Donwoods123

I have had success resolving customer service issues by emailing Collin Steinke. His information is: Collin Steinke Director, Customer Relations 24305 Town Center Drive Santa Clarita, CA 91355 csteinke@princesscruises.com Might be worth a try.

We always use EZ Air. You get to pick your exact flights when you reserve it. We have not had any problems. We fly out of LAX with direct flights. We like the security of knowing that if we somehow are late, Princess will make arrangements for us to get to the ship at their expense. I would not hesitate to use them again.

Usually, the lectures about what to expect at Glacier Bay are a day or 2 b4 going to Glacier Bay. Princess also delivers to your cabin a paper handout that describes the main points about Glacier Bay. The ranger talks while the ship is at Glacier Bay are broadcast live on the stateroom tv. If you have a balcony, you can hear them from the tv. Glacier Bay is amazing. I am confident you will have a great time.

I have had success in the past when I emailed Collin Steinke. His info is: Collin Steinke Director, Customer Relations 24305 Town Center Drive Santa Clarita, CA 91355 csteinke@princesscruises.com

In the past, when we canceled a shore excursion before we sailed, we received a refund to our credit card. The Deadliest Catch shore excursion is amazing. One of the best things they did was to sail close to an island and feed the eagles. They flew really close to the boat to get the food. I am confident that you will have a great time.

The tram is a good option if it is a clear day. The views are pretty amazing. If it is not clear, I would skip it.

When we were in Juneau one time, we went on a Princess excursion that was a canoe ride to the base of the Mendenhall Glacier and we got to walk in the glacier. We really enjoyed it.

Princess does a really good job in Alaska. We have been there many times. They have many Alaska specfic activities such as ranger talks, bringing "sled dog puppies" on board, and a presentation by Libby Reynolds. Glacier Bay and College Fiord are amazing. If you go to Endicott Arm, you take the risk of the ship not being able to get close enough to even see the glacier if there is considerable ice in the water. This happened to us last August. They do offer an excursion where a small boat takes passengers from the ship and goes really close to the glacier. It is expensive, but worth it.

I agree that the Garden is underwhelming at night, although when we were there they had fireworks. They were ok, not great. Last time we were there, we just took a walk to the harbor. It took about 15 minutes to get there.

New Zealand is amazing. We sailed on the Royal last month around New Zealand. It is so clean and safe. It reminds me of how California used to be 40 years ago.

Ours rarely gets back to us. Very frustrating. We are elite and for the next cruise, we will use a TA for that reason.

On the Royal in February (rt Sydney) a gentleman was refused entrance to the mdr one evening because he was wearing shorts. I was surprised, but thought it was the right call.

Last August, we had a short time there. We just took a walk to the harbor. It took about 15 minutes to get there. It was ok, not great.

We always book our Princess excursions as soon as we book the cruise. The price seems to increase as you get closer to sailing and they are generally even more if you book while on the ship. The Hubbard glacier excursion is great. We were able to get really close to see and hear the calfing up close. Much better than remaining on the ship. They even offered us drinks made from glacier ice. As noted above. This excursion tends to sell out quickly. I recommend that you book this now. It can always be canceled if you change your mind.

We have been to Alaska many times in Princess, including in May and September. Two years ago we went at the end of September and the weather was good (but pretty windy) except in Glacier Bay where it was so foggy that we could barely see Marjorie Glacier. We went back the following May and the weather was glorious. As noted above, there are no guarantees on the weather any time of the year. I agree that you can get great values in the stores in September as they are trying to sell their remaining inventory. One thing to consider is that if you are going to visit Endicott Arm, the ship may not be able to get close enough to see the glacier if there is considerable ice in the water. In that case, September would be better. One time in Sepember, we were able to see the Northern Lites from our balcony the last night on the way from College Fiord to Whittier (port for Anchorage). I also agree that May is a little early to see Bears and salmon. Alaska is amazing any time of the year.