LucyDiamond

Thanks so much for your review of Share. I'll be on the Ruby in two months and am even more excited. However, I am apprehensive about one thing. I'm traveling solo and am wondering if the Share concept will work for solo travelers. I love meeting new people and do enjoy sharing larger tables for my meals.

Paula

Thanks everyone for your comments. I feel confident I'll have time to do both tours. I'm really looking forward to whale watching but that tour is only 2 hours long and I wanted something to do in the afternoon. Plus, I enjoy the tours. I did a whale watching tour in Alaska and am really looking forward to seeing some breaching in Hawaii.

Paula

This coming February I'm doing Princess's R/T LA to Hawaii. I travel solo and prefer to take the ship's excursions. My plans on Maui are to take two tours, Whale Watching in the morning (9:45-11:45) and Iao Valley & Maui Tropical Plantation in the afternoon (12:30-4:30). Maui is a tender port so I'm hoping that we'll meet up with the tours on shore and NOT on the ship. If this is true, will my plans work? They give me 45 minutes in between tours when I hopefully can grab a bit to eat. Has anyone gone on more than one tour in a port?

TIA

Paula

Norris,

I just found your review and am loving it. Great photos and videos! I'm really looking forward to reading the rest.

Paula

Available on select ships only, Chef Stone's specialty restaurant will debut in December aboard Emerald Princess, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean, and Ruby Princess, sailing from Los Angeles to Hawaii and Mexico.

Cool! I'll be on the Ruby next February!

Paula

Paula,

We are on an Off the Beaten Path in July (LB7). I would very interested in hearing your impressions of EVERYTHING when you return.

 

Have a wonderful and safe trip.

I looked up your tour. I see you are going to Copper River. I'd be very interested to hear about that stop. I'm taking MB7 which stops in Kenai. Other than Denali, Kenai is the main area I want to see. I will post my impressions when I get back. This will be my first cruisetour with Princess so I'm excited about that. I've been on a few Princess cruises and really like the line.

Paula

Stunning video! Makes me even more excited to begin my Alaska adventure day after tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.

Paula

Another thing you might consider is the itinerary. If you sail out of Vancouver, you won't stop at Ensenada. When sailing out of San Francisco or San Pedro, you will stop at Ensenada.

I was told by the Princess rep that met me at Heathrow last year that it's a good idea to put the tag on before you check your luggage. That way, IF your luggage gets lost it's easier to determine where it goes when found.

I think which departure port to pick would also depend on if you want to go to Ensenada. If you leave from Vancouver, you don't go there but you will if you leave from San Francisco. Personally, I have no desire to go to Ensenada so I'd pick Vancouver. IMHO

Paula

Sounds like mybe the kids are on the cruise with them?

Maybe they want to stay in touch onboard.

I didn't think of that.

I would like to stay in contact with my kids on the Star Princess on our upcoming cruise to Alaska. On the Disney ships, they have WAVE phones which worked well and my kids were able to let me know where they were going at all times.

 

Can someone please give me step by step instructions on how to set up text only on the AT&T iPhone 4s. I read somewhere that it only cost .50 for outgoing and .05 for incoming texts. I don't want to use unnecessary data or get an outrageous bill when I get home. Do I have to purchase a wifi plan on the ship? Doesn't the ship's wifi work by minutes used, not by per text? I'm totally confused on how this works. Please explain in the greatest of details. Thank you in advance.

Since you have the AT&T iPhone 4s I would recommend you wait until you are in port to text, if you can. Alaska is included in AT&T's domestic coverage area so you can use your iPhone 4s just as you do at home. In fact, you can even call your kids while in port and it will be a part of your normal minutes. :)

Paula

Brilliant! I love your videos.

I agree 100%! Dave is the best!!!

I just booked the Denali Explorer Cruisetour on the Grand Princess starting May 25. The cruise portion starts May 30 out of Whittier. I cruised the Inside Passage in 1983. At that time I promised myself I would go back and include a land portion to Denali. I know it's over a year away but I'm so excited about this particular cruise. :) It will be fun reading about everyone's 2015 Alaska cruises.

Paula

Crown E633 October, 2013 against the wall

I live in a city and we pay 25.00 for a mani AND a pedi together (PLUS TIP)

We have places that charge that little where I live and I've been to them. I just don't like the rushed feeling I get when I go to these places.

I just wanted the OP to get Princess's actual prices since price can be relative. :)

Prices are not as high as you might think. I just put in a fake appointment for my cruise in October and here are the prices:

Mani - $26 port day $29 sea day

Pedi - $41 port day $45 sea day

At home, I pay $18 for a mani and $40 for a pedi but I go to a day spa. I don't like the assembly line type mani-pedi shops we have.

Paula

Lost count but, I'm also a spreadsheet person. :D I add up all my expected expenses like tours, daily tips, drink sticker, coffee card, etc. I then buy myself that amount of OBC. It makes my ending folio amount much less. ;)

Paula

<doing the happy dance>

Pia - Have a GREAT cruise! I'm looking forward to reading all about it.

Paula

I have a couple of questions.

...Offer only available for ocean view or higher staterooms and for Cruises sold at a Fivestar or Group X price program rate...

What are Fivestar and Group X price program rates?

...an OBC ranging from $100-$300, depending on length of sailing....Onboard Credit amount is per stateroom and amount based on the number of cruise nights: 3-5 nights $100; 6-9 nights $200; 10 nights or more $300....

Does this mean that as a solo traveler, I would still get a $300 onboard credit for a 10+ night cruise?

TIA

Paula

I am very tempted by this offer. The fine print says, "Single occupancy bookings eligible for Offer." If I choose the OBC, does for an 11 night cruise, would I get $300 OBC (for the cabin) or only $150 since most bookings are double occupancy? I'll be traveling solo. Also, does anyone know what the price is for soft drinks if you purchase them individually?

TIA!

Paula

Anan Creek Alaska

 

WOW! It looks like the eagle decided not to fight the bear for the fish. Wise move if you ask me. ;) GREAT shot!!!

Paula

Here's a photo of the promo for the different packages:

 

Thanks Pam! Does anyone know what fountain sodas, juices, mocktails and shakes cost on an individual basis? TIA

Paula