JP-Cruise

I know it's difficult but try to be patient. :p We only started cruising in 2011 but Princess had stopped sending out luggage tags by that time so we have always had to print them ourselves. 75 days seems like such a long time to wait for your cruise but it will eventually be time to go. Our next cruises are 188 days, 523 days, and 539 days away. I think we need to book another one to fill in the long gap between the first and second of those cruises. :cool:

Haha that’s so exciting! Sorry for not being specific. I’m doing the land portion first. The sb8 connoisseur tour. With the land tour Starting in Fairbanks on July 28th :)

Note that the diy tags are just for the cruise portion. We use packing tape to put them on with no problems (strip of taoe along the entire tag, with enough on the end to tape it together around suitcase handle). If you are on a cruisetour I believe you get tags for each leg as you go from a Princess rep.

 

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Oh okay, I did an Alaska cruise tour last summer with Norwegian. I assumed it would be a similar process for the land portion. I just logged in. No luggage tags yet

I know it says on the cruise personalized that for cruisetours luggage tags are available within 75 days on departure. I’m starting my cruisetour in 75 days. Just wondering when people have received theirs? I’m starting to get very excited lol

I would not pay for anything at the Sanctuary on glacier days! There are better views on the ship elsewhere.

Ya you know what? After seeing the layout of the sanctuary on YouTube, it looks like this is the worst view to be for the glacier days!

Everyone is talking about Kenai Fjords boat trips, yes they are wonderful....However, no one is talking about how much driving you are going to do, and how little time you will have. Seward is 3 hours from Anchorage....on a good day...If it is sockeye fishing time, add at least another hour...at least...It is 7 hours from Anchorage to Denali on a good day....There will be construction....and stops...upwards to an hour.....if you get there late, you won't see anything. You have to book a tour or a shuttle into the park to see anything.....You can only drive about 14 miles back into the park, and much of that is taken up with administration buildings.and camping grounds. From Denali to Fairbanks, add another 3 hours....again...on a good day. Most of all of this road is 2 lanes, much is 40 MPH or so....and then, did I mention construction? Summer is construction season...We can't build anything when the ground is frozen 6' down....:) Rethink your plan...Perhaps stay in the Kenai and explore a bit of that? But think of all of that driving...Please. Alaska is big, really really big...From ND/Canadian border all the way down to Arkansas....and the Aleutians hand out of San Francisco, and the south east...(where you cruise) hands out over Jacksonville. Anchorage is bigger than the state of Delaware.

Hey Husky,

Yes I am aware of the travel time to get to Seward. I’ll be coming from the Kenai Princess Lodge and have booked my Kenai Fjords excursion with the hotel. It says the travel time will be 2 hours each way, via motorcoach. The excursion is 10 hours total including the travel time

I can't speak definitively, but I think it's actually mandatory. You can take a tiny carry-on (has to fit overhead on buses and/or trains, or at your feet, or in your lap) and a suitcase for the land portion (which they'll transport); anything else has to be handed over for delivery directly to the ship.

That’s awesome! I love princess already and haven’t even been on the land tour yet! 106 more days to go!!

We are on the 6/30-7/11 cruise tour on Island, starting in Fairbanks, ending in Vancouver. Our 'tour portion' bags will stay with us and we will also be bringing a soft backpack/daypack that is able to be stowed under the seat on the bus/train for important stuff, clothing 'layers, etc. There is info on the Princess website regarding luggage for the tour portion of your trip, referencing 'join me tonight' and 'join me on board' luggage, along with the backpack info. My understanding is that when you get your luggage tags from Princess they will be broken out this way.

Awesome! I will check the website and call the cruise like if I have any further questions. Thanks a lot

Thanks Tom! This is great. Such a great option! That’s awesome! Which cruisetour are you doing? I’m doing the SB8 connoisseur July 27 - August 11, starting at Fairbanks

Sorry, July 28 - August 11!

Yes, one piece of luggage for the cruise portion that will leave you during the tour portion, another piece that will stay with you on the tour portion. Both pieces will end up at the ship when you board. You will receive luggage tags for each with directions for use. We are on a cruise tour starting on 6/30 in Fairbanks.

Thanks Tom! This is great. Such a great option! That’s awesome! Which cruisetour are you doing? I’m doing the SB8 connoisseur July 27 - August 11, starting at Fairbanks

hello,

This summer will be my first Alaska cruise tour with princess.

I’ve read other posts of people, if they’re doing the land part first, having the option of getting their second suitcase (one with cruise only clothes) sent to the cruise so they’re not lugging that suitcase on the land portion of the trip.

Is this still an option?

What happened tothe Wilderness lodge?

What wilderness lodge?

Play it by year, but I have never needed a reason to bother with it. I personally would not pay for it.

 

Usually deck 7 is not crowded but someone did post that it was (I wonder if it was raining that trip). I would just move around. Going, try to have a somewhat forward view and leaving, an aft view is good (someone mentioned the terrace pool).

Thanks coral and to everyone for the wealth of information! This will be my second Alaska trip. Last year I did not see glacier bay but saw Tracy arm Fjord and Hubbard. This time I’ll be seeing Hubbard again. I can’t remeber if it’s the day after or before glacier bay but so excited!

What is aft view?

Deck 7 Promenade. Everyone goes up to Deck 14 and 15. A friend is a photographer and he always says the lower to the subject the better. He is right. Deck 7 is not busy at all and people will be fighting for rail access on the upper decks.

 

Don't even bother with Sanctuary seats. Waste of money. You will want to move around from side to side and on Deck 7, you can go through the ship or around the ship.

 

Even when I have a balcony, I go to Deck 7. You don't want to be limited to the views on one side of the ship on your balcony.

Thanks for elaborating on this coral. You told me everything I needed to know :). Ya maybe on my last day at sea I’ll maybe buy a half a day admission to the sanctuary, Just to see, or should I not even bother with a half a day pass?

Whatever time you're ready. You're sailing all night and morning, and sailing slower once into the part - your chances to see whales are good at any point.

Ya, true, whales can out an anytime

All over. On the various open decks:evilsmile:, down on Promenade deck, from aft open decks and so on.. You'll want to move around as the ship slowly spins in some areas, and different views from different locations. We had some amazing views from the hot tubs, some from very top deck, some from Skywalkers, some from balcony, some from buffet. And so on..

It's a long full day in the Park, you'll definitely be moving around and taking in the views from different places..

Thanks so much for your reply! Will note the promenade deck, and definitely will be moving around. The glacier bay day on my itinerary says from 9:15am - 7:30pm. Will wanna see if I can spot some whales early in the morning. What time do you recommend I should be outside for? An hour or two before 9:15?

hi, this July I’ll be on the Golden Princess on my Alaska cruise and just wondering if anyone can tell me the best viewing area on the ship is for this day?

I first thought about going to the sanctuary area for viewing. But on second thought this may not be a good idea because of those high glass boards preventing you to see the views as good. I’ve never been on a princess ship so don’t know what to expect

Ummmm... whales really aren't a given on these tours. I have been on several and only seen a whale once. Also, the schedule is pretty tight and even if whales are spotted they can't hang around for too long. If whales are a priority I would suggest a whale watch in Juneau.

Thanks for your input. I read a lot of reviews on trip advisor of people who have said they saw lots of orcas and humpbacks, some have seen whale breaches. You never know, it’s abundant wildlife, anything could happen

As I mentioned, Kenai Fjords tours.

 

There are only 2 large vendors in Seward. Kenai Fjords tours and Major Marine. Their 6 hour tour is essentially the same. I mentioned, the chicken wrap? What is mentioned in your Princess description? Your answer is there. They've switched vendors- if it mentions Cooper River Salmon and roast beef. (NOT Fox Lodge- salmon bake, which is run by Kenai Fjords tours)

Got it. Thanks again :) here’s hoping to see lots of whales during my trip :)

In the past, the Princess Kenai Lodge also just ran a shuttle service to Seward. Is this still available? I'd suggest checking after they open for the season, calling directly. Depending on the shuttle schedule, you'd likely have more options.

 

In the past, Princess also contracted with Kenai Fjords tours- I'll speculate that won't change. This Princess package- is the minimum distance in. The vendors website, has a map and all your details. A key- detail- is the included chicken wrap- that verifies its Kenai Fjords tour, as vendor.

Thanks BQ, just don’t know what Kenai Fjords cruise vendor I’ll be with. I’ll email the princess Kenai lodge, hopefully they will be able to tell me

hello,

While I’m in the port of Skagway I’m looking to do specifically a mountaineering Hike. I’m a solo traveller and don’t wanna Hike alone, so to be safe want to be with a guide. So far all I found was this vendor

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

This looks like my only option so far which looks to be what I’m looking for exactly in terms of a mountain hike. Just wondering if anyone knows of any vendors that offers a hike similar to this? Just looking to explore options

The Cemetery is a couple miles one way. I'll speculate a drop off would be at the rail yard. and not a drive in to the Cemetery. So, I'd suggest allowing 90 minutes.

Thanks so much budget queen :)

The cemetery is at the far end of town, I’d estimate 3-4 miles. The transit bus drops off closer to the cemetery but the last bus is around 5pm. You might have your excursion drop you off there and walk back. Town is small, about 12 blocks long and 4 blocks wide. The stores will be open but most of the Park Service activities, museums, etc close around 5pm.

Thanks for the info, ya that’s my plan, to have the van drop me off at the cemetery, so I just have to walk back. I found other threads where people have said it’s about a 30 minute walk back to the cruise dock

Hello,

For my Alaskan cruise this summer I will be in Skagway from 5:30am - 8:30pm (I know, super long day right?!)

My hiking excursion is from 8am - 5pm. When I come back from my hike, is 3 hours enough time to explore most of Skagway? How long is the walk from the gold rush cemetery back to the cruise ships?

I’m starting my cruise tour July 27. Arriving at the Denali princess wilderness lodge on the 29. I’ve done further park research and just learned that they have park rangers doing guided hikes. One option I’m considering is ditching the park narrated tours. Catching the shuttle that goes to the Eilson visitor Center in time for this guided alpine mountain hike at Eilson which departs at noon

On second thought not sure how this will work. To teach Eilson by around 10. I’ll have to catch the earliest shuttle the leaves the entrance at 6am. Problem is, getting to the entrance. The earliest time the princess shuttle leaves to get to the park entrance is 7am. Unless the access Center provides pick up service?

Actually, I'm going to Denali May 10th. I enjoy being in the park early before anyone else arrives. I will drive my car to Teklanika and hike along the road.

I’m starting my cruise tour July 27. Arriving at the Denali princess wilderness lodge on the 29. I’ve done further park research and just learned that they have park rangers doing guided hikes. One option I’m considering is ditching the park narrated tours. Catching the shuttle that goes to the Eilson visitor Center in time for this guided alpine mountain hike at Eilson which departs at noon