PSUtraveler

We tipped between 5-10 dollars per person on excursions, depending on the type of excursion, how long it was, and how helpful the guide was. Our excursions usually included bus transfers as well. We tipped a few dollars to the drivers, in general. I have no idea if we would be considered generous or stingy with those amounts, though. In any case, hope this helps!

I was saddened to find out that one of the victims was one of the teachers from the Art Department of my former junior college in Stockton , CA ( Delta College )and a friend of my father's art circle . A talented artist.

http://m.lodinews.com/lodi_living/arts_and_entertainment/article_21de473b-83c2-5afa-8176-de16fa830739.html?mode=jqm

A loss to the community , he will be missed ( as will all other victims).

 

 

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I'm so sorry to hear this. Thinking of the communities of all the victims tonight.

His FaceBook page has some great shots with him and a Beaver up north. He also talks about the Beaver vs the new to him Otter at his new job in SE.

 

 

 

I would have flown with him.

For what it's worth...I've mentioned this elsewhere, but I did fly with him on our Misty Fjords excursion, June 18. We had a wonderful trip. He was very nice, friendly and professional. I was so shocked and saddened to hear the news.

You're welcome & that's good that your friends were not involved.

 

 

 

The rest of us never met the pilot & even though it's tragic that you met him, thanks for sharing your experiences...just like most pilot's he apparently was doing what he loved to do.

 

 

 

I found an article about the pilot: http://www.adn.com/article/20150627/pilot-southeast-alaska-plane-crash-loved-flying-was-always-cautious-brother-says

Thank you. And thanks for the article. So very sad.

I don't think they have released anything yet.

That must bring the tragedy very close to you.

 

I know that statistically there is more chance of a car crash on the way but it is making me rethink. On holidays we do things we wouldn't do at home.

Yes, it does. Thank you. I hope I would still do something like it in the future, since it really was a wonderful and breathtakingly beautiful trip.

I think you are right; driving to work or around town is likely far more dangerous than getting on a small plane or helicopter. I think some of the fears about doing the latter stem from the fact that for many of us, these are not routine events.

Whatever you decide to do on your next trip, I hope you enjoy it!

Hi, yes, we had Bryan as our pilot. He does not live in Alaska, but I believe he said he had 30 years experience flying small planes (I'm not certain as I was not paying full attention to the conversation at the time). From what I can gather he worked for Talkeetna Air Taxi previously. He seemed very competent.

We took this same excursion a week before the incident; we booked through Princess (we were on the Grand). Sadly the pilot killed in the crash was "our" pilot. He was very friendly and professional. We had a wonderful time. Condolences to the families and friends of all the victims, as well as the other cruise passengers and the community of Ketchikan.

We've loved lunch in the Da Vinci this last year. Nothing like starting off a cruise being spoiled. We think the salmon is the best on the whole cruise, there is a good appetizer with avocado, and soufflé for dessert.

You said the magic word...avocado 😋. We are hoping to make it on board the ship in time for lunch in the MDR. I hope they still have it by the time we cruise next year!

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Some places have "generic" prescription goggles available for rent-I opted for that the first time I did anything underwater. Might be worth asking. Enjoy!

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Marietta,

How wonderful that you can plan this trip with your parents and that your mom's medical team is willing to work around it all. I hope you all have a wonderful time. My prayers are with you all.

PSUtraveler (Becky)

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Headed on my second cruise - to Alaska for the first time! There are a lot of moving parts - flying from Detroit, layover in Toronto, landing in Vancouver. Spending a night in Vancouver before embarking. Lots of planning for independent tours and car rentals at all ports. A long day in Anchorage at the end of the cruise, with the flight home leaving at 11:57pm, a layover in Denver and finally arriving in Detroit at 3pm the next day.

 

Starting to get anxious about all of the planning and keeping it all together!

Well I don't know if you can really call it "soon" but we are booked on a 2015 Alaska cruise. We are heading up a week early to do some independent touring so we also have quite a bit of planning. Enjoy your cruise!

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Looks like you can get deeper and looks like fun. You may not get the separation from your fellow Snuba team as I suppose the air lines keeps everyone close. Any one try it? Comments? Thanks

My DH and I did a SNUBA excursion in Bermuda. It was an excursion offered through NCL...I forget the company. He enjoyed it but I had anxiety issues with breathing while underwater. Until that point I had never even snorkeled so I think it was more of a personal issue. You stay pretty close together with the other divers.

Since then I have completed scuba diving courses up to the advanced open water level. SNUBA is safer than diving, but it does have the potential to be dangerous if the pre-dive training is not emphasized. So just check out reviews before you pick a company and make sure they have a reputation for safe dives. Have fun!

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So glad it will work out! Happy cruising!!

Hi cheymom86,

I've used Transbridge lots of times - I live just down the road in Bethlehem. A few years ago my DH and I used Transbridge to get to Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Our embarkation time was earlier so we couldn't use the pier transfer, and ended up getting off at Port Authority and taking a taxi to the cruise terminal (it IS walkable, but I wouldn't do it with luggage).

The buses are clean and comfortable for the short trip to the city. Are you heading to Manhattan Cruise Terminal, or Cape Liberty? If you're going to Manhattan Cruise Terminal, I wouldn't do the pier transfer, because I am always anxious about being late and the Transbridge schedule doesn't leave much room for error. The alternative would be one of the earlier Transbridge buses to Port Authority and taking a cab from there to the cruise terminal.

Hope that helped! ;)

Forgive me if I posted on the incorrect forum.

 

I am curious about the reason you folks are booking a year ahead. Trying to convince my DH that I could have the cruise paid for without digging so deep and also the prices may be cheaper.

 

We aren't newbies, but he never plans ahead, always last minute.

 

Thank you for your input.

We booked early because we have a group of 6 and we wanted specific cabins :)

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Hi everyone!

First post from a long time lurker :)

My husband and I are cruising on the Grand Princess on June 13, and we are taking his dad and my parents along for the ride!

It will be my second cruise and the first for my parents. I am so excited!

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