Alaska05

Thanks @ldtr and @Steelers36
 

That stinks.  I thought because Vancouver was involved I was good.  When are they going to abolish this for cruise ships.  I know they suspended it briefly during/after COVID to help with Alaska cruises because of Canada’s ban.  

I’m looking at B2B 3 day Pacific coastals on the Crown in October  
 

Seattle to Vancouver then Vancouver to San Francisco. I don’t think this goes afoul of the PVSA rules, but thought I’d check. 
 

Thanks.

Can I use the gift card if I book on-line with Princess?  Is there a place in the payment section to enter the GC info?

I was just looking at a 3 day California coastal that the fare comes to $490. Do you know what happens to the leftover $10.

We were across from the laundromat on one of our Alaska cruises.  Never again.

People would congregate while waiting for machines and talk loudly with the door open.  Also the door was constantly slamming.  They are supposed to be closed overnight but ours was never locked. I got up one night to go to the bathroom and looked out the peephole. Someone was just going into the laundromat. 
 

I do think the laundromats are probably used more on the Alaska cruises especially southbound ones since a certain percentage are coming off land tours. 

This is a slippery slope for things to come. 

we’ve just booked our first cruise since COVID for next May. We booked standard fare.  Don't drink alcohol or coffee. Have never ordered room service in our 12 cruises.

About the only thing I don’t like is if they want to charge for regular meal in Alfredo’s, but I can do without.

I’m ok in steerage.  Heading towards the haves and have nots.

We’re doing the same thing on the Sapphire next May.  It will be our 9th and 10th Alaska cruise.  Like you, we never tire of seeing the beauty of Alaska and it’s ever changing and unpredictable weather.

Have a great cruise and I’ll be following along.

Happy Anniversary!

I’m looking at the Grand for May 2024 in Alaska.

I know it is the oldest in the fleet, but would like to know if there any drydock or refurbishment planned between now and May 2024.

Finally looking to resume cruising.  Yay!

TIA

You must be thinking of Princess ships.

I was just curious.  It seems the planes all line up, fill with passengers and then take off one after another.

we’ve been on 8 Alaska cruises.  The last one was in 2019 before COVID.  We took a helicopter one year to land on a glacier, but have mostly done whale watching excursions.

Im getting my “fix” by watching the webcam and recalling the thrill we got each time we cruised into Juneau.

Thank you all for confirming it’s possible

New watcher here.  Where do all the floatplanes go.  Just sightseeing to glaciers?

Is it “legal” to book a back to back that leaves Vancouver and sails north and stay on the ship for the southbound cruise the second week?

On 4/24/2023 at 9:14 AM, dopey1200 said:

Thank you all for your responses. Even with the lower rate for an inside cabin, it's just not going to happen right now. Unfortunately the airfare from Cincinnati to the west coast is at least $1000 per person right now. That's more than the cruise fare itself. We'll get to Alaska some day though and now I know that we'll be able to do an inside cabin!☹️

Hello from fellow Cincinnatian.

My DH and I have done 8 Alaska cruises. First couple were in balcony cabins, then we switched to inside cabins for the savings. As others have said, best views are out on the decks.  Some ships have better viewing locations than others.

Yes the airfare from Cincinnati is a killer, but so is the return trip.  Seattle flights are a little easier, but I don’t like the itinerary for round trip Seattle. 
 

We have not cruised since COVID, and I am still anxious about being on a large ship.  I was just looking at some itineraries, but the flights turned me off.  Several times we took red eyes home.  Now that we’re in our early 70s, don’t want to do that any more.

6 minutes ago, notatubaplayer said:

I am thinking the Vancouver to Anchorage looks good.   Does anyone have any tips for going to Denali before or after the cruise?

We rented a car and drove there.  You can’t get lost.  Only one main road from anchorage to Denali.  

Guess I don’t understand why any of the ships would need to go into dry dock/wet dock any time soon.  I would have thought that all the ships would be in top top shape after being out of service for over a year.  They had plenty of time to get any work done during that time.  

Great place to go on embarkation day. We’ve done many times. Quiet place as compared to the crowd in the buffet. 

What are you referring to?

This is the first I’ve heard of this.

Link please.

Does anyone know if travel agents have to call Princess to cancel for clients or is this something they can do on-line

3 hours ago, 13cheermom said:

So first time using ez-air, but have referred quite a few times since booking last year.  We just made final payment 2/16/20 for our cruise and airfare.  Checked today and another $50 drop in our airfare, went it and selected and got confirmation of new pricing.  My question is what do they do with the $50 they have already received in my final payment?  Since I am before the 45 -day mark of changes, do they give an OBC for that difference or refund it back to my cc?  Anyone have any experience with this?  Thanks. I searched these boards for 40 + pages and couldn't find any answers to this question.

When you refared did you keep the same flights or change to different ones?

If the same flights, did you lose your seat assignments?

I‘ve never changed after final payment before.  So it can be done up to 45 days prior?

39 minutes ago, Coral said:

I would probably recommend purchasing Princess insurance. If you know me - I don't usually recommend this as it has poor medical coverage. It will though let you cancel for no reason and get a future cruise credit (% depending on the level you purchased).

 

You are not the only one thinking this. I was thinking the other day I am glad I have a balcony on my next trip.

I’ve never purchased the Princess insurance but after current events I may consider in the future.  Do you have to purchase it at time of booking / initial deposit?  Can you add it on later or at final payment?  Thanks.

6 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Heathrow to County Hall isn't the easiest of journeys by public transport, especially since you're likely to be travelling at commuter-time and with luggage.

 

A pre-booked private transfer is the way to do it. There are dozens of transfer services operating out of Heathrow,some good, some awful.

Try https://www.blackberrycars.com/ (frequently suggested on Cruise Critic) or https://www.simplyairports.co.uk/ (one of the biggest).

Rates for pre-booked transfers are fixed, getting caught in traffic will not affect the fare. But check whether airport access & London congestion charge are included in the fare and the operator's terms for waiting times (if your flight or airport formalities are delayed). Total cost should be around £45.

 

Simply taking a London taxi from the rank at the airport is about the most expensive way to travel, even when traffic is light. At a vague guess around £80, and subject to travel distance and time.

Hailing a cab can be quick and easy for short hops in central London, but way too expensive for longer journeys (yours is about 15 urban miles)

 

JB 

 

Thank you so much for your advice.  This is exactly what I wanted to know.  I’ve been reading this thread and have learned a lot.  Thank you for all your contributions and sound advice.  Have a great day.

Looking for best type of transportation from Heathrow to London Marriott County Hall.

We will be arriving around 6:45 a.m. on a Monday in June 2020.

Will traffic be horrendous?  Is it best to pre-arrange private pickup or take a taxi?  Just don’t want to get stuck in traffic and have the taxi meter running.  Are taxi fares a set price?

Thanks for any advice.

Thanks all.

When I had checked the airfare I was using a dummy new booking.  When I was logged in and checking my current cruise, the lower fare did not come up, but I'll keep checking.

I just checked our booking for this June for round trip London.

We booked with EZAir when they were having a $200 sale.  When I checked today the exact same flights were $98 less total for my husband and I.

Can I refare with the exact same flights?  Is it worth it for $98?

22 hours ago, FraudBroad said:

Yes...or book two suites and I believe you would get three credits each!

That’s never going to happen.  We tend to stay in inside cabins now.