SteelersNationVa

Our plan is to do a family vacation with the land based portion 1st and the southbound cruise 2nd when we are more tired.  The 1st day is at sea and we can rest and recover.

Do Denali and Kenai Fjords primarily.  So much to see in a limited amount of time.  1 week on land and 1 week on the cruise.  

4 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

Where exactly do you find CEO's with cruise line experience combined with pandemic experience and what would they do to have a different end result from what they do right now?

Why does the CEO need experience in the cruise industry. Often the best CEOs in times of a crisis have other experiences that will help the company get through the problems and not rely on the same old way.   They often have turned around other companies in times of crises. Smart people think outside of the box and ask questions. Demand answers which are uncomfortable for entrenched subordinates. New ways of looking at problems are usually needed when companies are facing this type of obstacle. If the BODs are not asking these questions, they should step aside. 

The cruise industry needs to change their mindset to survive. Without changes how they protect passengers & crew from viruses will determine if they are able to keep existing customers & attract new customers. Another outbreak and incompetent response will destroy the industry for decades. 
 

Novel approaches are REQUIRED. Saying that they do not have the staff is total BS.

The cruise industry needs new leadership. they need leaders who have experience successfully dealing with Global crises. None of us have the experience to deal with crises of this magnitude. 
 

the customers (especially new customers) have ZERO confidence. Companies can never survive with only existing customers. They die or change spending patterns. Relying on existing customers only is not a way to survive. To much capacity. Too much debt. 
 

So far I have heard nothing that addresses any real change. Can’t believe that no heads have rolled. Mind boggling. 

If the cruise industry wants to dock in US ports they will need to change some policies. 
 

#1 hire extra people to sanitize the ship including all passenger rooms and crew areas between voyages. These would be locals who come on the ship

#2 the cruise ships will be required to abide by more US employment laws including OT, time off, and back ground checks

#3 all ships must be inspected by local health department prior to departure 

#4 in return the cruise lines will reserve government backed loans. 
 

without changes I and my family will never get on a ship. An industry relying on just old customers won’t survive. Look at MLB. 

Thanks for the offer. We have 23 to triplets. All with ID. DS2 has ASD, DD2 is nonverbal & Used an iPad to communicate. We will travel with DD1 who is a special Ed teacher. We will do lots of hiking and other cool excursions. 

Thank you all very much for the comments.  I am sure she will be fine, but her fears are real. 

Since we can not take it onto the ship, can one rent Bear Spray in Ketchikan, Juneau, or Skagway for the day?  In Wyoming we could, but it was cheaper for a week + to buy and then donate to the NPS. 

If we are hiking by our selves, is Bear Spray recommended?  In NPs like the Tetons and Yellowstone it is definitely recommended by park rangers.  If so where can we get it?  Can we take it back on the ship as we go from port to port or do we need to get it at each port? Can we donate it to the rangers at the end of the trip - we did this in Yellowstone.  They need it for their patrols.   

Thanks for the heads up as I use a CPAP machine. 

But the more important issue is we have 23 yo triplets with intellectual disabilities (1 with autism).  The only concern we have is embarkation and getting through security.  Flying we call ahead to TSA. It is noted that they can not be separated from us.  We repeat this to the TSA agents and we are whisked through without any problem.  Is this possible on a cruise?

Lol 😆 No!!!  I want to go as a family. This will be a trip of a lifetime. The ship is important, but it will be the excursions that will make it special.
 

Seeing wildlife, glaciers, towering mountains, etc.  We want to hike, in the rainforest, kayak in the glacier lakes, etc.   I don’t want to drive from place to place and it doesn’t work for us to keep changing hotels every night. The kids need continuity. 
 

Does anyone have suggestions on how to make DW feel more comfortable with the idea of a cruise?  The kids are all excited. Just not Mom. 

I want to go on the Alaska cruise. My DW is anxious. She is concerned about being confined to a ship. She has claustrophobia. She is concerned about over crowded places. We love hiking and exploring new places. Had a great vacation in the Tetons & Yellowstone. Alaska is my next bucket list. I want to go on RC Radiance or Serenade of the Seas. 
 

We have 23 yo triplets with disabilities and both of us are always on pins and needles how they will handle a new adventure. I think they will be fine. May need assistance with embarking & disembarking.