LEMJMcC

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.

Lather it on heavily before leaving the ship and don't advertise it. We've never had a problem using what we normally use anywhere/anytime else.

Before my first cruise, I too did not desire to take one. I thought I'd get cabin fever, get bored, have to stand in line, do nothing but eat, etc. Finally my father persuaded me to join him and Mom, along with a few other family members on a five-night cruise on Brilliance. Boy was I surprised and pleased! I am very much an active outdoorsy guy who likes to stay busy, and I found the cruising delightful! So much so that we've taken four cruises since on our own. The only caveat I had, and still have, is that I have a junior suite so that I have a little extra room and a nice balcony where I am guaranteed a place to sit watch the water go by at my leisure. If your SIL has never cruised before, I would think he'd be in for a pleasant surprise, all the more since he's no footing the bill! If he persists in his reluctance, would you consider taking me & my wife as substitutes?😉

I've always booked directly with RCI. We're interested in an Alaskan cruise for 2024. Are there any benefits to gong through a TA versus booking directly with RCI? Thanks.

How interesting. We were on the same cruise, cabin 8642, nice balcony as well. However, we found Tap Factory to be the best show, though I must confess that we watched Intense from Wonderland. Effectors sucked bad. Didn't bother with any other entertainment, but would probably go see Tap Factory again. Just goes to show how tastes differ. My absolute favorite place was our own balcony.

I found this...

Does anyone have a PDF or other document that shows all the RCI ships by class such as Oasis Class, etc. that you'd be willing to share? Thanks.

We liked Wonderland so much that we bought the company... Anyone know where that comes from?

I'd say you'll enjoy both very much! The Panacotta (sp?) at Giovanni's was a real surprise, if you like pistachio; and the chocolate ravioli is quite delicious too! The cinnamon roll at Mason Jar is big and its icing is not very sweet, more of a cream cheese type icing, goes great with a tall glass of cold milk! We also enjoyed breakfast at Johnny Rockets, though my pancakes were kind of cool, but I understand. I did splurge and ordered a bacon chocolate milkshake with my breakfast...pretty good! Enjoy and happy birthday! Celebrated my 55th while onboard last week...be sure to let those places know and they usually bring something special out!

Oh I agree. We had an absolute blast on Wonder! I just didn't realize the benefit of the UDP. For those who've not experienced an Oasis-class ship, you're in for a treat!

No, not in a Junior Suite...

Seems I did see that, but it was later after the hectic period on onboarding. I wish RCI would allow those who purchase the UDP the opportunity to make their reservations at the time of the purchase, while reserving enough seating for those who purchase individual meals at the specialty venues while on the ship.

I don't know what is typical for Cabin Stewards, but ours told us he had 39 cabins assigned to him; and I imagine many of those were junior suites. Does that sound like a lot or is that average?

Nothing in the Solarium Bistro was made-to-order, at least not for the one supper and one breakfast we enjoyed there. I do think the choices have decreased in both the Bistro and WJ based on what I and my wife remember from previous cruises. Still, I thought the food satisfactory in both. Never a day found us going to bed hungry!