JRoyston

We are just back from Alaska and the theatre times were 7:45pm (I think) and 9:45pm (I know). We always went to the later show at 9:45 and found that we were fine if seated before 8pm in the main restaurant and 7:30pm in the specialty ones.

The first 3 photos should be our starters. Then 3 main dishes - the pie, the goose breast (I had this and loved it), and the seafood platter which carried an extra charge but my husband and Dad thought was well worth it. Between us we only had 2 different desserts, I think one was an apple fool but most of us had the baked Alaska. The baked Alaska was fantastic, and so much better than the one in the dining room on the gala night. I’d recommend the whole meal for that alone!

I am back, and we had a wonderful cruise, thank you. I went as part of a group of 6 people and at the end of the cruise we all agreed that The Frontier had been our favourite meal. I was worried that being part of the lido, it would be noisy. But it was a whole section completely segregated well away from the buffet. There were proper table clothes and excellent waiters, and all in all it felt like a real treat. As far as I can remember, the menu was exactly the same as the sample menu online. I took some photos so I’ll try to share those in the next post..l

Thanks everyone. I’d normally go with $20 per couple, so it seems like we’re ok

I like to think that by English standards I’m quite good at tipping, but I know it is a lot more important in America. Over here, we might give a small tip to person guiding an excursion, but it is very much optional, and no set amount/percentage. In Alaska, what is the expectation for tipping generally on excursions? To further complicate matters, there are a couple of places where we have booked a private excursion directly with the owners of the company (Glacier Wind in ISP and Gallant Adventures in Sitka). As they are already getting the full amount from the booking, is there a different approach to tipping in those circumstances?

We are on the first Alaskan sailing, from 8th June, and we have a reservation for Frontier, so I’ll happily report back

I don’t know about Princess (my first cruise with them is next year), but I went to Alaska with Cunard in 2019 and loved it so much I’m going with them again in June.

I had mine applied this week for my June Alaskan sailing. I emailed my details and proof of shares to shareholderbenefits@carnivalukgroup.com and they responded the next day to let me know it had been added. Super quick and easy. We already had some onboard credit as part of our booking.

Welcome! We went to Alaska on QE in 2019 and we are doing it again this June. So I feel confident in saying that you’ll have an amazing time. 1) Are the pools heated? Yes 2)Can you bring on multiple bottles of wine , and soda , and god-forbid vodka ? (Asking for a friend) Definitely as much soda as you want. There are limits on alcohol but I don’t know if they are strictly enforced. 3)Can we use our OBC in the casino ? No. 4) Food recommendations (aside from afternoon tea which looks amazing). Last time we didn’t do any of the specialty dining as the main dining room food was so good. However, I can recommend lunch at the Golden Lion pub (which is included anyway). 5)What can you do with the Cunard app ? Is it anything like HAL which gives you access to multiple newspapers and magazines or Princess that has many many cool features, when they work . Not much. It is not very well developed. 6)Is there a way to book flights on-line or must you call Cunard . I had to call back in 2019, but I don’t know if that has changed. 7)How's the steak restaurant ? Worth it ? I want to try it this time, so I’ll let you know in June! 8)Cunard excursions or go with private tours? Last time we did all Cunard excursions and loved it. This time, as we are going as a group of 6, there are 2 places we’ve booked private excursions as we can get a boat to ourselves. But we’ve still booked plenty with Cunard. And most importantly 9)Any tips or advice to impart on food, entertainment, cabin info or anything else. I think someone else has mentioned the insight lectures, they are great. In Alaska they have a naturalist onboard and she is often on deck or in the garden lounge and I’d recommend hanging out with her as she has a lot of interesting knowledge and is great at spotting whales.

I’ve been to those ports in 2019 and did mainly ship tours. I’m going again this year and are doing some ship tours and some things I’ve organised myself. Juneau - we did a ship’s excursion which combined whale watching and a trip to Mendenhall Glacier. We really enjoyed it, but didn’t feel we had enough time to hike the trails near the glacier, so this time we are going by ourselves to the glacier and skipping the whale watching. But, we’re only skipping whale watching as we are going to Icy Strait Point and will be able to see whales there. Skagway - we did the train excursion. I enjoyed it, and it was nice to have a more relaxing day. But, having done it once I don’t feel the need to repeat it. Skagway isn’t on our itinerary this year anyway, as our ship is going to Haines instead. Tracy Arm Fjord - we didn’t do anything for this one last time, just stayed on our ship as it sailed there. This time we do have the smaller boat excursion booked which should take us closer to the glaciers. Ketchikan - last time we did a walking tour with a former mayor from a local tribe. It was booked through the ship, and was wonderful. After that we continued to walk about by ourselves and found the Totem Heritage Centre. However, having heard such good things about the lumberjack show, we’ve booked that this time. Victoria - on our last cruise this was the only excursion I booked independently. We went whale watching with Eagle Wing Tours and I loved it so much, I’ve booked it again for this year. I was desperate to see killer whales in the wild, and we achieved this in Victoria.

It was through the ship. In our excursions it was listed as “Historical Ketchikan & Creek Street Walking Tour”

As everyone else has said, Juneau and Icy Strait Point are the best ports for whale watching. Glacier Bay and aHubbard are all about the glaciers. Lots of people say that Glacier Bay is a must see, and we are going there this year. On my last trip, we went to Hubbard and were able to get really close, it was spectacular so I didn’t mind not doing Glacier Bay that time. pother than the glaciers are there other differences between the two options?

We did a walking tour in Ketchikan. Our guide was one of the indigenous people, and he told us all about the traditions of his tribe, as well as the local history and sights. We only walked around Ketchikan, so it wasn’t strenuous, but I learned so much more than I would have without the tour. We then had loads of time afterwards to walk around Creek Street and out to the totem Heritage Centre by ourselves.

In 2019 we were emailed a month before sailing (10 day Alaskan trip) and offered to upgrade from Britannia Club to:

I did the bear search excursion, and they drive you out to the trails, so I don’t think they are easily accessible from the visitor centre/dock. I did see a bear when we did the excursion, but it isn’t guaranteed. I don’t know if there are any other trails that might also be good for bear spotting.