foggyphils

If your first stop off the ship is Anchorage (and perhaps those being picked up from the airport to start their land portion first), they don’t drop you off at your hotel. They drop you off at their hospitality center where you can check in carry ons. There will be a line and a bunch of people. We had planned to drop off our stuff at Captain cook Hotel and take the free shuttle to the Native Heritage Center. (It stops right in front of the hotel). Instead, they expect you to mill around for a couple hours and then be back at 3:45 for the shuttle to the hotel. Fortunately, the hotel isn’t too far away so we skipped all that nonsense.  So instead, we made a couple back and forth trips to the hospitality center then walked with our carry ons to the hotel. Everything turned out fine, but we should of been able to just drop our stuff off at Captain Cook. It’s a huge hotel. None of this was communicated until we arrived in Anchorage. Everyone was a bit confused. Especially the ESL and non English speakers. I saw them on the train the next day so I guess they figured it out 😉

Another thing about luggage, it was never “ready in our room” except in Fairbanks. 

Not In Anchorage or Denali. We had an excursion in Denali (ATVs)  a couple hours after our train arrived. But no luggage so we had to wear our traveling clothes. Not ideal but we made it work. So if you have an excursion planned soon after arrival, bring appropriate clothing on the bus/train with you. 

Transfers:

If you buy a Princess Cruisetour (Vancouver to FB), you very likely bought transfers as well. Trust me, check your receipt or personalizer. It’s automatic through Princess and most travel agents. Some agents know better and take them off but they seem to be a rarity. It’s an $86per person charge. You CAN get this refunded and in most cases, should. Unless you just like throwing money away, like getting to and from the airport at crazy times, and putting luggage out the night before so you can carry dirty clothes in your carry on the next morning. Ok, I guess some people might like the luggage service part of it. I’ll give you that, but there are better options in my opinion. (FYI - If you do not contact Princess, you lose the money. They will not credit you afterwards. )

1. They only offer transfers on the day of embarkation (for a NB Cruise) so if you arrive a day or more earlier, no transfer for you! Which is fine because a taxi to anywhere you likely want to go is about $40CAD ($30ish USD). Heck, you could hire a limo driver to do everything for you and come out ahead of paying Princess. 
2. Y’all (I’m from TX), I could spit and hit the airport from the Fairbanks Princess Lodge. That’s how close it is. I looked up how much an Uber would cost when I got up (to gage how much a middle of the night Uber would be). $10+tip. Which leads me to....
3. For some ungodly reason, if you have a flight at 5:30am at the Fairbanks airport, Princess has you take their 3:10am shuttle! 🙄There is no other option. This isn’t O’Hare folks! It’s got 2 terminals, 6 gates, a bar, and a starbucks! Even the Aussies were out of the checkin line by 3:45. You can’t even go through security until 4am. There is NOONE there! 🤪Except for the bartender 😉

Bottom line, for ~$50 and more control, you can have better options. Or, you can pay Princess $172 for subpar transfers.

Lost Luggage:

I am one of the “super rare🙄” guests whose luggage didn’t make it off the ship to the land part of my (Princess) cruisetour. Late the first night on land in Anchorage, and once everyone stops saying, “We are still taking luggage to rooms. Come back later”, they had me fill out a triplicate paper form. There was no apology. Really nothing other than saying, “We always find the bag. We have a great system in place. Keep checking with us.” So on to Denali we go the next day. I ask about the luggage at front desk and go through the whole thing again. At this point, I’m getting a bit annoyed because there is no real explanation or apology. And really, this should be in the computer. After the third night, I’m asking more questions on the process of baggage tracking and getting very short, when the manager says, “I’ll just issue you another $50 certificate!”  I say, “I’ve never received a first one. No one has ever mentioned this policy to me.” Then she says she’ll send me a $100 certificate. So if they don’t have your luggage, they will issue you at least a $50 delayed baggage certificate. You can use these at any princess store or restaurant and they will give you cash as change. So you spend $5 on a coke, they will give you the rest back in cash. I never really figured out if they are suppose to issue you these for each night, each hotel, or if it’s just a willy nilly thing on who complains loudest. I also received a $50 certificate in Fairbanks. Because as you may of guessed, my bags didn’t show up there either. 😉So $150 for 5 nights of delayed baggage. 

So, lessons learned...

1. Have a really strong luggage tag with your name, address, and phone#
2. Split your belongings between luggage with your spouse or cabin mate (we did this inadvertently, but will do it on purpose next time!)
3. I will no longer put baggage out unattended. In Denali and Fairbanks, I waited until they knocked on the door and then took their names. Alternatively, I will just be one of those annoying people who bring their baggage on the bus. There is room underneath despite what they tell you and several people did it on my cruisetour. 
4. Glad I got the insurance. I got a pretty cheap policy but it pays $200 for delayed baggage and up to $1000 for lost. I haven’t filed yet, so I’ll see how it goes. 

So the kicker..Guess who calls the night I get home? Yep, Princess. They found my bag. 🤷🏻‍♀️Apparently, the tags had ALL been torn off. BUT, it was suppose to be delivered today according to Fedex tracking. But is it here? Nope. It’s somewhere in Memphis, TN. Been sitting there since Sunday. Me thinks the bag is jinxed.

I have more tips. I’ll add as I think of them. 

15 minutes ago, idahospud said:

Haven't heard anything about the gale warning. The seas have been pretty rough today but have calmed down tonight. The ship handled the waves extremely well (the ship has been using its stabilizers today) and it has been a somewhat smooth ride. These two weeks have been our 16th and 17th cruises to Alaska and I can tell you definitively the Royal handles rough weather better than any of the other Princess ships we've taken to Alaska. If anyone is prone to seasickness, I'd recommend choosing the Royal Princess over any other Princess ship because of its stability. 

Good to hear and thanks for the quick reply. After today’s roller coaster experience, I’m hoping for a smoother ride on the ship. 

7 hours ago, idahospud said:

I just finished my "live from" blog post for the day and covered this topic. Hope it's okay I just did a copy and paste of the info that applies...

 

Today I had the opportunity to ask the Captain and 3rd Officer several questions about the route this ship has taken as we've navigated our way to and from Alaska. If you remember, when we left Vancouver we took the green route

 instead of the much more scenic red route. It was quite disappointing.

Today as we're heading back to Vancouver we are again taking the non-scenic route. As I found out in my questioning today, the issue is with the length of the Royal Princess and the British Columbia marine pilot rules. Currently there is a limit on the length a ship can be when passing through the area. While right now the Royal cannot sail those narrower, more scenic waterways they are working to get clearance at some point during the summer. So sailings later in the season may get the scenic route. Lucky ducks.

 

I also asked about the Ketchikan approach. Usually when coming into Ketchikan from the south ships take the red route but we came in on the brown route. Another less scenic route.

Alaska marine pilots had concerns about the maneuverability of the Royal Princess, particularly at lower speeds. So as the ship was needing to slow down to dock in Ketchikan it required a different approach - one that would bring her in from the north. Which now makes sense to why when we left Ketchikan on our way back to Vancouver we we were able to leave from the south. I was told today since we weren't trying to slow down the issue wasn't an issue and we could maneuver on out through the scenic south.

I found the conversation (and information) very interesting.

Deb - have they mentioned anything about the gale warning around Vancouver? Just curious how bumpy the ride gets tonight. We were trying to get to Victoria today and  it got so choppy on our ferry/catamaran, we had to turn around and go back to Vancouver. I know a cruise ship can handle much more than a ferry, but they said it’s the first time this had happened. We board Royal tomorrow. 

4 hours ago, Thrak said:

Look at my post. The $86 was on the first Travel Summary which showed the transfer. The later Travel Summary doesn't have the transfer and also doesn't have the $86 charge.

Got it. So did the total price change by $86 too? Or maybe this was before final payment. I guess what I’m saying is if that transfer was on there along with the $86 line item. And then that disappeared, but my total was the same, I’d be kinda ticked.

Either way, have fun on your trip. Looks like you get to leave tomorrow! 

1 hour ago, pris993 said:I think it depends on when you book... we book early, directly and watch for price drops, cruise will re fare if you request... often find the price goes up from what we book because we book early.    Now airlines are a different story.  Hotels, I book early and watch hotel rates, if rate drops, I call request the lower rate, always get.    

We booked 45 days out so the cancel fee would of been outrageous no matter where we booked. I think NB/SB Alaska cruises are a bit of an anomaly. They drop dramatically the month before sailing. I noticed the round trips seemed to go up for the most part. 

It is really hard for me to have to do things through the TA. I don’t like to inconvenience people so I’m already going into it from a place of settling for good enough when I’d like to plan or change something. 

3 hours ago, Thrak said:

From original Travel Summary (pdf saved to computer 9/26/18):

 

=====================================================

From updated Travel Summary (pdf saved to computer 2/26/19):

 



So you have the same $86 charge. Yet, it’s not showing up with a transfer. That’s really perplexing!

43 minutes ago, Thrak said:

After that first cruise I booked all of my own cruises through Princess. I tracked pricing, promotions, etc. Shortly before final payment I would transfer to my TA and he would knock a chunk off of the top end of the price. Worked well for us and well for him. I did the work, he got the commission, I got a discount. Best of both worlds.

That’s smart. I didn’t know that was an option. I only go on a cruise every couple of years. On this one, we booked flights (AA using points that let you have some flexibility on changing dates) in June 2018 and then booked the cruise about 45 days out. I tracked one way Alaska cruises last year so knew they would drop close to sailing. 

So so did you get the connoisseur tour when they had them all the same price no matter the length? I almost jumped on that but chickened out! 

1 hour ago, pris993 said:

That is why I handle all my self direct with the cruise line, have not blame but myself if I don't get what I want...rarely do I not get what I want.... that simple.  This works for cruises, airlines and hotels... do it all myself, including insurance direct with Travel Guard.  

34 minutes ago, emmak8 said:

I agree with pris993! So much less stressful to take care of details myself rather than to call TA for every little thing.

Choose what you feel most comfortable doing.

I hear ya. I prefer to do my own stuff,  but the cruise line wanted $800 more for the exact same booking. Even if I couldn’t get the transfers taken care of, it’s a big enough amount to deal with the headache. 

7 minutes ago, Thrak said:

We leave Friday for a connoisseur cruise tour in Alaska. When I originally booked I saved the Travel Summary to my computer. Later, after transferring to my TA, I noticed that the Travel Summary listed a transfer in Vancouver to the airport. As we are staying in the Vancouver area for several days after the cruise I contacted my TA and asked to have the transfer removed. He checked and replied that he didn't see any transfer associated with my booking. WHAT?

 

I logged into my Cruise Personalizer and looked at the Travel Summary. D'Oh! It had changed from the one I had originally saved to my computer and it no longer mentioned the transfer. Princess strikes again. My point is, if you are looking at an older version of your Travel Summary that lists the transfers you might want to check Princess again and see if they are even listed at all on the updated Travel Summary.

Interesting...I’m really surprised it’s not still on yours. Every cruisetour I looked at had that transfer fee. It’s also on my invoice I got from the agent. I was able to get a $65 credit back to my card for Vancouver today. Still have Fairbanks transfer which is next to the airport and offers free shuttle service. 🙄

4 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

It's not just Princess, but all cruise lines at least the mainstream ones. I assume it's because the TA got a cut of price of the cruise, the cut that would pay for a PVP or the staff that would be making the change on a phone call to the toll-free number! Or perhaps that's what the TAs as a group insist on, to keep control of the reservation and 'protect' you. 

I’m thinking the control part might make more sense. As I imagine I’m part of a good percentage of calls into princess looking to do something and being told to go back through the TA. And Princess is paying those people to reroute us. Then the TA calls a different person that Princess is also paying to actually get it done. But I got the impression from my TA (not in a rude way or anything) they’d prefer me to be on hold and just do it myself. 😉 

28 minutes ago, skynight said:

With point no. 1 it sounds like an upgrade to a different cruisetour, and not just a ship's tour. Ship's tours you can book on line yourself, but a cruisetour goes through the cruisetour department which is not related to the ship's tour department.

It’s the same cruisetour, but they give you the option to upgrade one of the excursions to a longer one for $70. But you have to do it through your TA. 🤷🏻‍♀️

You actually book the land excursions the same way as the cruise excursions. It’s all on the same list of “ports”. 

32 minutes ago, Potstech said:

Why did your TA automatically add transfers?  That is an option that they should have asked if you wanted.  You will most likely need them getting to and from the airports.  They can cancel them very easily.  For some reason TA's have to sign passengers up for this limit seating excursion.  Would definitely do the upgrade and sign up the earliest you can.  You can not wait until you get to Alaska.

Whether you book through Princess or another online travel agency, transfers are automatically added to cruisetours on the checkout screen. I assumed they were for transfers DURING the cruisetour. When I looked at my  personalizer, I realized they were airport transfers. However, we are arriving 3 days early to enjoy Vancouver and they only offer their transfer the day of the cruise. 

Fortunately there was enough room for the TWT. We leave next week. 😉

Can someone explain the logic of why some small changes have to go through your travel agent?

A couple of really simple things required multiple calls and emails that seem highly inefficient for everyone. 

1. Upgrading from Natural History Tour to Tundra Wilderness Tour.

Under excursions, it says there is an option to upgrade but you have to go through the TA. I don’t understand why you couldn’t just add this just like any other excursion. 

2. Removing a transfer because Princess doesn’t offer one the day we fly in. 

Just for clarification, this is for an Alaska Cruisetour. Transfers were automatically added (not included, but added at checkout) and the NHT is included with original price. 

I figure there must be a good reason, I just don’t know what it could be!!

12 hours ago, Idahoan58 said:

Getting on and off in the ports there have been had long lines. I feel like carnival and rci are way more efficient when it come to getting people on and off the ship.

 

As for the ports, is it an all day long line thing or just first thing when you arrive?Our excursion in Juneau is asking us to be the first ones off for an 8:30 tour. I’m wondering how early we should line up. 🤪 We are on Royal in a couple weeks. 

11 hours ago, idahospud said:

I'm on the Royal right now, and despite the tragedy and heavy-heartedness we are experiencing on the ship, I do understand other wanting to get their planning started. I've been posting all the Patters and have been doing a "live from" during the voyage. While I'd like to share the blog link, Cruise Critic rules prevent me from doing so and it would be a bit difficult to go back and copy and paste everything I've written so far onto here. (Plus we are focusing on some bigger pressing issues onboard right now.) If you email me at cruisingandcrafting at gmail dot com I'd be more than happy to send you a link to everything I have.

 

(Mods...if I'm not allowed to share my email for them to get the info, I understand you needing to pull this post.)

I’ve been following your blog and appreciate you posting the patters. I think you are the only one doing that “live”.

I feel like I’ve seen people put their blog links In their signature area (but don’t quote me on that!) so maybe that’s an option for people to find you. 

If I read the patters correctly, it looks like they haven’t offered the $10/$20 Royal tea yet? Trying to figure out when that happens so I don’t make specialty restaurant reservations the same day. 

Have a wonderful trip. I’ll be getting on when you get back off in Vancouver. 😉

May 25-June 6 Royal Princess Cruisetour - Northbound (Vancouver to Fairbanks)

7 night cruise followed by 5 night Land Tour

May 23-25 - Pre-cruise stay in Vancouver with a day trip to Victoria

Participants: My mom (60s) and I (40s). My mom is more active than I want to be so we have no mobility issues. However, She has nixed any small plane tours. My dad was a pilot and had a sesna that had several emergency landings over the years so she’s not a fan. 

As of April, I haven’t figured out all of our excursions yet, but so far:

Vancouver - Day trip to Victoria including V2V to get there and the Prince of Whales Tour that includes Butchart Gardens and 2.5 hr sunset cruise back to Vancouver (it actually leaves from BG so no need to go back to DT Victoria)

4 hour Vancouver City Tour- I found a good deal on Groupon for this. 

Ketchikan - not sure yet

Juneau - Adventure Bound Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise 

Skagway - A combo train/tour...not sure which one. Trying to do glass blowing at Jewel Gardens too. 

Whittier to Anchorage - Transfer that include the Alaska Conservation Center. I’d really like to upgrade to the one that includes the Alyeska Tram, but not sure that’s possible on a cruisetour. 

Anchorage - not sure yet. 

Denali - Tundra Wilderness Tour, One of the dinner shows, maybe a hike 

Fairbanks - Gold Panning/steamwheeler tour with lunch

I’ve  posted the pre-planning stuff on our modest travel blog. It includes a lot of cost analysis and budgeting costs. 

https://momandigo.wordpress.com/category/to-alaska/

I remember when those connoisser tours were such an insane price. In fact, if I remember correctly, at one point they were all the same price no matter how many nights you chose. I figured it was a price glitch. Glad you were able to snag one. 

Thanks for the replies. I’ll email my TA now. It’s good to see others have been successful even if it takes a bit of work. 

Fishywood- I hear ya. Which is why I did mock booking on the Princess site. And indeed, the charge is on there as well (see pic). The price was a good $1000 cheaper through the online TA so it was worth it to me. I’ll eat the $86 if I have to but seems a bit ridiculous to pay for something I can’t use. 

Skynight - yes I paid already. When I asked about them, I was told it was for land transfers for cruisetours...which I just figured was part of the actual transfers during the  cruisetour. Didn’t realize they were for airport “land” transfers until I got the specific itenerary in the cruise planner. 

When I booked our Alaska cruisetour online, there was a “Transfers” fee of about $86 added on the last checkout page and no way to deselect them. According to our itenerary, these are for airport transfers on embarkation (Vancouver) and the last day of the cruisetour (Fairbanks). However, we have added days to both ends of the tour independently, and Princess says they only do the transfers on the specific arrival/departure days. 

I did the chat thing and they said I couldn’t get a refund or obc. So then I called and they said I would need to get my TA to remove them. 

So bottom line, has anyone been able to get refunds or even OBC for airport transfers they can’t use?

28 minutes ago, Bubbs33 said:

There are some good deals on land/rail tours now. Checkout https://www.princesslodges.com/travel-specials/alaska-rail-specials/

You could book separately.

Thanks Bubbs!

-They have some interesting tours but none from Whittier that I could find and they’re a bit more expensive.  It if I can’t do an add-on, I’ll compare it to my DIY version.

Just to give you an idea. The cruisetour above (~$400-500pp over the price of cruise only) includes 5 nights princess hotels, train, and $215 pp worth of tours (Denali NWT,  Fairbanks gold/steamwheeler/lunch tour, and Alaska Conservation Center.) 

Alaska NB/SB  in May (shoulder season) is an exception to the rule. The prices keep going down. If they track like last year, they never go back up...except for suites sometimes. (I know this is the case with cruises, not positive about cruisetours) The reason I’m interested in this cruisetour is my DIY land trip comes nowhere near the deal of the cruisetour. 

Has anyone successfully added an Alaska land tour (or switched to a cruisetour) after booking just the cruise? And within the 75 day window? If so, was the pricing based on current pricing or your original booking price. 

So if you look at the first picture, Balcony (BF) and Obstructed balconies (bw) are the same price for the cruise only portion.

The second pic is the cruisetour prices. Strangely, there are big differences in balcony vs obstructed. Anyone know why that would be as I would think that part only pertains to the cruise part? Or does it also have something to do with the type of land room you would get?