Live Report from Alaska - Rhapsody of the Seas

twiggers · #1 July 27th, 2012, 09:04 AM

Well, it's that time again! Another live report from a (hopefully) great Royal cruise. This time we chose Alaska. We were originally supposed to visit Alaska last year on the Radiance, but our cruise was canceled due to the extended dry dock so we opted for Europe. So this year we were determined to get to Alaska, but we opted for the round-trip cruise instead.

Here is some background about us so you can determine whether to continue reading:

I am a 34 year old college professor and DH is 45 (currently not working). Hubby is diabetic with severe neuropathy and not able to walk long distances. Therefore, cruising works for us. I go crazy on the ports and he vegs out.

We don't really drink, are nonsmokers (former smokers), and are a bit of homebodies. This means we tend to spend a lot of time in our room. We do, however, love trivia and I try to go to all the shows.

We are booked in a junior suite, which is our preferred cabin choice. We like the bit of extra space and the double points. Speaking of which, this is our first cruise as Diamond, so I am looking forward to seeing some of the extra perks.

We are booked on a whale watching excursion in Juneau and the White Pass Railroad + Yukon in Skagway. We have nothing planned yet for Victoria.

The plan for this trip is to just relax...we just got back a few days ago from 17 days in Ireland, so this is our "vacation from vacation."

I'll plan on updating at least once a day and answering whatever questions you have. I am really excited to see the refurbished Rhapsody! We were just on Grandeur in the spring, so we have a bit of a comparison.

beth96 · #2 July 27th, 2012, 09:10 AM

I look forward to reading your live report. We are on the Rhapsody next week!

twiggers · #3 July 27th, 2012, 09:14 AM

Pre-Cruise in Seattle

We have already visited Seattle before and we're still trying to unwind from our Ireland trip, so the plan was just to veg out and watch some Breaking Bad (we just got hooked on it during our Ireland trip) on Netflix.

We flew American Airlines direct from DFW to SEA. No problems with the flight. We did check luggage this time (because of the bulky coats and gloves, etc.) and had to wait quite a bit for the luggage to come out.

We booked an airport hotel. The downtown hotels were too expensive for our taste (over $200/night) and we weren't really interested in exploring Seattle anyhow. So we booked a La Quinta near the airport. There weren't many options by the time I booked and we generally have no problems with La Quinta (we use them when traveling in the US because we have a dog). The hotel has a shuttle and it was really easy to follow the signs to the pick-up.

Checked into our hotel around noon and went across the street for a bite to eat at Dave's Diner. It was actually really good! The rest of the day we spent napping (we're still on European time) and watching Breaking Bad.

Up at 4 AM.....my biological clock has no clue what time zone I am on!!!

We arranged for Seattle Express to pick us up at 10 AM so we can try and board early. They only charge $12 per person.

More later!!

twiggers · #4 July 27th, 2012, 09:15 AM

How exciting Beth!!! I bet you can't wait to get here

fischymom · #5 July 27th, 2012, 10:12 AM

Victoria was beautiful, we did a walking tour and then took off on our own to just explore. You said that your hubby can't walk any distance but maybe you could get a driving tour. It really is a beautiful town.

AIROHS · #6 July 27th, 2012, 10:25 AM

Can't wait to hear more, we're on the Rhapsody august 10th, same itinery i think.

Arizona Cruz Chic · #7 July 27th, 2012, 10:30 AM

We are hanging on every word of your live report as we are on the Rhapsody on the 23rd.

***

d4nigirl · #8 July 27th, 2012, 11:56 AM

Have a great time! Alaska was by far one of my favorite cruises, we were on Rhapsody last year for it. It was a great ship and I saw some pics of the updates and it looks great!

We met some friends who had a great time on the whale watching excursion in Juneau and said it was well worth it.
My parents did the White Pass and loved it.
We just walked around Victoria. It was the first time that we had sun (of course our last day) and the city was so gorgeous. There are buses that take you from the ship to town. There were many cute cafes.

You'll have a great time!

birdylady · #9 July 27th, 2012, 02:05 PM

Oh I am so looking forward to revisiting my Rhapsody cruise via your trip. I know we had a great time. The only less than wonderful weather was the day we set sail from Seattle. Whale watching in Juneau? Harv & Marv by any chance. They were absolutely FIRST CLASS!!!

I'm sure you'll enjoy the view from the train in Skagway. It was so beautiful.

Victoria is a beautiful place. Hopefully you can get a bus tour or some such since DH is limited on his walking.

Erika

golf43 · #10 July 27th, 2012, 02:18 PM

Looking forward to hearing more about your cruise. We are booked on this ship next May.

39august · #11 July 27th, 2012, 02:27 PM

When we were in Victoria about three years ago, we just hired a taxi to show us around. I think we paid about $40 for the two of us and he drove us around about 1.5 hours. Gosh, Victoria is SOOOO beautiful.

twiggers · #12 July 27th, 2012, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the Victoria suggestions! I was hoping maybe a driving tour of some kind. All hubby wants is to eat some crab legs somewhere!!

We are on board now and it's chilly and overcast. Sitting on deck having some tea (I got hooked on it in Ireland).

I'll post a full report tonight.

And yes, we are using Harv & Marv.

Gordo · #13 July 27th, 2012, 04:09 PM

Very excited to have a Live Review of Alaska, sailing on Rhapsody (we were on her last November).

Can't wait to read about your tour with Harv and Marv. Our friends loved their experience with them.

Have a fabulous vacation.

alaska_planner · #14 July 27th, 2012, 05:13 PM

so you'll be in some of the ports together with the Radiance..
my daughter should be boarding the radiance as we speak..

here's her ship right now on embarkation day in Seward:

DonnaK · #15 July 27th, 2012, 05:27 PM

Bon voyage!!!

Can you let us know who the cruise director is, so I can update the current CD list?

LEtue · #16 July 27th, 2012, 05:36 PM

Thanks so much for taking the time to start the thread and report live from the Rhapsody!

I'll be sailing on her next May and can't wait to read more. Also booked with Harv & Marv and taking the Whitepass RR in Skagway (first time on both)

pacificcoral · #17 July 28th, 2012, 02:55 AM

Just off the Rhapsody today. It was raining when we embarked in Seattle a week ago so it definitely could have been worse today. The weather was good by Alaska standards for the rest of the cruise meaning no rain.

I wish you the same kind of luck that people had last week whale watching in Juneau. There were about 15 whales out feeding last week. Very impressive. I talked with some locals that were out in a kayak in the middle of it and they said there were whales everywhere.

Hopefully you don't get socked in with fog in Skagway. We went into the Yukon and it cleared in the afternoon over there, but it was still cloudy on our return to Skagway.

The cruise director is Casey, but I don't remember his last name.

Make sure to check out the aerial show. They were amazing although I would recommend getting there early to get a good seat as it gets pretty crowded.