sirclean

I stop at the bar in front of the buffet and get a large glass of ice.  Then I go to the drink area in the buffet and get a cup of hot water and sugar substitute.  There are tea bags available, but I drink decaf so I bring my own decaf bags from home.  But, except for decaf, they have a pretty good selection right by the hot water. 

On the plane, the cpap and computer and assorted electronics fit overhead, but clearly not under the seat. The itinerary states, "Please note that luggage storage on the train is limited to the area immediately beneath your feet...."  

So that is the issue I dont want to be stepping and kicking my cpap or laptop, or have my knees in my chest.

Pictures of the train anyone?

We are taking the Connesour Cruise Tour next week!  

What makes it different?  Most  meals are included at the resorts.  Some excursions are included too.  You will have a travel guide as well.  

10 years ago I went with my family and were 'on our own'.  We are trying this way this time.  We have high hopes that it is worth the extra costs, but Im sure it will be!  Im usually the planner, so having someone else in charge of many of the plans is a vacation in itself!

Just checking the agenda.  We will travel for about 4 1/2 hours on the train from Denali the Park to Denali the mountain.  There is a note that the space is limited to the space below your seat on the train.  (Im 6'3" and not small around either), so space under my seat may be needed to hold me!  

anyone have pictures or experience on the train?  (I was on the train 10 years ago, and from the more recent pictures it is a very different set up. )  

Any thoughts about the Train?  I remember the train as one of the highlights of the last trip, I dont want to have issues being squished this time! 

We are doing a Cruise Tour (tour, then cruise). I have done one before. I know that each will be able to get a bag sent to the ship to await our arrival.  The other will travel 'with us'.  I have Elite status, so I have laundry on the ship, so I suppose that cuts my packing requirements.  

Before married, I did a tour with my family. That tour was only a few days, this one is 7.  Also, since then, I have more 'devices' (like a CPAP) that will need to travel with me on the bus and such.  A small suitcase is required for the cpap and the computer I will need to have with me (and a pillow I need for my knees when I sleep).  Another will be needed for my clothes.

What packing advice does anyone have to offer?  

When I was in Kindergarten my father was sure that a tree jumped right behind the car and took a bite out of the bumper!  Im sure that a well watered dock could move just as fast if sufficiently angered! 

On the Sapphire in June and the roulette wheel added the 000.  i wasnt a frequent visitor, but the $25 blackjack table was not open when I went by (which was the only table with 'fair' odds for a blackjack). 

Craps was also not open when I went in, but it had low odds bets (behind the pass line). 

My travel partner played video blackjack and reported that the 'dealer' would miraculously pull the cards needed.  Like he would have a 20, and the dealer would start with a five, only to get a six and ten (meaning he would lose!)  He only played $30 worth, but that experience, and discussions with others in the elevators discouraged him from further play.

Yes. They are live presentations.  While the presentation is live, they are taping it.  If you choose to watch it again, you can view it on the tv in your room.

The Dirty Banana is still available and still great!!  However, especially in Alaska, they are using paper straws. The ice is not exactly fine crushed, so it can block the straw, and eventually, the straw 'goes flat'. 

However, the ice sticking in the straw keeps you from drinking too fast (so no cold rush headache).  Also, it slows you down so that you dont drink too many, too fast!

There are some other frozen concoctions that are just as good. If you remember their names, they will have them!

Other items may include safety lights that come on when motion is detected.  Some are annoyed, but 'better safe than sorry!'. 

Skagway may be a water shuttle port after the rock slides.

I enjoyed the 2 week (up and back) cruise.  The 26 Glacier excursion in Whittier is well worth the cost and gives some fun things to do on that turn around day.

If you pay for the extra plus package, (whatever it is called) They will have reserved seats for the production shows (not the others, though).  They are not the 'best seats in the house' but they are available, but you will need to be quick as there are now lurkers that come late and pounce on them when they become available. 

You can use your medalian for some land purchases now, but they are likely the shops that princess has an ownership in. 

Enrichment shows are taped and if you miss one, you can see it in your room later. 

I have not used them, but I believe that there are ATMs either near Guest Services or the Casino.  They may have local currencies available. Someone on here will know for sure! 

i put my CPAP on the floor, or some of the end tables have a shelf space followed by drawers.

Also, on the older ships that used to have the picture tube TVs (not flat screens), there are plugs where the TVs used to be. 

In general, the early show is busier than the later show, no matter what it is.  I suspect that Princess folk are not busy late into the night, so they are getting ready for bed by 10.  (At least I am!)  So the later shows seem to be less well attended, in general.

I have found that the 730 shows have been pretty full, but the 930 shows were not as full. 

My November trip has replaced Monterey with Santa Barbara, but no excursions are listed for that port yet.  Are there excursions listed yet for the other trips that have replaced Monterey with another port?

You  will select a boarding time on the app.

I think that it is one of the options under "Get Ocean Ready"

However, in my experience, and what has been posted here on Cruise Critic by others, the boarding time is not exactly followed. 

We boarded a few weeks ago on the Sapphire for a 2 week Alaska run and no one, that I recall, checked our boarding time.  I think that we had boarded before our time had come up. 

My November cruise has changed from Monterey to Santa Barbara.

It started last week, and was not very busy.  Perhaps as it gains popularity it will be more available. 

Also know that Canada Place does not have lines for Global Entry or Nexus.

Be aware that the website may be willing to sell you many things that you may already have paid for in your package.  You might also be able to buy the drink package, even though you have plus.

I dont know how they rectify these issues when someone buys something already covered.  (For instance, you can also buy bottled water to be delivered to your cabin, but it is free with Plus, you just need to ask any bar for one, or two, or more and they will give them to you).

Another hint for future duck hiders.... I started this thread, and most of the ducks I found were above me.... Im 6'3", and most were at or above my eye level.  One was in an elevator, the others were on top of hand sanitizers, a fire alarm, or above the elevator signs.  IF you want them to be found by kids, place them lower, where kids can reach them (or tall, fat, old people, like me, wont be able to bend over to get them!)  {And I CAN bend over.... I just have problems straightening back up!!--  Getting old aint for the young!!}

I have seen walkers on the side of the main dining rooms.

In the Horizon Court, there are helpers that will carry their plates for them (I have seen this).

3 minutes ago, galelynn said:

So when do you'll thing Princess will reinstate the dividends payments on stock ownership? Loved it when it went to $0.50 per share/ per quarter. That's $2 per share, per year. I own 3,100 shares, can't wait.

Given the debt that they took on during COVID, I dont think that they will have the cash flow to spend on dividends anytime soon. 

Id say that was the age of the ones on the Sapphire last week.  Gangling 'teenager' puppies.  

And yes, it was a 'photo selling opportunity'. 

We were in Skagway last week ( on the Sapphire).  The 'puppies' were not exactly 'new borns'.  They only brought on 2, and I thought that they were well managed.  In olden days, they did bring much younger puppies for pictures, but they were all tuckered out, and spent much of the time sleeping together in a ball, and not used for pictures or held. 

3 minutes ago, 2 cruises a year said:

I wonder how many veterans will sell their stock now?  Oh, I forgot, the stock is worthless at this time.  

I will gladly pay the postage to anyone willing to sign over their "worthless" stock to me!!