gagenie

I just got off the Coral last week. Deck 7, rear aft, deck 15 forward port and deck 7 inside at Churchill smoker lounge. Casino a small section in rear but no smoking on formal nights from 6-12.

Thank you so much!!

Can anyone tell me where the smoking area is on the Coral Princess please?

You're in for a treat then. Every morning briefing by the captain will start out with a "Yoo-hoo" from him and will end with a "Bye-bye"!

 

When is your cruise starting?

 

Tom

Our cruise starts June 10

Just one more thing to look forward too!!:)

Just got a email from the Captain this morning for our upcoming to Alaska on the Coral. He will be the Captain on our cruise, so I guess he is moving to the Coral

I never, in my posts suggested that this was a legal issue. It is a consumer issue. Recent posters seem to believe that if it is not to my liking or yours cruise lines will simply sell those cabins to others. If that is the case, why bother with all the frequent cruiser incentive programs?

 

Anyone who has taken Marketing 101 knows that it is much more cost effective to business to retain clients than attract new ones.

 

With that in mind, I have expressed myself here and in a letter to HAL. I loved my first half of the cruise, and the second half was severely impacted by the large group. The decision to book 1200 was HAL's alone. In writing to them I am merely stating how it was from the point of view of a regular cruiser who will think long and hard about booking with them again.

 

If they respond and say they will do better, such as informing passengers in advance, limiting group size etc. I will feel that those of us who complained may have been heard. I would likely then consider another cruise on HAL. If they offer me an incentive such as OBC or reduced fare, I likely will try them again.

 

I always understood what the contract was. That does not cause me to lie down and play dead if I am disappointed. I believe they would be wise to reconsider their approach. The 1200 also were unhappy as those in late dining found it too late and too formal. Not sure how many of them are gleeful new customers for HAL. But that is for HAL to decide.

 

I will feel better having alerted other HAL passengers about what happened and having expressed my position clearly to HAL. The ball is now in their court.

 

Those who shrug about my issues have a different tipping point. If the casino had been closed all week I would have barely been aware. Others would have been up in arms. But I would never have the defeatist attitude that says, my tough luck, say nothing, move on all because of the contract wording and some notional marketing ideas that indicate that "nothing can be done".

 

But that is just me.

I am so sorry this happened to you on your cruise!! I like you would have been totally upset by being treated this way and it shouldn't have happened!! That is on Holland and there is NO excuse to be made for them. I hope you get something for troubles, but it would be a long time before I would cruise with them again!

Wow!! Great video!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

Did Adventure Bound mention the odds this year of getting all the way to Tracy Arm Fjord In late may , early June? Just not sure if it's worth all the time if we don't get all the way to the end.

So does anyone know if it's been as cold this winter as it usually is in Alaska or has this been a more milder winter then last year when they didn't get to the end until Mid July to get an upclose view of the glacier?

Jimbo:)

They did not mention it when I booked the tour but I didn't ask either. Give them a call they are super nice!

We are on the Princess NB and get into Juneau at 8:00 am so I didn't even pursue this excursion because I thought it wouldn't be possible. I am not sure my family would have wanted the stress of having to be the first ones off, etc., but it's nice to know it is possible. Good for you OP for following through with it--I have read it is wonderful! I'm excited about the excursion we chose though so everything still worked out. :)

Thank you!! I knew we wanted to do this tour the next time we went to Alaska so I'm glad we were able to booked this tour!

The $99 package is no longer available on my 2017 Alaska cruise on the Star. On the Princess site it talks about a $50 price cut pre-cruise, but still shows $199.

Same thing with mine on the Coral

It's available for our June 10 cruise on the Coral also

Here is the Island Wings website with a video of a flight to Misty Fjords

http://www.islandwings.com/misty-fjords---glaciers-flightseeing-tours.html

 

And here is Skagway flight with Mountain Flying

http://www.mountainflyingservice.com/glacier-bay-media

 

My first choice would be from Skagway but the Ketchikan flight is well worth taking also

Thanks Doug for the links!!

Still trying to decide!

You can get some spectacular glacier flightseeing in Ketchikan with a specific flight. It also isn't just Glacier Bay out of Skagway. Helicopter tours are excellent as well.

 

It indeed is a tough choice. I also would not discourage you from flying twice. I usually fly more than once on my trips.

 

As I mentioned, Misty, is beautiful deep fjords, cliffs, alpine lakes, a lot of greenery, sitka spruce forests. There should be a lot of photos online.

It really is a hard decision!! It would be nice to take two flights :) I am going to start looking in Ketchikan as to see the flights with the glaciers. Although Misty Fjord sounds nice also and those pictures Sherry posted the place looks beautiful!! Also check out the helicopter tours out of Skagway.

Thank you for all your help!!

I've been to Skagway 8 times. I've never been to Liarsville and have only peeked in the door at the Red Onion. I don't feel like I've missed anything special, and certainly wouldn't suggest someone give up a flightseeing opportunity in order to visit those places.

 

A couple of photos from Misty Fjords. Sorry, I'm not a professional photographer, so these were just taken from my iPhone.

 

 

Those pictures are beautiful!!See why it's so hard to decide!!

I've done several flights out of Ketchikan, some thru the cruise line and also with Michelle /Island Wings. Only once out of Skagway over Glacier Bay with Mountain Flying (based down in Haines) Also several out of Juneau.

 

My preference would be Skagway (or Juneau) over the glaciers and icefields rather than over Misty Fjords. All were good, my preference is just the glaciers.

Thanks Doug!

In Juneau we have the Tracy Fjord tour booked. I was looking at Mountain Flying at Skagway or Island Wings in Ketchikan just can't decide on which one to do

I recommend Ketchikan for flightseeing... Skagway has too many activities for a flight...

• White Pass Railway
  
• Yukon
  
• Liarsville
  
• Red Onion
  

We did the Bennett/White Pass Railway/Yukon last time we was in Skagway so I was wanting to do something different this time. Haven't been to Liarsville or Red Onion so I will check those out and see if it's something we would like. Also thought about going to Haines for the day. So much to do with so little time :)

I can guarantee rave recommendations for both, especially if someone has only done one.. :)

 

I've flown in Alaska multiple times and do so every trip. There are different factors to perhaps consider? Preference of aircraft? sightseeing preference- glacier flights are usually add on tours. Regular Misty flights are alpine lakes, a lot of greenery , water landings??? glacier landings? Does one of these tours offer ideal tour scheduling for you???

I sorta figured I might get rave reviews!!:) As I'm sure I would be thrilled with either.

We have enough time in both ports and nothing planned in either yet. I assume Ketchikan would be Misty Fjord flight? and Skagway would be Glacier Bay? We will be going to Glacier Bay on the ship but I'm sure it would be something to see from the air. Just can't really decide.

Thank you!

If you could go on 1 flightseeing tour either in Skagway or Ketchikan which one would you chose and why? and what company did you use?

Thanks!

Certainly Haines is a great option. There is the ferry which most people take but I like using the combo of flying one way with the ferry and get a nice glacier viewing flight in. :) I usually rent a car in Haines. Murray has an informative Haines Highway guide. http://www.explorenorth.com But- first see if the area is of any interest to you- http://www.visithaines.com

Thank you for the links!! Going to check them out!!

I suggest you take a good look at touring options? A lot of transfer tours are, just "ok" in my opinion, filling up time. There are numerous highlights to also consider. It's even possible- with a rental car, to perhaps include glacier trekking at Matanuska, with a late overnight flight.

 

In general, you need to be at the airport for domestic flights 2 hours ahead. You really can't shorten this even though reports will claim their time was less.

I am reading everything I can about things in and around Anchorage. I think I've got everything planned except for Skagway and Anchorage. We did the Bennett Lake trip bus up train back before in Skagway so I want to do something different this time any suggestions? How far is it to Haines?

Thank you!!

just an option to consider.

Do whatever you're most comfortable with ... it's your trip! Have a great time!

 

Trip report when you get back. Doesn't HAVE to be a photojournal, just your activities at each location, highlights, lowlights.

I will try and do a trip report when I get back, not very good at those kinds of things!

You could also just use the transfer-only option for an airport dropoff at 10:30am. Pick up a car from Enterprise at the airport for $100 and have the day to sightsee .... going where you want to go and on your schedule.

The sights on the narrated transfer are within 45-60 minutes of the airport so it's an easy drive.

http://www.alaska.org/guide/turnagain-arm-drive

I will check out that option also but I think we are leaning towards the Tour/Transfer. Thanks for your help!

OK all set now, We are taking the Alaska Cruise Transfer tour that Mapleleaves suggested. Its cheaper than what Princess offers. We do the 7 hour tour and then they will drop us off at the airport.

Avis want $400+ for a one way car rental not paying that much for a car rental. :eek:

Wheels down at 2:30pm.... means you will be out of the terminal around 3:15pm. About 45 minutes before the bridge gets busy.

 

Your call if you want $18 by subway (2 adults) vs $35 cab carload for door to door convenience.

 

Hmm.... you'll arrive at your hotel around 4pm. 4:30pm is just the right time to head over to the nearby cruise terminal for a shuttle to the Capilano Suspension Bridge to take advantage of the 5pm discount. Just remember that the last shuttles are around 6pm... you may need to take public transit back to your hotel.

 

[YOUTUBE]pJdkKFNLYOE[/YOUTUBE]

Flight changed we are now getting into Vancouver at 12.04 pm we found a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Vancouver, so that will give us more time to check out the city!! :)

It looks like our cruise (NCL Jewel) is only in Juneau until 1:00pm. Do you know if there are any boat tours to see the glacier on such a short time in port?

I'm sorry I don't. The boat tour we are taking is approx. a 10 hour trip from Juneau. Maybe someone else will know more than me/

Since there is no Canadian pre-clearance in Atlanta, you will de-plane and clear Canadian C&I in Toronto, and then your flight from Toronto to Vancouver will be considered domestic.

Thank you!!