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Update from Captain at 8 am: confident that we will be cleared and sailing this morning. No passengers allowed off the ship due to fact we will be sailing as soon as we get clearance from the Coast Guard. Once the full extent of the impact of this circumstance on the itinerary is known, guests will be compensated. So it looks like we will be going north to Alaska at some point this morning! Next update scheduled for 10 am.

Currently on board the Ruby. Still docked at SF. No update from the Captain yet this morning. Staff have been professional, efficient and closed-lipped about the situation. In his announcement last night at 9:30 pm, the Captain said whatever happens there will be financial compensation for us due to the unfortunate circumstances. (The crew has been incredibly positive and cheerful—it hasn’t been easy for them! I understand people’s frustration but it’s not the bar/IC workers’ fault!)

We’ve gone from Vancouver to Seattle a number of times and used different transportation methods (train, bus, cruise line transfer, rental car). Our preference is the taking the train—buying business class seats means you go through customs first at the train station in Vancouver. We just got off a cruise in Vancouver last month (Majestic Princess). Left our luggage at Canada Place, took the free shuttle to/from Capilano Park, and then Ubered to the train station to catch the 5:45 pm train to Seattle. Arrived in Seattle around 9:45 pm. We decided to just bite the bullet and stay at the Embassy Suites Pioneer Square. Even though it was pricey ($460), I’m glad we were so close to the train station (next door). The next morning, we took a taxi to the pier to get on our Holland American cruise (the Westerdam). A week later, we took a taxi from the pier back to the train station to catch the Coast Starlight home.

Just returned home from a B2B on the Majestic. We always give extra to our room stewards on each cruise as well as our MDR wait team. I’m old school—I write each a thank you note and enclose cash. I also take a picture of their name tags and mention them in the post-cruise survey. I also mention outstanding service by crew members during the cruise via Crew Chat on the medallion app. My comments are shared with their supervisors and then with them. I was thanked numerous times during our cruise for mentioning them in the comments. One server on the Lido deck told us that he read the comments we made to his mother at home—“my family thanks you for your kind words.” He told us his name was on the ‘employee dashboard’ for providing excellent service for all staff to see. Throughout our two weeks on board, I made comments about crew that went out of their way to enhance our cruising experience—the Lido server who remembered our drinks and had them ready for us every day; the bartender at Vines who gave us great advice about wine tasting; the maintenance staff who promptly and professionally fixed a plumbing issue in our cabin; the waiter who would arrange special desserts for me (I have dietary restrictions)—just to name a few. It seems like such a small gesture, but please take time to highlight outstanding service during your cruise as well as after!

I have taken Kenai Fjords wildlife tours with both Major Marine and Kenai Fjords. Of the two, my recommendation is to take the longest cruise available (more time on the water = more wildlife sightings opportunities) from Major Marine. I feel that their on board experience is better—better food, better service, better narration. For kayaking in Seward, we’ve used Sunny Cove Kayaking a few times. Good experiences, great guides—saw lots of wildlife. Last year, we were surrounded by puffins; two years ago, we were next to whales (out of Fox Island).

If you’re not going to get a pair of waterproof shoes (or treat an old pair), then I would suggest that in addition to extra socks, you pack an extra pair of shoes. That way you will have a dry pair to change into once back onboard. (Columbia makes a couple of waterproof shoes that are priced responsibly—around $65 or less.) LOL, my kids live in SoCal. With the weather this past year, I’ve brought and worn my waterproof shoes to Disneyland and hikes!

We’re heading out tomorrow for our Canada/Alaska adventures. Starting with a Princess land tour to the Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver, and then a B2B 14-day cruise on the Majestic Princess. Once we disembark in Vancouver, we’re taking the Amtrak train to Seattle and then taking a B2B Alaskan cruise on the Westerdam. Be gone about 5 weeks. We love piecing together Alaskan cruises for summer travel! Last year we took a northbound Princess cruise, did a 10 day DIY land tour followed by a southbound HAL cruise. It’s fun to do since we live on the west coast—a quick two hour flight or an Amtrak trip to Vancouver/Seattle!

So it sounds like you might be booked on the cruise line train transfer from Anchorage to Seward? You could book the train directly from Alaska Rail—the train leaves at 6:30 am and arrives in Seward around 11 am. You can take the Kenai Fjords Tour with Major Marine at 11:30 am (leave your luggage with them), see glaciers, wildlife, have the included lunch and then get on your cruise ship. It’s easy to walk to the cruise pier from downtown Seward.

See you on board!

And, we had puppies on board! (Not at Juneau though due to an itinerary change, but puppies!)

Hubby likes Coke Zero. We always carry on a 12-pack of Coke Zero when boarding and purchase Coke Zero at ports to replenish his stash. We’ve brought it on not only at American ports but in Mexico, Canada, Central America and Europe. Not once have we been questioned bringing more on board. Most recently, he carried on a 2-liter bottle from Prince Rupert. (Just returned from a 10-day Alaskan cruise on the Ruby. Purchased several bottles of vodka and gin from Skagway Spirits for gifts. We told the security team we had alcohol. “Okay, ma’am.” Told the folks at the X-ray machines. “Okay, ma’am.” Just took the bottles to our room.)

I always recommend the longer trip. The more time spent on the water = more wildlife viewings!

I used Southeast Kayak in Ketchikan and Above and Beyond Alaska in Juneau.

Agree. I just kayaked in Juneau and Ketchikan this week. In Juneau, we saw eagles, a glacier and Orcas; in Ketchikan, saw eagles, starfish and harbor seals.

I have a 3 in 1 coat from Columbia: https://www.columbia.com/c/3-in-1-jackets/?pos=1. I also have a packable puffer coat from Eddie Bauer that I wear sometimes instead of the fleece jacket. Have been to Alaska numerous times (15+ cruises, land vacations)—this is the set up I’ve had for six years. Warm, waterproof, and layers—I wear gloves and a hat as well if it gets really cold. Amazon has water resistant pants that I wear that are fairly inexpensive. I wear long silk underwear underneath for warmth: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XD9WBF3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1 I wear a pair of Merrell waterproof shoes with Bomba wool shoes. https://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-3-waterproof-wide-width/195017247583.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwjYKjBhB5EiwAiFdSfuRehzeJnF9Q7MBKPRRGjKxfZC1JOGEkVkHUPUZX7JAtQzuB5k9_yBoCRzoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds. In addition I carry a pair of Columbia hiking shoes. Nothing worse than cold, wet feet!

Oh yes, I’ve been following! Thanks for sharing your adventure! (I also work at a university. My last final exam is Monday, getting on board the Ruby on Wednesday. Missing commencement this year.)

Agree with wolfie—-I think NCL has factored in a transportation cost. NCL ports at Ward Cove in Ketchikan which is 7 miles north of downtown. Depending on timing,I would buy the tickets independently, take NCL’s free shuttle to downtown, and then walk to see the show (if that’s what you want to do). Just be sure to allow time to get off the ship—folks with paid NCL excursions will have priority in boarding the shuttle.

We’ve done a few things on a B2B in Whittier—the Spencer Iceberg Placer River Float, the Glacier Quest cruise, eating at a local restaurant and hiking to the Portage Glacier overlook. We enjoy getting off the ship and doing something! We really enjoyed the Spencer Iceberg trip even though it was just a float. Absolutely beautiful scenery on the river and the train. On the excursion, they will take you right up to an iceberg so you can touch it and get your picture taken. We like the Glacier Quest cruise rather than the 26 Glacier cruise—it’s shorter (get back around 5 pm) and goes to an area that the ship does not go. The lunch served on board is yummy (veggie chili), there is a US Forest Ranger on board and you see wildlife. It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon. We loved the 26 Glacier cruise but we just found ourselves getting antsy to get back on board. You get back in plenty of time (6:30 ish?). My suggestion is to book directly with Phillips—much cheaper than through Princess (but it looks like it might be a Princess only cruise since it leaves so early in the am). We personally haven’t done it but our kids have gone jet skiing and kayaking in Whittier. Lazy Otter is a great company that will work with you to customize your experience in Whittier. My daughter and husband were very happy with the tour they provided. https://www.lazyottercharters.com/ https://glacierjetskiadventures.com/ Edited: we get the veggie chili but you also could chose the seafood chowder on a Phillips glacier cruise.

Have done multiple cruises from Seattle and Vancouver. Our preference is Vancouver because of the Inside Passage and usually longer port times. You can easily book a B2B cruise--Vancouver to Whittier then Whittier back to Vancouver. We do that frequently. Also, we like to mix up the different cruise lines on a B2B--cruise northbound on a line, stay in Alaska for a few days and then hop on a ship for a southbound voyage. If you don't like flying out of Vancouver, you can always take a bus or train down to/from Seattle. We've done it in the past and will be doing it this summer. We're cruising out of Vancouver on a B2B after a Rocky Mountaineer/Canadian Rockies trip, then disembarking at Vancouver, taking Amtrak Cascades to Seattle, spending one night and then hopping on a 7-day cruise out of Seattle followed by a flight home. We'll be gone for 32 days.

We've stayed a couple of times at the White House Inn. Really enjoyed the location--right on the water and was great place to sit outside with a glass of wine. https://homerwhitehouseinn.com/

Hello—quick question about purchasing the drink package on a comped cruise. This morning, hubby went online and upgrade our fares to include the Princess Plus Package for a Mother’s Day gift. At least that’s what he thought he did! Website showed that the total price for 2 people on 10-day cruise was $600. He thought that was a great deal so he paid $600 but on our cruise documents, it only shows a plus package for one (me). A couple of questions—one, I think the website was incorrect and we should have been charged $1200 for both of us. (I can’t imagine Princess honoring that price but hubby wants me to call and ask…). It was my understanding though that one person could not upgrade precruise—both passengers 1 & 2 had to upgrade. Will we be hit with another $600 charge upon boarding? Hubby doesn’t really drink. We’re elite so the mini bar set up along with the two bottles of wine we carry on is enough for him. His drink of choice is Coke Zero so we also carry on a 12 pack for him. We have enough OBC to cover gratuities and WiFi as well so we don’t need the package. We had originally decided not to purchase it but hubby was looking for something nice as a gift (I do yoga and thought I would enjoy the classes.) So, second question, can one cancel this purchase and if so, does it have to be through the casino department? Thanks!

Ooh, have fun! We’ll be joining you on May 17th.

I was on the Thanksgiving cruise on the Koningsdam with a party of six. We didn’t have to wait very long to get a table at the MDR—maybe ten minutes? We went at 6:30 pm and were able to go directly (after the first night) to our table. Worse thing for us on that cruise was the tendering issues at Cabo!

This is the list I received this morning. Unfortunately, not able to use any! We already on three free HAL cruises this summer and fall as well as a few from Princess Casino! I know, I know-no one feels sorry for me! 🤣 But, this is my experience with these offers and I haven’t been on HAL since last November. I’m a casual gambler—I budget and play $50 a day while on a cruise, hubby NEVER gambles.

Or if it’s too cold, you can go to the Skywalkers Lounge! My iPhone shot leaving SF.