DonRobertoSanJuan

We usually bring at least one bottle of port on board and consume it in the room. We can open it by hand and keep it open for the length of the cruise.

Called my TA and they checked with Celebrity. Celebrity said that the perks are not available for REPO cruises. Even though you pay regular (full) fare and you need to fly two one-ways, which may cost more, Celebrity feels they don't need to offer their perks on those cruises.:mad: Oh well...maybe they will lower the price one day.:rolleyes:

Curious as to what month you took your Alaska cruise, what the itinerary was, and whether you've previously been there.

We were on the Coral, departing wonderful Vancouver on June 24, going to Whittier, via Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. We had been to Anchorage and Whittier before, taking the 26 glacier cruise and going to Denali.

It was so bad, we were complete alcoholics at the end of the cruise (also because of the unlimited drink package).:D

After two great cruises with Celebrity and two disappointing ones with Royal, we tried Princess last year, from Vancouver to Alaska. It was the most boring, uninspiring cruise ever and we felt we were too young for this senior citizens home (we are in our late sixties):D. The food and service in the MDR was worse than the buffet and the noise from the one man band in the Crooners Lounge was so loud, you could not carry a conversation. The whole experience was SABENA (Such A Bloody Experience Never Again).:eek:

I am glad we visited Istanbul and Kusadasi a few years ago, because I would not go back to that country for anything. Turkey, under Erdogan, has become a fascist country with close ties to Daesh (ISIS). They allow Jihadists to travel back and forth to Syria and they systematically kill the Kurds, the only group successfully fighting Daesh. They don't deserve my money, neither does Russia (St. Petersburg/Leningrad), China and a few others.:mad:

We looked at a cruise at the end of 2016 and were not given the option for fixed time dining (only select dining). Is Celebrity getting away from fixed time dining in the MDR? Another Celebrity cruise around the same time offered fixed time dining, but only one dining time (6PM). :eek:

Funny that you feel Princess passengers are younger than the ones on Celebrity. We took a Princess cruise to Alaska this summer and we felt like we were in an old people's home.:eek: We are in our late sixties, but we felt too young for that crowd and will not cruise Princess again.

We did 2 cruises with Celebrity, one Summit in the Caribbean and one Equinox Med. Both were great in service and food. Then we took 2 cruises with Royal, which were very disappointing. One was a disaster; the ship (Adventure) had technical problems and we did just float around the Caribbean, instead of following the itinerary. All they did for us, was give us $150 credit towards a next cruise. The other Royal cruise (Med) was below par as well with terrible port locations and mediocre food, unless you paid extra.

We are looking to book Infinity to S America, but someone told me the food quality at Celebrity had really gone down compared to a few years ago. Is Celebrity still offering great service and food?

After we booked our cruise out of Vancouver, I checked to see what EZAir had to offer for our flights to and from San Juan. They showed me flying out of Seattle and I could not change the itinerary. After complaining about it over 2 weeks ago, it still has me coming out of Seattle.:mad: I am probably better off getting my own tickets.

Oh well...we have been spoiled by Celebrity, That has binoculars, umbrellas and separate little bottles of shampoo and conditioner in the room. It is amazing Celebrity is owned by a low quality cruiseline like Royal.:confused:

After mediocre service and bad port locations on a Middeteranean cruise and a disastrous cruise to nowhere, that was supposed to go to Aruba & Curacao, only getting $150 credit for a next cruise (a slap in the face), while the next cruise passengers got 100% refunds plus a full week on the ship (Adventurer 2014), we will never cruise "Royal" again. We enjoy Celebrity a lot and hope our first cruise on Princess will be more like that.

Can we expect to find an umbrella and binoculars? What else can be found in a Balcony cabin?

There is no Sanctuary on the Aloha or Sun deck. There is only one area that is the Sanctuary. Everything else is open, without fees, to all.

The deckplan for Coral shows the Sanctuary on Aloha behind the teen center as well as at the rear of Sun deck? :confused:

And the pool that is directly under the Sanctuary (Lotus Spa pool on the Grand class ships) is not part of the sanctuary. It is also adults only, smallish pool with a wave machine (doesn't always work), 2 hot tubs and very nice teak loungers with thick cushions.

This is our go to pool. Most pax think it is part of the Sanctuary, so it is usually very quiet. The most I have ever seen in the pool is (maybe) 6 at one time. There are always loungers available.

The only bad part...if you drink...the waiters don't walk through this area. If you want something, you have to go get it, but the nearest bar is a very short walk.

Great, so if I go to the Sanctuary on Aloha or Sun, there is no fee? That is what I was hoping.

I saw there is a fee for the Sanctuary by the Spa on the Lido Deck, but is there a fee for the Sun Deck and Aloha Deck as well?:eek:

I see you can get wine by the glass with a beverage package, but how about wine by the bottle? Does Princess offer wine packages by the bottle?:confused:

The only onboard reservations I see are for the spa and beverage packages. Am I missing something?:confused:

I never understood the problem some have with dressing nice for formal nights. You spend thousands on cruise and airline tickets, but balk at paying $25 for checked luggage? Would you wear sneakers and jeans to a wedding? Formal nights are supposed to be a joyful occasion to add a little special to your cruise experience and especially women love to dress up. I find formal nights always very festive and love to see the fashion show before and after dinner.

We always find out first what we want and when and then check with the cruise lines and large online TA's. We found that for several cruises, we were able to get a better price AND a better cabin, using our online TA. We are doing a Alaska Northbound in June and saved $1,600 on a balcony cabin by holding off on booking, because of a large availability of Balconies. The price went down from $1,799 pp just before final payment to $999 pp. The cruiseline only went down to $1,699, so we saved money booking online with the TA.:o

I tried to look at the deck plans, but cannot find the info anywhere. Anyone been on the Coral and see outside seating at the Horizon Court? I know you can take your food to the pool, but I always enjoyed sitting at the aft deck with the nice view.

You are asking an addicted cruiser so for me it would definitely be the cruise... even though I have done Alaska 6 times

 

However Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Vancouver Island all offer up a wonderful vacation.

Check out the BC Ferries web site for some wonderful scenic tours using our provincial ferry system

 

A trip to Whistler the site of the 2010 winter Olympics is well worth it ... the village itself is extensive and lots of fun then of course you have the Peak to Peak gondola so you can ride up Whistler mountain and down Blackcomb mtn (or do it in reverse)

 

For Vancouver below is my list of fun things to do

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

9) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

10) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual eateries in the historic original section of Vancouver! (Gastown)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. This company has now expanded and offers a brunch tour and a dinner tour. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

Thanks for all the information. Cruise or no cruise, we are staying 3 nights in Vancouver and will surely do some of the things you mentioned. If we cannot get a better price for the cruise, we plan to take the ferry and stay 3 nights in Victoria, then take the Clipper to Seattle and from there rent a car to go around Olympic Nat'l Park for 2-3 days. Either way we will end up in Portland and go around Oregon for a week. Thanks again.

We originally booked a 7 day cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage, but cancelled to get a better price closer to the date (June). I started looking for an alternate itinerary and got really interested in visiting Victoria and the Olympic National Park in Washington. We have visited Alaska (not on a cruise) and have done the 26 glacier tour and Denali Park bus.

What would you do? Take the cruise or visit Victoria?:confused:

On a short flight (under 3 hours) I may not want to spend the extra money, but on longer flights and especially trans Atlantic flights, I would be very happy to pay extra, the same way I already do for extra legroom. These seats would also be great for oversized passengers, who don't really fit into these small seats and spill over into other passenger's space:eek: Of course some politician would make a big stink if that would become airline rule. :(

Wow, I did not realize that so many people have complaints about flying. To summarize most complaints, they are about inconsiderate "fellow" passengers. I also feel that flight attendants and gate agents allow people too much leeway with their carry on luggage and turn a blind eye when some inconsiderate A H:mad: puts his or her bags in the overhead in front, while they are sitting in the back. Maybe the airlines are afraid to lose business if they get too strict? I am also waiting for the day that carry-on luggage gets charged instead of checked bags and that some smart airline starts offering extra wide seats. I would be happy to pay 50% more for my 50% wider economy seat. Business and first class are just not worth the cost: Most of the time that would cost more than hotels and food for the whole trip.

Is there a minimum number of days before departure, to be able to grab a last minute deal?