urbanhawk

21 hours ago, RobW2428 said:

Wow, terrific advice folks!  Thanks so much.

 

Bad news:  I didn't see some of your advice before doing some other research and booking a cruise.

Good news:  I found what seems to be a great one for my wife and me.  It's a 7-nighter from Seward to Vancouver on Celebrity Millennium.

 

Plan is to fly into Anchorage four days early to see some of Alaska ahead of time and so we have a cushion in case of flight cancelations.  

 

Now it's time to sign in at the roll call.......  Thanks again for the help.  My specialty is board games, so if you want a recommendation in that area, send me a message :).

 

-Rob

Great! Sounds like a good plan. My 1st cruise, which I made reference to earlier, was on Carnival's Spirit. I flew to Anchorage, the day before the cruise.(Didn't spend any extra time as I lived/worked for 3 seasons at  Denali, and saw much of Alaska, at that time-mid 80's). Took the train to Seward, boarded the ship, and finished in Vancouver. . Did get to visit Sitka, which was a port you mentioned you wanted to visit.. Enjoy your cruise - I'm sure this will be  one of many to Alaska.!

Not sure for E.S. Do you have a pvp or travel agent you can call? Last year I had booked one with a casino offer, of which there were many, but I couldn't remember which one. I sent an email to the casino dept., and they got back to me, and let me know, which offer I used. 

Ditto!-no problems with the inside temps, on either of my Alaskan cruises. When my mom cruised  (she was in 80's), she always needed to wear a sweater in the dining room, the theater, etc. Guess it was an age thing for her.

2 hours ago, ladysail2 said:

I wonder if one brought some of those plastic bags where you can suck the air out…..then place that bag with all your clothes inside the paper laundry bag.  You might have to ‘tip’ your room steward a few $$ to use the vacuum cleaner to extract the air.  😁

I like your idea, but I've always used the bags that you can just squeeze the air out-flat as a pancake!. I wonder if you did this, you may not get your bag back-the bags are inexpensive-and, probably cheaper than doing a load of laundry.😉!!!

On 4/11/2022 at 6:03 PM, jmu82 said:

I am the only one reaching platinum.  My husband is a few cruises behind me.  It will be great when we both are!

 

I'm just reaching platinum myself!! Will your husband have to do his own  laundry, in the interim, if  he wants clean clothes?!.😉!!!!! Happy cruising!!

Welcome! I'm not sure about square footage wise, but if you are traveling solo, an upper/lower would be fine.Otherwise, you may consider booking a regular cabin . When checking out these cabins, either may have portholes, which would give you light. Happy cruising!

My 1st cruise to Alaska, and my 1st cruise ever was back in 2007. I didn't even know about Cruise Critic at the time. I "survived"😉, but would have greatly benefited, if I had known about it then-such a plethora of information..Have now been to Alaska twice, and can see myself booking  more cruises to Alaska in the future. Enjoy and happpy cruising! 

4 hours ago, Virga said:

Can anyone tell me if these great rates are available on the September 21st sailing of the carnival pride?

No, I didn't see this one, as being available. The code for the (elite) offer was F1E.

For your intinerary, I can highly recommend the Mayan ruins in Belize-Xunantunich. It is more expensive to book this excursion thru Carnival, but it is worth it..  Since it is a long trip, Carnival won't leave you behind, if the excursion runs late, getting back to the pier.  I usually like to book with the locals-but not this one-too risky. Enjoy, where ever you decide to go!

I just received an elite offer today-what really surprises me is sailing to Alaska in April!?! (Not that I wouldn't  book it, but the season for going to Alaska is starting earlier, and is getting extended later into Sept) Pack your parkas!

I stayed at the Moore Hotel about 7 or so years ago, prior to going on a cruise to Alaska.It had quite a colorful blend of travelers-young, old, backpackers,  budget minded folks, etc. I liked it-nothing fancy. Great location, but neighborhood alittle sketchy after dark. After last  summer's heat wave, I wouldn't stay there-NO a.c.

Go for it! My 1st cruise was to Alaska on the Spirit in 2007.. Fond memories of it..Enjoy, and happy cruising!

22 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

All this talk on 15 drinks a day reminds me of a joke my father had on his desk back in the 60s:

 

MEMO 

TO:  All Employees

FROM: The Boss

 

I don't mind people having a bloody mary or mimosa at breakfast. A shot in the coffee at break is okay. 2-3 martinis at lunch is de rigor. A few beers after work with the gang helps morale.  A cocktail before relaxes you at the end of the long day.  A bottle of wine at dinner aids the digestion. And a nghtcap before bed helps you sleep.

 

But this sip, sip, sip all day long has got to stop!

 

The Boss

That's hilarious-thanks for sharing!  I enjoy watching classic movies, and t.v. shows, from the 50's and 60's-I don't know how people got any work done, after those martini lunches!

5 hours ago, babygrljaz said:

the 15 limit is for alcoholic beverages.  unless your coffee is spiked it is unlimited 

No, coffee does not need to be spiked, but I do like lattes, cappacinnos, etc. Thanks.

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a "drink package" question. This is for a casino offer, of drinks anywhere on board the cruise. Is there a 15 drink limit, like Cheers? More importantly,  can I order coffee, as the coffee that is served in the dining room/buffet is barely tolerable.  I am the 1st to admit it, that  I am a coffee snob! Thanks in advance.

2 hours ago, neongoddess said:

Oh wow. I feel like I need to book Chef's Table to solve this mystery for good. I will be on the Miracle again next month and will stay on the case! 🕵️‍♀️

Go for it! The food and the extra service/attention to detail are well with it! Even better if you have any obc to use. Enjoy!

Im not sure, but I think about 10-11 years ago, I attended the Chef's dinner, and believe it was held in the club. If this was the case, perhaps the chef's cap was put on the monster?!

12 hours ago, lazydayz said:

we got that offer and have a lido balcony on hold.  Trying to decide if it’s worth cancelling three cruises to go on this one.  But Hawaii and Fiji are really tempting.  And being away from home and work for a month will be a challenge.  We shall see.  Looked at airfare and it’s expensive but doable.  Decisions, decisions.  

Yeah, I hear you. . ..being away that long would not be an issue, but air fares to Seattle, and back to U.S. from Oz,  as well as  lodging/meals, sight seeing, all add up. I may have to come out of retirement, to earn   some travel $$$$! (Maybe we will be "neighbors", as I booked a lido balcony, as well!!)

2 hours ago, csm5986142 said:

I just noticed this cruise is now available - 23 day Transpacific (Seattle/Hawaii/Australia) departing Sept. 6th.

Yes, I got this premier offer earlier today. , and put a balcony onhold. I only have to pay the port fees, and taxes. There is a nonrefundable deposit, but it is given back as obc. Also, $2000.00 in fun play, and  free drinks!

Congrats on your cruise! Even though I haven't cruised in 8 years, There is hardly a day goes by that I don't receive an offer: premium, ultra, elite, free interior, free suites, etc. Some of the dates go out into 2023.  I don't know about the transfer. As you say, talk to a pvp. I do know the passenger, who booked the offer would have to be on the cruise, in order for  others in his/her party to board.

1 hour ago, Nebr.cruiser said:

Well, I would if I could.  Not too many cruises leave from Nebraska!  Having to fly everywhere makes it much more difficult.  But, I'll take where I live with no crowds, fresh air and nature any day.

I agree with you 100%! (I live in AZ.). As much as I love cruising, it's not enough of a reason to move/live in CA., Texas, Florida, etc. to be close(er) to a cruise port.

5 hours ago, kwokpot said:

An Elite cruise provides more cruising benefits than the ultra cruises do. While on an Ultra you do have a CHANCE to get a high value gift more than likely you'll end up with something worth $300. We'll be on the Pride in Europe on a B2B2B, with the 1st and last legs being Elite cruises. Our last leg disembarks in Dover, England. We plan on staying in London post cruise for three nights before flying home. The Elite cruise will provide free PRIVATE transfer from Dover Cruise Port to our London hotel. That benefit alone is worth $232!

Thanks, kwokpot for the info. Yes,you are right about the Private transfer-that's quite the savings!

1 hour ago, obx_fintoo said:

That's it!  Thanks for following along.  If there are any other questions that I didn't answer, just let me know.

 

Happy cruising!

Thanks for sharing. And all the great photos! Brought back some wonderful  memories. I've been on the Spirit, , the Legend, and the Miracle several times. The Pride is still on my bucket list, as I love this class of ship. 

Just out of curiousity, have you ever done an ultra cruise? I was asking, from your personal experience, if the elite cruise would be the better choice, if you had to pick? Thanks!

2 hours ago, mom says said:

It's not rocket science. Just click on the OPs name and look at their posting history. She is from Pennsylvania and is on the June 1 HAL cruise out of Barcelona. Voila.

I did not know that! Thanks for pointing that out. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks🐶!

To the O.P.  Have a fantastic trip!

I've been following this thread since it was posted on Monday. There have been many opinions/info provided, some hypothesis, etc. We don't know where the O.P. is flying from or to. Someone suggested flying to Barcelona?  I'm surprised that the O.P. hasn't chimed in, since starting this thread. Am I missing something? Thoughts?  (I'm not trying to come across as being snarky-just curious). Thanks.