envirochick

Would 100% reccomend a sailing that includes stops at the lesser stopped at ports, like Haines, Sitka, Glacier Bay, Homer or Kodiak. These ports can be found on the Zaandam, Noordam and Westerdam and allow you to see the real Alaska before it became a tourist trap. In my opinion, it would be a waste of time/money to do a cruise round trip Seattle that only goes to the big three (Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau) plus Victoria for half a day or Tracy’s arm. I just got off Noordam so I’m happy to answer any questions!

Hi there. I appreciate the advice. So, Noordam has a few sales. I’m able to score an SY suite for 1k pp. This a really nice deal and would allow us to do suites NB and SB, however, I see your other post talking about how old and tired this ship is. Should that deter me?

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Thanks all. We do spend time in our room and absolutely enjoy sitting on the balcony, although that might or might not be feasible in Alaska without bundling. So, I'm working on this and will see what I come up with...

We chose the CORAL Princess, southbound...

Princess does Alaska very well!!!! I can't compare with HAL, but I can def. say that

 

However, I just looked at the late August sailing, and yes, only two, probably un-covered, mini suites showing????

 

You might know that the Coral Princess is often recommended over the Island, since all the changes to the Island in the major retrofit. The Coral is a smaller, and somewhat older ship. Space sometimes seemed a little tight in the Atrium, etc... It is a great ship for Alaska!!! Low key vibe... Especially on these Alaska sailings. The focus IS on Alaska. The entertainment was good!!! The MDR, both food and service, was EXCELLENT!!! The buffet was just bad. Hopefully somebody else in charge of that since we sailed a couple years ago.

 

I like the idea of a mixed land and sea, with a Southbound.

We did the 26 Glacier tour out of Whittier just before we boarded our cruise. That was really great! With that, you get to see College Fjord, as well as Hubbard, and Glacier Bay, and all other ports on the cruise.

 

You might want to compare the pre-post cruise tour opportunities on both HAL and Princess departures.

 

Hubbard Glacier can be amazing!!!! Or, I understand that it can often be fogged in. The day we were there, we saw the glacier, with a low ceiling of clouds and fog over the glacier. Which obscured the background mountains.

 

Good luck with your decisions!!!

Alaska is amazing!!!

KK,

What is 26 Glacier Tour? Who does this?

Have you checked out the Zaandam's 14 day cruise out of Seattle to see what cabins are left?

It does both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier -- also Homer, Kodiak, Icy Straight Point and Anchorage.

It does not do Glacier Bay, from what I saw. We would do this in a heartbeat if it did. Not sure why they omit it.

Have you talked directly with Princess or your travel agent about the available staterooms that meet your desires?

 

Sometimes... the computer/website doesn’t know all.

I have not, but I guess I should. I've honestly never seen so many cruises fully sold out or close to sold out. It's new thing to me.

If you decide to do land for 7 days, an option is to book directly through princess lodges.com. It give you the opportunity to book the train/room but everything is DIY. Then you could rent a car in Anchorage to go to Seward and other locations, if you desire.

Princess lodges are are booked pretty solid at the end of August. I don't think it's an option.

Avoid the Island, we love her sister, the Coral, but they reconfigured the Island, adding rooms and taking away public spaces and it is a no go for us.. Then with Star and Golden, the balcony rooms on Caribe deck have larger balconies, which are partially covered. Mini-suites are also great, and we don't mind the uncovered larger balcony. Frankly, we find the regular balcony rooms to be well thought out with enough space, but not lots of space. At this point, grab the available cabins you want/can.

Yes, thanks for this. I've done my research and undersatnd the issues with Island. It is a very last choice.

Hello Everyone,

We've decided to do 2 weeks in Alaska in Aug/Sept of this year. We know we're late to the party, yet we'd still like to do this. We are looking at Princess and HAL. We thought the 14 night on Star, Golden, or Island out of Vancouver would be best, yet cabin availibility is very limited (no minisuites with cover, a few balconies cabins that might work - they're so small though) and I am beginnning to look at a B2B (north and southbound) on HAL and the possibilty of a Vista Suite on a least one leg. For the last 5 years we've cruises Celebrity exclusivly. It's our first cruise to Alaska and Glacier Bay is non-negotiable. The one difference I see with the HAL itinerary is no Hubbard glacier on the southbound, which Princess has. Should this be a deal breaker? Would you do a small aft cabin baclony on Princess or peice together 2 - 7 day cruises in larger cabin on HAL if you could (considering Hubbard will be missed)? We are also concerned about sailing any new line, since we're so used to X. Not sure if Princess or HAL will fit us, but I keep hearing itinerary is everything.

We've also considered land touring for 7 days and then taking a southbound, but I'm seeing a lot of the hotels booked and we're not really intersted in a cruisetour. Not keen on spending much time in Fairbanks with cheesy excursions. I'd rather spend time in Denali, Seward, Homer and on the Kenai. Now we're thinking there's less hassle with 14 days of cruising (unpacking, longer flights, more expensive flights, etc.), but we're still staying open to a DIY land trip.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I feel I'm running out of time and should book something very soon. I've posted something similar on the Princess boards too. Thanks.

Hello Everyone,

We've decided to do 2 weeks in Alaska in Aug/Sept of this year. We know we're late to the party, yet we'd still like to do this. We really wanted to do the 14 night on Star, Golden, or Island out of Vancouver. This is out first time on Princess being long time X sailors. Cabins are slim pickins'. I really wanted a minsuite since the regular balcony cabins seem to be much smaller than X's. The sq. footage I'm seeing for minsuites is about what you get with a standard X balcony. That said, the only mini's are Dolphin deck uncovered, which doesn't interest us. There are a couple of aft balconies on emerald E730/731 available (I think, more cabins sold out overnight). Would you do an small aft cabin, or would you peice together 2 - 7 day cruises in min suites if you could? I'm willing to pay a little more to get a better cabin, which is the case when booking a B2B vs. the 14 day.

We've also considered land touring for 7 days and then taking a southbound, but I'm seeing a lot of the hotels booked and we're not really intersted in a cruisetour. Not keen on spending much time in Fairbanks with cheesy excursions. I'd rather spend time in Denali, Seard, Homer and on the Kenai. Now we're thinking there's less hassle with 14 days of cruising (unpacking, longer flights, more expensive flights, etc.), but we're still open to the land trip.

BTW, we chose Princess for the intinerary, Glacier Bay specifically, and if we did the return we'd get Hubbard too. HAL is an option for a B2B, but we'd miss Hubbard, which miught not be so bad. There's much better larger cabin availablity on HAL (We could even afford a nice suite). HAL has a nice 14 day too, but it doesn't include Glacier Bay, unfortunately.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I feel I'm running out of time and should book something very soon.

9:30-10:00 should be just fine.

Great. Thank you so much. I’m at the Newark Hilton Penn Station currently. About to embark the Summit on a dreary Sunday morning. Your help has been much appreciated.

With a 12:50 pm domestic flight at EWR, is 10 am about the right time for car pickup on disembark day (Sunday)?

Still looking for advice for the above. Is this about the right time. With a 12:50 p flight time I wouldn’t think we’d need to rush on disembark day. Thanks.

With a 12:50 pm domestic flight at EWR, is 10 am about the right time for car pickup on disembark day (Sunday)?

I’ve been the last week of May twice in the past 3 years (just skipped last year) and the weather was fantastic both times. This is the first time I’ve seen an all rain forecast. However, it will be warm. And it’s nothing a poncho or small umbrella can’t fix. Staying positive!! [emoji1303]

 

 

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And forecasts change, weather systems shift. It’s the sea days I dislike being rainy. I feel less on vacation when I’m holed up inside.

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When are you going, this Sunday? We stopped going the last week of May as we had 2 straight years of terrible weather in Bermuda. I was tired of getting wet and dealing with gale force winds.

 

 

 

Last year we did the 9 night July cruise and this year we sailed May 13th. Weather in Bermuda was wonderful on both sailings.

Yep. This Sunday, thanks for the info, although I didn’t like it much and am hoping for better.

Enjoy the cruise!

Thanks! Lots of rain predicted. Hope that changes.

After skimming through the thread looking for options from the port on disembarkation day to EWR, I’m not clear on whether Uber/Lyft is an option. I see Carmel and dial 7 quoted often, and I’m sure there’s a taxi stand, but what about Uber/Lyft? Do they do pick ups? Are they less expensive for 2 persons with 2 medium suitcases than the others ? Car service is about $50 not including tolls/tips. What does a taxi cost?

Are you sure that your cruise is departing between now and the end of June?

Mine departs Sunday...this Sunday.

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Are you on one of the eligible ships and within 30 days of departure date?

 

 

 

Eligible Reservations on Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Solstice within 30 days of departure date. Other ships coming soon.

Yes. I received an offer by email.

You can check to see if you your cruise was eligible if you wanted to here:

 

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/bid-on-cruise-room-upgrade

This doesn’t work for me. When I fill in the blanks and then click submit nothing happens. Is anyone else able to get it to work?

Is the $1400 total or pp to go from the Royal to the PH?

It’s per person, so for an extra $2800 above what they’ve already paid, this couple could have their offer accepted and wind up in this suite for their anniversary.

This cruise is far from sold out especially if you want a balcony or OV.

Not sure which cruise you’re on. Mine is on again/off again sold out. As of a moment ago, there is one balcony cabin left and a guarantee OV on Celeb’s website. Probably because someone paid an extra $2000 to “move up” to a suite. Bum deal there.

What is your current class/category? I'm A1 on Summit June 27 sailing. Just got the email. It says minimum bids are sky suite 400, celebrity suite 600, royal suite 900.

I’m in A2. Our sailing is now sold out.

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Cab fare would run $50-60 each way. Uber about $40-50 each way. Coming back you can go to the taxi dispatcher at Cape Liberty to get a shared shuttle to the airport for $20.

Curious about the cost shown for Uber above. I’ve looked up the route of the Port to EWR on my Uber and Lyft apps and both show costs of about $20 one way for an XL vehicle that can accommodate luggage. Is this not accurate?

I'm sailing on Summit at the end of the month and received an offer. The cruise is really close to being sold out with only one Royal Suite left, no Aqua, no Concierge. The Move Up allowed me to bid on Sky, Celebrity and Royal suites. Sky started at 500/pp, CS at 1000, and RS st 1500. Seems a little ridiculous. When we booked, which was only about a month ago, Suite Guarantee was less than $1000 more than what we paid for our Aqua cabin. Sounds like it's intended for pyschological impulse buys. Sort of like candy and coke in the check out lane. Yet, my cruise may be unique. Others may find bargains if a cruise has a lot of availablity and they can accurately recall the pricing of other categories at their time of booking to compare the offer. Recalling this pricing is important.

Noon should be just fine if your flight is on time. That means you MUST be at the ferry at least a half hour ahead - that would be no later than 11:30 am. Be sure to read about the security restrictions so that you don't have any forbidden items. If you have to pick up tickets allow a bit more time. On the NJ side you have to walk a bit out to the security check and then a bit more to the dock.

 

If your plane is late you can Uber to the hotel and then on to Liberty State Park,

Thank you. Your advice is much appreciated. [emoji137]*♀️

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