Heidi13

The location of the Assembly Stations, which most pax refer to as Muster Stations, is based on the ship design and not the age of the ship. Some cruise lines have never mustered at the Survival Craft, in my lifetime. My first cruise ship was in 1976, aboard a vessel built in the mid 1950's, and her Assembly Stations were all in lounges, not out on deck at the Survival Craft. My other early ships built in 1959 and 1960 were the same, having interior Assembly Stations. Even the oldest pax vessel I commanded was built in 1950, and she also had the Assembly Stations in the lounges I only experienced the Assembly Stations on deck at the Survival Craft on a single cruise and that was with RCCL, on a ship built in 2000.

You have received some great suggestions for resources, but prior to starting research, I suggest developing your Statement of Requirements (SoR) of what you are looking for in a cruise. It should be detailed and include must haves and nice to have. After our final Princess cruise, I spent 2-years developing an SoR and then researching. Having a detailed SoR helps remove some of the bias, as you can more easily focus on facts.

Back in my days as Navigator, we were instructed to alter course to avoid squalls, so yes, some Masters do take action to avoid any weather. Even without weather issues there is no guarantee the sailing will be a straight line, which is known as a Rhumb Line sailing. Although a Rhumb Line is a straight course from departure to arrival, it is NOT the shortest route crossing an ocean. The shortest route is a Great Circle sailing, which requires the course to change constantly. When selecting the most economical route, the Master also factors currents and prevailing winds into the equation. As an example, on both voyages from Vancouver to Hawaii, I have cleared Juan de Fuca and steered SSW to SW, with the California Current pushing us, till we picked up the Trade Winds, then set a Rhumb Line for Hawaii, with the Trade Winds astern.

Much depends on the tides at Seymour Narrows, but on average, I would be out on deck about 05:00.

The size of the ship has very little bearing on seakeeping ability. I also note the Meddy can experience some significant storms.

If using a single body and single lens you need to decide in advance whether you will focus on wide-angle or telephoto shots. Personally, I use 2 bodies, one has a 16-35mm and the other a 100-400mm or 70-200 with a 2x. When in the vicinity of glaciers, I routinely use both bodies, capturing wildlife with the telephoto and glaciers with the wide-angle.

Been discussed many times. Personally, I would walk up to the town and enjoy a beverage at one of the pubs. Preferably one of the two with hand-pulled or nitro tap ales, served at the correct temperature.

Neither option is pilotage waters, so the route is Master's discretion, which is subject to the next port. Most ships calling at SE Alaska ports use Hecate Strait (East of Queen Charlotte Islands) once clear of Queen Charlotte Sound, and if heading to Prince William Sound/Kodiak/Panhandle they would most likely sail up the Pacific, West of Queen Charlotte Islands. If bound for Icy Strait it is 50/50 which route the Master would use.

The previous poster could have mentioned that you are docking in Kusedasi, which is the port closest to Ephesus. It is about 1/2 drive from the port.

Yes, Seymour is rather narrow and it also includes a 90 degree turn. We would never meet another ship right at the narrowest part. The Coast Pilots only use slack water +/- 1 hr, which is why it gets backed up by cruise ships. At least in my day, when we did 2 R/T Tsawwassen to Prince Rupert, we hit Seymour at any tide. Not sure about the ferries these days, as they don't have the same levels of experience in Seymour. The day sailing Port Hardy to Rupert is a brilliant trip, I thoroughly enjoyed the few summers I completed on that route.

A large wave swamped the lifeboat filling it to the gunwales, but with the reserve buoyancy required in a lifeboat it remained at the surface.

The cruise lines take extreme liberties when stating they cruise the "Inside Passage", which actually extends from about Olympia up to Skagway. Departing Vancouver, you definitely transit more than departing from Seattle. On clearing Vancouver Harbour you sail through Georgia Strait, which is 10+ miles wide in places. On a clear night you can get great sunsets. Departing Vancouver, they set a speed for Seymour Narrows (100 mls) at slack water, so the time entering the narrow channels can vary by a few hours. However, it is generally dark by the time they reach Campbell River. The narrow channels transit between Vancouver Island and the mainland (Northbound) is unfortunately done at night. However, if slack water at Seymour Narrows is later, you can see Robson Bight/Blackfish Sound by sunrise, about 04:30, if close to the solstice. Both years I worked Alaska cruising, we completed the entire Inside Passage, but these days most ships sail up Hecate Strait, so you only see the tops of mountains. If the Inside Passage is important, best to book a trip on BC Ferries or Alaska State ferries.

The adjustment of ship's cloxs is at the discretion of the ship's Master. However, most Masters do ensure the ship's time is consistent with the port being visited. Back in the days when I was navigator, the Master took a rather dim view of arriving at the wrong time. In the Meddy, unless the clox would be going forward and back on consecutive nights, I expect at every port, the ship will be on local time. To confirm, check the time with your watch and a clock ashore. Regarding arrival times, the first word is "Estimated". Every Master endeavours to arrive on time, but operational issues both aboard and ashore can enforce changes. While you have reasonable leeway built into the schedule for most delays, I also suggest reviewing the cancellation terms, ensuring you get a refund if the ship is late or doesn't arrive.

Not aware of anywhere in Metro Vancouver that sells water in anything but plastic bottles. However, you may have some specialty stores in downtown Vancouver. I am tagging our local Vancouver expert for his opinion @martincath

I have no issue with genuine trained service dogs, and accept that the requirement for said dog may not be readily apparent, which I note is consistent with most medical conditions. If you have any condition, medical or otherwise, if you wish to travel, you are expected to bring everything required to effectively manage the condition. Using this analogy, if your service dog requires a chair to perform a service, then I'll suggest you should be bringing a chair with you, so one is available for your service dog at all times. The chairs provided on the ship are not provided for the use of service dogs. Many pax have limited mobility, so if your service dog is provided a chair to perform the service you require, to ensure everyone is treated equally, shouldn't the cruise line also provide access to mobility aids, including scooters, walkers, etc. I'll suggest most will agree that's not happening. My wife is in the limited mobility group and as you noted, is a condition that is not readily apparent, unless she has to walk a distance. We are required to bring everything she requires to manage her condition, so I'll suggest you should also be required to bring everything for your service dog. So therefore, yes, having a service dog sitting on the ship's furniture is inappropriate, regardless if the dog is providing a required service.

The closest grocery store I know of is Whole Foods at the bottom of Robson about Denman. Probably about 3/4 mile from the hotel. I recall seeing a Safeway fairly close to the Whole Foods, when down visiting our son. Best resource for downtown Vancouver is Martin @martincath

Personally, I prefer to research the requirements rather than follow the recommendations of others, who may, or may not have checked the requirements. I use the UK & Canadian Foreign Office websites, so I expect the US provides a similar service.

Our primary issue with the L/A Office, is as I stated - their deplorable customer service, and more importantly the competence of the management group in resolving issues. Over the years, many posters have mentioned issues with the booking process, so our issues are not something new. Every company or individual employee can have a bad day, but the quality companies are the ones that readily identify issues and have a desire to expeditiously resolve them to the customer's satisfaction. What actually triggered our issues and those of the many others complaining about the booking process is frankly irrelevant, the key issue is how the company's chain of command resolves the issues. In our experience, the chain of command within the L/A Office is not responsive to customer issues and even managers do not perform at the level I expect of a quality company.

Unfortunately, getting a price quote yesterday may not reflect the actual cost. With multiple cruise ships disembarking at Canada Place on a Saturday, Uber may have surge pricing levels in effect, due to high demand.

In making your decision you need to weigh the pros & cons, here's some points to consider. Ships - Sapphire is one of the 2 Princess ships built in Japan, which are of vastly superior quality than the Italian built ships. Sapphire is also a basic Grand Class, which has about 500 less passengers. The Crown is a super-Grand, where they added an extra deck of cabins to the same hull. We find the super-Grands to be much more crowded. Adding additional cabins was one of the first changes made by Carnival when they bought P&O. Glaciers - Glacier Bay may not have the most impressive glaciers, but in well over a couple of dozen visits, I have never failed to see a glacier. You also have information provided by the Park Rangers. Hubbard Glacier is definitely impressive, but I have failed to get up to the glacier a number of times. If seeing a glacier is critical, Glacier Bay is a better option. Prince William Sound/College Glacier - this is impressive scenic cruising and as a further benefit, you can book the Phillips 26-Glacier cruise while in Whittier. This is an excellent excursion and leaves from close to the ship. Ports - The B2B visits the same ports, which can be a benefit, as you get to check out an alternative tour on the following week. However, you are only visiting the standard ports. The R/T visits the same ports and in addition Sitka & Icy Point Strait, both of which are much less visited than the others. You also get a full day in Victoria. Cabin - When cruising to Alaska in June, we often book an inside cabin, as we don't have issues with the extended daylight when trying to sleep.

That is not my experience. All crew members receive free medical care, including treatments, tests and medications when they are signed on the ship. When I worked on the ship, we were not ex-paid for any days we were sick onboard. How tips are affected, when crew are sick, is not something I know and may vary with cruise line and individual contracts. When I worked for P&O, if we were sick while on leave, we called the office and they added the days to our leave. I believe when our son was on a UK contract he had a similar benefit. Sick crew members not reporting to the Medical Centre are also liable to incur disciplinary actions. Another factor that reduces crew infections is certain groups of officers/crew go into almost isolation where they have minimal contact with the hotel staff and zero with pax.

Trains arrive at Pacific Central at Terminal & Main.

If arriving the day of the cruise, I would only consider flying into Vancouver. If arriving a day or 2 early then I would research the options and prices for Seattle and Bellingham. Just be aware that if hiring a car, traffic in Seattle, at the border and in Vancouver can be busy. On busy days, border queues can be 3+ hours. While Seattle is only 120 miles, it can take anywhere from 3 - 8 hrs from Seatac to downtown Vancouver. From Seattle, you also have bus and train options.

As the previous reply noted, driving without issues is 1.5 hrs, but could take up to 3 hrs depending on traffic, construction, accidents, etc. Not aware of any public transit available between the port and Abbotsford Airport. You could cut down the cost by taking Skytrain out to Surrey, which bypasses the worst of the traffic and then Uber from Surrey to Abbotsford. Having driven these roads for too many years, I would never consider using Abbotsford Airport, if disembarking a cruise. Abbotsford also has way fewer flights than YVR, so if your flight is cancelled, no other options might be available.

For those of us that may be a little older, our expectations aren't generated by TV, they come from actually having experienced the cruising standards of the 60's, 70's and 80's, where silver service was the norm, everyone dressed appropriately for dinner and yes, you had an officer at most dinner tables. I fully expect HAL had similar standards prior to being purchased by Carnival. These standards have been gradually eradicated by the Carnivals, NCLs & RCLs. While I haven't experienced it on HAL, I have experienced the Carnivalisation of the once great P&O/Princess to what is little more than budget cruise lines. BTW - The Love Boat was predominantly filmed ashore in the studio, but when using the ships, both Pacific Princess and Island Princess were used for filming. However, most was done on the Pacific, with Island used when the Pacific was in drydock, etc, which in those days was required annually. Later series also used other P&O/Princess ships and ships from other cruise lines, as I recall one of the Royal Viking ships.