gogiantsfan29

Annoyed that they are not giving us an opportunity to lift and shift.  I was willing to go from 9 nights to 7 from May 2021 to May 2022.  Only giving us the rest of 2021 is not helpful at all for our group since we want to do our own excursions.  I also sill doubt any cruises will be going out til mid summer anyway. 

Waiting on the email, but we had a 9 night cruise, not sure what if anything they will do for us. 

2 hours ago, Glaciers said:

When you consider all of the covid protocols that will be in place next year your husband may appreciate a couple extra glacier days of scenic viewing.  If they implement the bubble and only allow you to book excursions through the ship it will be very inconvenient and really put a damper on exploring ports.  You need to consider the possibility that they will not allow you off the ship on your own.  Embrace those glacier days.

Thanks but we are canceling our 2021 and going to do it 2022 because of the protocols and yes we like to do our own excursions .  He wants more stops so I guess I am back to the drawing board.. 

5 minutes ago, Coral said:

You don't list any glacier days in your first post.

 

I have done Alaska many times and I have done Norway. I think Glacier Bay is worth seeing if you have not been. If you can find an itinerary with both GB and Hubbard, that is a winner. A lot of times if you don't have 2 glacier days, you just get an extra sea day - might as well get glacier days.

Thanks. Sorry all the other cruises had Hubbard only not Glacier.  The NCL cruise you lose a port day with only 3 stops instead with the others which have 4.  

48 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

IMHO, none since none of those itineraries go to Glacier Bay.

I knew Glacier Bay was not on the list.  I am torn about it being a must have or not. We have been to Norway and have done fjords cruise and see glaciers up close. My husband hates sea days and rather have another stop.  We love hiking, kayaking, boating etc.  I see there is one more that I can consider if I give up a port. 

May 30 - NCL Cruise

Ketchikan 7-4pm

Skagway - 8 to 8pm

Juneau  11 to 9pm

Glacier Bay and Hubbard Bay cruising 

Since my 2021 will be cancelled being a 9 night .  I am going to rebook for 2022 7 night either Southbound or Northbound .  Any Thoughts which would you Pick1-4?

Thanks..

1.   Radiance of the Seas - RCC May 27th

Juneau 9-9pm

Skagway 7am -5pm

Haines 7pm-11pm

Icy Point - 6:30am  - 3pm

Ketchikan 9am - 6pm

2. Radiance of the Seas May 20th

Ketchikan 6am to 4pm

Sitka 8am to 5pm

Juneau 7am to 9:30pm

Skagway 7am to 5pm

3. Radiance of the Seas- June 3

Juneau 1-8pm

Icy Point 8am -6pm

Skagway 7am -5pm

Sitka 8am - 5pm

4.Celebrity Millennium - May 20th/June 3

Juneau 9 - 9pm

Skagway 7am - 8-30pm

Icy Point  6:30 - 3pm

Ketchikan 9:00 - 6pm

5.Celebrity Millennium - May 27th

Ketchikan 7-3pm

Icy Strait Point  9am - 7pm

Juneau  7am - 9:30pm

Skagway 7am - 4pm

• All cruises sailing through March 31, 2021
• All cruises longer than seven days sailing in and out of United States ports through November 1, 2021

Additionally, due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing in and out of Japan through June 25, 2021.

Hi,

We are booked on the May 7th, 2021 cruise. I like the earlier cruise as I don't think it will be as crowded in fact I think I had look and we were the only ship in port in some of them which is great.  

We did the 8 night Norway Fjords cruise on Reflection out of Dublin this past May.  It was awesome. Even though the weather was off the week we went.. We just put on our cold weather rain/snow gear and did not slow us down. We had a blast with the eMobility in Geiranger.  In Bergen we has fun with a segway tour.  Alesund we hike to the top of Sugar Mountain.  If you go to Olden they have two cars to rent in the whole town.. We rented both (had a group of 8 ) and beat out the bus tours.  It was awesome we went to two glaciers and the skylift and at the glaciers we were the only people there for over an hour.  So worth it to rent the cars and avoid the crowds.   Happy Planning you will love it.  

My trip for refundable 9 night Alaska cruise has been bouncing between $4900 and $5500 with 4 perks for the last month. NR between $4500-$4900.  Then one sale had 3 perks for $4100 non refundable.  Still got the Best deal with TA $3700 with 3 perks plus their $300(so 4 perks)  and its Refundable. I feel bad for people that just happen to book a cruise one day and never look back.  

38 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

Can you give hint at TA?  I looked on TA Online associated  with this site and it was 4900x

Hi,

The fare I got is also refundable.  I used the same TA for a Norwegian Cruise back in May and got an crazy deal then.  Not sure what the rules are for posting the name? is there a way for you to message me?  The first world of the TA is the same as as what a king wears on his head.. Can i post that.. lol?

26 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

My concerns for cancelling are only in case of a medical emergency..... Doctor documentation and all that.  

Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred would cover you for medical.  As long as some part of the cruise was paid for with their credit card.

We are going in 2021 and booked last month.  I did not so much care about the price but just wanted to hold 4 rooms next to each other so we can open the balconies and get the cabins we wanted.  So, we took a refundable deposit.  Then this month I moved it over to a TA who had group space on the cruise I wanted.  It was crazy. I went from 4500 with 1 perk to 3700 with 3 perks with Celebrity and $300 from my TA. Got in on a great deal.  So, the earlier the better and then just watch.  I continue to watch to see if anything will be cheaper.  

We are also booked on an Alaska cruise.  Our group picked select dinning.  With most of the stops departing late there is no way you could do early dinning. Just nice to have the flexibility for select.  We did it for our Norweigan Fjords cruise and found it was great.

We choose Eclipse since in May 2021 they are doing a 9 night inside passage.  Going to get  to see more ports then just the normal 7 night plus it should be coming out of refurbishment right about then. 

I would think you can do way under $5000.  I just booked 10 day r/t from Vancouver.  Balcony with drinks, wifi, tips and $300 OBC for $3700.  Going to keep watching it daily for changes but I think that is a good rate for 10 days.  I see all the excursions that I am interested in are going to be a lot.

5 minutes ago, Italy52 said:

Well....that's hard to say. Some vendors will let you book or at least take your info about a year out; others will tell you to call back during a particular time when they start accepting reservations.  For our small whale watching vendors (Glacier Wind in Icy Strait or Jayleen's Alaska in Juneau) we usually book a year out.  I am kind of a fanatic about getting the vendors we want.  😁  If interested in Glacier Wind you can always email them and see what they have to say. 

 

Karen

Hi Karen.. from another Karen.. LOL.. 

Yeah, I am just like you very particular about getting who I want too.  While in Norway we had this one stop where they only had two cars to rent out in the whole town.  I booked like 18 months out and the guy thought i was crazy.  But, I beat all the buses and tours to this one glacier and our group had the whole place to ourselves for almost an hour it was well worth all the time and effort to get what I wanted.  Thanks.

2 hours ago, Italy52 said:

Your welcome.  I think the larger vessel will be a great addition to Glacier Wind.  FYI, when the time comes, if you do decide to book with Glacier Wind don't wait too long as they are a very popular vendor. 

Great.  How far in advance is normal for Alaska ?  

I booked Alaska Eclipse 9 night May 7 2021 with Celebrity in December 1b 4500 with 1 perk.  Moved it over to my TA and decided to drop it to no perks $3700 but TA was giving $300.  Yesterday, TA was able to get 3 perks plus his $300 for the same $3700 rate refundable deposit.  Just went on Celebrity website for the same thing minus the $300 from the TA would cost me $4900. Crazy.  I think I got a great deal but will keep checking daily for the next year:).

49 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

 

Which sailing are you on and can you give hints for the TA?  I have gotten some of my best deals when I got a group rate on a TA starting with Cru and then Celebrity having great Go Best promotion.  But I can't find any group rates for Celebrity on any of the big online TA's.  

I also got a  group pricing with the TA.. I try Cru first but this other company had a better rate  Starts with what a King wear on his head:)

Hi, we are booked with on Alaska May 2021 also.  I think we will do the whale watching in Icy Point since there seems to be more to do in Juneau.

Trying to keep up pricing is mad..lol . I have an Alaska Cruise booked for May 2021.   I had it booked with Celebrity last month. 1 perk refundable deposit. Moved it over to a TA yesterday for $800 less no perk but $300 OBC.  Today,  I kept the same price as yesterday but now 3 perks included plus the $300 OBC this is for a refundable deposit. Just looked on Celebrity website its $1200 more for the 3 perks then my TA and no extra $300OBC.   Insane. I think the deal I got is great.  But, will have to call tomorrow and see with the price is for the non-refundable 4 perks deal is with them. 

Thanks Italy - I think we will probably do whale watching in Icy Strait.  I see Glacier Wind is having a new boat that can hold 13.  There now looks to be 8 of us going so that might work out great..  Will have to figure out other stops since most of these boats seem to hold 6.   I was looking at Gallant Adventures Wildlife Tours in Sitka .

Thanks Melinda,  Great information!! I will have to take a look at your page and read up over the weekend when I have a minute. I see in Juneau you can do the Mendenhall Glacier with a canoe or kayak tour and then a trek of the glacier have you done that.?  

Hi, we just booked 9 night May 2021 on Celebrity in and out of Vancouver.  We have stops in , Sitka, Icy Point Straight, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.  I was wondering is one port is known for something over the others.  We are a group of 6 active adults that love adventurous things and don't mind off the beaten path by ourselves away from tour groups things.  We like hiking, kayaking, whale watching or any other animal sightings , biking. Is there a stop we should rent a car and go off on our own or is one known better for whale watching etc.  We did the Norwegian fjords this year.  Heading to Switzerland to hike and bike  next year and Alaska in 2021.  I am just starting now to being research of small independent operators etc. Thanks.