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Hold off, but don't hold off too long. The night before our cruise I went to print the luggage tags and it was too late. The system was locked for the cruise. No worries, just got them at the port. 

Check the app every day during the cruise, several times a day. They release blocks of time randomly during the cruise. 

On our Navigator cruise last January, we saw a couple of people using their own skates. Yes, helmets are provided by RCCL. 

As soon as you get on the ship, use the app to reserve your skate time. The time slots fill-up fast. Also, no cell phones allowed while skating. 

Not from the dock that I remember. However, about a 10 minute walk away (216 Broadway) was a tour office I went to. 

Some times, if it is a busy port, there will be other ships arriving later in the day. If this is the case, the excursion operators might be servicing those ship in the afternoon. 

These photos are from the Enchantment of the Seas Halloween 2022. They had a costume parade and gave out prizes for best costume. About 30% of the people dressed up. Unfortunately, I did not get any parade photos since we were in the parade. On the fun side, the ship was docked in Bermuda (Bermuda Triangle on Halloween). 

6 hours ago, cruizingOmi said:

to Everyone who used a Van tour, who was the provider and the to the Ones who rented a car/van which agency did you use, please.

We booked via Shore Excursions Group 

5 hours ago, Genghis Khan said:

Most bears hate to have their ears pulled or yanked on and this is an effective way to control a bear until such time as the others in your party can make good their escape. For some reason, this technique seems to only work on male bears and is mostly ineffective on female bears so some other technique may be necessary for those bears.

If I am close enough to tell the difference between a male and a female bear I am probably too close. If I am close enough to pull their ears, I really have a problem then 🤣. As for others making their escape......and what about me?????? 😟

We have tried both. We actually like the van/bus tour better and found it to be a easy way to save a few dollars since all those Alaska excursions do add up very quickly. All Alaska is scenery, save the money for a better glacier experience maybe? 

We had a similar situation recently. Did the "no show" thing. No price increase and received the taxes, and pre-paid tips, back to the credit card used to pay for them. The tips were received back before the cruise ended and the taxes were received about 3 days after we returned. Told the check-in person at the port there would be a no show and they did not seem to care. Later that day, we shared an elevator with the Hotel Director and asked her if there was anything we need to do concerning the no show. She said once the ship sailed, they would mark the missing person as a no show and all would be handled automatically. However, we were asked at dinner, and by the room attendant, about the missing person.  

9 hours ago, PSUJeepGirl said:

 

What did you love most about Skagway?

When your ship pulls into Skagway there is a rock hillside that has been painted by multiple visiting ship crews with their visit date, and logos. It is a neat history of the visits. We then walk around town for a while before heading on a self booked shore excursion (Shore Excursion Group -  Yukon Klondike Adventure by bus, Puppy Camp, and Lunch - $165 pp). As you take the bus ride to the Yukon, there is a very good chance you will see some bears. Have done this several times. 

ACT Big Bus:

We have taken the full day bus trip with Shore Excursions Group in the past and it included lunch at the dog sled stop:

For scenery the train in great. For bears, the bus (actually a mini-bus) is better. The bus can stop and watch a bear if seen (during our drive we saw a total of 8 bears). The train keeps on going. The bus drivers communicate by phone, and work with each other, to report bear sightings so other buses know where to find them. 

If you add 2 kids, who sale free, to an inside room to the September 27, 2024 sailing, the price currently shows $229 pp which continues all the way to the final booking page. Try 2 adults, and 2 "free" kids, to see the advertised price average per person price. 

While looking at a NCL cruise today (Hawaii ship), you only saw the grand total (with taxes and port fees) after typing in your passenger data. When browsing cruises, this change will help knowing the total cost without having to put you data in. Some places (ie Alaska) the port fees add a lot to the total. 

Would they be eligible if they were 55 on embarkation day, yes. Would it be offered during the popular Christmas period, highly unlikely. "We offer reduced senior prices only on selected sailings exclusively for guests who are 55 years of age and older"  

If you do go to the beach in Cabo, the walk is easy, but can get hot. A water taxi from the tender dock (Cabo is a tender port) to the beach only costs a few dollars and are available near the dock. We usually walk there, and water taxi back. On the taxi ride, they will go by the Cabo rock arch if you ask. Walking, about 2/3 the way there, there is a indoor mall. Great place for a free bathroom stop if needed. There are also bathrooms near the tender dock. Bring your camera to the beach since you will get great photos of your ship from the beach. 

No matter what the weather is like in Los Angeles, it will be cold and windy as you head north on your return to L.A. from the Mexican Riviera. Have done this cruise many times in January and never has the last day at sea been warm enough to stay out on deck. 

Been on Alaska cruises several times. Our favorite port is Skagway and we love Hubbard Glacier. 

It gives you a preview of what to expect during the cruise. However, we have found it to be lightly attended and a show we do not miss attending. 

On our January cruise, MDR photos were included, just not specialty restaurants. 

For price comparison, this is what Royal Caribbean is charging (2024 cruise). Why the Adult price is less then the child price I have no idea. 

Not matter the weather, take a rain poncho to the falls. The mist from the falls will get you wet. Also, bring something to dry your camera lens afterwards. 

If you do buy the tickets at port, either get in line early, or wait until later in the day. For us, the line to buy tickets took over an hour and moved slow. The good thing was, the line for the actual gondola was quick. Made me wish I had pre-bought tickets and not waited to see what the weather would be like at the port.   

Definitely Mendenhall over panning. You can pan in any Alaska port. Not all ports have an easily accessible glacier.