moposh

I use disposable waterproof cameras and the pictures came out great.

Shout Wipe and Go

They are great. Individually packaged. If you drop food on yourself, use one of these wipes and the stain is gone. Love them.

Everyone else gave you great ideas too.

Maybe some chewing gum. Sunscreen, aloe vera, lip balm, hand sanitizer, word search book.

On my second cruise, I was disappointed with food and selections in the WJ. But maybe that was because the cruise was 15 nights and when we got to the second week, I'd seen it all. Still, I think they can provide good food and you shouldn't have to go to the speciality restaurants to get it.

There are Alaskan cruises that begin in Seattle and end in Vancouver (or vice versa).

My bad. You're right. Just didn't seem very economical. :p

Ok now y'all are confusing me a little bit. lol I was looking at the Carnival website and going by 2014 cruises to get a general idea since 2015 isn't on there yet. I know they have the round trip cruises from Seattle, but also saw one starting in Vancouver and ending in Seattle. Maybe that was a repositioning cruise? I do appreciate all the feedback. I am excited to finally plan a cruise to Alaska. We don't get snow down here in Nola. I can give up the Caribbean beaches for this trip.

Vancouver to Seattle doesn't go through Alaska. Alaska is north of both cities.

For flight costs, you can look at costs for trips now to get an estimation.

They are both very different experiences. I enjoyed both of them for different reasons. In Glacier Bay you cruise up a wide body of water surrounded by mountains. At the north end of the Bay there are two different glaciers that the ship gets up close to. It is a National Park, and for good reason. If you're interested you'll find the photos I took at Glacier Bay HERE.

 

In Tracy Arm you cruise up a narrow fjord. The mountains shoot up from the water, and you get much closer to them than you do at Glacier Bay. You snake through this narrow passageway for a couple of hours, ending with a distant view of Sawyer Glacier. You'll find my photos HERE.

 

If you've never been to Alaska, either one would be impressive. However, if I had to choose, I would have to go with Glacier Bay National Park. It's an all day experience, compared to about 4 hours in Tracy Arm. And if you want to get up close to a calving glacier, it's the way to go.

What month did you go to Tracy Arm? Everyone looks bundled up!

You pay for excursions when you book them, on RCI, but you don't have to book excursions when you book the cruise. I think excursions might not open up until a few months before the cruise starts so you will have time to save money.

All the excursions looked expensive. I don't know if it's Alaska or just that prices have gone up a lot in the few years since I cruised.

I'm going to Alaska this year on Royal Caribbean. Even though they may not have their 2015 dates out yet, look at 2014. It will be similar. And ports will probably be identical (2013 and 2014 are) so you can start planning.

Make sure you book early. I booked my trip a couple weeks ago and didn't get my first choice because the landtour was full. I didn't realize they would fill so quickly, but Alaska is only 'open' for a few months for cruises.

Good luck!

I really enjoyed the solarium. Also try out the mini golf and rock climbing wall. I didn't think I could climb it, but I did! The handler was great, giving me the extra encouragement to get all the way up.

Have fun!

Yes, it's unfortunate that RCI had to institute the automatic tipping, but I guess, like other places, travelers either did not tip or tipped very poorly and employees, rightfully, complained to RCI because they weren't making money. I'm sure they get paid a lower salary from RCI because tipping is to make it up.

I do agree that pride in their job will be there. I don't anticipate any problems.

When I served in restaurants, sometimes I would see a group and think, they won't tip much, but I still gave them good service and surprise, surprise, I got good tips.

We are sailing on the Quantum next February, and when it came to dining choices, we were told all that was available was MTD. They said both early and late dining was full, and that both wait lists were already full. This seemed odd to us since our sail date is thirteen months away. There has been some speculation there will only be MTD on the Quantum, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

This will be our first time with MTD, and from what I am reading on this thread, it appears we can actually reserve a specific time for each of our eleven nights at sea if we want to? And we might even be able to get the same wait staff? I hope this is the case. When you have the same wait staff they know what you like and don't like, and they treat you very well. You feel you get the special extras from them. With a different wait staff every night, and their tips have already been paid in advance, where is the incentive to give you the best of service? I would appreciate anybody who has experienced MTD to let me know how it was, and what your thoughts are on all of this. I'm hoping to hear it's no problem at all! Thanks!

Jayne,

if you didn't have MTD, your seapass would be charged daily for tips so you could say that no employee has incentive to give good service as tips are already guaranteed. Of course, someone can tip over that so that might inspire good service. Regardless, I don't think it will be a problem and if you are not receiving good service, you can always tell someone.

I haven't done MTD yet, but think it will be good. I don't have any worries.

For me, it was not worth it. I got the soda package and I was drinking all the time to try and recoup my investment, so to speak. I did not get a soda package on my second cruise and I was fine. I drank lemonade or water or milk. I think it's a waste of money.

I believe if you just show up, you may have a wait. My instructions for MTD say to make reservations.

Daily reservations can be made on-line beginning at 3 months and up to 4 days prior to departure at http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com under >Before You Board > Pre

Cruise Planner.

I really enjoyed Labadee. It was a few years ago. They were doing renovation when I was there so it should be better now. I did the zip line, tour (which wasn't so hot), and snorkeling. Lots of water activities. They provide lunch. Also enjoyed just sitting in the hammock and chilling. Didn't want to leave! You'll have fun.