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Keep in mind as you plan that the times shown on the Princess website are estimates.  They are certainly likely to change once you are onboard, so leave yourself some leeway if you are booking activities ahead of time. 

11 minutes ago, lou2322 said:

Where can you buy the tuxedo for Stanley?

 

 

 

I didn't know there was a tuxedo!  Cute!  

Usually the outfits are available on the ships.  

I have a Stanley!  My Mom and I got them on our Alaska trip in 2017.  They were the first Stanleys to be available.  He has his rugged Alaska outfit and the Captain's suit.  

When my parents went on a cruise last year, Stanley went along and the cabin steward would put Stanley in different positions every day.  He was always doing some new activity when they got back to the cabin.  It was so fun!  The steward was very creative.  

My favorite things:  

I love that there is a big bowl of cut-up fruit at the breakfast buffet

Great service by fun crew members

Trivia and game shows

Skywalkers is such a great place to sit and watch the water or read.  During the day, it's so quiet

Fruit tartlets at the International Café.  I ate so many fruit tartlets.   

Crown Grille for a special dinner

My "cruise buddy" (Mom) is Elite, so we get to board first.  I highly recommend cruising with an Elite person.  😃  

5 hours ago, southerngoose said:

When you say "ranger station"...does this mean that you'll get commentary and discussion of the glacier?   or is this some sort of coordination area where there will be chaos, unrelated to seeing a glacier?   Thanks!

There was a great talk/discussion at the beginning.  I was shocked that so few people showed up.  They also set up a little store and they are available to answer questions throughout the day.  One of the rangers gives commentary from the bridge, too.  

11 hours ago, southerngoose said:

Thanks...Does this area have a nice view?  Could the glacier be viewed from here?

 

On Glacier Bay day, Skywalkers turns into the ranger station.  I agree with everyone that it's normally a quiet place to be during the day, but it won't be on Glacier Bay day.  

I'm pretty sure Magic To Do is still going.  

My Mom & I did the tour on the Ruby in 2017.  I recommend that everyone does it.  It was fascinating and a lot of fun.  You learn so much and some of the things I found most interesting were those that I wouldn't have thought (seeing the veggie & meat cutters in their little rooms, the ordering guy).  I got to see my favorite person on the whole ship - the woman who made all the fruit tartlets.  😃 The view from the bridge is worth the price alone.   

I gave my bathrobe to my bro-in-law for Christmas, but I use my Princess apron all the time. 

23 minutes ago, lorri111 said:

But what if you are early dining and you chose to eat later?

If you miss your regular dining time, you can eat in the anytime dining room or Horizon Court or another dining venue.  You don't get in trouble for not showing up to your regular time.  I think on late port days, it's not uncommon.  

Thanks, FlyRobinFly!  I think it would be completely worth it if I got to touch an elephant.  😃  

On ‎1‎/‎31‎/‎2014 at 9:40 AM, diplomats said:

IF the cruise director is Lee, there will be Bible study and an amazing sunday interdenominational service if at sea. Lee shows no theological study in his bio but his "sermons" belie some background, either formal or self taught.

I wonder if that is who was on the Golden in September.  My parents went to church on the ship and said that the person who ran it was amazing.  My Mom said, "It was "real" church!"  😃  

I loved the Alaska Enrichment lectures on the Ruby last summer.  We are doing a West Coast cruise this September and I'm curious what sort of Enrichment activities/lectures Princess offers on a west coast sailing.  Anyone know?  

Thanks for the info, Tomato53!  

Thank you, Fishywood!  That completely answers my question.  I'm going to be on the Star and now I know which menu to get excited about.  😃 

Has anyone else noticed that there are two different listings and menus for Sabatini's on the Princess website?  Do you know which one is accurate.  They are very different and I definitely like one better than the other.  😃  

Any Tales of the City fans?  Have you visited the street that inspired Barbary Lane?  Is it worth the walk?  Annoying to the people who live there?  

I love these articles you have posted.  Thanks! 

I am curious about the best/easiest/cheapest way to get from the cruise terminal in Monterey to the Monterey Zoo (which is actually in Salinas) about 20 miles away.  

Have you been to the zoo?  Is it worth it?  I saw that they have an elephant encounter that looked fun.  Any first-hand knowledge of that would be great, too.

Thanks! 

On ‎2‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 4:57 AM, Eagle_and_hawk said:

 

P1060880 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

P1060881 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

That Favorite Fruits Tea is SO good!  I tried it the first day onboard and ended up drinking them all week.  It's iced and very tasty.  

39 minutes ago, BerthaButt said:

My husband and I are going to do this cruise in Sept 2019 on the Ruby.  How was the flight home?  Did you have any stops?  I'm really dreading the flight home to Sacramento. 

My parents just got off this cruise and flew from Sydney to LA, then to Seattle.  The Sydney/LA flight is LONG.  They highly recommend splurging on Business (or First) class if you can afford it.  It will make such a long flight much more comfortable.  Whichever you choose, make sure you get up and move regularly.  

Have fun on the cruise!   Try the ukulele classes.  It sounds like a lot of fun.  😃 

I had never heard of this, but now I'm dying to see it. =P

I like the idea of getting to pick my sides. I remember WAY back on my first cruise when I was 10, every menu was a la carte. You picked from each category individually.

The 3 for 3 deal, which you are talking about, is one of the better deals, in my opinion. We did Alaska on the Ruby last May and waited until late to book. Alaska is becoming more popular every year and prices aren't dropping last minute like they used to. If you are planning to book this month, then the 3 for 3 is the Princess deal you have available to you. I think it's a good one. Free gratuities saves you about $100 per person and that's nice.

I would check a few travel sites/online agencies (I don't think I'm allowed to post names) or your travel agent to see what they might offer in addition to Princess's perks and go for it. You'll love Alaska on the Ruby. I highly recommend the food tour in Juneau. =)

Occasionally there are special deals for specific cruises, but overall, no extras just for booking onboard. Never hurts to check, though, and you can always put down the future cruise deposit.

How much is the OBC Per person?

We are each getting $50 for using the future cruise deposit. 7-day, balcony.