Cruise Talk: "Outside Passage " ??

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Topic: "Outside Passage " ??

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 05-20-2001 11:54 AM

Several days ago in a posting regarding the Star Princess and Alaskan cruises, I mentioned that Norwegian Sky's passengers were short changed and thus missed a very scenic portion of the Inside Passage. She sails southbound on the west or wide open Pacific Ocean side of Vancouver Island, while every other cruise ship heading to and from Alaska sail on the inside or east coast of the Island. Two readers of this board saw fit to send nasty email messages to me, stating that I did not know what I was talking about. The proof is the Norwegian Sky's location at the time of her latest incident, which is at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a place that is not frequented on all other Alaskan cruises. I hope the nameless generators of the hate email read reports of the incident and then consult a map!!

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-20-2001 04:09 PM

Well I agree with you about the route Grant. I've just checked the NCL brochure! The Sky does offer a rather unusual itinerary.

For example if you take NCL's 9 night Alaskan cruise on board the 'Norwegian Wind', on day 3 and 8, you cruise the inside passage, as per normal.

However, if you take the 7 night Alaskan cruise on the 'Norwegian Sky', you cruise the Pacific.It clearly printed in the brochure.

I don't know why the Sky avoids the inside passage? I believe cruises to Alaska are limited by licence. For example, not all lines get the licences they require to visit Glacier bay? Maybe similar rules apply to the inside passage?

Any other ideas?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 05-20-2001 05:47 PM

Malcolm-It has nothing to do with licences, as any vessel that is willing to pay for pilotage fees can transit at will. Either NCL is not willing to part with the pilot fees necessary for their passengers to experience the fantastic scenery along that portion of the Pacific Coast or for "operational" reasons they would rather subject the vessel to the often rough seas along the outside rather than the protected coastal waters. I think it is the money issue! The bottom line is that Norwegian Sky is the only Alaska cruise vessel that takes the shortcut at the expense of the scenery!!

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Marbella
First Class Passenger
Member # 1863

posted 05-21-2001 12:28 AM

Grant
Two apologies are in order. Wonder if they will be so honourable as to reply on this public forum. The NCL "incident", including the location as, of course, you so correctly described, made headlines here.

Posts: 30 | From: Burlington Ont | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

BTF
First Class Passenger
Member # 2024

posted 06-03-2001 11:34 AM

It really becomes a question of time and economics. Cruise ships on the Alaska run departing from Vancouver have the advantage of easy access to the Inside Passage(east coast of Vancouver Island) as it is more direct (and scenic). However if the ship departs from Seattle that is at least 4-6 hours further steaming up Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and a decision to go either north via the Gulf of Georgia/Seymour Narrows/Johnstone Strait route (Inside Passage) or turn west throught Juan de Fuca, then north along the West Coast of Vancouver. At this stage the outside passage is often faster as it involves open ocean sailing and the ship does not have to slow down to navigate the Inside Passage or hope for favourable tides at Seymour Narrows. There is also the question of having to stop at a `foreìgn (ie Canadian) port required for non-US flagged passenger vessels departing from US ports (U.S. Passenger Service Act). The end result is that for ships leaving from Seattle rather than Vancouver there are very often valid reasons, primarily time, dictating the need to `go the long way around`. In the case of southbound vessels, the case is often the same; the quicker open ocean sailing on the outside primarily to reach Seattle and other US ports.

Posts: 287 | From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-03-2001 03:15 PM

Brian F. I'm very impressed with your reply. Are you the Master of the Norwegian Sky, by any chance?

I've no idea if you are right, but you've convinced me!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 06-03-2001 07:22 PM

Brian is correct, but it does show that while the passengers on EVERY other vessel sailing to Alaska get to see that portion of the scenic Inside Passage, those poor folks that opted for Norwegian Sky have open ocean instead! Not saying it is because NCL can thus save almost 24 hours at pilotage fees, often about $1200 per hour (depending of vessel size) but in view of recent events it does make you wonder.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 06-04-2001 12:32 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Grant:
...it is because NCL can thus save almost 24 hours at pilotage fees, often about $1200 per hour (depending of vessel size)...

And we all know how NCL likes to save money!

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

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