Just booked 3 elderly on Spirit June 23- could use some tips please

[vikeqn]

Hello Carnival faithful!
I just booked my 79 year old mom and 2 of her 80 year old bible thumpers on the June 23rd sailing of the Spirit South bound Alaska. I have lots of questions.
How far is the bus ride from Anchorage to where the ship sails?
Is it a pretty ride?
They do not have a balcony - are the decks usually crowded? They refused to spend the money on a balacony. They are on the main deck (4) and have an exterior promonade right below them. I wonder if there are chairs to sit on down there?
I have never cruise Carnival before - will they have set dining times? I requested them main dining but was told the'd find that out later on the ship?
How is Carnivals coffee?
Any idea for cheap shore excursions for elderly?
Any help would be great.
Thank You!
Any idea what nights are the formal nights?

[bethee]

Have not done Alaska but can answer a few questions.
If you requested Main dining then you should get it.
There are not Sr citizen's discounts that I have seen and now I would be looking.
/since Spirit class ships have so many balconies I would assume that there should be plenty of room from the deck. Do not know about chairs though.
Hope this helps some.

[nlt46]

There are plenty of chairs, lounges, etc, but people will sometimes stop and stand right in front of you. Many people with balconys still want to come outside to view things. You can see so much more outside. I'm sure that they will have a wonderful time. Nancy

99 Norwegian Sea 00Triumph
01 Victory 01 Spirit
02 Inspiration 02 Conquest
03Dawn Princess 04Celebration

[lstrong]

First formal night is the second night, cruising the Fjords.

[vikeqn]

Thank you for your help! I am still wondering how long the bus ride is from the Anchorage airport to the cruise port?
Anyone know?

[newaddiction]

I've heard the bus ride is 2-3 hours. We did a round-trip glacier bay cruise from Vancouver in September, aboard Spirit so I can't be positive about the bus ride. I'm sure it is beautiful, all of Alaksa that I saw was awesome.

Cheap shore excursions - They can get on the blue shuttle/bus in juneau and pay $10 RT to see mendenhall glacier. Great tour guides - we did this without booking through Carnival.

Booked the Salmon Bake through carnival (Juneau) and had a great time. I don't know about wheelchairs but they will be able to walk around and enjoy the scenery and food with no problems. The big malamute is very friendly so if they see him tell them to go pet him. He may be hunting marshmallows though.

Tori


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[lstrong]

Bus ride from Anchorage to Whittier is 1 to 2 hours, depending on the tunnel. It is a one-way tunnel so traffic has to wait while one direction goes, then another.