Carol & Jim

We did the Panama Canal cruise late Sept early October, stops is Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Columbia. Never gave a thought to vaccinations. I've been thru it 3 times now, no problems. About 2 weeks after we got home my husband came down with muscle aches, swollen knee, general malaise, he feels terrible. He went to the doctor and her immediate thought was malaria. He had the blood test it came back negative. He's had 3 blood tests and all come out negative! The next one is for Chikungunya! Never even heard of that one. We never ate at any of the ports, we mostly got off the ship walked to the flea market and back to the ship, it was too hot and humid! We did take a bus tour in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua to Rivas and Lake Nicaragua to a church and a big home where they gave out juice and tortillas, then you could walk down to the lake but we only got about part way before the flying insects were too much. So maybe he got bit?? I didn't?? I don't know. He didn't complain about bug bites. I'm hoping we find a cause soon. I would check out vaccines if I were to go again, it just didn't cross my mind at the time.

I just booked the Double Tree for a park n sail. We will be gone 15 days, end of Sept, and they only charge a rate for the 7 days, no extra for the other nights. Less expensive than the Best Western, plus it has a better rating on Tripadvisor. And hopefully a shuttle to the ship!!;)

Anyone know if you have to go through customs/immigration when you dock in Bar Harbor and it's the first US port after Canadian ports? Our itinerary is New York, Halifax, St. Johns then Bar Harbor. And Bar Harbor is a tender port so what is the procedure? Thanks.

Who do you contact for the Regal Princess? Thanks!

Northern Aurora, what would be a better option in Valdez? The BW Harbor Inn is ranked the #1 hotel on TripAdvisor, even though it's mostly "very good" not excellent in ratings. We're going in May and didn't see anything better.:confused: Maybe a B&B instead??

Make sure to read the Alaska forums on TripAdvisor, lots of good info there.

Grandma101, you can pan for gold at the Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood, fun place to visit.

Great review, thanks! We are going to Soldotna and Homer in May of this year and wondering which bear viewing tour to go on?? Is there one you liked better than the other?

We also booked the Rangeview B&B, it looked and sounded perfect!

Thanks, Carol

I just reserved with Enterprise but used their off airport site. It is about $300 less expensive to use the off airport pickup. For airport pickup, full size car is $638, at their off site it's $339, big difference. They say they have shuttles to pick you up but not sure if they can pick up at airport, might call them and ask. We're staying at a hotel close by and they have a shuttle.

We were in Talkeetna last August and thoroughly enjoyed it. Stayed in a cabin close to town, walked around, ate good food, went to the museum and the National Park Visitor Center which had a great presentation on the Mt. McKinley climbers. Took a flightsee over Denali, great trip! Shops were nice, bookstore, art gallery, old store. Didn't bother with the craft booths.

Fairbanks was a one day one night stop on our way from Denali to Chicken. We went to the pipeline, tried to visit the Dredge but bad timing so no ticket. Rained off and on all afternoon which put a damper on walking through parks. Not interested in the car museum or the Riverboat, have them by home and friends reviews weren't that great for the Riverboat, or the Dredge for that matter but thought we'd try at least one! But, maybe with small children you might find more things to do in Fairbanks than Talkeetna. Depends on whether you like to kick back and enjoy surroundings or be on the go from attraction to attraction. We're headed back to Talkeetna in May, going to take the train roundtrip from Anchorage, mostly to experience the Alaska Railroad, never been!

And, I for one, rather enjoyed visiting the North Pole!! How many people can say they've been to the North Pole?? Got to see a huge balloon Santa and real reindeers! Ok, kinda corny! Had to buy a North Pole Xmas ornament!! :D

Thanks to all! We booked 8320 right on the hump. Wished for a D category instead of E for more room but should be okay. :D

Is the hump bothersome?

I'm trying to book a balcony cabin on the Adventure of the Seas and see there is a curve in the ship, how important is it to be forward of the curve? Does it block your view if you are aft of the curve?

We're doing a DIY tour in August and wondering why you didn't care for Fairbanks? We have included it on our itinerary for 2 nights and maybe we don't need 2 nights!! Maybe I'll add another night to Denali instead. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks all, think I've decided on May, seems the best time. Really like avoiding heat and crowds. Wish Princess had more choices of ships and ports. The Royal looks so huge, last year we went on the Pacific and it was perfect, small with not alot of people running around. Looking forward to the Scandinavian ports and Russia.

We are planning on taking a Northern Europe cruise next year and are trying to decide whether to go in May or August? Wanted to go in September but apparently there are no cruises there at that time of year. Thinking about either the Emerald or Royal Princess to Scandinavia/Russia. Weather isn't a big issue, don't mind cold but rain can be a bother. Would like to avoid tons of tourists, but still have attractions open. We went to Italy last year in November and found towns that were rather desolate, would like to avoid that. Kind of takes the fun out of it! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Carol

Cruisemom42, would also like a copy of your Herculaneum notes, cransmom at gmail dot com Thanks much, Carol

@Gracie115, thanks for the information. @CruiserBruce, I was asking if anyone ever had the problem as we had heard from friends that they once, not sure how long ago, used RIL and had a smoking driver. I was assured by RIL that the drivers do not smoke in the car and from comments here I am reassured that they don't. Thanks to all for the info, looking forward to our tours with RIL!

Anyone have a problem with driver smoking in van? Will they not if you ask?

Thanks!

So maybe I don't have to worry about it, plan on a sea day??

Trying to find tours for Qaqortoq, any ideas?? Princess doesn't even have it listed in their shore excursions brochure!:confused: