LGD

Any idea if Half Moon Cay will require the vax to go ashore after Sept 8 ??  The HAL site is silent to it and the Bahamas site still indicate vax required for all private islands. Please enlighten me. TIA

On 12/11/2019 at 2:03 PM, bubbapuck said:

Hello Everyone! I had a post removed for some reason. Not 100% sure why but I read the rules and am rewording my post to get the info I need. 

 

My wife and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2021. I want to surprise her dream cruise to Alaska for Christmas. I have looked at the prospective itineraries and have narrowed it down to two options... which I am struggling to pick one. I will list the cruises and explain why I like/dislike and would like anyone's opinion. As a single family income, cost is important but both of these are in our budget.

 

1) 14-Day Inside Passage (Roundtrip Los Angeles w/ Hubbard Glacier) out of Los Angeles in July 2021. This will be on the Sun Princess. It hits Ketchikan, Skagway, Icy Straight Point, Sitka, Juneau, Victoria, and the Hubbard Glacier.

• Los Angeles is our home port and would not have to pay for flights, hotel, or transport to the port.
• No Glacier Bay and we don't go up to Anchorage.
• We love sea days and this gives us 5 or 6 full sea days. This cruise doesn't seems as rushed as there are not as many port days where we may feel obligated to get off and do something.
• I have a feeling the cost of this cruise may lower in the future and thus save me on the cruise cost. The itinerary is not as good as the other cruise. Since there are only 4 cruises from LA in 2021 on a smaller ship, the demand may be higher and the price may not lower as much as I think.

 

2) 14-Day Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure out of Vancouver in May 2021. This will be on the Star Princess. It hits Ketchikan twice, Juneau twice, Skagway twice, Glacier Bay twice, Hubbard Glacier, Anchorage, and College Fjord.

• We would have to fly to Vancouver. The cruise and flights match the cost of the LA cruise but the hotel, extra meals, transport, etc may cause the cost to be higher.
• I THINK I like this itinerary more as we go deeper into Alaska and hit multiple Fjords/Glaciers. Would you prefer Anchorage over Icy Straight Point/Sitka?
• We love sea days and this doesn't have as many. It does have cruise ports multiple times so we can have extra "sea days" on days we hit ports already visited.
• More port days means more $$$ spent in port. Excursions, meals, souvenirs, etc. 
• I am not sure if this cruise will lower in price. it seems to be a more popular cruise but there are many more Glaciers Grand Adventure cruises that has more supply than the 4 LA cruises.

 

We are honestly not that picky which one we pick. The main things we want to do are the train up the mountain, visit the state capital in Juneau, and eat some quality sea food. It is a dream to just visit Alaska and enjoy time together, we will be very happy with either. Either cruise achieves all of these goals. Also, I have the budget for both cruises now.... the basics and a few excursions (I know they are much higher in Alaska than other cruises).  Any sort of future cost savings are great but I just want to make sure any hidden costs may cause the costs to go much higher. 

 

I would just love anyone's feedback. The more conversation, the more I learn and can make the best choice. Please do not discuss anything that may have this post disappear. My previous post has good advice from people that is now gone. 

 

 

 

We've done 4 AK cruise/land tours. If only going once, I agree interior of AK is amazing and not to be missed.  We did a Yukon tour on HAL, plus Canadian Rockies, Denali w Fairbanks, all were 12 -14 nights including a 7 day cruise and a 7 day R/T Seattle with extra days there for independent touring including the Boeing experience.  At minimum the Denali experience is encouraged, especially if Fairbanks can be the starting point.  If only seeking a cruise, then Seattle IMHO as a b2b would give you the double ports, I'm not a fan of the open seas in a smaller ship out of LA, Seattle has the pier to port free luggage transport on the return, which is a competitive advantage to me.  Enjoy your travel and happy anniversary. PS August is our favorite month to go there. 

6 minutes ago, Linsifer said:

We always turn our phones to Airplane mode on cruises and have never used the ships WiFi.  We just booked a cruise to Alaska with the Best. Sale. Ever.  That includes free unlimited WiFi.  How does that work with Verizon?  Will they charge us extra while using WiFi on the ship?  What about texting—iMessages and SMS?  Facebook and Google?   I realize we can’t make phone calls.  I just don’t want any surprises on our Verizon bill.  Thanks so much for anything you can tell me. 

No surprises my Verizon bill.  I kept it on airplane mode and used the ship's wifi.  I used FB messenger for video calls home since I use an Android phone.  

On 11/24/2019 at 10:18 AM, bobmacliberty said:

We are looking to book an Alaska cruise in 2021 and I'm struggling with the choices.  I'd like to get opinions/suggestions from those who have been there and done that.  We are bigger ship people and would therefore default to Ovation.  We've not sailed Quantum class and that has a definite appeal.  The "smallest" ship we've been on is Serenade and we missed some of the bells and whistles (mostly in the evening).  Ovation however does the round trip from Seattle itinerary.  Seems like that does not allow us to see as much of Alaska as the north or southbound itineraries between Vancouver and Seward.  The train through Alaska (before or after the cruise) is also appealing to us.  Those Seward itineraries are on Radiance, which has us worried because of size.  I'm guessing that Alaska is more like the Med where the ship is less important than the destination (other than having great views of the outside, which both Radiance and Ovation have??)  I think we will likely just eat and sleep on the ship in the evenings after tiring port days.  Time is not an issue as we will be retired by then.  Money is not a primary criteria.

 

What would you do?  As I am writing this, I think I'm trying to talk myself into Radiance and the Seward itinerary.  But I sure would love to sail on Ovation.  

We've done 4 cruise tours and a Seattle RT, including Yukon and Calgary itineraries.  Each was awesome, but if only going once, suggest fly to Fairbanks and do a 13 day cruise tour coming south into Vancouver. Find an itinerary w the train from FB into Denali into Anchorage, spend time in each, then head toward the ship to relax. Our favorite time is early August.  Enjoy!

1 hour ago, rbschultz said:

I'd do that in a heartbeat for my Anthem cruise in January lol

I would do it to for my Anthem cruise in Dec. 

Thanks

I'm booked on the Anthem which visits Port Canaveral on Dec 3.  The Port has it on their schedule as 7 am - 7 pm, but RCI has it as Noon to 9 pm.  A big difference when trying to plan excursions on our own. Any idea which schedule is correct?  Ideally the Port's schedule would allow more time at the Space Center since it closes at 5 or 6 that time of year. TIA for all insight. 

10 hours ago, LESLIEKURZ said:

In 2018, couple we were traveling with on the Anthem emailed special_needs@rccl.com and were able to prearrange for the water.  That's also the email I send my food allergy info to.  They have a form to fill out as well.  It can be found at: https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/guestSpecialNeeds.do

I submitted the form for CPAP supplies a couple of weeks ago and within a week I received a confirmation email the supplies would be in the cabin. Plus advice to carry on only the CPAP machine.  Which we always do. 

On 9/11/2019 at 1:19 PM, reallyitsmema said:

I would rent a car and do it on your own or hire one of the many cabs that will be waiting at the pier and create your own excursion.  You would be able to leave when you want and then do a tour of downtown when you get back.  Much easier on your grandmother getting in and out of a car vs a bus.

We rented a car last month, Hertz is about a block from the pier. Once at the cove, parking at the gift shop/restaurant at the lighthouse is organized and free. If she has a handicap permit even better for her.  After leaving the cove, we turned left and went to the Swiss Air Memorial, less than a mile.  

We just returned from 13 Day CNE on CB Princess and used USD in all ports, along with our CC.  We carry small bills so change is a minimum, but typically returned in Canadian $$.  Enjoy your cruise - we loved our itinerary.  

We

4 minutes ago, richmke said:

Can you post the embarkation day price of Medallion Net for those without the higher level Captain's Circle levels. The one device, and 4 device, unlimited options for the entire cruise.

 

I'm wondering how much you save by purchasing before boarding.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Yes would like to know day one internet special pricing and if any specials are offered for the steakhouse or Italian restaurants.  I'm sailing after you!  Thanks!

We did this in Seattle too, it is definitely awesome!  From the cabin door to our final flight destination at no charge except baggage check fee if that applies to some.  It is really a competitive port advantage imo for Alaska cruises.  

Formal night men's attire - it's been at least 5 years since we last sailed w Princess (Alaska then, CNE now) and wonder if the anytime dinner dining in the MDR or Crown Grill requires a jacket/tie as an absolute ??   I read a post from 2018 stating 'formal night' dress was boldly emphasized for both locations in the Patter and the CG turned away a patron on FN. We do clean up nice for dinner, but prefer not to take jacket, tie and are not buffet dinner fans.  Your thoughts?

11 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Don't purchase the coffee package (used to be a card) until you've tasted the free stuff on the ship. Some think it's horrible, many say it's OK. Hey, it's "free".

DH thinks it tastes like Taster's Choice. He brings Hazelnut Creamer and adds liberally, so likely can't really taste the coffee. 🤣

If you can live with the taste of the coffee that's served in the dining rooms, restaurants and buffet...save your $$.

Thanks.  We bring our favorite creamer on board too.   

Thanks!

Thanks for the insight!

Thanks

On 5/26/2019 at 1:54 PM, skynight said:

Where?

In the DR's it depends on the menu, but there is normally a fish and chicken selection. I think burgers are also available every day.

At the buffet selections of beef, chicken and fish are mostly available. Not the same every day.

For the Salty Dog Grill here is the menu

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships-and-experience/ships/products/menus/Salty-Dog-Grill-Menu.pdf 

Thanks for the menu.  I wonder if open for Day 1 lunch ??

13 hours ago, LarryF said:

We are sailing next week on the CB.  I have several unused coffee cards from previous cruises.  Can I still used one of the cards?  I read they are good until August?  Is that correct?

 

Thanks, 

Larry

What r coffee cards?  Cost, value?  We r sailing w/o a drink package, but love our coffee.  

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

If you're arriving at FLL rent your car there and then arrange for an off airport site location drop off. Many will have a comp shuttle or a taxi/Uber will be a cheap quick option also. You also might want to check your rental rate with Costco if you're a member...we've gotten our best rates for Fort Lauderdale booking through them...easy to do online.

Thank you!

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

If you're arriving at FLL rent your car there and then arrange for an off airport site location drop off. Many will have a comp shuttle or a taxi/Uber will be a cheap quick option also. You also might want to check your rental rate with Costco if you're a member...we've gotten our best rates for Fort Lauderdale booking through them...easy to do online.

Thank you!

Does this still exist? A few years ago we rented a car at FLL, upon car return we caught a free shuttle bus, may have been a city bus, certainly not a rental company shuttle, outside of the centralized car rental facility and dropped us at the cruise terminal for our ship.  Service was free for rental car customers.  We then took the same reverse route when we returned to pick up another car.  We did have to show the rental documents to board.  Fast forward to 2019, does this service still exist?  TIA.

Thank you for all responses.  It gives me some options to explore as I plan our next adventure.  

Apologies if this info can be found somewhere, just point me there.  

We are arriving too late on a SB Alaska cruise into Canada Place to make the train from Vancouver to Seattle (6:30ish AM train departure) and plan to catch the 4:40 PM Empire Builder train out of Seattle heading toward Glacier NP next summer.  Are there other transport options to be considered?  We are open to car rental, bus or flights.  I would appreciate any thoughts on best option with least hassle to get us to the Seattle train station.  BTW - we are familiar with both cities, but this will be our first Amtrak adventure.  TIA.  

I need advice on return flight departure time - our Nov 20 return flight time. The cruise is scheduled to arrive by 7:00 AM - granted it is T'giving week - but I'd like to catch an 11:15 AM flight with TSA pre-ck security clearance. Can I make it via Taxi from the cruise port if I walk off with luggage by 8 AM? I am familiar with the port and FLL process. I noticed the cruise line flights are 11:45 AM or later departures. ?? Your thoughts are appreciated. (yn)