BRKNFL

So sad to see this!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/05/20/alaska-floatplane-crash-taquan-air-ketchikan/3750329002/

We are cruising one way from Whittier to Vancouver. Trying to determine if there will be any reason for us to carry some CAD with us. In addition to ending in Vancouver, in Skagway we will take the White Pass Rail up to Fraser, BC and then come back by bus with Chilkoot Charters. Is there an opportunity to purchase anything in Fraser from locals? Or do they transfer you from rail to bus pretty quickly? I thought I read somewhere that we would be fine with a no foreign transaction fee credit card in Vancouver? We will only be in Vancouver for half a day.

Thanks for your help!

Just wanted to update anyone who might be following or reading. We ended up choosing cabin P524 instead of 505 because it is port side and because it is below staterooms instead of below a public area. I read about the debates between sides when cruising Alaska, but in the end the thing that swayed me was reading that the gangway connects on the starboard side right near where we were originally thinking.

I found this website helpful describing the plaza deck: https://*****/CruiseShips/BestCabins.aspx?ShipName=coral+princess

And this video for a room comparison: 

Thank you so much everyone! Based on all the feedback we have decided to go with the Oceanview Room and we can't wait for our cruise!

I'll make sure and post a review after we return. I love the help of the CC community!

2 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

FWIW you cannot compare the Star to the Coral.

Thanks. I'm unfamiliar with the Star.

22 minutes ago, geoherb said:

The good thing about a Plaza Deck ocean view is that if you see something interesting, you can run upstairs to see it unobstructed. For the same price, it's great.

Good point!

9 minutes ago, fishywood said:

I sailed in a Plaza deck OV cabin on Star Princess. Never again. Just as much (if not more) noise from below as from above.

 

That said, the Plaza deck cabins on Coral being aft of the atrium rather than forward of it may be quieter and definitely will have less passersby than on the Grand-class ships as they are not bisected by the "Fine Arts" Gallery.

 

For my Alaska B2B last summer (northbound on Island, south on Golden) coincidentally on Island I was in a Baja interior cabin just a few forward of yours on Coral. Since I also planned to spend every possible moment out on deck having a windowless cabin gave me a helpful nudge to be up & out on time for every opportunity. Also as the MDRs and HC are forward rather than aft on Coral & Island, forward on Baja is equally convenient to both as well as the theater.

 

While I wasn't able to take advantage of any price drops (or offered a free upgrade) I am glad I stayed put and saved the cost of the upsells I could have taken for both. But no cost is enticing, the days will be long and southbound has a few hours less in port than northbound. So while I wouldn't jump without a second thought as some of the other responses would, its your decision--with no harm either way.

This is exactly the kind of input I was hoping for, thank you! So do you happen to know, or does someone know what is aft on the Gala Deck (4) on the Coral? Engine?

36 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Considering that the ever changing view is basically 24/7 on an Alaska cruise, I would definitely go for the window. No matter how much time you plan on spending on deck, you can’t be out there all the time. Some of the most amazing views we saw when we sailed to Alaska were from the comfort of our stateroom, and when we least expected it. I always remember looking out the window a few minutes after waking up and seeing whales just pop out of the water not too far from the ship. That’s the kind of thing I would’ve missed if I didn’t have a view from my stateroom. 

17 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

I would grab 505. It is 5 cabins away from the atrium. So no noise imo from the atrium.

Above is a carpeted hallway with the photo desk and shopping host desk as well as the IC off to one side but not over the cabin.

There is really nothing there that would be too noisy above.

A quick run 2 decks up to the Promenade deck viewing outside!

Thank you Tapi and Colo Cruiser! You make very good points. Hopefully someone out there has been on Baja deck in this area before.

Sailing Coral Princess Voyage of the Glaciers SB in June. We’re currently booked mid-forward interior, Baja 421. For the same price we’ve been offered to switch to mid-aft oceanview, Plaza 505.

We chose the interior room originally because of price and having staterooms above and below. We are planning on spending lots of time outside on the decks for viewing.

The window would be nice, but do you think it would be be noisy near the atrium? Any other positives or negatives when comparing Baja deck to Plaza deck?

Which would you choose?

Bump...

On Coral, Alaska SB, 7 nights in June. I have heard that the thermal suite pass can be purchased for the whole week. Anyone been able to purchase just a day pass? Would like to use it before some massages we have booked, but don’t anticipate having much time to use it otherwise.

Thanks!

Thanks! I did, and you were right.

Thanks everyone for the input! Very helpful!

Also posted this under the Alaska Port forum...

We're sailing 7 day, Coral Princess, SB Whittier to Vancouver in June. The last full day is a Sea Day. We have massages in the Lotus Spa scheduled for the late afternoon. Any suggestions on what else we should do to enjoy the morning time and after lunch? I know this can be very dependent on individual preferences. Those of you who have done this cruise before, did you find that you had already sufficiently explored the ship by this time? We plan to spend port days off the ship, so the only other times on the ship before this will be evenings, which will be taken up with dinner and shows. I did find a Patter from 2018. It looks like they don't plan much program wise. Thanks for your insights!

Sorry, that should read “SB Whittier to Vancouver”

We're sailing 7 day, Coral Princess, SB Vancouver to Whittier in June. The last full day is a Sea Day. We have massages in the Lotus Spa scheduled for the late afternoon. Any suggestions on what else we should do to enjoy the morning and after lunch? I know this can be very dependent on individual preferences. Those of you who have done this cruise before, did you find that you had already sufficiently explored the ship by this time? We plan to spend port days off the ship, so the only other times on the ship before this will be evenings, which will be taken up with dinner and shows. I did find a Patter from 2018. It looks like they don't plan much program wise. Thanks for your insights!

14 hours ago, RDC1 said:

On Princess the shows are usually 45 minutes long.  There are some exceptions, but the norm these days are 45 minutes.

Thanks RDC1!

Anyone have any experience/insight on getting to Jewell Gardens from the docks in Skagway on your own (not a tour) before 10am? If I am reading the SMART bus information correctly, they don’t start making stops there until 10am. Are there other ways to get to Jewell Gardens on your own without walking? Taxi? Uber? Thanks for your help!

Taking our first Princess cruise, in Alaska this summer. Wondering how long the entertainment shows typically last. 30, 60, 90 minutes? I’ve looked at some Patters and have noticed there are 2 hours in between shows (typically 7:30pm and 9:30pm). Just thinking about needing to get enough sleep for waking up early the next morning for an excursion. Thanks for your help!