The Encore’s departure time was 5:00 PM, but I flew into Seattle one day early to minimize stress in case of a flight delay and also to allow myself time to explore a bit of the Emerald City on foot. This daily travelogue of my October sailing focuses primarily on itinerary destinations, shore activities, and life onboard. Although my experiences in Alaska paralleled those of my fellow passengers, no one’s experience was exactly the same. When planning your cruise, be sure to carefully compare available itineraries in order to book the one that suits you best. Variations of my itinerary depicted above also include Victoria, Skagway, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Seward, and other ports. NCL’s Alaska itineraries differ slightly from cruise to cruise. Then, a few months ago my friends Cheryl and Lisa who run What Boundaries Travel shared their NCL Encore itinerary on Facebook, and suddenly Alaska was back in my face.Ī few weeks later, I booked a cruise of my own. 9 Day 8: Seattle, Washington (Disembarkation)Īn Alaska cruise had been on my bucket list for years, but I had never actively pursued making it happen.5 Day 4: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Alaska.2 Day 1: Seattle, Washington (Embarkation & Sail Away).
