YYC009

Where can I learn more about this four night cruise?

If I am reading your other posts correctly, you are sailing this Wednesday June 14. And you are still just "looking at" taking the train from Anchorage that morning? I just checked their website and pre-booking for the 14th is already closed, you are instructed to call for availability. I would be on the phone as soon as the sun comes up there this morning. Based on the finite number of train cars and the limited schedule having to alternate travel through the single-track tunnel, I would in no way rely on being able to just turn-up-and-go (unless a recent traveler confirms me as wrong, which for your sake I hope they do).

Yes, we are 'looking' at booking the Alaska Railroad for June 14 Anchorage to Whittier on the Glacier Discovery at 09:45. The Alaska Railroad site is still selling seats when I looked just now. We were thinking of checking out the coupon books for sail when we arrive in Anchorage today as some have told us there may be a 2 for 1 offer that we could get. Your thoughts? You got me a little worried now...

Ok, wow. I thought only if I road the 'Princess Train' would the bag go onboard for me. I understood Alaska Railway was more of a independent style separate from any cruiseline. So if what you say is true, we would check in our bags with Alaska Railway in Anchorage at the railway station around 07:30 and not see them again until we are in our stateroom around 18:00? That way, we just take the train to Whittier, hop on our excursion cruise, then board our Princess cruise?

Hello:

We are taking the Island Princess out of Whittier. The ship sails at 20:30.

We are looking at taking the Alaska Railway from Anchorage to Whittier. It arrives in Whittier at 12:05. We are wanting to take the Major Marine Prince William Sound Blackstone Glacier Cruise which departs at 12:45 and returns at 17:15.

My question is, obviously this glacier cruise is timed for those getting on or off the cruise ship. So, when we get off the railway at 12:05, where would we store our bags before we need to checkin by 12:15 for the 12:45 cruise? e.g.: Can we drop off our bags with Princess in this time? Is there luggage storage somewhere? From the map, the train station, harbour, and cruise terminal are all in the same area...?

Princess website says boarding only starts at 12:30...

Many thanks!

YYC009

Think of Canadian iced tea like a sugary drink like a Koolaid or whatnot. It is sweetened. That is the key difference. Nestea is one of many brands that makes it. It is definitely not like a regular tea that is served in chilled form instead of hot. That is why there can be quite the reaction. I remember my first American iced tea in Atlanta and was shocked!!! Tasted so strange! lol.

...So be patience, don't worry and keep checking your Online Personalizer page for cabin assignment. You will be sailing and will have a cabin assignment and yes the Upgrade fairy might be very generous. Yes, it's always possible you might be offered a "moveover" offer. You can accept the offer or decline it and sail as planned. The option is entirely yours.

Don't worry... I am not worried... I am the guy that is usually elbowing my way to the front when the airline calls for volunteers and I wouldn't want to miss out on a great offer if they only need one or two cabins. Hence why I was curious to the process... I love to make a deal!

The other way works good too if the upgrade fairies are playing nicely.

Okay, thanks everyone. Alaska here we come!

Hi All:

I am booked on the Island Princess out of Whittier on June 14 in a guarantee balcony. No specific cabin assignment has been given yet.

On their website it shows that all the balconies, mini-suites, and suites are now sold out.

Does Princess usually oversell their Alaska Cruises in June? Do I have a hope of a move-over offer?

Many thanks!

YYC009

I'm responding to an old thread here because it answers a question of mine. But, I have a follow-up question.

 

Four of us are staying at the Comfort Inn Ship Creek, then boarding the Anchorage to Whittier train for an Island Princess southbound cruise. I was wondering how the luggage transfer works. According to this post, "You can check your bags directly through to your cabin from the depot in Anchorage as well." This sounds very convenient. Is this available to any Princess passengers or does it only apply to people who booked transfers through Princess? I booked my train tickets directly with Alaska RR using the Toursaver 2:1 price.

I am also curious... is the Princess train its' own train or is it a special car that is attached with the Alaska Railway train?

Wow, thank you for all the feedback everyone. Much to review.

@Essiesmom / @denatravels:

I had a friend point out the same thing with Glacier Bay. He couldn't believe there were Alaska Cruises that don't stop there and insisted that I should take the one that does.

@John Bull:

Wow, that was very thorough, thank you. I think I fit in with having the older outlook in life. I also hate being nicked and dimed. Rather just pay a higher price for better value.

@Kamloops50:

Yeah, it is only when I had the two itineraries side by side did I notice that NCL visits were much shorter. I never would have thought much about it until I noted that Princess stops were much longer.

My plan is pretty good. Doesn't matter where in the world it takes place. I got reimbursed for a massage at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and the InterContinental Resort in Tahiti, among others. I only have to prove it was done by a Registered Massage Therapist.

I guess I will try to find out what company NCL and Princess use.

Thanks all. It would be for NCL or Princess.

Hello.

I am looking to go on my very first cruise. I am a single 30 year old male and I will be traveling with my 65 year old mother. We travel the world together often and like seeing and doing as much as possible (so our vacations always end with "we need a vacation after our vacation"). We have always said we would do an Alaska cruise one day and years later, here we are. We will go for a balcony room. The cold doesn't scare us. We are not concerned about drinking alcoholic drinks... we are not big drinkers and can go without them to save money for the shore excursions/etc..

Due to my vacation time at work, I have narrowed down my choices to two (I work in the travel industry and have checked out a few industry rates that I am eligible for too):

-Norwegian Sun departing Seward on June 12.

-Island Princess departing Whittier on June 14. Approximately $250 more per person

I am curious to pros/cons of each.

From my reading, including on these blogs:

Norwegian Sun:

Pro's

-Anytime dining

-Cheaper rate

-Recently refurbished for the better?

-Less formal dining

Con's

-Pepsi products

-Shorter port times

-Charge for room delivery

-Can't bring outside drink products onboard/too expensive drink packages

Island Princess:

Pro's

-Longer port times

-Coca-Cola products

-Free room delivery (I like the idea of breakfast in the cabin?)

-More to do onboard

Con's

-More expensive

-Seems from previous reviews dining is crowded

-Recent refurbishment added more rooms with less public spaces

-Too formal?

I am curious if people would help compare the two and let me know their thoughts.

Many thanks!

YYC009

If I go to the spa, are the massage treatments done by Registered Massage Therapists?

I ask because my work health care plan covers up to a certain amount each year for massages and I would submit the claim if I go.