Lemon Tea

If the ship is moving, it's COLD. If you're on a small boat that's moving, it's COLD. If you're near a glacier, it's COLD. Layer, layer, layer, and add scarves, hats and gloves. You can pull layers off if you get too warm (or run inside for a bit).

 

Have fun!

Thanks! This was not our experience last year; so I was wondering what to expect. We had a lovely and warm trip!

Thank you so much!

We sail on the 27th. I am going to make sure I have a few scarfs - those seem to make a huge difference and don't take up much room. I live in DC and we have been getting pounded with rain for the last week and a half - I am hoping Alaska will give us a break from the rain!

 

Kathy

I'm in NY and feel the same way! It's been really wet and chilly this spring.

I've packed fleece, hats, and several pairs of cheap "stretchy" gloves--they are great for when it's cool. Hoping I won't need them too much!

I would take something warm while up on deck when the ship is moving. I think it can be very cool (cold). While in port not so much. I took a Baltic cruise last July and avoided the deck when we were at sea but while in port people were enjoying the outdoor swimming pools. So I imagine Alaska to be similar.

Yes, excellent idea. I cruised Alaska last July and we were very lucky to have great weather. I know we were spoiled! Walking around outside during sea days was my favorite. So I was trying to get an idea of how chilly it is right now on the ship. I'm planning for the worst (weather) and hoping for the best. :-)

Thanks so much for posting during your trip!

How's the temperature been for walking around on deck?

You may want to ask this poster who is posting live from Radiance in the RCI forum...

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2636461

Thank you!

Yes. Obviously I can do that. However, I was wondering how the temp felt on deck. I will edit my question to reflect that.

EDIT: Yes. I know I can google and check Weather.com, Accuweather, and Wunderground for actual temps. I was wondering how the temp felt on deck during the cruise. Sorry I was not clear originally.

We leave for our Alaska cruise on Friday (5/25) and I'm wondering how chilly it currently is in Alaska. I've seen pics on Instagram and folks seem bundled up onboard.

Thanks so much!

Thanks everyone! I think we'll go with Juneau Car Rental! I appreciate the advice.

Hi Folks!

My husband and I will be renting a car in Juneau for the day. I reserved with Avis but, thanks to the boards, learned about Juneau Car Rental. They have a car available the day we need it.

Any suggestions as to which is the better option? The google reviews for Avis have me a little concerned. I'm also a little concerned renting a car from a small operation like Juneau. I really don't know what to do!

The difference in price is only $20. So I'm asking about quality and service. Thanks so much!

Sorry, one more question: Did RCCL also print your flight boarding passes for you? Thanks for the help. I will share your comments with our Roll Call.

They did! The boarding passes and luggage tags arrived in an envelope the night before departure.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm happy to help. I learned so much from these boards before we cruised; I'm thrilled to pay it back.

Did you mean to say the forms needed to be filled out Tuesday for your Friday debarkation (3 days in advance)?

Yes! The forms must be completed by Tuesday for a Friday debarkation. They make that very clear. You simply drop your forms off at guest services.

Great to hear. Can you post details on how RCCL handled your request? Did they understand what you were asking for? Were all the plans made while on the ship?

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Sure! It was so easy.

The forms arrived in our stateroom on evening. (I believe it was Saturday or Sunday night.) I did not need to request them. They needed to be filled out by 10:00 am on Tuesday (our cruise ended Friday morning).

They refer to it as the "luggage valet program" and everyone in guest services seemed to be aware of it.

The form required your flight confirmation number, flight number, and the airport code of your final destination. My mom and I were sharing a stateroom and had the same final destination. HOWEVER, we had different confirmation numbers for our flight. So I went to guest services and got a second form.

It clearly states what times flights need to depart to qualify for the service. We flew Southwest and the flight could leave no earlier than 3:00 pm.

An envelope arrived the night before departure. It contained our luggage tags and boarding passes. We secured the luggage tags to our bags and put them in the hallway. The day of departure, we carried off our carryon luggage and prayed our bags would be waiting at home.

They were! :)

RCCL made this very easy. Like I said, I didn't even need to request the forms. They just showed up.

I picked up a flat of water in Seattle, put it in a large duffle bag (that I'd packed for this purpose) and affixed a luggage tag. I knew it might be confiscated but I wanted to try.

The bag was delivered with no problem. It was great to have bottles of water for the trip! (I did this for our 7/29/2017 sailing)

Used the service last week (8/4/2017) with Royal Caribbean. Worked GREAT. At my home airport, I was crossing my fingers my bags would appear and they did. I have to say, this made life so easy!

We cruised from Port Canaveral a few years back and saw multiple people with cases of water get through security with no issues. I am also sailing on the Explorer in September and plan to bring a case with me. I figure $3 for the case is worth the risk versus paying close to that for one bottle while on board.

That's my thinking too! Are you planning on carrying it on or putting a luggage tag on the case? I've seen both recommended.

Not strictly enforced.

Thank you so much! I've read that folks affix a luggage tag to their water. I'll try this and hope for the best.

Hello!

I understand the official RC policy is that no beverages are to be brought onboard. While researching this, I saw several posts from folks who did, in fact, bring a case of water onboard with them.

If this policy isn't strictly enforced, I'm fine with trying and understand it might be taken away.

However, if this is a strictly enforced policy, I won't bother wasting my time in Seattle buying a small case of bottled water.

Any advice is welcome!

Thanks everyone! We've decided to arrive around 1:00. I appreciate all the tips!

Best has too many meanings. Right off the bat, I can see two different answers:

 

Me? Pick one of those two, and don't go for the gap in between. ;)

Ah! This is so helpful! I totally understand that "best" varies by person. I had no idea that the doors to lunch close at 1:30. In fact, I have no idea what to expect at the port at all. The boards have been very helpful in that regard.

From you and the other poster, it sounds like arriving early ensures that you have time to settle in and get something to eat. I appreciate this info.

Thanks so much!

"Best" as in suggested times from experienced cruisers. As I mentioned, we've not cruised before. So I don't know what "best" would be. I thought, perhaps, there would be a window of time to aim for when arriving. However, it seems I was incorrect. We'll get there when we get there, I guess.

Thanks!

What's the best time for arrival at Pier 91? Our boarding time is between 10:30 and 3:00. We'd like to get breakfast before the cruise (we're flying in the day before) and I'm not sure what time to book our transfer.

It's our first time cruising and I've read that Pier 91 can be rather chaotic. Any other arrival advice is welcome!

Thanks so much!

Did anyone use VOOM streaming during the cruise? I just purchased it in my cruise planner (20% off) and am wondering what to expect.

Any updates on this service? We're cruising Royal Caribbean at the end of July. I'd love to use this service but I'm finding the official site woefully lacking solid information.

Thanks!