sherryf

The 10 or 11 day trips out of San Francisco don't give you any more Alaska, just a LOT of sea days. That could be good if you really enjoy sea days, but I can't imagine trying to keep small children entertained on board for that many sea days. I have done Carnival to Alaska and it was not "raucous." It was very similar to the other lines I have been on in Alaska. The only reason we did Carnival on that trip was that we had a lot of young children, and the kids club on Carnival was more accommodating for our needs. My kids were 2, 5, and 8 at the time, and I will tell you that the younger two remember VERY LITTLE of that trip. They had fun and were happy, but don't really remember it at all. I am a big Princess fan, and have also been on Holland America a few times, but would never go back to Carnival. With no small children now (they are 25, 28, and 31 now!) I would have no reason to need their kids club, and Princess if far better otherwise. I've done both Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm, and Glacier Bay is significantly better. I will always choose Glacier Bay if I can. I've done Tracy Arm a few times, but I go nearly every year and have been to Glacier Bay many more times that Tracy (or Endicott) Arm. Personally, I would choose a 1-way Vancouver to Whittier (or vice versa) or a round trip from Seattle rather than than sailing from San Francisco, and I would definitely go to Glacier Bay.

I've been going to Glacier Bay nearly every summer since 2009, and it has not changed significantly. The glaciers never "circled the boat" even back at my first trip, and definitely not in 2013. I think you were just so mesmerized by your first experience that you are misremembering it. The glaciers haven't all melted in the past 11 years.

The bottled water is not worth it to me, since the water from the tap is perfectly fine and FREE.

My husband got charged for a specialty coffee on disembarkation day. Of course, I didn't notice the charge until we were home and it was too late to do anything about it. Next time I will check our account *before* getting off the ship.

I have done this excursion through Chilkoot Charters and it was incredible. Highly recommended!

The weather this week is no indication of what it will be next week. I leave Saturday, so I've been watching the forecasts. This week they are having beautiful, very warm weather, in the 70s. Next week is looking like 60s with showers in most ports. It is very rarely in the 80s, especially in August. I have been several times in July, and only had 80s once, in 2009, when it was hitting record temps around 100 back home in Seattle. In August, we've almost always had temps in the 60s. The 70s they are getting this week are unusual. Do not expect warmer than 60s. Be prepared for anything and be happy if you get a little warm, sunny weather.

I have always taken my refillable water bottle off in ports in Alaska (14 cruises) without issues. The restrictions are on other food and drinks. You can't take off a coffee, so don't try to grab one to go before disembarking. I learned that the hard way! The only food that you can take off the ship is prepackaged, factory-sealed items, like granola bars.

The difference in temperature between the port and Nugget Falls trail is insignificant. I had to convert your temperatures to but sounds like low 60s to mid 70s. For me, I wouldn't be wearing many layers, if any, at that temperature. Maybe a light jacket for the lower end of that, but no jacket at all for the higher end. Maybe carry one in my bag, just in case. Have a rain jacket in case of rain, but if it's gloriously sunny, I likely wouldn't even bother to carry one.

Obviously posted by a man. 🙄 Many women's clothes, especially dresses, do not have pockets at all. When we do have pockets, they are nowhere near as deep or useful as men's pockets. I keep things in my pockets when I can, but I wouldn't trust myself to have a tiny thing like a medallion in my pocket and not lose it. I bought silicone holders that slip onto my watch band. I think they were about $6 for 3 of them... different colors so I can coordinate. I don't mind spending the equivalent of one fancy coffee for something that is more convenient, and will last me years.

We used the city bus to get to the Fortress of the Bear. I think it was $2 per ride or $5 for an all day pass.

This is what I was going to say. If you add up the price of the crew appreciation and internet, you are already at $41/day. If you drink nonalcoholic drinks (specialty coffee, soda, mocktails, etc.) and would use any of the other perks (premium desserts, casual dining, etc.) then it might be worth it to just get Plus.

Discovery Princess is currently doing round trip Seattle cruises, so no recent cruisers can help you. Yours must be a special end-of-season cruise if you are ending in Vancouver.

The best things in Ketchikan are OUTSIDE of the main downtown shopping area, and tours can take you there. I've done a couple of amazing kayaking tours from Ketchikan. You can also get out to other areas by taking taxis or the local bus system. If you just walk around the shops, you are missing out on so much of what Ketchikan has to offer!

I still drink tropical drinks in Alaska because I like them. Why not?!

It doesn't matter how light. I am allergic. I cannot eat the dessert and the scent would trigger me too.

Tongass National Forest is huge and Ketchikan is within it. You can just walk from your ship to the nearest trees and you'll be in it. There are some hiking trails at nearby Ward Lake but you might need to take a taxi to get to them.

Was it Ashmo's? I'm pretty sure they have chowder, but I love their black cod tips!

I second the recommendation for Annabelle's. I'm not a huge fan of chowder myself, but my kids think Annabelle's salmon chowder is the best!

There are degrees of autism, and many people with autism are very high functioning, so much so that you wouldn't necessarily know that they are autistic. I know plenty of adults with high functioning autism that lead perfectly normal lives. Chances are, you know some too and don't even realize it. Without knowing this young man's level of autism, you cannot judge whether it is appropriate or not for him to be traveling with his grandmother. Another post said she is 65, which I do not consider to be "elderly". I'm sure his parents would not have allowed him to go with her if she was not capable of caring for him.

This is the first time I've seen confirmation that they pipe in lavender scent. Thank you! Now I know I will definitely NOT do the 360, due to allergies.

End of August is not likely to be much warmer than late May. Probably just as cool or even cooler.

The water is desalinated sea water. I can't imagine why they would ADD salt back into it. I have never had problems with swelling on a cruise. Most swelling is usually caused by the salt in the FOOD, not the water.

I just bring my personal water bottle and fill it from the tap. The water on board is great, and no plastic waste!

I very much agree! Although the OP mentions dietary reasons to avoid anytime dining, I know that Princess does an excellent job of accommodating dietary needs regardless of when and where you dine.

Instead of the staged crab experience, you might consider kayaking in Ketchikan. I've done it twice with my young adult kids and it was amazing both times. Since you say your teens are very active, they might enjoy a more active excursion.