MississippiMom

Thanks for the reality check on the price point.  I think you have just solidified that one night will be maximum for us in Anchorage, if even that.  We were already planning one night in Seward post-cruise in order to see Kenai Fjords.  

13 hours ago, jerseygirlinAZ said:

We rented with Avis because they had a location just a short walk from the port.  It was a little pricey, but we figured we'd pay for the convenience and the opportunity to get out and hit some of the popular sites quicker that the tour buses.  Worked out fabulously and we plan to rent from them again.

I did notice that on the AvisAlaska website they were quick to point out that they were locally owned.  I was hoping that might be one way to both support local while possibly using an Avis corporate rate.  Our cruise dates are slightly less than a year away, so our dates to book things aren't available in most cases, but will be soon.  I am hoping to get all of my deposits down as quickly as possible.

15 hours ago, jerseygirlinAZ said:

 

We just booked another Alaskan for cruise in June 2025, so it's been nice to re-read this thread.  We plan to rent a car again

Who did you rent your car through?  I know lots recommend Turo, but I’m hoping we can take advantage of my husband’s corporate discounts or our AARP discounts.  Or the discounts from that big box store you visited 😜.

What a GREAT thread, as I research excursion options for August 2025.

On 7/20/2024 at 10:51 PM, NothingBeatsBaseball said:

If you are morning people, then yeah, that will be tough. We rented a car from Turo and had a great day hitting many different spots. Even with a bunch of ships in port it felt like we got away from folks. 

Was Turo the only way you could get a rental car for the day or is that just your preference?  We have a LONG port day in Juneau and I had not even considered driving around in our own, but I am confident my husband would love that.

Hoping someone replies, since I have started researching for our August 2025 cruise that will port at Ketchikan.

In Ketchikan, what are the opinions on Island Wings versus Pirate Airworks?

On 10/7/2022 at 1:03 PM, Nashna said:

Thank you, Lisa.  My husband can't drink alcohol for medical reasons.  The popularity of Mocktails makes it much easier to enjoy while abstaining.  I have copied your list to bring on our January cruises.  It was sweet of you to share.

I will be in the same boat (no pun intended) due to medical reasons.  I love trying the pricey mocktails at our local restaurants.  Thank you, @Eight_Paws, for sharing your experience with Celebrity’s options.

On 8/9/2024 at 6:07 AM, shipgeeks said:

I would suggest a Canada/New England cruise on RC from Baltimore, round trip, 9 nights.

Not sure about the OP, but for us, 9-nights is impossible.  A 7-night cruise is all we can fit in with the added air travel from our Southern US home.

Looks like @hollon has not returned with more details on his/her interests, but I would like to jump in.

We are in our late 50s and had originally planned on driving up the the northeast coast, but things have changed and a one-way 7 night cruise seems to be a much better option for us.  We have visited Boston and love it, but it is not required to be a port for this cruise.  We definitely would want to begin or end in Quebec City.

I would like to hear from cruisers who traveled on NCL on the New England/Canada route.

@NBliving, thank you so much for sharing your experience and your photos!

1 minute ago, Saint Greg said:

I don’t have any sources that work for Carnival. The only thing I have that isn’t public involves entertainment which comes from the entertainers themselves.

 

I personally am looking at doing Canada/New England from Boston which would be with Norwegian or Princess.

 

What a QUICK reply!  Thanks.

Was looking at NCL just last night.  It’s been a REALLY long time, since we have sailed them, but I like that one way Boston to Quebec City itinerary.

On 10/17/2023 at 11:12 AM, Saint Greg said:

Hopefully working on adding Boston back to them. Then I'd be interested.

Any news on 2025, @Saint Greg?  I feel like you are “in the know” often.

On 3/27/2024 at 4:09 PM, Saint Greg said:

 

What I know is I'm always looking for the cheapest price on an interior and Panorama is always at the top of the list. It's been that way for years. And now Firenze is right up there with it.

 

Fine... I decided to do a little random search I wouldn't normally do. A balcony for four during the summer. I first tried fourth of July but it's sold out. So I decided the last week of July. I came out with a total of $3,652 on Panorama. And $3,619 on Liberty.

 

So in that case the really old ship with no bells and whistles..not even a waterpark for the kids...is selling for the same price as the much newer Panorama.

 

Let's do Firenze and Valor on the 5-day that same week. 

 

Valor $3,190

Firenze $2,732

 

Unfortunately I don't have time to search for every category on every cruise for the entire year, but I've seen enough over the years to have a good idea of how it would come out.

 

 

 

I really appreciate that you typed this out.

Just last week, I was curious about CCL NOLA sailings for (March) Spring Break 2025, and the pricing seemed NUTS to me.  No wonder my BIL & SIL just drove all the way to PC to get on a larger CCL ship for their family of seven to enjoy.

On 7/14/2024 at 2:16 PM, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi MississippiMom,

 

I hope you get healed quickly.

 

I have four plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions if bought by Final Payment. Cancer's covered the same as any other medical condition with no restrictions or special requirements.

 

If you want a specific recommendation, I'm happy to give it. Go here to give us the details:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-email-contact-form/

 

Steve Dasseos

Thank you so much!

I will be reaching out to you, soon.

We put a deposit down in April 2024 for a late summer 2025 Alaskan cruise.  We did not add travel insurance at the time of the deposit.  Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with lymphoma in June 2024, and have begun chemotherapy treatment.  Prognosis is good, however, things could change at any time.  Are there cancer specific travel insurance policies that I should investigate?

On 7/11/2024 at 9:36 AM, edinburgher said:

if you never before considered a Norwegian fjords itinerary, you may not be aware of some upcoming changes to fjords cruising. These were mentioned some time ago and some folks are considering bring forward their fjord cruising plans to next year before the changes come into force in 2026, any you might also want to consider doing  the same.

 

This is only one thread but there are others which you can find by using the search tool.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3017563-need-advice-booking-cruise-to-norway-norwegian-govt-ban-on-cruising-unesco-heritage-fjords/

 

Thank you for sharing the link.

Time to research and decide if Alaska 2025 needs to change to Norway 2025.  🤔

1 hour ago, Purvis1231 said:

Some times I-phone to I-phone texting works but not always. 

Also, very randomly.  

I was sitting out on the deck one morning looking at another ship sail by and got an iphone to iphone text suddenly from our house & dog sitter.  It was just an fyi to let us know that we had parts of a tree down from a storm, but no damage to anything.  She had sent it days before.

On 6/10/2024 at 6:23 PM, SbbquilterUT said:

Just completed a wonderful cruise Vancouver to Seward on Celebrity - got to spend time at Hubbard Glacier which was my number one wish.  

We are hoping to take that Celebrity Vancouver to Seward route in 2025.  Glad you found it wonderful.

On 6/17/2024 at 1:12 PM, RocketMan275 said:

Of course it's relevant.  If none of the available cabins are suitable, that is the same as having no cabins available.

You are making the assumption that the location of the cabin actually matters to the person booking last minute.

Let’s say you get a wild hair and want to drive down to The Emerald Coast tomorrow.  Your friends will be in . . . Orange Beach, Destin, Seaside, (pick a place) . . . and you want to be somewhere near them.  You just book where you find availability, regardless of whether or not it faces the ocean or has the exact layout you want or has bunk beds in the hallway, etc.  It’s not about the space you are sleeping in, it’s about just hanging with your friends at the beach.

Similar thing with booking a last minute cruise.  The person booking is just trying to get on the ship.

On 6/16/2024 at 6:19 PM, fla33023 said:

I live in Hollywood, FL so I'm in between POM and PE. If I had the money, I certainly would hop on a ship with a moment's notice.

I have a friend who moved to the Ft. Lauderdale area many years ago to work with family.  He was quite surprised to discover that when the oldest relative decided it was time to shut down for a break, they could just walk up to the port and board a cruise ship for a bargain.  (Obviously, this was back when paying at the port on embarkation day was allowed.). This friend went on so many cruises those first few years.

On 6/16/2024 at 5:14 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

Ok, I just have to ask.  Why on earth would somebody be looking to book a cruise the day before sailing?  I guess if I'm already at the departure port and my cruise the next day is suddenly cancelled.  Why else?

We are within reasonable driving distance of both New Orleans and Mobile.  If I could book a last minute 3 night or 4 night cruise for less per night than it would cost to go out for nightly meals & movies, I would jump on it.

Many people can work remotely or have the flexibility at work to take a day or two off last minute. 

Thanks, @BirdTravels!

We usually plan our cruises in advance, however, 2023 & 2024 just keep “slapping us in the face” with unexpected obstacles, so we are thinking about booking a drive-to-the-port last minute cruise in the September - January time frame.  Any chance that NCL offers deals with only a week or less advance booking?  

Do any of you happen to know if Celebrity offers any religious services during their Alaskan 7-day cruises?