Question on Mendenhall Glacier Explorer excursion

[juliethecruiser]

Hi all,

 

For those who have taken this excursion directly through Princess (the $44.95 one), are you simply provided with shuttle passes to use at your leisure or is there a specific time frame? Reason I'm asking is, on Princess's website, you choose either the morning or afternoon time to book. We have already booked another excursion, not through the ship that begins at 1:30p at the cruise dock and the morning excursion to Mendenhall Glacier states it is from 9:30a - 1p. Doesn't leave us a lot of time between excursions. If the excursion isn't hosted, just hop on the bus when you're ready to go out to the glacier and come back when your ready, then we can purchase directly with Princess and use some of our OBC. Otherwise, we'll have to book directly with shuttle, as we'd like to leave earlier than 9:30a to head out to the glacier and then come back earlier than 1p, so we can catch a bit to eat before having to head back out.

 

I can call Princess, if no one has personal experience with this tour.

[fielddreamer]

I understand that the time you pick is the time you go and it is a 3.5 hr tour which includes transportation, entry tickets to center, and a return with the same driver at assigned time to return. I have seen video's of this tour and the guide telling the passengers were to meet her in 3.5 hrs.

[moki'smommy]

We did this in 2009, so things may have changed. Our experience was that we were assigned to a specific bus, taken to the Mendenhall Glacier parking lot, and told to be back on the bus at X time. And then there was the usual 15 minute wait for the people who can't ever get back when they are told.

[juliethecruiser]

That's what I thought. And if someone is late, then we'll be really pushing it. Still have all my OBC and nothing to spend it on at this point. Every excursion at this point, simply doesn't work out for us to use the OBC on. A lot of money to spend on board. Will be taking another look at Ketchikan, as we don't have anything book for that day.

[Potstech]

Would not even attempt it with that close if a time frame. Anything that delays you 15-20 minutes and you lose out. Would need 60 minutes between them to even feel comfortable.

[floridalover5623]

That's what I thought. And if someone is late, then we'll be really pushing it. Still have all my OBC and nothing to spend it on at this point. Every excursion at this point, simply doesn't work out for us to use the OBC on. A lot of money to spend on board. Will be taking another look at Ketchikan, as we don't have anything book for that day.

You can use public bus transportation that leaves right from the pier & that doesn't hold you to return any specific time. As I recall the public bus drops people off at the entrance which was a 5 minute walk to the center.

It's also a lot cheaper than a Princess tour.

[juliethecruiser]

You can use public bus transportation that leaves right from the pier & that doesn't hold you to return any specific time. As I recall the public bus drops people off at the entrance which was a 5 minute walk to the center.

It's also a lot cheaper than a Princess tour.

 

I think that is what we're going to do. I've already looked up the info and schedule for our trip.

[Thrak]

That's what I thought. And if someone is late, then we'll be really pushing it. Still have all my OBC and nothing to spend it on at this point. Every excursion at this point, simply doesn't work out for us to use the OBC on. A lot of money to spend on board. Will be taking another look at Ketchikan, as we don't have anything book for that day.

 

On our last cruise even after booking a couple of Princess excursions I still had $200 OBC left. I went to the casino a few days before the end of the cruise, stuck my cruise card into a slot machine, and made an account. I played a little and the cashed out. (Don't forget to cash out each time!) I did that again a couple of days later. The last sea day before disembarkation day I did so again and played until I had magically turned my $200 into $150. At that point I cashed out at the machine and then went to the cashier's window. I said I wanted to close out the account and they handed me $150. It's a simple way to get your extra OBC as cash. Remember they do want you to have played a bit. They don't want to be used as an ATM so do put in a modicum of play even if you don't normally gamble. (I don't normally gamble myself.)

[idahospud]

You can use public bus transportation that leaves right from the pier & that doesn't hold you to return any specific time. As I recall the public bus drops people off at the entrance which was a 5 minute walk to the center.

It's also a lot cheaper than a Princess tour.

From the public bus stop to the Mendenhall visitor center? I thought it was a mile or so away?

[moki'smommy]

From the public bus stop to the Mendenhall visitor center? I thought it was a mile or so away?

Oh no, you can easily see it. THe public bus stop is basically at the bottom of a slightly sloping hill (not steep) that leads to the charter bus parking lot. If you stand in the parking lot for the buses, you can see the sign for the public bus stop.

[Cairn Mom]

Hi all,

 

 

 

For those who have taken this excursion directly through Princess (the $44.95 one), are you simply provided with shuttle passes to use at your leisure or is there a specific time frame? Reason I'm asking is, on Princess's website, you choose either the morning or afternoon time to book. We have already booked another excursion, not through the ship that begins at 1:30p at the cruise dock and the morning excursion to Mendenhall Glacier states it is from 9:30a - 1p. Doesn't leave us a lot of time between excursions. If the excursion isn't hosted, just hop on the bus when you're ready to go out to the glacier and come back when your ready, then we can purchase directly with Princess and use some of our OBC. Otherwise, we'll have to book directly with shuttle, as we'd like to leave earlier than 9:30a to head out to the glacier and then come back earlier than 1p, so we can catch a bit to eat before having to head back out.

 

 

 

I can call Princess, if no one has personal experience with this tour.

 

 

 

I took it last summer with Princess . It includes admission and pick-up and drop-off. You do not have the ability to walk on the glacier. You can walk up to it but not on it. I hope this helps.

 

 

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[moki'smommy]

I'm not sure of this, but I believe that if you have a national park pass, admission to the visitor center is included on your pass. I do know that "Mendenhall Glacier National Park" is listed as one of the parks that the pass is good at.

[FLCruise7]

If you have lots of OBC & nowhere to spend it - consider the Ultimate Ship Tour ($150 pp). Just make sure to have room in your suitcases for the stuff you get. We did this on a cruise earlier this year & loved it!

[floridalover5623]

Oh no' date=' you can easily see it. THe public bus stop is basically at the bottom of a slightly sloping hill (not steep) that leads to the charter bus parking lot. If you stand in the parking lot for the buses, you can see the sign for the public bus stop.[/quote']

Thank your for reaffirming that point. It's been to many years for us & I wasn't really sure.

[floridalover5623]

I'm not sure of this' date=' but I believe that if you have a national park pass, admission to the visitor center is included on your pass. I do know that "Mendenhall Glacier National Park" is listed as one of the parks that the pass is good at.[/quote']

In addition to entrance, the National Park Pass also gives you (and three other people) into a section of the center that has a video which they charge extra for.

[WisCruiser2]

If you have lots of OBC & nowhere to spend it - consider the Ultimate Ship Tour ($150 pp). Just make sure to have room in your suitcases for the stuff you get. We did this on a cruise earlier this year & loved it!

I agree with this suggestion!

 

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[moki'smommy]

In addition to entrance, the National Park Pass also gives you (and three other people) into a section of the center that has a video which they charge extra for.

Thank you for verifying this. I didn't have a pass when we went last time, but got one before the price increase!

[juliethecruiser]

If you have lots of OBC & nowhere to spend it - consider the Ultimate Ship Tour ($150 pp). Just make sure to have room in your suitcases for the stuff you get. We did this on a cruise earlier this year & loved it!

 

I have considered this. Not sure if I'll have enough room in my suitcase though to fit everything they give you. We're thinking of doing chef's table but not sure if we can eat enough to cover the charge. Neither of us are very big eaters. Normally we go to the MDR, order an appetizer and main meal then leave for the show and hit dessert later in the evening. However, I do enjoy good food, so maybe skipping a snack or two will leave more room for the chef's table. Anyone have experience doing the chef's table?

[juliethecruiser]

Thanks all for the suggestions. We do have an annual NP pass, actually my husband has an Access pass, which gives us lifetime free admission to any park covered by the NPS. We do enjoy walking/hiking, so a little longer walk (the mile or so from the public bus stop) won't be an issue for us. I heard if you get to the glacier area early, you can miss some of the crowds, which is something appealing to us.

 

I've never had luck in the ship casinos and always seem to give my money away. My luck, I'd take some of my OBC and just give it to the cruiseline with nothing in return. I have had my eye on one of those bathrobes though and I was planning to buy that Alaska guide book as well. We'll still have a chunk of change left after these purchases to spend on perhaps a specialty restaurant or Ultimate Ship Tour. I still haven't found any other excursions that seem to float my boat, so Princess will most likely be keeping all my OBC with only purchases on the ship.

[moki'smommy]

Thanks all for the suggestions. We do have an annual NP pass, actually my husband has an Access pass, which gives us lifetime free admission to any park covered by the NPS. We do enjoy walking/hiking, so a little longer walk (the mile or so from the public bus stop) won't be an issue for us. I heard if you get to the glacier area early, you can miss some of the crowds, which is something appealing to us.

 

I've never had luck in the ship casinos and always seem to give my money away. My luck, I'd take some of my OBC and just give it to the cruiseline with nothing in return. I have had my eye on one of those bathrobes though and I was planning to buy that Alaska guide book as well. We'll still have a chunk of change left after these purchases to spend on perhaps a specialty restaurant or Ultimate Ship Tour. I still haven't found any other excursions that seem to float my boat, so Princess will most likely be keeping all my OBC with only purchases on the ship.

Why? As detailed above, buy what you want. Then, go to the casino and follow the steps above. Set up your account for whatever is left. Drop a LITTLE in the casino, and then "cash out." You will be handed cash for whatever amount you have not spent in the casino. The only thing I don't know is whether there is a limit to how much you can "cash out" at any one time. But there is no rule that says you can't put $225 on your account, gamble with $10, and cash out, getting $215 in cash to put in your pocket. Beats leaving unspent, non-refundable OBC on your account.

[floridalover5623]

Why? As detailed above' date=' buy what you want. Then, go to the casino and follow the steps above. Set up your account for whatever is left. Drop a LITTLE in the casino, and then "cash out." You will be handed cash for whatever amount you have not spent in the casino. The only thing I don't know is whether there is a limit to how much you can "cash out" at any one time. But there is no rule that says you can't put $225 on your account, gamble with $10, and cash out, getting $215 in cash to put in your pocket. Beats leaving unspent, non-refundable OBC on your account.[/quote']

You've got that right.

Spending $150 for a ships tour just to use up OBC is a waste. Your better off getting the cash & buying what you need at home. (for far better value)

[juliethecruiser]

Why? As detailed above' date=' buy what you want. Then, go to the casino and follow the steps above. Set up your account for whatever is left. Drop a LITTLE in the casino, and then "cash out." You will be handed cash for whatever amount you have not spent in the casino. The only thing I don't know is whether there is a limit to how much you can "cash out" at any one time. But there is no rule that says you can't put $225 on your account, gamble with $10, and cash out, getting $215 in cash to put in your pocket. Beats leaving unspent, non-refundable OBC on your account.[/quote']

 

Okay, didn't quite understand that was what you meant. I read it initially that you gambled $225 and then won back some and then cashed out. I like this idea, as there is so much more I can spend this money on in the ports.

 

Okay, this brings up yet another question, our OBC is divided up between my husband and myself. Can this be combined into 1 account when going to the casino or do we have to each have an account?

[voljeep]

I saw a person trying to cash out, and the cashier stated that since the OBC was non-refundable, they could only honor that request...up to the amount or the refundable credit remaining

[LAW]

The question_-Chef's Table, You start by being served about 6 different appetizers, with lots of Champaign, then to the dinning room. My experience the meal will be about a 5 course wonderfully presented. Desert follows again usually artistically presented(A Work of Art).There will be wine served with the meal.

Then pictures of you and spouse(!) . free.

 

Then you will be given a {Princes Cook Book).

 

If you eat and drink everything--_you will be full.

I have done this meal three times and will do it again.

 

Not offered on the Japanese Tours.

 

Lynn (LAW)

[FLCruise7]

You've got that right.

Spending $150 for a ships tour just to use up OBC is a waste. Your better off getting the cash & buying what you need at home. (for far better value)

 

It all depends on what type of OBC the OP has -- if it's refundable, the casino route works fine. I think that's what some people will do instead of waiting for check from Princess. But, if it's non-refundable OBC, I don't think running it through the casino will work.

 

I suggested the UST because we finally did one & it was a great way to see parts of the ship most passengers don't see. It was well worth the $$ and time (about 3 1/2 hours). And ours was not done to use up any OBC as we'd already used it all. :cool: