LEMJMcC

I totally agree with cruiseguy1016. If we're in the cabin, we're on the balcony, unless in the shower or asleep! Pre-breakfast tea/coffee & pastries as we watch the day begin and post-show snacks & desserts on it as we look at/for the lights of other ocean-going vessels. If I couldn't get an unobstructed balcony, I wouldn't book the cruise.

What would be the equivalent to a Royal Caribbean Junior Suite on a Celebrity ship? Is there a direct comparison? Do the cabins vary greatly from one Celebrity ship to another? We have always selected a Junior Suite on every Royal cruise we've done: Brilliance, Freedom, Oasis, Mariner, and Wonder. These cabins were almost exactly the same layout and features. What Celebrity class cabin would I look into if I wanted to expand my cruising experience? Thanks.

Yeah, I noticed that when test-driving a pair of Zeiss 10X42 here locally. I figure I can use the railing of our balcony or one of my hiking poles for greater stability.

I appreciate the lead. I found a pair of Vortex Diamondback 15X56 on sale and ordered them...Amazon is pretty easy for returns if I don't like them. They may be a bit heavier, but for me, 35 oz. is not much of a load...my wife, on the other hand, wants something lighter, smaller, but with good optics...

Quite nice! What power binoculars did you take? My wife is looking for a pair and so far the most common are 10x42 which seem to be a good size for plane travel and toting around the neck. Lord willing, we are sailing Quantum next July for our first, hopefully not last!, Alaskan cruise.

We're to be in Sitka for about 7 hours next July. We like day hikes and biking. What would you recommend as excursions for two to ten people who all like to be active? Age range from 14 through mid-60s. Thanks.

I'm wondering if RCI offers any local fish during their Alaskan cruises? We are salmon fans and I am a crab legs fan (the wife has allergies so she cannot partake in these). So, any hopes of getting some of either or both during our cruise next summer? Thanks.

For what it's worth, we booked the Mediterranean Inn in Seattle for three nights before we embark on Quantum next year. We've never been to Seattle and would like to take in some of the city before we leave on the ship. Since we're flying in and are not planning to rent a vehicle, we wanted a more central location where we hope to be able to walk to some of the notable locations of Seattle. This hotel is not cheap! But, even a whole year out availability is scarce, I guess because of the Independence Day holiday so our choices were limited. It does offer a shuttle to the pier for $10/person. We're part of a group of 10, so I'm wondering if we could reserve a shuttle from the airport to the Med Inn. And one again to carry us from the pier back to the airport for our departure...

Thanks to all of you who responded! We're going to plan on the whales in Juneau and then perhaps find some good hiking in Sitka and/or Skagway.

Sorry. Our itinerary is Seattle to Sitka to Skagway to Endicott Arms/Dawes Glacier to Juneau to Victoria, BC to Seattle. We hope to be a group of nine, possibly ten. We're considering Harv and Marv's in Juneau as I've read some good reviews of their whale-watching tour in Juneau. Whale-watching is also offered in Sitka. Thanks for the advice!

One of the features of the Oasis-class ships we've been on that we really liked was the Vitality Cafe. We enjoyed the smoothies there at least twice each day. We're sailing Quantum next year to Alaska (Lord willing) and I'm wondering if she has one. Please advise. Thanks.

Looking forward to our cruise next summer, but am a little conflicted about what to do in Juneau. The two things that I think are must-see/do are glaciers and whales. So, do we shoot for whales in Juneau or perhaps plan that for Sitka? How close can one actually get to Mendenhall Glacier? If it's a hike up to a point, then viewing from a distance, then I may be more apt to go whale watching there. But, if one can hike right up close or even onto the glacier, then I might defer the whales until Sitka. Advice? Experiences? Thanks.

What car rental agency did you use in Skagway?

Ah, I missed that. Well, we can try to find a flight that leaves as close to, but not before noon...if not, we'll transport the baggage ourselves. Thanks for pointing that out!

Not a type-o per se, but I was going along with the OP, that is, planning for 2024. We had to book a hotel already as things are getting a bit scarce in Seattle. Flights cannot be booked this far ahead, but looking at April 2024, there seems to be some flights that leave SEA-TAC near noon. I'm guessing we'd need to arrive at the airport by 10:00 AM for check-in. We'll likely use the port valet service I've read about so that we need not deal with checked baggage as we leave the ship. If the ship docks at 6:00 AM, I'm thinking we can disembark around 7:00 AM, and hopefully secure transportation to SEA-TAC so that we can arrive there by 10:00 AM. To summarize: 0600 Ship docks in Seattle on Monday, 7/8/2024 0700 Disembark 0730 Secure transportation 0900 Arrive SEA-TAC 1000 Check-in for flight 1150 Take-off Is this realistic? Overly optimistic or pessimistic? Thanks.

Our Royal Caribbean ship arrives in Seattle at 6:00 AM on Monday, July8. As far as I can tell it is the only ship at port on that day. Would a 11:30 AM flight out of SEA-TAC be reasonable? Thanks.

Question for those who fly frequently (we do not!). It's been years since I last flew and that was a quick business trip to Texas which didn't require more than once carry-on bag. For our trip to Seattle the wife & I plan to check two suitcases and carry-on two. Do airlines allow "personal" bags in addition to a carry-on? Would a medium-size (think day hike) backpack be considered a personal bag that could be stow under the seat? Thanks.

Do TAs really offer better rates and other perks such as refundable deposits (without requiring a second mortgage) OBCs, in-room gifts, etc.? We've always done our planning, scheduling, and booking for everything...but I am open-minded. Also, I'm wondering if TAs have more cabins available to them than what are shown on RC's website? It seems every time I look at cabins on RC's website, the fore and aft cabins are all booked!

Following this thread as we just booked a cruise for next July (2024). Here's the itinerary: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Sitka 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Skagway 5:00 AM - 10:00 AM Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier (Cruising, I assume) 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM Juneau 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Victoria, BC My wife and I enjoy a variety of activities from shopping to hiking and biking and just looking around. The best option is a combination of both where we can get some exercise while enjoying the surrounding. Looks like there are several hours of daylight during the summer with sunrise at 5:00 AM and sunset at 10:00 PM, so that really opens things up. Are there any easy to moderate hikes at the various ports-of-call? Are rail excursions worthwhile? What about whale-watching excursions? We anticipate having to pay a LOT for pretty much any excursion, but we ask ourselves just how often will we make the long trip out to the west coast to take another Alaskan cruise. With that in mind, we don't want to skimp, but neither can we mortgage the house! Thanks.

Jumping on the thread, but not trying to hijack it. Does Royal have any fishing excursions that allow you to bring your catch back onboard to be cooked for your supper that night? I've heard of such things, or maybe I just imagined I heard it. Thanks

What's the typical water temperature? Are suits really needed? I've only snorkeled in the Caribbean and around the Keys. I have swum in the ocean off Jekyll Island in November though with no issues, though I tend to have a high tolerance for cold. Just curious.

Every person with whom I have personally discussed an Alaskan cruise has, to a person, said that it was the best cruise they've ever taken. Most of these folks are a bit older than my wife and me, yet certainly not sedentary in their lifestyles. I vagabonded across southeast Alaska many years ago and was thoroughly impressed by its rugged vastness and natural beauty. We've taken five Caribbean cruises over the last seven years and just this week booked our first Alaska cruise for next summer. Hopefully it will be worth the added expense of flying across the continent, staying a few nights in a hotel, and paying for transit between the airport and cruise port. I guess we will save on parking though, not having our own car. We are looking forward to it with great anticipation! Choosing excursions may be a chore...but such first-world problems!

Too funny!😅

Just booked the last available Junior Suite on a cruise for next summer. In the past I've been able to watch fares through RCI's website and rebook when they dropped, but when there are no other JSs available, I can't see the fare being offered. I suppose I can always call, but we all know what a time investment that can be! Plus, is it likely that the fare would decrease on such a sailing that has a sold out cabin class? Have any of you run into a similar scenario? Our cruise doesn't depart until July, 2024, so we have many months to monitor the fare in hopes of getting a better one. I just would like the opportunity to do so.

Ha! So, what's the antonym for germaphobe? That's kind of what I am...my wife on the other hand, well, she's precious.