LEtue

51 minutes ago, larrybritt said:

We are debating between to trips to Alaska next year. May 3rd for 11days on Coral Princess or Sept 13th for 10day on the Caribbean Princess. Both have similar itineraries. So the question really is about the time of year people like best as well as the Ship. Our initial thoughts are the May trip to see more snow, but concern about things not being open yet and maybe weather might be better in Sept, but we know weather is always hit or miss in Alaska. Any and all thoughts are appreciated. 

I am booked on the May 3 sailing on the Coral.  I have not sailed this early in May - but have done mid month and later twice.  Once was cold and once was mild (60's in the daytime.  

As far as September, I have only sailed mid to late August and into the first week of September which is my favorite time for temps and wildlife.  Sailing in mid September can be rainy and the days are shorter but many people say they love to travel then.

I booked this sailing based on the Coral.  I sailed on the Island before she was refitted and it is my favorite Princess ship so far for size and layout.  I expect temps to be cool to cold but since I have made multiple trips to Alaska I won't mind that.  If this is your only planned trip it may not may work as well for you.

11 hours ago, Globaler said:

I hope Princess gets it together cause I’m on the 6/8 sailing!

Thinking the same!  See you on board 🙂

We don't sail until March 2024 and I have been following camera discussions on FB.  Most recommend a waterproof camera in addition to the iPhone.  GoPro and Olympus TG-6 are the top ones.....

I am leaving my DSLR Nikon at home since it seems it will be too bulky.  A waterproof case is necessary in the zodiacs when going between the ship and shore so if you have one be sure and bring it.

Have a great trip!!!!

Thanks for responding.  I sailed in an IV cabin on the Apex in March and it will work for this trip.  

Always prefer a balcony but I am just happen to be sailing the Galapagos!!!!

We just booked this morning for a March 2024 sailing and did the same.  Looking at pictures of the ship it doesn't seem like any cabins would be bad.  

Hopefully other will post so we can see!

3 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

You're going to have a great time!! We're booked on the Flora in early December where I will also be posting to a Live from thread like I usually do, just in case you want a sneak peek! 😊

My niece and I are booked on the 10 night March 15, 2024 sailing so thank you for your help!  It is very exciting and I can't wait for your live from thread 😀

Thank you Ken.  I had been weighing the options and the 10 day itinerary does save a lot of hassle!'

I think we are going to go for it 😄

Thanks for all the responses!  A credit back to my CC or a rebate would be great so I will ask about that.

I am wondering if the Galapagos sailings work differently than other Celebrity sailings since I have never received anything back - but I manage it spend it on board  

Transfers, air to Baltra, gratuities and 2 excursions per day are included in the fare so unless I get the OBC back it isn't going to be of much use even though all the agents are offering various amounts.....  

It seems that everything is included in the fare except gratuities.  If true, a lot of OBC isn't of much value.  Am I missing something?  What would I do with $1600 OBC?

Just started planning and trying to decide on which cruise line so thanks for any insight!

19 hours ago, rocklinmom said:

Wanted to try the Sun next summer but it says that deposits are nonrefundable. I tried under both Standard and Plus and with different cabin types. 

There is a refundable deposit option under the standard public fare.  I had my PCC book my family under that but it was $100 more pp.  Worth it for now and I will watch for future sales.  Not expecting any since we are booked on the June 8, 2024 (7 day) sailing which is the middle leg of back to back options that I see roll calls for.  For that reason I didn't want to miss out on side by side balconies....

Having just returned from the Apex on March 25 I can say the infinite "veranda" was a huge disappointment.  Noisy with neighbors on both sides operating the shade and the window at all times - day and night to the point that it seemed like an echo chamber at times....

Not sure how often they do the window washing but our upper and lower section was not clean enough to enjoy the view on most days so we didn't get much use out of it except when entering and leaving the ports.  It does add light in the cabin and space though!

When I got home I cancelled my May 2024 cruise and will look for a replacement.  I will be sailing solo so the regular balcony isn't affordable 🙁

I found this site to be helpful.  

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/ov.php?ship=Sky-Princess&cabins=E401-E445

On 1/3/2023 at 8:21 AM, Nataliea621 said:

Yeah I don't want to go from San Francisco. I would much rather spend time in Vancouver or do the OW North or South bound. I really like the 10 Day RT on the Crown Princess. 

Tue, 08/15/23	Vancouver, Canada  View general port information	– 4:30pm
Wed, 08/16/23	At Sea
Thu, 08/17/23	Sitka, Alaska	10:00am – 6:00pm
Fri, 08/18/23	Hubbard Glacier (scenic Cruising), Alaska  Scenic Cruising	10:00am – 3:00pm
Sat, 08/19/23	Juneau, Alaska  Water Shuttle Required wheelchair Access Limited	8:00am – 9:00pm
Sun, 08/20/23	Icy Strait Point, Alaska	8:00am – 5:00pm
Mon, 08/21/23	Skagway, Alaska	7:00am – 8:30pm
Tue, 08/22/23	At Sea
Wed, 08/23/23	Ketchikan, Alaska	8:00am – 5:00pm
Thu, 08/24/23	At Sea
Fri, 08/25/23	Vancouver, Canada  View general port information	7:30am

I am cruising solo on this one.  Hope you decide to book it!

Paul is the best and his trips are awesome.  Booked to go again next August!

https://www.gallantadventures.com

On 11/6/2022 at 12:11 PM, latebuyer said:

I’m still on a quest to find an excursion. This excursion is a boatride in sitka. Is sitka sound more scenic than ketchikan? Has anyone been on this excursion that can provide a review? There are some reviews, but they are quite old.

Have done this one in Sitka and can highly recommend.  Small boat and very personal service.  Here is the link so you can see if it is what you are looking for.  Sitka Sound is really beautiful and the whales and otters are plentiful.  I have already booked again for August 2023 😀

www.gallantadventures.com

Love Hubbard Glacier and ISP has great whale watching trips!

On 11/14/2022 at 2:10 PM, Italy52 said:

We sailed with Princess in June and did the Hubbard Glacier & Wilderness Exploration tour that off loaded from the ship --- absolutely wonderful.  We were very fortunate and saw lots of calving.  Lots of space to move around on the tour boat and we were able to get lots of good photographs.  I have attached a couple of my favorite pictures.  We are sailing once again with Princess in July and will be taking the same excursion.  Pricing is $299.95 per person.  

 

 

 

Beautiful!  I'm planning to book this excursion for my Crown sailing in August 2023 and appreciate your comments!

Just wondering the same so I will watch for answers 🙂

Leaves me out....I am not boosted and have no plans to do so.  

Hard to believe that we are still dealing with this after 2+ years ☹️

Take at look at Norway Excursions.  They offer private and scheduled tours with multiple departures so the 9:30 am trip should work for your schedule

https://www.norwayexcursions.com/en/tour/hellesylt-the-ultimate-panorama-tour-to-geiranger/.

On 6/28/2022 at 12:30 PM, monorail81 said:

 

Sorry.  I should have specified. It’s the 8 nt Eastern sailings. I’ve tried two different browsers on my ipad, my phone, and my computer. Cleared everything before starting and get this no matter which date I pick. I was able to get into the 8 nt Southern. Just not the Easterns. I will end up booking through my TA, but I like to do a mock booking before I do. 

This happened to me recently.  I had to start over since it would't allow me to start where I left off on a previous visit.

49 minutes ago, little britain said:

Only around 80 people … for a sold out ship I’d expect more!!! 

Most of the categories had disappeared over time and only a few scattered inside and outside were available just a few weeks ago.  So, the people on the Cruise Critic roll call are just some of the booked passengers.  

19 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

When they did that for this years sailings they never closed all the bookings

That is why I am a bit concerned.....

Thanks!  

I keep seeing itinerary maps that indicate Princess is sailing outside Vancouver Island on the southbound voyages.  I guess we will know for sure in a couple of weeks but does anyone have knowledge that they have made this change?