ccMiMi

I love watching the bridgecams from the Princess ships. A couple days ago I watched as the ship (forget which ship) sailed in Tracy Arm, turn around, and then go on to Juneau. Here's the link to the bridgecam site: http://www.princess.com/bridgecams/?shipCode=ip

Was in Denali in mid-July. The weather was upper 50's/low 60's. Raining when we got off the train. Stopped by dinnertime. Was gray and cloudy the next morning as we started our bus tour into the park but cleared up later in the day. Then had a light rain as we were leaving the park. As for animal viewing, we checked everything off our list - bear, caribou, moose, dal sheep, eagles, ptarmigans, etc. We really enjoyed our stay in Denali.

When I have cruised, Adventure Ocean doesn't really start until the morning of Day 2. There is an open house on Day 1 where you can tour the facilities and register your child, but no dropping-off.

 

This is for the under 12 activities. I'm not sure about the teen stuff.

So will most places.

 

Agreed. However, our group was the only ones on the full shuttle bus to carry on a box lunch. Most just had a few snacks with them, some brought nothing. I was surprised. I did like having the cabins prepare our lunches because they drove us to breakfast, then picked us up an hour later with the lunches ready, and took us to the Wilderness Access Center for our tour. It was very convenient for our large group.

I recommend Denali Crow's Nest cabins in Denali. Affordable cabins near everything. Provides transportation to and from train depot and entrance to the park. They even offer preparing your box lunches for the shuttle bus tour (no food/beverages available in the park).

 

The shuttle bus to the Eielson Visitor Center was awesome. Very reasonable priced, got to see lots of wildlife, driver provides great commentary along the route.

 

I recommend dinner at Prospectors Pizzeria and Alehouse in Denali. Outstanding food and service.

 

We took the Alaska Railroad train to and from Anchorage/Denali with 2 nights in Denali, and then another train from Anchorage to Seward to board the ship.

Orca Enterprises. They were terrific!

Just got back from a SB cruise yesterday. We only had a couple of rainy days, but I was pleasantly surprised at all the rain jackets, fleeces, and hoodies that were for sale EVERYWHERE. I saw a few rain jackets that appeared to be of decent quality be in the $25-30 range.

 

I must say that I packed raincoats with us, so I didn't need to buy any in port.

Was in Juneau last week. We saw the bright orange Wal-Mart Courtesy Vans right at the pier. They were running pretty frequently. While on our bus for whale-watching, we saw Wal-Mart. I'd say it's only about 10 minutes from the pier and just off the only main road in town.

My family has a ROS southbound cruise next month. We decided to plan our own land tour before the cruise. We are saving a lot of money and are looking forward to taking our time at each stop.

They called our cabin to let me know my 7-yr-old was feeling queasy (rough waters) and wanted to leave. We were in our cabin, so no problems tracking us down. I'm not sure what they would do if we were somewhere else on the ship.

On Voyager, her sister ship, the pool is saltwater and not heated. I took my young kids there a couple times during the cruise. The pool was always open but the slide was only open when a crewmember was present. As I recall, the slide hours were posted.

 

I definitely recall the water being chilly (April cruise), the area windy, and the flooring around the pool slippery. My 6-yr-old slipped and fell on her bottom several times. Needless to say, we only went a couple times.

I was in that cabin in March 2012. It looks as good as I remember! Thanks for bringing back awesome memories.

Had to search for this thread to see what suite the OP was assigned. Was hoping for an update!

My mom will celebrate a birthday while on the cruise. Can I arrange a cake or something for her?

Yes. you can order on the RCL website. You can also order b-day-themed room decorations.

 

My children rarely drink soda, but if they have some on the cruise (and I know they will) should I purchase a soft drink package for each of them? If so, does anyone know the cost?

My children were 6, 9, and 10 on our first family cruise. We did not order soda packages. We would occasionally get them a soda at dinner but they usually had milk or lemonade.

 

Do the children have to eat off a children's menu or can they order from the regular menu? They are very good eaters and like a variety of foods.

Children can order off either menu, adults can too!

 

If I sign them up for Adventure Ocean are their specific activities they should attend or can they be "dropped off" for shorter periods of time.

They can be dropped off and picked up at any time. You'll have the schedule of activities so you can see when the kids would like to go (or not go).

 

The cruise is to the Caribbean. Will the children need passports or will a passport card do?

We went ahead and got passports, but it isn't required.

Is the Alaskan Amber beer included with the premium drink package?

We are opting for the shuttle to Eielson Visitor Center instead of the TWT. MUCH cheaper!!! Our hotel (Denali Crow's Nest Cabins) offers box lunches to take into the park.

Maybe the upgrade fairy made a visit?

I'm excited that Radiance is beginning her Alaskan season. Take good care or her and post the Cruise Compasses. I'll be boarding July 18!

My youngest was 6 when she went on her first cruise. We had connecting cabins with balconies. I was never worried about her on the balcony. The door is hard to unlock/open and the rail is pretty high for a 6-yr-old. We only lost her once ;) It was the last night of the cruise, we were in the MDR, and my sister took her 2 teens and my 3 kids (6, 9, and 11 yrs) to the pool for a group photo. On the way back, my 6-yr-old got separated on the stairwell and kept going down when everyone else stopped on Deck 5 to return to the MDR. While my sister ran all over the ship looking for her, I waitied outside the MDR. Thankfully, 2 older ladies saw her on the landing looking lost and she told them her family was in the MDR on Deck 5. They brought her to Deck 5 where she saw me waiting. We went on another family cruise the following year and no one go lost. We'll try to stay together again in July on our next cruise. So, try not to be the aunt that loses their nephew!!

 

 

BTW, at 6-yrs-old, she loved Adventure Ocean. She couldn't wait to go there both during the day and after dinner. It's a great program!

Is there Freestyle on Radiance?

I have 3 kids and my family of 5 enjoyed the latter itinerary. Roatan was my 3 kids favorite!

We're doing a southbound in July with 4 days on land prior to the cruise. We decided to spend the day in Vancouver before flying home the next morning. I'd hate to be in a city I've never been before and not see some of the highlights!

My 70-yr-old mother wears flip-flops most of the time. On cruises, she wears her sparkly, dressier flip-flops in the MDR and no one even glances at her feet. Your girls will be fine. Save the suitcase space for souvenirs!

Can you tell me what flights you have booked for your cruise - which airline and price per passenger?

 

We have a 2014 southbound booked and I'm curious about our flight options. I'm in central TX and can fly out of Houston, Austin, or DFW.

9 days!! I love the feeling of single digits!