Cruisingthesuitelife

I stayed there post cruise a couple of years ago. I had to take it to the hotel myself. There was like a bell desk downstairs past all the buses who offered to check it as it was too early for check in but on advice from this forum I said no thanks and took my chances heading to check in to see if the room was ready, which it was, as advised the hotel I was arriving off a cruise ship.

I'm sure they'd hold the luggage for you though if your room isn't ready.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

It wasn't there, but kudos to them for being responsive. They added it shortly after I called.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Website is working now, but when I try to book, it isn't giving me the sale price. There's a place to put in a promotional code, but I don't see a code to enter.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Glad you have got sorted. I've had a reply to my FB message just now and they are hoping the website will be working again later.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Same here. Been trying online all morning. Haven't tried calling yet as didn't want to from the UK if I don't need to. Sent them a message via their FB page but no response.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Thanks for the quick reply! Someone posted that they got Free Voom being in a Grand Suite. Does anyone know if this is correct? Also is there a fee for the private seating in the specialty dining restaurants for breakfast or lunch?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

I was in 1560 on Independence and it is not directly under the whirlpool, 1564 is. Yes, you can see it as you look aft. However, I loved the cabin, it's in a great location and I barely noticed the whirpool. The glass on half the balcony was tinted but that made very little difference. Just my honest opinion.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Harmony - Capt Johnny has gone on vacation today and Capt Gus has returned

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Ship - Radiance of the seas

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 1060

Stateroom Category – Grand Suite

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

 

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Mid ship and can get some noise from the Centrum if there is a party going on.

 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – due to the sea view lifts you can't see forward of the ship but a great view back to the aft.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Larger than normal for class, room for three chairs, table, and 2 chaise

Was wind a problem? - No

 

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - n/a

 

Any specific problems with this cabin? - being not far from the lifts you do get a bit of kids ringing your door bell.

 

Any other comments? We love the location as it's right near the stairs and on the hump of the ship

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

We're trying to go all out and do a lot of great excursions, but also trying to trim costs a bit because this is an expensive trip; so I'm booking most of our tours with independent operators (since the ports are home country for us and I've cruised a lot and occasionally booked an independent tour, I'm not worried about not booking through the cruise line). I've seen good things about Harv's, Glacier Wind, Icy Strait Whale Adventures and Misty Bay Lodge. We will have 3 adults and 2 preteens. Is there a tour operator known for a quality tour at lower price? All we need is something like a 2 hour tour and see whales, if they even have any tours that short, but nothing all day. Thanks

I cannot comment on what you consider to be a lower price, I think they all are a very similar price. However, I can thoroughly recommend Glacier Wind Charters. Shawn and Teresa are just wonderful and it will be a great experience.

Also, if you mean Harv and Marv's, they are in Juneau, not ISP :)

There's a visitor's informational center right at the front of the town where the cafes are. We also noticed a do-it-yourself stamp station outside the large General Store when we were leaving.

Wonderful, thank you :)

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Thank you for your review:) Can I ask where you got your passports stamped in Carcross? Thanks in advance!

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

I got a notice stating that our Orca Quest excursion will now be at 1 PM instead of noon. Did you receive the same? We are doing the May 18th excursion.

 

 

We will also be doing multiple whale watching trips: 2 in Juneau, 2 in Icy Strait, 1 in Seward and possibly 1 in Vancouver.

Yes I did receive that email. Do the timings still work OK for you doing it on turnaround day? I'll be doing it on 24th which is the day before we join our ship, so the new time works quite nicely for us and gives a slower start after our long drive the day before.

I'm sure you are going to have wonderful trips. I know you mentioned previously about going with Jayleen. Have you seen that both her and Emily will be taking trips out next season, so if you have a preference you should let her know. It didn't say that when I booked months ago so I dropped her an email last week. Just thought I'd mention it in case you have a preference :)

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Not sure why all the mentions in responses to OP of them taking 'a single trip'. They were just asking about information in one specific area. For all we know they may have whale watching booked in every available port!

I too am doing this trip next year... as well as trips in Juneau, Icy Strait and Vancouver!

That's a bummer - whales of any flavour mean no free trip. We've been getting more baleen whales hanging around in recent years as the herring population has increased, with some part-time resident Grays who are sensible enough to stay here where the fish are ~25% cheaper;) If that continues you may end up more likely to see humpbacks or grays than orcas - but it'll be a long way off as the JKL pods make up the bread & butter of Victoria/Vancouver sightings except perhaps during the migration periods very early and late in the season.

 

 

You're actually more likely to get success on a trip with Wild Whales (the only actual Vancouver-based company - others are in Steveston, Richmond. Well, I suppose the one Prince of Whales boat that does the super-pricey whalewatch trips to Victoria from downtown also counts but it's almost 3x the price) than Victoria or Steveston folks as they have no fixed trip length - they stay out at least three but as long as seven hours to maximise sighting potential (and minimise the need to offer guarantee freebie trips!) which gives them about double the range of any other company. Even then there's a chance of no whales within cruising range of course.

Prince of Whales offer a 3-5 hour whale watch from Vancouver (departs from Westin Bayshore) for $160, Wild Whales is $135... Not a huge price difference. I appreciate Wild Whales is a very flexible time on the water but that might not suit everyone.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

After many trips to Alaska I accept the fact that what happens one time might not happen the next. However, I am a big believer that there is always hope --- and hope I will have that we have the same experience in May 2018 that Major Marine had this year. Thanks for posting the feedback from Major Marine.

I have booked this trip for next May as well and have the same outlook as you do, I'm sure it will be wonderful regardless.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Another vote for whale watching through Glacier Wind. Teresa And Shawn are wonderful and whilst not a huge price difference with ship excursion, the personal attention and maximum 6 guests in addition to Captain Shawn or Captain Casey (their son) it's a definite must in my book. They are already taking reservations for next year and are getting booked up.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Thank you for doing such a brilliant review :)

I'd call and check but last time I called a couple of weeks ago it was running with the normal exchange rate, not better as it used to be.

Yes our invoice didn't have our C&A numbers even though I added them at the time of booking and I was signed in online. We didn't miss out on any booking discount as we booked an inside cabin (couldn't justify double the cost for a balcony - the trip from Australia plus the rest of the holiday is already costing us enough) but we want our Diamond recognition and any other discounts we may be entitled to.

I have a couple of upcoming reservations that show one person's C&A but not the other. I have had this many times previously too. Once you do online check in, add it there and it has then shown once cruise docs are released, on set sail doc, sea pass etc. I usually get an updated invoice once it's added as well. You won't miss out on anything.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Based on last year, Celebrity will be out towards the end of this year. RCI won't be out until around March 2018. Not sure about other lines and obviously companies can change when they release cruises, so nothing is set in stone.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

I don't recall one on the 2 cruises I have been on over 11th November but each ship is different.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Looking forward to reading your review, thank you for taking the time to do one.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

What a wonderful review, thank you so much for sharing it. I will also take some time to look at your other reviews :) Your pictures are outstanding, can I ask what camera you use?

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app

Last October we used Robert Dahan of Sunshine Riviera Tour when docked in Villefranche. Robert was incredible and did such a wonderful tour based on our requirements. He does pick ups in many places from cruise ships along the riviera, including Cannes. I can't recommend him highly enough.

In Rome (and Livorno) I used Papillon Tours. The drivers in both locations were wonderful - so polite, helpful and informative. Our Rome tour was my favourite of our entire cruise. The driver really went to great efforts to accommodate the requirements, getting to know what interests we had and then incorporating them into our tour.

I wasn't cruising with children but the vans used by both companies were large and comfortable and I can imagine children would have been well accommodated.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app