sagustaw

I had booked Alaska years back, and my husband talked me out of us going. Said he'd rather be warm for vacation, so we went to the Caribbean yet again. In 2014 he passed away. We never got to Alaska. In Dec of 2014 I booked an Alaska cruise tour for 2016. I needed time to be able to pay for everything I wanted to do. It would be my first adventure as a single woman. My trip was planned for Aug 2016. In July 2016 I was diagnosed with Cancer. I was more upset that I had to cancel my trip than I was initially about having cancer. I am fortunate I caught it in time and i'm now cancer free. I have rebooked my big adventure for this July. Now my sister, brother in law and niece are coming along. I booked the cabin I wanted, I booked the excursions I wanted, and I will do my best to do everything I can in the time I have in Alaska. Because life is too short and you don't know what tomorrow is going to bring.

 

I agree don't let a few hundred dollars stop you. Enjoy your trip.

 

I would book inside for a Caribbean cruise, but not for Alaska. that's just me. Booking single and paying double has put some restrictions on how I like to cruise. But if I have to wait to get what I want, I'll wait a little longer.

 

Charlie

We have a similar story. My husband had sickle cell anemia and only liked warm weather cruises as well. We cruised every two years to give us time to save between vacations. On our last family cruise together he got extremely ill and was taken off the ship in Tampa by ambulance. He spent a week in the hospital there. Luckily my sister was with us to take my kids off the ship and home. After that he never cruised again because he was afraid of getting sick. He died a few years later.

I've wanted to go to on the trip since watching Alaska episode of "The Love Boat" as a kid. This May, my daughter graduated from college and my son from high school. We're celebrating with an Alaska cruise in August. I knew I wanted a balcony. An upgrade on our last Disney cruise spoiled me. I hadn't planned to do any pricey excursions because it would be expensive for three people. But changed my mind and we are spending four days in Seattle pre-cruise. I've been saving for this trip for four years and the budget went out the window with excursions and the hotel in Seattle. Who knows if we will ever get to Alaska again. I plan to enjoy it and hopefully not regret the cost. The best part about planning my trip is pre-cruise shopping, watching YouTube videos and reading CC...LOL!!!

I hope you have a wonderful cruise. You deserve it. Please post cruise review for us .

Thanks for your detailed review. Really enjoying it. Did you keep a travel journal or are you writing from memory? I have a journal that I have used for about four cruises.

I'm also debating the beverage package for the coffee. Can anyone tell me the average price for specialty coffee? It may be cheaper for me to pay as I go.

My Carnival Hub App says 70 days 23 hours and 47 minutes until our cruise August 1st on Carnival Legend. I want to read some 2017 reviews as well.

I really enjoyed our driving trip from Skagway. I think it and Glacier Bay were the highlights of our trip! My photography interest has not waned and I'd love another chance at photos on the trip. I've purchased additional lenses and increased my photography knowledge since the cruise.

I am also an avid photographer. I'm taking the 7 day Legend Cruise in August 2017. Hope we have decent weather. I have a Nikon D3200 with the kit lens. I recently purchased a 70-300 telephoto lens, a flash, a remote a wide angle lens, a rain cover and two 64GB SD cards. Anything else you suggest? I'm debating whether I should take a tripod.

Enjoying your review and pictures. I am going on this cruise in August. I'm trying to read and research so I will be as prepared as possible. Would you mind answering some questions?

1. Did you have cellphone service in port? I'd like to keep in touch with family back home.

2. What kind of Alaska apparel do they sell in the gift shop? I'm looking for a waterproof hat.

3. Should I buy binoculars?

4. Do you or anyone else have experience with Any-Time Dining?

Thanks. Like you I plan to post a review when I return so future cruisers can benefit.

Going on the Carnival Legend to Alaska on August. Celebrating one of my kids graduating from high school, the other from college and my 50th birthday. We're going early to spend three days in Seattle. Who knows when we'll get to do this again. I must admit that in my research I greatly under budgeted for a hotel. We're staying in the Hampton Inn near the Space Needle. Has anyone done the Mt. Rainier tour?