TinyG

1 hour ago, sunviking90 said:

This was our deck and view in E407 on the Royal Princess last month. We pushed both the chairs to the side to maximize our glacier viewing when not outside. We always book these cabins. The pictures you see on cruisedeckplans may be mine, lol.

 

Thank you @sunviking90 yes, this is what I was hoping to see. I like being Starboard. It looks very nice! We just came back from Alaska (17th) on the Edge. Beautiful!

Hello all,

We have two cruises with Princess, one this year on the Majestic to try it out, and one next year on the Regal.

Question about the balconies. They seem very small in comparison to other lines. Wanting the largest one at a great value. On the Regal which one is better 407 currently booked, or 410? By looking at the deck plans they seem similar, but 407 has the pointed part. Does anyone have a photo of either? Looked at the video online site, and searches on the internet. Thoughts on past stays?

I've booked deck 8 on both cruises based on post read her on CC.

I am so glad you like the chowders! At the market location, we wish we would have had more time to get other things! That lobster roll is making me jealous. 

Glad to be following along! Enjoy your trip and please comment on the internet, we only had what was in the HIA package, so many times I was just getting nothing. 

Thanks for the review, we are going on Regal next year! Looks wonderful 🙂

36 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Is an hour and a half wait for a taxi typical for port of Seattle?

Debbie on the post here, says it's typical when 2 ships are in port, that it's always horrible the later you get off the ship.

Final thoughts on this cruise.

Boarding the ship early, has been discussed previously before. Yes, we did love getting on early. I guess I just thought since others around our cabin had their keys, that our keys would also be available. In all 49 cruises this is the earliest we’ve ever been on. Still on the fence about waiting and having that experience of getting into your new fresh cabin and getting settled. We just did not have the ease of knowing when to going back to the cabin. We were fine exploring the ship. We wondered about the cabin being open to still be cleaned. We closed the door to ease our minds.

Did like the handwashing station, little easier on your hand than all the hand sanitizer maybe. 

Breakfast was very crazy, the first omelets we had had no cheese and over cooked. He did not ask and we assumed cheese would be added. Tried another day only Swiss cheese. So when to find other cheese. Always not enough plates, or when they did come out too hot to handle.

Lunch waited 25 mins one time for the stir-fry. The pasta lady she’d never seen it like that before. My items I had my husband take to the table was cold by the time I got there. I wish the pizza was in the main areas like other ships, it was a long walk to the back just to get it, only did that twice. Fish & Chip were great. 

Dinners we liked we could go to the other 4 restaurants, but did not have the same type feel as a Tuscan Steakhouse/Grill on other ships. It did make it easier to get a table. 

Specialty pay restaurants 

Eden

Like food, and presentation. Did not like the $3.00 up charge on a wine that we had drunk on past cruises it now over the premium limit. Was not able to book anything and get a discount all sold out. Did not like the next day 40% off to anyone, guy complaining that they have to fill them up. 

Roof Top Grill

Outstanding, would eat here again. Even in the cold. Thought the food quality was worth the price paid. Extra touches for the cookie was very nice. Staff were friendly. 

Bars 

okay, the Martini Bar was fun. They like doing the show, but hard to have a conversation with the noise levels sometimes. We went to the Eden Bar, the bar area busy and noisy and the seating was very low to get out of sometimes. We miss a World Class Bar. Just our vibe, and more quiet.

Cafe al Bacio

Most times you could find a seat, if you wanted a window seat you have to get up early. We were able to sit one time at the window after the Roof Top Grill. It was nice.

Shows

We usually don’t attend, but we did twice on the cruise and we enjoyed it. They have a better sound system and they singers don’t sound like they are screaming..I did wear my earplugs found it comfortable. 

Ship looked fresh and clean with the brighter woods and decor. I think how the layout is just not what we are use to. It did not have that…we are home feeling like with the S class or even M Class. Layout seemed difficult at times. Not being able to be on the outside at Eden as the smoking side is there. they have one small square you can see from the Eden ramp going up. Never figured you could go all the way up the ramp in Eden till the end of the cruise. For a big open area you would think you could feel some air circulation. or maybe the heat was just on like all the other places on the cruise.

Cabin 10280 Deck Aft the bed was by the balcony, a big open space on the wall. Hubby liked that for his suitcase storage and let me have the closet and drawers. The bed was pretty firm, was not bad, but was not great. Thought the closet was smaller as well.

I did see in the hallway on the last day an egg crate topper. 

The bathroom. Liked the outlet and the hair dryer easy to use and full size. Dislike the trough sink way too large and you can’t even use the whole thing. The faucet is too close to the edge of the sink, water goes on the mirror and such. Thought it was smaller than other bathrooms. Disliked the touch flip lid to discard items. You had to touch it. I like the drawer or a drop in trashcan by the desk better.

Enjoyed the lounger the cabin steward was able to get, I would hope they should be all the time. As maybe an Alaskan cruise not a high priority. 

Captain Matt joined our selfie with the captain photo collection 

Would be Edge class only if it was the perfect itinerary and price. Not going to be a first choice. For the first time in forever we did not book a future cruise. I wanted to take X to Scotland next year, 2 or so cruises going to only 2 cities was not going to cut it. So my 50th cruise will on our first ever Princess cruise this October to Mexico for a 5 day & in 2025 will be Princess 12 day to Scotland.

Thanks for joining me. I hope next time I will have better internet and be able to post as I go along. If anyone has any tips on posting reviews I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Sailing, Bon Voyage

Diane

May 19th Sunday

We slept in a little till 8AM, headed down to the lobby another rush of cruisers. Breakfast was just like the day before. Back to the elevator busy with more cruisers that day people getting rooms at 9:25. 

We kept the last day to rearrange our bags and repack. We called for a ride to be at the hotel at 12:00 Noon. So what time did she come….11:30. I hate being late for anything, felt a bit rushed getting down to the driver, even thought we were early. 

So I had not eaten my steak from yesterday so that got heated and put into my tote bag, It was actually pretty good the next day. We got to the airport 12:30. I’m thinking so much time, but the lines were crazy long at the Alaska gate area. TSA precheck went past another corridor, then into the zig zag line. 

Once we exited we found the Alaska Lounge this one is one of 4, she says our FC ticket does not work. The flight has to be so many miles. Lounge access on Alaska is a hit or miss. Today a miss so she says your gate is closer to the biggest lounge, so we take the train to N gates. Day passes $30 PP, but getting triple miles on Alaska card….We get sat down, have some food and they changed our gate to D so we will need to take the train back to almost where we started out at. All okay. 

Got to the gate around 10 minutes before boarding. 

The airport has been under construction since last November the agent in the Alaska Lounge has said. So I’d plan on extra time. Just in case.

Great quick flight home, food was good and service was attentive. Only minor hiccup was that our seats did not recline. You can see that they have replaced the seat leather covers and they smelled brand new. The seatbelt I am sure was from day one. All frayed and rolling. Maybe somethings are still being worked on. Up next final thoughts on this cruise.

We walked to the next Hop on Hop off spot we found.Just after a few stops it start to rain. They have free poncho’s down stairs so I went down when we had stopped and of course I dropped my phone down the stairs….I never dropped my phone and within 2 days my case had taken the brunt of it. Phone ok and ponchos on we had a great time on the top, just always paying attention to trees that might try and take you out. The bus driver was new when we got on the bus the instructor was telling him what he forgot to do…later she was gone and he found every curb to jump off. After the 4th one we were ready to get off and walk closer into the city center and find another Starbucks for my free birthday coffee. It had stopped raining so I could take off my poncho, at that point I looked as if I was in witness protection. Jacket, hat, mask, and the poncho

After that I needed some retail therapy, and went to the original Nordstroms Rack. We walked back to the monorail station and took that back to the Space Needle and walked home to the hotel. 

It was time for dinner. We took an Uber to Ruth Chris steak house. It was very nice they put the birthday confetti on our table. Dinner was good, but I think we’ve had better at other RC. Oh well. We took home the leftovers since we had a microwave and refrigerator. We ended back at the monorail station as we wanted to walk off some of that dinner. That night it rained so hard we though that rocks were hitting the window!

Once back to the monorail station and after sitting a short time we were so tired. At the Space Needle they have people who can take you on a bike/buggy ride. We asked how much to our hotel. He said $15, but then $10, so that was a yes please! It was mostly down hill for him. When we got to the hotel we gave him $20!!

May 18th Saturday 

My birthday!!

We woke up to quite a bit of rain, so we headed back to the breakfast chaos, loud room packed to the rafters.. well not that high. Food was a big scale from the Pan Pacific. We walked back the 5 -6 block back to the Space Needle, right at the corner across is the Hop on Hop off bus. We bought a 24 hour pass, but the lady said nobody checks the time and you can go over the 24 hours…We got on at stop one, got off right be fore the NCL cruise port and walked along the boardwalk. The NCL Bliss is in port. Much less craziness at this pier. We decided to find something to eat. We stopped at the Crab Pot for lunch. I could have a free dessert!! I was on a try all the Salmon chowder tour. This one missed the mark. I’d call it a stew, bread bowl a mistake. It soaked all the broth in up, chowders don’t do that usually. Too spicy for me, It did have a big piece of fish..ok Salmon? I did not finish it. Had some of the other sides we had the fried fish was good and the fries. I did not want my free dessert after it…

We used the monorail  and then walked to get down to Pike Place/Public Market. I did drop my phone, but my Apple case did its job even though it fell face down. Always the dreaded I have to look, and hope it’s not broken..whew, it’s okay. Passed the Beecher Cheese and the Piroshky Piroshky. We wanted that, but a very long line. While in line for the original Starbucks the people in front of us commented on my restaurant that I was telling my husband. To eat at Pikes Place Chowder. So we headed out to find that instead. We got to be the last in line…it was probably the best Salmon Chowder I’ve had, coming in close to Tony’s on the Redondo Beach, CA pier that is just a short drive for us.  After the Chowder we headed back to the monorail back to the hotel as the hour and a half standing in the taxi line was catching up with us.

One more stop at another Starbucks for some water and a few snack in case we were hungry later…who would pass up a Lemon loaf anyways..

I really enjoyed this so much. I’ve worked with stained glass before and was so impressed with the colors, shape, details, and the displays. 

Next up, and next door is Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum

At 10:45 they were putting the bottles away. He had to go back to the cabinet to get the Tanqueray 10. We thought that was weird because the Silent Disco was still going on. 

8 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Martini bar closes at 11 on the last night?

It did for us, that picture of the drink was taken 10:49PM.  I was not expecting that, usually it's open till 12 I thought. On the activities/events for the day lists 11:00 AM-Late.

We have a few days in Seattle before our journey is over. We are staying at The Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown /Seattle Center by Marriott was very busy and our room was not ready. This is a cruise hotel I would say. They were very efficient with taxis and transfers. We waited in the breakfast room had some coffee. 

The website says that they have Tempur-Pedic beds. I’m going to say unless they have a line so low it made by them, but does not feel like one. We’re were happy to be in a real one when we got home. 

Once our room was ready at 12:35 we dropped our bags and headed out to the Space Needle and the Chihuly Glass Museum. Both were very good and worth going to. A combined ticket cost for both was $70.88 which you purchase at any available kiosk. They take a photo of you before you go up and it’s included in the ticket price.  At the end you can send all the photo to an email you can choose different backgrounds we only did two. It was nice to have. We were glad to see some clear skies good for taking pictures. We stopped on the revolving floor that you take down in an elevator. We had some fries and I tried the three cider sampler, I wish is was colder…Hubby has a beer. Sitting for a revolution take about 35 mins and that’s what we did.

You could barely see the Edge over the Ovation of the beastly seas! 

May 17th 

Happy Birthday Debbie!

Ate our farewell breakfast in cosmopolitan restaurant before getting our bags from the room at 8AM. Saw our room steward tipped him extra for bringing the lounger and his cleaning for the cruise. He was very happy! Told him might want to dust the water bottles….

Elites and above could wait in Tuscan till our number is called. We have 34 so it should be about 9:30. 

We got off the ship at 9:25. Walked straight off and we were in the line for taxi a very long time only saw two benches to sit on in the entire time.
We got our taxi at 10:58. What a mess. As they made you line up to keep going down, but there were not taxis to use as you went down. So people behind us started taxing all the taxis. We talked to a port person and said to him the line is not working if you let the get one anyplace in the line. He couldn’t care less and I don’t even think he understood what I was talking about. 

We went to the show!! Colors of Life. Cruise director Giuseppe introduced Captain Matt gave his farewell speech. He reminded us that this is the first time the Edge has ever been to Alaska and the first Edge class ship to Alaska so we made history, he said….Yay! 

One last stop at the martini bar before bed, had my last Aviation it was made in a hurry and tasted differently than the ones before, Maybe since they were closing up at 11:00PM. Got some waters for the night.

May 16th      Day 6

Cosmopolitan restaurant for breakfast. Much nicer to have a seat waiting for you. 

Went back to pack to have our evening free. At 4PM we met Debbie, Mary & Wayne at the Magic Carpet. Did not see any whales as much as the crowds thought the white caps was a whale. 

Hung out at the martini bar with Debbie till our dinner at The Roof Top Grill.

Going to say I enjoyed this a little more over Eden, it was a little cold nice to see blankets waiting for you. All the dishes came out on super hot plates. Every thing stayed hot. You can choose as many side to go with your dish. Was not a super fan of the sliders. I wish it had more of a true bbq sauce. More bread than anything. The caprese salad was very good, been wanting one the whole cruise. Even asked a few times in the different restaurant and was told it would have to be preordered . Filet was cooked perfectly and the potato was so tender. The corn was a little spicy for me, Mac N cheese tasty. We both got the freshly baked cookies with vanilla gelato . I was going to take my 3/4 cookie back to the room. They made me a new one so no ice cream. That cookie!!!!

I had the Banfi Rosa Regale sparkling red, we have this every New Year’s Eve. We can get the whole bottle at home for about 15-16. On the ship that’s per glass. They keep on filling it up, so I keep drinking it lol. 

Speaking about our cabin which is 145 or 149 steps from the mid ship elevators to the aft of the ship.
 

We were at 10280. There is a door you would need to go between to get to cabin 10273 Not sure why it’s there. We did not hear it. 

Dinner in the Normandie restaurant. You could only have one lobster tail, which is all I needed added the Beef Wellington, both the crust and the meat could have stayed cooking longer. Did not eat the hard potato tower.

Martini bar mandatory stop by before heading back to our cabin. 

3 hours ago, hcat said:

Love the apron!

Is  there a brand name for the salmon glaze or ingredients?

i'm a big Salmon fan!

We gone to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake every time we have been to Juneau. The first time the glaze was already on the fish, cooking on the wet Alderwood. The glaze had the caramelization from the cooked brown sugar. It has an awesome flavor. Now they spoon it over the fish. I’m sure it’s cooked the glaze, but I’d rather not see any granular sugar. I’m thinking that they are going thru so much glaze maybe not enough time for it to get hot enough. Here it is. We bought 3 packs and I will try my ingredients vs packaged. But if you don’t want to bother people get the glaze shipped all the time. 

In the afternoon we went to the magic carpet and saw Wayne and Mary. We stayed there for about half hour/45 minutes until we were frozen and then we left. Thanks again for the blankets Mary! 

We enjoyed our wake view for a while and we might have had a nap.

Wednesday 15th Day 5

Dawes Glacier & Endicott Arm

Up at 7:30 and saw the glacier by 8AM. We enjoyed our time on our Aft balcony.  The glacier is so pretty and seeing all the big chunks floated by and as we left the Sun came out making our photos even better! We only watched part of the return before heading into Oceanview Cafe for breakfast.  It was a real struggle to try and find a place to sit down, we ended up sitting with another couple so we could eat. 

They could used more areas to sit and watch the scenery. 

4 minutes ago, TinyG said:

We tried one last time to see the Northern Lights. We did have some luck!

By the way this is pitch dark, the camera makes it see very light. We did better here than Norway and on the Northern Lights excursion. It looks like nothing till you point a camera. My daughter was flight from SFO to Boston she saw this with her camera. With her eyes just the light fog looking stuff.