HadCDL

On our cruise they had 6 sessions which filled....but it wasn't an every day thing. They did it 3 times the evening we participated. That's part of why they keep you downstairs and do the "introduction." Another crew member is upstairs re-setting it from the previous group. When the person doing the intro was called on the walkie-talkie' date=' we were taken upstairs to begin.

 

I didn't have a clue about what it was other than people here mentioning it, but when I asked the young adults in our party if they wanted to sign up, they know exactly what it was.[/quote']

 

 

YES, it's a land thing now too.. common in larger cities as a group experience.

Just as an aside. A few years ago the PBS travel show guy Rick Steves was on a Princess European cruise with his girl friend. They had a standard balcony cabin, but, being who he was, Princess comped them the suite perk of breakfast in Sabatini's. The girl friend posted in their travel blog that they always ordered a couple of ham-cheese-on-croissant breakfast sandwiches to take with them and stash in their backpacks for lunch while in port. Guess some people can get away with stuff like that. :confused:

I was on a north-bound Alaska Princess cruise last spring and brought an apple or bagel (and sometimes lox) sandwhich along almost every port day, more for my low blood pressure, nut allergy and ease. It was worth the risk for me.. and no one ever looked or asked. But the pre-packaged bought ahead items sound wise also. Enjoy!!

It won't hurt to select it.

 

Have you ever been on a cruise? It sounds like you are doing all the work and worrying. It is really easy--as long as they show up at the terminal' date=' they will be cared for. There is virtually nothing that can't be handled from that point on, provided they show up with the required documents. Forgetting a passport....yeah, that is a deal breaker.[/quote']

 

And - likely assumed here - but good to mention - Seattle has 2 cruise ship terminals. Important to have the number (and address) for Uber driver, because they might assume it is the other downtown waterfront one which is more visual for us locals.

It sounds like Princess has set loading times based on floor levels. Our TA sent us ours, and I might have found it somewhere in the cruise personalizer.

 

I think they should bring you along (as a thanks) another time!

I'm traveling back to Alaska (on Princess, RT inside passage) next month. I went last spring (Northbound Vancouver to Whittier, also Princess) with a gal friend and am seeking fun ideas to enjoy as a couple on board. We will have a balcony room AFT ship.

I know many of the ports, and we have some excursions planned, but open to exploration ideas as well.

Thanks!!

Hi Everyone! We're cruising in 2 weeks on Carnival Liberty to Nassau and Freeport with our 2 young daughters. One is 3.5 and the other will be 9 months. Does anyone have any suggestions for packing items to make our lives easier? I've compiled my own list and also have done some reading around on various forums, but want to make sure I don't miss anything. This will be our first time cruising! Also any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I've heard the suggestion for an over-door clear shoe holder as a great way to store/keep and divide supplies (out of reach of young arms). And some lines let you pre-order baby food.

You have to feel things out. Each cruise has a different passenger demographic. Alaska should be a younger crowd, not lined up @ 4:30 like a nursing home waiting for the doors to open. You probably will not have difficulty if you get to the DR around 5:30. Sometimes theater shows are early, 7:00 and then 9:00. On those evenings we go to the early show then dine either in the DR or Horizon Ct. Horizon Ct. food is OK, some evenings better than others. They sometimes have theme nights.Watch the Patter.

We did the Star last June and found 6pm Anytime a slight wait (5-10 mins), but reasonable. You get seated faster (and hear of more adventures) if you are willing to share a table with others; we did that about half the time and made some neat connections.

Actually, the OP was asking pre-reserving the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and Breakfast which as the name implies is served in your cabin. He was also asking about paying for it with OBC.

 

The answer provided is that you cannot pre-reserve so the OBC question is not applicable.

 

In response to what your TA told you, I have never heard anything like that before. One restriction on pre-reserving dinner in the specialty restaurants is that it can't be done for embarkation night. This is because suite guests as well as many other passengers that receive free specialty dinner as a perk receive the benefit on the first night. I have not seen any restrictions on pre-reserving the other nights since Princess started offering this option.

Oops - thanks for the corrections; will discuss whether to look into it ahead or sort it near start when arriving on board.

I am going on my honeymoon on Crown Princess 12/7/18 and am reading about this Sanctuary. We are booked in an inside, so this sounds appealing to me for sea days. I have pricing, but what other amenities are there other than private loungers?

On some itineraries (AK etc.) the Sanctuary isn't even open. The pool area was drained on Star to AK last June, and covered area never open. At the other end of the ship the AFT Skywalkers club area is often calm & quiet with great views during the day.

Enjoy!

i am getting overwhelmed researching Alaska cruises. Do any of you have strong feelings about choosing northbound or southbound cruises (pros or cons) ? Also, any ships to avoid? Or consider?

Thanks for any advice!

As a Seattle native I've always preferred the Northbound travel (whether by our WA state ferries to San Juans, Alaska Ferry from Bellingham, WA) or the 1-way cruise to Whittier (from Vancouver) last June. I think the landscape gets "more wild" as you move north, and am not sure if the landscape would be a let-down starting with the awesome Glaciers.

Also - YES to what others have said preferring covered Princess ships; we did Star last June.

And YES to Glacier bay, if possible.

But, MANY folks say do land tour first if doing that.. and rest afterwards. Have fun planning!

I agree with above and Royal Caribbean. We are about to do our second trip to Alaska with all 4 kids ages 19, 17, 15, 10 on Radiance of the seas Southbound. Last time was four years ago to Alaska and my 10 yr old says it has been his favourite cruise to date and he loves ves the caribbean also. They love these ships! Although Alaska is much different atmosphere and not the party type thing. They will still go for a swim and hit the kids clubs sometimes but they stay busy watching for whales and anything else they can see. For us the big thing on this route is Icy Strait Point(Hoonah) to go whale watching and of course glaciers.

How does RC do for family-room options and pricing? Kids free or reduced? Options for more than 4 in a room? DO you get connecting same rate, or do across hall indoor/balcony? Does RC require someone 18 yrs in each room like Princess? Thanks! (Planning to brig along our current 4, 6, & 9 year olds in a couple years; sailing with just hubby this month).

NCL Bliss. Waterpark, race track, laser tag, active kids club, good food, and no formal nights!

Does NCL or others offer better discount s for kids or family sized rooms? Princess doesn't seem to; we have 3.

Don't rule out Vancouver RT . It's is only 140 miles north of Seattle and easily reached by rental car, buses, or scenic train ride.

Vancouver departures sail between Vancouver island and the mainland so it's more scenic and calmer water.

Seattle departures sail on the west side of Vancouver Island so it's basically open ocean ... nothing to see and chance of rougher water.

Plus Seattle sailings often have a stop at Victoria 7pm-midnight; a lovely port but awkward timing to do much.

Just a few things to consider.

In addition to Ann Viponds book, read thru past trip reports posted above to get an idea of what worked for other families on their visits to Alaska. The first line generally indicates the ship, date, itinerary and who travelled.

Have fun with your planning !

I'd second the Vancouver option (easy train or bus from Seattle IF you leave enough time, maybe best a day+ ahead). Princess is known for land tour options before or after once in AK. I did one-way (Vancouver to Whittier, AK) last spring with Glacier Bay sites and really want to bring our kids back when older. Teen and tween groups seemed medium small in early June but also seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Get Passports for ALL for sure.. some of the longer train options (Skagway) require them.

I made a tradition of hot tub sail aways. Found it quieter (and better views) AFT, outside teen center. Good in any weather!

Hey everyone! I am looking for the princess patters for Alaska 2018 we are going out of Vancouver I know it’s very early in the season but was hoping that maybe someone has gone on an Alaska cruise early in the season. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has copies of them 😀

Yes -- for Emerald (inside passage, Seattle) also if anyone has them! (If not I'll try to save and scan later in June..)

Puppies in the Piazza were at 5pm in Skagway. Movies shown throughout the cruise include...Coco, Black Panther, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Paddington 2, Jumanji. Port days were slow on activities. No issues regarding the rudder, what ever the issue was it seemed to be taken care of in Juneau.

Thanks much -- any "Movies Under the Stars" concerts you remember listed? Those have been some of my favorites in the past.

Going RT on Emerald in a couple weeks.

Also sailing Coral SB later in the year. I have seen others post pictures....we all will happily take whatever we can get!!! Menu pics as well will also be much appreciated if anyone happens to take them !

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

These pics are likely much older, but maybe helpful [http://beyondships.com/Princess-CP-Profile.html]

Tom, I don't even see an option in my cruise personlizer for pre-purchase of these dining experiences.

I tried with no luck - our agent called/asked and they said due to volume (of OBC dining credit) they will pre-assign folks to spevial dining (likely Crowne Grill) and then we can ask to change days/times if space is available.

Best thing I brought for first cruise was 1-2 shoulder bags for carrying things around on the ship (reusable water bottle, hat on/off etc.).

With a roommate we liked having a dry erase board to write messages to each other (instead of texting etc.)

Closepins of different colors can be used to mark whose towel is whose with roommates, etc.

We like the "pop-up" hampers & nightlights, as mentioned already, especially when traveling with children.

Also love the candy idea!!