jg21

Also on the 1/16 sailing. Propulsion issues? So this means no water skiing demonstration? That's it. I'm canceling.

Just went to your FB page. What a show!!! Thank you for sharing this.

Our tradition is to grab a slice of pizza, a beer, and then take a picture of it to send to our winter-stranded friends back home. Probably evil, but fun...

We just got back from Amsterdam-Basel 8/18-8/25 and the river levels were fine. Great cruise.

We flew into Fairbanks in 2009 through smoke from fires. It was a little unsettling as the pilot came on and said we were going to circle a bit before we landed. You couldn't see anything out the windows at all, and then suddenly there was the ground and the airport!   It smelled a bit smoky that first afternoon, but the next day the wind must've shifted and there was no more haze or smell.

Free drinks package for us.

We've done 2 Princess cruise tours to Alaska and think you're not really seeing Alaska unless you go on land too. It seems such a shame to go all that way and only see what you can see from the deck of the ship or your somewhat limited port excursions.

I also agree with the idea to do the land portion first, and then the cruise portion.

Jim

double post

I would love to hear about the new selections of beers.  Have fun!

Jim

Any info on the new beer offerings on board?

Nikes, dress shoes, and slides.

We just went from a BB balcony to an MB mini-suite on the 1/9/18 Royal for $80 per person. 10 day Eastern Caribbean.

No Sea Witch anymore. I don't think they have any IPA's but I could be wrong.

Dang, that's what I was afraid of. I call beer drinkers' discrimination! Wine lovers can bring a bottle; I'd love to be able to bring on a six or 12 pack...

Before I get killed by the wine lovers....I am kidding. Sort of.

We'll be on the Royal on 1/9. Do they still serve the Sea Witch beers? If not, have they added any IPAs?

Thanks,

Jim

 

So much great art on this ship-one man's meat etc but I know what I like and I like trains and evocations of times gone by when the world was a different place.

 

 

 

 

Carol and I have taken a few steam train rides-mainly in New Mexico and Colorado and we love them.

 

 

Another video screen



 

 



 

 

The Officers

Great review as usual, Norris. We're heading out on the Royal in January, and I'm sure I'll wonder as I always do after being reminded by your picture of the officers: Why is it that every officers' group photo, on every cruise, on every ship I've ever been on make it appear that everyone is sitting in an uncomfortable tilted chair? Inquiring minds want to know.

Jim

Agree with the full transit. We did the 15 day Ft. Lauderdale to LA on the Island in late October/early November in 2013. What a great time that was.

In my case, I had to sync it with my fitbit app on my phone for it to change times.

Like others have said, land first, then cruise. We liked the Denali and Copper River lodges because of the scenery at Copper River and the nearness of Denali Park to the Denali lodge. I would say Fairbanks is our least favorite; we've been twice and did the same Riverboat cruise and gold dredge both times. We've said if we go again, we'll just skip those and explore Fairbanks for the day. I would think a 6 or 7 day land portion would be sufficient.

Crunchy peanut butter, mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip), and banana, Jesus food.

Drop off backpacks, put valuables in safe, then head up for 2 slices of pepperoni pizza and a Seawitch IPA. Take picture of same to send to my friends back home. I'm mean.

Norris...another lurker here out of the shadows. We've done 2 Alaskan Cruisetours and your pictures and commentary bring back great memories.

Thanks,

Jim

I`m a avid walker what is the length of a lap on the sports deck track ? can you walk on the promenade deck ?

7 laps = 1 mile. No real promenade deck to speak of for walking purposes.

We did the Monkey/wildlife island cruise 2 years ago. It was a motorboat, and if you go, try not to sit in the rear. We got placed there and the noise from the outboard motor was almost unbearable. Once we got to the monkey islands, the boat would stop and small marshmallows were offered to get the monkeys to come right down to the boat. We also slowly motored around the islands and saw several howler monkeys in the trees. The boat's skipper would shut off the motor as we drifted, then he would start it up with a roar and quickly shut it down, which caused the howlers to make quite a racket. It was pretty impressive. One of the highlights for me was cruising down the lake to the islands and passing the huge ships transiting the lake. Sure makes you feel small!

Thanks so much for the replies and opinions. Sounds like Coba may be more to our liking.

Jim

Hi, We'll be in Cozumel off Regal Princess on Dec. 9th, and can't decide between the Coba and Tulum Mayan ruins. Does anyone who's been there have any suggestions?

Thanks.