First Time Cruiser - Alaska

I am looking to book 1st cruise - Alaska next summer as a graduation gift for one of our daughters. I am looking at Crown Princess in May, 2016 for our family of four (kids 21 & 22). I was told that I need to book two cabins next to each other.

I am excited and a little nervous and like to hear some suggestions from your experience and also any suggestion for excursions.

thanks

Just to add: a friend also suggestion Celebrity Solstice for the same timeframe.

What are the difference between Celebrity Solstice and Princess Crown?

Which one is better suite for our family?

decision, decision .....

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I don't know the schedules at the time you are planning to go, but I would definitely pick one that goes to Glacier Bay. Many ships include a day of scenic cruising there. The scenery is spectacular.

You do not have to book adjoining cabins, but it may save you a few steps. Some cabins have an inside door connecting the cabins. Most balcony cabins have a divider between the balcony. This divider can be remove to create a big balcony for the four of you.

Thanks Paul! It looks like Princess Crown is the one!

Cabins choice: we prefer the two cabins next to each other; at least one with Balcony. Is it worth the money to upgrade to mini-suit?

thanks

Your kids are not "children"...they don't need to be anywhere near you! Not all ships have balcony dividers that are removable, so making 1 "large" balcony isn't always possible. I can guarantee that the young adults won't make use of the balcony...I would book them in a cheaper category cabin. Sticking with 2 separate cabins will give everyone privacy that a mini-suite will not afford!!

I can guarantee that the young adults won't make use of the balcony...I would book them in a cheaper category cabin. Sticking with 2 separate cabins will give everyone privacy that a mini-suite will not afford!!

Completely disagree - our young adult children LOVED the balcony, absolutely loved it. Naps, peace and quiet, discussions at sea... the two of them were out there all the time.

OP enjoy16, it sounds like you have a lot of questions and while we are here to help you, you might do well to check with a real time travel agent in your area. If you don't have one already, ask family and friends for a recommendation. They can be invaluable in helping you plan and giving you advice and guidance.

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Your two kids can be anywhere on the ship, no need to be next door. And although you have much more space to move around in a mini-suite, you will have only one bathroom....And with two more young adults, get two cabins! EM

I am looking to book 1st cruise - Alaska next summer as a graduation gift for one of our daughters. I am looking at Crown Princess in May, 2016 for our family of four (kids 21 & 22). I was told that I need to book two cabins next to each other.

 

I am excited and a little nervous and like to hear some suggestions from your experience and also any suggestion for excursions.

 

thanks

You don't have to book two cabins next to each other. You can book two cabins across the hall from each other. There are also some cabins that sleep four. However, those can get crowded, and with four people (three of which are women) you might want to have two bathrooms which booking two rooms will get you.

A suite will sleep four, however, you run into the one bathroom issue again and two regular rooms is less expensive than a suite.

The advantage of booking two cabins across the hall from each other is that you can book a balcony for the parents and an inside for the kids, which will save some money over two balcony cabins.

If you book Dad and one daughter in one cabin and Mom and the other daughter in a different cabin, the cabins don't need to be anywhere near each other. You can then board the ship, go to guest services and change the room assignments so that the two daughters are in one cabin and the two parents are in their own cabin.

Since you are set on Princess, then I recommend that you go to the Princess board and ask your questions. Once you decide on a ship and sail date, then I recommend that you join the roll call for that cruise.

Purchase your cruise ASAP. The sooner the better. One, you will have a better chance of getting your choice of cabins. Two, if the price goes down, you can rebook at the new lower price. If the price goes up, you can keep the old lower price. However, if you don't book and the price goes up, then you cannot ask for the old lower price.

If you are going to get a balcony, get one on the Caribe deck. The balconies are large and partially covered. Yet this is still just a regular balcony cabin.

Thanks Paul! It looks like Princess Crown is the one!

 

Cabins choice: we prefer the two cabins next to each other; at least one with Balcony. Is it worth the money to upgrade to mini-suit?

 

thanks

I would not do it, especially in Alaska. Most of the mini suites do not have a cover over the balcony. If it is raining, the balcony is pretty much useless.

Your kids are not "children"...they don't need to be anywhere near you! Not all ships have balcony dividers that are removable, so making 1 "large" balcony isn't always possible. I can guarantee that the young adults won't make use of the balcony...I would book them in a cheaper category cabin. Sticking with 2 separate cabins will give everyone privacy that a mini-suite will not afford!!

You don't know those people. You have no idea what they like or don't like. You canNOT guarantee that the young adults will not use the balcony.

That said, I do agree with the rest of your post.

Here are some photos of a Crown Princess mini suite ...

More Crown Princess mini suite photos ...

The following is from a similar Princess ship, but not the Crown Princess ...

The balconies closest to the dock are the mini suite balconies. There is no cover over them. The balconies just to the left of the mini suite balcony (and one deck higher) are the Caribe deck balconies. They are about 1/3 covered and 2/3 uncovered. The balconies above the Caribe deck are regular balconies and they are fully covered, but smaller than the Caribe deck balconies.

The pics are great. We were upgraded to a mini suite on our Princess cruise last year, and loved the full tub and the size of the room. I do concur that it is still only one bathroom for 4 people... squishy but do-able (we did it twice). :)

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We are off on our first cruise in a few weeks, Thomson Spirit Ancient Wonders departing Marmaris 15/6 for 7 days.

Any advice or tips greatly appreciated particularly with regards to excursions.

Just in case we don't take to cruising like a duck to water opted for the all inclusive drinks package :)

thanks for all your suggestion, special thanks to Cuizer2 for the pictures.

Take the recommendation from you, We will book two cabins, one-interior, one mini-suit, both on the same deck: Caribe (preferred) or Dophin deck.

So overwhelmed by the choices, any other suggestions are welcome.

How about the mini suit balconies on the Dolphin deck? are they fully or partial covered?

We are off on our first cruise in a few weeks, Thomson Spirit Ancient Wonders departing Marmaris 15/6 for 7 days.

 

 

Any advice or tips greatly appreciated particularly with regards to excursions.

 

Just in case we don't take to cruising like a duck to water opted for the all inclusive drinks package :)

You may want to start a new thread with your post. This thread is dealing with Alaska and Princess. You will not get much of any response.

If you book Dad and one daughter in one cabin and Mom and the other daughter in a different cabin, the cabins don't need to be anywhere near each other. You can then board the ship, go to guest services and change the room assignments so that the two daughters are in one cabin and the two parents are in their own cabin.

This statement is totally irrelevant in this case, as both girls are 21 or over. At those ages, they can cruise without their parents, on any cruise line. (But I suspect they would need their parents' credit cards...). EM

thanks for all your suggestion, special thanks to Cuizer2 for the pictures.

 

Take the recommendation from you, We will book two cabins, one-interior, one mini-suit, both on the same deck: Caribe (preferred) or Dophin deck.

 

So overwhelmed by the choices, any other suggestions are welcome.

I don't believe there are any mini suites on the Caribe deck. Those are all regular cabins (with larger balconies). The mini suites are on the Dolphin deck.

How about the mini suit balconies on the Dolphin deck? are they fully or partial covered?

Some in the back are covered, but most of the mini suites have full exposed balconies. Take a look at the last picture I posted.

Thanks Paul

Your broad statement is wrong. Some cruise lines will not allow anyone under the age of 25 to be in a cabin without someone over the age of 25 in the same cabin ...

 

Costa Cruises

Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On selected seasonal departures, Guests 21 to 24 years old must have one person at least 25 years old in the same stateroom, who shall be responsible for the under-age 25 Guest. Guests who are responsible for the supervision of underage Guests shall ensure that they do not purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages or violate any other shipboard regulation. The minimum drinking age onboard is 21 years old for cruises departing from U.S. ports and 18 years old for cruises departing from non-U.S. ports. Passengers under the age of 18 may not play in the onboard casino or use any spa facilities and must be accompanied by a person over 18 on shore excursions. The Passenger's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise.

 

There may be other cruise lines with similar policies. I don't have them all memorized nor do I have Princess' policies memorized. Nonetheless, there is at least one cruise line that makes your broad statement wrong.

But they have chosen a Princess cruise, so the above is completely irrelevant. On Princess last year, I was able to book my 21 and 15 year olds into one cabin, and two 18 year olds into another cabin, with no issues or cabin swapping.

Your broad statement is wrong. Some cruise lines will not allow anyone under the age of 25 to be in a cabin without someone over the age of 25 in the same cabin ...

 

 

 

Costa Cruises

 

Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On selected seasonal departures, Guests 21 to 24 years old must have one person at least 25 years old in the same stateroom, who shall be responsible for the under-age 25 Guest. Guests who are responsible for the supervision of underage Guests shall ensure that they do not purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages or violate any other shipboard regulation. The minimum drinking age onboard is 21 years old for cruises departing from U.S. ports and 18 years old for cruises departing from non-U.S. ports. Passengers under the age of 18 may not play in the onboard casino or use any spa facilities and must be accompanied by a person over 18 on shore excursions. The Passenger's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise.

 

 

 

There may be other cruise lines with similar policies. I don't have them all memorized nor do I have Princess' policies memorized. Nonetheless, there is at least one cruise line that makes your broad statement wrong.

You are correct. Carnival also does not allow anyone under 25 to sail alone unless they are married not in the military (I believe).

By and large when booking a cruise the cruise line normally requires basic info about all occupants who will be traveling. That info usually includes date of birth and other information. That means if the line accepts the reservation, the person doing the booking will know immediately what the policy is.

Otherwise the best thing to do is to contact the cruise line yourself and discuss the age policies for families with folks younger than 25.

Remember also, policies can be changed at any time at the sole discretion of the cruise line. So what may have worked for someone yesterday may not work for someone tomorrow.