AbbyCruiser45

Hi all-- I normally sail Celebrity but I'll be on the Majestic Princess this July for a cruise to Alaska! I am interested in taking a Misty Fjords cruise out of Ketchikan and I remember seeing it in the shore excursion list a few months ago. We were wishy washy on going on the trip due to changing jobs, but we've finally committed and started fully planning. I don't see anything related to Misty Fjords for our trip, no cruise or the normal flightseeing (which we don't want to do regardless). Does anyone know what is going on with that? Alternatively, are they just sold out? Celebrity marks out sold out excursions, but keeps it on the page. So I may just not be used to what Princess does. Thank you in advanced!

When I sailed Edge in 2021 it was listed as "snacks" from 4-5 and that was the tea time. There were scones, clotted cream, etc. I think it is just dependent on the ships. I had family sail Edge and Equinox within months of each other in 2022 and Edge had the "snacks" listed and Equinox did not, and had nothing besides pizza in the buffet at that time.

Book the first excursion of the day and you won't experience crowds. We booked via Celebrity because our time in port was too tight to feel comfortable doing the ferry. We did the Baths and Snorkel option where a boat takes you right to the Baths and then you swim in. Because of this, we were the only people at the beach. I think it was a total of 2 hours to snorkel and walk the Baths. We did not feel rushed and we had a great time.

How was the food on NCL? I sailed the Sun a few years ago and the food was leaning towards terrible, and I’m not that big of a food snob. It makes me nervous to try NCL again because I don’t know if it’s the brand, or because I was on the smallest, oldest ship.

I knew this and did this when the AI rates weren't there this weekend and its was quoting me $4,300/person for an inside room for 8 nights, when I went to go "book" that rate, it said there were no rooms available. The site was definitely just glitching.

We haven't gotten a free cruise offer, but we called blue chip the other night to see what discount they could give us on a cruise. They gave us 20% off the all-inclusive fare. I'm a pearl BCC and my partner might be Oynx, but I'm not confident. So now with some lingering FCC (only $200/person), we're paying $650/person for an 8 night ABC sailing this summer. It's an inside room, but I don't mind since my pockets are not deep right now! So in the future, book your cruises through Blue Chip!

I use this beach bag: https://www.kyssbag.com/product-page/large-kyss-ii-bag It is 100% not theft proof, bolt cutter can easily cut through the chain I'm sure. I think the hope is that a thief wants to take easy things and not make a scene, so they would probably just go to the next bag. I like that it's large, because it's just my bag for the day. Fits a towel, 4 celebrity water bottles, sunscreen, etc.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. On embarkation day, usually there is a table set up specifically to handle speciality dining requests. It will be near the normal customer relations desk area. When I was on the Edge last summer, it was off to the side of the customer relation desk, kind of in the hall heading forward on the ship.

I like the IV! Definitely in the minority here. I think for Hawaii the IV would be particularly nice because it won't be 90+ degrees outside. I would book a room that has the couch closer to the IV. You can find this out by looking at the deck plans and the "notch" in the cabin is where the bed is, so you would want the notch further from the IV. When I sailed the Edge, it was July in the Caribbean so it was wildly hot. We just opened the IV a crack so we could hear the ocean, and then enjoyed the views. It was nice to not have to deal with the elements (I am not a very heat or sun tolerant person). I can't compare it to a sunset verandah, but I feel like I spent more time enjoying the IV than I did a normal balcony. I particularly liked lounging on the couch, looking out, while my partner got ready for dinner. I was already ready and did not have to worry about wind or heat. I mean what is not to love about this view? And we can easily play cards while enjoying it. I say give it a try to see if it works for your preferences. I think it is just a nice, unobstructed view that you get while in your room, which is not the case with a typical balcony.

Agree, would like to know the class of cabin for this. I sailed Edge IV in 2021 and got a tote bag. In 2022, I sailed Equinox Inside and got nothing.

Is this for the dinner on the Magic Carpet? They usually do not book those until embarkation day. If you want it, I'd go to the speciality desk asap after boarding. Suite guests, in my experience, tend to get priority for those reservations.

As of a month ago, they do a "soft quarantine". A crew member on the Reflection said that they board the ship and get to work. They are required to wear a mask full time and they have to eat in their room, not the shared dining space. They do this for a week maybe? And then it's back to normal for them. Who knows if that is still the case.

One day!! The time is tight with this trip, so we can't swing two weeks, but we are hoping to tack on some extra time on land in Alaska at the end of the trip. Also, this is a big family trip....not sure I would want to spend a whole two weeks with everyone 😂

Thank you everyone!! This feedback has been great. Looks like Glacier Bay should not be missed so we'll stick with Princess! We'll be on the Majestic.

Hi all-- I'm currently booked on a 2023 Princess Alaska cruise. I booked it over Celebrity because Princess has access to Glacier Bay. I'm now worrying this was the wrong decision because I've heard Princess has not been as good since the return to cruising and I've really been enjoying Celebrity. So, to those that have sailed both Princess and Celebrity to Alaska, is Glacier Bay worth it? The Celebrity option goes to Hubbard Glacier. I've previously been to Endicott Arm with Dawes Glacier on another line. Thank you in advance!

Yes, the OP should just go to the specialty dining desk ASAP when boarding. Eden was all booked up for my parents' on the Beyond this week, precruise, but they were able to get a reservation on board (just a normal verandah room).

A top deck with a glass of sparkling wine! On non-Edge class, usually forward on the gym balcony (shhh, don't tell others). On Edge class, usually on the Magic Carpet.

My parents are onboard for a B2B, so it's great to follow along here too. Thank you!

Run to the Sunset bar for the French Caribbean, ASAP! I'll miss it...my next cruise is in Alaska so it won't have the same feeling.

Of course! We were 9256. I really did not mind it as much as I thought I would. Of course, it would have been nice to open the curtains and see the ocean, but if it is a difference between cruising or not cruise then it's a no brainer. The space was large and it actually felt more open than my parents' balcony room.

It was sliced! Super, super thin.

I'm in my late 20s and sail with Celebrity! We were on a July sailing and the average age was younger than what my parents have usually sailed in non-summer months. There were a lot of young people on the sailing and a good mix of normal retired crowd. I did not sail Celebrity pre-pandemic, so I can't offer a contrast.

I feel like I remember her saying/commenting on Tik Tok that she'd be back by/sometime in October but I cannot find it, so grain of salt.

I had this back in July. I was told 4 minutes and actually waited an hour and 20. Either something weird happened or it was not close to accurate.

Here is that post in plain format! It had a lot of great info. Thanks @diverward --- Hello, been to Rome many times. A few things to consider. What time does the ship arrive in Rome and what time does it sail? There is no customs clearance as it is part of the EU. What you have to contend with is: You have a shuttle to take you from the pier to Largo Della Pace. (https://civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/shuttles) This is about a 15 minute walk to the train station. But you can get off the shuttle at Fort Michelangelo. Walk out through the gate and it is a 5 minute walk to the train station. Then you have to take the train into Rome. (www.trenitalia.com). Trains run every 45 minutes or so. And it takes 50 minutes to an hour to get into Rome. Then you have to think of what you want to see. All the sights are spread out and you will need to plan to get there by subway. (Rome Metro (Metropolitana) - Map, Routes & Stations) Lastly you have to plan on returning to the ship. Reverse of what you have done in the morning. You don't want to be a pier runner !!!! Check for shore excursions booked through the Cruise Line. But they are usually tours that end up at the airport and not back to the ship. Also look at tour companies like Viator. Good luck and have fun.