laraja

I'm also a little picky about water. We have great tap water at home, but the water at most hotels tastes awful to me. Is the water good on a cruise?

 

 

My husband is kind of a "water nerd". He was intrigued by the ship's desalinization and purifying systems, so he brought his water tester aboard (I told you, "water nerd"). The ship's tap water tested out at close to zero parts per million. Our reverse-osmosis system at home comes in at about five parts per million with a spanking-clean filter.

In other words, the water is good on a cruise!

Best:

B.O.S.S. Underwater Scooter-St. Thomas (Unique experience, great crew)

Dolphin Swim-Puerto Vallarta (Everybody needs to be kissed by a dolphin, wonderful facility)

Helicopter over Volcanoes Nat'l. Park-Hilo (Helicopter...Volcanoes..how could it not make the list?)

Zipline-Kauai (Perfect if you want to zipline, but don't want to hike, climb ladders built into trees or jiggle across suspension bridges.)

Whale Watch-Juneau (Just lucky...to this day you can't convince me the whales weren't on the payroll! The crew were as giddy as schoolgirls. They said it was the best they had ever experienced.)

Worst:

Alaska Nature and Wildlife Expedition-Skagway (Call me crazy, but I don't consider seagulls wildlife. Return 45 min.boat trip from Haines in pouring rain on a vessel with enough interior [sheltered] space for less than 1/4 of the passengers)

Iffy:

Tubing the Hanamaulu Ditch System-Kauai (A good tour operated by a great company [they do the Kauai Zipline as well]. But, as is the nature of tubing, the tube constantly rotates. I ended up dizzy with a killer headache. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if there were a way to keep the tube straight!)

Hi all.

 

We are booked on the Star Princess to Alaska in August, with late Traditional Dining. Our departure from Juneau is at 10 pm, so I'm wondering if they will still have the TD, or if everybody will do Anytime Dining.

 

The only reason I know to ask this is because we had this same circumstance in Honolulu, when we only left at 11 pm, and we were quite disappointed to miss our regular table. Not sure if the Alaska itinerary will be different.

 

Of course, no matter the answer, we will have a good cruise, and will enjoy dinner no matter where!

 

Happy cruising.

 

Julie

I believe that's unique to Honolulu. There is an "Ultimate" deck party with food when in Honolulu. The Traditional Dining Room is closed on that night as all the TD Room staff are needed to help on deck.

My last two San Pedro disembarkations had me out on the sidewalk in front of the terminal within 15 min. of my scheduled disembarkation time (would've been even quicker but I have some balance issues and I opted to wait for elevator space rather than use the escalator).

Remember to fill out (and turn in) the questionaire about your flight time. Once disembarkation times are assigned, you can still ask to be placed in an earlier group (if one exists).

If you can manage your luggage without assistance you can be in the first "Walk-Off" groups.

I stayed in one on the Sapphire for two weeks last fall and really enjoyed it. It was my first time in an inside as well.

My biggest concern was possible hallway noise, as the bed is closer to the door than it is in standard rooms, but I had no problems. I'd book it again in a heartbeat.

It took me a long time to work up the nerve to book an inside, but I'm glad I finally did. It's kinda liberating to know I can be happy in an inexpensive room! :D

 

I may tell her I'll board early and she and the boys can board later.

 

I know that sounds insensitive, but...I picture myself being a nervous wreck trying to sightsee a few hours before boarding.

 

LOL

Not insensitive at all, just smart.

Yes just tell her you will meet her onboard.

That's probably what I'd do as well. Just make sure she really understands that they will not board her if she arrives too late. These boards have a lot of threads about surprised folks left behind on embarkation day and at ports.

Love the Ultimate Mai Tai...like a regular Mai Tai but with a splash of Amaretto.

Yes! :(:(:( Husband has been following my thread as well (mainly to check what I am writing about him- I'm on to you husband!) and just now read the last page. Since I got all sappy in my ramblings he ran over to me all sarcastically and said "oh, are you so sad?" Well yes. Yes I am. It is sad, becasuse now it is really over! And we don't even have another cruise planned.

 

What do people do to get over the post-cruise let down?

After your experience trying to get your stick aboard, I'm surprised he didn't say, "Do you want to go back to Hawaii on the next sailing? Well too bad, you can't!" ;)

I'm with the majority here...I've started planning the next one. :D

Hi Melanie!

Boy, you weren't kidding on the Roll Call when you said you took lots of food pictures!!

And then I started posting my review, which let me pretend like I was back on the cruise for a few days, and now I am feeling the let down again! Well, it was good while it lasted, and now I must torture myself by reading other people's reviews. Anyone know any really good reviews out there right now for me to read? I like picture, or course!

Great review!! I've been re-living those two weeks through your posts and, now that you're done, I suppose I am too :(.

For a good review with lots of pics (reminds me of yours, actually), try searching the forum for one that begins, "Island Hopping in the Eastern Caribbean..." written by Hollybelle. It's an oldie (May 2010), but a goodie!

Sorry I didn't get the chance to meet you and Tyler at the M&G

If you happen to be on Facebook, you can also check out their page. Not a lot on it yet but there's video of Dave on the steel guitar and a few photos of them aboard ship.

Can't wait for my turn in March :D!!

Wondering aloud why they haven't seen any American crew members (unless they're on POA).