Any tips for a 1st timer? 9/12/09 Diamond Princess

[kerojack]

We're going on our very first cruise on the Diamond Princess (9/12/09).

Vancouver to Whittier.

 

We have a balcony room on the Caribe Deck. C239

 

Does anyone have any good tips/advice for a newbie?

 

Is the weather going to be terribly cold?

 

Tasty food?

 

Excursions? (good ones that aren't running away with my appendages?)

 

I was looking at the Rainforest Ropes and Zip Challenge in Ketchican. I haven't done a ropes course in ages and I've always loved them. Is this one any good?

 

Also, I read a suggestion a bit ago about renting a car at one of the longer stops and driving out into Canada for some awesome scenery.

Does anyone have any experience with that? good places to go?

 

We'll have 13ish hours in both Juneau and Skagway.

 

Sorry if I rambled a bit... I am just super excited! It's still 2 months away and I can't stop looking stuff up and checking out videos!

[VibeGuy]

I can heartily endorse the car rental in Skagway as a viable option. DH and I aren't group excursion people. The train looked fun, but the track washouts mean you don't make it all the way to Carcross; in fact, I don't think you even enter Canada . . . I may be wrong.

 

In any event, we rented from Avis for about the cost of an excursion for two, and set out across the Klondike Highway. It was fantastic - some of the best pictures of the trip. Some people swear by the Murray's guide; we just got a copy of the Skagway tourist paper and headed out. Our strategy was to be off the boat early, in the car pronto, and head for Whitehorse, and then work our way back to Skagway at leisure. It was brilliant - no border delays, TONS of scenery, no excursion buses at any of the pulloffs. There's not much in Whitehorse proper, but the information people at Carcross pointed out a detour that takes you along a very scenic river canyon on the way into town, and the Klondike sternwheeler was cool. We luncheoned in Whitehorse and lazily made our way back, with enough time to drive out to Dyea and look for bears (no dice).

 

Bon Voyage!

 

E

[ttc_8]

We're going on our very first cruise on the Diamond Princess (9/12/09).

Vancouver to Whittier.

 

We have a balcony room on the Caribe Deck. C239

 

Does anyone have any good tips/advice for a newbie?

 

Is the weather going to be terribly cold?

 

Tasty food?

 

Excursions? (good ones that aren't running away with my appendages?)

 

I was looking at the Rainforest Ropes and Zip Challenge in Ketchican. I haven't done a ropes course in ages and I've always loved them. Is this one any good?

 

Also, I read a suggestion a bit ago about renting a car at one of the longer stops and driving out into Canada for some awesome scenery.

Does anyone have any experience with that? good places to go?

 

We'll have 13ish hours in both Juneau and Skagway.

 

Sorry if I rambled a bit... I am just super excited! It's still 2 months away and I can't stop looking stuff up and checking out videos!

 

 

Here are my tips from when I cruised to Alaska in May 2008:

 

Bring a chain/lanyard so that you can hole-punch your cruise card and wear it with you at all times. That way you don't have to dig through bags or pockets.

 

Bring a spill-proof travel mug - you can fill hot water or other hot beverages from the Lido deck and not worry about spilling or having your drink go cold. If u purchased a coffee card, you can ask the baristas to pour the lattes in your mug.

 

Bring a windbreaker and binoculars.

 

I highly recommend taking the train ride in Skagway...everyone loved it and it was a great experience!

 

Check out Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau...you can get really close to the glacier.

 

 

Hope this helps.

[traveling1969]

Congratulations on your cruise and kudos for your choice of a Caribe deck balcony; they are positively huge.

 

Food I recommend: Princess pastas-they are the best, goat cheese souffle, caesar salad, cheese cake to name a few.

 

If you enjoy wine, Princess will let you carry on a few bottles no questions asked.

 

Last tip: Have a ball! Bon Voyage!

[AAAAmerican]

 

Your going to have a great time in AK and YT too!

 

Juneau your able to take public transport to the Presbyterian Church where the Glacier is. yes your able to walk right up top it and it is handicapped enabled too. So many things to do in the AK Capitol!

 

On Skagway.. the Rail Road is so nice.. but a choice too. Renting a vehicle there and driving for sight-seeing. Fill your Vehicle in Skagway as in Canada the petrol is higher costing.

 

Bring gifts for the First-Nations people as they do and have given so very much to all. Whitehorse, YT does have a nice Golfing area if you like that. And yes the normal tourist requisites...

 

 

 

 

 

We're going on our very first cruise on the Diamond Princess (9/12/09).

Vancouver to Whittier.

 

We have a balcony room on the Caribe Deck. C239

 

Does anyone have any good tips/advice for a newbie?

 

Is the weather going to be terribly cold?

 

Tasty food?

 

Excursions? (good ones that aren't running away with my appendages?)

 

I was looking at the Rainforest Ropes and Zip Challenge in Ketchican. I haven't done a ropes course in ages and I've always loved them. Is this one any good?

 

Also, I read a suggestion a bit ago about renting a car at one of the longer stops and driving out into Canada for some awesome scenery.

Does anyone have any experience with that? good places to go?

 

We'll have 13ish hours in both Juneau and Skagway.

 

Sorry if I rambled a bit... I am just super excited! It's still 2 months away and I can't stop looking stuff up and checking out videos!

[kerojack]

Thanks VibeGuy! I'm more of a wander aimlessly kind of person, so I think that renting the car is what we'll end up doing in Skagway.

 

 

Thanks ttc! definitely going to go buy a lanyard. I'm very adept at losing things so sounds like a good way to counter that. :)

 

If u purchased a coffee card, you can ask the baristas to pour the lattes in your mug.

 

Coffee card?

Is that like the soda pass? (i read that was around $22)

 

what does the coffee card get you?

 

Thanks Travelling! I had heard you could take wine but was unsure if it was true.

 

Thank you AAAA! Definitely going to check out the glacier in Juneau if it's that easy :) and what sort of gift?

[kerojack]

My parents are also going on this cruise and my dad has to take insulin.

 

Is there some sort of refrigerator in the room or some place to keep it?

[paul929207]

Coffee cars is $24 plus tip. It gets you 15 specialty coffees (ie lattes, etc.). If addition, as long as tere is at least one punch left, you get unlimited brewed coffee, hot chocolate. The normal coffee at the buffet and in the dining rooms is made from syrup.

 

The soda sticker is $4.25 per day plus tip. It entitles you to unlimited fountain sodas in any bar or dining room. No cans and no room service.

[kerojack]

Coffee cars is $24 plus tip. It gets you 15 specialty coffees (ie lattes, etc.). If addition, as long as tere is at least one punch left, you get unlimited brewed coffee, hot chocolate. The normal coffee at the buffet and in the dining rooms is made from syrup.

 

The soda sticker is $4.25 per day plus tip. It entitles you to unlimited fountain sodas in any bar or dining room. No cans and no room service.

 

Thanks, Paul! My DH and sister are BIG coffee drinkers, so we will definitely be purchasing a couple of those for sure! and not a terrible price either... about $1.60ish each.

[2pbears]

My parents are also going on this cruise and my dad has to take insulin.

 

Is there some sort of refrigerator in the room or some place to keep it?

 

Yes, there is a small refrigerator in each room.

[kerojack]

Yes, there is a small refrigerator in each room.

 

 

GREAT! Thanks! he will be happy to know!

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Do you have anytime dinning? Each of the four anytime dinning rooms all have the same menu as the traditional dinning room. But, each anytime room has a "signature dish" that is just for that room.

 

I know food is subjective but the fajitas in the the tex-mex were amazing!!!

[kerojack]

Do you have anytime dinning? Each of the four anytime dinning rooms all have the same menu as the traditional dinning room. But, each anytime room has a "signature dish" that is just for that room.

 

I know food is subjective but the fajitas in the the tex-mex were amazing!!!

 

I believe we have anytime dining.. we're terribly late for everything! and i don't think we'd make it to a designated meal time.

[adwalsh]

We're on the same cruise as you and we too are very excited - only 65 more days to go!

 

We did not book any excursions w/Princess as they tend to be overpriced. In Juneau we are doing a whale watching tour. In Skagway, we are renting a car with Avis and will do the Klondike Hwy drive - we purchased Murray's Guide.

 

I've sailed the Diamond once before (few years ago-Mexican Riviera) and you've made a good choice for your first cruise.

 

As far as the weather goes, in September it can be iffy - there is more of a chance of rain in September (and it will be cooler). We figured that even cooler and/or rainy weather on a cruise ship in Alaska would be better than being at home going to work every day! Just be sure to have layers so you are prepared.

 

As far as the food goes, you'll find a good selection and it's a good time to try something you might not otherwise try at a restaurant back home. I like the variety with the other restaurants on the Diamond.

 

The number of electrical outlets is limited in the cabin so be sure to bring one of those multi-plug adapters. Be sure to bring binoculars as well.

 

Maybe we'll meet you on board. :) My hubby is a photographer and is easily spotted as he'll be the one out on deck with a huge Canon lens; hoping to spot whales, eagles, bears, etc.

 

Have a great cruise - enjoy the Diamond and Alaska!

[Colo Cruiser]

We're on the same cruise as you and we too are very excited - only 65 more days to go!

 

We did not book any excursions w/Princess as they tend to be overpriced. In Juneau we are doing a whale watching tour. In Skagway, we are renting a car with Avis and will do the Klondike Hwy drive - we purchased Murray's Guide.

 

I've sailed the Diamond once before (few years ago-Mexican Riviera) and you've made a good choice for your first cruise.

 

As far as the weather goes, in September it can be iffy - there is more of a chance of rain in September (and it will be cooler). We figured that even cooler and/or rainy weather on a cruise ship in Alaska would be better than being at home going to work every day! Just be sure to have layers so you are prepared.

 

As far as the food goes, you'll find a good selection and it's a good time to try something you might not otherwise try at a restaurant back home. I like the variety with the other restaurants on the Diamond.

 

The number of electrical outlets is limited in the cabin so be sure to bring one of those multi-plug adapters. Be sure to bring binoculars as well.

 

Maybe we'll meet you on board. :) My hubby is a photographer and is easily spotted as he'll be the one out on deck with a huge Canon lens; hoping to spot whales, eagles, bears, etc.

 

Have a great cruise - enjoy the Diamond and Alaska!

 

Always enjoy your photos, can't wait for these ones. ;)

[adwalsh]

Always enjoy your photos, can't wait for these ones. ;)

 

Thanks Colo Cruiser! We'll add a post when the website is uploaded w/Alaska pics.

[Demented_Avenger]

 

Also, I read a suggestion a bit ago about renting a car at one of the longer stops and driving out into Canada for some awesome scenery.

 

Just a tip if you are going to rent a car in Skagway, ask someone when you rent the car if they think the weather will be clear up on the Klondike Highway. We took a small tour up there with a local and it was socked in with fog. Our tour guide said a lot of people are dissapointed with the train because it's cloudy up there frequently and they can't see much and the train is expensive.

 

We have only been once, so I am not an expert, but hopefully this will help a little.

 

Have a great cruise.. We did it on the Star and it was awsome!

Demented - :cool:

PS - Take your passport with you to Canada!

[MMEPhilly]

Yes, there is a small refrigerator in each room.

 

I recommend keeping a disposable water bottle after you finish one from land before you board the ship and refill it with water or iced tea, etc. from the Horizon Court buffet. You can't put the bottle right up to the machine to refill it, for sanitation purposes, but you can fill up a glass or two and then pour it into the bottles. This was great... every night before we returned to our cabin for the night, we would go up and get some glasses to fill our bottles and then put them in the fridge. It was great to have cold drinks during the night and first thing in the morning. We also brought snacks back from the buffet -- cookies, cake, cheeses, bread, etc. -- and kept them in the room/fridge to have in the morning to save time on port days.

Enjoy your cruise!

[MMEPhilly]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I have been to Alaska before (not on Princess though) and I highly recommend seeing Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau... it is beautiful and to this day I still have a picture of it that I took hanging up both in my home and in my cubicle at work... I also recommend doing the Mt. Roberts Tramway and eating at the restaurant at the top of the tram... the halibut burger was amazing!!

If you are traveling with young kids, they might like to go panning for gold. We were able to do this in both Juneau and in Skagway.

In Skagway I also recommend visiting one of the old time bars there, where they play Alaskan music...

I recommend wearing layers while on excursions in Alaska... we were there in late May and were told to do this because it is frequently rainy/overcast/windy, and we are so glad we did... we ended up having to take our jackets off cause Alaska was having a warm spell, believe it or not, on our 8-day cruise, and we never saw any rain whatsoever! We had only packed two t-shirts, just for layering purposes, so we ended up having to buy some it was so warm (60s and even 70s).

Check out the totem poles in Ketchikan!!

[jenjens1023]

We were just on the Diamond 6/20-27. I'd sail on her again in a minute.

 

We loved the Wheelhouse Bar. It reminded me of an English manor house (not that I've ever been to one, but I'm waiting for my invitation!). Leather, button-tufted sofas, wing-back chairs, dark wood. It was a great place to curl up with a hot chocolate and a book. There's also a hidden little bar near the theater called Churchills that was really cozy too, but no windows.

 

We were very happy with anytime dining; I liked not having a schedule. You can always ask to be seated at a large table, it's a good way to meet others. However, some nights you'll want to leave as soon as you can, other times you'll stay and chat with your tables mates long after the coffee gets cold. Be sure to get the halibut when it's on the menu. I've never eaten anything so delicate (and I'm not a big fish eater).

 

If you get a coffee card, it seemed that the only place to get flavored lattes/cappuccinos was at the lobby bar. When ordered other places it wasn't flavored, even if we asked for a flavor.

 

If you have more questions, ask away.

[sbflcruiser]

We were recently on the Diamond in June, our first time on Princess and really loved the ship and our trip to Alaska, it was quite amazing. My son and nephew did the Ziplining in Ketchikan, for them it was the highlight of the trip. There are 2 different ones, one is more strenous than the other, that is the one they did. Although they did state there were people in their 70's that were also ziplining, a few had trouble, but almost all had no problem and really loved the excursion. I can not speak to the weather in Sept, but we had great weather for our trip and layers was the key. I would however, no pack any bulky jacket (they were so cheap in Alaska like $14.95 and just buy there) Mendenhall Glacier was great and ecominical. We went with Dyea Dave in Skagway and it was great, he would stop and do whatever we wanted along the way, we got great narratives without having to drive ourselves..

[kerojack]

So I was able to score what I believe was the very LAST 8-person vehicle in Skagway!

 

(this will definitely be an interesting trip and car ride... cramming me, my husband, my sister and her fiance, my parents, and two of my aunts visiting from South Korea all in a big van!)

 

I thought it was a lost cause and then I gave it one more shot after work and Bam! they had one!

 

I really thought we were going to have to rent 2 cars which wouldn't have been as much fun :)

[ttc_8]

Thanks, Paul! My DH and sister are BIG coffee drinkers, so we will definitely be purchasing a couple of those for sure! and not a terrible price either... about $1.60ish each.

 

If you search this message board, there was a long thread on coffee cards, and people gave a lot of good tips and opinions.

[Red Hat Cruise Cat]

We're going on our very first cruise on the Diamond Princess (9/12/09).

Vancouver to Whittier.

 

We have a balcony room on the Caribe Deck. C239

 

Does anyone have any good tips/advice for a newbie?

 

Is the weather going to be terribly cold?

 

Tasty food?

 

Excursions? (good ones that aren't running away with my appendages?)

 

I was looking at the Rainforest Ropes and Zip Challenge in Ketchican. I haven't done a ropes course in ages and I've always loved them. Is this one any good?

 

Also, I read a suggestion a bit ago about renting a car at one of the longer stops and driving out into Canada for some awesome scenery.

Does anyone have any experience with that? good places to go?

 

We'll have 13ish hours in both Juneau and Skagway.

 

Sorry if I rambled a bit... I am just super excited! It's still 2 months away and I can't stop looking stuff up and checking out videos!

 

They serve fresh made dessert waffles in the afternoon at the pizza stand. Everyone raved about the choclate waffles.:):)

[marne001]

The Purser's Office or casino cage people have a hole punch AND know where to punch the card to ensure the magnetic stripe on the back is not restricted.

 

The soda card is kinda pricey, do the math [ (# sodas you normally drink/day)\cost ] then decide if you really want one. Many folks regret buying the card.

 

Have not bought the coffee card. Their free coffee is from a (gag) concentrate. I was told by several on the Emerald and Star that the coffee card will get you a free brewed coffee as long as you have a "punch" remaining on the card. Did not see this first hand, but was told by credible fellow passengers.

 

Regarding the cabin refrigerator, I have yet to see one that gets as cold as ours at home. If you medication requires a specific temperature you should check with Princess direct. I am confident they can make arrangements for you. Also, they can provide a sharps container in your cabin for you.

 

Take a large poncho with a hood. It folds for easy carrying and will go over anything you wear if you encounter a shower.

 

In Alaska we were not sure what to do and none of the 'tours' really spoke to us. So we just planned on puttering around the dock and heading back to the ship. A nice lady approached us on shore asking what we were doing for the day. Long story short we rode around in her personal car with her. She pointed out lotsa cool things. Best of all, she knew when the butcher threw out his meat scraps!!! The lady parked her car in full view, albeit several hundred feet away from the back of the butcher shop. About ten minutes later we had front row seats to the bears feeding on the scraps. Probably not the best thing for wild animals--which we could not control, but it was the best shore excursion we took on that trip. The lady only charged us about $40 US for this event.

 

I rarely take ship sponsored shore excursions for the following reasons:

 

 

• Overpriced, keep in mind the 'split' between the cruise operator and Princess is 60/40 or 50/50
  
• We are on time and hate waiting for laggers
  
• We like to get where we are going and have maximum time, shore excursions often try to pack more sights into a tour to attract the most people
  
• We do not like getting crammed into any vehicle like sardines
  
• We simply prefer many sights that are not offered on the popular tours
  

Most of my excursions are self lead and planned well in advance. However, sometimes I do the ad hoc tour and just ask a willing cab driver what should I not miss on their island/city? The usual response is several items which provides options!!! This approach has always been wonderful, with one exception in GRENADA--be careful. I have traveled to places where the cruise line warns its passengers to not do your own tour (Belize, et. al.) and have lived to tell that I, a single old lady (now), negotiated her own tours without any problems. Be carefull and you will have a blast.