DrMomof2

We are also doing a few days prior to a Whittier departure in July.  My plan is to do the train from Anchorage to Whittier the morning of our cruise departure. It's more $ than the bus, but looks really scenic and more fun. We plan to do 1 day of car rental in Anchorage (haven't booked anything yet) to explore outside of the city and we'd drop the car the night before we take the train to the ship. 

Our hotel is located in Midtown Anchorage and looks like we can easily uber (and shuttle from airport) for the other day well be spending in Anchorage proper.

Just of the Pearl myself and I LOVED the spa pass! I won't bother describing the layout, others have done that perfectly. But we spent 2hours each day there totally relaxing, reading, napping....and I showered there most days. The water pressure is light years better than the cabin showers. They also have hair dryers in the women's locker room, so you can fully get yourself ready there if you like!

I'm just back from the Pearl (to Alaska) and we pre-purchased thermal passes. Ditto what others have already said. We just stopped by once we boarded and got little stickers on our key cards.

And it was never really crowded for us either. Out of the heated loungers, one was out of order and there was still always one available within minutes of wanting one. Always enough regular lounge chairs too to enjoy the view. In the women's locker room, there was never a wait for the little hot tup, and rarely were people in the steam or sauna.

We spent about 2 hours each day in the spa, got to recognize the same 10-15 people and a few new/random ones each day an that was about it.

By far it was the best additional $ spent on the boat!!

We sail Sunday on the Oosterdamn and the forecasts looks pretty dreary for Juneau and Skagway. Less chance of rain in Ketchican earlier in the week. We've got rain gear and will take it as it comes. I only hope it doesn't effect our whale watching with Harv and Marvs.

 

I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED!

We leave this coming sunday too and also have Harv and Marv reserved for Juneau! So right there with you on the excitement....regardless of potential rain!

...and apparently they change regularly...I just looked at the 14-day forecasts on Thursday for the ports on our itinerary (Southbound Aug. 14 - 21) and they were all sunny/partly sunny and temperatures in the 60's :(. Here's hoping for the best that the forecasts will swing back in our favour!

Well then, we can at least have a 50/50 chance!

We leave on the Pearl on Aug 16th, and I know the weather in SE Alaska is variable/unpredictable, so who knows how accurate an extended forecast really is......but seeing nothing but rain icons for Juneau and Skagway is a bummer. :(

Ah, well. My first trip to Alaska so it's not like I have any expectations to live up to!

Guess I'll re-think my packing list a bit though.

Hi all,

 

We sail on the Epic next month, and we have 2 teenagers, 1 x 8yo and 1 x 2yo. We have 3 inside cabins so are evenly spaced without being too cramped.

 

However my issue is this:

 

Once we realised there was no kids club for 2yo's we decided to upgrade to a balcony, so that we had somewhere to go in the evenings when we put her to bed. We always tend to lounge by the pool reading anyway, so being on the balcony in the fresh air reading still matching our ultimate cruise evenings.

 

But - all balcony cabins were fully booked. Our inside cabins are not connecting either as they don't seem to do this on the Epic? Leaving her sleep in one cabin and us going to the next with a baby monitor is not an option for us. I wish I had looked into this sooner!!

 

The hubby is now making comments about how we are going to be stuck in the dark every evening, and how much that will affect our holiday.

 

Any ideas? What do other couples do? Did your lo's sleep in a buggy and push them around in the evenings? Any suggestions welcome :)

 

I've only cruised RCCL before so some alone time in the evenings was never an issue. Please don't get me wrong... Having our daughter with us without childcare is not an issue... But being in a dark cabin unable to read/watch TV etc at 6 every night obviously is!!

 

Xx

We were on the RC Oasis two years ago and had a 2 year old + 6 year old in an inside cabin. We were traveling with my in-laws and sister-in law and her teenagers. I won't lie, it did suck a bit.

That cruise line did have baby sitting (for $) so we did take advantage of that during some dinner times, which was great to hang with our family. We also had her in baby sitting for a bit of time each daytime (3 hours) too and it worked out okay for some adult time. Otherwise, it was walking or strolling her around everywhere.

For bedtime, we essentially took turns putting her to sleep in the cabin while the other +6 year old were out at a show or doing fun stuff. Then (the genius that I am!) we brought headlamps (like you use hiking or camping) in the cabin after she was asleep. It let us read at least. I will mention that our toddler was a pretty good sleeper at the time and once asleep we were able to make some noise.

I can only imagine how much easier it would have been with a balcony though.....sigh.

I see you are taking the Ruby to Alaska like we'll do in Aug. How do you pack for cold weather, yet also for ship life? Are there still warm days at all? Is it just for cold weather hiking, besides dressing for ship?

Thanks for any tips.

We are on the Pearl in August. I've never been to Alaska before, but I have a gortex rainjacket I plan on using as my main jacket and then will bring a light-medium weight fleece to layer under it if needed for cold. From what I've read, the temp could be in the 50's at times and if near glaciers a bit lower. I'm bringing a light hat and gloves too (the kind you might wear while driving in winter, not skiing type!).

I'll probably bring a mix of light pants for hiking, a pair of jeans and then skirt, capri, short to maximize my options. And a mix of tops.

Haven't thought about dress up yet though!

Thanks everyone for their info! It sounds like some sort of crossbody bag works well for a lot of you...I'll look into some of the brands mentioned. And then go for a small day pack for stashing the bigger stuff we need off the ship.

Getting more and more excited...our passports came this week too!

-Lisa

Hi everyone,

I guess this question is more for the ladies! I'm looking forward to our first Alaskan cruise in August and I'm wondering what would be the best option to carry my personal items, particularly during fairly active excursions but also while on ship. What have you all opted to use?

We are doing a whale watch, a hike, and a zipline if that factors into your recommendations.

Thanks!

Lisa