Photo: Z thomas, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alaska Cruise 2027 — Norwegian Jade with Midwest Scuba Center

This is a non-diving trip — no scuba diving, no dive gear, and no certification needed. It's a relaxing Alaska cruise vacation with friends of Midwest Scuba Center.

To book, contact Catherine "Cat" Carrasco at Norwegian Cruise Line: 954-640-6373 or 877-416-9722 ext 06373, cacarrasco@ncl.com. Mention group A3109679.

Fare: from $579 Inside (Balcony higher) — starting prices, subject to change
May 17–24, 2027 · 7 nights · Whittier, Alaska → Vancouver, Canada
Current sale: $150 refundable deposit + $150 cruise credit ($150 ≈ $300 value). If refunded, the full $300 comes back as Norwegian Cruise Line credit (not cash) with no expiration.
Important: These are starting prices only and are subject to change. Always check today's rates with Catherine when you call to book or ask questions.

How it works: Signing up on the Midwest Scuba Center site is free ($0) — it just lets us know you're coming with the group. It is not the cruise price. Your actual cruise fare (Inside from $579, Balcony higher; starting prices, subject to change) plus the deposit and all payments go directly to Catherine at Norwegian Cruise Line.

Travel with friends of Midwest Scuba Center on a collaborative group sailing aboard Norwegian Jade — a classic Inside Passage Alaska cruise from Whittier down to Vancouver. This is our MSC group cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line — a non-diving trip. Partners and kids are welcome to come along.

Why Travel With Us

The big reason to book this sailing with Midwest Scuba Center is simple: you're going with a familiar group, and you're traveling with Alex Gentner as your trip guide.

Alex helps keep the process smooth from the first call through embarkation day — answering questions, coordinating with the group, and making sure everyone feels looked after. You'll sail with people you know (or will quickly get to know), rooms clustered in the same general area of the ship, and a few group meals and activities planned so you're not just another cabin on a big cruise — you're part of the MSC group.

That's the difference: familiar faces, Alex as your guide, and a trip set up so the booking and the week onboard feel easy.

Trip Snapshot

• Ship: Norwegian Jade
• Sailing: Monday, May 17, 2027 – Monday, May 24, 2027
• Route: Whittier, Alaska embarkation → Vancouver, Canada disembarkation
• Itinerary: 7-Day Alaska from Whittier to Vancouver — Glaciers, Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan
• Embarkation: Whittier, Alaska
• Disembarkation: Vancouver, Canada
• MSC / NCL Group Number: A3109679
• Trip guide: Alex Gentner, Midwest Scuba Center
• Who's welcome: Partners and kids welcome (this is a cruise trip, not a dive trip)

Daily Itinerary

• Mon, May 17 — Ship departs Whittier, Alaska (4:00 pm)
• Tue, May 18 — Cruise Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
• Wed, May 19 — Icy Strait Point, Alaska (dock ~7:00 am – 7:00 pm)
• Thu, May 20 — Juneau, Alaska (dock ~7:00 am – 8:00 pm)
• Fri, May 21 — Skagway, Alaska (dock ~6:00 am – 4:00 pm)
• Sat, May 22 — Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska (dock ~11:00 am – 8:00 pm)
• Sun, May 23 — Cruise the Inside Passage
• Mon, May 24 — Ship arrives Vancouver, Canada (~7:00 am)

Port times can shift with weather, ice, and ship operations. Final times appear on your NCL cruise documents and the NCL app.

Staterooms & Pricing — Two Main Packages

We highlight two main package groups. Other room styles exist, but these are the two most people on this trip choose:

1. Inside / interior (basic room) — starting from $579 per person
2. Balcony — up to about $1,779 per person in Catherine's planning range (live balcony rates vary by category)

Pricing above is starting group pricing from Catherine Carrasco's Whittier Alaska email (interior–balcony range $579–$1,779 per person). Rates are subject to change. Norwegian also offers oceanview, other balcony categories, suites, and more — ask Catherine what's available for our group and confirm today's price when you call.

Current Sale — $150 Deposit = $300 Value

Right now there is a deposit promotion: put down a $150 refundable deposit and you receive $150 back in cruise credit. That means your $150 effectively equals $300 toward the trip ($150 deposit + $150 credit).

If you later refund that deposit, the full $300 comes back as credit with Norwegian Cruise Line directly — not as cash — and that NCL credit has no expiration (indefinite). Confirm with Catherine that this offer still applies when you book, and ask her how to lock it in for the MSC group.

All starting prices and promotions are subject to change. Treat numbers on this page as a planning guide only. Always check today's starting rates with Catherine when you call to book or ask questions. Call or email Catherine Carrasco for today's Midwest Scuba Center group rate and current deposit / credit offer when you book or have questions — she will quote the live starting price for the cabin you want and help set everything up.

Not included unless you add them: airfare to / from the ship, hotels before or after, travel protection, most shore excursions, specialty dining beyond any package you choose, and gratuities / service charges as outlined by NCL.

Final payment for this sailing is typically due about four months before departure (group confirmations show January 17, 2027). Deposits and payment schedules depend on the promotion and cabin — Catherine will set that up with you.

How You'll Travel Together

• Everyone books onto the Midwest Scuba Center group (group number A3109679)
• Staterooms are kept close together in the same general area of the ship so the group feels connected
• We'll share a few group meals and activities onboard
• You'll sail with familiar faces from the Midwest Scuba Center group, with Alex Gentner as your guide if you need help along the way

How to Book (Important)

Do not book this through a random third-party site, and do not pay Midwest Scuba Center for this trip. All deposits and payments go through Catherine Carrasco at Norwegian Cruise Line. Book through Midwest Scuba Center's Norwegian Cruise Line group specialist so you get the current group rate, stay with our group, and get help setting everything up.

Catherine "Cat" Carrasco
Personal Cruise Consultant / Group Specialist · Norwegian Cruise Line

• Direct number: 954-640-6373
• Main line: 877-416-9722, extension 06373
• Email: cacarrasco@ncl.com
• MSC Group Number (give this every time): A3109679

Call or email Catherine for current pricing and to reserve. Ask as many questions as you want — cabin types, deposits, payment dates, flights, passports, solo options, and more. She will help set it all up. Just tell her you are joining the Midwest Scuba Center Alaska cruise (Norwegian Jade, May 17–24, 2027) and give group number A3109679.

Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET; Friday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET. Please allow 24–48 hours for email follow-up.

If Catherine is unavailable, NCL Group Services: 1-877-416-9722.

Getting There

• Embarkation port: Whittier, Alaska
• Disembarkation port: Vancouver, Canada
• Travelers arrange their own flights (and any pre/post hotel nights). Catherine can discuss NCL air options if you want help.
• Plan enough time for transfers to the Whittier pier on embarkation day, and for flights home from Vancouver after arrival on May 24.
• A valid passport is strongly recommended for this international disembarkation into Canada; check current entry rules for your citizenship before you book.

Travel Protection & Documents

• Strongly consider travel protection (NCL NorwegianCare or a comparable policy).
• Complete online check-in / My NCL registration once your booking is confirmed.
• Provide legal names exactly as on your passport by the final payment date.
• Shore excursions: NCL Shore Excursions 1-866-625-1167 (typically bookable starting ~180 days before sailing).

Questions for Midwest Scuba Center / Alex

Want the "should I go?" conversation, cabin advice, or help coordinating with the rest of the group? Alex is happy to talk — and he is your guide for this trip.

• Phone / text: 217-917-4992
• Email: mscscubadiver@gmail.com
• Shop: 1717 Philo Rd. Ste 13, Urbana, IL 61802
• Web: divemsc.com

To get today's group rate and reserve your cabin, call or email Catherine with group number A3109679.