CdMAgFox

Thanks for your compliments about my posts. Alaska remains one of my all-time favorite places on earth, and my recent Alaska Adventurer Cruise with American Cruise Lines - the very first to return there in almost two years! - was completed most successfully. It was an excellent cruise!

holland America is also a longtime favorite of mine, having been with them three times to Alaska. Have a great cruise!

~Ron

Hello all,

I haven’t been on this site for awhile - understandably - but thought I would venture back as I am to embark on the American Constellation next Friday in Ketchikan for ACL’s 11-day Alaska Adventurer Cruise on up to Juneau. Similar to ACL’s Alaska Explorer Cruise, mine is NOT RT from Juneau, and is the only one on their schedule for June 4, 2021 through June 14, 2021. Besides Ketchikan, where on June 3rd ACL is provided one night at the Cape Fox Lodge - my very favorite place in Ketchikan, our ports include Wrangell. Petersburg, Skagway, Haines, before ending our cruise in Juneau. Of course, on the way we will be visiting Tracy Arm and the Sawyer Glacier, as well as a day in Glacier Bay. A very nice itinerary! This will be my 7th cruise in Alaska but the first on a small ship. I am looking forward to the experience.

This cruise was chosen to replace my Grand Puget Sound Cruise on May 7th which was cancelled due to the bad COVID situation in Washington; this cruise was RT from Seattle. I will try again for this cruise in 2022.

Any one else on my Alaska Adventurer Cruise? Let me know if so.

~Ron

1 hour ago, glenbrook said:

Hi Ron, well our August 21 Grand New England sailing just got canceled this week. I figured that might happen but still sad it did. How soon did ACL refund your fare once your sailing was canceled?  I have to cancel flights, hotels and post cruise plans as we have decided to stay put here in Florida for now. 
 

Hi, Ron here;
Just replying to your question about ACL’s refund schedule. Since I have not yet experienced an ACL cancellation, I can not comment. My Pearl Seas cruise last May to the Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway WAS cancelled and I received a refund check for the entire amount from them! As I recall, it was not too long after their cancellation that the refund was made. I was thrilled that they chose to refund me by check instead of reversing my credit card charge, and a bit surprised; this avoided having the miles deducted from my credit card account. Sorry I was of no help to you.

~Ron

34 minutes ago, penguinkat01 said:

We are looking to book for early September for the Grand New England tour, so Ron- your post will be wonderful to read shortly!  Anyone have any advice on the following:   video tours of the ship, bacony vs is it really beneficial?, will the foliage start turning in sept? anyones guess,   how did ada accomodations seem as far as dining common areas for a walker (sadly I use one at age 46), any and all suggestions welcomed!  We are happy to return the favor on advice as we live in St. Augustine, Florida 🙂

Hello,

In regard to your question about balcony vs. window, you should be aware that almost all of the cabins aboard the ACL Constitution are balcony staterooms; only a few cabins at the front of the lowest deck have only windows. Since I travel alone, and my booking was at the last minute, I had to take Room 203 - a single cabin with only a window, which turned out to be just fine, BUT no balcony!

As far as the dining room goes, it is quite spacious and I would foresee no problems with your walker. Fortunately there are two elevators so getting around should pose no problem either. The lounges, however, might offer some difficulty since they are quite crowded with sofas and over-stuffed chairs along with small tables.

The best source of viewing details of the riverboat is, of course, the American Cruise Lines website, www.americancruiselines.com

As to whether or not the colors will be changing in September, my guess is that they will be although the changing takes place first inland and then later near the coast.

Good luck with your booking and have a great time in New England!

~Ron

15 minutes ago, Ray in NH said:

Hi All,

 

Just heard from our Travel Agent that ACL has cancelled our 01 August cruise (Grand New England) 😒

They are offering an immediate full (cash/check) rebate, at their convenience, or 125% Future Cruise Credit.

Since we were planning on booking another ACL cruise whilst aboard, we will most likely take the Future Cruise Credit.

Fortunately, there were no flights needed for this cruise - so no hassle there.

This is the third cruise we have had cancelled this year --  that is getting "an old feeling" quickly.

 

Hope everyone else is having a wonderful day.

 

NRayH

Ray,

So sorry to hear of this cancellation although it came as no real surprise. Once I read of Bar Harbor’s decision NOT to allow any cruise ships, including ACL’s, it became clear to me that the Grand New England cruise would not be running. Since your home is not far away, do you plan on rebooking the same Grand New England cruise later with ACL?

Best wishes and stay well.

~Ron

On 4/19/2020 at 5:57 AM, Ray in NH said:

Hi All,

 

Anyone else booked on this sailing, aboard ACL  Constitution?  Hope it will still sail -- have not heard any thing contrary from the cruise line -- keeping fingers crossed.

 

NRayH

Hello again, Ray!

i am still hoping for you that your Grand New England Cruise will still take place. By August things may have turned around - hopefully!

i can’t recall whether or not I have previously shared My Cruise Journal from my own Grand New England Cruise in July of 2018, but I will give you the link to it below:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=631293

Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

~Ron

1 hour ago, Ray in NH said:

Hi All,

 

As of today, actually as of yesterday, (cannot get too far ahead these days), we are still scheduled to sail on 01 August -- Grand New England, aboard Constitution.  We are keeping fingers crossed and massaging the rabbit foot.  Fortunately, no flights involved for this one.

Hoping to get back on-board -- already had two cruises cancelled, one rescheduled, for next year.  We love our house and neighborhood, but the "wander-lust" is calling.

Hoping all are "staying safe".

 

NRayH

Good morning, Ray!

l am hoping for your sake that your Grand New England Cruise is a “go”. It is good that there are no flights required. As I may have mentioned before, this was my first ACL cruise back in July 2018 and I have very fond memories of that experience. So, best of luck with this cruise and Bon Voyage!

~Ron

14 minutes ago, whoopie said:

We are not currently aboard the Song. When we cancelled we were told that about 50 passengers were still planning to sail. I wonder if masks are required on the boat. 

Whoppie, that is too bad that you had to cancel your Columbia River Cruise aboard the ACL Song, but I am glad that you got your refund. You didn’t say the dates of your cruise but I am assuming it was about at this time. I would find it surprising if the cruise actually happened, especially with the elevated current state of the COVID virus situation. According to their stated policies in regard to safety precautions, ACL included statements about requiring masks, medical personnel aboard, 75% occupancy, accelerated cleaning procedures, among others. (See ACL’s website for their complete statement)

My next cruise is not until May 7th of next year - ACL’s “Grand Puget Sound” aboard their Constellation, at which time I am hoping that this terrible virus situation has settled down. At 82 it could be one of my last cruises!

~Ron

On 3/5/2020 at 11:09 AM, Tom47 said:

DW says that she will pass.  I'm on the fence.

Tom,

It has been quite a spring since last we communicated. My May 22nd cruise with Pearl Seas Cruise was cancelled and I received a full refund; my American Airlines flights were on AADVANTAGE miles, which were reinstated, so everything turned out okay for me. I am wondering what the situation is with your September cruise on the Columbia River. Hopefully you will still be able to take it, assuming things have calmed down by then. Let me know how things turned out for you.

~Ron

24 minutes ago, Tom47 said:

Hi Ron

We are also on the American Song, Portland to Clarkston, 11 day Northwest Cruise, Sept 24 start date.  We are a little wary of the jet boat ride.  Is it bumpy?  We prefer scenic river raft trips to whitewater trips.  We are in our early 70s  However, if the scenery is worthwhile, then we might book.  Our next cruise is 50th anniversary on Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas with DD, DSIL, and 3 DGC.

We were on the Pearl Mist, Feb 2019 Cuba cruise.  DW and I never used the balcony as the door was very difficult to open/close.  The room was spacious. We did enjoy the cruise.

Thanks for your recs.

Tom.

Hello again, Tom,

Yes, the jet boat ride is a bit on the bumpy side, but perfectly safe, I think. Myself, I am 81, as were many aboard all of the THREE jet boats, but we all survived just fine. The boat captains are very expert and do these trips many times a day, every day, so they really know the river and where all of the rapids are. It is quite thrilling, never the less! 
I am glad to learn that you are also on the longer version of this cruise - 11 days. Makes the trip first DOWN the Columbia to Astoria seem like another cruise. I hope you have better luck with the weather at Mount St. Helens; it was all socked in when we were there.

Even in October when I went, it was quite cool so I can imagine that your trip will be even colder; yours is the last such cruise of the season, if I am not mistaken. 
Enjoy!

~Ron

Hello Tom47!

You will really enjoy your ACL cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Be sure to take the optional jet boat ride up the Snake River at Clarkston; it is quite a ride! Are you starting in Portland or Clarkston? A trip journal for my October 2019 trip appears above in a previous post, in case you are interested. Mine was the 11-day “Northwest Pioneers Cruise” on the new American Song. Things should be quite cool in September.

~Ron

Hey, Ray!

Good to hear of your upcoming cruise with ACL to New England. I know that you will really enjoy it - I did when I took the same cruise year before last on the Constitution. My next ACL cruise will be the Grand Puget Sound Cruise RT from Seattle, May 7th - 18th, 2021, and - sooner than that, a Pearl Seas Cruise from Portland, Maine up through the Canadian Maritimes and up the St. Lawrence Seaway all the way to Toronto, a total of 16 days on the Pearl Mist, beginning May 21st this year. I am looking forward to both of these!

~Ron

That I do not know; you will have to check with ACL. Since my cruise started in Portland and the pre-cruise hotel was the Red Lion Inn, where the ship docks, this was a given. However, at the end of the cruise in Clarkston, the transfer to Spokane offered by ACL cost $120 for the 2 - 3 hour trip. Since your pre-cruise hotel is in Spokane, I would expect  a transfer to be offered by ACL, BUT perhaps for a fee! Good luck!

Ron

About the WiFi, I really had no problem with it. Of course, the topography through which the ship is passing has a lot to do with the reception, but overall, I found it to be satisfactory. Don’t expect too much, however. You are on a ship, of course!

Ron

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=671987

Dear Whoopie,

I took the 11-day Northwest Pioneers Cruise on the American Song this past October and it was great - a little on the cool side but otherwise a good trip. It was my third trip with ACL and, despite the high price, I have found the experience to be well worth it. I have written a cruise journal on my trip which I will now share with you:

13 minutes ago, Ray in NH said:

 

Hi Ron,

 

I  just noticed in your signature space that you will be on the same ACL cruise (Northwest Pioneers -- 11 October 2019 aboard ACL's Song) as us.  Hopefully that is when we are looking to probably book our first Pearl Seas cruise.

 

NRayH

Hello again, Ray,

Yes, we are on the same Northwest Pioneers Cruise on October 11. You may recall our discussing this previously as to my stateroom 409 and your choice to change from a Deck 4 stateroom to a Deck 3 stateroom to avoid any Deck 4 traffic to/from the Lounges. We are also both staying at the Red Lion Hotel in Portland although I am spending two nights there. I have received my documents already from ACL including my luggage tags, hotel voucher, boarding pass, etc. Looking forward to this new adventure for me in the Northwest. I have been doing my research on Lewis and Clark and their expedition.

Ron

On 7/23/2019 at 12:52 PM, Ray in NH said:

 

I agree, it is not easy to find out  if booking a Pearl Seas cruise whilst aboard an ACL cruise offers any discount.  We plan to ask again when we are on our October cruise.  Pearl Seas has a few interesting (to us) Great Lakes itineraries.

We have completed five cruises aboard ACL and a few European River cruises, along with many ocean cruises.  They all seem to have "something" that keeps calling us back. 

 

NRayH

Hello Ray,

In response to your question as to whether Pearl Seas offers an onboard discount, the answer is YES!

While on my recent Lower Mississippi RIver Cruise with American Cruise Lines last April, I successfully rebooked  my Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway 15-day cruise on Pearl Seas, receiving the 15% discount PLUS forgiveness of taxes and port fees. My cruise date is May 21, 2020, from Portland, Maine. The cruise ends in Toronto, Ontario.

At first I was told that rebooking would not be possible but, with the able assistance of one of the ship’s managers, my rebooking was accomplished AND with my original stateroom selection:  512, a single balcony room.

Unfortunately, since then, Pearl Seas has reduced the fare on my single balcony stateroom by $2000, taking away most of my discount! Oh well...

Ron

Hello, Dave!

Glad to hear that your Grand Puget Sound Cruise went well, especially with your upgraded stateroom to 510. My review of my Grand New England Cruise last July 2018 aboard the Constitution appears above. On my upcoming Northwestern Pioneers Cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, aboard the new American Song, I succeeded in securing a choice Single Balcony Stateroom 409 which is just across from the Fitness Center on Deck 4; the Song has only 4 Decks. Booking aboard certainly saves a lot with their 15% discount plus forgiveness of port charges and fees. I am also interested in the Grand Puget Sound Cruise and will possibly book during my October 2019 Columbia River Cruise. I too have been nothing but happy with American Cruise Lines, in spite of their substantial prices. With their free-flowing alcohol policy, their price is understandable. 

Ron Miller

Hello Ray!

Well, we won’t be next door neighbors, as we would have been with you in 410, but the ship is small enough that any room is not very far from any another! I hadn’t even considered the proximity of the Fitness Center, being just across the hall from 409, but was so thrilled to get such a good Single Balcony Stateroom which, as you mentioned, are few and far between and usually are all booked quite early on; I booked this cruise last July, almost a year and a half before its cruise date. The one thing that first attracted me to American Cruise Lines was their offering of single staterooms, rare so far in the cruise industry. They are still quite expensive but nothing like TWICE the double occupancy rate! With over 50 cruises to my credit, mostly ocean cruises with Princess and Holland America, and with the passing of my good friend and travel companion three years ago, I now travel alone which has its limitations. So far I am quite pleased with ACL.

Ron Miller

Hello, fellow ACL cruiser!

Thanks for your comments in regard to my posting. Yes, I am booked on the October 11th Northwestern Pioneers Cruise from Portland to Clarkston, aboard the new riverboat, the Song. I am in Single Stateroom 409 and will look forward to joining you in the Sky Lounge for Happy Hour! I will be arriving in Portland on the 9th, staying TWO nights at the Red Lion Hotel on the River - Jantzen Beach, where the departure dock for the Song is located. Perhaps I will see you there!

Ron Miller

In July of 2018 I took the Grand New England Cruise, RT from Boston, and it was just great! Expensive, YES, but understandably so since ACL is US--flagged and US-crewed, requiring much higher crew wages than on other non-US cruise lines.

Booking at the last minute, I was not able to take advantage of ACL's included pre-cruise hotel, but - after some research, I found The Constitution Inn (http://www.constitutioninn.org), part of the old Navy Yards, very near Pier 8 where I would board the new American Constitution , sister ship of the American Constellation. I stayed at this hotel for two nights for $498 ($298 per night) and WALKED the short distance from the Inn to the nearby Pier 8 and the American Constitution; a member of the ship's crew met me at the end of the pier and took care of my luggage.

My single room #203 - the very last one available - was quite large with a large window - no balcony, but with a large bath, comfortable chair and a Keurig coffee maker. I was quite pleased.

The itinerary was excellent, stopping in Portland, Bar Harbor, Rockland, and Camden, Maine, as well as Newport, Rhode Island and Martha's Vineyard and Provincetown, Massachusetts. The authentic Lobster Bake in Rockland was outstanding, complete with the traditional fire pit and sea weed covering the lobster and clams. It was the highlight of the entire cruise!

I found the crew to be young, energetic, enthusiastic and committed to service. My favorite waiter even searched for and found a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc onboard, much to my pleasure. The wine flowed freely onboard; if the wine - red or white - placed on the dining tables, was not to one's fancy, another replacement would be offered. The Happy Hours were WELL attended and no one left thirsty!

Being so very impressed with American Cruise Lines, I booked my recent Lower Mississippi River Cruise from Memphis to New Orleans while onboard,, taking advantage of the very generous 15% discount + forgiveness of port charges and fees. On this last cruise I got a superb Single with Balcony Stateroom.

So, YES; I am a satisfied customer of American Cruise Lines and will enjoy the Northwestern Pioneers Cruise along the Columbia and Snake Rivers this coming October 2019, on their new American Song Riverboat, from Portland, Oregon to Clarkston, Washington.

~Ron Miller

I just checked HAL’s website and, under FAQs, I found this statement:

Are Laundry Facilities Available On Board?

For your comfort and convenience we offer full laundry and dry cleaning service on each ship in the Holland America Line fleet. In your stateroom you will find laundry bags and price lists conveniently located in your closet.

Onboard self-service launderettes consisting of washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards are available on the ms Amsterdam, Maasdam, Prinsendam, Veendam, and Zaandam. There is a charge for the use of the self-service launderettes and it is coin operated. Iron and ironing boards are provided at no cost.

Please note: For safety reasons, travel irons, steamers, and electric water heaters/kettles may not be used in your stateroom.

I am booked on the Zaandam for their Great Alaskan Explorer Cruise on June 4, 2018, RT from Seattle, and had been concerned about the abscence of launderettes shown on the deck plans. We shall see, I guess.

~Ron

Sorry to bother you, but are you booked on the January 19, 2014 Cruise to Hawaii aboard the Star Princess? I am maintaining the CC Roll Call for that cruise and your name currently appears. Should it be removed? Thanks for your response.

~Ron

We are on the January 19th (2014) sailing of the Star Princess to Hawaii - again! This will be our 6th trip to Hawaii, and (hopefully) our third with you as Cruise Director.

Unfortunately our "6-pack" of cruisers will not be joining us this time as in April of 2010; we were all in your ukulele class on that cruise. Remember us? :rolleyes:

This will be our first cruise on the Star Princess but, being a sister ship of the Grand Princess (3x) and the Golden Princess (4x), it should feel like "home" - especially with your superlative cruise direction. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing you again as Cruise Director. You are THE BEST! :)

~Ron