zelker

This trip is for our 30 anniversary. I was trying to talk my husband into a SB aft cabin on Deck 7 so that we could have the amenities of the concierge and Neptune Lounge. My question is where it is worth the $1500+ up charge?

 

This is only our second cruise so I am really a nautical newbie.

 

Thanks

IMHO, book the SS and don't look back. ;) They're such a nice upgrade from the regular verandah cabins and the balconies are most excellent. We've done both and yes, having Neptune Lounge access and free laundry (and a few other perks) was nice BUT the only reason we did the SB category was we were offered a last minute upgrade for a deal that was too good to pass up ($500 on a 12 night cruise :D). The $1500 difference between the two cabins on a 7 night cruise is a LOT OF $$$. Personally, I'd rather spend the money on shore excursions, specialty dining reservations, a massage, mementos, whatever you want vs. a butler and some free puupuus and a corsage. BTW, you'll have access to a concierge in the SS cabin - it's just via the phone rather than in person.

Whatever you decide to do, happy 30th and enjoy your time with your DH.

2. when to you pick the wine and spirits after your on board or when you order??

 

Thanks

 

Big Green

I asked Ship Services the same thing yesterday and here is their email reply:

Does anyone know if the laundry services in the package are unlimited?

From the list Ship Services sent me this morning, it says complimentary laundry and pressing. I assume that means unlimited. If it wasn't, it seems like it would have specified a number (like 2 bags or something to that effect). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Interesting info but there seems to be some discrepancies. I sailed her in early August of 1969 (right after the moon landing) and she was most definitely still named Orpheus. And from what I can tell, she started life in 1948 as the Munster, was one of the most popular Greek cruise ships ever to sail under Epirotiki, nee Swan Hellenic, nee Royal Olympic, and returned to Greece in the last 1990's where she was finally laid to rest in 2000.

My first cruise was in 1969 around the Greek islands on the Epirotiki Orpheus with a bunch of high school kids from around the U.S. (we were touring and studying in Europe/Greece/Israel for 6 weeks during the summer before my senior year). I laugh when I look at photos of how small she was and how small our inside cabin was. But what a blast we had!

http://cruiseshipodyssey.com/orpheus.htm

I didn't have an opportunity - or really any interest - to sail again until my DH and I sailed on the second sailing of the Westerdam out of Venice in 2004. THAT was when I got hooked. :D

No crashes since then. I wouldn't worry about it. Thousands and thousands of tours have departed Ketchikan without incident.

Not true (that there have been none since then). Those crashes happened in 2007. There was one in 2008. The NTSB database shows 225 incidences of crashes for the period January 2008 through March 2010 in Alaska, and of those, 17 involved fatalities. Granted, not all of those were flightseeing but still, that seems like an awful lot in just over 2 years not to at least give it some consideration before booking with somebody, don't you think?

Given your timeframe in Ketchikan and the time of year you are going - I'd definitely jump on the bear watching trip instead of this. If we were going in a salmon run time frame, we'd be all over a bear excursion from either Ketchikan, Homer or Anchorage for sure! Unfortunately, we're going too early for good bear viewing.:(

Got your emails - thanks! Will read through them tonight.

Have been checking out bear viewing and have to say I'm a bit hesitant after reading about fatal plane crashes (2 were within 3 weeks of each other, with tourists on board - one in Misty Fjords, the other picking up people after bear watching in Traitor's Cove). A bit unnerving, to say the least. :eek:

We did a helicopter glacier landing out of Juneau last year and never gave it a second thought. Maybe I should have???

Zelker - have been corresponding via email with Sarah at Ketchikan Outdoors all day today (Yes on a Sunday! They've certainly provided excellent customer service - she's always responded within hours to my emails!). Anyway, after asking 101 questions, we're booking for the Romance Package. Oh my gosh, it sounds heavenly!

 

If you'd like me to post my email address, I can - I'd be happy to forward you all of the email correspondence we've had so you can see for yourself what the Romance Package is all about. Just let me know if you'd like my email.

 

I'm psyched now about this excursion - Ketchikan will be our first port on this 14 day HAL Amsterdam cruise, so we wanted to start it off in a big way. This one seems to fit the bill!:p

 

PS - Thanks for that link to Trip Advisor review - no, I hadn't seen that. But I did see about 7 reviews on the NCL website, as one of the previous posters alluded to - click on the excursions link, type in Alaska, then click on Ketchikan in the drop down box, then scroll down thru their list of excursions. Once you find the zodiac one, there is a section to "read reviews". Found tons of happy customers for that excursion!

That's so cool that you booked the Romance Package. I will be anxious to hear your report as you are doing the 14 day before us (we're booked on the July 26th sailing). What time will you guys head out on the zodiak?

DH and I read through all the comments on NCL's site yesterday - great feedback, even from the people in September who got soaked heading back to Ketchikan. :p I glanced through HAL's offerings and it doesn't appear that they offer it, unless I missed something.

The only thing that may prevent us from doing it this year is if we decide to fly to Fish Creek to see the bears as I don't think we'd have enough time to do both.

And sure, if you want to forward me the correspondence from KO, that would be great.... barb dot h at comcast dot net

I just quite literally finished looking at their web site and DH thought it sounded like a ball, too, IF they really take you out to find wildlife rather than just always going to the same spot everyday and hoping for the best. AIP, if you haven't written them yet and see this, would you ask them how they determine their routes each trip? (we're probably most interested in the 4 hr rather than the romantic, just because it seems like there would be more opportunity to spot wildlife than if sitting at one spot for a few hours)

BTW, assume you read the one review on TA but in case not, here's a link:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31030-d1526063-r46392711-Ketchikan_Outdoors-Ketchikan_Alaska.html

Mmmmm.... not to make light, but you could always come to my home and plant a tree in my yard- hand painted certificate and regular photo updates happily provided. [sorry, I couldn't resist :D]

LOL!! You are too funny.

I did some checking as well and couldn't find a car before 800 either so I'll have to look for a driver to take us which is ok - that way I know we'll have plenty of time.

PS - what time is dinner? :rolleyes:

That is exciting news, Barb!

 

I agree that the forest at Yad Kennedy won't easily fit into your plans, especially as you'll have to deal with the traffic around Jerusalem.

 

The good news is that the Golani junction is only about 1/2 hour from the outskirts of Haifa, so you could easily be back at the ship by 11. Travel is all on major roads, so if you rent a car the driving should be easy, but be aware that there is often road work in the area that can cause delays (but you will still be able to return to the ship by 11). I don't know about getting there by public transportation; hopefully Moti will check in soon and will have a suggestion.

 

HTH!

 

Ruth

I haven't looked yet but will be surprised if we can get a rental car that early (700-730) so may be relegated to hiring someone to take us. When checking car rental companies, what part of Haifa would be the closest to the port area?

I'm glad to know that you think it's doable so I'm sure we'll get it worked out.

Hi, Ruth.

I just discovered (very joyfully) that we have the option of physically planting trees in two forests while there! :D Both are open from 8-4. What I'm trying to determine is which one I can do without disrupting touring. It appears that we could get off the ship really early on our last morning (we're docked there the night before and don't sail until noon) and go to the one at Golani Junction, be there when it opens at 8, and easily be back at the ship by 1100. I'm not sure the one at Yad Kennedy will work timewise for us since we'll be coming from the Dead Sea on the first afternoon and I think it will be too late by the time we get towards Jerusalem (after 4 pm).

So assuming we do the northern one, what would be the fastest and easiest way to get there and back (it says it's only 35 miles between Haifa and Tiberius so I'm assuming this is doable?)?

I am SO excited at the prospect of being able to physically plant trees in my parents' memory.

Barb

We like the middle of the ship and are looking at SS 9111, 9117, 9121, 9123 on Deck 9 or SS 8117, 8121, 8125, 8127 on Deck 8 on the Millennium.

 

If anyone has stayed in these and can provide comments it will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

I'd definitely recommend picking a cabin on Deck 8 for the quiet since you're sandwiched between two decks that both have cabins. If you're on Deck 9, the deck above you has the pools and restaurants which contribute to lots of scraping chairs and noise at all hours from what I've read. Not for me, thanks!

(also, I think the cabins on Deck 9 have an overhang from the deck above that some people find objectionable as it blocks the sun or even a view of the sky if you want to look up)