jmbstudios

When our cruise gets back to Port in Seattle on the last day, I believe it docks around 8am.    Our flight backnto Arizona leaves at 3pm.     Is that a pretty time allotment to disembark and get to the airport?

Thank you.

7 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Does your father need a wheelchair to board? Would it help him with standing, and sometimes a long walk? 
If so, he can bring an attendant along to assist him. As in you. 

Yes, I will be putting him in a wheel chair to get him situated on the ship.  I believe my mom has already requested one to be at the ready.

13 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Welcome to CC! And to Alaska - AK is amazing.

I'll answer a couple questions.

*Fixed vs Open dining - since y'all prefer not to eat after 6pm or wait in line, just switch to Early Dining so you have a guaranteed table at the same time every night. It fills quickly, so you should change now as it will likely be full if you wait until you're on board. If there are any nights you're still on excursion, you can always do Lido or room service those nights.

*Priority boarding - parents have it by way if their suite. If they need assistance, you can board w/them to help, but not cool to hop a free ride (think of all the people who spent years & $$ money earning that benefit)

*Internet - if you and parents don't need to be on the internet at the same time, you can just use their log in; that's what DH and I do.

*Free Laundry - parents have free laundry by way of their suite. Pack less and use the laundry service; HAL has the best laundry service in the industry!!

*Concierge Lounge - parents have this by way of their suite - encourage them to use it often, it will really enhance their cruise.

Safe travels- enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for the reply.  I think the fixed dining will be the way to go.

As far as priority boarding, we will be helping with my dad and getting him on the ship as best we can.    We just want to make sure they will allow this.  Not looking for a free ride.

I will have to tell them about the laundry service.

What are the benefits to them in the Concierge Lounge?

I appreciate the tips.

New to the boards here.  

My parents were gifted a cruise (all expenses) and decided to go to Alaska in mid August aboard the Westerdam.  They are both up there in age and my dad doesn't get around all that well so we have decided to go with them to help them out with getting around so they can enjoy the experience.

We are not totally new to cruising but it's been a decade or two since we've hit the water.  After some reading we just booked our Alaskan cruise.

I've been reading a lot on open dining vs. assigned.   Seems that I've read more posts about long lines with open seating but assigned you know when to show up and not wait.  

But open seating you can pretty much choose your own time.   We rarely have dinner after 6pm and like the idea of eating when we want but the elderly parents standing in a long line for dinner is a big draw back.    Right now we have open seating.

The parents have priority boarding.  Can we squeeze in with them on that?  Is priority boarding a benefit?

The parents booked a Neptune suite with the HIA plan.   We booked a verandah aft room so we can watch the wake.   We didn't buy the HIA because we rarely drink.  That said, can we tag along on the parents internet service included in the HIA they bought?

Not sure if I have done well for the first booking in decades, but I'm trying.  

Any other tips to read up on that will enhance our cruise experience?