Ponygal

I am wondering what is a token release? Also, I have a small amount of ashes we want to scatter (half of a large prescription pill bottle. Will I still be allowed to do this? Do we just dump them, or do I need a biodegradable container?

I booked directly with Daniel

Thanks for the great review. I am set up a booking with Daniel now. My family is going to LOVE this!

How does one book with Daniel? Through Facebook or a website?

In the route to and from HI weather can be bad in the open ocean

We are talking the Alaskan route....Not Hawaii.

I see no-one has replied. So I'll take a shot at this. I don't know how the cruise was set prior to the propulsion problem, but per John Herald, we will be on the west (ocean-side) of Vancouver Island. The Straits of Georgia look rather narrow so I would be surprised if our initial routing was on the east side of Vancouver Island. Almost as narrow as Tracy Arm except I'm confident the cruise lines know who is in Tracy Arm on any given day. The Straits of Georgia would be navigable for north and southbound traffic.

The post from John Heald had the routes specified directly from the Captain of the ship. I think if you read it all, and map it out, you will find your answers there. If I recall, there was not a mention of the Straights of Georgia in the Captains routing. I looked at much of the route on Google maps. Of course with any sailing anywhere, route can change due to weather and sea conditions, as he mentions.

im just glad it was ketchikan that was cancelled and not juneau or skagway.. we were only in ketchikan 6 hours..

I agree; plus, if you think about it, ship sails in 6 hours, you have to be on board sooner! So I say really 5...Yes, more time in Juneau is a plus. PLUS if you look at the route we take (what the Captain sent to John Heald) there will much to see!

I thought it was next to last cruise of season?

 

 

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9/10 is 8 day, last Alaska Run. 9/18 Starts the Hawaii run:p

I didn't see an 8-day, N/B route from Seattle or did I miss it?

I believe the 8 day out of seattle is last of season and route is not affected. therefore he did not address that.:)

Another "womp wooomp" moment and something people may not know/realize...the 25% off of a future cruise is only for the room rate of the individual being "inconvenienced” and you can’t book with that discount until you have completed the vacation. I figured the discount was mine to use right now, so I looked into booking my birthday cruise with it. I can’t wait until June 24 to book a July cruise if I want a particular room, darn! I also assumed (I guess naively) that I would get 25% off the whole pre-tax booking cost, meaning for all the people in the room, not just mine.

I am sorry, but why would you expect to get a discount for people who were not Inconvenienced on this cruise? You were booked on this cruise they were not...it does not work the same as a VIFP where everyone in the cabin gets your discount.

It is not actually simple math. We were told by one rep that we would be sailing right past Ketchikan as it is part of the inside passage. Another rep told us we would not be sailing past Ketchikan and would no longer be sailing thru the inside passage. To make up the time, they would have to be sailing a different route or they would not be making up any time at all. (All three of the Alaskan ports appear to be in a fairly north-south line along the coast) So in my opinion we are not only losing the port of Ketchikan but losing the sea day along the Alaskan coast of the inside passage. Please correct me if I am wrong and not looking at this correctly. I hope that I am wrong because not going thru the "inside Passage" may be a deal breaker for me.

There is alot of chatter on this thread with alot of questions that would be perfect to present to John Heald. This question was presented to him heck, it could have been you because they are almost identical questions! He will be back on Facebook on Monday, and since there is alot of chatter about the Miracle I think he may answer alot of those questions first, just my opinion. So if it was you, I would ask again on Monday, I am going to do the same! For anyone who does not FB with John, if you see the answers you are looking for on his FB page, post it here for all to see. Just from looking at Maps, I am no navigator by any means, but I am not sure how they can get ourside of Juneau without going backwards somehow, but again, what do I know? HAHA. John should be able to answer this question, and he will go right to the people who will answer it, not reps who really don't know.

Ponygal,

 

Like my wife and I, are you on the May 20th sailing?

 

Bob

No Sir! Going after you; can't wait to read your review and hear about the great time you had!!:)

Is it 25% of the cost of the Alaska cruise as a future discount or just 25% off the rate of a future 7 day sailing? 7 Day Alaska is generally more expensive than a 7 day Caribbean; so that is why I ask. If they give you back 25% of the cost of the Alaska cruise it could be a good deal.

Future Cruise; if you cruise alot, it is worth it.

My TA told me the $50 OBC is only for the 1st and 2nd passenger. We have 4 in the cabin. I don't think this is right. Hopefully they will get the port charges back.

Letter from Carnival clearly states $50 Per Person:p

It was a Celebrity Ship that broke down last Summer.

 

I agree with the OP's that Carnival would be the last Cruise Line I would pick for Alaska. Princess and HAL know how to do AK and have many great Itineraries and Ships to choose from.

I researched all lines that specifically go out of Seattle. They all pretty much have the same itineraries and stops with a change here or there. You can't make all the stops on a 7 day out of Seattle. Like someone else said, it also depends on peoples finances and situations. Yes, Carnival is probably the least expensive of all the Cruises, but it allows people to take a trip of a lifetime they maybe normally could not.

I am no expert by anymeans, but when people say Princess and Holland know how to do Alaska, what exactly do you mean? My sister took a 15 day Rail/Sea on Princess. But that is a completly different itinerary that Carnival does not run. I can see how you can say Princess knows how to do Alaska on that route. I mean, they have their own Lodges, of course they know how to do Alaska, on that itinerary!! But what would make them different on this same itinerary out of Seattle?

Why so much carnival bashing? It is such a easy question. If you are uncomfortably with the situation, then by all means cancel. Especially if you are on the

May 20th sailing. I would prefer not to hear a bunch of people whining that they should have cancelled. Otherwise go on the cruise, have fun, and don't give it another thought. At least that is my plan.

Well said!

Everyone has their own opinions and I hope, hope people write reviews of their Cruises!!!

It is easy to say, lets cancel, book on another line, but if you had to arrange work schedules, pet sitters, etc and it is all done, then you all are saying oh we changed and switched to a different ship, none of them leave the same day, and there are price differences. No one has said what kind of Cabin they had, or switched to when they said they got their change of cruise cheaper. I am not downgrading my accomodations because I am missing 5 hours in Ketchikan. It is all easier than it sounds.

I am going to take my cruise. I plan on having a wonderful time. If something happens, so be it, I know Carnival will do right by whatever happens. I have had many people take different lines in Alaska, they will all tell you the same thing, they had a wonderful time. I have heard their are definate age differences on ships (especially in Alaska) as well. We are a young couple attending with a child, enuf said. I hope everyone whether taking the Miracle, or taking another ship has a wonderful time.

:):):):):):)

Laurin612-A fellow Chicagoan! I am in the same boat (no pun intended) you are. Going at the end of May. We are going, however I never once thought of changing my plans. I have had nothing but great cruises and great Memories on my cruises. I will post a review once I return..keep and eye out for it. Have fun on your trip!

That doesn't work for everyone :) Some people have a certain departure port they need and/or a destination they want that are only available on this ship.

then go, have a GREAT time and don't sweat the small stuff. Like I said, Life is too short to not be happy!!! :)

Book another ship the same week problem solved

 

 

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I like your thinking Vols 159!!!

Just for fun, which of those lines you mention continue to keep a broken ship in service, potentially for a year.

 

But what does that matter to a customer that only sails Carnival?

It matters to me a lot TPFKAH; I love Carnival, the reason why I sail them. (and I have sailed other ships)... And, how do we know other lines don't keep their ship sailing either if there was an issue, a minor one..we don't. I do believe, if it was a really serious issue, Carnival would not be sailing. A lot of people seem to be loyal to one line, and I get that. But what bothers me, is people saying Carnival, here we go again, blah blah blah. They are people not even sailing them, so how can you bash them? I was merely making a point, that it does happen on other ships, the only reason we don't hear about them so much and Carnival is because the Carnival was in the news, so here we go again Carnival. Get over it people. I love Carnival, you love RCCL, you love NCL, who cares?? Point is every line has problems.

I missed the e-mail at first too, but it came from "donotreply" The subject line is what actually caught me "CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES ITINERARY CHANGE" just a thought, if coming from "donotreply" people may have to check their junk/spam files. The e-mail might be sitting in there;)

Also, just for fun, those of you thinking stuff like this ONLY happens to Carnival; do a search on CC for Royal ship problems, NCL Ship Problems, Princess Ship problems, ETC. You will find all kinds of threads on all these lines with the same kind of problems....so it is not just Carnival people!!!!! ALL ship lines have problems!!!

I am going May 27 on the Miracle. I always book a Cruise with an open mind, knowing, that itineraries can change at any time. I notice a lot of people complaining have cruised enough they should know this. I also notice a lot of them have Cruised Carnival countless times and apparently keep going back. If you hated Carnival so much, you would not go back. Yes, maybe more affordable, maybe more fun, who knows what draws you to Carnival. I would bet most people on here will still go their cruise and have a fabulous time. So really, either cancel and go on other ship, or go on your cruise, enjoy your OBC, your 25% off next cruise and make the most of it. Life is too short to be anything but happy! :D

We are also going to be on the Miracle in May, and my husband has always gone with a dress shirt/tie and dress slacks. I think you would be fine with that.

I believe there are 2 rental places in Skagway. We used AVIS and we paid about $120 for a Camray. And I would say that it is a must that you reserve in advance. You do not pay up front, so it's better to have a car and not take it, then to want a car and none are there.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Avis also, if you want more adventure, rent a Jeep from Alaskan Green Jeep Rentals!

I have booked Alaska Green Jeep Tours in Skagway. A 5 Person 4 door Jeep is $207 for all day (8-6) and you tour at your speed and can go all the way to the Yukon and back, on your watch. Our ship is in from 0700-9 pm, so we will still have 3 hours in town. This Jeep tour is on your own, but they give you a disc tour to listen, and all the directions you need. Can't get lost either, there are only 2 main roads!!