SJSchell

Easily walking distance. Practically just across the street. 
 

To save even more we hiked up and road the tram down. They only ask you make a purchase at the gift shop at the top. 
 

The beginning of the trail head is a little ways down but not hard to find.

5 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

This article was just posted on the cruise critic site ... it taught me a thing or two.  I learned that is cannot be used for a deposit wasn't aware you couldn't use it for taxes and fees, etc.   However, it makes sense as Princess is now holding this as cash in accounts rather automatically refunding it.  It's worth a read since we are all seeking the details on FCC use lately:  

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=5209&et_cid=3327335&et_rid=16716670&et_referrer=NULL

Thanks for posting this article. I didn’t realize FCC cannot be used to cover folio expenses/on board spending. 

35 minutes ago, Ombud said:

My PVP moved a payment to a new booking when my Majestic Princess cruise was cancelled in February. She suggested doing the same March 12th but I didn't know which cruise I wanted. She just added FCC to 2 different existing bookings as I got the ones from the Grand Princess March B2B. I don't know who your PVP is but if she cannot then I suggest asking her to recheck with a supervisor 

 

I'm not doubting what your PVP told you I'm just stating rules changed after the cancelations started (I've had 3 cancelled)

Okay that’s what I was thinking so it is possible for a PVP to move or “roll over” the FCC from a cancelled booking without the wait. 
 

Dose it sound right that a deposit must be with “new cash” since you “moved a payment?” 

Too bad we are out of FCDs or we could just use those. 

1 hour ago, Ombud said:

 

If your replacement cruise is with Princess could you ask your PVP to move it over? I did (although the FC was 3148 and my FCC is 5552 so I'm running a credit).  Plus I got $$s back too! 

 

Just missing bonus FCC + insurance refund

Tried to do this today. Have the replacement cruise picked out and would like to have the current promotion of $150 OBC per person. Our PVP said:

1) We had to pay the deposit in cash and could not use FCC for it. 
2) Could not roll it over must wait the 60 days for Princess to process the FCC reimbursement. 

My concern would be weather. Do they cancel zip line trips for rain or only for lightning? If rain than there is a high probability it will be raining that day. Back up plan to explore the town? 

9 minutes ago, abqmommyof4 said:

Our  head waiter  on the crown   came  and  found us in the steak   house  on "italian night "  to take my order  for the next night. 

 

Princess is  VERY good about taking  care of its  passengers

Awesome! You had one of the great head waiters. 

My dad called and spoke with Princess yesterday about other questions related to cabins in our group and while he had the supervisor on the phone he brought up this topic. 

She told him that the personalizer and the auto email you get back doesn't always go through and you should not depend on it. Best practices is to email them at 

Dietaryrequest@princess.com

At least 35 days in advance that is when they count the number of passengers impacted per sailing and plan menus. Especially if you need something customized for the first night.

I found this interesting since I had always depended on the information being submitted through the personalizer. Will e mail this time and see how it goes. 

Do you enjoy hiking? We hiked up Mt. Roberts and then road the tram down. (For the cost of a souvenir at the gift shop)

Tram tickets are spendy to go up but the only request you make a purchase and you can ride back down for "free."

We saw a porcupine crossing the trail. We went early and still has time to see the glacier.

This sounds like something my family members would try to do in our "race to elite" 🙂

If you put her name on the cabin with your spouse and then your name as the solo traveler on the other cabin. (Switching rooms once on board). I presume you would get the 2 credits and she would get the one credit. 

21 hours ago, brisalta said:

 

Oats are gluten free. It is basic plant biochemistry.

I'm not going to argue with you. I simply know for me and my family the sensitivity is high for cross contamination in processing facilities. As well as crop rotation in the fields with wheat.  Hence the need for "gluten free" labeling on oats.

If you don't have the same level of sensitivity then you don't need to worry.

4 hours ago, ozscotart said:

it is lunch where the problem usually lies, and also getting soy milk (again I prefer soy because I can identify it). I will be extra vigilant. 
 

The good head waiters will bring you the lunch menu the night before and allow you to pre order then all you do is give your name and room number once seated. If you don't get it ask. They do reiterate that you need to show up. Guess many people were placing special orders and then going elsewhere.

Ive had the regular waiter and mostly assistant waiters get to know my needs and watch out as well. Jumping in at lunch and stopping a bread basket in the dinning room or checking in with me during breakfast in the buffet. 

They really do their best and want to keep you safe.

32 minutes ago, ozscotart said:

. I haven’t found any evidence that I will get any desserts on Princess other than the dreaded ‘fruit plate or sorbet’ so will follow my usual practice of taking some snacks and chocolate with me (df). On one NCL I had  soy creme brûlée a couple of times (very nice)  on another I had a special dessert in their upmarket specialty restaurant once, on another cruise I had gone through my usual of rejecting all offers of fruit plate and mentioned cake to them, I then had to eat the worst tasting chocolate cake for the rest of the cruise! I like to find out ahead of time what the options might be now. 

I hear what you are saying. I've found it does depend on your headwaters knowledge of special diets and willingness/creativity.

I need to be GF/DF soy free and plant based. The best HW has said he would put in a standing order of a dessert for me. (Trying to remember if I have pictures of those) Then each night there was a very nice dessert. (First night is typically a larger fancy dish with sorbet and berries to make it look nicer)

I've had another head waiter request different fruit crips. But that was before I was GF today I'd have to verify the oats are GF. One night and entire Apple Pie was brought out to be shared with the table in addition to their desserts because they wanted to make sure it got eaten and had been made specifically for me.

Another HW was so exasperated by my allergy list he went as far as to tell me that "most people are either GF or vegan and not both" so he couldn't think of what my options could be even when I told him what worked on previous cruises. (Learned to enjoy GF spaghetti and sorbet on that cruise.) Thankfully by the end and continued questions/suggestions that HW learned more about what could be done. When he finally went to talk to the pastry chef he found there were premade GF/DF desserts ready for special requests. A nice dessert the last night. 🙂

Having snacks at the ready, especially for ports is always a safe bet. Best case you won't need them until the flight/drive home.

They are certainly getting better and have options. Clear communication and planing ahead helps a lot. 

I have noticed the variety of options can sometimes depend on your headwaiter. Some have gone out of their way to say "leave it to me" and I'm surprised with an amazing meal each night. On one occasion I had to come up with suggestions and even suggestions of what has worked on previous cruises were shot down and I had gluten free spaghetti and grilled veggies 3 or was it 4 out of 7 nights. 

For specialty dinning be sure to go to the restaurant the night before and talk directly with the head waiter of the specialty restaurant (not the hostess at the door) for arrangements to be made.

One tip that saved me from 7 nights of spaghetti, that I learned here on CC, is that there is always an Indian dish prepared for the crew. With so many of the head chefs being from India that dish is very good. Asking for and ordering that dish is always an option.

Only once out of several cruises did I have a less than spectacular experience. Every other time has been wonderful with plenty of variety. Even in the buffet they have a separate toaster and will freshly make any of the waffles/pancake on request to be GF and bring it to you.

We called and tried to add the BEST2DW to our booking and were told no because there was not another cabin in our category open so being "sold out" the promo could not be added. Unless we pay for a cabin in a higher category.

Dose that sound right or do we need to try again with a different rep?

We always have enjoyed the short get-a-way just be mindful of any motion sickness needs for your family. Out of the 4 times we've sailed this itinerary only once did we not have an issue with severe swells and resulting motion sickness. (And we've gotten better and knowing how to deal with it)

Back to your question. There is a full schedule of sea day activities, plus pool time, and afternoon tea. Depending on what you like to do. Our problem was usually deciding what to skip rather than trying to think of something to do.

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I use 3 packing cubes. I took a class on packing and was told to think of them as 3 drawers.

1 large one (takes up half of the carry on) that holds clothes

1 smaller one (quarter size of the carry on) is the socks and underwear drawer

1 small one (quarter size) is the toiletries bag along with extra charging cables and vitamins/first aide.

Clothes are folded usually and not rolled. -personal preference.

I purchased them directly from the Rick Steves Travel Store. But they are also available online.

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Beautiful after recent dry dock. This last weekend they were working on the carpet in the lobby near Horizon Court. The finished product looked nice. Still finishing up some new carpet in a few places.

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Yes, as others have already said shorter cruises still get upsells. We got the email yesterday and the call back today for our 3 day cruise Sept 8th. This is the 2nd time we have been offered an upsell, we've had 2 upgrades in the past on 3 days or longer. Our 1 day cruises haven't seen an upsell or upgrade yet. But maybe they just didn't pick our number in the system when they send them out.

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We enjoyed:

Ketchikan-free shuttle bus to the discovery center. -small admission fee- (Museum, Ranger talks, videos on the big screen). Then picked up a map and followed the "yellow brick road" of the self guided walking tour.

Juneau: Hiked up Mt. Roberts and road the tram back down (free with gift shop purchase)

Skagway: Hiked up to the lower dewy lake. After Lunch we took a walking tour (free) with the park Rangers and learned more about the gold rush.

I'm glad to hear so many people have had a great time. I've sailed this route 3 times (4th we booked last night for this September.) Beware of the swells if you are prone to sea sickness it might not be the route for you. Our last time was on the Star in December before Drydock with 20 ft swells. Have also sailed in September and May with similar conditions.

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Brrrr...snorkeling in Ketchikan sounds cold. (Do you use a wet suite to stay warm? ) Unless you are an avid snorkeler. I would also be concerned about rain impacting your visibility. Both times I've been to Ketchikan it rained hard even if the rest of the port stops were sunny.

Creek street is within walking distance. (Or free shuttle) You could go early and get in a self guided walking tour before your snorkeling trip. If you are wanting to see the area without the stores being open for shopping. Also you could still see the fish ladders if the salmon are running.

I would recommend the Discovery center and a self guided walking tour but that's my preference.

On the Ruby the machine is at the Clypso Bar. We found it easier to get it from the bar than from waiters in the MDR who complained about going up to get it.

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Rice and Soy milk were the options on the Golden in May.

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Thank you both for your advice. I'm still learning the lingo. What do you mean by TPR is that termination of parental rights?

This first trip shouldn't interfere with visits (overnight repositioning cruise) but if all goes well future trips could. Social worker assures us that judges typically side with the vacationing family so child doesn't have to go to respite care.

Then again they might see this one day cruise as not worth the paperwork. Yet, our states prudent parenting law allows foster children to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia but they would still need a passport for that. Hopefully we can get approval for the passport...first step.

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As foster parents we have been assured by the child's case manager and social worker that all the permissions for traveling with a foster child will come through and to go ahead and plan a cruise.

Has anyone traveled with foster children? What types of additional paperwork and permissions did you find you needed? Any advice?

I know each state has different foster care rules.

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