Aquahound

I have sailed Quantum Class ships 4 times to Alaska in balcony rooms.  No problem.  They have blackout curtains, so you'll have no problem darkening the room.  

I actually think May is a well-kept secret. 😉 It's one of the driest months in Alaska so while it might be colder, you're less likely to see rain.  

Definitely Sitka.  Like someone else said, it's an Alaskan cruise, so I would choose Sitka over Victoria any day.  

Not having their admin assistants in the office will not prevent exempted personnel such as CBP and TSA from doing their jobs.  😉  In other words, CruiserBruce is correct.  CBP will still be on the job.  Go and enjoy your cruise.  

1 hour ago, jsn55 said:

This kinda reinforces my opinion that the whole hysteria about smoking is just that ... so many other awful things in life, but everybody just screams about the smokers.  People don't realize that they're being brainwashed by the media.  

I'm not being brainwashed by anyone.  I can't stand the stench.  Period.  Why is that so hard to comprehend?

On 4/5/2023 at 6:03 AM, Suzieanna said:

I've never bought an overpriced handbag or piece of jewelry or box of advil.  🙂   

 

But I do enjoy standing back and watching the insanity that occurs around the $10 "sale" table for a bunch of $5 crap.  😁

The growing trend to ban or restrict cruise ships usually has more to do with environmental impact or strained infrastructure than it does the passengers.  That said, I do know that many cruise ship passengers have a tendency to think they are more valuable to a cruise port than what they really are, so sometimes that attitude can cause everyone to be painted with the same brush.  

Royal Caribbean Oasis class, hands down.  

On 10/13/2023 at 7:51 AM, The Sunset Glow said:

 

BTW To me, you still hold the award for "Best thread on Cruise Critic"  with your tale about the lost camera. Especially loved the part about the turtle😂 Great detective work on your part👍

Wow, you remember that, huh?  Thanks!  🙂

To answer your other question, I've sailed relatively recently on HAL.  Their entertainment cannot touch RCI's, so I don't recommend for you anything older than Koningsdam.  It's been longer since I sailed Celebrity but I have a cruise booked on Edge next year based on recommendations from a good friend of mine who cruised that ship and was blown away.  I've always thought Celebrity and HAL had better food.  Celebrity is my favorite for specialty restaurants.  

FWIW, that same friend also recommends Viking Ocean if you decide to go premium+.  She's got me almost talked into a cruise with them.  

7 hours ago, The Sunset Glow said:

 

What are your experiences with different lines and do you have any suggestions on what might be a good fit for us? I appreaciate any and all feedback☺️

 

I know you said you tried other lines early on, but a lot has changed.  I highly recommend you try Celebrity or HAL again, and on their new ships.  Plus, on Celebrity, they will match your RCI status.  The ships are beautiful, and it'll be a nice break from the same-ole, same-ole.  

I'll go against a couple of the recommendations, suggesting trying the more luxury or more premium lines. I don't totally know you, but I'm basing that on hubby's love for the Flowrider.  😉  

24 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

 

Kind of a catch-22.  Those big ships with the best pool options are also likely to be the most crowded pool options.   

Not in my experience.  No idea about Icon yet, but in 8 combined Oasis and Quantum Class cruises, I have never found the pools overly crowded, not even on sea days.  

But that certainly is true about other big ships.  The absolute worst crowding situation I've ever seen on a cruise ship was on Norwegian Escape.  It's why I would never recommend Breakaway+ ships for pool people.  

Definitely Royal Caribbean and like the others said, Icon, Oasis and Quantum classes. 

Just go to the Hangar.  It's a great atmosphere that is waterfront with a view of the ships.  The chowder is delicious.  

One of my favorite downtown restaurants is Salt, but it is pricey.  

When I lived in the Keys, Miami and FLL were easy commutes for 3-day cruises.  They made for great weekend getaways and for some reason, I never really felt like my cruises on Majesty of the Seas were booze cruises.  We always had a great, and relaxing time.  

I would never fly to a 3-day cruise though unless it was part of a longer vacation.  

I'm a fan of CK. The service and meals remind me of how the mdr used to be.  I don't think it's anything spectacular but I do think it's a lot better than today's mdr.  

Chill.  Just chill.  Get to know the massive ship and you'll figure out what's next once you're there.  

23 hours ago, crystalspin said:

Oh I hadn't thought of that -- Norwegian Star: the same as your N.Gem! 

 

On the amazingly bad note, and ironically consistent with NCL, mine were Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Sky.  

2 hours ago, GTJ said:

The reason for not using the city bus is because of the inconvenience of the short 1-1/2 mile, about 20-30 minutes on foot, walk required. But the city bus service is funded through the U.S. Federal Transit Administration not merely for the benefit of commuting locals but for all taxpayers throughout the entire United States. It would be unlawful for the city bus system to exclude non-locals from using the service. It is a general bus service open to any person for any trip purpose. (In that sense, the city bus is like Mendenhall Glacier itself, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, not merely for the benefit of local residents but for all taxpayers throughout the entire United States.) One can decide to use or not to use the city bus based on having to walk between the bus stop and the glacier visitor center, but no one should make the decision not to use the bus based on a belief that only "locals" are permitted to ride the bus.

You can try to paint it that way all you want but it doesn’t change the fact that locals rely on it for commuting.  They do not appreciate it when it fills with cruise ship tourists trying to save a few bucks. Personally, I try not to be an ugly tourist when I travel. If you’re ok with that, go for it. 

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

But probably our most favorite was our first - and likely for the very reason that it was our first - and that would be RCCL Sovereign of the Seas in 1991. At the time she was arguably the most innovative and spectacular cruise ship afloat.  By todays standards and comparisons of ships cruising today, maybe not so much.  But she will always hold a special place for us as our first.

I will never forget my first RCI cruise on Monarch of the Seas.  It was the most beautiful ship I had ever seen, and I have very fond memories of that cruise.  

But to answer the Op's question, I will have to pick Allure of the Seas as most amazing.

13 hours ago, surgie said:

Thank you for the information. I had thought I had read elsewhere that you needed to walk 1.5 miles from the bus and not everyone in our group can do that. But this sounds easy. When I go to the Blue Bus website it says it is not taking bookings. I realize the seasons over but I have booked many excursions for 2024 and many offered through our ship are sold out already. Maybe Blue Bus doesn't take advance bookings?

The long walk is associated with the city bus.  People use that option because it's only a couple bucks.  I don't recommend using the city bus.  It's there for commutting locals, not tourists.

In Juneau, I recommend the tribal Sealaska Heritage Institute.  It's a very easy walk from the pier.

9 hours ago, kaz828 said:

We atleast would like some adult only areas on the ship, beyond that open

The adults only solarium pool areas on Royal Caribbean Oasis and Quantum Class ships are quite spectacular.  

However, I recommend Celebrity or HAL...in that order...for a more adult cruise.  

On 9/22/2023 at 6:41 PM, Luv2cruz1000 said:

Did you see one of their mustangs? Do you think you may sit up higher in the IONIQ? We have rented a mustang but would love your thoughts!

Yes, and I have rented one.  They are in great shape, and Klondike is the only private car rental I recommend in Skagway as an alternate to Avis.  

Definitely go the car rental option.  The sites are beautiful.  I have gone as far as Whitehorse, but I do not recommend it.  There wasn't much to see there and unlike most Canadian cities, I found the people to be very cold and unwelcoming.  

However, do try to make it to Carcross.  It's a quirky little village with a cool history.  If you do have time to go a little further than Carcross, the Robinson Roadhouse is a neat little historical site to visit. If you make it that far, that should be your turnaround point.   

I recommend Holland America for Alaska.  The reality of an Alaskan cruise is that the weather is not always perfect and IMO, HAL ships are designed very well for inclement weather.  Standard cabins are larger and have couches (unlike Princess), balconies are large, and all HAL ships have beautiful forward-facing lounges (called the Crows Nest) that offer 270-degree panoramic views.  More specifically, take a look at Koningsdam.  She's a beautiful ship.

Good luck on your choice.  

Go Royal Caribbean!  Their new, large ships are quite spectacular, and the entertainment is the best at sea.  You mentioned pool decks....the sprawling pool decks of the Oasis Class are amazing.