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RSF Cruiser

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  1. Have any if you taken the Magdalena Bay Whale Watching excursion or glass bottom boat ride from Loreto? To get to Magdalena Bay you take a two hour bus drive each way to get to the boat, where you are on the water for two hours. We’ll be there the beginning of January and we’re trying to decide between going to Magdalena Bay or taking a glass bottom boat ride in the Sea of Cortez. As I understand the excursions, in Magdalena Bay we see mom and baby whales that swim right up to the boat, and in the glass bottom boat ride we see a large variety of marine life - two totally different experiences. My question is, if you have taken either of these tours from Loreto, what did you like or not like about it? I’m not asking which is better; that’s a personal decision! Thanks!
  2. I decided to see if I can book the excursion, and I was able to. My credit card has been charged and the excursion shows up on my account/journey. Hmmm, I wonder if I will be turned away?
  3. I did a trial booking, and I got as far as paying for it, so I thought I might be able to book it. Maybe I’ll try booking it and see what happens.
  4. I will be on the Grand Princess ten day cruise to Loreto, La Paz, and the Mexican Riviera in January 2025. A whale watching excursion description I want to take states the maximum age limit is 75. I’ve never seen a maximum age limit before. The excursion also has the usual stuff like do not go on the excursion if you have mobility problems etc. Has anyone encountered a maximum age limit before? Do people over 75 get turned away? I am a physically active over 75 year old in excellent health. I called Princess and they said the limitation was set by the vendor and suggested I let the tour desk know of the situation when I board, and if the tour operator turns me away, I’ll get a refund. We are taking this cruise to see the whales near Loreto. I do not want to take an independent tour since these tours are generally seven hours long, we are in port for ten hours, and it’s a tender port. I do not want to miss embarkation in Loreto! I’ve looked at the independent tours and none of them had a maximum age limit. Have any of you run into this before? What happened? Any suggestions? Thanks!
  5. I'll be on a January 2025 Sea of Cortez cruise on the Princess Grand and want to take the Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Adventure (LTO 645). To my surprise, the Princess listing states in red letters the maximum age to go on the excursion is 75. Now I understand stating no one with heart, neck, back etc problems should not go on an excursion. But a maximum age? None of the whale watching excursions in the other ports has a maximum age listed. We are taking this cruise to see whales in the Sea of Cortez! Has anyone experienced being turned away because of your advanced age?
  6. They will have reserve collection dining where only suite and mini suite reserve collection passengers can eat. Plus they can eat their breakfasts in the suite only venue. You won’t be able to join them, but they can join you in the regular dining room. We often travel with others who are not in a suite, so we join them in the regular dining room. As a suite passenger we can generally request and get a specific table/waiter and time in the regular dining room for all of us. They have a broader room service menu and can order for everyone and have it delivered to their suite. That includes afternoon tea service, too.
  7. The photo packages you asked about are for a specified number of print AND paper photos. If you only want digital photos, it’s cheaper to buy the individual digital images - the last time I bought digital only, they were $15 each and I downloaded them onto my phone. The packages with paper and digital are more expensive than $15 for each image.
  8. NIH - National Institutes for Health - has outstanding information on drug drug interactions with Paxlovid (https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antivirals-including-antibody-products/ritonavir-boosted-nirmatrelvir--paxlovid-/paxlovid-drug-drug-interactions/) Although there are some medications that would preclude you from taking Paxlovid, many don’t, and others you may need to wait 12 hours from your last dose before taking Paxlovid and then not to restart for 3-5 days after you are done taking Paxlovid. All of the specific information is in the information in the above link. Although your physician will direct your care, it’s helpful to know what to do about any medications you may be on.
  9. Here are the trails I’ve done on my own without a guide: first mile or so of Deer Mountain - great views and a moderate hike. In looking at the map, it looks like there’s 700+feet elevation to the first overlook (per the legend, each contour line is 100 feet); I did not like Rainbird Trail as much - not much elevation gain and minimal views - Deer Mountain was more interesting; Married Man’s, Schoenbar, and Waterfront Promenade Trails are quick and fun. We once saw a bear fishing in the stream; I did not like the Joseph C Williams Sr Coastal Trail at all - the entire trail is flat and along the highway with vegetation blocking most of the view of the Tongass Narrows; Hollow Cedar Beach Access, Lunch Creek, and Lunch Falls are well worth the drive and a lovely walk through the rain forest; Ward Lake is a pleasant walk through trees and around the lake, and I love Totem Bight! I’m not sure of your hiking interest, so you may or may not agree with my preferences. My favorite is orobably a tie between Lunch Creek/Lunch Falls and Deer Mountain. Totem Bight isn’t really a hike, but rather a stroll among the historic Totems. Hope my response helps! Happy Hiking!
  10. I’ve watched it. They set up easels (maybe ten?) in the atrium and each person paints the “assigned” topic, then after a few minutes you go to another easel and continue what the previous person started. The process is repeated several times until the painting is “finished”. It was fun to watch and I’m sure it was fun to do.
  11. The 5 photo package includes print and digital pics. If you only want digital pics, then it’s cheaper without the package. I forget the price, but I think the digital pics were $15 each and can be downloaded into the app and then saved on your phone.
  12. We were on the Ruby August 15-25 and had same day laundry as you described as a suite benefit.
  13. We were on the Ruby in a suite in August and did not get the strawberries. We did get an array of appetizers the first night and then if we wanted them on other nights a card was left in our room. Don’t know about tea service, but I did miss the strawberries!
  14. If you want self guided hikes there’s an outstanding multiagency trail guide for the Ketchikan area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413489.pdf
  15. We LOVE sitting on our aft balcony as we depart Glacier Bay. We go up on deck when entering the bay and while at the glacier. Then when we are leaving, we go back to our cabin, order room service, and sit on our aft balcony as the mountains and glaciers recede. Our favorite cabins are Royal Class aft suites. Gotta love the incredible balcony!
  16. I did a solo on the Discovery in April. The ship was sold out. I easily found quiet and solitude when I wanted it, and activities if I felt like it. I ate by myself at a table for two, ate, read, and looked out the window. It was heavenly. I spent time in the evenings off to the side in the atrium reading my book, listening to the music, and when I wanted to, watching people dance. The back hot tubs generally were not crowded, nor was the aft swimming pool. I never ate on the Lido deck, so can’t comment about eating there. I also spent a fair amount of time on my balcony, especially during sail aways. If I wanted to interact with other passengers, I could have, but I took the trip to be by myself and totally relax. And that’s what I did! The only marginally bad experience was two days after I got home from my four day cruise, I tested positive for covid. I was 6.5 months post vaccination, so I guess my immunity had waned, and that steamy warm water in the hot tub must have inoculated me with someone’s Covid bugs. Even with getting covid, I would do the cruise again in a heartbeat!
  17. Yes you can feel the vibrations- especially when the ship is traveling fast, dropping anchor, or “parking”. I find the vibrations rock me to sleep, so no problem for me. I love the aft cabins and wouldn’t stay anywhere else on a ship. We stayed on the Dolphin deck.
  18. I was just oh the Discovery and did not have a photo package. Yes, they took embarkation photos, but I didn't realize that was what was being taken. On embarkation day, there were photographers around taking pictures with a green screen. A stopped at one of the "stands", and what I got was that a pose with an image of the discovery in the background, and another photo with Princess logos on it. No photo with the date and stops on the voyage like before. I also didn't realize that the photo package is for the print and digital image. If all you want are the digital images, it's cheaper to buy them (~$15 each). It's a little more for the print and digital image. You can use the medallion app to download your purchased images. A really simple process. There were photographers out every night with various backgrounds, just like before. You view your photos on computer screens in the photo shop, and do your purchase there. I do not think you can purchase photos on the medallion. You can also upload photos you have taken and have gifts made like canvas prints, memory boxes, and ceramic tiles. There are lots more options now with the medallion.
  19. We’ve given laundry Friday morning and got it back Friday evening. I can think the room steward has to have the laundry in the laundry area before 9:00 am, so check with your steward about the time for same day service.
  20. Yes, the five day Discovery in April has the 360-I received an email saying I could call for a reservation, or wait for them to call me. I called them - there are two seatings every night. I think the times are 5:30 and 7:30. I didn’t even have to wait on hold to talk to someone!
  21. I asked a Princess rep this question in anticipation of a similar situation. I was told I can switch to the lower priced cabin, but there would be no refund.
  22. Agreed. The small boat excursion was worth every penny. I definitely will do it again.
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