provencedelsol

Given the short distance to the airport from the pier AND the abundance of taxis, I would suggest taking a taxi.  No steps, no waiting for the shuttle to be full.  

Curious, about how many kids are on board? I...Thanks,

We have taken the RT LA cruise to Hawaii several times on a couple of ships over the holidays. Each time our family included three generations. Expect A LOT of children including teens. Activities are added for their enjoyment. Do preregister any children for the youth program if any are cruising with you. It fills up fast. We would take it yearly if time and finances allowed.

You can also buy the option to get the shots digitally and have printed at home at your leisure. As you noted, we also booked the sitting for special family groupings and are absolutely delighted with the results.

Congrats on setting the bar for your children on bravery and travel. No better way to become a good citizen of the world than travel.

Sounds like your DD's allergies are similar to mine -- virulent. Nothing that comes from the water, fish or shellfish. HAL is excellent about avoiding cross contamination. DO talk to the head waiter for your section the first night. This will enable the next day's menu to be presented at dinner and she can pre-order the meal. I try to avoid the Lido/Buffet for a couple of reasons, one being the allergy issue. The Dive Inn grill should be another safe option. I don't recall any items of concern on that entire menu.

Enjoy your wonderfully researched adventure! My DGD has just started the 3rd grade so I am a big fan of third grade teachers!

If you check the Princess website under Suite you will find a listing of what is included. Eight miniatures of distilled, two each vodka, scotch, brandy, gin. Fridge holds two beers, two Perriers, two waters, and eight sodas and tonic water. You may switch out the ENTIRE set up for coffee cards or ONE bottle of wine. You may make even switches, distilled for distilled, sodas for sodas. You may also switch down - beers for sodas or waters. Call room service when you get to your cabin and be specific about what you want to change. Language is very important so that you are not disappointed in the results.

Where is the CC on the Grand?

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

Deck 6 midship. Starboard side entrance to the Da Vinci dining room. Wonderful seating hostess Ana, and Head Waiter Renzo, unless assignments have changed since last month.

... But looking at that looooong walkway has me re-thinking the decision. Did you notice any folks in wheelchairs, and if so how they managed things?

Skagway piers are long and depending upon the actual berth can be looooong. Same with Juneau if you are not taking an excursion. Excursions pick up right outside the ship from any of the berths. Walking the boardwalk into downtown Juneau is rough. As noted, plenty of elex scooters and a few folks being pushed by family/friends in w/c. We did the Grand three times in June and saw similar experiences each time. We were only in Skagway once. Sitka once, shuttle into town, marginally friendly to w/c. Third time was Haines. We stayed onboard but dock was medium length walk.

Westerdam docks in Haines and we want to spend some time in Skagway. Waitlisted on the HAL White Pass Summit Railroad excursion, and 6 pm Fast ferry ride from Skagway to Haines at end of Chilkoot Rail/Van tour unavailable. Thinking of reserving R/T fast ferry and spend 4 hours in Skagway. Welcome suggestions on what to do!?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We always enjoy touring the Jewels Garden with the glassblowing experience. We have visited several times and enjoyed each one. One time on the Railroad cured me of trying that again. Whew!

Male formal attire from any culture is appropriate. Kilt Dress Mess, Kurta, etc. Show your heritage or identification as you desire. The key is dressier than a normal dinner.

Many thanks. Looks like you were up early.

...

 

Anyway, I think your post has convinced me that we did the right thing booking this tour. Thank you for your valuable information.:D

You are most welcome and you are a lucky lady. You and I are in the same cohort age-wise. DH, DGD (8 YO) and I are spending my 70th this June on the Grand in Alaska.

Glad you will have the collapsible walker, particular for the gravel in the gardens at Versailles. Enjoy!!

Hello fellow and prospective Princess cruiser! My DD, DGR and I are scheduled to be on the Royal Princess that departs Southampton on June 18, 2018.

 

Has anyone taken the ship tour to Versailles? It is pricey and we want to make sure we have sufficient time to tour the palace.

My DH and I, both seniors with knee issues, took the tour in 2013. We thoroughly enjoyed the travel time (as much as one can on a bus) as it let us see the lay of the land. The amount of walking involved, including down the garden path to the included lunch, assured that I didn't want to see any more before reboarding the bus back. As noted by others, having an assured entrance time so you can skip the lines is key and worth the price of the tour in our opinions. Depending upon the ages I suspect you will be satisfied and exhausted. The heat during the summer can be surprising so be sure to take brimmed hats for the gardens.

Sorry to report that our cabin steward said it was not true even when I explained what the documentation said. We were on the Caribbean Princess, Cabin R401, S2 category from Jan 6-14.

Doesn't seem to open. Try this: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7050

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks Chris! Informative and well-written!

Susan,

 

Stability is no problem on a river. With a 6 mph speed and almost no waves you won´t feel any movement at all.

 

steamboats

Good to know. However I got so seasick on a river cruiser tied up in Regensburg Germany that I actually passed out. Tied up but engines going for power and the tremble sent me down. So ....

...If there's anything in particular you'd like to know about the ship, let me know here. I will be writing a full ship review.

We also are seasoned ocean cruisers looking for new adventures. We saw the two page spread in the Smithsonian magazine about the new ship America about to come into service and are now intrigued. Thank each of you for your comments and insights. I asked our TA to start looking at the NO to Minneapolis itinerary for 2017.

Not having any assignments such as making beds, cleaning, cooking. Only have to do what I WANT to.

There might be wedges the steward could put under the mattress. Sometimes I have used them to elevate my legs. No reason they wouldn't work at the other end of the bed. Ask once on board.

My wife is really concerned about altitude sickness. How much of a problem is this? What percentage of visitors to Cusco experience this problem.

I visited Cusco and Machu Picchu in 1978 before the Agua Caliente town existed. I was that many years younger and thought I was going to not survive the night after the train ride back to Cusco. I would NOT visit there again at this age, 67, regardless of stamina at sea level. The leaf tea was marginally effective on me. All I wanted was Oxygen.

The terrain there is not even so walking can be perilous also.

This was a fabulous adventure and I am glad I did it when I did however please think seriously about your pulmonary and legs before deciding if you are over 30 years old.

Susan

As part of a Grand Voyage HAL provided free luggage service to and from FLL via FedEx. We sent seven bags with no issues at any time. Inasmuch as HAL did provide it I do not know costs. I do know our bags sat in a bonded warehouse someplace in FLL until embarkation.

Susan

Did you inquire with anyone? Usually its too much ice.

Princess does what's safe for the passengers/crew and the vessel.

Yes, I inquired and mum was the word. No obvious sea ice or growlers etc. That is why the reverse was so surprising. The water was open. A couple of flows with seal mother and child but nothing unusual.

Susan

We returned from the June 11 Alaska cruise on the Golden two days ago. We love this cruise regardless of which ship is posted in SF. On the Tracy Arm day we did not make the final curve and never actually saw Sawyer Glacier. It was so disappointing and those that have never done this itinerary were deprived of the beauty of the experience. The naturalist did very little commentary and nothing was announced about not approaching further other than "and now we will begin our return to the Inland Passage Canal." We were, and remain, dumbfounded.

No explanation the rest of the cruise. Newbies didn't know the difference but it was SO disappointing.

Susan

Thank you for the commentary. We are on the next cruise June 11-21 so will likely pass in the terminal chaos of embarkation/dis. Wonderful to hear that she is looking good after the refreshment.

Susan

But why should I when late traditional is what we prefer? My cruise, my choice.