lah3185

On the Coral in 2013 we had a naturalist that was great. He was easy to hear and he even started narrating when animals were seen in other places other than when he was scheduled. On the Star in 2015, our naturalist was almost completely unintelligible when you were on deck, so it was almost as if she wasn't there. I enjoy them when I can hear them and the wind was the worst in glacier bay the first trip not the second. Still enjoy their talks on board. Very knowledgable.

when I went on my "bucket list" trip to Alaska, I decided to do a cruise tour because I wanted to see Denali and knew this may be my only chance. I was traveling alone, so I did not want to do the DIY for safety and because I had never been to Alaska or a cruise. I think you should check with your mom to see if there is something particular she would want to see. A cruise tour with more than one day at the Denali Princess lodge would allow you to go on a longer tour of Denali with more chance of seeing moose, caribou, etc. (Obviously no guarantee). Cruise tours of Alaska are not cheap, but I think that if there is somewhere you want to see it would be great and Princess seems to be very conscious of people with physical needs. You just need to ask. Have a great time! I'm now going on my 3rd cruise tour of Alaska in 2017. Never say never to being able to go again to my favorite place.

I had a bump out balcony on the Coral B309. I loved it because I could see the water behind and aside. I wouldn't trade it. As a matter of fact, I have B310 scheduled for July 2017. I love being on the land side and watching going into ports.

did this in 2013 and loved it! Saw so many eagles and it was amazing!

I agree with Sherryf about Soho Coho and glacier soaps. There are specific stamps on items to identify if it was made in Alaska. Check online if you need to see what it looks like. I had checked out some of the places with Alaskan artists works and picked up some prints and had them sent home. I had them framed at home and they are a wonderful reminder of Alaska and my most favorite vacation.

I read on one site that someone's Off spray was confiscated by Alaska Airlines because it was aerosol. Looking at their website it looks like I can put a small one in my carryon or my checked luggage. Anybody have any experience with this? I have had trouble finding non-aerosol in my small town.

If you are on a princess cruise tour with the tour first, do you need princess identification on your luggage? I know that once they start moving the luggage between lodges, they give identification to put on the suitcases.

I kept the last bottle that was filled and only put in enough for the trip plus a couple extra days. That way if space is a concern coming back home, I can just toss the bottles (and put the few left in a baggie). Just an idea.

I must admit I did the alaska cruise first in 2013 and now I am getting ready to do land tour first. The last day of the 5 day land tour was the only one I was tired on. I really didn't have any problems with the land tour being last. In a way, I was glad because after the cruise I was very dizzy for about a week after. I am a little concerned if the same thing will happen this time as I am going to work 4 days after my cruise tour. Has anybody used the motion sickness meds after they returned to land?

The Alaska Zoo is in Anchorage and there is a shuttle for that. There are also baseball games as anchorage has two teams with college players from around the us playing there-the Bucs and Glacier Pilots.

Have you considered a telescoping hiking stick just in case your knee is overwhelmed? I had my knee replaced and I am getting one mainly because my other knee needs to be replaced. I am working, but with the rain and such, I want to make sure I can get to all that I want to see. Good luck!

I did a cruise tour and saw moose only in Denali National Park.

I used a smash book to record all of my pre-cruise planning and information. My pictures and mementos from the actual cruise went in a scrapbook because I liked having my pictures covered/protected more. Granted this was my first cruise and a dream trip to Alaska, so the smash book gave me something to do to help wait out the time until my trip. I documented everything I found about Alaska and Alaska cruises and the places I was going to in the smash book. It also went with me on the cruise (actually a cruise tour) so I had all my research with me.

I scrapbooked my first cruise to Alaska in 2013 and it took two scrapbooks. I did it when the post trip blues hit and it allowed me to relive all of the great things I saw and did. I am thinking about doing an electronic book after my 2015 Alaska cruise. What companies are the best and easiest to use?

I used the Baja front deck in Alaska on the Coral. It was great!

I had looked up Alaska artists and went to Annie Kaill's and visualized and then bought prints and had them sent home-not cheap, but on my walls and a reminder every day. The soap from Glacier smoothie soap smells great and they have some special prices for multiple. Sojo Cojo on Creek street has some unique Ray Troll t-shirts (a lot are unique and funny and playing on the salmon, etc. in Alaska.) I went to some of the city web sites and they often have sections about specialty shops. My favorite other than my prints is a whale tail necklace. It was not a cheap one, but I wear it very frequently.

My cruise tour last year showed that when they had sold out. They have just so many positions in the cruise tours.

I'm glad some are getting great deals. No specials for a cruise for two, sadly. But that's alright :) I'll pay the original fare if I have too, I'm just grateful I have the finances to plan a trip like this.

it is showing your cruise is on sale. I would contact whoever is your contact-TA or Princess. Doesn't hurt to check.

I am going to Alaska in June/July 2015 and there was a discount and room move and such for me. I would contact your TA if you used one or Princess to double check. a lot of times I will just call.

I took a cruise last year and my military obc showed as soon as I scheduled my new cruise tour.

I would like to say thanks also. The drop for my cruise tour was about $300 and I received $150 cruise credit. The changes basically make my flight free in a round about way. (I know it doesn't pay for the flight, but it makes that much difference.)

I did an Alaska cruise tour last year with cruise first. I had a large suitcase, a carryon and a backpack. I actually had a larger soft bag in my suitcase for flying home. When on the train, I was able to take backpack and my purse/bag. The only thing that went to the next stop was my large suitcase and it was with me on ship and at each hotel on land. No problems. I saw a bunch of people really pushing the size limit, but I tried to behave and no problems.

The only jacket I took was a rain jacket that had lots of pockets and long enough that I was able to sit on the bottom instead of a wet seat. I took a sweatshirt and bought a sweatshirt. For dressy nites I took dressy pants and two matching tops. (You could still wear them for the regular nights and be just a little dressy, which works!) I took two pairs of jeans and did laundry once on the ship because I had a 5 day land tour after. one pair of pajamas. binoculars. camera appropriate for what you want to see (there are other threads about cameras in Alaska.) socks and underwear whatever you feel comfortable with-if you have to you can wash some out in the bathroom and hang them up. sunblock and bug spray (I didn't use them last Sept, but I would still take them because you know everything is bigger in Alaska!) The coldest was the morning going into Glacier Bay (wore my hat, hood,gloves, raincoat, sweatshirt, long sleeve underwear and jeans and hiking shoes.) I took 3 pairs of shoes-hiking shoes which I wore on most tours as they are a little warmer, tennis shoes for comfort and the lowest profile dress shoes I could find. (Beware that if you wear them on deck, you may slide.) I brought a camera card for each stop we made. (didn't want to take any chance in losing all of my pictures and it made it easy afterwards to organize my pictures). Chargers for camera/batteries, Kindle so I didn't need to bring more than one book and I put books about some of the ports on it, so I could look at them. I brought just enough meds for the trip and two extra days and used little plastic containers for any face products so I could just jettison them when I was done before I left on the plane. Hopefully this helps. I am going to Alaska again next year and I met friends on the roll call that are now friends for life. (Travelled solo)

I travelled solo last year for my first cruise ever. I "met" people on the roll call and we "talked" on there for almost a year before the cruise. I felt like they were friends before we even cruised. We did our own thing sometimes and met for dinners sometimes. Two of us went together on an excursion which was great. Other excursions I went by myself and enjoyed them too. I also loved to hear about other people's excursions.

I did enjoy having the room to myself and I often had the tv on the channel that tells where we were instead of shows. I had anytime dining and I was never alone unless I went to the buffet on purpose. If I wasn't with others from the roll call, I let them put me with others. Three times I ended up eating with the same gentleman which was coincidence, but also was a conversation starter.

I am going on my second solo cruise next year and 4 of those same people and I arranged to go at the same time, so I will be solo when I want to be and not when I don't. Perfect!

If you cruise on princess solo, they have a 150% supplement and you get credit for 2 cruises

 

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Where would I see that? I am paying almost 200%, but I would like to see where they give you credit for 2 cruises.