that things didn't start out so good for you. I would definitely be freaking out. I sure hope things got better soon.
 
This is why I print everything out (like you did & usually I leave it at home too!!!)

I would've been in tears though as I don't handle confrontation well. Waiting to see what happened next.
 
Even though I am supposed to get email notifications when you post, I am not getting them. I want the old Dis back so I can keep up with my subscriptions. Anyway, I'm all caught up.

The pictures in the market are really cool. Did it smell? I would think that the fish out like that would make fora stinky place. LOL

Speaking of cool....the glass display (Can't remember the name) is the coolest! Even though I'm not into that kind of stuff, I would have liked to see that. It's nice that you and Claire were able to enjoy Seattle before boarding the ship.

I would have been freaking the heck out over the issues during the ship check-in process. In my opinion, you handled it very very well.
 
Well you certainly have more patience than me, I would have gone insane on that woman! Why was she doubting you so much? Clearly you know what you are doing
 
I can't believe that you had that issue, I would have been fuming. :furious:

Looks like a nice lunch so far at least.

I LOVED that vanilla Ice Cream when we were on the Gem.
 
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