Pacificlander

Chris posted a new video today. He spent several hours at Miami International and finally boarded his flight to London/Heathrow. Later he posted from Heathrow awaiting flight to Manchester. He spoke of no illness on the Oasis. Hopefully he will arrive home healthy.

Totally enjoyed your live review! Got me through the 2 weeks before our Edge cruise! This week I've spent my days off packing. I'm not near as efficient as you! Looking so forward to boarding this beautiful ship on Sunday!

After hearing on the news last night that the CDC is saying that people in the US need to prepare not for "if" the virus hits here but for "when" I don't think cancelling travel plans will make much difference. We all need to wash our hands, use hand sanitizer and stay home when we don't feel well. I will embark on the Edge on Sunday.

The last 2+ decades have seen several crisis' in the world. 911, the Costa Concordia, terrorism, SARS, random mass shootings you can go on & on. With each crisis I have taken pause and given serious thought to each situation, I've made note of sensible precautions and moved forward in my life. I will not let fear rule my life. And am I ever glad! The beautiful places I've seen that I might have missed! So next Sunday I will board the Edge with the same excitement I felt 18 years ago when I boarded my 1st cruise. And I'll do it again in October in Rome! 

How was the Wi-Fi on the Sky?

Thank you. I know about the security scanners, I misunderstood & thought there was another scanner somewhere that folks were just able to hop on the ship to.

32 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

but they will make everyone not just coming through the scanners sit down

Im sorry, but what does this mean? Who gets to just go through the scanners?

We will be boarding the Edge on March 1st! Looking forward to your posts and trip tales!

We took the Crown on our British Isles cruise in Aug/Sept 2019. I was also concerned about the Crown's wear & tear but went with it as the price was much better and the itinerary was exactly what we wanted. Well the Crown was in great shape and we had the best staff we've had in several cruises. The only downside would have been the lack of variety in the main dining room. But it is close if not our favorite cruise to date! I think either ship would be fine, I'd go with what itinerary appealed the most.

Can I person in the cabin get the Select package and the other the Elite? 

Yes I also really appreciate all the responses! I am very excited to have an aft cabin for our cruise!

14 hours ago, Pushka said:

It will show you your original cabin then you should be able to scroll down and see any other available cabin categories and show you the price. 

This can only be done before finals payment correct?

17 hours ago, Tom O. said:

 

We love Aft Facing rooms

We took a Caribbean Cruise a couple of years ago on the Nieuw Amsterdam and had an aft facing balcony cabin. It was great, the balcony was much larger than usual. I like these cabins because you can see things on both sides of the ship.

Last summer we had an aft facing cabin on the Noordam, it was great too, but not as great as the Nieuw Amsterdam. This was because we were higher up on deck 8. We were right below the Sea View Pool area. Our balcony stuck out a little more than the railing for the pool area. People would gather at that rail and they could see down into our balcony, but they could only the outer edge of it. Nevertheless I would have appreciated a little more privacy. The other balconies below us did not have that problem.

So I would definitely go for an aft facing cabin, but just make sure you have at least one deck of cabins above you. Avoid any cabins that have a public area directly above.  I believe you will be OK on the Nieuw Amsterdam if you take a aft facing balcony on deck 7 or below.

Tom O- what deck were you on on the Nieuw Amsterdam?

Thanks so much for the input! The balconies are on deck 4. I realize we won't utilize them like in the Caribbean but we enjoy sitting out there as we sailaway from each port. 

This is the first time in all my years on CC that I haven't gotten one response to a question I asked! Guess no one here has ever had an aft facing cabin on the Nieuw Amsterdam....

We are looking to take our first cruise on HAL. Can anyone give me some input as to whether an aft facing balcony in the Mediterranean is a good pick?

54 minutes ago, SausPud said:

 

Thanks very much for this, very helpful.

You're very welcome. I was questioning what was covered under each package and came across this yesterday.

4 hours ago, chachabell said:

I would say so.  On the March 8 sailing all Sr Officers will be women.  So you know she will be there for that!

Good to know thanks. Wish we were on the March 8th cruise too!

On 1/10/2020 at 4:56 PM, chachabell said:

Capt Kate arrived on the Edge Dec 8.  So with the 3 on 3 off schedule, it is unlikely.

So it's possible she will still be there when we board March 1st???

This specifically states Premium Coffees.

BEVERAGE-PACKAGE-FLYERS-PCP-SALES-v4.pdf

Thank you!

15 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We haven't done it in a few years but I doubt much has changed.  The good: you don't need to do any planning after you book, it's all done for you.  The bad: you are on someone else's schedule and hope everyone realizes that and adheres to it. Transportation when we did it was either via train or coach.  Both were handled well. 

 

The 1st time we did it we were really disappointed in the hotel in Denali.  The 2nd time it was a great hotel and we will be booking it on our own in 2021.

 

Depending on your cruise, either south bound or north bound you will be asked to pack a bag with cruise only things.  This bag will be put on the transportation and not seen until the cruise or the last hotel if north bound. Other luggage will need to be put outside your hotel door by a certain time each day and will be transferred to your next stop. You will be able to keep a small carryon with you.

Would you share the name of 2nd hotel?  Thinking about cancelling land tour & doing it on our own.

1 hour ago, mapleleaves said:

Are you only going to Denali ?  I will second  AkStafford's suggestion of a rental car.  However, if you're not comfortable renting a car,  another option to consider is a bus/train combo. The bus company (Park Connection Bus) is also a tour company and provides pkg trips by train and/or bus if you're more comfortable having someone else take care of the arrangements. https://www.alaskatravel.com/    

 

Just as an fyi as you work on your plans, keep in mind that the park road thru Denali opens June 1 to Eielson Visitor Center and June 10 to Wonder Lake.

Have fun with your research !

Thanks for all the great information. We aren't opposed to renting a car, we rented one when we were there in 2003. Just need to spend some time researching all there is to do & see!

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Check out www.travelalaska.com since this is the Official State of Alaska vacation and travel information web site.  It has a wealth of information available.  One can also order a free guide to be sent to you, if you wish.

I definitely will! Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks! Both these options sound interesting. Think I need to dig a little deeper in my research but it's great to have options!