LEMJMcC

Thanks, but those are a bit out of my budget...

Me (55, but I identify as 25!) and my wife (??) both used the water slides on Wonder this past February and had a blast! Here's to not growing old before our time!

Quite right! I embrace heavier weather and somewhat relish it on a cruise, though I don't want to be selfish and callous toward the other passengers who may be more sensitive. If the ship is not moving, I might as well be in a hotel room. Again, I have to qualify all this by saying that I have never gotten seasick in my adult life; I'm certain that if I had, I'd be changing my tune. Nevertheless, I would welcome some chop in the sea as long as it doesn't ruin the cruise experience for most of the guests.

I'm looking for recommendations and suggestions for a decent camera tripod or monopod that can be easily packed for air travel and carrying around in a small backpack on hiking & biking excursions in Alaska. I've seen some online, but I rather not spend as much on the tripod as I did on the camera! Any suggestions? What have you used that you'd recommend? Thanks.

True, but the only "rough" seas we've encountered on previous Caribbean cruises were in a storm on our return from Cozumel to Orlando. That was fun! I must add that neither the dear wife nor I have been subject to seasickness, Lord willing we shan't be on future cruises... Here's hoping! Thanks.

Taking Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle next July. Here's the route as near as I can tell: Any chance we'll run into rougher seas? In a way, I kind of like it (I enjoy the pitch and roll of the ship), though I'm not sure if the rest of our travel party do. Also, if you've taken a similar route, are we close enough to shore to see any scenery? I doubt it, but not having been before, thought I'd ask. Thanks.

I ordered a pair of Vortex Diamondback 15x56 ($302 on Amazon) for our Alaska cruise next summer. They're due to arrive in a week or so. They may be a bit bigger/ heavier than I want to tote around, but Amazon's return policy is pretty good if I end up not liking them. I have a pair of Bushnell 10x42, but I'd like something with a bit more magnification. We'll see if the 15x56 fit the bill.

Right. Thanks. I really don't know what to expect even as an Emerald level on a cruise...

Hi All, We currently have 72 C&A points making us Emerald. To get to Diamond we need 80. Our next cruise is a 7-night cruise in a JS, will that put us into Diamond level? I think it's 2-points/night for a JS, but I'm not sure. Thanks.

Found this on another forum...

Thanks all!

I suspect this has been asked before, but 1) I'm too lazy to look and 2) things (policies) do change, so I'm asking for the latest information/experience. We are planning a cruise with two other parties on Quantum of the Seas, one of the parties is a family of five whose mother would like to have the basic soda package. If no one else in her family wants one, can she get it for herself only? I told her that I thought I had seen somewhere on this forum that someone had done this successfully. Am I right? Would each member of the family have to have one? Please advise and pardon the laziness or as I call it, economy of effort! Thanks.

I totally agree with cruiseguy1016. If we're in the cabin, we're on the balcony, unless in the shower or asleep! Pre-breakfast tea/coffee & pastries as we watch the day begin and post-show snacks & desserts on it as we look at/for the lights of other ocean-going vessels. If I couldn't get an unobstructed balcony, I wouldn't book the cruise.

What would be the equivalent to a Royal Caribbean Junior Suite on a Celebrity ship? Is there a direct comparison? Do the cabins vary greatly from one Celebrity ship to another? We have always selected a Junior Suite on every Royal cruise we've done: Brilliance, Freedom, Oasis, Mariner, and Wonder. These cabins were almost exactly the same layout and features. What Celebrity class cabin would I look into if I wanted to expand my cruising experience? Thanks.

Yeah, I noticed that when test-driving a pair of Zeiss 10X42 here locally. I figure I can use the railing of our balcony or one of my hiking poles for greater stability.

I appreciate the lead. I found a pair of Vortex Diamondback 15X56 on sale and ordered them...Amazon is pretty easy for returns if I don't like them. They may be a bit heavier, but for me, 35 oz. is not much of a load...my wife, on the other hand, wants something lighter, smaller, but with good optics...

Quite nice! What power binoculars did you take? My wife is looking for a pair and so far the most common are 10x42 which seem to be a good size for plane travel and toting around the neck. Lord willing, we are sailing Quantum next July for our first, hopefully not last!, Alaskan cruise.

We're to be in Sitka for about 7 hours next July. We like day hikes and biking. What would you recommend as excursions for two to ten people who all like to be active? Age range from 14 through mid-60s. Thanks.

I'm wondering if RCI offers any local fish during their Alaskan cruises? We are salmon fans and I am a crab legs fan (the wife has allergies so she cannot partake in these). So, any hopes of getting some of either or both during our cruise next summer? Thanks.

For what it's worth, we booked the Mediterranean Inn in Seattle for three nights before we embark on Quantum next year. We've never been to Seattle and would like to take in some of the city before we leave on the ship. Since we're flying in and are not planning to rent a vehicle, we wanted a more central location where we hope to be able to walk to some of the notable locations of Seattle. This hotel is not cheap! But, even a whole year out availability is scarce, I guess because of the Independence Day holiday so our choices were limited. It does offer a shuttle to the pier for $10/person. We're part of a group of 10, so I'm wondering if we could reserve a shuttle from the airport to the Med Inn. And one again to carry us from the pier back to the airport for our departure...

Thanks to all of you who responded! We're going to plan on the whales in Juneau and then perhaps find some good hiking in Sitka and/or Skagway.

Sorry. Our itinerary is Seattle to Sitka to Skagway to Endicott Arms/Dawes Glacier to Juneau to Victoria, BC to Seattle. We hope to be a group of nine, possibly ten. We're considering Harv and Marv's in Juneau as I've read some good reviews of their whale-watching tour in Juneau. Whale-watching is also offered in Sitka. Thanks for the advice!

One of the features of the Oasis-class ships we've been on that we really liked was the Vitality Cafe. We enjoyed the smoothies there at least twice each day. We're sailing Quantum next year to Alaska (Lord willing) and I'm wondering if she has one. Please advise. Thanks.

Looking forward to our cruise next summer, but am a little conflicted about what to do in Juneau. The two things that I think are must-see/do are glaciers and whales. So, do we shoot for whales in Juneau or perhaps plan that for Sitka? How close can one actually get to Mendenhall Glacier? If it's a hike up to a point, then viewing from a distance, then I may be more apt to go whale watching there. But, if one can hike right up close or even onto the glacier, then I might defer the whales until Sitka. Advice? Experiences? Thanks.

What car rental agency did you use in Skagway?