jlederma

That sounds like a plan. Should I reserve a time for the 9th person or not bother?

I will be cruising in a group of 9 on Ovation of the Seas (Seattle to Alaska) in August. When I went to reserve MTD slots there was a max of 8 people who reservations could be made for. I have heard conflicting answers, is there a max of 8 at a table on the ship?  If yes, anyone know if the staff has the ability to squeeze in one extra so that a family of 9 can be together or do we really need to split up into 2 groups?

Ship is scheduled to dock in Seattle at 6a on a Friday AM. What is the realistic earliest flight out which we could catch?

Yeah, that was my thought as well (although maybe security would hold it and return it to us at each port?)

Family is going on an Alaskan cruise from Seattle in mid-august . We plan to do mostly self guided hiking on local trails when ashore.  Do we need to bring bear spray and if yes, are we allowed to bring it on the ship or do we have to buy it and throw it away (hopefully assuming we don't need to use it) as we leave each port?

My family will be cruising on Ovation of the Seas (Seattle to Alaska this summer), we are all avid readers and will definitely need books. I know that there is a library on board, but is it more like a library or like that set of shelves in the laundry room with some old romance novels and a few other rejected books?

I will be heading to Alaska (inner passage) in mid-August with my family. Layering and ponchos are easy enough, but what about foot gear?  We plan to go hiking at pretty much every port so we need good shoes, but if our shoes get completely soaked we will have problems.  Do we go with our regular hiking apparel (sneakers or hiking boots), hiking type sandals (with socks in case it is cold), something else?

As a bonus question, we will of course have cameras with us, are there good waterproof containers for them or should we just use plastic bags?

Where did you get the self tours?  Are they available online?

We are supposed to arrive at about 10a which should give us lots of time.  What are UberXL costs like for that trip?

Yeah, the ground transport is still 29.99 per person. I am going to look for less expensive options 1st.  Since we got tickets through RCI, if there are flight delays, they will get us to the ship on their dime if needed regardless of if we made an advance purchase for ground transport through them or not.

5 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

@jlederma, did you decide to fly in the day of your cruise, or are you still thinking the day before?  

 

We are going to buy airfare through the cruise line's Air2Sea program and arrive day of on a non-stop flight.  If something goes wrong and we miss the ship, the cruise line will get us to it somehow at no additional cost.

6 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Do you need transportation for 6 people?  Your family of 5, plus a parent (grandparent)?

My Dad and his wife and my siblings are all arriving separately and doing their own transport. I am only concerned about my family of 5 (youngest is 9 so no car seat worries)

I will be on a RCI cruise to Alaska in mid August. What is the best way to get from the airport to the cruise ship?

I'm going to be a 1st time cruiser, what is appropriate for tipping on royal Caribbean?

How about tipping on Royal Caribbean, what is appropriate?

13 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

@jlederma I know Ovation is doing a few different itineraries this Alaska season.  If you post your ports, people will be able to help you with free or low cost options.

7 Night Alaska Glacier Cruise

1. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 
2. KETCHIKAN (WARD COVE) ALASKA 
3. SKAGWAY, ALASKA 
4. JUNEAU, ALASKA 
5. VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

1st time cruiser here, planning to be eating in the basic dining area, not anything special.  Am I reading the rules correctly, no jeans allowed?  Are there actually two formal nights and if yes, is formal attire required? I was not planning to bring a jacket or tie on a 7 day cruise to Alaska, honestly I was planning on jeans and layered tops...

Thank you VERY much for the response. The info about the restrictions for getting on and off was from a recent review of RCI on this website.

Planning on taking the RCI cruise to Alaska in mid August leaving on a Friday morning.  If we fly in the day before we would want an inexpensive option with space for 5 (2 adults, 3 kids 16/14/9).

Bonus points if there is free breakfast in the morning.

Suggestions?

1st time cruiser here. Long story short, parent is turning 70 and taking the family on a cruise to Alaska. I (child) am attending with my spouse and three kids. This "free" trip is turning into not so free and our budget doesn't have room for this.  My kids are 9, 14 & 16 and we will be on the cruise in August.  What activities are there on the ship for them and for the adults which come at no additional cost?

(yes, I did try looking at the Royal Carribian website, but there is just some variant on "more information coming soon" for everything except dining and shore excursions.)

Also, I saw a recent review which indicated that RC isn't allowing passengers off the ship unless they are booked on an excursion. We can't afford excursions at most if not all stops and were planning to explore local hiking trails, walk around the towns and do other free things.  is that really not an option?

Thanks in advance!

Obviously, 1st time cruisers. We are going on a family trip to alaska on the royal carribian ovation of the seas august 12-19. the ship leaves Seattle at 4p. trying to find out if we can take a direct flight from the washington Dc area to Seattle on the day of departure. There are flights that get to seattle in the 10:30a-1p range. How late can we arrive and still reasonably make it to the cruise?