Essiesmom

I have four cards, but it’s not on any…although two have an offer for Seabourn. Which I can only dream of using…. EM

Agree about Skagway, but that cruise hits the big three of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway plus Glacier Bay. Ketchikan is a short day, Victoria is a technical touch and go. Sounds good for a first cruise to Alaska. EM

Before we can give recommendation on tours, we need to know which ship you are on, because that tells us if you are going through the original or new locks. And which direction is your transit? As far as the cruise terminal…I suppose if security would let you, you could wander around checking out the construction of the fa from finished terminal. Or you could wander through the marinas, admiring the yachts. Not sure if there are shops and restaurants there. Or you could take the fast ferries to the outer islands which I believe the locals use for their beaches. So, give us more info and we might have more suggestions. EM

The OP has never said that the eastbound TA is on Cunard. I got the impression that it is not, and will probably drop them in the Med. EM

Being ABOVE the kitchens and dining areas is not a problem. Being BELOW the galley could be. You will be fine. EM

I suspected I might be upgraded from an OV gty because there were only 40 in the Fantastica experience, and some people will book a particular cabin, and they will not have enough for gty, thus an upgrade. with my current bookings, Fantastica inside gty, I was offered to bid for all categories of Aurea and YC. The first upgrade bid offer came before any cabin was assigned, and I was still an inside gty. That offer included all categories from OV , balcony, Aurea, YC. That time I bid on an OV, basic Aurea, and YIN. The point is, I really don’t care about a balcony. I booked them when my sister sailed with me, because she liked to sit out and read. I preferred to be out and about on the ship. She is gone, so insides are fine. EM

Actually, I think NCL led the charge. EM

I’ll address more of your ports…Unless you are on a small ship, Kotor will be a tender port. But the tender will let you off right outside the walled city, which is lovely, interesting, filled with churches, shops, restaurants with outdoor seating when you need a rest. There will be cobblestones but you can use a pram. Mykonos will also probably be a tender port, but here again the tender will leave you off right at the edge of the charming town, very walkable but very different from Kotor. When we visited Corfu, the cruise line provided a shuttle (not free) into town, but then it was quite walkable. We docked at Kefalonia, but another ship was tendering. Town was also quite walkable. EM

I have never sailed Grandiosa, or that class. But I am booked for the second time on Seaside. The first time I studied the deck plans, and discovered that whereas there are a lot of inside cabins, there are only 80 OV cabins, equally divided between Bella and Fantastica. But there are over 1300 balconies. So, I booked a Fantastica OV gty, on the suspicion that I would be upgraded to a balcony. And I was. Four years later, and I am again looking at Seaside. Sailing solo now, and price driven, I booked Fantastica inside gty. I am doing a 4/3 nite B2B. I got the second cabin allocated first, a forward balcony with steel balustrade. And I have been invited to bid on upgrades twice, all categories. A couple weeks later I got the cabin for the first leg, another balcony, different deck…. Also invited to bid for all categories of upgrade. I put in low bids for Aurea balcony and Yacht Club inside, but don’t expect to get any. In particular, a mock booking for the first leg says all sold out. so in conclusion, looking at Grandiosa, she has 755 insides, 160 OV, and 1350 balconies. I would go for an OV gty. EM

Even I’d you manage to get it to accept the credit card, you might have to redo it at the kiosks onboard. So I wouldn’t worry about it. Same for the photo. EM

The Covid maps always showed the highest concentration in Alaska. So no surprise people come back with it. EM

That’s fine if the port has a site. Many don’t. Cruisetimetables.com is my favorite. EM

My sister had a hip replacement, never had a problem on the ship. But airports were a nightmare because they would send her to the scanner, and she had essential tremors and couldn’t stand still with arms above head, so she had to be sanded, take off shoes, etc even though over 75. EM

The company that offered this service went out of business and no one has taken their place. EM

I would say that ost cruise lines do NOT have self service laundries. Carnival is not putting them on their newest ships. HAL does not . Celebrity does not. MSC does not… I travel carryon also. I assemble a travel wardrobe of easy care lightweight clothing to mix and match. My formal wear, should I take it, also takes up almost no space. Limiting shoes is one clue. EM

Just go to Amazon and search map dress. I think it comes in three colors. EM

Loving those black patent Mary Janes. Did you have a matching starry night dress? EM

Try asking on the East Coast Departures board, under North American Homeports. EM

What do you expect Princess to do? If there are no cabins available in your preferred, what can they do? You booked late. It is what it is. EM

Is this a river cruising ship? EM

She’s on the move now. EM

I would not book an OV (ocean view) cabin. The beds are under the window, window sill is deep, night stands in front add another two feet or so. I spent 32 days in one on Oosterdam and much prefer the huge inside cabins on main deck, and the wraparound promenade deck. I did 14 day Alaska cruises twice on Princess in inside cabins. EM

What ports are you considering? I think kayaking has been offered, cave tubing, zip lining. Check with the Ports of Call boards here. Welcome to Cruise Critic. Feel free to wander down the main boards page and explore the resources here. EM

Who is going to carry it across two other ships when you are rafted together? Who is going to carry it up the embankment? Is the person who will be riding in it able to self propel, or will they be pushed? As was mentioned in another new thread, river cruises are really not designed for those with mobility issues. EM

Have been on cruisedeckplans and watched too many videos. I hate videos. People talking too much, show too many things too often. Just give me photos, and don’t forget the bathroom. Anyway, I got tubs in 11051,12182,12200,14184,14198,14202,15180, 15152, and 15169. EM