tikibargirl

martincath thank you so much for the quick response!

 

A 3 block walk and the Shytrain sounds very doable for us, I just wasn't sure on the timing so it's good to know that that will work for that 12:50pm flight!

 

I just checked and it would be about $50.00 each more for both my husband and I to fly to Victoria vs Vancouver and if our daughter joins us it's about the same price for her to fly to either place from Orlando,FL so now you have me thinking that might be the best way to go. I already have more questions. Would it be difficult to take the ferry from Victoria to Vancouver with our luggage? I am thinking we will probably each have 1 checked bag and 1 carry on. We would be going from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen on the ferry right? Then would we just take a cab to whichever Marriott hotel we decide on in Vancouver or is there something similar to the Skytrain that we could take from Tsawwassen into downtown?

 

We would probably want a car for at least a day or 2 in Vancouver because we'd like to go to the Sea to Sky gondola and possibly Grouse Mountain and/or the Capillano Suspension bridge but I can check to see what the price would be for that. I have sometimes found that renting a car for a week or close to a week is almost cheaper than renting it for a day or 2. I'll check on that and parking prices at the hotels we're considering.

 

Cheryl

We just got back from Vancouver/Alaska on July 3rd. We spent 2 days pre cruise in Vancouver and the day we got off the ship we had 9 hours to kill with 8 people and a ton of luggage.

We wanted to make sure we saw the most we could see of Vancouver while we were there.

There is a FREE coach bus at Canada Place that leaves every 1/2 hour to grouse mountain. It was a nice ride they gave you a lot of history along the way. We stayed at the Hyatt and were able to walk down to Canada Place. Day 2 we booked Landsea Tours. We booked a 4 hour private tour and we saw so much! The tour guide was awesome! Then we booked them again for the 9 hour tour the day we had to catch our red eye flight at 11 pm. They took us to Squamish made a couple of great stops along the way (Shannon Falls and another beautiful park sorry can't think of the name right now). Then we took the sea to sky gondola up the mountain and spent a few hours up there and ate lunch.

I would highly recommend them as a tour company if you would prefer to do that instead of rent a car. :)

Was wondering the best place to go whale watching? Thanks

We had originally booked a whale watching tour in Icy. Then I came across Harv & Marv whale watching tours in Juneau. We were a party of 8 people and rented a boat all to ourselves. They also do small groups of 6 or 8 people on their other boats. If you're looking for a private experience then this is the company you're looking for. We had such a great experience and their crew is very knowledgable.

Like others have said there is not much to do in Icy and we heard people that did the whale watching excursion in Icy and said it was great. So again like others posted just figure out what you want to do in each port and take it from there.

It's always a crap shoot as to what you will see nothing is guaranteed :)

Sometimes it is best to not critique until you have had time to digest all the facts and experiences. That being said, the 6/26 Infinity Alaska Glacier cruise was one of the best experiences in 17 cruises. The staff and crew were exceptional and not one truly negative comment can be made. Excursions great, MickeyLive was exceptional and really kept us engaged in the Alaskan adventure from day 1.

 

Will catch up with some pics and further comments in the coming days.

 

We were on that same cruise! We had a great time also! Only thing I was disappointed in was the drinks. I was very annoyed with the way the bars were limited with the alcohol you were entitled to on the classic beverage package. It was unacceptable that the only drink I wanted I was only able to get at the outdoor pool bar. Seriously??? Not acceptable.

I'm curious about this virtual disco

 

 

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It's hysterical to watch people. My kids and even my 73 year old dad had the headphones on. It was a lot of fun!

I tried looking for a private message feature too and I do not think they have one. Hopefully email is ok, mine is jesseheather at gmail dot com would love to chat with you!!

OK I'll email you now

Would love to hear more about your trip, specifically weather and what you packed :) we leave 7/16 and I keep changing my mind about attire!!

Hi Heather! I would love to tell you more. I am still trying to figure out cruise critic. I'm trying to see where I can post my review of the Infinity before I forget LOL I need to look around and see how to go about this. I have no problem giving you my email address so you can contact me with your questions. Am I allowed to post it here or is there a way to private message on cruise critic? I looked when I was going to see if I could contact people and could not find a way to send a private message. Let me know if you're good at this LOL

Hello All! Getting ready for Alaska departing out of Vancouver this coming Sunday and have a few questions.

Does Celebrity offer a prepaid photo package? We've sailed on Royal Caribbean numerous times and sometimes they offered a photo package that you could purchase at the beginning of your cruise.

Is there a charge for room service on Infinity - or do you just tip the steward who comes to your cabin?

We are in Concierge Class this cruise - what are all of the amenities that are offered for this?

Does our cabin on Deck 8 have a refrigerator in it? Need to refrigerate some insulin pens while on vacation.

Also - any excursion recommendations that are a must do? Have not scheduled anything yet - was wondering if services were available when we get off at each Port.

Many thanks my friends!

*Just returned on July 3rd from our Alaskan Cruise.

As far as photo packages don't rush to book it. We almost got ripped off. We were 4 cabins and had a $400 onboard credit from our travel agent and I made the mistake in blurting that out. It was the manager I was speaking with and she said it had to be per cabin and it would cost me $700 for everyone to get every print. I asked her for other options she said there really wasn't any so I passed on it. Good thing I did because I found out there are other packages for less $ that include a CD of all the photos so don't rush to book anything. They even offer "mid week" sales.

*No charge for room service just a tip.

*As far as excursions if you have nothing booked there are excursion booths at each pier. I know they push "going with the cruise line" but you have more than enough time to book something on your own. there are many options when you get off the ship so no worries there.

*We did book the Bering Sea Fisherman tour with Celebrity in Ketchikan NOT TO BE MISSED! It was fantastic. You can look it up on tripadvisor too. GREAT tour! Don't need to be into fishing to take this. The crew is very entertaining and you will see a ton of things on this tour it's 3 hours.

*In Juneau we booked a private whale watching tour with Harv & Marv. We were 8 people with the boat to ourselves and price wise it worked out to be the same amount or a little cheaper than booking a tour with the boat and we didn't have to fight for a railing. They also offer shared tours too. They have a website.

*In Icy booked zip line on land not through cruise. They offer a combo tour of the city and zip line and a few other tours plus people we spoke with did whale watching in Icy and said it was great. My dad is 73 and did it. Hardest part was walking down the 5 minute trail to the zip line. Not for people with bad knees but the zip line they said was great! Not scary at all.

Cool I just booked this!!!

You will not be disappointed!

can you tell me what other trips you did? I know this sounds like a stupid question and I have read some reviews - does it matter if you're not into fishing!!!

Also, just look it up on tripadvisor and read all the wonderful comments and ratings on there.

can you tell me what other trips you did? I know this sounds like a stupid question and I have read some reviews - does it matter if you're not into fishing!!!

I am not into fishing at all LOL This is a retired deadliest catch (the show on TV) boat. It was hit by a rouge wave in the 2nd season and they use it now for tours. This trip is for anyone. They are very funny and entertaining and tell you how it can really get out there on the Bering sea.

You will never see eagles as close as you will on this tour. I mean huge amounts of eagles gliding and picking up fish that they were throwing out there. It left us all speechless!

Update: Hubbard.

Unbelievable day. Said to be a once in five year visit to Hubbard. 1mile out with ice, 50 + weather, brilliant sun, calving all over.

 

Must also comment that stage shows may be best we have seen in 17 cruises. Well done.

 

Mdr tonite: absolutely great branzino.

I was on the ship same time as you were newmilford and I have to say that day at Hubbard was picture perfect! 1 mile away and the calving we saw that day...there are no words! I will never forget that scenery and not to mention the awesome Christmas picture we took that day! SPECTACULAR!

Hi Tikibargirl! I think we're the only living people going on next Sunday's cruise! LOL :) I'm so EXCITED!!!! I don't even remember what it was like to have such little darkness... I hope the weather is decent for us! I think you can ask them to remove the "chargeable" mini bar items, but I don't think they will specifically stock items that are included... though you may be able to stock it yourself....:D

Wasn't our weather beautiful??? What a great cruise we were so lucky to get 1 mile away from Hubbard glacier. All we kept saying the entire week was "are we on a movie set"??

I do have to say I was very upset with the classic drink package. Not about the assortment but the fact that all the large main bars did not have Jose Quervo Tequila. The Constilation lounge one of the largest lounges did not even carry it. They were using some cheap tequila and when I asked they told me I was not entitled to Jose Quervo on my drink package. WRONG! I was very frustrated with the drinks. Every bar should be stocked with what is on the drink package. BIG money maker for them and seriously the only one that made the drink I wanted (which was only a frozen margarita) was the pool bar outside. Very disappointed with their bar service at most of the bars. Just not right when people are paying for this. So happy I didn't pay the money to upgrade to premium. Other than that Celebrity was awesome!

We just got back from our Alaskan Cruise on the Celebrity Infinity July 3rd. DO NOT MISS the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour in Ketchikan! TOTAL 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!! Their ship is right there when you get off your cruise ship. It's a 3 hour tour and you are entertained from the minute you board to the minute the tour finished. Great group of people running the show and you learn so much. The eagle nesting ground was spectacular! Took your breath away.

Hi All my DH and I are on the fence about upgrading to the premium beverage package. It would be a $200 upgrade for the 2 of us. We have the classic included in our cruise.

Just looking for opinions on what you all think about the difference between the 2 packages. Difference in wines also. What would that allow us at dinner compared to the classic package. Just trying to make a decision.

Also, as far as the coffee cafe (sorry forgot the name of it) are all the coffees included in the classic or just a certain type and then the rest are for the premium package?

Any info or opinions would be gladly welcomed :)

Hubbard glacier day.

 

We were up early for Hubbard day. Husband did a run on the treadmill, I grabbed a coffee from al baccio and went to the constellation lounge to chat with Mickey and learn about the glacier and area. I ran into the male half of my San Francisco pals. He and I had a quick breakfast in the Aqua spa and then went on the helipad when it opened at 9. For whatever reason I couldn't text my husband which was frustrating as I wanted to experience the glacier with him. He finally found me on deck 11 after I had just given up finding him!

 

A word about our weather. It has been stunning. The pics above hopefully have show in. Temps in the 70s and not a single drop of rain, even in Ketchikan.

 

The glacier was unbelievable. Words cannot express. You just need to go.

 

We saw 5-6 calving events and were about 1.5-2 miles from the glacier. It's immensity is mind boggling.

 

 

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Dana how is the weather when you are viewing the glacier??? What type of dress should we prepare for on that particular day??

DanaDanes, thank you so much! Your voice in these posts is amazing, and the info was awesome as well. We are doing this exact trip 6/26 and being basically first-time cruisers, had no idea what to expect. You rock!:cool::cool::cool:

We'll see you on the ship 5 Mile Smile! We are also boarding on the 26th :)

We booked Harv & Marv. We're a family of 8 and have the boat all to ourselves. We are so excited about this excursion. I heard wonderful things about their tours.:D

Hi Tikibargirl! I think we're the only living people going on next Sunday's cruise! LOL :) I'm so EXCITED!!!! I don't even remember what it was like to have such little darkness... I hope the weather is decent for us! I think you can ask them to remove the "chargeable" mini bar items, but I don't think they will specifically stock items that are included... though you may be able to stock it yourself....:D

HI!!!!!! I know people are very quiet for next week's cruise. We're going to be in Vancouver from Friday to Sunday doing some site seeing. We're in packing mode right now. Finally getting excited. It's a rough trip to plan we're used to tropical vacations LOL Looking forward to seeing how beautiful all the scenery is going to be. This will also be a tranquil vacation just opposite of tropical :) SO EXCITED!

So I guess this isn't a job for the cabin steward if we ask him to have some things stocked in the fridge? It blows my mind that a cruise would have a mini bar in the room with additional charges when you have the beverage package included in your stay. I guess I"m just used to all inclusive resorts and I'm spoiled.

We are set to sail next Sunday the 26th. I was wondering how long it takes to get used to no darkness in the evening? This is going to be so cool to experience but I do worry about how we are going to adjust once back in New York. I would love to hear what it's like. I am happy you get to see things from your balcony late in the evening. That will be nice to bundle up and sit out there and hope to see some whales or other wild life.

I see everyone posting about "mini bar items in the fridge". Is this in every class room or just the upgraded rooms? If we have the classic drink package and would like our fridge stocked with soda, water and beer could we request that or is it just the drinks at the bar that are included??

Are dressy tank tops ok for evening wear? I mean the pretty long ones that are dressy with black leggings and wedge sandals? Is the ship cold at dinner time? Just trying to narrow down what I am wearing.

After that went to a really interesting talk on whales by dirk in the theater. Then a nap read and update of this thread.

 

At 4 we headed to the gym for a 30 minute strength training (husband is trying to get me to do cross fit -and I am resisting mightily) and then another relaxing steam.

Grabbed a latte at cafe al baccio. That coffee is so so good.

We saw mickeylive sitting there and sat down with him for 20 minutes to chat and met his lovely wife. They have a very interesting life!

 

Browsed the shops then cleaned up for EVENING CHIC. For the record I wore a little black dress and heels, husband wore fancy denims and a sport coat and we both fit in just fine. The minimum was a collared shirt for men and black pants and sweater for women.

 

 

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THANKS for the Evening Chic info! My husband will thank you too because there will be less in the luggage for me to guess what I am wearing!

So the accident that happened with the dock didn't have any major damage on the ship from what you can see?

How is the sea? Are the waters rough? My daughter tends to get motion sickness so I was just curious what it's like there.

We are allergic to lines crowds and mayhem. So the consensus for us was go late. Also we don't have much time in Vancouver so we wanted to see a little. Your mileage may vary.

 

 

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LOL we are staying in Vancouver for 2 days pre-cruise and 1 entire day after we get off the ship because our flight is at 11pm that Sunday so we hired a private tour company for 9 hours to take us around. So we are anxious to get on the ship.