TXRed

Here are pictures of a Caribe balcony on the Crown. It's the same on the Ruby.

Thanks, that is perfect. I was hoping there would be a table.

Yes. We always stow the luggage under the bed.

Thanks that's great..I hate having to manouver around luggage

Here is a video that might help:

 

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/youtube.php?id=1340

Thanks you so much, that was perfect. There doesn't seem to be much drawer space, but the closet looks big. Does anyone know if luggage will fit under the bed?

Just do a search for Caribe deck balcony cabins. Those on the Ruby are the same as the other Grand-class ships.

Thanks I will try that

Nice large balcony ... but just keep in mind that when you look straight down you'll see the Dolphin decks below, not the ocean. ;)

 

LuLu

Thanks....I didn't know about looking straight down...but I don't usually do that so I am good.

Those on Caribe would be the biggest, half covered half open.

Can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanks, our CA booked us on the Caribe deck for that reason. I was just hoping to see some photos of the cabin.

Hi, I have been trying to find photos of the balcony cabins on Caribe deck on the Rudy. I DID search and it seems I am not a good searcher:mad:....can someone either post some photos or point me to where I could view some. TIA

I heard of one man who had to wear the Princess bathrobe off the ship!

LOL, I got locked out of my cabin in my jammies...that was embarrassing....to have to leave the ship in my robe....I would never live it down! LOL:D

Except for the ships that have gelato at the IC, there is no longer any charge for any food at the IC.

 

The foods that used to have a charge are no longer available there.

Hi, does the Ruby have gelato?? TIA

ITA with the above post. I always write on the breakfast room service order form that i place on the door handle the night before...hot food items. Have always received them. I have ordered Eggs Benedict, Waffles, Omelets...but NEVER check any of the bread items off that are listed on the order form. I only check off for hot tea/coffee and juice. Never had a problem getting what I write in on the form......so far.;) As for fruit...we always ask for the fruit bowl in our cabin....which is always filled. If we want special fruit...we just go the day before and get a bowl of cut fruit and keep it in our refrig. to enjoy for breakfast or any time of day.

Thank you....we try to keep fruit in the room to keep from getting sweets...(and I didn't know there were fridges in the cabins...we have a balcony on Caribe deck)

http://www.beyondships2.com/ruby-princess-menus.html

 

 

I've just write on the continental breakfast atg what we want and it's there at the time specified. We usually order things like eggs Benedict, pot of coffee, oatmeal with fruit, juice, omelette, etc - never a problem

thank you so much...this is really helpful...I know it's not exact but it give us a good idea of what room service offers.:D

You are going end of June??? Sorry, no salmon will be running, so no point in going to the ladder in my opinion.

We are going on 9/6/15, will the salmon be running then? TIA

I have suggested a route to also take. Can repost if needed.

 

But the Heritage Totem Museum, isn't an "end". so, you may want to also think about how you wish to return.

 

Also there is no point in going to the ladder, if the salmon aren't running. Easy to determine, by looking at the creek. :)

 

Were you also going to visit the museum?

 

As for the bus- nope, it isn't worth waiting for in my opinion, and for this short distance. The bus doesn't run all that frequently, is usually loaded to standing room, and makes several stops.

I will continue reading, however if you haven't reposted your suggested route please do so. Also wanted to thank you for all the wonderful info you share...it is much appreciated.

When I ask a question, I love when people reply. We were all 1st timers at one time - when I was one, there was no Cruise Critic or Internet at all. I have learned so much since then (much more when I don't search and just ask).

I know that feeling. This is our first cruise on Princess and to Alaska...I so appreciate when someone takes the time to answer a question instead of answering with a 'do a search.' I have been reading everydday and have found out so much! We are 72 days out and sooooooooooo excited

I just want to thank all of you who took the time to answer the OP..so often I see a snarky response telling someone to search for the answers. Experienced cruisers often fail to remember their first cruise or destination and how excited your were and wanted to know it all!! Hat tip to all of you!!

I was looking at youtube yesterday cause I'm going to Alaska in July and was looking for recent reviews and I came across this vid.

I have no connection with it or the one who made it, and am only posting it here cause I'm sure others may be interested.

 

 

If you can't link to it, I just went to youtube and looked under golden princess Alaska cruise.

thanks for sharing this...we are going to Alaska in Sept 2015, hope we have all the seafood option that were on this video!!

Thanks to all for your reply. Will TRY to order full breakfast from RS, if not guess we will have to get dressed and go for breakfast.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and recommendations....you have been a huge help. With this information we will be able to 'do' Alaska on a budget for sure and still see and experience so many things.

Okay then, here are some of our suggestions for reasonably priced / low cost or no cost sightseeing.

 

If you have any interest in totem poles, for Ketchikan the "bargain" excursion is to take the public bus to Totem Bight and Potlatch Park.

The round trip bus ride only costs $1 each for seniors.

You can't beat that. Free admission to both totem pole parks.

Here are links to their websites.

 

Potlatch Totem Park

(If you like old cars, don't miss their garage full of antique cars as well as the totem poles.)

 

Totem Bight State Historical Park

 

Totem Poles at Totem Bight State Historical Park

 

And you can even jump off the bus at Walmart on the way back to pick up whatever you need, or inexpensive Alaska souvenirs.

Then take the free Walmart shuttle back to town.

 

If energetic, you can also do the free Ketchikan walking tours.

Pick up brochures and maps at the visitor center right on the cruise ship dock.

At least walk around the Creek Street area.

 

 

 

For Skagway, get a copy of Murray's Guide to the South Klondike Highway (google it),

rent a car for the day and take the scenic drive, making all the recommended stops along the way.

 

You can download a free version, or pay $5 to get the full version.

 

The price of a rental car for the day is really a bargain for such a wonderful, scenic full day excursion.

You may even meet some people on your cruise who will want to join you and share the cost of the rental car.

 

(But if you decide to take others along with you, I would recommend splurging and paying the extra cost to get full insurance coverage for the day, just for peace of mind.)

 

 

For Juneau, since you have already decided to take a whale watching tour, have your whale watching vendor drop you off at Mendenhall Glacier afterwards.

If you have a Senior or Golden Age pass, bring it along as it will get you free admission at the visitor center there.

 

(By the way, it will also get you free admission at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center in Ketchikan.)

 

Do as little or as much hiking at the Mendenhall Glacier as you please, but if the weather is nice, at least take the easy hike along the lake out to Nugget Falls.

When ready to leave, you can catch one of the shuttle buses back to town for about $10 each.

 

Incidentally, there is free internet at the Juneau Public Library close to the cruise docks, among other places.

 

WOW thank you for this info....I am so excited!! I love there is free internet in Juneau!!

This forum is filled with threads for all the ports you have listed. You can access them easily by using the "Search this Forum" function back on the main page (not the main Search at the very top); set it to "Advanced Search", type in the port (one port for each time you search), set it to "Titles only" and you'll get lots of threads describing what others have done. I know it takes a little time to go through them but that is part of planning a cruise and the excursions - researching. :)

 

Have fun in Alaska.

.

Thank you for this information....I will certainly use it!

We just returned from an Alaskan B2B and found a couple of gems that we had not heard about.

 

Juneau - The Alaskan Brewing Co tour. $20 gets you a shuttle from town to the brewery and back, a brewery tour and history lesson and 6 (7oz) glasses of beer to sample. I am not a huge fan of beer but their range is so out of the ordinary, some standouts were the Oatmeal Stout, Smoked Porter and Raspberry Wheat. Just go to the outlet on the main street, a few minutes walk from the dock, and book yourself in, they leave every few hours.

 

Skagway - Another $20 gem - the Days of ’98 show, a burlesque/vaudeville style show about Soapy Smith, a Skagway Klondike Gold Rush character. Really enjoyed this show but would suggest if you don’t want to be chosen to take part in the show, don’t sit at the front or the edges!

 

Someone else has already mentioned the bus to Mendenhall Glacier and the walk to Nugget Falls, this was one of the highlights of our trip and we also recommend it :)

Thank you so much..I definately want to take the bus to Mendenhall and the walk to Nugget Falls. Soapy Smith sounds like lots of fun and thanks for the hint not to sit in the front. My son will certainly love the brewery tour! It all sounds right us our alley.:D

Skagway has a free walking tour put on by the Park Service. Sign up early at their office at the old train depot.

Also agree with the Soapy Smith show.

Thanks for your reply and suggestions...both are now on my list!:D

From what I have been reading on the boards, if you are limited on tour funds, don't waste it on whale watching tours. You will most likely see whales from the cruise. You are better off going on other tours since you see the whales anyway.

 

Whatever you decide have a great cruise!!! :):):):)

Thank you, if we see whales from the cruise we will certainly retink our priorities. I would prefer to see them from the ship as I am not big on small boats. :p

In Juneau you can get a taxi to Alaska Brewery, and have free beer samples (also their root beer). The small tour is free, but the brewmasters are very knowledgable and love to talk!

 

Also in Juneau you can take the tram, which is really cheap if you buy the tickets directly rather than from the ship. You can buy the tickets when you are ready to go and the bird sanctuary at e top is quite interesting.

 

In Ketchikan there are museums and art shops that are an easy walk in town. Go to the salmon shops for plenty of smoked salmon samples.

 

On our last alaska cruise we didn't do any ship excursions and we had a great time. Part of this was due to having done a lot of excursions on our previous Alaska cruise. And of course you can always enjoy the ship while in port.

Thanks for all your suggestions....they are now on my list. Much appreciated!

Truthfully, we have done AK 3x and are working on our 4th this May. We've gone with and without plans. There are expensive and inexpensive options galore! The only port that we have ever really felt hemmed into make plans was Skagway. Honestly, they may just be happy with the scenery as we were on our first trip.

 

Some cheap independent options that we have done:

Ketchikan.....public bus to Totem park less than $5pp r/t

Juneau.....Blue Bus to Mendenhall Glacier $20pp r/t

Sitka....walked the town to see the Russian Orthodox Church, National Park Museum, and explore the Totem park(bit of a walk...but there was a pedi-cab that would take you)

Hi, would you please elaborate on the Blue Bus to Mendenhall? Is the Blue Bus a local bus? Where would one get it? How close did you get? Thanks in advance