AKman2495

Car is good, the scenery is great and you can stop along the way to see sights (portage glacier, the AK wildlife conservation center, Girdwood) BUT, the driver will lose out because he or she must focus on the road.

The train is great with wonderful views, is lot slower and does not enable stops. But, no one has to pay attention to where he/she is going. As others point out, you can freely move around and even take a nap if you prefer.

As far as scenery goes, you will see different things from the train route and the highway. But, overall, the scenery is not all that different. The big difference is the route. Coming out of Seward heading towards the mountains there are 3 parallel passes. THe highway uses one pass, the train another. The third is a hiking trail.

So, it is really up to you as to which one you prefer.

I don't remember seeing that one on the menu, but will certainly give it a try on the next cruise when I see it.

It was a regular menu item in the MDR. The MDR menus often have sugar free choices.

As others have said, the HC has SF desserts in a labeled section.

Ok, so now I am going to apologize....my post should have read Non- suite, NON-ELITE, NON-Priority. That was an error and I will take responsibility, Anyone that has Elite status is a head of me in line as I certainly have not contributed to Princess as much as these status cruisers. As I am re reading my thread, it see that it can across in a way that was NOT intended. As I mentioned before, I would like to see a more ordered progression to board rather than a mass of people that you cannot pass. I recognize the excitement of everyone wanting to get onboard, but line-ups go faster when they are organized. Again, my apologies for the unintended slight......

Sorry, but as someone who is Non- suite, NON-ELITE, NON-Priority, I take offense at being classified as "lice".....

I do eat sugar free (I'm Diabetic) and have tried a lot of them on board in both the HC and the MDR.

I find that they are quite good. They also have a nice variety so you are not stuck eating the same sugar free stuff all the time.

As for anything specific. it is hard to say as they mix things up.

By my favorite sugar free dessert was a "hazelnut pumpkin pudding with 5 spice sauce". That was to die for. If you see it, you have to try it.

On our last cruise my mother was upgraded from an inside to an obstructed view to a full balcony.

We were not upgraded at all....

The thing is you'll love an inside cabin until you experience a balcony cabin. Once you've booked a balcony and strolled out there on your first sea day, the ocean spray, the fresh smell, the water curling back from the hull as the ship cuts a swath across the sea.

 

Once you have the experience and the pleasure of that sweet, private haven of a balcony, you probably won't feel the same way about booking an inside cabin.

 

Jonathan

Really? On our Panama Canal cruise, my mother was upgraded to a great balcony cabin. We had an inside. and we did go out on her balcony....We are booked on three more cruises and we have booked all insides.....

I never though much of that "sweet, private, haven" called a balcony. Yes, it was pleasant a couple of time, but there are plenty of other places on the ship that were as pleasant or more pleasant that her balcony......

We are going out in November on a B2B. Our TA said Princess had 2 hotels: the Marriott and the Four Seasons.

We booked the Four Seasons.

So let's see what I've learned from this thread....Princess has declined very badly and from estimates of sales is going down hill very fast...

What I learned from my first Princess cruise last year was that Princess was a wonderful experience that was incredible. Everything on the cruise through the Panama Canal was wonderful and exceptional. The Coral Princess was in good shape, although it did need some updating,which it recently got.

I Found the food to be great as well.

From what the people hear say I cannot believe how much better it could have been just a few years ago.

I suppose, for them, it will never be as good as it was....

But for me...I look forward to many more cruises on Princess....blissfully ignorant of how bad things are.....:)

Pia

Just have to tell you I love your "Live From"s.

As far as Les Miz, we took our 7 year old granddaughter to see it because our daughter had loved the play so much when she was little. We must have seen the play at least 5 times.

I thought I didn't like the movie because I was so uncomfortable with some of the graphic descriptions of what happened to Eponine. Everyone else loved it so I've never said anything but I do agree with you that it was ok but didn't live up to the play at all!!!

I never saw the play and I thought the movie was OK. But, after reading the book. the play, and all the movies pale in comparison.

The title of the book is Les Miserables or the miserable people. The book is pretty graphic and really miserable.

Most of the complaint about the movies is that they people in them are not really all that miserable looking......

FWIW

We were at the lobster dinner next to a guy who ordered it and when he was served he told the waiter to bring him another lobster!

I guess some people really do like it.

Me, I am not a big lobster fan, so I enjoy other items on the menu....

Enjoy the cruise Pia & Mike!

But....I am jealous :p

On our 17 day cruise we had a regular inside room. That room was great. An inside is like a retreat where you can grab a nap in the afternoon, watch TV if you like and just relax. Of course, we really didn't spend all that much time in the room. But when we were there, if was fine.

As for the larger insides, they are obviously roomier -but the only issue I would have is the position of the door.

Well, we are traveling with her nephews (13 and 15) so I assume she wants to show them a bit of Seattle. But, since our flight arrives around 3PM the day prior, we'll still have daylight hours after checking in to the Hotel to see the Space Needle and Pike's Place THAT day.

 

So, I don't think the next day is necessary. As wonderful as Seattle is, those two sites are enough for me. The Marine Museum is nice too, but, I can't see enjoying a trip to a museum while I know a ship is waiting for me to embark!

 

I may tell her I'll board early and she and the boys can board later.

 

I know that sounds insensitive, but...I picture myself being a nervous wreck trying to sightsee a few hours before boarding.

 

LOL

I agree. The museums are wonderful but they really should not be rushed. It takes really a full day to go through them properly. Besides, remind her that the cruise fare includes that first day. I would soak Princess for everything I can get on that first day-including a nice lunch.

Besides, there is the muster drill to attend (I know they have late muster drills but by then you want to enjoying the trip) and unpacking before one can really relax. FWIW....

On our tours it was also "remain in the same seats". I guess these companies have had bad experience with seat switching.

My advice-if seats are REALLY important to you, make every effort to get on the bus early and select the ideal seat for you.

Late comers have to take what's left..IMHO...

Have fun on the cruise, but please leave her in good shape! I'm leaving on her on the 25th of January for a 14 day cruise :D

I guess it depends on the cruise because we were on the Coral at the end of Sept/early Oct and never had to wait for a seat in anytime. We did most often share. We also varied dining times, but we mostly ate before 6 pm.

I have cruised once on the Coral last year. After reading numerous threads about how bad the coffee is on Princess, I was ready for the worst.

I found the coffee to be very good. I drink it black and there was nothing wrong with it at all.

Of course, I drink decaff, which probably makes me a coffee traitor or something, but I did try a few cups of regular coffee and could not tell any difference.

While I'm sorry about that I am relieved-I was going to book plaza 331 but my TA said we would prefer the Riviera deck instead.

I guess I can sleep better (no kidding) knowing that it was a good choice.

He says it is going to be a lengthly review....I wonder, at this rate, it the review will be longer than the cruise...:D

I would vote, but I seem to have missed the review......:confused:

We sailed 17 days in the Coral. We had an inside room and IOHOs the bed was beautiful. It was firm and we like that. We did not ask for a topper. We did ask for firmer pillows and out steward produced some that were also excellent.

We slept just fine.....

My daughter and her friend went hiking yesterday at Hatcher's Pass. Here is a shot of her and her friend's dog taken above the road. If you look just over the dog's head you can see a small portion of the road.

That was a sunny day. In the fog, you cannot see the drop offs....

The Hatcher Pass Road (from the mine towards the Willow end) is not maintained over the winter, and just opened less than 48 hours ago. It is a beautiful drive (and an eerie drive when there are low clouds!). I have no idea of the condition of the road this year. If it were me, I'd start on it and play it by ear.

If it were me, I would not go the 30 miles on an unpaved road that just opened after a record snowfall. I am sure it is not washed out, but I'll bet it will be one bumpy road. Once you start, it will be difficult to change your mind and go back.

You want to check it out once you get up there. There may be signs warning you of what the road is like.

I still recommend going back down to Fishhook road and taking it to Wasilla. Maybe not as adventurous, but it will not ruin your vacation. FWIW

Since you are on RCCL, the "Radiance" usually sends the cruise-contracted trains from Seward to Anchorage between 6:30-7:00am. It's a little over four hours for the trip. The regular Alaska Railroad run from Seward leaves at 6pm.

 

For people reading this post who come into Whittier on Princess, their ships usually dock by 12:30am but you can't access the tunnel out of town until at least 6am.

I was looking for that contracted train but I couldn't find it. In any case, the OP has nothing to worry about.

These road names are incorrect...Wasilla Fishhook begins in Wasilla, Palmer Fishhook begins in Palmer. To add to the confusion, I see that the Dept. of Highways 511 site shows the road across the top of the pass to Willow as "Willow Fishhook", a name I've never heard/seen until today.

While you're absolutely correct, I've always called it just "Fishhook road" being that you can go from Wasilla to Palmer on that one road.

I own a lot on that road. It fronts Fishhook and is about 2 miles past the "hook" on the Wasilla side.....