Joberri

Were you notified in advance?

No but had checked this forum up until departure date and saw post re the late departure of first Cruise so kind of expected it.

Promenade deck for us, we rugged up in layers and went from side to side through the day, even had a waiter going round with hot drinks, Hot chocolate Baileys and cream was just divine.

Stayed here before and after our Rocky Mountaineer Tour, found it great service was excellent, yes there are shuttles and Hopon hopoff bus stops just around the corner, resturant on lower level was very nice and food also good.

We did Alaska on the Crown princess 13 may this year, it was our first cruise ever and we loved it, coming from New Zealand for us it was a trip of a lifetime.:)

Weren't there some issues that day?

No issues that we knew of, it was the 2nd cruise of the season and the previous cruise the week before had left 4 hours late.

Last month when I went, I was on the ship by 11:30 with zero wait in the terminal. Such a great embarkation!

Things must have really improved, we sailed 13 May and did not get on till 4 30pm and finally sailed 6 30pm.

Our very first Cruise was the inside passage to Alaska 13 May this year. It was our trip of a lifetime and we combined it with a 9 day Rocky Mountaineer tour as well. Coming from New Zealand it was a long way to go for a first Cruise but we would not have done anything different at the end of it. we Cruised on thr Crown Princess.

Was on the Crown Princess June 4-11. Wonderful time! Classy ship, only some minor wear and tear. Workers were always cleaning and doing some touch-up painting.

 

Entertainment was good: Went to a couple of performances, the Magic to Do musical. Good time.

 

Food ranged from average to excellent. Did the Horizon/Caribe buffets for breakfast. Ate twice in the Crown Grill for dinner and loved it. Service was excellent in all locations.

 

Secrets? Loved the Horizon Terrace pool and Outrigger bar at the aft of the ship. Rarely crowded. Easy to get a table or deckchair. During Glacier Bay viewing, many people forgot about the Promenade Deck - nice views and a change of perspective from the "up high" decks.

Was on Crown early May for Alaska cruise, loved it had no problems at all. We also sat out on promenade deck for Glacier Bay, fantastic view, hot drinks cart going past at regular intervals.Horizon Court great selection of food at anytime of the day. Took in a few shows, 1 being Libby Riddel first women to win Iditarod race, also a guy who had sung with the Beach Boys, was also a comedian very funny. All in all a great cruise.

Sailed 13 May, weather was beautiful in Glacier bay but overcast Juneau, Skagway and Ketchican, not to cold temps just right for us.

We did the Musher Camp in Skagway May this year. Was a fun tour with a number of children on it. Booked it direct with Alaska Excursions, cheaper than ship price.

Sailed on the Crown 13 May this year, Alaska inside passage. Had a great time no problems at all, staff very helpfull in all area,s. Antonio our steward was so helpfull and friendly. Would sail on her again.

Going to be on the Crown this Friday, hope they get everything figured out.

 

Where can you find info when something like this happens?

Also on Crown this Friday hope all is sorted

So nearly 18 months?

 

Our next two cruises are the furthest out we've ever booked and it's already driving me crazy to the degree that I'm already trying to find something mid year.

 

Another 8 Months.

 

Aghhhhh.

15mths from booking but had started looking earlier than that so yes about 18mths, fly out to Vancouver 6 May, and cruise Alaska 13th.

I honestly don't know if I could survive if I booked a year out. I just hate the wait.

Its very hard, we booked last February and sail 13 May, our first cruise.

Welcome to cruise critic and the world of cruising! It is a delightful way to travel, and Alaska is worth the long journey.

 

On a different topic, I visited Rotorua, NZ with my family when I was a little girl, many years ago!

I have lived in Rotorua for most of my life, my sister who is travelling with me is from Taupo 1 hour south of Rotorua. We leave for our big trip in 4 weeks and will be based in Vancouver for 6 weeks.

We have booked with Alaska Excursions for our Musher camp tour in Skagway. We are in port on 17 May, found them to be cheaper than the Princess tour, price was $135.00 US.

We are sailing on Crown Princess to Alaska at end of May.

 

Would love to hear your favorite places on ship to watch scenery... Special treats we don't want to miss... Entertainment or events...Anything other tips.

 

We have cruised before but not Princess!

 

Thank you!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Will be on the 13May sailing, first cruise ever so looking forward to it.

Really enjoying your review and pictures!

 

On the 3 days you spent in Rotorua on your previous trip did you visit the geothermal areas? If so, which ones and which do you recommend. The geothermal areas are what I want to see most when we visit the Tauranga port.

 

Utahtea

Utahtea, I live in Rotorua, best to visit Whakarewarewa and Te Puia which are side by side. If you have time to walk by yourself try and take a walk down to Ohinemutu village by the lake and visit Saint Faiths Church, beautiful stain glass window looking out over Lake Rotorua. Enjoy your visit to my hometown.

I am looking at a May 13th cruise R/T Vancouver. Is this too early in the season to cruise Alaska & for Glacier Bay? What would be the downfalls of cruising so early in the season? Thank you.

We are sailing 13 May on the CRown Princess return Vancouver, might see you on board.

We will be on the Crown for Alaka in May. Can't wait (first time with Princess and first time to Alaska). Didn't know about the Crab Shack, will definatly look for that.

 

One tip that was given to us on our trip was to book late dining (8:15pm I think). We are in port until 10pm at Juneu and Ketchikan until 7pm. We would have to cut our port time short to make early dining. (although with being in Juneau until 10pm we will probably try to find a local joint for dinner, any suggestions anyone?).

 

If you like taking pics, bring extra batteries and memory cards. I know my poor camera is going to need a vacation when we get home :)

We are also on Crown in May, leaving 13th, will be our first cruise. 2 sisters from New Zealand so much looking forward to it, and have learn,t so much from CC.

We are planning our first cruise and have decided on Alaska. Does anyone have any thoughts on the best cruise line to use?

We are also first time cruisers and are booked on Crown Princess 13 May 2016 return Alaska from Vancouver. only 125 days until we leave New Zealand on our trip of a lifetime.

We are cruising on Crown Princess 13 May from Vancouver 1st ever cruise for us, so so looking forward to it

We do have a lot of pollen in the spring but all other times seem to be OK, I live in Rotorua.

Merino and possum garments are really nice to take home

What is on the dining room menu? How was it? Not a big fan of buffets, especially on embarkation day, where there are 2000+ people trying to eat...are there burgers, sandwiches, etc.? Nice review, BTW..we are going on the Crown to Alaska next May '16..Thanks!

 

Big Al

Will also be on the Crown departing 13 May 2016