Rancher Dave

Believe me Alaska is anything but dry. There are several, if not many villages that are dry, but these are very remote and not generally accessible. Everywhere you will cruise and a lit of other places, you will find plenty of Alcohol.

 

In fact, the state does have an alcohol take. "Alaska levies a tax on alcoholic beverages sold in or transferred into Alaska. The tax is collected primarily from wholesalers and distributors of alcoholic beverages" (from the state of Alaska website.)

 

So, you pay the tax with every drink you buy, but you never know it. I presume, the cruise ships are charged accordingly.

 

BTW, the Anchorage assembly just last week debated raising a local tax on booze, but it failed to pass.

I saw the news on the vote. Thought it was interesting. I think, but won't swear to it, that Barrow is dry? I can't recall any other place I've been up there that is. Just seems like I was asked when boarding my flight if I had any with me...

Don't know about the rest of the months but October is booked to a Chinese group's charter. We found that out when our reservations for the Oct. 6 sailing were cancelled with only a $200. shipboard credit offered IF we book the Nov. 9 sailing. Bah Humbug, Princess!

I'd ask for more OBC and air change costs to be covered. Know that a couple years back they moved someone I know to a lower category cabin and gave them huge OBC, like 50% of what they paid and then some...so much OBC one of the pax ended up with a new high end watch to ensure the OBC got spent.

Great.

I have $2,200 non refundable invested in air fare.

Let's see if they cough that up.

 

I am VERRRRY disappointed.

Call and chat with them. Also, if you have travel insurance see what if any it may help cover. I'd think if you use the air on a different set of flights (and I understand you may not fly otherwise so it may not be possible) that you could recover most of it with change fees only.

To all affected it definitely stinks big time...wish you each good luck on picking a new cruise so you can still enjoy vacation.

I've only experienced food waiting for us when it was gluten and dairy free for our DD...and even then it was bread and a few other things where temperature was not of concern and it was just for her and perhaps a few similar cases on the ship. Other than that after a few nights I've had them prep several soft drinks in advance for us...funny to go sit down and see server station with a tray of drinks all ready for us...

That's real pretty...but how long till "Bubba" from the farm reaches in with his fingers & fishes out a few of them bad boys...just sayin...:eek:

I don't live full time at my ranch, but can honestly say most of the folks I know from out there have far better manners than many of the city folk whom I am surrounded by most of my week. Doubt any of my neighbors out there would stick their bare fingers on the butter...pop out their switchblade to pick it up maybe (JK)...they'd use their fork or knife to get a pat and put in on their plate.

To the one who spent a week watching fellow table mates mash their bread in the communal butter...so sorry that someone messed up the meals for you. I agree with the advice to have head waiter change your table, or perhaps give her a private butter and everyone else a separate one to share.

I personally tend to like a table for just my family. In a few weeks likely will be taking mom on a cruise and she always wants to sit at a table with many...which can be solved by going specialty dining every night.

Great brain teaser for the morning as I wake fully up...

I'd probably pick Emerald because by the time it goes TA I'll have sailed on it twice in cold and warm weather and find it to be a nice ship. Caribbean is just fine as well. I'd say if given a ticket to go on either I wouldn't balk at the opportunity.

I think there are no taxes is because a lot of Alaska is DRY. I would bet none of the ports are but a lot of the areas are.

I do believe all of the ports allow booze of one kind or another to be sold...thinking about my ports of call and fishing trips and trips in general to Alaska. Although many native villages are dry most of the major areas where visitors go seem to allow booze purchases and consumption.

As for the sales tax, none statewide also no state income tax statewide...but with the oil price drop and drop in tax revenue, anything is possible in the future. On the flip side go to Walmart and even without tax the price of everything is much greater than paid in the lower 48.

definitely cool. Kind of like when RCCL Voyager graced Galveston with a set of Longhorns atop her. Disney Magic decked out the Mickey ears on the stack with a 10 gallon hat for Galveston as well.

At end of article it looks like the pax get a full two days in Sydney...very nice. Wish I were on the RTW cruise right now instead of contemplating some yard work that needs to be done out back. (At least it doesn't involve snow)

and they're off to an exciting week of sailing and touring.

Yeah the weather is awesome for a sail away...hopefully on time so sailing by Galveston will be nice and then the dark will hit full on out on the GOM.

Have it pulled up on the webcam since I am not aboard to watch it that way today.

Hi All

 

What happened to us was bags were taken to holding area on deck four, we were issued blank blue cards, to get us onboard, after sail away we had to go to pursers desk were we go new cards and our cabin number, our bags arrived at the cabin same time we did, the reason was ship was wanting to do maintenance to cabins so waited to after sailaway to confirm passenger numbers onboard, so they could take a block of cabins out of service,

 

yours Shogun

Interesting to hear how that ship worked it. Makes good sense to do it that way. I am sure those affected see it as a pain on boarding day, as would I, but ultimately I'd understand since it is GTY cabin.

I've had GTY cabins before, sometimes getting an assignment within a couple of days...funny time had that happen and then a few weeks later it was changed, actually to a better location within same overall category, so technically an upgrade, and by chance it moved us from further from family aboard to much closer to them...just a fluke as the rezzies were not linked because the family was getting a surprise we were aboard. Ultimately never been upset with cabin assignments when getting a GTY.

They do have cookies and "honey stung chicken" which is chicken tenders. And fries. And burger (probably one of the better burgers on the ship IMHO)

I must agree the RS Burger is quite good especially compared to what is out on the buffet.

Granted this was two years ago but they used local boats for tendering and I was shocked that they asked for tips before disembarking the tender. I reported that to the shore excursion desk. Hopefully, that's no longer the case.

I think I recall the same last year, or maybe it was just a super sized tip jar in sight of everyone.

Several years ago Chichen Itza became one of the New 7 or 8 Wonders of the World.

 

It was at that point, that no one can climb on any of the structures, including the main pyramid, or temple. The Mexican Government has been working on making Chichen Itza very different than it was just 5 years ago.

 

In the '80s, when I first started going to Cancun, one could climb on any structure.

 

It will be interesting to see what Chichen Itza will become in another year. Supposedly, the vendors that lined the path to the sacred well, will be relocated to a building of their own, and new established walking paths will be built, or already have been built.

 

If you have been to Stonehenge, in the U.K. many years ago you could also touch the stones. Today, with a charge, you can view them from a distance. This is how I would compare Chichen Itza today.

 

Rick

Excellent information Rick. May have saved me an all day excursion...I only agreed to the Spring Break cruise on the concept we could just chill on the ship for a week. Saving my excursion bucks for a Summer cruise somewhere.

When you sit down to dinner the first night ask for your head waiter to discuss your dietary needs. My DD has reactions to gluten and to lactose so it makes for some special food needs to keep her from having to deal with the GI reactions.

The head waiter on our last Princess Cruise did a fantastic job of being everywhere we dined when we dined and made sure her dietary needs were met. Because there were several with special diet needs like hers, the chef made several special items for that population. Perhaps they will pop popcorn for you where it doesn't get gluten contamination.

Enjoy your cruise.

I wonder if DD will reject the mocktails now...her treat when we are cruising. (With the ultimate kids drink package)

Agree!

 

And, they're kind of shooting themselves in the foot, because I too thought it seemed more of a general cruise line commercial than one specifically for Carnival until they show their itty bitty multiple logos at the end.

to a large extent it does seem general other than the whale tail on the ship in the shot from above.

my vote is that it was blah...just ok.

yes you do advance to the new level. Congrats on the achievement.

Nice to have better than expected weather today. Between POG and POH 3 ships we can all watch on various web-cams today.

Guess I will follow this thread to see how you do on other days. Doing well on day one.

Thankfully the weather is sooooo much nicer the predicted for the early part of the day. Glad for those getting off and others on the ship today.

Looks like maybe there will be rain at sail away time. I'd think based on what I saw of forecast they should get out of town before anything gets too bad for them.

likely less than ideal weather tomorrow regardless of fog, so plan accordingly. It was raining as I left the ranch West of Houston and the rain was moving to the East towards Houston and is due to only get worse thru the night and tomorrow.

Winds were definitely blowing warm Gulf moisture overland which will feed the rain and will depending on temperatures saturate the air, which at the right temperature just fogs things up.

I see Super Shuttle all over town in fairly new vans etc...I'd say they do a decent job and have a good national reputation as well.

Sorry the front end of the cruise is off to such a rocky start for the OP and friends. Enjoy the cruise despite the bumpy beginning.

We are staying at Hampton Inn Tampa-International Airport/Westshore

4817 W. Laurel Street Tampa, FL - 813-287-0778. They have a cruise package where they have shuttles to port and back, airport and back etc. and parking for up to two weeks I think....I had to pay a little extra for the cruise package, but it was ok for us....:)

one of my favorite moderately priced hotels in Tampa in that general area of town. Good places to eat nearby as well, including La Tierrsita for authentic Cuban food.

I'm more impressed with AMS than CDG airports for transferring flights and even for arriving and departing a destination. Either should ultimately be fine if only there a short time on the way to Barcelona.