dave_k58

WE are very happy with our mini on the crown - but I was thinking about bidding for a full suite - the bad thing is that my 25 year old grandson is coming, and insisted on his own room. If a bid on a full suite was accepted, could he cancel his room and join us in the suite? If he didn't, I don't think he would be allowed in the special dining area, which would be a bummer. And why I am hesitant to bid. 

2 hours ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

@Nightowl11 I hope that you are enjoying your cruise. I will be boarding Crown in August. 

I am wondering about getting specialty coffees in the mornings. Is there anywhere besides the international cafe to get these?

I saw a recent patter that listed Coffee and Cones opens at 11:00am. 

I would appreciate any information about this, if you are a coffee drinker. I know that I will be able to order the special coffees on the tv for room service. Just trying to find out what other options there are.

Thank you. Enjoy your day in Icy Strait.

will you be on the Aug 25 sailing?

22 hours ago, bassmk said:

I think you'll find lots of people won't stick to the white and gold theme. Think of the folks who never check their email or that email goes to the junk folder. You're good...wear the purple dress. 😄

we for sure won't be wearing white and gold. 

5 hours ago, Nightowl11 said:

My son, age 22, is going to wear a tux with a vest and a tie that he already owns from a cruise in 2019. This will be on a 10 day Alaska next week.  He is excited to wear it.  At least one young adult is still into formal nights.  His cousin would be too if he didn't loose his pants to the suit and they just found out today.  So I guess my son will be overdressed but he is okay with that.  He looks really sharp and we will get some nice family pictures.

Glad to hear that about your son.  I have a 24-year-old grandson who is joining us on our 11 day Alaska cruise in August. I bought him a nice suit - but now that I think of it - I may have an extra tux that I have outgrown in my old age.  I will see if it fits him.  Then there will be at least 2 men in tuxes on our cruise.  I kind of think formal night is part of a nice cruise. 

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

It was in Ketchikan on May 8.  I do not remember the name of the restaurant (it was in a shopping center near the port) but, there are plenty of places in that town that have crabs.  The only picture I took (that day) was of the posted menu with those prices.  My understanding is that there has been a moratorium on crabbing (for the commercial boats) which has caused a major crab shortage.  Hence the ridiculous prices.  A few weeks prior (in April) we were in Japan where there was plenty of crabs with much more reasonable prices.  In fact, one day when I was just walking around Kyoto, we were walking through a large pedestrian shopping area when I stopped at a large fish shop where they had really nice large fried crab legs for about $5.  I am not sure if they were from King Crab or another very large type, but I had one for lunch (yummy). 

 

I think it was in 1999 that I was in Anchorage and stopped in a local bar/restaurant for dinner.  I had a huge King Crab leg with all the sides and beer for about $50.  Those days are gone...for now.

 

Hank

THanks Hank.  I have heard that all the King Crabs come from Russia now.  I will check the Ketchikan restaurants. 

My wife especially loves the formal nights, and I don't mind them.  I would just as soon not bring a tux - but I was curious about how many men wear tuxes on Alaska cruises. There were quite a few on the TA's we have been on. 

On 5/19/2023 at 5:37 PM, FairSkySmoothSeas said:

For those who have gone Up North to Alaska…I plan to wear a dark suit and tie for Formal Nights, but I was wondering if a flannel shirt is OK to wear in lieu of a polo shirt during casual nights. It being Alaska and all. Something like a Black Watch Plaid I’m thinking. Thoughts? 

I hope flannel shirts are acceptible.  I was planning on bringing some

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

On our recent visit to Alaska we noticed that a single Jumbo Red King Crab Leg was priced at $119.95 at a local restaurant.  And that price was just for the crab leg and did not include sides, drink, tax or tip.  An entire King Crab was priced at $179.95.  So no, you will not see that onboard at the crab-shack or anywhere else.  

 

Hank

WHat port was this and which restaurant?  EVen at that price - we may spring for it.  Thanks Hank  

On 5/25/2023 at 3:35 PM, Coral said:

I have seen her multiple times over the past 20 years. Her presentation has changed and is different than previously. She used to read a passage from the book (and did a video). Now it is a better video presentation and she answers questions. I go every time she is on the ship 🙂 

 I hope she is on the Crown for the August 25 cruise

On 1/28/2023 at 5:54 PM, njsmom said:

I'd love to pet a live grizzly bear on one of our excursions. Where can I find the best place to do that? 

 

🙂

MOst of the people who have done that are in a cemetery.  Or ICU at the very least

2 hours ago, SuzieQ521 said:

Just did Royal with deluxe balcony for 3 of us…sofabed was perfect for my 4 year old. I think there’s an upper bed too if needed.

 

we paid obstructed prices for no obstruction at all…E411…bigger balcony than standard ones.

NOt sure, Suzie but I think only the Royal Class have the deluxe balconies with the sofa(love seat)

On 5/26/2023 at 8:17 PM, Kat915 said:

No to renting car without passport.

 

I would also find out if you will have any issues boarding the ship. 

 

Good luck.

 

If they're sailing from Vancouver they won't be allowed to board

10 hours ago, quack2 said:

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

Its a hard "habit"to break

On 5/13/2023 at 12:07 PM, Aquahound said:

Because, well.....NCL.  They are notorious for their upcharges.  

Amen - I wouldn't buy a cruise from NCL

My favorite is an  historical fiction novel " Alaska" by James Michener

21 hours ago, SCX22 said:

 

All Deluxe balconies have a love seat, 2 cushions only.  Mini-suites and suites have a full sofa with 3 cushions.

Except some ships don't have the deluxe balconies. They have a premium balcony but that has a larger balcony and no sofa/loveseat

On 5/25/2023 at 9:02 AM, kebhouse said:

Every time I see this post, I think it is about hushpuppies instead of Husky puppies. And then I get hungry. 😂

I always think the same thing lol

On 5/21/2023 at 3:12 PM, Kay S said:

Our other "regular" line is HAL.  I prefer the food there and so many other things, but service has suffered across the industry due to staffing shortages and limited training.  Will you be disappointed in Princess?  I guess you need to decide that for yourself.  (BTW, my daughter and family are just back from Carnival, and they said service was good.)

We recently took the Grandkids on a Carnival Cruise ( mainly because of the water slides etc) - I thought the service was very good, and the food was also pretty good. There were more "included" venues and I thought the Steak House was excellent, the Italian just as good as princess. There were not kids running amuk all over the place either. I think sometimes Carnival sometimes gets a bum rap.  Still,

 Princess my favorite because in my opinion its a bit more "refined" and more suited to my age group . 

9 hours ago, Glide said:

For me the lesson learned on far northern cruises always choose a ship with a covered/ indoor pool, unlike Sky Princess. Otherwise everyone is squeezing into the inside bars, the outside pools  and outside spaces are almost redundant. This weather problem would have been much more bearable if we had inside deckchairs and pools.

I was on a TA on the Sky and didn't notice a covered pool. I guess it's possible, but since it was so cold, i think I would have noticed it

The thing I like most about Good Spirits are all freshly made drinks. At many bars, they'll have a pitcher of some of the more popular " fancy drinks" with the fruit and umbrellas etc.  All the drinks are made fresh for you at Good Spirits.

On 4/19/2023 at 10:14 PM, jaycruising said:

I have so much more to share from today, but it was a long day and I am exhausted so going to call it a night and will continue as soon as I can!

I think this is the best "Live" I have ever seen. The writing is fantastic as are the photos.  You must  be a professional photographer. 

20 hours ago, Torfamm said:

You both must have a passport. https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/pre-cruise/prepare-for-your-cruise/

 

What about US citizens sailing from Vancouver to Alaska on a closed loop cruise?

7 minutes ago, talkorpi said:

Thanks! There were two of us and we ordered one item from each course. However we had a late reservation and were one of the last parties dining by dessert time which is why I believe our waiter just brought us one of everything for dessert. We certainly did not ask for that or plan on doing that but it was a nice gesture and allowed us to try a bit of everything. 
 

It was sooooooo good. Hoping you enjoy it just as much as we did on the Crown!

THank you - it will be me, wife and 24 year-old grandson. He is an expert at Italian cuisine and is really looking forward to his first cruise on Princess( he's been on lots of Carnival). Your pictures and descriptions were fantastic, and I may need to order more than just one from each category and don't care if it costs extra. We have always loved Sabatinis - and I may be wrong, but I think this is a new and improved menu

On 4/4/2023 at 10:57 PM, talkorpi said:

Okay, I know that was a lot of posts in a row about food but I just wanted to express how incredible our dinner was tonight. Again, huge thank you to Milos and the entire chef’s team at Sabatini’s for producing such an incredible meal. The service lasted about 2 1/2 hours but I was completely fine with that. Truly magnifico!

I have never eaten at Sabatini's - it looks like you ordered everything on the menu. I had thought you could only order one item from each category. This was a wonderful review. Can't wait till our sailing in August on the Crown - and hope everything is just as good. 

Just now, minniegidget said:

I see the Sky Princess is getting going int dry dock soon. Anyone know what they are going to do her during her dry dock? What changes are going to be done? 

I read recently that they were going to replace the French Bistro, sur le mer or something restaurant with something else.