rothbear13

8 hours ago, dcsam said:

Our favorite cruise was with Viking.  But yes, they are very spendy.  Although we also enjoy no kids, no casino… HAL sure does Alaska right.  We’ve enjoyed round trip out of Seattle and Vancouver (we prefer round trip out of Vancouver).  You might also consider a back to back cruise (14 nights) out of Vancouver.  Very relaxing.  But I don’t believe they have their small ship doing this route.  Also, HAL gets the best docking spaces.   Tough call for sure.  We have done numerous Alaska cruises and are also considering another.  Im looking at Crystal (new to us) or Holland America (their small ship).  

Very good info thank you.  Still haven't really decided as we dropped a bundle on 3 bathroom remodels this year....the master was a total gut job, the second had new toilet, sink, faucet and counter top and the loft one got a new toilet and faucet.

A lot of people have said they liked HAL, so I may have to take a closer look there.

3 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

For a day cruise, if you are in the Anchorage area, that's pretty good.  Have done that and enjoyed it.

 

I think that OP is looking for something a bit longer in duration.  But if their plans put them in ANC for a few days, this is a nice day trip.

 

For a regular cruise, there are so many options -- the OP needs to ask themselves some tough questions.  How long do they want to travel?  What is their budget?  What cruiselines have they already sailed on -- and what did they like and dislike about their previous experiences at sea?  What are the deal maker and deal breakers for this trip?  What do they want to see/do on this trip?

 

Otherwise, we are all giving just potshot answers. 

 

Personally, having done Alaska on multiple different lines, I would put Seabourn and Crystal at the top of the list for Alaska, with Royal Caribbean at the bottom. Neither is an inexpensive option but you get what you pay for.  Of course, YMMV - so drill down into what is REALLY important for this trip and go from there.

Yes, this is going to be a once in a lifetime thing.  My hubby is not big on cruising, so we really haven't been on a cruise for a long, long time.  That's why I was asking for suggestions.  I am looking for both a cruise and land, but I have found a company I think I would like to use for the land part, it's just the cruise part I'm having problems with.  I would like to do nothing less than 7 days and am willing to go up to maybe 11 or 12.  Since it's a trip I have been talking about for years my hubby says he isn't worrying about the money, but I get a little nervous when the trip starts heading towards $20k for the two of us.  And since the planning is all on me I don't want to have to hear him complain about it after the fact, I just want him to also enjoy himself.  Are the higher cost companies (Viking, Crystal, etc.) really worth the cost?  I really don't want to deal with a lot of kids.  Would like to have good food and good service, but don't really want to deal with formal weat.  More interested in the experiences both included and available than things like onboard games, casinos, onboard shopping, etc.  I keep leaning towards Viking but the price is making me question.  I realize you have to take a look at everything that is included.  I just don't want to make a huge mistake here.

3 hours ago, crystalspin said:

@rothbear13 Good luck getting off the "newsletters" contact lists. BTW you shouldn't have mentioned WHO they were -- it is the same as posting a brick-and-mortar travel agent and against CC's rules. Just so you know why, if your post disappears.

Oh, I didn't realize.  I tried to edit my comment but it appears I can't to that, so what happens happens.

Thanks, Cruisemonty.......we will check out Crystal.  We haven't done much yet as life happens.

What does anyone think about the online cruise travel companies?  I signed up for newsletters from 2 of them and now they are bugging me both by phone and text.  So far I have ignored them all as I am just not ready to speak with anyone yet.  I just wanted some info to see if we could do better directly through the cruise lines.  They are 1-800-cruises and CruisesOnly.

Thanks to everyone so far....I'm getting some ideas.  Love to hear more.

I just turned 71 and hubby will be 72 in October.  Easy to mildly moderate activities, but not up for strenuous hiking or other rigorous activities.  We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary next year in August and would like to take an Alaska cruise and tour to commemorate it.  We don't care if it overlaps our actual anniversary, but might be nice.  Anyway, I have been looking at cruises and just not sure which ones would be best for us.  Neither of us like large ships or tons of kids running around yelling and screaming.  We want to relax and enjoy the scenery and onboard amenities.  We also don't gamble, so casinos are not important.  I have been leaning toward Viking, Windstar, and American Queen Voyages, but they are so expensive that I'm not sure.  This would be a one time deal for us.

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?  TIA.  Oh and, "Why Alaska" you might ask....I have traveled a lot around the US during my lifetime and have been to 49 of the 50 states.  Yep, Alaska is the only one I have not seen.

Wow.....you all gave me a scare there. I was ready to call the TA and cancel our Alaska cruise next May. I have gotten motion sickness ever since I was small and have tried everything available and the only thing that works is the patch. DH says I could get seasick in a bathtub. LOL!! First time I tried a cruise without it I was sick within 1/2 hour of leaving port. Had to go to bed and ended up getting up after about 15 minutes and going to the doctor for a shot and then he gave me a patch the next morning. I also get extremely ill with anesthetic. One anesthetist told me that it seems redheads are more prone to it. Those who have never experienced severe motion sickness just can't understand the feeling.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. It just won't let me log in.....just sits and spins.

Go to Totem Bight for a very easy hike (a walk really) through the forest viewing totem poles as you go. You can take a taxi, city bus (very inexpensive but more transit time) or a tour to get there. Saxman is another option for seeing totem poles).

Is there a tour for just Totem Bight? The only one I can find includes a canoe tour as well but I don't want to do that. Or is it just better to take the bus there. I don't really want to do anything other than that and walk around Creek St. Ship spends the least amount of time here. DH may do the Orca Cove kayak trip while I just shop and see totems and other historical sites in the town.

My 1st souvenir purchase in October 2018 is settled! Stanley the Stowaway Bear will find a new home with me. Hope the outfits from other regions are carried in 1 of the onboard shops so he could have his own special wardrobe!

 

Yes I'm a Teddy Bear Lover and proud of it!

I agree! I am an avid arctophile (teddy bear lover) and this is going to be a MUST for our Alaska cruise next June. I will have to look for him right away!

This link worked today!

Added to both my Delta Platinum cards this morning.

John..........I got it to work on my Hilton Amex as well. Thanks! But now I have to figure out how to use it because there are so many "rules and regulations" to the offer I'm not sure what is and what is not qualified. We booked as part of a group and they went through a TA, so it appears that we can't use it to pay part of the trip costs. But then again it doesn't appear we can use it for excursions either if not "booked at the time of reservation". Plus it doesn't look as though lots of things on board don't qualify. Wondering if just buying OBC would work and then use the OBC for the stuff we need (gratuities, etc).

We are doing a cruisetour, including the Star, starting next May 29th. I pulled up the EZair pretty much when I could and got a price. DH said that was too expensive and to wait since it is so far away. Well, now the price for the same route has gone up almost $200/person in the past 1.5 weeks! Is this usual so far in advance? I hope it will come down, but hoping we didn't miss our chance.

This trip is starting to cost a lot more than we had planned (and were told by the TA up front with his estimate to our group) and I'm afraid if the flight doesn't come down significantly we will have to cancel.

Does the Star Princess have shower seats available for use? I had a hip replacement 2.5 years ago that damaged 2 nerves. I don't need a wheelchair (I do use a cane) or need a handicapped room, but for stability purposes I do use a seat in the shower. Do they have any available for use on the Star? Do I need to request one on my planner? Needless to say I can't take mine with me.

Sorry but I only have the Southbound patters. If you still want them, let me know and I'll send you the complete set!

Thanks so much for doing this!! If you could send a copy to inkedtreasures@gmail.com I would appreciate it.

First time Princess cruiser and therefore first time with EZAir. Just some questions, please. How do you find the fare drops? By checking out the EZAir part of the website or on the airlines site? And if you find a lower fare, how do you change it if you already have chosen seat assignments? Sounds like you do it through the Princess website. Will it keep the flights and seats the same but just lower the pricing? We are doing the Delta Economy+ and since there are fewer seats available in that class I don't want to loose that. I just don't want to screw things up, but DH is fussing about lower pricing. I'm more concerned with the upgrade, although I do want to get the lowest price I can.

We are doing the cruisetour with a large group, but everyone is getting flights on their own. We are using a TA, but I'm not familiar with them and am somewhat of a control freak on my vacations. That's why I was doing the air through EZAir and doing the checking myself.

Any guidance the experiences Princess cruisers can give me is well appreciated. Thanks!

I'm not really understanding how some people get this and some don't. I went to the AmEx site and read which cards are eligible for offers and we should be able to get them. Especially annoyed that people who have brand new accounts are getting it. I have had a Hilton Honors AmEx for probably close to 20 years and actually use it the most. Never carried a balance and never missed a payment and yet the only offers we get are pretty much places I would never use. Guess I'll stick with my Marriott Visa for this cruise since at least we get $5000 in trip cancellation/interruption insurance that AmEx doesn't offer.

I agree. I would put it in writing to him. " you are an adult. Do it your way. But i will go without you. ".

 

Ps what is "so".

 

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Significant Other.

That's why I take care of everything.....and hubby lets me. I will drive him to AAA for the pix, put the application in front of him and a pen in his hand and say "Sign", and then mail them in.

We were on the Star following a land tour in May. The Princess personnel board the train in Wasilla and will go through the cars and check you in. Then when the train arrives in Whittier, you stay in your seat and the bartender or host for the car will go from seat to seat and hand out the cruise cards. So you will only have to go through security as you mentioned.

 

As for dinner, it is all open seating the first night and they are used to passengers arriving late. The specialty restaurants will likely be closed on embarkation night but all of the rest of the dining venues will be going strong. Enjoy your cruise!

We are doing the same cruise end of next May. Thanks for the info! I would love to pick your brain about it and things you did, but I haven't figured out the private messaging on here yet.

To avoid the stairs leading up to the muster drill when they shut down the elevators - just find out where your muster station is and about 15 or 20 minutes before the muster drill is scheduled just take an elevator up to that deck...find a place to sit, relax, and people watch until it starts.

 

When it is over, wait about 5 minutes for the crowd to disperse, then grab a drink and head outside to enjoy your sail away.

 

It is the only way my DH and I can do muster. If they had to wait for us to climb the stairs, muster would be over by the time we got to the station! :p

Thank you! I have OA in my hip and back. I had a hip replacement over 2.5 years ago and it still isn't right due to having 2 nerves damaged. Anyway....stupid question.....how do you find out what level it is going to be on ahead of time? Same one as the life boats? I can see this tip being a trip saver for me.

I checked and I don't have this on my AmEx. But then again I save more by using my Visa because they have trip cancellation insurance up to $5000 and AmEx doesn't. Covers me for our big Alaska Cruisetour and we only have to purchase for hubby.

If you're in the US and didn't book a non-refundable deposit cabin, then there's no need to insure only the deposit, since it is fully refundable until around the time final payment is due.

OK, thanks for that. In fact the TA told us that the fare is totally refundable up to 90 days from departure. So you are saying that we really don't need to buy it until then? But won't that cut out the pre-existing condition clause? For example.........I have a hip replacement. If on board should I fall and dislocate that hip, wouldn't that mean that they could refuse to pay for the interrupted trip?

I apologize for being a bit dense but this is only our 3rd cruise and we have never taken out insurance before except for a non-cruise trip and it wasn't that far in advance.

I was able to transfer my policy with Nationwide when I had to rebook my cruise to a later date. I just had to provide an email stating that there would not be any claims made on the existing booking coverage, and they took care of the rest.

We are looking at Nationwide as they are the most reasonable rates. Glad to hear they are a bit accommodating for plan changes. I have coverage through my credit card for my half of the charges (up to $5000) but would have to get insurance for my husband. Our cruise isn't until the end of next May so I would like to find someone who would consider only insuring the deposit for now.