Tag: #ncljewel

Norwegian Jewel New Caledonia/Australia

18 January 2019

My third cruise with the Norwegian Jewel took me to a totally different clime to the previous two. From Alaska in July/August 2018.

To Sydney Harbour

With stops in Noumea. Beautiful Isle of Pines New Caledonia.

Lifou New Caledonia

Yorkeys Knob outside of Cairns Australia

Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays.

We stopped in Brisbane but I didn’t leave the ship but enjoyed basking in the sun by the pool without fighting for a deck chair while the majority of passengers were sightseeing.

The shows on the Jewel were spectacular. “Velvet” starring West End and England X Factor semi finalist Brenda Edwards.

With dancer Nicole from Sydney on “Glow” Party night.

Met Emmy Gelardi-Bunyi from Sydney who is Royal International Miss Sweetheart 2019.

Some of the lovely solo travellers

Arrived home on 18 January ready for dancing.

Juneau

19 July 2018

A short port day in Juneau. I walked around the harbour to catch some bald headed eagles sitting by the shore.

Had some killer whales swim by but decided to enjoy watching rather than photographing for a change.

In the afternoon we sailed to the Sawyer glacier and inside passage.

This video is spectacular

Norwegian Jewel Southbound

17 July 2018

After several annoying incidents including moving me out of my cabin 9525 to 9151 for the second part of my cruise due to a booking mix up I was invited to the VIP glacier viewing on deck 15, The Haven.

This is an elite area which provided complimentary drtinks including hot chocolates with triple Bailey’s shots. But the best was the view of the Hubbard glacier.

The weather this time was so much clearer which produced very different photos to 2 days prior.

I have been enjoying ship events solo as I normally do but I have been missing the fun team from the northbound Alaska trip.

Luckily the entertainment and crew have been filling some of that void.

The solo travellers this cruise include young ones aged between 18 and 20. I call them my babies and they also accompany me on the dance floor.

Glaciers

14 and 15 July 2018

These were sea days but in particular we floated around Hubbard and Sawyer Glaciers.

The scenery is breathtaking. We sailed through ice which crackled, spectacular blue and white of islands of ice and heard explosive sounds when pieces of the glacier fell away (caving) were entrancing.

Of course I danced away each night.

Skagway

13 July 2018
The gang Abe, Bob, Rick, Valentine and I had a 3 hour experience on the train at Skagway along the White Pass and Yukon Trail.

This rail excursion is a must do as it takes you through breathtaking landscape up high mountains, scary wooden bridges and gets close to the oldest cantilever bridge (once again I am fascinated by bridges).

Trying to get photos through the trees there are cries of “can someone cut down some of these trees!! Throughout the train.

The town looks like something out of a movie.

Juneau

12 July 2018

The capital of alaska is another pretty place. I went to Nugget Falls and Mendenhall Lake with a fellow solo traveller, Abe.

A return bus ticket was $45USD and the trails are an easy walk. We got quite close to the glacier and waterfall.

I still haven’t seen a bear but back on the ship we did see about 100 dolphins playing in the ships waves.

Ketchikan

11 July 2018

Ketchikan the first city of Alaska has a busy harbour. Today there were 4 cruise ships in port. Several seaplanes (float planes) helicopters and fishing boats buzz around most of the day.

My first stop was to buy my souvenir fridge magnet. I discovered Alaska is the 49th USA state and this is my 49th state I have visited.

I then went to take a local bus to the Totem Bite Park. The cost was $2USD one way with a $5USD all day pass whereas the cruise ship was $40. It was only a 25 minute ride each way so as I had a long port day decided it would be a good easy trip and I might finally see bears! Well 5 minutes into the trip the bus broke down so I took that as an omen to not do the bus trip today. I walked back into town, not concerned about doing any tour as I would be back next week on the Southbound cruise back to Vancouver. I did find various tours I might take next week.

I walked around town and enjoyed this cute town although there are far too many tourists.

Norwegian Jewel sea day

10 July 2018

I love sea days because everyone parties the night before as they don’t have to get up early. Tonight everyone will party again because we don’t dock at Ketchikan until 11am so Another sleep in for everyone.

A deck game called ladder toss we decided should be called testicle throwing. Lots of fun.

Lots of fun in Battle of the Sexes.

Does anyone recognise the shawl and shoes?

We celebrated Abe’s birthday on Tsar’s Palace on the ship.

Yesterday I mentioned I would provide more information on Danny.

Danny (30 years old) whom we met on night 1 was actually married and on the prowl with me being his first invitation. It became clear later on the cruise that he and his 40 year old wife were swingers. My friends who know me know that I abhor infidelity and as open minded as I am in many things, swinging is not something I am into. I am very selfish. I won’t share my man and I refuse to be shared. The antics of Danny and his wife became entertainment for many on board but it bordered on stalking and harassment at times. You never know what you will meet on holiday.