WisCruiser2

No, I think iced tea is available at no charge in the MDR, but we haven't cruised since 2020 so I'm sure someone else can either confirm or deny this.

Isn't the login for the app the same as your Princess login? When I deleted the app and reinstalled (to get rid of a cancelled cruise), it wouldn't accept my password.

Coffee (non-specialty), ice tea, and lemonade are available anytime in the buffet, along with water. You can bring a refillable bottle and fill it up there. Also, you may bring a twelve-pack/pp of non-alcoholic beverages onboard (soda/pop, seltzer, etc.) and keep in your room refrigerator.

It sounds like from the press release that this is something you have to request ahead, like with allergy accommodations or low-salt. It would be nice if they are just added to the nightly menus. It would also be nice if Princess would lower the sodium in all their foods!

We also received the flyer shown from Princess, thought it was odd, too!

And NOT having to pack up the last night of the first leg! 😁

We had to cancel the cruise (😭) so I will be following along to see what we're missing - hopefully can do it next year!

I'm sure more will chime in with their experiences and preferences but here's my two cents. As I stated in reply to your other post, we liked having everything taken care of for us on the cruisetour and enjoyed staying at the lodges. On the train there was a "guide" doing commentary in each car. We also did some by bus so the bus driver provided that. Doing the land portion first gave us an opportunity to meet others who would be on the ship with us, which was nice. With the cruisetour you can opt to have meals included or not - we didn't and that way we weren't tied to the lodges for meals (except for Copper River), which suited us. Tha Alaska rail goes to Whittier - I don't know if the railtour includes that or if you can book it separately. I think it might depend on your comfort level for a first trip to Alaska, along with your budget. We figured if we were going all the way to Alaska we wanted to see more than just the cruise part.

FYI, I don't think that Denali is actually visable from the Denali Lodge, just the Mt McKinley one (if he decides to show himself). The Princess Cruisetours (2) we've taken included a bus tour into Denali, and the second time we could see the mountain briefly way in the distance at one of the stops. OP, if you are planning to do a cruisetour, I'd recommend doing it pre-cruise if possible. We liked having everything taken care of for us, but others are more comfortable making their own arrangements. IF we have the opportunity to ever go again, I would look into the rail tour and stay at the lodges.

Thanks for your information, blue_water! We hope to go back there in February! 🙂

Back to the OP's question - we have enjoyed going to Secret Harbour for the day. It's going on 4 years since we've been there so I don't know if this is still accurate, but we were able to rent loungers, eat, and drink there. The first couple times we could plunk down anywhere but the last time they had an area on the side for non-resort guests. Check their website, there may be more info. The bay is beautiful, decent snorkeling, and not crowded.

You *should* be ok if you walk off (with your luggage) as soon as you can, and yes, get a taxi! We usually opt for 11/11:30 flights and haven't had a problem. Do you have TSA PreCheck? That might help, too.

We print at home and take along the clear packaging tape, Tape along the whole tag, with extra at the end to tape together on our bags. Never had a problem!

We kept the $100pp OBC with our booking, I think it depends if re-faring or having to cancel and re-book?

As cr8iv1 said, it will depend if it's "for new bookings only," in which case you can cancel and re-book (if your deposit is refundable) or just a price reduction that can be re-fared. I did this a few months ago when I noticed our February sailing showed a reduced price. I first tried emailing my Princess rep (had booked this one directly) and when I didn't hear back from her for a day or two, called the Customer Service number and the person I talked to was able to re-fare it for me, saved over $250pp. It can pay to keep checking the cruise prices!

I guess we've never had enough OBC to not use up Rick's MOBC! The couple times we have had quite a bit, we treated ourselves to the ship tour and Ultimate Balcony Dinner 🙂

I can never understand this - are you saying if the condition/diagnosis was determined MORE than 60 days before paying for the insurance, you are out of luck if it causes one to cancel the trip, but if LESS than 60 days before, they will cover a cancellation? But if we have "cancel for any reason" it will be covered (with FCC, not a refund)? Thanks.

Unless it's really a serious issue it seems like most complaints in the Reviews are what we refer to as "first-world problems."

Nope, still can't see the Excursions on the app, using my Android phone. Just the one I already have reserved. Nothing happens when I tap or hold the "View Excursions" bar for the other ports.

I posted about this on Friday. This reply, while a cumbersome workaround, did seem to work (haven't looked at the website today). https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2960791-another-website-fail/?do=findComment&comment=66018926

At Pauli's 😊

You may already have this info (I read on another thread that this is your first cruise) but you will get a "Patter" or have it available on your Medallion app that lists the activities for the next day, including information about the port times and any time restrictions. We are hoping to be on this cruise in mid-October, starting in QC, so I am guessing our extra day will be like any other port day, you can come and go and you please until the "all aboard" time.

Next to the Neptune Oyster (or a couple doors down) is Pauli's, a "hole in the wall" local place with WONDERFUL lobster rolls, both cold and hot! We were there in May, and the hot was $29, I think, but cheaper than the one on the menu at Neptune. You can sit at a counter or get it to go, and walk a block to the Rose Kennedy Greenway for an al fresco lunch.

Just came across this thread. Thanks, GTJ, for the maps!

So if we are booked with a TA, they need to send them to Princess to apply to OBC? Haven't done this before, thanks.