Alaska05

2 hours ago, Denmal said:

Do you have to buy a wrist band ??

No.

Since we booked our cruise last minute, we got our Medallions when we checked in.  The cruise cards were already in a clear plastic holder and the Medallion in a separate plastic holder.  Both were attached to a single lanyard. 

10 minutes ago, TheRabbit said:

Can you send a picture of how this worked? Not familiar with the wristband.

The Medallion wasn't a perfect fit, but since the wristband is soft plastic, the Medallion was secure.

My husband used his FitBit Zip wristband for his Medallion.  It was $6.99 on Amazon.  Of course, shipping would be extra unless you have Prime.

No matter what they do, they're not going to please 100% of people.

We're at the point where we primarily book inside cabins.  I would actually prefer if they would remove the chair at the desk.  Have never used it.  On our cruise last month on the Regal they had removed the little round table which I was glad since we would always put in the closet area. 

We never order room service so table/chair(s) aren't important.  We don't spend much time in the cabin.

When we stayed in a balcony room in the past, I don't recall using the inside chair much and found the little round table to be in the way and useless.  Guess I'm in the minority.

Thanks for all the info.

I know at least Delta, United and probably American have an additional more restricted Economy fare that you don't get to choose your seat when you book.  This is not offered on all flights.  Below is from the United website:

I just wanted to make sure Princess was not booking the more restricted Economy fare.  Sounds like I better talk with them direct to make sure.

When you book with EZair in economy can you always reserve your seats in advance?  I know some airlines now have a Basic Economy fare on some flights where you can't reserve seats in advance.  It's a cheaper fare.  Just want to make sure Princess doesn't  book in this class.

We were on the Regal last month. We’re not good at remembering to take pictures. I really liked our embarkation one but refuse to pay $25 for a photo. If they would just reduce the price they’d sell more. Seems like such a waste to print them out and destroy thousands at the end of the cruise. One of my primary gripes 

8 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I just priced an Alaska Cruise Tour. $43pp was the cost of the transfer from Fairbanks airport to the hotel at the start of the land tour, and from the ship to Vancouver airport at the end of the cruise. It is not the transfer cost for moving from one lodge to another while on the land tour.  

Thanks so much. Just wish TA’s would explain things especially for first time cruisers like my friends 

4 minutes ago, Coral said:

It could be anything. I would have them call and ask. If $43 is the cost of transfers for 2 people (in Vancouver), that doesn't sound right. I have never seen $21.50 pp for a cost of transfer - specifically the cents.

I'm sorry I didn't make it clear it was $43 for each passenger.  The land portion is first then they sail from Whittier to Vancouver.

9 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Those are most likely cruise ship transfers. They can be removed by the booking agent. No red flag at all and it’s easy to get them removed. 

Thanks!

8 minutes ago, bemis12 said:

It stands for modifications. Is there a pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel included?

There are no pre or post cruise hotels included, however the cruisetour # does not match any that are found on the Princess website.  After the cruisetour # is says "Custom XXX" with the X being the TA name.

A friend of mine who has never cruised has a a tentative booking thru a brick & mortar TA for an Alaska cruisetour.

She asked me to look over the booking confirmation.

There was an entry that I was unfamiliar with.  Here are the fees that are listed:

Fare:   $xxxxx

Mods:  $43  (this is the one I've never seen on any of my confirmations

Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses:  $xxxxx

The taxes, fees & port expenses are equal to what I see on the Princess website, so I'm confused on what this "Mods" fee is.

Anyone know?

TIA

1 hour ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

The sanctuary is my favorite place and the service is absolutely fantastic this cruise. Same manager as our last Regal sailing and she sure knows what she is doing up here. It’s always surprising when the crew members recognize us from last time. 

 

I've never indulged in the Sanctuary in the past, but we'll have 3 sea days on the Regal in a couple weeks.

What does it cost?

Do u need to sign up as soon as u get on board?

Is it in the sun or shade?

Thanks.  BTW I'm enjoying your Live thread. Thanks for doing this.

Thanks to all for your advice. Much appreciated.

Are there towels on the island or do we bring from the ship or have to have our own

2 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Try having Stewart give you a new shower curtain.

I will be on the Regal for the first time in a few weeks in an inside cabin.  When I looked at the room diagram, I thought it looked like a shower door rather than a curtain.  Was hoping this was so.

We rarely do Caribbean cruises, but will be doing Eastern route on Regal soon. 

Exactly what is available on Princess Cays?

I've read numerous threads and still am a bit confused.

Food -- is there a charge for food

Beverages --  I don't drink alcohol or beer.  Is there a charge for non-alcoholic beverages

I  can't be out in the sun for extended periods so am just planning on walking around for a bit and then head back to the ship.

Thanks for any info.

We bought some several years ago. The stretchy material was much more flimsy than I thought it would be. After using them the first time we noticed several holes. They seemed to be at areas where the luggage had anything raised and caused by rubbing against something hard. They weren't worth the money. We now use orange luggage straps.

I would never book a cabin right across from the laundry room. We booked a guarantee once for an Alaska cruise and got assigned across from laundry room. There were people going in there at all hours. It was never locked overnight. The door got propped open often and when there were several folks in there, their talking was loud due to the running machines. I know Alaska cruises probably have more people doing laundry due to some being on land tours prior to the cruise. I got up during the night to go to the bathroom one night and looked out the peephole. I saw an elderly couple coming out of the laundry room with their bags of laundry. Go figure. The competition was fierce for the machines. If your cruise is more than 7 days, you can count on the laundry room being used a lot.

We've done 6 cruises to Alaska. Our next one will include a week on land ( cruise up, spend a week sightseeing then cruise back to Vancouver).

We did this 2 years ago. The best 3 weeks we've ever spent.

I agree 100%. One time I asked for a foam pillow. Room steward didn't understand. Brought additional flat, soft pillows. I usually end up folding one in half and then putting another one on top of it

Last October we had to skip Charlottetown, PEI, but made it to St. John & Halifax.

I too would avoid a tour operator who would not refund your money if the ship couldn't make it to port.

I'm the OP on this thread

.

I guess I still don't understand why my 2 cruises aren't legal with the PVSA.

I'm going Whittier (Anchorage) to Vancouver

then

Vancouver to Los Angeles with a stop in Victoria

This is all on the same ship.

Why doesn't the stop in Victoria make it legal.

Can't believe there's such a stupid, outdated law.

ive booked a southbound Alaska cruise (Whittier to Vancouver) and continuing on with the next cruise on the same ship from Vancouver to Los Angeles with a stop in Victoria. This is for next September.

I've just received an email from my TA to call him that I may have to cancel one.

Does these violate some law that folks talk about

I just want to get some info before I call him

I just booked for next September. We've taken 8 Alaska cruises but never as late as September.

Did you see any whales, or will they have begun migration south.