LIVE / Discovery Princess / July 30th / Alaska's Inside Passage, RT Seattle 14 Day Cruise (B2B 7 day Cruises)

[Jeter02]

Today is travel day!!!! I'm back, by popular demand for another LIVE thread after many have followed me recently along my adventures through Norway. This cruise I will be cruising my 9th season to Alaska, in a B2B 7-day sailing (identical itinerary) onboard the Discovery Princess. The cruise will be starting tomorrow, Sunday July 30th, RT from Seattle.

 

I will be flying out later today from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle. With my evening arrival time, I opted to book at the Hilton Garden Inn by the airport. After sitting on a plane for 6 hours, the last thing I want to do is sit in a car for an additional 30 minutes to get to downtown. This way I'll just catch an Uber first thing in the morning to take me to the pier. 

 

(The economical way, would have been for me to take the hotel shuttle back to the airport the next morning to take the princess shuttle bus for a much cheaper rate. However, I am not one who likes to sit and wait for buses to load up with 50-60 of my closest friends if I don't have to.)

 

As this will be my 9th season exploring Alaska, I plan on using this cruise more for relaxation and enjoying the amenities of the ship. I've seen and done most things excursion wise within these ports so calls. In my beginning visits to Alaska, I made sure I did all of those big, glamorous excursions that one could only dream of, thinking that this was going to be a one and done deal type of cruise. Obviously I've continued to come back annually, as I enjoy the cooler temperatures (Always trying to beat that Florida heat) and surrounding myself with such beautiful scenery.

 

If anyone has any questions about the ship, or itinerary please don't hesitate to ask, as I'll do my best to help answer them. I will also try to update you with all the fun that's going on on the ship, as well as the port of calls. 

 

So pack your imaginary bags, as I hope you enjoy coming aboard this cruise wi

th me!

[dickinson]

I'm here to come along with you!  My imaginary bags are all packed and ready to go. 😉

 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

Bon voyage!  Have a great cruise. 

[CruzeQueen2]

Looking forward to your reports once again. Thank you for taking us along. 

[Tyskie]

Loved your last "Live" - along for the ride!

Enjoy!

[gottagoacruzn]

Hi, will be travelin with you, bags are packed. Will be on the Crown in Sept, an can't wait, am gettin ansy. Please be sure to take pictures. Have also been up there 10 or 12 times, so this time in Skagway, at least for now no tours, just gonna wander around an see what kind of mischief one can get into, within reason of course, got to clarify that, in case someone gets the wrong idea. 

[Jeter02]

12 minutes ago, gottagoacruzn said:

Hi, will be travelin with you, bags are packed. Will be on the Crown in Sept, an can't wait, am gettin ansy. Please be sure to take pictures. Have also been up there 10 or 12 times, so this time in Skagway, at least for now no tours, just gonna wander around an see what kind of mischief one can get into, within reason of course, got to clarify that, in case someone gets the wrong idea. 

Love it! Yes I'm usually really good about posting pictures on here. I've got you covered.

[gottagoacruzn]

Hey thanks!!!!😁😁

[basor]

We will be joining you tomorrow for 7 days - looking forward to good weather and beautiful scenery.  This is our 8th cruise to Alaska but this time bringing our 4 older teen grandchildren along for the fun.

 

See you onboard!

[Jeter02]

1 minute ago, basor said:

We will be joining you tomorrow for 7 days - looking forward to good weather and beautiful scenery.  This is our 8th cruise to Alaska but this time bringing our 4 older teen grandchildren along for the fun.

 

See you onboard!

That's so exciting I love it when it becomes a family event. Where are you all traveling from? I'm pretty sure you will all have a fabulous time. I'll see you onboard.

[basor]

1 minute ago, Jeter02 said:

That's so exciting I love it when it becomes a family event. Where are you all traveling from? I'm pretty sure you will all have a fabulous time. I'll see you onboard.

4 of us will be arriving via train from Portland, OR and 2 will be flying in from Bozeman, MT.  We have all traveled together several times before and always have a fabulous time.  This is our first time on Discovery Princess so a new ship for us.

[notatubaplayer]

I am just finishing the same itinerary.  The ship has been packed but well managed.  Captain is great.  Cruise director has been fun.  The new production shows are impressive.   Was really happy with the food as well.  Had sunshine most days and beautiful weather for the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.  The week before they could not do it because of fog.  Overall a great cruise.  The only downside is the elevators are horrible on a crowded ship.  The buffet was also a little chaotic.

 

 

[notatubaplayer]

Checkin was really easy and smooth.  If you see a porter and can drop bags with him do so.  That was the only bottleneck we experienced.

[Jeter02]

Just now, notatubaplayer said:

I am just finishing the same itinerary.  The ship has been packed but well managed.  Captain is great.  Cruise director has been fun.  The new production shows are impressive.   Was really happy with the food as well.  Had sunshine most days and beautiful weather for the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.  The week before they could not do it because of fog.  Overall a great cruise.  The only downside is the elevators are horrible on a crowded ship.  The buffet was also a little chaotic.

 

 

Thank you for sharing! I am very excited to be back  onboard a ship. I know Captain Tony regaro was doing hand over this week and is supposed to be taking over fully starting tomorrow so I'm excited about that. I have also heard great things about John Smith who is leaving and is a great captain.

[Jeter02]

Just now, notatubaplayer said:

Checkin was really easy and smooth.  If you see a porter and can drop bags with him do so.  That was the only bottleneck we experienced.

I usually always walk on with my own luggage. My system has always been doing that going straight to my cabin to drop off my luggage quickly unpack do my safety drill visit and then grab some lunch. This way I know my vacation has officially started versus getting luggage later in the day and dreading the unpacking. 🤣

[Jeter02]

3 minutes ago, basor said:

4 of us will be arriving via train from Portland, OR and 2 will be flying in from Bozeman, MT.  We have all traveled together several times before and always have a fabulous time.  This is our first time on Discovery Princess so a new ship for us.

The Discovery Princess is a beautiful ship!

[basor]

2 minutes ago, notatubaplayer said:

I am just finishing the same itinerary.  The ship has been packed but well managed.  Captain is great.  Cruise director has been fun.  The new production shows are impressive.   Was really happy with the food as well.  Had sunshine most days and beautiful weather for the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.  The week before they could not do it because of fog.  Overall a great cruise.  The only downside is the elevators are horrible on a crowded ship.  The buffet was also a little chaotic.

 

 

Don't mean to highjack this thread but this will be our first time back on Princess for awhile...I am reading that there is a service charge for room service orders and for ordering thru the medallions (never been on a medallion cruise before).  Could you please let me know if this is true - cruising with 4 late teen grandchildren and want to let them know the options. TIA

[memoak]

4 minutes ago, Jeter02 said:

The Discovery Princess is a beautiful ship!

It is but when we were on her in June it was super packed on the 2nd leg with families and tons of kids. Many cabins even insides had 4 people in them and the wait for the pizzeria was up to an hour on sea days same with the sushi bar 

Edited July 29, 2023 by memoak

[Jeter02]

3 minutes ago, basor said:

Don't mean to highjack this thread but this will be our first time back on Princess for awhile...I am reading that there is a service charge for room service orders and for ordering thru the medallions (never been on a medallion cruise before).  Could you please let me know if this is true - cruising with 4 late teen grandchildren and want to let them know the options. TIA

No this new plan does not start until 3 weeks from tomorrow at least on the Discovery Princess so you guys are fine. And the pizza restaurant Gigi's / Alfredo's is still considered complimentary while you guys are onboard. Highly recommend to go for a bite to eat there It is so absolutely delicious. They do have options that are not strictly just pizza as well as dessert.

Edited July 29, 2023 by Jeter02

[Jeter02]

3 minutes ago, memoak said:

It is but when we were on her in June it was super packed on the 2nd leg with families and tons of kids. Many cabins even insides had 4 people in them and the wait for the pizzeria was up to sn hour on sea days

It was actually really packed when I did that 4-day '80s cruise back in April. I have never seen crowds like this on any princesses ship. With long lines so I think that's more of an issue with this particular ship. People I know who work on board always tell me usually How many passengers are sailing on a lot of the cruises and this one is like overpacked to the brim.

Edited July 29, 2023 by Jeter02

[basor]

1 minute ago, Jeter02 said:

No this new plan does not start until 3 weeks from tomorrow at least on the Discovery Princess so you guys are fine.

Thanks - we signed up last Fall and there have been several changes to the "Plus" program since then and, now, have no idea what is included and what is not!  I know WIFI, gratuities, 1 free specialty dining and the Plus drink package is and that is all that really matters.  Anything else will just be a nice extra!

[TM]

Looking forward to following along, we really enjoyed your “live from” doing Norway.  We will be sailing August 25th on the Crown out of Vancouver, our first post pandemic cruise.  Like you we also have done Alaska several times before and at this point have no excursions planned.  Enjoy your trip and all the beauty of Alaska.

Edited July 29, 2023 by TM
wording

[notatubaplayer]

The bars, casinos and buffet are really busy. 

[Jeter02]

1 minute ago, notatubaplayer said:

The bars, casinos and buffet are really busy. 

Lucky for me I don't go to any of those three. Like I said I thought it was really odd when I was on there but I know it's because they're packed to the brim like I said but I've never seen so many people on that trip. And it's Alaska so I already know the baby lots of families on board with lots of kids. It will be a nice dark difference from my Norway trip.

[notatubaplayer]

It was rainy at the beginning of th trip into the Dawes Glacier.  I was up and on deck at 5 am with most of the rest of the ship.  It was a beautiful sail in but I do not know that it is absolutely essential to be up that early.  The left side of the ship got the best view of the glacier at probably 7 am.  We were told we made it closer to the glacier than the discovery has done all season.