Just back from Alaska

I just got back from my cruise to Alaska, we had a great time. We took the ferry from Larkspur to S.F. a taxi to dock 35 gave our lugage to the porter then walked around pier 39 for a while. The embarkation went real smooth. Alaska was beautiful. The only rain we got at all was a little in Juneau. We had blue skys all the way. We even wore short sleaves in Skagway and ketchikan.I loved the ship. Even though it was fully booked didn't seen crowded. They were repainting it the whole time we were gone. My cell phone started working about two hours out of Juneau and got a signal most of the time except in Tracey Arms, because of the mountains and glaciers, and when we were in open sea. I have AT&T. If there are any questions that I can answer don't hesitate to ask. I thought the coffee was quite good. Though I am not too particular. Had no complaints with the food or service. I didn't care for one of the photographers. He seemed to more or less focus on certain people. Myabe it was just me. Chris and Will, the cruise directors were great and funny. Over all a very good trip.
Delores

5/6 Regal Princess/ San Francisco
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[srphnx]

Thanks, we are going on Saturday, appreciate the current report. Did you book a future cruise to lessen the pain of debarkation?

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[DesertDaisy]

Hi, We are on Regal 6-5. We are wondering how smooth the water is the first two days and last 3 sea days. I have a sister-in-law that really has a rough time with seasickness. Thanks, desert daisy

[srphnx]

Hi Daisy I see we are neighbors,

Inside passage sailing is typically very smooth, there is movement but it isn't choppy.

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[DesertDaisy]

Hi srphnx, Yes we are. I always enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for the report on the seas, this is our fourth trip to Alaska, but never out of San Francisco. Am really looking forward to 3 sea days at the end of the cruise, also easy flights. No changing planes, and no long airport waits. Last year we were on OMNI from Hell! Never thought I would walk again! desert daisy

[Pam in CA]

Delores... glad you had a good time on the Regal. Chris (the Cruise Director) is great! He's leaving soon for another ship... can't remember which one.

Song of Norway & Song of America, 1986-88; Royal Princess 2/99; Sun Princess 1/00; Ocean Princess 12/00; Royal Princess 4/01; Grand Princess 12/23/01; Sea Princess 2/9/02; Explorer of the Seas 12/21/02; Coral Princess 8/9/03; Nordic Empress 12/27/03; Regal Princess (4/20/04)

-- Caribbean Princess (12/26/04) -- Roll Call (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=9323078957)
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-- Royal Princess (4/21/05) -- Roll Call (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=999100981&r=999100981#999100981)
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[srphnx]

Daisy,
Our flight from sky harbor is fast and easy to Seattle, not as fast as SF but not bad, I am eyeing that SF 10 day to Mexico on Saphire later in the year to break up the Diamond run, but who knows I am booking two more opens on Sunday.

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[jsiegel]

Welcome back and thank you for your review and cell phone report.

I have a question about embarkation on the Regal in SF. How much of a walk is it from the dock to the ship? My mother can't walk far and wants us to request a wheelchair. I don't think she'll need it. We're getting bused to the pier so I imagine we will be dropped off right in front of wherever it is you line up for the credit card check, etc. How far is it from there to the gangplank?

Jackie

Regal Princess June 5 2004 Alaska
Windstar Tahiti 2003/4
Sea Princess Mexico 2001
Nieuw Amsterdam HAL Alaska 1997
Crown Dynasty Panama Canal 1994
Vistafjord Cunard Mediterranean 1987

[meyerhaus]

Delores,

Welcome back! Did you, by any chance, happen to save your patters and/or menus? If so, I would love to add them to my site!

Thanks,
JON

MAKE SURE YOU GO TO MY NEW PATTERS AND MENUS SITE:
http://www.picgoo.com/uploads/patters.gif (http://www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus/)
www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus (http://www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus)

Golden Princess 7/11/04
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Big Red Boat-1993 (Amy)
Celebrity Zenith-1993 (Jon)

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Inside passage sailing is typically very smooth, there is movement but it isn't choppy. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Regal Princess is sailing from San Francisco to Alaska - while the inside passage is normally smooth, the sail from San Francisco north can be rough. I did it last year on Pacific Princess – admittedly a smaller ship - and it was the worst I experienced…stuff fell off the bathroom shelves. I’ve also done it when it’s quite smooth. Those on board who were affected with motion sickness were during the two day sailing north. The return trip south was smooth.

There are currents which come from the north along the Pacific coast – hence the rough water when sailing north.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> have a question about embarkation on the Regal in SF. How much of a walk is it from the dock to the ship? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ships normally tie up right next to the dock, so the walk is not substantial. At Pier 35 in San Francisco, there is, however a substantial walk – both from the curb down the length of the pier and then through check in and security. I’d get the wheelchair.

-------------------------
Sun Princess, 03/2004; Pacific Princess, 07/2003; Star Princess, 05/2003; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Sun Princess, 05/2001; Sun Princess, 04/2001; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Regal Princess, 10/1999; Sun Princess, 08/1998; Holiday, 05/1998; Westerdam, 09/1997; Regal Princess, 11/1996; Royal Odyssey, 09/1995; Starward, 11/1993

The sea going out of S.F. wasn't rough at all, but the wind was blowing so hard it almost knocked us down a couple times.The night we left we went into the Dome and only stayed a short time it was swaying quite a bit. I don't get seasick and that bothered me. Was fine after that. I believe if you are taking a bus they stop within the pier. We dropped off our luggage with a porter then walked around. The hardest part that we had was walking up the gangway on to the ship. It was really steap. I think Chris said this was his last trip with the Rega. He told us where he was going but can't remember what ship. I did make a future cruise reservation. Helped the post-cruise blues. We had several didables people on our ship. The crew seems to help whenever needed.We did bring home the Princess platter for each day. My daughter wanted it she is keeping them for souvenirs I hope this answered some questions if there is any other way I can help. Just let me know.

5/6 Regal Princess/ San Francisco
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[meyerhaus]

Delores,
I would save them, too! If you have a scanner, you could email them to me or if you wouldn't mind copying them, you could mail them and I could scan them myself. If not, no problem!

Thanks,
JON

MAKE SURE YOU GO TO MY NEW PATTERS AND MENUS SITE:
http://www.picgoo.com/uploads/patters.gif (http://www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus/)
www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus (http://www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus)

Golden Princess 7/11/04
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;7;11;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500
Big Red Boat-1993 (Amy)
Celebrity Zenith-1993 (Jon)

[Jmini]

Jackie, if you check back this way, here's the answer to your question. Very little walking. The busses are still allowed to drive into the pier. There is an elevator which no one bothered to tell us about so insist they help you find it. If it looks too much, they can get you a wheelchair. Depending on the tide, it can be steep getting onto the ship. We sailed Mercury out of there a couple of months ago. I'll be looking for you to post on your cruise. I hope you see this before you leave! Delores, can you remember what kind of seating they had in the showroom for people in wheelchairs? Do you remember a good place to sit inside to watch scenery? I'm a little concerned that the main observation area seems to surround what will probably be a noisy casino. I hope to hear from you. We sail the 15th and I haven't been on Regal. Thanks. Nancy

[jsiegel]

Thanks Nancy, and everyone else for your Regal/Alaska advice. We leave tomorrow morning.

Nancy, the bridge cam has been a black hole the last several days so I'm assuming they've lost Internet on the ship. I hope that's not the case. From another post I got your cabin number, so if I can't post and have any advice, I'll leave a note for you at the Purser's desk.

Have a great trip everyone. Hope the forecast of rain is in error for me.

Jackie

I believe the wheechairs set in the back behind the seats because there is steps at every level. The show lounge is elivated so that everyone can see good. The only place that I can remember where there is great viewing is on the pool deck but that is outside and if it is raining is wouldn't be good. Of course there is the dome but it is rather noisey. Weset outside a lot but the weather was beautiful not a cloud in the sky, except at Juneau. Hope this helps.

5/6 Regal Princess/ San Francisco
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[Jmini]

Thanks Delores. It looks like we will probably be stuck with noise then in the observation area. Mom in a wheelchair gets cold easily so it has to be fairly warm for her to tolerate sitting outside. Thanks, also, for the info on the showroom. It is what I expected, but it's nice to know for sure. Jackie, have a great trip! I doubt the rain but you are local enough to know the fog,wind,and cold could make for a chilly sail-away!

[jsiegel]

On board the Regal right now.

Nancy, I checked out the show lounge. The area for wheelchairs is on the upper level at the top, but good sight lines.

The Dome is probably the best interior area for scenic viewing, but the windows are tilted up, not down towards the view. There are seats at the front away from the slot machines.

We do have Internet, obviously, but the bridge cam is not working, still looks like the ship is in a black hole.

Slightly rough seas, they said this is the worst they've had so far.

I'll post a lot more when I get back, but if you have any specific questions, let me know.

Jackie

[jspivak]

Jackie,
If you can, please get the Patters, hopefully you'll be able to post them upon your return, so that we all know what to expect.
Also, if you have a chance, please tell us about the spa and the kids program (I'm particulary interested in the program for 6 y.o).
Do they have a new naturalist?

Where did you get into rough seas, was it right off SF?

Thank you so much, and enjoy your cruise.

[jsiegel]

New naturalist. He has expertise in whales and dolphins. His first talk was so-so.

New Cruise Director too. I've only seen him once, again, like the naturalist, so-so. One of the assistant cruise directors, Shelby, is bubbly and fun.

I'll try to get a look at the kids program. Do know that when I was doing something in one of the lounges a group of kids came through on some type of activity. They were very well behaved and seem to be having a great (organized) time, so your kids will probably do ok.

Jackie

Regal Princess June 5 2004 Alaska
Windstar Tahiti 2003/4
Sea Princess Mexico 2001
Nieuw Amsterdam HAL Alaska 1997
Crown Dynasty Panama Canal 1994
Vistafjord Cunard Mediterranean 1987

Regarding wheelchair viewing of scenery - while it's not been mentioned, one place that might be good to try is on the outside Promenade Deck. This deck does not circle the ship and normally the foot traffic there is light. While you're not afforded the open views that you might on the top decks, you do get a different, and often times a more close perspective.

Thanks for the comments - I'll be visiting my old friend Regal Princess in August.

-------------------------
Sun Princess, 03/2004; Pacific Princess, 07/2003; Star Princess, 05/2003; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Sun Princess, 05/2001; Sun Princess, 04/2001; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Regal Princess, 10/1999; Sun Princess, 08/1998; Holiday, 05/1998; Westerdam, 09/1997; Regal Princess, 11/1996; Royal Odyssey, 09/1995; Starward, 11/1993

[Jmini]

Hi bdjam. We love the promenade deck on warmer cruises. We have been to Alaska before though and hope to find an inside place to watch scenery in case it's too cold for mom in her wheelchair. We really like the newer ships that have the inside swimmingpool areas. They are perfect for viewing on any cruise because they are climate controlled. Believe me, if the weather is favorable, we will be found on the promenade deck! thanks.

[kitsy]

Hey bdjam,
can't wait to hear about your trip. We're on the Regal on 7/25.

Kitsy
http://oldwestaussies.com/
Regal Princess to Alaska 7/25/04
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> can't wait to hear about your trip. We're on the Regal on 7/25.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You'll be there before me...I won't be on until August...let us know what you think!

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Sun Princess, 03/2004; Pacific Princess, 07/2003; Star Princess, 05/2003; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Sun Princess, 05/2001; Sun Princess, 04/2001; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Regal Princess, 10/1999; Sun Princess, 08/1998; Holiday, 05/1998; Westerdam, 09/1997; Regal Princess, 11/1996; Royal Odyssey, 09/1995; Starward, 11/1993

[Coral]

Jmini - I just returned from Alaska. On the top deck in the front on the Dawn Princess, the very center area - there was a section reserved for those in wheelchairs the days we were at College Fiords and Glacier Bay. These individuals had prime viewing area in such a way that no one could block their view. I was glad they did this for these individuals.