Heidi13

The potential crewing issue was raised by @BruceMuzz who has many years of experience working in senior positions within the hotel department. Do you have more experience managing cruise ships and also know the Flag/Class regulatory requirements, and cabin availability?????

Provided you have deep pockets anything is possible. The primary work completed in drydocks is the required regulatory/Class inspections and bottom coatings. This is what determines the length of time on the blocks. Any hotel work is completed based on the time available and capital funding available. Having a ship sitting on the blocks in drydock is expensive, which is why only required inspections/work is completed on the blocks. Other work can be completed at a wet dock. With respect to refitting older tonnage, the primary cost drivers are steelwork. Initially additional inspections, then as ships age, the huge cost of replacing steel. In a number of drydockings on older tonnage, I have conducted ultra-sonic testing of the steel thickness on every single hull plate, with 1 or 2 readings per plate, depending on position. When I got a low reading, we hag to call for an x-ray of the plate to determine if it was a steel defect or corrosion. The hull plating is actually quite simple compared to the internal structure, which can require crawling through tanks and void spaces. Older tonnage often have significant asbestos content, which requires significant escalation of costs to prepare the area for steel replacement. Therefore, before determining they will keep a ship over 15 - 20 yrs they must have a handle on the potential structural costs before estimating the cost of any hotel upgrades, which are minimal expenses compared to structural costs.

Negative, port charges are not a flat-fee, as ship's length, Gross Tonnage and # pax can all impact the final costs. This is a very complex subject which is impossible to provide a comprehensive response, as it would take many pages. If this is something of interest, your best bet is to research a few specific ports. Here is a link to the fee document for Metro Port Vancouver. https://www.portvancouver.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-01-01-Fee-Document-for-2023-2023-04-27-2.1.1-updated.pdf Note - this is just the port fees, as you will also have pilot fees and tugs, if utilised.

Since the Royal Class take the longer route up the Pacific Ocean, similar to Seattle based ships, they may spend less time ashore. The Royal Class also don't have the Promenade Deck, which is a great spot when viewing glaciers. Due to their poor handling characteristics, they are more likely to miss ports in inclement weather. Enjoy your first Alaska cruise.

No experience with HAL, but spent 40 yrs with Princess, both working for and cruising with them. Also spent 35 yrs working the coast, so know these waters reasonably well. Pre-Cruise Vancouver probably has more direct flights from various destinations than Anchorage, so for most pax, Vancouver might be an easier option for flights. Unless using Princess transfers to the port, Vancouver is probably the easier of the 2 with options and ease of getting to the port. Hotel costs in Vancouver are very expensive. Cheaper options are available in Richmond out by the airport. Never stayed in Anchorage, so can't comment on hotel prices. Embarkation Depending on the number of ships in port, Canada Place can vary from a reasonable to horrendous overall experience. Never embarked in Whittier, but with a single ship, I have only seen it run smoothly at the ship. Note - I recall reading they are building additional dock(s), but don't know the status. In Vancouver, you go through US Border control during the embarkation process, but in Whittier it is not required. Disembarkation Haven't disembarked in Whittier, but based on observations, it runs smoothly. No Immigration/Border Controls required in Whittier. In Vancouver, you must clear Canadian Immigration, which entails completing a declaration and for most walking out through Border Agents. Depending on the number of ships, it can be a challenge finding a taxi. Generally, I find Vancouver disembarkation is smoother and faster than embarkation. Glaciers The N'bd and S'bd itineraries are slightly different. N'bd cruises spend the last sea day in Prince William Sound/College Fjord. This passes a number of glaciers. However, the N'bd cruise does NOT stop at Hubbard Glacier, which is huge and most impressive. S'bd cruises sail directly from Whittier to Hubbard Glacier, so you miss the scenic cruising in Prince William Sound/College Fjord. Glacier Bay is on both itineraries and while not the most impressive glaciers, it is still a brilliant day. Got well over a couple dozen visits into GB, but I'm still one of the first out on deck. Inside Passage Cruise lines take extreme liberties promoting "Inside Passage" cruising. Some of the most scenic areas you may sail through are the waters between the Mainland and Vancouver Island. On N'bd cruises, on departure Vancouver, the Master sets a speed for Seymour Narrows, a very narrow passage 100 miles from Vancouver, with extreme tides. Cruise ships can only transit within 1 hr of slack water. Therefore, you will steam up Georgia Strait, hopefully seeing a spectacular sunset. By morning, the ship is already in Queen Charlotte Sound, so you miss the scenic part at night. On S'bd cruises, the Master again sets speed for Seymour Narrows, catching a late night slack water. This provides most of this scenic cruising in daylight. Scenery Having spent way too many hours on a ship's Bridge navigating these waters, in my opinion, the scenery does not improve as you go north. As is common in most parts of the World, the scenery changes, and in these waters it also changes extensively with the season. So, yes, the scenery changes, but whether that is for the better or worse depends on your preferences. Recommendation - S'bd You mentioned seeing glaciers was important, so I suggest a S'bd is your best option. Since you mentioned arriving a day earlier, I suggest booking the Phillips 26 Glacier Tour, which is exceptional, as it visits even more glaciers than the N'bd cruise. This also gets you Hubbard Glacier. Flights into Anchorage might be more challenging than Vancouver, but that is the only potential negative I can think of.

Not all ships with books available to the pax have a dedicated library space. On Viking, they have a couple of thousand books distributed around most of the lounges on bookshelves. Most of the books are historical and/or cover the regions the ships sail. No need to sign-out a book, simply grab one, read it and return to any lounge. Therefore, no under utilised space.

This is now my primary reason for not using US $. Just prior to the BoE removing the paper 50 pound notes from circulation, I took a number of them to be exchanged at our local bank. They were all newer notes, in excellent condition, that would have been accepted in any UK bank. However, upon inspection, our local bank refused 9 of them due to ink marks on the notes. Therefore, ensuring the notes are in new'ish condition is no longer a guarantee they will be accepted for exchange. Since I only provide tips for great service, I would be extremely disappointed, if a guide that provided us great service was stuck with a foreign currency they couldn't exchange. Since we would have already sailed away, I would never even know about the issue, nor have an opportunity to fix it.

They may not have a position on board identified as "Cruise Director", but they have 1 or more persons completing the tasks normally performed by a CD on other ships. Somebody is accountable for developing the entertainment schedule and approving the information in the daily paper prior to publishing. The entertainment department also requires a management level position, with that being the CD, on all ships I worked on. That role is still required, Virgin simply give the position a different title.

Prior to any cruise, we visit our local RBC, ordering about CAN $20 in the local currency for each country. Some currencies can take a week to reach the branch, so plan ahead, if considering this method. When I provide a tip/gratuity it is for service above and beyond, so I have no wish to inconvenience the person by making them go to a bank to exchange the money. If the vendor requests being paid in a specific currency, I will acquire that currency and if a tip is warranted, will provide the same currency for a tip. I find that currency exchanges are becoming increasingly fickle about the conditions of notes they accept for exchange. Basically, the currency must be in almost new condition to guarantee it is accepted. I recently had a number of notes refused because of pen marks on the note. In most parts of the World, meals and most purchases can be paid with cards.

Another great choice, as in addition to the small cruise ships, they have a number of Ro/Pax that sail the coast getting into ports the cruise ships may not visit.

Need a little more information to provide a helpful response. Which cruise line(s) are you considering and more importantly, what itinerary, including the port ETA/ETD's.

When deciding between a premium/luxury line and a mega ship, in addition to comparing the itinerary and time ashore, I suggest prioritising what is important on board the ship. In addition to visiting new places, if you want to also learn about them, I know Viking probably have the best and most extensive lectures and presentations. On board, you also have access to the extensive library, which has many books on the areas the ships cruise. You may also find specialised marine species and wildlife experts with Viking. However, the entertainment in the Theatre is just OK. If your preference is wacky pool games and in the evening glitzy shows, marriage games, various trivias/game shows, etc, then a mega ship is probably a better option. Personally, after having also experienced Viking, it would require a significant lowering of expectations to sail on a mega ship again. I also note that Viking being a Norwegian owned company, they are probably the experts in that region.

Affirmative, on departure Bora Bora we sailed around the edge of the TRS, missing the Cook Islands, but getting an extra day in Nukalofa.

It is a good walk along the wharf to reach shore, but I don't recall any stairs off the wharf on Komodo Island, as most of the hike was on fairly level ground, except the furthest part from the wharf. They have other islands - Rinca and Padar. Although I haven't been to Padar, during my research, I recall they had steep, curving stairs leading from a short wharf.

To introduce in the cruise industry, due to the need for a pool, you are limited to new tonnage. Even a small 10' x 10' pool only 3' deep will contain 9 - 10 tons of water. Unless you can find space low down, it is a lot of weight to add, and will most likely have a negative impact an existing ship's stability. As Bruce also noted, they have limited space for additional crew members. You are most likely looking at new classes of ships, as the redesign of future sister ships, of existing tonnage, could also entail expensive redesigns.

Although they are both in the tropics, Hawaii is Northern Hemisphere and French Polynesia is Southern Hemisphere, so they experience different weather patterns at the same time of year. The South Pacific is in Tropical Revolving Storm season, which are known locally as Cyclones. So in addition to the normal tropical weather patterns you may also encounter a TRS. I have experienced a few of them over the years, including one on our last cruise in the region.

May I suggest researching potential border waits, as although we have 4 separate crossings for the lower mainland, 3 to 4 hour delays are not uncommon at busy times. Once across the border you also have tunnel/bridge then Vancouver traffic to deal with. An untimely accident and road maintenance can result in lengthy delays. Downtown Vancouver has numerous covered lots, but expect to pay up to $45 - $50 per day, and you may require a reservation in advance. Canada Place also has covered parking over 2 decks and they have special rates that should be more reasonable. If DW must stay on the US side, you may want to consider train, bus and even a flight from SeaTac to YVR. Driving in day of cruise, with a border crossing would not be my preferred choice, especially if you don't know the local roads.

I hope they get the ship finished fairly quickly, as while she is getting on in years, she was an amazing ship. Built by Royal Viking Line, as Royal Viking Sun, their 4th ship. Sounds like she is undergoing a major drydocking and wet dock for 3 months, so it should almost be a new ship.

I can't remember which cruise line you are using, but the ones I worked for and cruised with as a pax, did make an effort to increase the number of menus available on World Cruises and Grand Voyages. Therefore, you may be pleasantly surprised once aboard your cruise that the WC menus are different from sister ships, on shorter itineraries.

With 35+ yrs seatime and 3 trips around the World, 1 on a cargo ship and 2 by cruise ship, I certainly understand what a World Cruise entails. However, you may know less about World Cruises than you think, as you are wrong again. With mainstream mega ships completing World Cruises in about 100 days, more than 50% are usually sea days, but a World Cruise on a luxury/premium smaller ship, most likely has about 55 - 60% port days to 40 - 45 % sea days. Viking World Cruise 120 days - port days 66, sea days 54

Of the mainstream cruise lines, Cunard may have the best enrichment program.

That was our experience with Viking, every menu was different.

Onboard ships, there is no such place as a "Kitchen", however they do have multiple galleys. Having worked for Princess and spent 3 weeks on a Viking ship with only 8 pax and a full crew, I have seen most of the working spaces. On Viking ships the main galley is huge, but is sub-divided into separate areas. Each of the 2 alternative restaurants has a separate galley, with their own crew, as does room service and the buffet. On Princess, the older ships also had separate galleys for the specialty restaurants, room service and the buffet. On the Sun Class they used part of the buffet for the steakhouse, with meals prepared in the buffet galley. Although I haven't sailed with Cunard, I believe they also have separate galleys, as does P&O (UK & Aus). Can't speak to other cruise lines.

We have completed 2 World Cruises, the first on Princess and the 2nd on Viking. With Princess, the exact same menu did repeat on each of the 4 segments and on the longest segment some menus were again repeated. Quality of the meals coming from the galley was poor, both the quality of the ingredients and the temperature of the meal, as it arrived at the table. Specialty restaurants were no better. On Viking, the menu never repeated once. Yes, some popular dishes were repeated, but always on a different menu, with the other items being different. On most nights, they include a destination sub-menu, with an appy, main course and dessert from the country the ship is visiting, or sailing through the waters. The quality of meals on Viking was excellent, with the taste/flavour of each dish being appropriate to that dish.

Please advise how many times have you cruised with Viking and Oceania, as I sincerely hope your comment is based on personal experience. Having actually sailed with both Princess & Viking, in my personal experience Viking treats pax vastly superior to Princess. Spent 40 yrs with Princess, both cruising and working for them, and you couldn't pay me to suffer one of their ships again. Our son also worked for them, so between us we have 17 yrs experience, providing sufficient experience how they treat employees. Viking's employee contracts are vastly superior to Princess. With respect to HAL, I have friends who cruise with them, but since I haven't, I will not comment on the information I have, as it isn't personal experience.