~*Lou*~

Thank you so much!

Wow thank you so much. Am trying to talk friends who have never cruised before into going with us on Grand to NZ next January! By any chance do you know cocktail prices?

By any chance can you tell me wifi price if you buy per day on board? Trying to work out “value” of Plus package to us. many thanks!

>> Do they do any special things in the kids clubs for Alaska cruises? We were on Coral in 2019 and the children came back from almost every session with a soft toy - bald eagle, whale, puffin etc. On Glacier Bay day, the ranger stopped by for a chat. >> A day and night in Anchorage, places to eat, something easy to do. Will you have a rental car? My children are super keen on wildlife and loved Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Centre but its an hour south of Anchorage. Also Alaska Zoo which is in Anchorage. Snow City Cafe for breakfast (book ahead so you don't have to wait in a long line at the door).

>> Hours of Operation: Sea days 9:00am to 12:00 pm | 1:00pm - 5:00pm | 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Port Days 8:00am - 5:00pm | 6:00pm - 10:00pm. I can confirm these were the hours during the 26th June sailing on Coral (which was in school holidays). My children (12 and 14) had a great time.

We were also on 26th June cruise, and due a refund from a cancelled shore excursion - I was told to expect a cheque, posted from the US, however about three weeks later the refund showed up on my credit card. Hope that helps.

UPDATE- To answer my own question - yes we did it - family of 4, carry-on (or should I say roll-on) luggage only. We were away from home 9 days/8 nights. We each had a wheelie bag that met Australian domestic travel measurements, we were on Qantas so we had up to 10kg each, plus small personal item (my small over-the-shoulder bag). I gave each family member a strict packing list based on 5 coordinating outfits plus layers. My youngest (12) could manage his own bag. It helped enormously that Princess have self-serve laundries on board (however I am not against hand washing). We did not pack for formal nights (if we really wanted to, we could have taken something like like a dress that rolls up small for myself and my daughter, and nice shirt and light weight slacks for my husband and son). We wore our heaviest/bulkiest clothes from home (Melbourne), on the plane. I included plenty of medication, extra masks and RATs in case we became ill on board. We're not keen shoppers so we didn't have anything extra to bring home. Definitely worth it to get through the airport so easily, especially our flight from MEL to BNE on first day of school holidays. And able to leap in and out of taxis easily without worrying about whether all our luggage would fit in the boot.

Agree with most of what has already been said. Couple of additional things - Our children were 12 and 14 and enjoyed the Teen Lounge and having the outdoor pool to themselves after dinner - I got a drink from the bar and supervised them while keeping an eye on MUTS, and some nights just trying to keep dry! App didn't work for me - main gripe was knowing "locate your shipmates" existed but I couldn't use it. The one time I ordered a drink on the App, I cancelled it after 30 mins, and then over an hour later it arrived. We were in Group F (1.30pm-2pm) for check in and when we arrived at the cruise terminal, it was definitely checked by two different staff members before we even got inside the terminal. Less than one hour from getting out of the taxi to reporting to muster station, having checked in, clearing security, been to cabin and watched safety video and met our room steward. Medallion lanyard worked for me - my husband and children chose to buy a wristband (which we will keep for future cruises). Some ups and downs, especially with weather (out of everyone's control) and therefore shore excursions, but overall thrilled to have been back on board and we have booked NZ for Jan-24.

We were “white 2” which was meant to be 8.55, but slight delay, I think it was 9.20-9.30 that we were joining the back of the taxi queue.

The cabins had people in them - whether it was staff or passengers I don’t know - they had a small table outside the door (like the table from the balcony) and room service trays with disposable food and drink containers. Transport from the port - this morning we waited 40 mins in a queue for a taxi to to the airport- seems not many taxi drivers know about the new cruise terminal or that any cruise ships are operating again. The driver we eventually got had done 7 trips from port to airport this morning.

We didn’t notice chlorinated smell or taste either and we drank plenty of water!!. This cruise (26th June) had 1810 passengers including 113 teens (don’t know younger children numbers). Apparently the one departing today (3rd July) will be more heavily loaded- horizon court staff member told us. I noticed 2-4 cabins per deck with tables at the door (covid isolation), as well as the deck 5 port corridor was closed with covid side on the door. I don’t feel I noticed TOO much coughing round the ship - hope it stays manageable and no further cruise “pauses.” We have booked Grand to NZ in January 2024. Lou 🙂

OK, sorry to not do this with quotes but I'm scrolling through on my phone while I eat lunch * aft decks on deck 8-11 - yes there were sun-lounges when we were on board in 2019, and no one else seemed to know about those decks, I was in an inside cabin and sitting on those aft decks with my feet up and watching the wake view, felt like I was on a private ship * can anyone eat the "alfredos" lunch or just suite passengers and above (we're only in a balcony and we're only gold status) ? * clothing - we are a family of 4 and we're doing carry-on only because I'm too scared to do checked-in bags with the airline in case they get lost. I'm good at packing light, have no trouble doing laundry including hand washing, and being from Melbourne, I thoroughly understand layering. I'm bringing tee shirts but also light cardigan, a fleece jacket, light weight down jacket and one scarf, all of which can be layered if I need (and leaving Melbourne at 7am on Saturday, I will need then!) * thank you for hot water bottle suggestions Lou 🙂

We were in Coral in Alaska in 2019. You could definitely get out the front on decks 9, 10 and 11 - just walk all the way forward and through the doors as kiwi-cruiser posted. I loved it out there!!! And all the aft decks, although they are more clearly marked on deck plans, and the promenade deck too.

We’re considering booking a cruise to NZ on Grand Princess but it would have to be an internal cabin or obstructed or oceanview cabin. So public outdoor viewing decks is really important to us. I can see the wrap around promenade deck which is fabulous. Can anyone describe the upper decks outdoor spaces to me (not adults only sanctuary, we have children with us)? Is the aft terrace pool deck usually busy? Many thanks!

Hi everyone we are a family of 4 and booked on Coral Princess departing Brisbane on 26th June. We fly out of Melbourne the day before on first day of school holidays, flying Qantas. Partly because I’m concerned about busy airports after the debacle at Easter, I am thinking about the 4 of us having no checked-in luggage and only travelling with carry-on luggage. We’ve been on Coral in 2019 so I know there are self-service laundries on board. However after 2 years of covid and 3 years since I was on a cruise ship and that was a cold weather cruise, I’m seriously out of practice. What do we need to pack? Is this do-able? many thanks in advance Lou 🙂