Krisco

Yes post more menus. Will be on Princess for first time in July on the Star. Thank you

Hi! I'm cruising from Whittier to Vancouver on the Star Princess, 14-20 July 2018.

 

Can anyone tell me which two days I should expect formal nights? I'd like to know before I make any specialty dining reservations.

 

Thanks!

We are on this cruise also and I researched on some older threads and many confirmed Sunday and Thursday. That is what I am assuming also. Someone earlier questioned Sunday but this cruise embarks on Saturday. Sunday is glacier viewing day.

Has anyone taken the snorkel tour out to the reef? If so, large or small boat? Easy to get in and out of the water? Sometimes the small boats with small ladder (can't jump in) are so hard to get in and out. Contemplating booking the snorkel excursion while there but have not found a lot of details. Thanks.

I've used them twice in the past and will be using them again in 19 days for the dune buggy tour. We enjoyed the first two and look forward to the third.

How was the dune buggy tour? Looking at that or the jeep tour which seem to be pretty much the same. Others have commented the dune buggies were really in bad shape. Thanks

Racetrack and observation lounge

Wow! Not one person offered to share a link???

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I asked this same question weeks ago in this thread and did a lot of research. There appears to be no link like there is for WLCL. People are not being unresponsive. There just is no link.

A DougOut review and a Mitsugirly review going on at the same time! This is like Christmas on Cruise Critic!

 

Hope you, Sue, and your family have a wonderful time. We're on Bliss this December, looking forward to your review!

You took the words right out of my mouth! Keep refreshing both. Not a very productive few days at work. ha ha

Hi

How was this experience? Was it worth it and do Dolphins come out in ocean or in an enclosed area? We are thinking of this one for our May cruise. TIA!

Hi uttu. There were two options, the dolphin encounter, which we did, and another one that was much more was a dolphin swim. The dolphins are in an enclosed area. They break you up in groups of 8. We were able to pet them and they did some tricks and sang, etc. The swim was right next to us in another enclosed area. Those dolphins looked like they just did more tricks and the people were able to hold their fins and spin around. We didn't see anyone actually riding or being pulled. To us it didn't look like it was worth the extra money. It was interesting, but with the transportation over to the island, and you had time to hang out on the beach, I thought it was worth it. Been to Nassau many times and wanted something different to do and with kids, so that helped too. If you do it, bring water shoes. Where you walk into the water is very rocky and my BF had to help several ladies walk back in. you stand in knee deep water.

Have stayed at Homewood Suites. Very new and I believe has cruise parking. Nice hotel and good rate.

Good luck. I have used them 3 times in Port Canaveral. First time great. Second time I had a 10:30 reservation and they didn't have cars. Waited 2 hours and luckily had enough buffer of late flight out of Orlando. They kept saying there were supposed to have several cars being driven from Orlando to Port. So you are at the mercy most times of people bringing cars there from Orlando, having them cleaned and gassed up. Third time, we waited 2 hours for the shuttle at the port to get back to the location. There was a mutiny. Driver said the draw bridge was open for 30 minutes and put him behind. There were 4 ships disembarking that day which also causes delays. Everyone in line tried to call the office and just got automated responses. I reserved a mini van and said we are going to miss flight. They gave us a transport van as it was ready. Paid 4 x for gas to refill it. Was not happy. Nice people, but I would use someone else. I get the best rates, but last 2 times have done it for me. I would use someone else. But with any place you are at the mercy of them having cards returned that early.

Would someone who received an offer willing to post the link? I didn't get an offer to the Carnival but then someone posted a link, and whoala! I was able to logon with the link and received the offer. Thanks!

I asked this earlier in the thread a few weeks ago and doesn't look like there is a work around like there is with WLCL, Bummer

Keep checking everyday for review, then realized give this gal some time to recoup. Looking forward to it also.

If you are willing to live with the early saver rules, book the early saver rate and in the same phone call with your PVP, price match the ES booking to the lower casino rate. I've done that several times. That way, you can keep the ability to grab future price drops.

I have done the same thing. Best of both worlds. I have even gotten OBC for a price drop on a casino booked deal

We were going to do the bus - which leaves the Egan center in Anchorage around noon. Instead, we switched to the train.

 

The train leaves at 9:45 am - check in at 8:45. Cost is $86 per person, and you arrive in Whittier at 12:05 pm

Rumor is you can leave your PRINCESS tagged luggage with the porters at the train, and it will be transferred to the ship for you.

https://www.alaskarailroad.com

 

We heard about the glacier tours offered in Whittier and chose the train so we could do one of these tours before boarding.

The 26 Glacier tour is the one we chose - and their timing is designed for those taking this exact train.

https://www.phillipscruises.com/prince-william-sound/

Ditto. I was going to respond with same message but you did for me. We are doing same thing in July. And was doing some research on where to pick up some pop in Whittier which doesn't look like any great options. Someone posted you can leave a carry on bag in the 26 Glaciers office while you take the tour if you want. Getting pop in Anchorage, putting in a rolley bag and either checking it with porters from train or keeping in Glacier office and carrying it on the ship.

Dry dock in Dec of 2017 doesnt necessarily mean refurbished , does it? we might be on the same cruise :)

If you do a search on here for Star dry dock there are some threads talking about what was done and pictures. Just cosmetic things like paint, new carpet, interactive TVs, new chairs, fabric and all new mattresses. Remodeling type things. But we figured at least some things are newer so choose that. July 14th Southbound.

HOME2 Suites by Hilton Anchorage is part of the new "Hotel Row" in Midtown, Anchorage which I mentioned earlier. Our home is about two blocks from this area. A cab to the airport usually runs us between $10.00 and $12.00.

"Hotel Row"---There are nine, relatively new, name hotels, between Tudor Road and International Airport Road on C Street today, with two more going up, and two others very close, all these are interspersed with eateries, some have their own restaurants and bars which allow walk-ins in addition to free breakfast for guests.

 

They include the Hyatt House, Crowne Plaza Anchorage, Fairfield inn and Suites, Motel 6, Home Suites by Hilton, Home 2 Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Aspen Suites, Hampton Inn, Spring Hill Suites, Hyatt Place, Staybridge Suites and Courtyard by Marriott as well as other less known ones.

Hi-jacking too fir some local advice. We are staying 2 nights in July at Home 2 suites before cruise. Any good restaurants in walking distance as we won't have a car. Or do you suggest taxi or Uber/Lyft to some begetter places. Seafood etc. thank you.

Thanks for clarification Wolfie, so with my desired itinerary in Mind do you have a recommendation which ship you would sail for this proposed trip? seems like south bound princess has several ships, Northbound Norwegian are my best bets?

Doing our first Alaska cruise this July and siblings and I have done a lot of research. Some are doing land tour before cruise and found Princess well recommended by their TA too. Doing Star Princess southbound mid-July. Star is older but was just in dry dock December of 2017. Good luck. Lots of planning.

Help! I used my card with the offer yesterday to book a cruise and it was there, saved under offers added to my card, and then when the $500 posted from Carnival the offer disapeared! :eek::eek::eek::eek:It is completely gone now and not because I used it. I never got the "congrats email" about using the offer and it is showing nowhere on my account. I spent 45 minutes on phone with AMEX and they are trying to tell me it never existed. I have a screen shot of it and it does not expire until 5/31/2018. All they would do it open a "complaint ticket" for me and said it could take 8 weeks.

I am soooo mad! Yes, I have a couple other AmEx cards that still have offer but my $500 already posted on this card. Now I am afraid to even try it on my other cards for fear it will magically disappear like this one did.

Any other ideas on what I can do? I am complaining on twitter right now to AmEx in hopes that the negative tweets will get them to call me and handle it.

Check if it is still pending on your AMX transactions. Also, when you go into your offers in your AMX account you should be able to see under Amex Offers and Benefits.... Available (xx) Added to Card (xx) Savings. Mine shows across the page. When I click on the Savings, I can see offers that I have used and redeemed and the saving. Check there. I may have not gottne an email one time when I used the offer.

I was offered 10 or 11 the other day for 118 upsell but now when I called to go from 10 to 11 one floor they want another 108.00 to move ..ugh even though there is plenty of rooms , would you do it ? they said once you except the terms and cond it stays ...

No, an extra $118 to just go up one floor is not worth it.

Do it. We were on deck 11 spa balcony and if near the end of the hallway you are steps away from the serenity deck that has the pool. Yes, on elevators, but takes 30 seconds to walk down to 10 to catch more elevators. 11 was less busy than 10 due to spa and gym being on 10. Well worth it.

Thanks too for the information. We are doing exact same thing in July. I thought I read this but then searched this very same question and good to know.

Okay, in case anyone else is interested in this question, I just talked to the Alaska Railroad who seemed to be the only people with any answers.

 

On the railroad, there is a 2 checked bags per person plus one carryon plus one purse. IF I were traveling with a man, I suppose his "purse" could be my Cokes. Since we are two women, and we already have the max amount of luggage, they will let me pay $20 for an extra checked bag. Considering the fact that the cruiseline charges over $50 each for the unlimited soda package, and that doesn't include my particular drink of choice, it is not that bad though it is obviously not that great.

 

It seems if we take the bus, it is more flexible. So, now we must decide if we want to try to put Cokes in our allowable checked bags, pay extra for another bag (which presumably could just be a couple of 12 packs taped together with a bag tag on them), or take the bus.

 

Every since I started planning this trip, it seems that every decision I need to make has more variables than I'd prefer. I like it better when I get an eye exam and they say, "Is this one better, or this one?" And to be honest, I don't always like those either since sometimes both choices stink.

 

ACK!

 

Would still appreciate feedback.

I am with you txwriter. I have been searching on here Whittier grocery stores to get some pop to carry on for boarding. We have same dilemma getting pop (soda) in Anchorage. We too are taking the Alaska railroad to Whittier but then taking a glacier cruise before we board the ship. I suppose we could lug along a rolling back with 2 cases of pop if they allow it on the glacier boat. It's so much easier when embarking and not doing something ahead of time. Never cruised Princess but I know Carnival you are not allowed to pack soda in your checked luggage. But sounds like other may have done this. If there is room might be the best option. Looking for anyone who may have just checked it. Thanks.

Following. I was on this cruise also. Perfect weather. And me and my boyfriend both got the plague on the way home. Still coughing.

Phillips Cruises is the only company that offers the 26 Glaciers Cruise: https://www.phillipscruises.com/

Thank you I do see that now. Major Marine is running a buy one get one half off special next week. Saves $75. So trying to decide.

+1 on the 26 Glacier cruise. We've done both and found it to be better

any recommendations on what cruise tour company for your preferred 26 glacier cruise? Thank you