GreySkies

Thanks for the response, Tee_Harbor.

I saw the special weather statement on Weather Channel's website yesterday. Today, there's nothing. It said something about one of the rivers getting to 16 feet, but wasn't clear if that would break the flooding level or not in what I read.

I wasn't asking about my cruise itself. I've read enough people say that you can't rely on any predictions there.

I was asking about CURRENT conditions considering there's a special weather statement out. For example, are there "attractions" that are not accessible at this time due to flooding?

Sorry if I wasn't clear in my first post.

I looked up Juneau's weather last night and there was a special alert about the rain they're getting. I will be going on my cruise on 22 Aug. What has been the impact of all of this rain in both Juneau and Skagway?

I'm looking at a whale watching excursion, a helicopter-dog sledding excursion, and a second photography excursion. (I do have a rain cover for my camera.)

Thanks for any info,

Thanks for the advice. I just ordered a monopod from a photo shop in Los Angeles that I took classes from and gives great information. I can't wait for some good photos.

Best advice would be to talk to your doctors/surgeons. They may have suggestions on equipment that could help you do the excursion that none of the rest of us are aware of. They should also be able to determine if it will be safe given your rate of recovery after the surgery itself.

My mom had hip replacement a while before our cruise. I made sure she'd talked to the doctors about whether it would be ok for her or not. Thankfully, it was. She was still limited in a number of ways, but was able to enjoy herself.

I'm going to Alaska in a few weeks. I will be doing two photography excursions. I'm quite a novice, but hope to get lucky photos.

I have a Canon Rebel XTi (?) with two lenses. The first lens is the standard one it comes with. The second is a 70mm zoom, I think. I've noticed that I have a hard time keeping the longer lens steady. Are there tips for keeping it steady or is the only solution a tripod or monopod? If it's the latter, what do you recommend?

Thanks,

A few comments:

1. Your friend may tell the person that the tour is all booked up, but is willing to share the information so that the person may try organizing it for himself and others.

2. If your friend is uncomfortable by the person's email tone (very hard to tell how it really reads!), she can tell the person that is the reason she hesitates to let him in the group. It could also be due to that day's circumstances. Again, this is a very sticky situation.

3. Your friend may tell the person that the tour is all booked up, but will post a new message if someone drops out.

4. Just because someone is "new" to the roll call doesn't mean they haven't been reading and following the conversations.

5. Just because someone is "new" to the roll call doesn't mean that they don't have anything of value to contribute to it.

6. Just because someone is "new" doesn't mean they won't start participating in the roll call. Perhaps the excursion is just what they need to start in the conversations.

In regard to some that have said that private excursions get you better things: Another example of this would be a small group in Ephasus can get you into the Apartments. Very worth going into!

I'm curious if I can get onto the internet using my phone (AT&T) as a hot spot from the ship while in port or if I have to get off the ship while in Alaska. I'd like to send emails to family, but don't want the high cost of the ship's internet.

Thanks,

Loving all the pictures. I'm going on the Grand in a few weeks and can't wait. Can you remember why the Gravadlax (gravlox) weren't good?

Don't forget always being greeted by the head staff when boarding the ship.

My next cruise is coming up and I don't want to pack on the pounds like I did on my last cruise. I know the usual "take the stairs", and "skip the bread bowl, etc. But I am looking for specific dishes in the main dining room that are diet friendly, yet tasty.

I don't have any diet friendly meals, but I just saw a nutritionist and got the following information.

1. Follow the "My Plate" plan. 1/2 is veggies and some fruit, 1/4 is protein, and 1/4 is whole grain (if possible) carbs. You can read about it at Harvard Medical's website link. (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramid-full-story/#healthy-eating-plate)

2. Use the 20 minute rule. Take your first plate of food and eat it over 20 minutes. (Most of us eat much more quickly.) If you finish before the 20 minutes is up, wait to get more food until the 20 minutes lapses. The brain takes 20 minutes to register that it's full.

Hope this helps,

If weight is so incredibly important to a helicopter, why isn't everyone weighed for distribution purposes?

Is the icecream made with milk ,cream, gluten free ?

Unless there are add-ins like cookies, none of the ingredients used in a traditional ice cream such as vanilla and chocolate have gluten.

Basic ingredients:

Milk

Cream

Eggs

Vanilla

Cocoa (if chocolate is the desired flavor)

Sugar

Salt

I don't remember is gelato available in the dining room? If so, that is an option. I know it is available for purchase on many ships.

I'm not sure why you would post this since gelato has lactose, too. According to what I searched online, gelato uses less milk and more cream. Both of these have lactose. :-(

I just want to make sure that people who are new to lactose intolerance are aware of this fact.

Why not take advantage of the savings and change your current port itinerary?

A couple of reasons:

1. The other excursion I'm on (Skagway in Focus Photography Tour) was wait listed for the afternoon.

2. I'm hoping that the weather is better in the afternoon for flying to the glacier. (Yes, I realize it is unpredictable there.)

I just spoke with the vendor. The difference between their rate and Princess is as follows:

Vendor: $509 + $100 (weight surcharge) = $609

Princess: $549 + $130 (weight surcharge) = $679

The savings would be $79.

Unfortunately for me, the vendor doesn't have an opening that works with my morning excursion, so I can't take advantage of this. I thought I'd post the information for anyone else that was interested.

Ice cream is the one thing that the pills don't work with for me. I've heard from others this is the same issue for them. I have since sworn off any ice cream that isn't lactose free.

As for the pills, I've used the kind from Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, etc. As long as it says "compare to Lactaid Fast-Acting", I don't seem to have any issues.

I am currently signed up for the Princess Helicopter-Dog Sledding excursion in Skagway in one month. My weight is hovering at the 250lb mark. I'll probably be +/- 10lbs of that on the day of the excursion. My questions are:

1. How strict are they about the weight?

2. How much would the surcharge be for someone just over the weight criteria?

Doing my best to lose weight, but it isn't good enough right now. :-/

Bill,

I'm so glad you were able to take this cruise that you wanted. I look forward to more of you writing.

What do they use in place of cream? Or do they just omit the cream altogether?

Does anyone know if Princess has lactose free vanilla or chocolate ice cream available on-board? None of the desserts I've had in the past had any type of ice cream with it.

I will be on the Grand Princess visiting Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Any suggestions on where to buy smaller wood carvings at reasonable, won't break the bank, prices. (No made in China stuff for me if I can avoid it.)

Thanks

The Museum of Flight is definitely the better way to go. Just be aware that the 747 and a NASA plane are sitting behind some construction that has recently gotten underway. The 787, Concorde, and another plane are still accessible, though. Personally, I like the Wright Flyer replica inside better.

I keep reading over and over that one should go to Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau. Should people that have ample access to crab normally still seek this out?

It also looks like I'll be in Juneau just after they finish their Dungee season.

Thanks,

While they do server a lot of wines, they have a non-alcohol option for those that don't drink. I don't see that being a big issue.

Allergies and intolerances, on the other hand, usually get you kicked out, but I was lucky that my lactose intolerance was able to be handled on the last one.

I hope you and your daughter are able to partake in this dinner.