Alaska05

Thanks all for your first hand experiences. Since we would be flying Delta and using their AMEX card, we should be good if we decide to use EZair. Sailing is October 28, so need to decide if we want to do this cruise or not. Looks like it’s the last of the season for the Emerald doing Canada/New England.

We’re looking at the October 28 round trip New York. We did the New York to Quebec several years ago.

I know that and usually don’t. Might be willing to chance it for this Canada / New England cruise. Don’t have a desire to spend 1 night in New York.

Does anyone have any experience with getting free checked baggage when using your airline credit card to pay for cruise and booking EZair. For example we have the Delta AMEX and get one free checked bag. I think it is supposed to be only when you book the flights directly with the airline. EZ air is only about $20 less so it would not be worth it if I have to end up paying the checked bag fee. The only reason I’m considering EZair is because we plan to fly in the morning of the cruise on a non-stop into LaGuardia for a 5:00 sail away.

I faced the same dilemma with an Alaska cruise for May 2024. I could book as a 14 day or two 7 day cruises. It was a little less as a 14 day and I will get $50 more shareholder OBC. The only negative is that cabin choice was very limited. It seems they designate fewer cabins for the 14 day even though there were still lots more available for both segments. I was pleasantly surprised that I will get 2 cruise credits for the 14 day.

We will be on the Sapphire next May doing the exact same 14 day itinerary. Could u tell me what time the PES cocktail hour is and where it is being held. I’m making lots of notes from your daily blog. Like u we have been to Alaska many times. Don’t feel the need to load up on expensive excursions. We do like to do a whale watch in Juneau, but that’s about it. We’ll take in the scenery and enjoy the ship. Thanks for taking us along and safe journeys.

Thanks everyone. I understand the distinction now. Don’t understand why it’s still a law, but that’s another matter.

Then why does Victoria count on a round trip Seattle

Does it matter that the first leg stops at Victoria enroute to Vancouver?

Thanks @ldtr and @Steelers36 That stinks. I thought because Vancouver was involved I was good. When are they going to abolish this for cruise ships. I know they suspended it briefly during/after COVID to help with Alaska cruises because of Canada’s ban.

I’m looking at B2B 3 day Pacific coastals on the Crown in October Seattle to Vancouver then Vancouver to San Francisco. I don’t think this goes afoul of the PVSA rules, but thought I’d check. Thanks.

Can I use the gift card if I book on-line with Princess? Is there a place in the payment section to enter the GC info? I was just looking at a 3 day California coastal that the fare comes to $490. Do you know what happens to the leftover $10.

We were across from the laundromat on one of our Alaska cruises. Never again. People would congregate while waiting for machines and talk loudly with the door open. Also the door was constantly slamming. They are supposed to be closed overnight but ours was never locked. I got up one night to go to the bathroom and looked out the peephole. Someone was just going into the laundromat. I do think the laundromats are probably used more on the Alaska cruises especially southbound ones since a certain percentage are coming off land tours.

This is a slippery slope for things to come. we’ve just booked our first cruise since COVID for next May. We booked standard fare. Don't drink alcohol or coffee. Have never ordered room service in our 12 cruises. About the only thing I don’t like is if they want to charge for regular meal in Alfredo’s, but I can do without. I’m ok in steerage. Heading towards the haves and have nots.

We’re doing the same thing on the Sapphire next May. It will be our 9th and 10th Alaska cruise. Like you, we never tire of seeing the beauty of Alaska and it’s ever changing and unpredictable weather. Have a great cruise and I’ll be following along. Happy Anniversary!

I’m looking at the Grand for May 2024 in Alaska. I know it is the oldest in the fleet, but would like to know if there any drydock or refurbishment planned between now and May 2024. Finally looking to resume cruising. Yay! TIA

You must be thinking of Princess ships.

I was just curious. It seems the planes all line up, fill with passengers and then take off one after another. we’ve been on 8 Alaska cruises. The last one was in 2019 before COVID. We took a helicopter one year to land on a glacier, but have mostly done whale watching excursions. Im getting my “fix” by watching the webcam and recalling the thrill we got each time we cruised into Juneau.

Thank you all for confirming it’s possible

New watcher here. Where do all the floatplanes go. Just sightseeing to glaciers?

Is it “legal” to book a back to back that leaves Vancouver and sails north and stay on the ship for the southbound cruise the second week?

Hello from fellow Cincinnatian. My DH and I have done 8 Alaska cruises. First couple were in balcony cabins, then we switched to inside cabins for the savings. As others have said, best views are out on the decks. Some ships have better viewing locations than others. Yes the airfare from Cincinnati is a killer, but so is the return trip. Seattle flights are a little easier, but I don’t like the itinerary for round trip Seattle. We have not cruised since COVID, and I am still anxious about being on a large ship. I was just looking at some itineraries, but the flights turned me off. Several times we took red eyes home. Now that we’re in our early 70s, don’t want to do that any more.

We rented a car and drove there. You can’t get lost. Only one main road from anchorage to Denali.