cw2go

So excited to follow your AMS travels! Going next Aug on Apex Patty

100% Agree! Ships Food vs Alaska Adventure, no contest! Patty

As others have posted, I'd use a strap to keep from losing it but for me part of the fun was reaching my arms out and enjoying the ride. Personally using/focusing on a camera would take away from the experience. Patty

From my research there is no other option. Those port times will not work. Patty

The zip rider will absolutely have set times. The gondola will not. Some ride the gondola for the views and take it back down. Patty

I believe you'll get better answers if you post this on the Alaska or Vancouver board.

If you really believe this is a one and done... I said that too and got addicted! 😜 I'd suggest looking at one way sailings with the most amount of port time. Princess has great itineraries but doesn't mean best depending on what you want out of your time in Alaska. You'll also have to pick your glacier sailings. Glacier Bar, Hubbard as ex. As for ISP, It's a super fun port stop but if you're not into adventurous tours or whale watching, you'll be limited. I'll also mention tours are very pricey but for me they are what makes the vacation to Alaska so special. I spent big bucks getting OUT of port! I cruise interior staterooms because for me top deck is where I spend my time. This is heavily debated, up to you. Try not to focus on the ship, they are all pretty equal in Alaska. The vibe is far more sedate and casual than in Europe to the Caribbean. Once you nail down the itinerary and share what your desires are, I'll be able to help with the must have tours. Ages or mobility issues? Any children? Is budget a concern? Word of caution, you'll never see it all and need to be flexible as weather can turn on a dime. Happy to help, Patty

Exactly as Mark_T posted. This is why I choose to pay a tad more, I prefer to have my plans set prior to boarding and I'm particular about my dining times, I also plan around my day plans/excursions so I wouldn't like to be limited once on board. Some are more flexible so the packages work for them. Patty

What's you stateroom number and I can look for you. I am sure others will explain better than me but if the bump in the room on the diagram is towards the end by IV that's where the beds are placed. Since you want them near the bathrooms you'll want the opposite. patty

Fabulous Post! I've sailed Celebrity many times with my sons and they both loved it! Just as you described it suited their personalities. I wouldn't say Celebrity is a great fir for all kids, no more than I would suggest that RCCL or NCL is. No one size fits all. Patty

Glad it worked out! You will have a blast, just accept Alaska weather as part of the adventure! Another tour that you may find fun is the ocean raft, I've done it in Skagway and have it booked for this year in ISP. They will gear you up so no worries of being too cold. Patty

Thanks for your help, I actually called them a few weeks ago. No luck. I sailed through Tracy Arm years ago so this time I am just going with the Taku is all new to us approach. Like you I get out of port as much as possible. I have a cruise booked for July 2024 with a Juneau port time 7-9:30 ~ I'll eventually make it work 😊 Patty

Usually in my experience it's been about 6months to a year in advance. Some sailings sooner, some later. No real rhyme or reason. Patty

That is very odd. Celebrity usually has multiple times throughout the day during port stops. I have 2 available in my cruise planner for July 18th 7:30 and 12:30 Make sure you're looking for zip rider and gondola combo? In years past there were many more options so maybe it's a staffing issue since you port later? Patty

When is your sailing and what cruise line? I am surprised this isn't offered? It's a ton of fun! Patty

I am in port 9-9 July 16th and can't find a tour for Tracy Arm, any input? Allen Marine leaves at 9am, Adventure Bound at 8am and Celebrity isn't offering anything. As of now we have a hiking tour in Mendenhall and the Taku Glacier Sea Plane booked but if I could get to Tracy Arm, I'd cancel both of those. Thanks, Patty

Agree with @jelayne I sailed a 4nt 'Guinea Pig" cruise on Allure with RCCL years ago. We had a great time, the vibe is super fun but there were more slip-ups than a more seasoned sailing. Chalked it up to a learning curve. I also snagged a huge price drop so you may see one as well. Patty

To answer your specific question... Yes I have, he was in shorts and it was last month on Beyond. I'll leave the rest of my thoughts to myself 🤐 Patty

Google! This is a specific type of cruiser looking for a specific type of activity. 😉

Ohhh I see! OOPS! Patty

Not sure how reliable but on Cruise Time Tables, Bonaire has no ships listed at all for March 14th 2024 Patty

I never closed the bifold doors. To help give a vision for my layout/function, I had a bed by the balcony end of the stateroom. The first space from the entrance door was my dressing area with the makeup mirror, wide open to the bathroom with the closet and drawers. Made it great for laying out clothes and I stored our shoes under the sofa. The bed was next with the TV and then on the other side were the two chairs and small table, perfect for a beverage not a meal. My DH would hang there often watching the sea go by while I would get ready for the night, gave us each a place to relax without using the bed. We closed the room darkening screen at night, I lowered the window many times while in port. I liked the room space and layout a lot. Hope this helps, Patty

I am one who loved the IV and it was never locked by the Capt. Patty

No doubt! So many things to do! I'm coming in July this year and since the road is still closed we have opted to do a flight seeing tour w/landing out of Talkeetna to hopefully see Mt McKinley. Fingers crossed for a clear viewing day! Patty

I agree! I know I was super lucky. I should have mentioned that, was more focused on the Denali portion of the OP's question. Patty