Coral

Actually - my box lunch was when we went to Tulum! I think we docked in Playa De Carmen. We were supposed to dock somewhere else and there was a military ship there so we had to change docking locations.

The only time I have been provided a boxed lunch from the cruise line was on a Mexican excursion with Celebrity way back when. That literally was the only time! @Senga If a vendor wants you to pack you a lunch, suggest that you have them pick up a lunch for you and offer to pay for it. This was really common on itineraries that went to St. Petersburg years ago - they expected people to bring food off of the ship.

Next year? I wonder if Princess selling several ships during COVID is interfering with covering the map. I have no real insight into itineraries. Just purely guessing. Doesn't look like Princess is doing Japan in April 2025 from what I can tell. Not a good sign. Such a pretty time to see Japan.

Your first and last day are probably going to be rough. You will not sail the inside passage on the Discovery Princess. You will sail West of Vancouver Island due to the size of the ship. Expect to rock and roll. Be prepared for rough seas. Sorry.

I would recommend end of May. Historically driest month of Alaska (less rain). Sept and Oct have the potential/odds for the worst weather. For places - I would recommend driving North of Vancouver to Squamish and then Whistler (spend the night) and then go East. https://www.whistler.com/activities/summer/ https://www.exploresquamish.com/discover/about-squamish/ https://www.exploresquamish.com/discover/about-squamish/#group_21535_1

Shore excursions are pretty much the same, regardless of what cruise line one goes on. Only the price differs. I wouldn't hesitate to book independently. You may want to spend time on this board reading reviews of other individuals shore excursions.

I would really be surprised if Norfolk didn't want the cruise ships. They built a huge cruise terminal that has barely been used. I think Carnival used it some. They really wanted the ships to come. Maybe a local could shed some light onto this. I can see Charleston limiting ships. Though I was there on the Crown several years ago. It was a great port.

My friends booked it the day it moved from Portland to Bar Harbor (less than a month ago). They were looking forward to Portland.

You are right. I didn't realize it was 2025. Though it would surprise me if there is a bridge there in 2025. It is going to take awhile though I don't think they know anything yet.

Though I have a friend who is scheduled on the Emerald Princess this summer and the itinerary switched from Portland, Maine to Bar Harbor. So they are taking ships this summer.

The cruise ship pier/building in Norfolk is a very nice building. They sort of had the idea "if they build it, ships will come". It didn't necessarily work out that way. I did like my stop in Norfolk on a cruise though. Plus, the locals all came out to greet us. Nice community.

Due to Baltimore not being able to take ships - I heard Norfolk is taking them. My guess is that is the reason why. The demise of the Baltimore bridge is most likely the reason.

Switching cruise ships allowed this 🙂 Glad you found a good TA! Spending the night between cruises also solves it.

I know when my agent has group space and a sailing is popular and sold out - Princess recalls her group space with written notice to the agent. They may tell her "you have 2 weeks before we recall your group space". So it is possible an agent may have space if a sailing is sold out but Princess is not going to let the agent sit on the cabins for that long if the cruise is very popular and sold out. I have seen when my agent has access to categories which Princess has listed as sold out though. When agents get group space, they lock in the price of certain categories. So if Princess increases the cost of that category, the agent may have the category at a lower rate based on when they locked in their group space.

@wolfie11 is right - you will go West of Vancouver Island due to the ship size (and limitations) on the first and last day. It could be rough sailing. If you are prone to sea sickness, I would plan accordingly. It will not be scenic.

I got off immediately last summer (one ship in port) and there were huge lines to get on the buses to downtown Sitka. I decided to go back to the ship and changed jackets. When I got back off the ship, the lines were much smaller. My guess is you have to get off right away or wait an hour or so. I also agree with @wolfie11 that it varies if there are 1 or 2 ships in port. We only had 1 ship in port.

They may offer more excursions once on the ship, depending on how many people are on the ship for 14 nights. I do have to say, 26 glacier trip gets a lot closer and is a great excursion, even if doing College Fiords via ship. Or you can rent a car.

Just a quick search: There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad. Best to follow ship rules.

Just because you did, doesn't make it right or legal.

They used to do that in the past but it really didn't matter. People showed up whenever and they processed them when they came. They no longer do it. Whittier is also a different beast. A lot of individuals are coming from cruise tours at multiple times, independent touring and then buses from Anchorage. It is not like the airport is 10 minutes away like in FLL. Most do arrive through Princess some how or via train.

Yea - Congress doesn't even want to talk about this.

You are doing a B2B? No, there will not be vendors offering this at the port. Have you considered renting a car in Whittier for the day? Driving yourself and then back? Princess does offer excursions for the day for B2B cruisers. Though sometimes they are cancelled due to lack of interest. I forget which ones are offered - I want to say a kayaking in Whittier, 26 Glacier, a trip to Anchorage for time on your own (this is one that has been cancelled due to lack of interest on cruises I have been on), etc...

You can not do Seward to Vancouver to LA. You can do Seward to Vancouver and back to Seward. Or Vancouver to Seward to Vancouver. You can not start in one US port on West coast and go to another US port on West coast with out switching ships. Your TA is one of the few that understands this law properly. Passenger Services Act. Jones Act deals with cargo (not passengers).

The excursion people recommend it, not the ship. It would surprise me if this is allowed. Clarification - you are fine taking pre-packaged food off the ship. Not items from the buffet that are not pre-packaged.

You can drop off your luggage before hand. Go to 26 Glaciers and take the cruise and then check in after 26 Glacier cruise. It will be fine. People do this all the time. 26 Glacier cruise will be filled with individuals on your trip.