WaggesAZ

We are cruising next August. I had been watching flights for quite awhile. Our cruise is still more expensive than what we paid for airfare. However, that isn't any solace for me, ha! When I looked at flying to LAX and SFO separately, the cost to include PHX in the flight usually ended up a little less, for some reason. I was very grateful that we had Chase Sapphire points and I used everyone one of them so we didn't have to "pay" the fares. I wanted to be sure we had lie flat seats traveling home since the flights were overnight. I was on the fence about that for our flight there. I booked the lie down seats first, which would have cost us $6,434.10 through Air Tahiti Nui and then looked at our remaining balance and I actually booked Premium Plus on United for $3,495.40. I thought the flights were expensive, but I didn't want for us to be uncomfortable on the 8 hour flights, especially overnight. I am short (5'2") but my husband is taller (6'1"). I was happy to find a flight that we flew out early to SFO and then arrived in PPT at 7pm, so not having a lie down seat was not as imperative. We're flying home through LAX and have Global Entry, so I am hoping for an easy return. I hope you work it out easily and as pain free as possible!!

So appreciate you taking the time to give me this information. We were originally going to celebrate our 20th anniversary but it was 2020 and I don't think I need to tell the rest of that story, ha!

Excellent, such helpful information!! I have settled on who we're flying, and it's United in the lie flat seats. Flights home should be released Tuesday. I just can't decide if it's worth the extra money for the flight there to be in first class, neither of us sleep well on a plane, and I think it may be better to not sleep to get on Tahitian time when we arrive.

Thank you so much!! That's awesome information. We have Global Entry so that makes me think I should chance it.

Yes, we are staying there pre-cruise as well. I heard it was pricey to eat there, so I booked the room to include breakfast for our pre-cruise stay. My husband is a breakfast eater, so hopefully it will be a decent offering.

I actually have tried messaging a couple of people on Airbnb and they're not interested even though I would pay whatever their full fee is. My friend said just book 2 nights and check in early...However I think the dayroom on my own make more sense. The pools would likely be better and having a one stop shop is worth paying a little extra for. I understand people who like everything to be prearranged and easy, but planning is 1/2 the fun for me. I too love to DIY and I LOVE nice experiences with a smaller crowd, and I don't mind paying extra for that, but I also am not one to haphazardly throw away money, especially when traveling. Those funds could be used to pay for another experience or at least part of one.

I don't know what that thought didn't cross my mind - THANK YOU!!

My knee jerk reaction was there has to be a less expensive and still enjoyable way to end our trip. At nearly $900, I started thinking we should overnight, but that 9pm flight is still an issue. Thank you so much for your ideas and suggestions. It is very much appreciated!

I felt it was a tight timeline, thank you for confirming! I will see if I can find another flight with a longer connection. I was seeing 6 hours or 2 and obviously I would prefer less time after the overnight flight but no to our own detriment and unnecessary stress. I appreciate you letting me know.

Mahalo! We were hoping to stop a few days in Honolulu and then head over, but Hawaiian only flys on Saturday and the flight arrives too late for the required embarkation. We will be definitely be arriving ahead of our cruise, that has always been my preference, but especially now with so many travel delays and hiccups. Unfortunately we cannot stay a few days at the end as we need to be home Sunday since we are both self employed and will have to return to work on Monday. For now, we try not to be away for longer than 10-12 days. Hoping when we retire we will enjoy much longer travels away. Thank you for your suggestions!

Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely check in to this, I really appreciate you sharing.

That would be so helpful, thank you! My TA told me the cost of PG day rooms, $840.00 - This includes a tour in Tahiti, transfer to the hotel, day room, lunch and then transfer to the airport. I am not sure what we will do...If you are doing something outside PG I'd love to hear about it whenever you have a minute.

Hi all! I am getting ready to book flights and I wondered if PG has an agreement with a hotel that offers a day room prior to the 9PM flights most carriers offer back to the US? I emailed my TA but thought I might get ideas here too. Also, when booking your flight home, do you think a 2 hour layover in SFO will be sufficient for us to clear customs and grab something to eat before boarding? Any tips/tricks you know about the 7 day itinerary would also be greatly appreciated.

We have booked them for 8/2 and have been booked with them since February. I sent an email to Shane as I was concerned about all of the issues, and he immediately replied with: I have been very impressed with their communication and timeliness and anticipate that we will be just as happy upon our arrival.

We had an aft facing cabin on the Diamond Princess and we will again on the Majestic. We've done them on other cruises too, but AK is amazing, less wind and pure beauty.

I am in an aft facing cabin and there are 2 cabins available on my sailing and final payment is rapidly approaching. Southbound sailing Voyage of the glaciers

Super easy to walk and maybe even stop for fish n chips before you board! We stayed at the Pan Pacific and the totem poles inside are quite beautiful, and if you have the time to see Stanley Park, it is totally worth it too. We really enjoyed our time in Vancouver pre cruise but sadly won't be spending any time there after we disembark this trip. Enjoy your trip!!

Thank you!!

I have arranged transport from the dock to Mendenhall Glacier and hope to be there when the visitors center opens at 8. We currently plan to spend about 3 hours there. We will then walk to a designated pick up spot outside of the park to have our Whale Watching company pick us up and transport us to Auke Bay. They will then return us to the ship. We hope to be able to walk out to the Photo Point, and around Nugget Falls along with a stop at Steep Creek to hopefully see bears feeding, as well as the visitor's center. Should we go to Steep Creek prior to the Visitors Center or the other areas? I am wondering if bears have grown used to humans so I am not sure if their behavior/activity would or will not be impacted by crowds. We will be there early August, if the timing matters for your response. I can move up our pick up time if you think 3 hours is not enough. My thought was to go earlier in hopes of missing crowds, but didn't want to have us be there too long either. I recognize all these things are subjective! I would love to hear opinions if the plan of staying there for 3 hours may be too long, not enough or just right... Goldilocks would love your input on both of these questions, ha!

My parents went with them last time we were there and had great things to say. We went on Adventure Bound to Tracy Arm Fjord, so I can't say that I recommend them from my own personal experience. Check Google and TripAdvisor too for reviews. They do seem to be frequently mentioned here. We are going with Jayleen's Alaska (one of the founders of Harv and Marv's daughter) this year.

For us, that is exactly what we are anticipating the We have booked a ride to Mendenhall with DLUX RIDES, their website is their name and add dot com. Here is the initial response to my request for information that I received from Shane: The information provided below is general in nature, we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. The cost to go to the Mendenhall Glacier from the Cruise Dock area is approximately $45.00 each way for the taxi. The rate is metered We are a U.S. Forest Service Special Use Commercial Permit Holder. The US Forest Service has made all U.S. Forest Service Special Use Commercial Permit Holders, a Federal Forest Service Kiosk. The Forest Service Fees to enter the Mendenhall Glacier are $7.00 per person 16 yrs and up and $2.00 for 15 yrs and down. This will be collected by your Driver. This includes access to the visitor center. If you have any type of park pass, it would only be a $2.00 per person charge. These fees are non-negotiable and are federal fees that are charged, not local. The Company charges a 10.00 per person surcharge on all trips to the Mendenhall Glacier; this is on top of the Federal Forest Service Fees. The total cost per person is 17.00 per person 16 years and up and 12.00 per person 15 years and down. The Travel time to the Mendenhall Glacier and Downtown Juneau, Cruise Terminal is approximately 25 minutes each way. Our Tour rate is 70.00 per hour.

Wow, is your snark necessary? If the poster said yes they are disable how would you feel? It didn't seem sincere or helpful. To your point, have you done self disembark? My understanding is they may need to handle all of their own luggage from stateroom to shuttle, which may include stairs, escalators, etc. It is not outside waiting for them to pick up. That is why they wanted to see if they can have their luggage sent down with theirs.

Silly, as I am sure it's negligible but anyone want to weigh in on what your preferred location between D728 or D731 on Majestic Princess would be? I don't know what is in the area in between the 2 sides, so I wasn't sure if 731 would be more subject to noise. Thanks for any information

We have upgraded and are looking forward to the Tundra tour. We will be there late July, but I will remain hopeful we get a peek at her in all her glory!

Nice, my friend lives in Anchorage and she and her sister had great views of Denali several times in July 2022 while staying in the area so I just wondered if the timing lined up. Hope wherever you go next is full of beauty too!