nini

Also, you might join your Roll Call for your cruise. You can chat a out shore excursions, etc.

First of all, I suggest you go to the Alaska board for ideas. That will be more specific for you. Secondly, if you have not already reserved your car rental, DO IT NOW!!! It is very expensive IF you can find one to rent. Alaska is very much in demand for land tours and the supply and demand prices and availability reflect that.

DH and I have also used the term "feels like home". Even though we endured the grumpiness of the Emerald crew in 2022. The Grand and Sky really compensated for that.

It was very ridiculous and repetitive. Regardless of the theme, subject or music... someone was hanging down and twirling.

Thank you for this info. We must have lucked out with our cab driver. At least the hotel made the right call when they phoned for a cab.

Fantastic! We have never enjoyed a suite of any kind. Maybe someday.

I realize that this hotel is not one of the closest to the docks. If you have stayed here pre-cruise, what are your thoughts? The Moxy is booked for our pre-cruise date. Thanks!

Our hotel called a taxi for many cruisers the morning of sailing. We reached there in a very timely manner. The port is very large. I think it also cost us the same as @Crown Vic. Our driver was very friendly and knew his way around.

I can highly NOT suggest the White Star Tavern!!! Many like the Moxy. It is already booked for the night before our cruise in June. I think that is a good sign. Maybe it is available for your dates.

This is one of the reasons why DH and I book our large aft balcony rooms.

Thank you for mentioning your conversation with the Captain. Possibly, the HAL ship was docked and not tendering? I thought it would be strange just to ditch a port on a whim. In December 2008, we were on a HAl ship and the port was Cabo San Lucas. The waves were dangerously high and we had to wait at least an hour or more to tender in. We were able to contact the shore excursion company and did make the tour. Once there, the water was lovely close to shore, but quite rowdy where the ship was anchored.

@J13C85 Lovely photos!

Next time, grab the attention of an officer and find out what is truly happening. Maybe someone on your Roll Call has the nitty gritty.

The Alaska sunshine must have been smiling down on us! It was our very first Alaska cruise. P.S. We also saw the Northern Lights on that same cruise. Score!

Hi neighbor! We have enjoyed such a glorious sunny December, here at the beach; Ocean Shores. A few days ago, two very lucky tourists were able to save themselves from the King Tides. Enjoy your cruise!

AT least you have broken it down for how you travel. Please know that the Plus package now includes beverages up to $15.00 each and of course Princess has raised the prices. A decent glass of wine is now $15.00, not the old $13.00. Sometimes I splurge and go over, but am only charged the difference and of course beverage gratuities are included. Shipping is sometimes charged with the Plus package and sometimes not. We were charged last time when we were told that we wouldn't be.

It seems strange that the Captain would lie about needing to miss a port. They may be overly cautious? Strange...

Thank you for your report about Sabatini's. I love Mushroom Risotto and I have found an easy non- labor intensive way to make it at home. It is in my InstantPot! Truly! It comes out fantastic and creamy.

I did some mock bookings with our favorite TA which has always been the least expensive for us. I can get a standard car for a week in May for about $1200.00. June through August is sold out. Early September is available at about half the cost. It does not cost anything to make a reservation now.

We got in the entire way on a gorgeous sunny day. However, it was toward the end of August. It was calving to its heart's content and put on quite a show!

There are some Princess ships that do have Adult only pools. I do know of one on the Sky on the Sun deck which appears as though it is part of the Sanctuary. But it is open to all adults and is a nice and quiet there.

Sadly, libraries on ships are basically a thing of the past. The older ships still have them but they really aren't stocked well with books. They house many games though.

Hubbard Glacier is fabulous! We like it a bit more than Glacier Bay.

It is amazing how impressions and experiences can differ. I will say that some of the Princess ships DO have full promenade decks as we enjoyed it on the Grand in September 2022 for a long Alaska cruise (12-14 nights). Our cabin stewards have been amazing except one. On the Grand, ours checked our cabin 2-3 times a day and was always super friendly with us.Our room service and drink deliveries were friendly and quick. The bartenders always knew what I would like to drink. I have heard many positives about Viking Ocean and even booked with them. The negative is that full payment is due one year before the cruise. This was not appealing and we cancelled. It will be informative to hear of your experience and your thoughts.

Princess is not perfect, but the contrast is obvious. I hope you will have a great time!