A multi-option PDF with line-item pricing, gratuities and payment schedules.
Each option is labeled by ship, dates and route, with a one-page side-by-side comparison. Live prices are marked as live; anything else is labeled as an estimate.
Dossier · AI teammate
Grok boy: a teammate with his own computer
He takes real work off Rob's plate, on phone calls and across files, the web, a browser, email and chat. As Rob puts it: “putting my boy on it.”
What he does
Where he works
📞 Phone
Talk through a task on a call. Grok boy confirms what he heard, starts work right away, and accepts corrections mid-task ("seven nights, not twelve").
Real examples from recent work
7 of 7 shown
Verified which sailings actually visit Glacier Bay.
A teammate thought a late-June sailing went to Glacier Bay. Checking the official port list showed Hubbard Glacier on that one and Glacier Bay on the sailing a week later.
Found the last day of school to plan trips around.
Pulled the official district calendar so every travel option could show how many school days it would cost, which turned out to be none for the best fits.
Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay, sorted by theme with real reviewer quotes.
Covered scenery, wildlife, how close ships get, crowds, and which sailings actually enter the park versus viewing from outside.
A recurring check on where pages rank for target keywords.
It runs on a schedule, keeps history, and reports only the movements that matter.
Organized pages and databases delivered straight into Notion.
Research and plans land as structured Notion pages the team can edit, not as chat text that gets buried.
Line-by-line feedback with concrete rewrites.
Flagged vague bullets, suggested measurable outcomes, and returned an edited version alongside the notes.
How he works safely
Emails, messages, posts, purchases and deletions wait for an explicit go-ahead that names who gets it and what it says. A draft is prepared so approving takes one tap.
Every figure is marked live or estimated, with its source. If ncl.com hides a suite price behind a booking flow, the dossier says so instead of guessing.
If something can't be verified, it is reported as unknown. Corrections, like a wrong port list, are called out plainly.
Only what a task needs is used, and outside content is treated as information, never as instructions.
Different brains, same deadline
Starting is the hard part. So I start.
I hold the half-finished thought, put the first step on the table, and translate the email you've been avoiding into plain words.
You bring the brain. I bring the scaffolding. I draft, sort, decode, chunk and nudge. You decide.
The evidence, briefly
The strongest workplace evidence comes from the UK Department for Business and Trade's Microsoft 365 Copilot pilot: 1,000 licences, Oct 2024 to Mar 2025. Neurodivergent staff were significantly more satisfied (90% confidence) and more likely to recommend it (95% confidence). One user with ADHD said it had “levelled the playing field.”
Sources: DBT evaluation (PDF) · Ars Technica
Ten things I'm actually good for
You write the unfiltered version. I add the social padding.
What I do: I keep every fact, every ask and the boundary. I don't add apologies you didn't write. You get two versions, direct and softer, and you pick.
Real example: One autistic user in a study swapped a draft that opened "I contacted you about this 3 times…" for a neutral note asking a colleague to "take the lead on resolving it." Others said they use AI "to humanize my words."
Here's my blunt draft. Keep every fact and every ask, and keep the boundary firm. Make it sound calm and professional to [recipient/role]. Don't add apologies or extra warmth I didn't write. Give me two versions: direct and softer.The catch: Some people said the output erased their voice. Tell me where your voice stays.
Sources: arXiv study · Reuters, Jul 2025
Paste in the confusing message. I read the subtext so you don't have to stare at it for an hour.
What I do: I give you the literal ask, a few likely intents ranked with reasons, whether a reply is expected, and one neutral reply.
Real example: People in one study paste confusing texts to find the subtext. One uses AI to "distinguish reality from distortion."
Read this message. Give me (a) the literal ask, (b) 2–3 plausible intents ranked by likelihood with reasons, (c) whether a reply is expected and by when, (d) one neutral reply. Flag anything you're unsure about. Don't guess at emotions you can't see evidence for.The catch: I can't see your history with this person. My read is a hypothesis, not a verdict.
Sources: arXiv study
A list doesn't start anything. A back-and-forth does.
What I do: I ask about energy, one must-do and one want-to-do. You report back after each small step and I hand you the next one, sized under five minutes.
Real example: A mom with ADHD built a morning check-in like this and reported: "My days have been SO much more productive."
Every morning, ask: energy 1–5, one must-do, one want-to-do. Reply in at most 3 short lines. When I report a task done, acknowledge it in one line and suggest the next action, sized under 5 minutes. If I say I'm overwhelmed, shrink the next step and don't list everything.The catch: That's one person's report, not a trial.
Sources: r/ChatGPT · builtforadhd review
"Clean the kitchen" isn't a task. It's a mood.
What I do: I break it into steps you can actually do. Say "smaller" and I go smaller.
Real example: Goblin.tools Magic ToDo does one-click breakdowns with a "spiciness" dial. Reviewers like it because it asks almost nothing of an overloaded brain.
Break this into steps that each take under 5 minutes, verb first: [task]. If I say "smaller", split the first step again.The catch: A list still doesn't start itself. If you're frozen, go back to the check-in.
Sources: SpecialNeeds.com · Psychelicht review
Talk without a filter. I sort it.
What I do: Tasks, decisions, things waiting on other people, ideas to park. Nothing gets dropped. At most two questions back.
Real example: One person with ADHD dictates to AI because it "still understands what she means better than humans do." Her husband added that it's sometimes "over-validating."
Turn this into: 1) tasks with a verb first, 2) decisions I need to make, 3) things waiting on others, 4) ideas to park. Don't drop anything. Ask me at most 2 clarifying questions.The catch: Live voice modes cut you off when you pause. Dictate, then paste.
Sources: r/ChatGPT
Notes or attention. Pick one. Or let me take the notes.
What I do: From an approved transcript I pull out decisions, your action items with owners and dates, and anything you were asked directly.
Real example: In the DWP Copilot trial (3,549 staff), users with ADHD said it helped them focus in noisy places. In the DBT pilot, one user said they could "relax more in meetings."
List decisions, my action items with owners and dates, and anything I was asked directly.The catch: Consent and privacy rules apply. Use the tool your employer approves.
Sources: GOV.UK DWP evaluation · DBT report (PDF) · Job Accommodation Network
Long, wordy reading goes in. Short chunks come out.
What I do: I check your draft against the brief, one criterion at a time, and I don't rewrite your prose.
Real example: In a survey of 124 UK students with disabilities, 18% cited trouble with long, wordy material that summaries helped, and 14% valued rubric-based feedback.
Here's the brief/rubric and my draft. For each criterion: met / partly / missed, with the line that shows it. Don't rewrite my prose. Then summarize the source reading in 5 bullets with page refs.The catch: Students warned about "flattening personality." Your sentences stay yours.
Sources: Zhao et al. 2025 · CHI 2025
Ask me the thing you'd never ask a person.
What I do: I give you the usual norm, why it exists, and an acceptable alternative if it doesn't fit you. I don't sigh.
Real example: One participant: "Talking to AI is the only time I don't feel some level of fear that I will accidentally annoy someone by asking too many questions."
I want literal, step-by-step answers. Question: [x]. Give the usual norm, why it exists, and an acceptable alternative if the norm doesn't work for me.The catch: How you describe yourself changes the advice. See #10.
Sources: CHI 2024 · arXiv study
Script it, rehearse it, or hand it off.
What I do: I write the opener, your must-get answers, a line for "slow down, please" and one that moves the rest to email. Then I play the rep, surprise question included. I can also make routine calls myself.
Real example: Short script pieces plus a step-by-step plan for easing into calls.
I need to call [org] about [goal]. Write: one-line opener, my 3 must-get answers, 2 lines for "please repeat/slow down," a line to move the rest to email, and a closing line. Then role-play the rep, including one surprise question.The catch: I don't agree to payments or contract changes on your behalf. Get it in writing.
Sources: sensoryoverload.info · HeyASD
A label changes my advice, and not always for the better.
What I do: Give me preferences instead: literal language, short steps, explicit deadlines. And tell me not to steer you away from the hard stuff.
Real example: A CHI 2026 audit of 345,000 responses from six models found that mentioning autism made them disproportionately advise avoiding social events, confrontations, new experiences and relationships.
I prefer literal language, short steps, and explicit deadlines. Don't steer me away from hard or social options; give me the trade-off and let me choose.The catch: For a high-stakes social call, ask both with and without the disclosure and compare.
Sources: CHI 2026
What I won't pretend
In a CMU study, 9 of 11 autistic workers preferred GPT-4's advice to a human's, and a specialist flagged some of it as neurotypical-normative, like "just walk up to people." Check my social advice against autistic-led sources.
Source: CMU news
When the DBT pilot ended, users had trouble readjusting to work without the assistant. Keep a fallback that doesn't need me, like a printed checklist.
Source: Ars Technica
Users notice AI over-validating. Ask me for the counterargument and I'll give it.
Source: r/ChatGPT
Output quality depends on the prompt. Check facts, dates and anything that gets sent. Nothing goes out under your name without your go-ahead.
Source: GOV.UK DWP evaluation
Tone translation can turn into masking all day. Decide where your own voice stays unedited. Setup also costs energy, so start with one pattern and one saved prompt.
Source: ASSETS 2025
Privacy, too: strip names and keep diagnoses, coworkers' messages and meeting audio in approved tools.
I can't fix your brain. It isn't broken. I just remember where you put things.
Alaska Cruise Dossier
Our pick: Option F, Norwegian Encore, May 30 – Jun 6, 2027. This sailing misses no school days. Three cabins: Rob & Sam and the two younger boys in side-by-side Insides on Deck 5, and Josh in his own Studio for space. About $13,756 all-in, or $17,451 with everyone driving a dog team on a glacier with NorthStar Helicopters. The May 2 sailings (Options A, C–E and the earlier F) fall during school and are kept for reference only.
Prices are per the cruise lines' own sites unless marked ESTIMATE (fares checked Oct 11–12, 2026; fares move daily). Nothing has been booked or paid.
At a glance
| Opt | Sailing | Glacier day | School days missed | Gratuities | Total | Final payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCL Encore, May 30 – Jun 6 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay, Thu Jun 3 (day 5) | 0 | $700 | $13,755.79 | $7,920, Sat Jan 30, 2027 | |
| NCL Encore, May 2 – 9 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay, Thu May 6 (day 5) | 5 | $700 (in Free at Sea Plus) | $10,890 | Balance (not itemized), Sat Jan 2, 2027 | |
| NCL Encore (Haven), May 30 – Jun 6 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay, Thu Jun 3 (day 5) | 0 | $875 ($25 Haven rate, bundled) | $25,649 | ~$18,437 (fare less 10% deposit), Sat Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Royal Princess, May 1 – 8 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay, Wed May 5 | 5 | Covered by Princess Plus | $10,320 | Balance (not itemized), Fri Jan 1, 2027 | |
| NCL Encore, May 2 – 9 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay, Thu May 6 (day 5) | 5 | $700 (bundled) | $10,550 | Balance (not itemized), Sat Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Royal Princess, May 1 – 8 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay, Wed May 5 | 5 | Covered by Princess Plus | $10,950 | Balance (not itemized), Fri Jan 1, 2027 | |
| NCL Joy, Jun 25 – Jul 2 | No GB Hubbard Glacier, Mon Jun 28 (day 4) | 0 | $875 ($25 suite rate) + $598.50 bar gratuity | ~$11,319.43 | ~$6,311.50, Thu Feb 25, 2027 | |
| NCL Joy, Jul 2 – 9 | Glacier Bay Glacier Bay (day 4) | 0 | $875 (est.) | Not priced (inside $1,049 pp) | Due Thu Mar 4, 2027 |
Only Joy's total changed with gratuities: Joy suite gratuities are $875 ($25 per person per day; NCL's suite and Haven rate). Every other option already counted gratuities, so those totals are unchanged. Gratuities stay as their own line in each option. Free at Sea doesn't cover the 20% bar gratuity.
School days use the Austin ISD 2026–27 calendar (last day of classes Thu May 27, 2027). Totals for A–E are the earlier all-in figures; dog-sled totals for A, C and E add 5 × $769.99. Final payment is due 120 days before sailing.
Options in detail
Norwegian Encore, May 30 – Jun 6, 2027, 7-night Alaska round trip from Seattle (package 24203314). Juneau Tue Jun 1 (1:00–10:00 PM), Skagway Wed Jun 2, Glacier Bay Thu Jun 3 (Day 5), Ketchikan, Victoria. Promo ALL4CHO (50% off), 2-for-1 deposits, Risk-Free Cancellation up to 120 days before sailing. Free at Sea includes the open bar, 150 Wi-Fi minutes per person, a $50 excursion credit per port for each cabin's first guest, and 3 specialty meals. Prices are live from ncl.com on Oct 12, 2026.
School-friendly: the Austin ISD last day of classes is Thu May 27, 2027, so this trip misses 0 school days (AISD 2026–27 calendar). The earlier May 2 plan is superseded.
Rob & Sam and the 16 & 14-year-olds take side-by-side Insides on Deck 5. Available pairs: 5409/5411/5413, 5417/5419/5421 and 5433/5435/5437. NCL requires under-21s to be in the same or an adjoining cabin with a guest 21 or older, and Rob or Sam signs as the responsible adult (ncl.com/faq/age-requirements).
Josh gets his own Studio for space, #12511 on Deck 12, with Studio Lounge access (free coffee, espresso and snacks).
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Rob & Sam: Inside IF, Deck 5 (fare $1,998 + bar gratuity $399 + dining $120 + taxes $801) | VERIFIED | $3,318.00 |
| 16yo & 14yo: Inside next door, Deck 5 (same breakdown, priced as adults) | VERIFIED | $3,318.00 |
| Josh: his own Studio for space, T1 #12511, Deck 12 (fare $1,249 + bar gratuity $199.50 + dining $60 + taxes $400.50) | VERIFIED | $1,909.00 |
| Gratuities (service charge): $20 × 5 guests × 7 days (standard-cabin rate; prepay by final payment or charged onboard daily). The 20% bar gratuity ($28.50/day per Free at Sea guest) is already inside each cabin fare above. | VERIFIED | $700.00 |
| Wi-Fi Voyage Pass: $29.99 × 3 cabins × 7 | VERIFIED | $629.79 |
| Vibe Beach Club, Rob & Sam: 2 × ~$249 (price only visible in My NCL after booking) | ESTIMATE | $498.00 |
| Flights: American (operated by Alaska), Main Cabin, 5 × $577. Out AA 7444, Sat May 29, AUS 1:36pm → SEA 4:05pm; back AA 7627, Sun Jun 6, SEA 5:56pm → AUS 12:09am. Checked bags extra. | VERIFIED | $2,885.00 |
| Homewood Suites Seattle Downtown, 1-bedroom suite (2 queens + sofa bed, sleeps 5, breakfast), May 29–30, refundable until May 24 (Expedia h119085) | VERIFIED | $473.00 |
| Rideshare to Pier 66 | ESTIMATE | $25.00 |
| Trip total before excursion | $13,755.79 | |
| NorthStar Helicopter Glacier Dogsled Adventure, 5 × $739 | VERIFIED | $3,695.00 |
| Grand total with dog sledding | $17,450.79 | |
| Likely soda-package credit for the minors once ages are entered (~$224) | UNCONFIRMED | −$224.00 |
Payment schedule
| When | What | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026, at booking | NCL deposit, 2-for-1 (half of $250 × 5) | ESTIMATE | $625.00 |
| At booking | Flights, American, 5 × $577 | VERIFIED | $2,885.00 |
| At booking (Expedia; may be pay-at-stay, confirm) | Homewood Suites, refundable | VERIFIED | $473.00 |
| After booking, in My NCL | Vibe passes × 2 | ESTIMATE | ~$498.00 |
| When NorthStar's June 2027 calendar opens | NorthStar dog sled × 5 (charged at booking; 10% fee if cancelled more than 24 hours ahead) | VERIFIED | $3,695.00 |
| Sat Jan 30, 2027 | NCL final payment ($8,545 − $625). Risk-Free Cancellation ends. | VERIFIED | $7,920.00 |
| Before sailing (prepay) or onboard | Gratuities (service charge), $20 × 5 × 7: prepaid with/after final payment, or charged to the onboard account daily | VERIFIED | $700.00 |
| Before sailing or onboard | Wi-Fi Voyage Pass × 3 | VERIFIED | $629.79 |
| Sun May 30, 2027 | Rideshare to Pier 66 | ESTIMATE | $25.00 |
| Paid by booking + NorthStar | $8,176.00 | ||
| Cumulative by final payment (Jan 30) | $16,096.00 | ||
| Prepay or onboard | $1,354.79 | ||
| Total | $17,450.79 |
Flight comparison: Southwest has no nonstop home after 1pm, and Basic Economy with 1 stop is $3,600. Free at Sea Plus ($49.99 per person per day through an agent) bundles unlimited Wi-Fi and the service charge, so it's worth comparing. Previous plans: A $10,890 · B $25,649 · C $10,320 · D $10,550 · E $10,950 (all May 2 or earlier pricing). Option F on May 2 ($11,038) is superseded.
Rob & Sam in a Balcony ($1,700 pp) on Deck 13 forward (13108–13126); the boys in a Family Inside ($935 pp avg for 3) at 13401–13407, a short walk down the same hall. The 23yo is guest 1 in the boys' cabin, so he gets Free at Sea's open bar.
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony (Deck 13 fwd, e.g. 13108–13126), Rob+Sam: 2 × $1,700 | VERIFIED | $3,400 |
| Family Inside (13401–13407), 3 boys: 3 × $935 | VERIFIED | $2,805 |
| Free at Sea Plus, Rob+Sam (open bar, unlimited Wi-Fi, service charges): 2 × 7 × $49.99 | VERIFIED | $699.86 |
| Free at Sea Plus, 23yo as guest 1 of boys' cabin: 7 × $49.99 | VERIFIED | $349.93 |
| Under-21 Free at Sea Plus, 16yo as guest 2 (soda, Wi-Fi, service charges): 7 × ~$40 | VERIFIED | $280 |
| 14yo as guest 3 (no Free at Sea): soda $12.50+20% + service charge ~$20 + Wi-Fi ~$30, × 7 | ESTIMATE | $455 |
| Vibe Beach Club passes, Rob+Sam, whole cruise: 2 × ~$350 incl. service charge | ESTIMATE | $700 |
| Flights AUS–SEA RT, 5 × $317 | VERIFIED | $1,585 |
| Mayflower Park Hotel, 1 pre-cruise night, 2 rooms | ESTIMATE | $540 |
| Hotel cruise shuttle, 5 × $15 | VERIFIED | $75 |
| Gratuities (service charge): $20 × 5 × 7 = $700. Bundled in Free at Sea Plus for 4 guests and in the 14yo line; prepaid with the fare (Plus) or charged onboard. Not added again. | INCLUDED ABOVE | incl. |
| All-in total (before excursion & insurance) | $10,890 | |
| + Mendenhall Glacier heli-dogsledding, all 5: 5 × $769.99 | VERIFIED | $3,849.95 |
| Grand total with dog sledding | $14,740 |
Payment schedule
- Deposit $250 pp = $1,250. Final payment due Sat Jan 2, 2027 (120 days before sailing).
Cheaper variant: a Guarantee Inside ($862 × 3 = $2,586) saves $219, but NCL picks the cabin (any deck), so you lose the "next door-ish" pairing. Not worth it. Bonus: Free at Sea also lets guests 1–2 choose specialty dining and a $50-per-port excursion credit (on select offers). Pick those when booking.
Everyone in one 538 sq ft suite (H6, Deck 18: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, balcony, butler + concierge). $4,097 pp, or $4,397 pp for the 622 sq ft Large Balcony version (H5). The Haven brings a private courtyard pool, 2 hot tubs, a sundeck, and a restaurant and lounge, limited to guests in Encore's ~80 Haven suites. May 2 villa pricing wasn't checked; it is likely lower, so ask.
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa w/ Balcony (H6), May 30, 5 × $4,097 | VERIFIED | $20,485 |
| Free at Sea Plus, Rob+Sam (guests 1–2): 2 × 7 × $49.99 | VERIFIED | $699.86 |
| 23yo as guest 3: Free at Sea beverage pkg 7 × $28.50 (required price for 21+ guests 3–8) | VERIFIED | $199.50 |
| 23yo: Haven service charge ~$25/day + Wi-Fi upgrade ~$30/day, × 7 | ESTIMATE | $385 |
| 16yo + 14yo (guests 4–5): soda $15/day + Haven service charge ~$25 + Wi-Fi ~$30, × 7 × 2 | ESTIMATE | $980 |
| Vibe Beach Club passes, Rob+Sam (still recommended; see retreat page) | ESTIMATE | $700 |
| Flights AUS–SEA RT, 5 × ~$317 (verified for May 1–9 only; late-May dates not checked) | ESTIMATE | $1,585 |
| Mayflower Park Hotel, 1 pre-cruise night, 2 rooms | ESTIMATE | $540 |
| Hotel cruise shuttle, 5 × $15 | VERIFIED | $75 |
| Gratuities (service charge): Haven rate $25 × 5 × 7 = $875. Bundled in Free at Sea Plus (Rob+Sam) and in the 23yo/teen lines; prepaid with the fare or charged onboard. Not added again. | INCLUDED ABOVE | incl. |
| All-in total (before excursion & insurance) | $25,649 | |
| + Mendenhall Glacier heli-dogsledding, all 5: 5 × $769.99 | VERIFIED | $3,849.95 |
| Grand total with dog sledding | $29,499 |
Payment schedule
- Final payment Sat Jan 30, 2027; Haven deposit is 10% of fare.
Jun 13–20 villa: $4,675 pp (~$23,375 fare), about $2,900 more again. Large Balcony villa (H5) on May 30: $4,397 pp (+$1,500).
Balcony, you pick the cabin ($1,584 pp; the $1,524 guarantee may be obstructed). Interior for the 3 boys at $743 avg with the 3rd guest free ($2,229). Princess Plus for all 5 covers drinks, Wi-Fi and crew tips. The Sanctuary is the adults-only retreat.
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony, choose your cabin, Rob+Sam: 2 × $1,584 | VERIFIED | $3,168 |
| Interior for 3 (FREE 3rd guest badge): avg $743 × 3 | VERIFIED | $2,229 |
| Princess Plus, all 5 (drinks ≤$15 each / zero-alcohol for minors, Wi-Fi, crew tips): 5 × 7 × ~$65 | VERIFIED | $2,275 |
| Sanctuary: 3 full days × 2 × $40 + one half-day cabana ~$140, +18% service charge | ESTIMATE | $448 |
| Flights AUS–SEA RT Apr 30–May 8, 5 × $317 | VERIFIED | $1,585 |
| Mayflower Park Hotel, 1 pre-cruise night, 2 rooms | ESTIMATE | $540 |
| Hotel cruise shuttle, 5 × $15 | VERIFIED | $75 |
| Gratuities (crew tips): Princess, not NCL. Covered for all 5 by Princess Plus above. $0 extra. | INCLUDED ABOVE | incl. |
| All-in total (before excursion & insurance) | $10,320 | |
| + Mendenhall Glacier heli-dogsledding, all 5: 5 × $769.99 | ESTIMATE | $3,849.95 |
| Grand total with dog sledding | $14,170 |
Payment schedule
- Princess final payment is Fri Jan 1, 2027; deposit $300 pp.
Plus is sold per person and every guest in a cabin must buy it. Minors get the zero-alcohol version. Heli-dogsled on Princess is assumed at NCL's price (Princess sells similar Juneau tours).
The 16- and 14-year-olds ride as guests 3–4 in a Family Balcony with Rob & Sam (fare free if NCL's 3rd & 4th guest offer applies, taxes only); the 23yo gets his own Studio. Totally legit.
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Family Balcony, Rob+Sam (guests 1–2): 2 × $1,750 | VERIFIED | $3,500 |
| 16yo + 14yo as guests 3–4: fare free IF "3rd & 4th guest free" applies; taxes/port fees ~2 × $395 | ESTIMATE | $790 |
| 23yo alone in a Studio (or single inside, which carries a ~2× single supplement) | ESTIMATE | $1,400 |
| Free at Sea Plus, Rob+Sam: 2 × 7 × $49.99 | VERIFIED | $699.86 |
| Free at Sea Plus, 23yo (guest 1 in his own cabin): 7 × $49.99 | VERIFIED | $349.93 |
| 16yo + 14yo (guests 3–4, no Free at Sea): soda + service charge + Wi-Fi, 2 × $455 | ESTIMATE | $910 |
| Vibe Beach Club passes, Rob+Sam | ESTIMATE | $700 |
| Flights AUS–SEA RT, 5 × $317 | VERIFIED | $1,585 |
| Mayflower Park Hotel, 1 pre-cruise night, 2 rooms | ESTIMATE | $540 |
| Hotel cruise shuttle, 5 × $15 | VERIFIED | $75 |
| Gratuities (service charge): $20 × 5 × 7 = $700. Bundled in Free at Sea Plus (3 guests) and in the teen line; prepaid with the fare or charged onboard. Not added again. | INCLUDED ABOVE | incl. |
| All-in total (before excursion & insurance) | $10,550 | |
| + Mendenhall Glacier heli-dogsledding, all 5: 5 × $769.99 | VERIFIED | $3,849.95 |
| Grand total with dog sledding | $14,400 |
Payment schedule
- Final payment due Sat Jan 2, 2027 (120 days before sailing).
Upgrade Rob & Sam to a Mini-Suite (~323 sq ft incl. balcony, separate sitting area with sofa bed, tub; sleeps 4). No Royal Princess cabin sleeps 5, and its Penthouse suites sleep 3–4, so a family-of-five suite isn't possible on this ship.
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-Suite, Rob+Sam: 2 × ~$1,899 (fare-tracker "suite" price, May 1; not confirmed on princess.com) | ESTIMATE | $3,798 |
| Interior for 3 (FREE 3rd guest badge): avg $743 × 3 | VERIFIED | $2,229 |
| Princess Plus, all 5: 5 × 7 × ~$65 | VERIFIED | $2,275 |
| Sanctuary days + one half-day cabana (+18%) | ESTIMATE | $448 |
| Flights AUS–SEA RT Apr 30–May 8, 5 × $317 | VERIFIED | $1,585 |
| Mayflower Park Hotel, 1 pre-cruise night, 2 rooms | ESTIMATE | $540 |
| Hotel cruise shuttle, 5 × $15 | VERIFIED | $75 |
| Gratuities (crew tips): Princess, not NCL. Covered for all 5 by Princess Plus above. $0 extra. | INCLUDED ABOVE | incl. |
| All-in total (before excursion & insurance) | $10,950 | |
| + Mendenhall Glacier heli-dogsledding, all 5: 5 × $769.99 | ESTIMATE | $3,849.95 |
| Grand total with dog sledding | $14,800 |
Payment schedule
- Princess final payment Fri Jan 1, 2027 (120 days before sailing).
About 512 sq ft, sleeps 6, 2 bathrooms. Inside, no window; the living area has a "virtual balcony" screen showing the view outside.
Main bedroom with a queen (two beds that join), plus its own bathroom.
Second bedroom behind its own door with a single bed and a pull-down bunk, plus a second bathroom. The living area has a double sofa bed.
All five of us stay together in one suite: Josh would sleep in the suite with the family, with the second bedroom giving room to spread out.
Onboard: Vibe Beach Club (adults-only, capacity-controlled) and the Entourage teen club, both from ncl.com/cruise-ships/norwegian-joy. Summer, so 0 school days missed.
| Line item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Joy Family Interior Suite (SP), guests 1–2: 2 × $2,119 (lowest suite fare, taxes incl.) | 3rd-party fare | $4,238.00 |
| Guests 3–5 in the suite: about $700 each (NCL doesn't publish 3rd–5th guest fares off-site) | ESTIMATE | $2,100.00 |
| Gratuities (service charge): $25 × 5 guests × 7 days (NCL charges suites $25, not $20; prepay by final payment or charged onboard) | NCL rate | $875.00 |
| Free at Sea bar gratuity (20%, not covered by Free at Sea), guests 1–2: 2 × 7 × $28.50, paid with the fare | NCL rate | $399.00 |
| Bar gratuity for Josh (23, guest 3; NCL requires 21+ guests in a Free at Sea cabin to take the package): 7 × $28.50 | NCL rate | $199.50 |
| Wi-Fi Voyage Pass: $29.99 × 1 cabin × 7 days (Free at Sea covers only 150 minutes) | fixed rate | $209.93 |
| Drinks (standard open bar) + 3 specialty meals | Free at Sea | Included |
| Vibe Beach Club passes × 2 (Joy has Vibe) | ESTIMATE | ~$498.00 |
| American, AUS–SEA round trip, Thu Jun 24 / Fri Jul 2, 5 × ~$450 (no live fare available) | ESTIMATE | ~$2,250.00 |
| Southwest, same dates, 5 × ~$400 (no live fare available) | ESTIMATE | (alt. ~$2,000) |
| Seattle hotel, Thu Jun 24, Homewood Suites 1-bedroom or similar (no live rate available) | ESTIMATE | ~$500.00 |
| Rideshare, hotel to pier + pier to airport | ESTIMATE | ~$50.00 |
| Total (American) | ~$11,319.43 | |
| NorthStar Helicopter Glacier Dogsled, 5 × $739, Juneau Sun Jun 27 (in port 1–10 PM; book the 2 PM slot) | published price | $3,695.00 |
| Total with dog sledding | ~$15,014.43 |
Payment schedule
- At booking: NCL deposit about $625 (2-for-1 deposit; suite deposits may be higher, so confirm), plus flights and hotel.
- Thu Feb 25, 2027 (120 days out): NCL final payment of about $6,311.50 (includes bar gratuities). Risk-Free Cancellation ends then.
- Prepay with final payment or charged onboard: gratuities (service charge, $875) and Wi-Fi ($209.93). Vibe is bought in My NCL after booking.
Inside fares from about $989–$1,219 per person (cruisesheet.com). Suite (lowest category) Jun 25: $2,119 per person (allaboarddeals, jibhop, affordabletours); $2,369 (travelweekly). Jul 9 suite: $2,419 (travelweekly).
Why there are no live prices: ncl.com loads fares and suite availability in the browser only after you pick a sailing and party size; it can't be read without the booking flow, and the SP fare for 5 guests isn't shown on any public page. The suite figure is the lowest "Suite" fare on third-party trackers for 2 guests and may not be the SP category. Airfare and hotel for Jun 24 – Jul 2 couldn't be pulled live from here, so they're marked ESTIMATE. Sources: cruisesheet.com/route/norwegian-joy-7-night-seattle-roundtrip · travelweekly.com/Cruise/Norwegian-Cruise-Line/Norwegian-Joy/Cruise-p61457195 · allaboarddeals.com (Joy Jun 25, 2027) · cruisetimetables.com/cruisesonnorwegianjoy-25jun2027.html · cruisedeckplans.com (Joy Family Interior Suite) · boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2873708.
Joy Glacier Bay (from ncl.com): the priced plan below, Jun 25 – Jul 2, has Hubbard Glacier on day 4 and no Glacier Bay. Joy Jul 2 – 9, 2027 (itinerary JOY7SEAICYSITKTNVICSEA) does have Glacier Bay on day 4, with Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria. Inside is $1,049 per person on ncl.com. Jul 16, 23 and 30 use the same route at $1,119, $1,219 and $1,269 inside. The suite plan has not yet been repriced for those dates. Jun 25 and Jul 9 have no Glacier Bay.
Payment schedule
- Final payment due Thu Mar 4, 2027 (120 days before sailing).
The suite plan has not yet been repriced for this date; no line-by-line pricing exists yet.
Gratuities, all options: NCL charges a service charge of $20 per person per day ($25 in suites and The Haven), shown as "Gratuities (service charge)" in each option. It can be prepaid by final payment or charged onboard daily. Separately, NCL adds a 20% service charge to drinks packages bought on their own, and on Free at Sea it charges that 20% gratuity on the "free" package (about $28.50 per person per day). Free at Sea does not cover it; it's paid with the fare. Free at Sea Plus bundles the daily service charge, not the bar gratuity. Princess Plus covers crew tips. Source: ncl.com/faq/what-is-ncl-onboard-service-charge.
Glacier Bay vs Hubbard Glacier
Joy note: Joy Glacier Bay (from ncl.com): the priced plan below, Jun 25 – Jul 2, has Hubbard Glacier on day 4 and no Glacier Bay. Joy Jul 2 – 9, 2027 (itinerary JOY7SEAICYSITKTNVICSEA) does have Glacier Bay on day 4, with Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria. Inside is $1,049 per person on ncl.com. Jul 16, 23 and 30 use the same route at $1,119, $1,219 and $1,269 inside. The suite plan has not yet been repriced for those dates. Jun 25 and Jul 9 have no Glacier Bay.
| Sailing | Itinerary | Glacier Bay? |
|---|---|---|
| Fri Jun 25 – Fri Jul 2 | Juneau (Jun 27, 1–10 PM), Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Victoria | NO (Hubbard Glacier instead) |
| Fri Jul 2 – Fri Jul 9 | Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria | YES, day 4 |
| Fri Jul 9 – Fri Jul 16 | Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Victoria | NO |
| Fri Jul 16 – Fri Jul 23 | Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria | YES, day 4 |
| Fri Jul 23 – Fri Jul 30 | Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria (same route as Jul 2) | YES, day 4 |
| Fri Jul 30 – Fri Aug 6 | Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria | YES, day 4 |
What cruisers say (TripAdvisor & Cruise Critic)
TripAdvisor quotes come from search excerpts; [CC] means Cruise Critic.
Most reviewers pick Glacier Bay if they can only choose one. It's a full day with several glaciers and park rangers aboard, and it's almost never missed. Hubbard is the single most impressive glacier, but only when the ship can get close.
Hubbard is "larger and probably more impressive than the glaciers in GB" [CC]. Glacier Bay "was an all day affair and we got to see multiple glaciers… For Hubbard Glacier we just saw that glacier and then left" [CC]. On TripAdvisor: "the cruise up the inlet to the bay is stunning in itself."
In Glacier Bay, rangers pointed out "birds, sea life, mountain goats" and "the hordes of sea otters" (TripAdvisor). Hubbard reviews rarely mention wildlife.
In Glacier Bay the ship "pulled up near Margerie Glacier & then did a 360 degree turn for about an hour… repeated for the Johns Hopkins Glacier" (TripAdvisor). At Hubbard, a good day is "close enough to observe calving," while on bad days ships "didn't get closer than 6 miles" [CC].
"Everyone runs to deck 14 and 15. Deck 7 is not crowded" [CC].
Every ship entering Glacier Bay carries National Park Service rangers who narrate over the PA. Hubbard has only the ship's own naturalist.
Hubbard is "a complete hit or miss." One captain said he reached it 6 times out of 10, and early-season ice can block it until late June. In Glacier Bay, cruisers have "never failed to see at least one glacier" [CC].
One TripAdvisor poster: "Personally, I prefer glacier Bay. But many prefer Hubbard." The common advice is "if you can only pick one, GLACIER BAY!"
Glacier Bay gets praise for the rangers, the full day and its reliability; complaints are cold, crowded decks and no going ashore. Hubbard gets praise for its size and calving; complaints are ice or fog keeping ships far off, a short visit, and a rough open-ocean approach.
Only ships with a National Park Service permit, about two big ships a day, listed as a "Glacier Bay (Cruising)" day. Rangers board around 6 AM and ships spend at least 4 hours in the upper bay (National Parks Traveler). Sailings sold as "Inside Passage" or "glacier viewing" don't go in. Encore May 30 (Option F) and Joy Jul 2 both list a Glacier Bay (Cruising) day; Joy Jun 25 (Option J) goes to Hubbard Glacier instead.