naturelovergirl

Blond Giraffe used to make their excellent pies in Marathon… but then they closed there and opened a location in Tavernier… I often think of the newest location as in between Tavernier and Islamorada. Absolutely worth a stop at Blond Giraffe. Also If you ever make it back to Blue Heaven in Key West, the pie is also quite delicious… plus it is such a neat place. One night we were there with live reggae music- awesome. I have not had the fish sandwich from the place with the Billboard… but my brother in law did… he said it was just ok. Ha! I have eaten the lobster rueben sandwich from Keys Fisheries… that sandwich has a billboard too. I do love the fish sandwich from Herbie’s in Marathon. (I come to the Keys with our RV (caravan) every year- why I know so much about them)

My opinion, of course… and I am a fan of Key Lime Pie with meringue (instead of whipped cream) as the topping. Best -Blond Giraffe Tavernier, FL (Florida Keys) Second Best - Blue Heaven Key West (Florida Keys)

I can tell you where you CAN get the best Key Lime Pie I can even tell my #1 and #2 places to get it Of course, taste is subjective 😏

I have read online about people asking to switch and being able to do so, but since I have never asked to move, I can’t say for certain. If your seating does not suit you, you can always ask if the other has availability- Then they can say yes or no.

Early or late dining allows you to have the same wait staff throughout your voyage. Typically early starts around 6:00 and late starts around 8:00-8:30. (Check your schedule once you board) Open dining gives you flexibility with your time, but you will not necessarily have the same staff (I have done open dining with other lines before and had to wait in a queue… I prefer to have traditional dining, honestly… but many people like the flexibility- and with QE in Alaska, you may really like that.) Others blaming age on the timing of Cunard cruise dining is a bit asinine to me… Cunard creates a lovely atmosphere for dining in Britannia. The time it takes to have a beautiful meal has zero to do with the age of the passengers. It is not a quick service meal- and nor should it be. On our Cunard voyage in 2019 we had early seating (and had no problem seeing any shows we wanted to see). For Alaska this year we are planning for late seating since we will be active in the ports and want to be on deck or on our balcony for sail-aways and scenery.

Try reloading it If it is still the February one, then clear your history and cookies from your internet browser That should fix it

The most current Alaska cruise port schedules are now on Claalaska (updated May 3) www.claalaska.com

The internet quality is not something that Cunard is known for, honestly. It has a reputation for not being as advanced technologically as other lines. Supposedly they enhanced their internet, but passengers still complain about it. So just be aware that Princess is likely much better on internet. We love Cunard- but we also love dressing up at night. There is a dress code on Cunard after 6pm. It is part of the tradition of sailing on Cunard. There will be 2 Gala Nights (formal dress code) and the rest of the evenings will be smart attire nights. So you do need to think about that with your family. Do you enjoy that part of traditional cruising? I think that Cunard has the better itinerary. The only other thing that I think you need to think about is your 14 year old niece. Think about her personality and what she likes from a cruise. There typically are more kids and teens on a Princess cruise than you would typically see on Cunard. Cunard does not often have as many on board- Alaska may be an exception because it is a popular place for many generations of a family to cruise together. I would have absolutely LOVED Cunard at her age, but I would never take my nieces on a Cunard cruise- because it would not be their thing. Just be aware. Again, Cunard is our favorite line. BUT that said, I think it is smart for cruisers to be smart in their research. Know what your family likes.

@jwbrmb522 Thank you for your insight I feel that hearing and reading people’s actual experiences as the Alaska cruise season continues to ramp up helps all of us

Please have him wear his white! Enjoy!!! You both will look fabulous for the Ice White Gala Night!!!!

What a gorgeous picture!!! We love Cornwall!

I would HIGHLY doubt that the Railroad Dock will be closed. (Unless they have a problem which forces it to be so) The city has worked hard on the mitigation. They have plans of how to get people off the ships. Skagway is doing their best, in my opinion. It is just tricky in the logistics. I just think it is wise to watch the dock schedules on claalaska (because they absolutely could change) and make your plans accordingly. If your ship is at the Railroad Dock and you want to do an independent excursion, just make sure that you are realistic about the time it will take to get off the ship. Priority will go to the ship sponsored excursions in tender or bus situations like this one.

I do think that you have to take some reviews with a grain of salt. Some people write reviews regardless of if they have a fabulous time or have some concerns. BUT... sometimes reviews are just written by people who had problems with their trip. They want their voices heard. So absolutely, pay attention to what people are writing. Still, know that you are not getting a picture of everyone's experience. You are just hearing from people who wanted to write. QE before the pandemic (2019) was absolutely wonderful. My only real complaints were the complimentary coffee in the Lido (the coffee for purchase was lovely- but I am a coffee snob who truly loves good black coffee with nothing else in it) and Cunard's WIFI as compared to the quality of other lines (wifi is something that I have to have as a business owner- I am not retired). Otherwise, I had one of the best trips of my life. Our Cunard voyage was so amazing that we booked QE for 2020. (Of course that did not work out) I have been waiting and planning since then- I will be back on board QE this summer in 2023 for Alaska. So I will see how I think things are post pandemic.

I’m sure Sheridan Bucket would never stand for this treatment to his darling mother 😏

The way I have read of what is planned- RRF docking will use tender boats and RRA will use the shuttles

Any tips that you give above and beyond the auto-gratuities is truly up to you. Do what you feel comfortable with and what you feel is right. 🙂 Any appreciation towards the staff onboard you want to give will be very appreciated. Everyone works very hard to make your voyage special. One thing that we did was make sure that we filled out comment cards at the purser's desk to write about the excellent service we were given by certain people. I have been told that those extra things do make a difference as well. Have a wonderful Cunard cruise!

The Norwegian Bliss is docking today at the RRA (Railroad Dock Aft) according to Claalaska for the first cruise ship of the season in Skagway this year. So it will be interesting to hear from current passengers on there about how the protocols are working for the aft position and their efficiency in time.

As with all bars you can order your standard drinks of preference and they will make them for you- but the bars on Cunard each have different menus for drinks that are unique to those bars. I love the drinks choices in the Gin & Fizz Midships Lounge on QE and in the Commodore Club. My husband loves the menu at the pool bar (he likes fruity drinks) We both enjoy the menu in the pub.

The Alaska cruise season begins, indeed! That means it feels a little closer for all of us who will be sailing to Alaska on Cunard this year!!!

Yes It is a glitch, for certain We cannot put in our Emergency Contact either It is not just you

Yes @Hflors Cunard is more formal. It is beautiful!!! Your private table in Princess Grill means the table is yours for the entire voyage… so when you turn up to dine at any meal, you get to sit at your table. I would not fret on studying dining etiquette, if you are comfortable dining in nice restaurants, you should be great. Cunard is not uptight and stuffy- it is just gorgeous and special. Hope you have a magnificent trip with your sister!!!

Yes claalaska.com You can see the times for each of your ports

There is honestly no way to know how doable it would possibly be until all of us start hearing from Skagway about the absolute plans for the Railroad Dock Aft and Forward... there are still no news reports about the tests results they are going to do in April regarding the rock slide mitigation and the transportation for that dock. So that is the first hurdle. Finding out how those tests go. Next I believe that we will have to start hearing from passengers once the cruises start about how the timing goes. Getting the honest accounts from the people who are experiencing it. Your cruise (right now- it could always change- is scheduled for the RRA Dock... so Railroad Dock Aft) Honestly, I would talk to your local company you are hoping to book with about the concerns about the timing. See what they have to say.

I just went on MyCunard to see if I could find a way to do that on my cruise excursion planner to help you out, and I could not find a way to print them out. Alas. If anyone on here has insight on a way, it would likely be @bluemarble Best to you as you choose your excursions! (Probably reading on the computer)

Thank you! This would be very nice.