MudderBear

I was on this cruise and did the land tour also in Denali.  I was on the DB4.  I concur with everything the OP said.  I was on the last train car from Denali and we were not checked in.  We had to wait in that long line too.  And the real issue is, we're talking like it's somewhere between 6-7:00PM.  It's not like it's 1:00 in the afternoon.  We need to get through, get onto the ship and do our muster drill, put away luggage and figure out where to eat.....so it was not a pleasant experience being rushed like that.

I too, was one of those coughing and coughing on board.  I did NOT have Covid.  Turns out I had/have a double ear infection.  I got sick on the training coming down from Denali.  I sat in a FREEZING cold draft for 10 hours.  I complained once or twice, and our steward move me two rows back from 11 to 13.  Did not help at all.  I sat with my fleece jacket over my head for most of the trip....and when I really wanted to warm up, I walked towards the back of the car and stood near the steps (not a very safe thing to do).  I wore the mask on and off.....

All in all, I can't believe the absolute perfect weather we had.  It was sunny and warm every day.  Yes, it's very cold in Hubbards's Galcier and Glacier Bay, but other than that, a long sleeve shirt and a down vest was all I needed.

Would love to do Alaska again, but I'm exploring Princess' Greek Isle land/cruise tour for next year (as long as the stock market comes back up.....)

I'm a little confused.  Maybe someone who has done it can shed light on this?

D e s ti n a ti o n : Eastern Mediterranean D e p a rt u r e : Athens (Piraeus), Greece D e p a rt u r e D a t e : May 20, 2023 A rri v a l : Barcelona, Spain A rri v a l D a t e : May 27, 2023

Tue 05/16/23 Athens, Greece TRANSFER: AIRPORT TO HOTEL Transfer: Airport to Hotel When you arrive in Athens, proceed to baggage claim and collect your baggage. After you clear customs, a representative will direct you to the transfer to the hotel. AFTERNOON AT LEISURE Afternoon at leisure LUGGAGE INFORMATION Luggage information All of your luggage will travel with you throughout your land tour. Your Tour Director will provide further instructions. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom within a few hours of embarking the ship. Remember to keep all documents, valuables, medications, and your camera in your hand-carried bag. ATHENS MARRIOTT HOTEL Athens Marriott Syngrou Avenue 385 Athens, 17564 Greece Phone: 30- 210-947-1000 Check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

Wed 05/17/23 Athens, Greece BREAKFAST Breakfast COACH: ATHENS TO ARGOLIS Motorcoach: Athens to Argolis After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the historic Argolis area of Greece. Travel time is approximately 3 1/2 hours. Your itinerary includes 2 formal nights and 5 smart casual nights. Formal nights tend to occur on sea days. However, since exceptions can happen, it's always a good idea to check your Patter for details. DATE DESTINATION TIME Wed 05/17/23 Nafplion, Greece ARGOLIS SIGHTSEEING Argolis Sightseeing Home to ancient wonders, visit the site of Ancient Corinth one of the most important cities of the ancient world as well as the major hub for the building of Christianity. Continue to Epidaurus, the best preserved Ancient Greek Theatre in the world. After lunch at a local venue, visit the Citadel of Mycenae. The citadel with its impressive Cyclopean Walls was home to the Bronze Age Mycenaean Civilization. DINNER Dinner AMALIA HOTEL NAFPLIO Amalia Hotel Nafplio N. Tiryns 21100 Greece Phone: 30-275-202-4400 Check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

Thu 05/18/23 Nafplion, Greece BREAKFAST Breakfast COACH: NAFPLION TO DELPHI Motorcoach: Nafplion to Delphi Drive along the coastal highway and over the Rio-Antirio bridge to one of the most sacred places to the ancient world, the Oracle of Delphi. Travel time is approximately 3 1/2 hours. Thu 05/18/23 Delphi, Greece DELPHI SIGHTSEEING Delphi Sightseeing Built on the slopping hillsides of Mt. Parnassus with amazing scenery, this was the immensely rich and powerful home of the oracle. See the remnants of treasuries of the Temple of Apollo. Then you will visit the Museum next to the sites filled with treasures unearned in the site. Pride of Place is the bronze statue of the charioteer whose serene and amazing beauty has made it one of the most famous statues in the world. DINNER Dinner AMALIA HOTEL DELPHI Amalia Hotel Delphi 1 Apollonos St. Delphi, 33054 Greece Phone: 30-226- 508-2101 Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Your itinerary includes 2 formal nights and 5 smart casual nights. Formal nights tend to occur on sea days. However, since exceptions can happen, it's always a good idea to check your Patter for details. DATE DESTINATION TIME

Fri 05/19/23 Delphi, Greece BREAKFAST Breakfast COACH: DELPHI TO METEORA Motorcoach: Delphi to Meteora After breakfast at the hotel, drive through the mountains to the central part of Greece to the Meteora, which means "in the mid-air." Travel time is approximately 3 hours. Fri 05/19/23 Kalambaka, Greece METEORA SIGHTSEEING Meteora Sightseeing Visit what is considered by many to be the 8th wonder of the world; The Meteora Monasteries. The medieval monasteries were built by monks over 500 years ago and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please be aware the monasteries are religious sites and respectful attire must be worn in order to visit them. No shorts are allowed and ladies must wear skirts that cover the knee and no bare shoulders. DINNER Dinner DIVANI KALAMBAKA Divani Meteora Hotel National Road Trikalon-Ioanninon Kalambaka, 42200 Greece Phone: 30-243-202-3330 Check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

Sat 05/20/23 Kalambaka, Greece BREAKFAST Breakfast COACH: KALAMBAKA TO ATHENS Motorcoach: Kalambaka to Athens Travel time is approximately 4 1/2

On 6/6/2022 at 8:27 PM, broker1217 said:

With all due respect, colds are caused by viruses and not caused by being chilled or being in a draft.

They are caused by germs--most probably passed by other passengers.

But always good advice to travel with basic OTC meds--as well as mask up and wash your hands frequently. And obviously take appropriate hats/scarves etc. when in Alaska to keep yourself comfortable.

You sound like my husband.  Look, for what it's worth....for over sixty years, if the left side of my neck, or my ears or even the top of my head is in a draft for an extended period of time, I catch a cold.  I've been married over 35 years and my husband still insists I am wrong.......but it happens to me all the time.  I even sleep with a scarf around my neck to keep it wrong.  I golf in the heat with my neck covered.....so, it might go against science but it is how my body works.

10 hours ago, Av8tor said:

Pretty sure the ship's store has cold meds you can buy.  Probably pricy, but as a last resort could be an option.

Nope.  They didn't have cough suppressent.  They had things like Advil, etc.,

There doesn't seem to be too many sailings next May 2023, but I'd like to stick with Princess as we just finished a cruise on the Majestic Princess and were very impressed.

The only time I've been to Europe was a three city bus tour starting in Venice, Florence and then Rome.  I'd like to perhaps fly in and out of Italy, but not too many "round trip" tours on Princess.  Would love to hear recommendations.  I suppose I can fly in or out of Barcelona if need be....or even Athens.

Looking for a 7 or 8 day cruise (ideally 10 night but I don't think there are any).

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

I was on the Whittier to Vancouver cruise that started May 28th.  On Friday morning, a bunch of people were lined up at the high tops in The Marketplace doing their proctored tests.  I guess they figured that was the best area for internet.

As for me, I switched my flights from YVR to SEA about two weeks before my trip started, as I couldn't sleep at night worrying about what would happen if we caught Covid.

 For what it's worth, the pollen in Alaska right now is off the charts.  Just look at all of the pollen in the water.......

It was a domed car.  The middle of the car will be freezing.

I caught a cold from the 10 hour train ride from Denali to Whittier to embark on the Majestic Princess.  I was seated in the middle section of the rail car and FROZE TO DEATH.  Cold wind blowing on my head for 10 hours.

Caught a head cold (not covid ) and desperately needed cough medicine.  No place to buy it.  From now on, I will always pack that in my luggage.

Is that normal?  I'm bringing both.

Also, which MDR is open for breakfast?  Thank you.

Yikes?  I would imagine that the luggage (from Ship to SEA) is in the belly of the bus? 

I honestly believe that if you are on a Princess land portion first, that Princess will do the test for you.  We are on DB4 and it is my understanding that they will do it for us.  We are carrying proctered tests for us because we were going to fly home from Vancouver, but at the last minute just changed to Seattle.

Thinking of switching flying from Vancouver to the USA and instead going to Seattle and flying home.  Does Princess offer FREEE transfers?  Or do I have to have EZ Air.  I booked my flights on my own.

I set up my Medallian app on my phone awhile back.  I'm trying to have my husband now set up his.  He downloaded the app and is trying to set up his own account but as soon as he puts his birthday in, they say there is another person already listed with his information.

Does he have to share my Medallian app?  I mean, I don't mind if he uninstalls that and downloads a new one and just signs in with my username and password, but doesn't that seem odd?

Thanks.

Hello.  I get confused sometimes with the phone.

Traveling to Alaska for land for a few days.  Then embarking cruise in Whittier and stopping in Juneau, Ketchakam, Skagway, and finally disembarking in Vancouver.  Have Princess Plus so I will have Wi-fi.

Do I keep my phone on airplane mode the whole time?  What if I want to text people, post to FB, etc., can I do that on airplane mode.  If not, will I incur charges? (Note, I have an unlimited data plan with Verizon).

Finally, what do I do once I get into Vancouver.  Will be there for 24 hours.

Thank you all very much.

So, what is basically the latest I can get off the ship in Vancouver when we dock?  I'd like to take the test in the morning once we have docked so that I am still a cruise passenger.

• Quick question:  If I am disembark in Vancouver on a Saturday at 7:30am, but not flying home until 8:00am on Sunday, at what point should I take the test?  After 8:00am on Saturday?

Will be arriving in port around 6:30ish from a 9 hour train ride on the Denali Cruise Tour.  How will we have time to watch the Muster Drill on our TV or phone and then attend a Muster Drill?  How late can you do that?

Thanks.

Hello.  DB4 Alaska Cruise Tour Denali first, then cruise and ends in Vancouver.  Just in case I test positive and can't get on my flight from YVR to my home state, how can I get to Seattle?  I would prefer not renting a car.  How else can I get (at the last minute) from YVR to the airport in Seattle?

Thanks.

Got this email this morning:

Hello.  So, I am fully vaccinated.  I didn't think I needed a test to get back into the USA?  I am 3 nights Denali , Alaska,  first then 7 day cruise from Whitter to Vancouver.  I didn't think I needed a test to get back into the USA?  Can someone please interpret this?  I received this morning.

Hello.  Will be at the Princess Wilderness Lodge.  Is there any place within walking distance where I can purchase wine?  Would like it for my room.  Thanks!

Thanks.  I believe I am taking a "third" suitcase.  I will put evening clothes (not really much, and those shoes, plus our down jackets in it).  The down jackets will be for Hubbard and Glacier Bay.  Don't think I'll need them in Denali in May...

6 hours ago, caribill said:

You can read about our Alaska luggage experience in the below link.

 

 

 

Great summary.  Thank you!

3 hours ago, GottaLuvCruising said:

We are doing an 11-day cruise tour in July.  Where did you get info on the Denali meal plan?  (Didn't know such a thing existed.)  

Here you go! 2022 alaska pre-paid meal packages (princess.com)