RSF Cruiser

4 hours ago, Triptkr said:

Question for those of you out there who have sailed on Island Princess and have gotten a Vista Suite.   I notice that the Island Princess has Vista Suites on deck 12 & 14 in the aft...these suites seem to be quite large in size.  There are also Vista Suites on deck 9 & 10 'mid-aft'...these suites seem to be what would appear smaller than their 'sisters' on decks 12 & 14.  If both options are available why would one book the suites on deck 9 & 10?   Am I missing something?       TIA!   

We stayed in an IsIand aft suite on the Aloha deck. The cabin was about the same aize as other ships, but the balcony was huge, although mainly uncovered. We loved the suite - our favorite of any of the half dozen or so Princess ships that we’ve been on. We always stay in an aft suite, and usually a Vista one. Although we prefer to be on a lower deck and closer to the water, we picked the Aloha deck on the Island because of the size of the balcony. I can’t wait to be back on the Island in the same cabin. 

We did the Panama Canal on the Island over the holidays two years ago, and it was our favorite holiday cruise. The staff was wonderful and the holiday activities were fun, especially New Years Eve - there were parties in all of the clubs, the atrium, and on deck at the middle swimming pool. We've been on other holiday cruises, and the one on the Island has been our favorite so far.

We're one of the lone voices that loves the Island - we stayed in a Vista aft suite (Aloha 729). It's the nicest suite we've been in: well lit, modern, and a large balcony. Some people complain about the vibrations in the aft suites - we didn't think the room vibrated any more than any other aft suite.

During the day La Patisserie did have small tea-like sandwiches. I often had one or two when returning from an excursion. This was two years ago on a Panama Canal cruise. 

We’ve sailed out of San Francisco many times and always stay in an aft suite, and are always on deck, up high, in the front of the ship when we approach and then go under the bridge. There’s an excitement generated from all of the people, and the view is far superior to a balcony. We also wake up early when we return and experience going under the bridge pre-dawn. Another exciting experience with not as many people and great picture ops!

Another thing about being on deck for sail away - you can see 360 degrees of the sights. From your balcony, you only have 180 degrees. 

That said, no matter where you are for sail away, going under the bridge is exciting!

We did this cruise over the December holidays two years ago, and it was one of our favorite cruises. It was our second time to cruise the Panama Canal, and we found it just as fascinating the second time as the first. The first time we were on the Coral in January, and the second on the Island in December/January. Without a doubt, we preferred sailing over the holidays. Everyone is in a more upbeat mood than usual - including the crew. Although you pay a premium to sail over the holidays, there are more activities, special events, and decorations. Even if you don't have kids, we found the holiday events fun - ginger bread house making, carols with snow in the piazza, story time with Santa, and I can't remember the other things. New Years Eve was incredible - there was music everywhere. They also have holiday foods like Christmas Stolen (it's delicious).

We've been on other holiday cruises, and the Island was the most fun - I'm sure that's because of the cruise director and staff, so some of the events may differ, depending on the cruise director. Bottom line: holiday cruises are terrific.

Many people on these boards hate the Island because of the remodel. Some of the public spaces were converted to cabins and the promenade deck doesn't encircle the entire ship. We did not find the ship to be any more crowded than any other cruise ship over the holidays. We love the Island - It's actually our favorite Princess ship. Part of the reason is we always stay in aft suites, and Aloha 729 is our all time favorite aft suite. Since it's one of the added cabins, the furnishings and lighting are a bit more modern than S6 suites on the other ships. We liked the fact that there was no wet bar, and then two sinks in the bathroom. The balcony was mainly uncovered, but huge - look at the deck plan to see how big! I can't compare the Island to the Royal, although we will be taking the Royal in January to Mexico and will be in one of the corner aft suites. The balcony and cabin look wonderful, so it's possible the Royal will become our favorite ship!

Let me know if you have other questions - we've been on a lot of Princess cruises and ships...

3 hours ago, Melli56566 said:

Anyone do any hiking in ketchikan?  Looking at rainbird trail,deer mountain trail, or something near cruise terminal.  thanks!

I did not like Rainbird that much - it wasn't as pretty as Deer Mountain, nor were there good views. I've also done one from town - more of a walk than a wilderness hike, but also quite enjoyable. I went through town to Schoenbar trail up to the Totem Heritage Center and followed the streets back down to the waterfront where I then went along Creek Street to Married Man's trail where I walked up to Cape Fox Lodge. I came back down to the water front by way of Married Man's Trail. I think the up and down was about a total of eight miles. I've attached the trail book I've used for hiking in Ketchikan. Have fun!

ketchikan trails.pdf

I hike in all the ports and I’m always alone. I use sticks and hit them hard on the trail so the bears know I’m coming. So far they have kept away from. The hiking is incredible no matter what trails you take. And I have hiked Deer Mountain. 

We used to do the Mexican Rivera in mid-July a lot and had overall good weather. My husband had read July was rainier than June, so one year we tried June, and it poured just about the entire time! Bottom line: you can't predict the weather. Expect the worst and then you'll be happy when the weather is good. There are no weather guarantees!

Lovers Beach does go through  to the Pacific. The beach/sand is between the cliffs.  The waves and undertow are pretty  strong on the Pacific side, so you’d want to limit your swimming to the bay side. Lover’s Beach is beautiful and one of my favorite beaches. 

A few years back we went to Barrow (flew from Fairbanks), with a population of about 4,400. We stayed at the Inn across the road from the airport, and stayed three days. There’s a wonderful museum/cultural center, and we took a midnight tour with Daniel and Mario (got their names from the Inn). Our most memorable experience was walking along the beach in the middle of the night and watching the sun march across the horizon. It was July and the sun never set; got close to the horizon and then moved from west to east until it started to rise again. We were tired the next day, but thrilled with our experience! 

You'll have a great view of the arch from your ship! You have to take a water taxi round trip for Lover's Beach. The water taxi will take you up close to the arch. I've walked round trip to Medano Beach - I don't know about water taxi's for there.

You will get laundry, Sabatini's for breakfast, and many of the "usual" suite benefits. There is generally no first night specialty dinner on cruises five days or less.

If you plan on going to the visitor center, get their early - once the tours start arriving, the visitor center will be packed as in shoulder to shoulder people. Most people seem to stay close to the visitor center, so the path to Nugget Falls or other trails will have people on them, but they won't be a mob scene. 

Yes, the thumb drive was included in the full package price. If the two cabins who paid $80 wanted a thumb drive, they had to pay an eztra $15.

I fear what's included in the all inclusive photo package may vary by ship - we've had the package numerous times and every time but the last one (on the Grand) included any photo at least one of us was in. We were on the Grand over the holidays this year and had pre-purchased the photo package. When we took our photos up the first time, we were informed the package included only those passengers who had purchased the package. We were traveling with four other people in two other cabins. So if there was even one passenger who had not purchased the package, then we couldn't get the photo! I complained since that had never been our experience before. They wanted to charge another $500 ($250 per cabin). I said no way, credit my account!  They started negotiating the price... I eventually gave in when each of the other cabins could be included for an additional $80 each. I got all of the hard copies and digital images. The other two cabins could have 5 hard copies each. They didn't want the thumb drive (another $15), so I shared the digital images with them with no thumb drive. I'm not sure the package was worth a total of $360 ($200 pre-paid for us, and $80 for each of the other cabins), but it was a family celebration and I wanted the digital photos for my photo book. 

I posted my experience back in January, and from that posting, only those on the Grand have had this experience. I'm hoping it was because of the photo department management on the Grand then, and is not a fleet wide policy!

I thought the butterfly gardens was OK. You don’t spend that much time there, and it was kind of interesting. They do have a lot of different butterflies, but I guess I am not that into buttflies! On the otherhand, I’ve been to Butchart gardens two or three times and love it there! I’m not that into flowers, either, but I thought Butchart Gardens was fascinating with how they made what could have been an eye sore into something beautiful. 

Yes. The staff repeatedly reminded us no one would help us get the suitcases on and off the scanner, which was fine with us. We also keep our suitcases with us to disembark. That way we don’t have to use valuable

vacation time before dinner to pack. We generally oack after dinner.  

48 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Ah, so you have been able to put a full size suitcase thru the scanner?  My preference would be to go ahead and carry on all my stuff since I'm arriving at a time when I can walk right on and up to my room. 

We generally carry our bags on, which includes suitcases that are too large for airplane carryon. You need to be able to lift the suitcase onto the scanner - no one at check in will help you. We find it much easier to do self check. That way we have everything with us when we go to our room. 

We've been on two New Years Eve cruises and they were a blast! Music in all of the venues and sometimes on deck, too. There was a count down clock with a balloon drop at midnight in the piazza. Everyone was dressed up and the atmosphere was really festive. 

We took an excursion along the Napali cliffs the end of December. The excursion took all day (we had some time for shopping at the little shopping center next to the port, but that was about it), but it was worth it if you enjoy incredible scenery  (the cliffs), and good snorkeling. The water was clearer than the snorkeling we did at Hanauma Bay and Honoloa Bay. There were enough fish/sea life, although not as much as Hanauma Bay. And the coral formations were excellent. Although I had my own snorkel equipment, the tour operator did provide equipment for those who did not have gear. The boat also went past a school of spinner dolphins!

Lower Reid Falls is a very easy hike and simple to find. Once you are at the cemetery, I believe there are signs. If not, walk toward where you hear the water. You'll walk along the creek, up to the base of the falls. It's a beautiful walk and the falls are pretty.

We used Murray's guide and drove to Emerald Lake with many stops along the way. On the way back to Skagway we took the Dyea turnoff to the overlook, then drove to the old cemetery at the end of town and walked to Lower Reid Falls. It was a wonderful day!

My husband loves wearing his tux on cruises, and a cruise is the only time he gets to wear it. He bought a cheap one about ten years ago - paid about $100 for the jacket and pants at one of the men's discount places. He finds it easier to pack/wear a tux rather than a suit or sport jacket since he only needs to bring one and can change out the tie. Sometimes he's the only one in a tux, and he loves it - it's the men who compliment him the most! And he looks and feels great in it. His cheap tux wore out and last year (fabric balled from so many cleanings), and this time he bought a custom one at a men's chain store. The custom suit cost around $800 and he loves it. Wonderful fit. The nice thing about a custom suit is if his size changes, they will alter it at no charge, forever! We go on about two cruises a year, so he wears his tux 2-5 times a year. If you enjoy wearing a tux and plan on going on cruises, based on my husband's experience, I think you'll be quite happy if you buy one, even if it's a cheap one.

Even if there are a lot of kids, they should not be a problem. This past holiday season we were on a 15 day cruise to Hawaii with over 400 kids. We hardly every saw them and never heard them. This was our second holiday cruise on Princess, and the kids were incredibly well behaved.

We rented from Budget in Maui. Yes, the policy is only the driver gets to go on the shuttle, UNLESS there is room for others. We were a group of three, and all of us were able to get on the shuttle. Another option if you can't all get on the shuttle and you don't want to backtrack, is to take Uber/Lyft.

The other port where we rented a car was in Honolulu, and we took Lyft to the airport - was really a simple process.