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Here are the notes I have taken for each of the three ports our Alaska Cruise will go to. These are just the items that held interest to our family and there are plenty of other choices out there but this might give a good starting point for your research. My family will include our 80 year old parents who are physically able but declining a bit so all hikes are easy and on flat, well-groomed trails. Most are under an hour total with one or two up to two hours with plenty of stops, these longer hikes take place from visitor's centers or campgrounds with plenty of seating if anyone decides to not hike or go back early. Juneau Overview: Juneau, often described as America's most unusual state capital, is the only center of U.S. government with no roads leading into or out of town. The city is surrounded by nature, namely towering mountains and the waters of Gastineau Channel. For most visitors, the only way in or out is by air or sea. Gold put Juneau on the map in the 1880s, though the mining camp went by several names before prospector Joe Juneau finally wrangled enough votes to get his name to stick. Juneau became a state capital when Alaska became the 49th U.S. state in 1959. The governor's mansion stands on a hillside overlooking the cruise docks, and anyone can take a walk up the hills via steep stairways. Juneau offers the state's most accessible glacier -- Mendenhall, an immense, 12-mile-long river of ice. Along with glacier viewing, there's always the chance of seeing a bear or two up close. Sites: (1) Alaska State History and Culture museum (2) Mount Roberts Tram - close to ship (3) Juneau-Douglas Musueum: culture of the Tlingit People (4) Mendenhall Glacier: 12 miles SE of ships w/ visitors center and several nice short hikes including the Nugget Falls hike - 2 miles round trip from visitor center (5) Excursion Cruise Tracy Arm Fjords for waterfalls, whales, calving glaciers, etc (6) Bear watching on Admiralty Island - requires float plane (7) Dog Sledding via helicopter to Herbert Glacier (8) MaCauley Salmon Hatchery - 2.5 miles from dock & has marine life aquarium $5 (9) Glacial Botanical Garden $27 (10) Musher Camp w/ Sled Dog Ride & puppies - 2.25 hr total tour $133 (AlaskaShoreExcursions.com) (11) Gold Creek Flume Hiking Trail - wooden boardwalk along rushing creek close to town; 1 mile uphill hike from ship to get there Ketchikan Overview: Misty Ketchikan, the rainiest town in Southeast Alaska (bring a rain jacket), is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." You're bound to visit Creek Street, a row of wooden buildings perched over the water on pilings. Brightly painted boutiques once catered to gentlemen seeking the company of "sporting women." Legends of a different sort are recorded on totem poles. Boasting the world's largest collection of Northwest totem poles. Sites: (1) Tongass Nat’l Forest hiking - tons of trails to choose from - good o0ption is Ward Lake w/ uncrowded 1 mile loop around the lake on flat well-groomed trails through the old growth section - requires a taxi or rental car (2) Old Town DIY walking tour - takes about 2 hours total with lots of interesting sights, stores, museums, totem poles, Creek with possible salmon spawning (3) Float Plane tours to Need’s Bay to see bears in the wild (4) Lumberjack Show in Old Town area close to ships (5) “Flightseeing” plane tours Skagway Overview: Downtown Skagway is really close to the ship and is a historic city full of buildings from the 1890’s. It is the Gold Rush Capital and is the starting point for the Yukon Trail. Skagway is the northernmost, ice-free, deep water port in N. Am. Nice hiking close to town. Sites: (1) Yukon Train Excursion 2.5 hrs to Canada and back - requires passport (2) rent a car and follow the Yukon Trail with stops at dog sled camps for summer rides and puppy play time along with numerous sites along the way (3) Gold Rush Museum (4) Historic City Center has lots of interesting shops and museums - FREE 30 min. film at the Nat’l Park Visitor Center called “Gold Fever: Race to Klondike” [on Broadway near 2nd Street] (5) Lower Reid Falls waterfall hike and old cemetery are located at the end of town’s Main Street -1.5 hour walk round trip from ships (6) Walk along waterfront to Yakutania Point - 1 hour round trip from ship; add 30-60 min to add on Smuggler’s Cove

We had the most amazing experience snorkeling in Moorea. I've snorkeled all over the Caribbean and Hawaii but have never experienced so much sea life as in Moorea. We did a private snorkel tour with Luna and Captain Clem on a small Boston Whaler boat that could hold up to 4 guests but jut being the two of us and them, it was much more comfortable. My husband is not comfortable in the water but I wanted him to experience snorkeling in paradise so he agreed. It was perfect too. Luna gave him a float to use and actually pulled him through the water so he didn't have to overthink anything and could just enjoy the surroundings. She was amazingly patient with him and he enjoyed snorkeling for the first time. She brought papaya for us to feed the fish which was super fun as they surrounded us. We snorkeled in 3 different locations. All were away from the tour groups were the coral was dead from people touching and standing on it. It really was a private experience. The first location had brightly colored coral and too many different types of fish to count. The second place was where the green sea turtles hang out. There were dozens of them lounging on the bottom of the ocean and they would swim up around us to get air and go back down. At the third place, Luna slapped the top of the water to call over the stingrays. There were two enormous rays that were as friendly and playful as puppies. One was pregnant and she showed us where the baby bump was. She clearly explained where you could and couldn't touch the rays before we got out of the boat and walked us through the experience to keep us safe. Both Luna and Clem are certified lifeguards and highly experienced so we were in good hands should something happen, but their focus on safety made that a non-event. The snorkeling equipment they provided was the best quality I've ever used too. The adventure was the highlight of our 2 month long vacation and the best excursion of my life! You can find them by searching for Mermaid Private Boat tours and conglomerate excursions websites.

Do the stateroom bathrooms have soft lighting at night? (We will be sailing Majestic Princess.)

Royal has no problem with the hammocks I’ve hung on several of their standard balconies. And the Sunset Verandas are deeper than Royal’s standard balconies. I always hang it low so there is no chance of danger. I’m specifically asking if it’s possible and not whether each person thinks its a good idea or not. And the movement from the ship makes lying in a hammock that much better. I don’t have to rock myself. Heehee Thank you BoatHarbor for your exceedingly helpful answer!!

Are the structures or the sunset veranda balconies designed in such a way as to accommodate hanging a travel hammock?

For anyone interested in some of the Thanksgiving holiday special dinner menus, I am attaching some. Each restaurant has their own version of Turkey & dressing. It’s available the entire holiday cruise. You can still order off the regular menu too. (Not all of these are my original photos, but I don’t have a name to give credit to. Sorry)

We will be sailing the beginning of April.

Yes. We finished our cruise last week & it was indeed pump soap in our standard balcony stateroom. However it did not hold a lot of soap & was empty when we arrived and was empty again on day 8. We had to ask our room attendant to fill it because he didn’t notice. We found the soap to be drying though, so I will bring my own pump soap from now on.

Thank you everyone for your responses. It looks like the consensus is for liquuid hand soap. Now I know I don’t have to pack any. I find my family doesn’t wash as thoroughly with the tiny little bars and good hygiene is important. We will be in a balcony on Meraviglia.

I did a search but nothing came up. Does anyone know if the staterooms have liquid pump hand soap or the bars?