leahthecaterer

9 minutes ago, John99 said:

@leahthecaterer  Greetings Leah,

 

The book I have on Alaska is titled:

The Alaska Cruise Companion – a Mile by Mile guide

Complete Book and Map Set

Author – Joe Upton

2008 Edition – 287 pages

I bought the 2008 edition from the Princess gift shop several years ago.

 

The Joe Upton book (2012 edition) is available on Amazon if Cruise Critic members are interested at a very nominal price.

 

The author has spent over 20+ years exploring Alaska and the Northwest coast, catching fish, making maps, taking photos, and collecting his award-winning stories.  The book “The Alaska Cruise Companion” was originally published in 1997 for Princess Cruises (only) and then later came The Alaska Cruise Handbook, available in bookstores and aboard most Alaska cruise ships.  I believe these are very similar books.  Just the title changed.  The “Companion” book covers routes, Alaska cruise ports, walks around the ports, shore excursions, and much more. But the enduring quality of Joe’s book is (in addition to being a fully informational Alaska cruise guide) that it’s filled with Upton’s wonderful Alaska stories.

 

Side note:  I understand Upton has a new paperback edition for approximately $32.00.  I believe the map insert is still included.  The book was published in June of 2012.  Joe Upton worked with film maker Dan Kowalski to produce over 20 videos highlighting places along your cruise route, sharing his deep knowledge of the land.  I have not viewed the videos.  If interested in the latest book checkout Amazon.

 

The “Alaska Cruise Companion” is an excellent book in my humble opinion.  I must admit I did blow past some sections that were not on our last trip!  But it’s a very good read since it reminded me of things I needed to follow-up on for our 2023 Alaskan trip.  Love, love the maps!  Very detailed.

 

When we stated to plan our 3rd Alaskan cruise/tour for 2023 I remembered that I had the book and dug it out for research and/or references.  It's fascinating!  Full of tidbits of information, beautiful pictures of wildlife and scenery coupled with lots of history of the cities and locations the cruise visits.  I sure wish I had the book for our 1st Alaskan cruise many years ago.

John                                                      

Thanks so much for that detailed message.  I will look up John's book on amazon

16 hours ago, bjkTX said:

We have a "Alaska Inside Passage Travel Guide" booklet we bought in 2004 on our first Alaska cruise.  It has fold out maps and one page maps although the booklet is only 5x8.5".  It's sitting in the bottom of a bag full of cruise "stuff" - so if you'd like it I'd be happy to pass it on!

That is so thoughtful!  Let me check out the other links people have suggested.  I think 5x8.5 in a good size when you travel 😉

11 hours ago, caribill said:

 

I bought the book on my recent Princess cruise for $3.31 and it came with a map.

 

Since your book did not come with the map, assuming it was new, contact Amazon and request that they send one to you.

Holy cow - I can't believe you got the book that cheap on the cruise!  I thought it would be way more there.

17 hours ago, Cobber76 said:

Here are photos of the map from the Alaska Cruise Companion book.  The map measures about 24” X 30” when opened up.  Hope the photos help!

Oh my gosh - thank you so much!  That helps a ton.  I'm a visual person so this is perfect!

On 2/21/2023 at 9:33 AM, JimmyVWine said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

All taken from our private balcony.  Port side at Glacier Bay.  I don't like the idea of shouldering my way in to a rail-side spot on a public deck on a Royal Class ship.  Without a full Promenade, space is hard to come by and often blocked by blue glass panels.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing pictures!  So excited to go!

I just got a copy of the highly recommended book from amazon but there was no map in it.  I wondered if anyone had one that they could take a picture of and post. 🙂  I've been trying to find one online but no luck so far.  We are looking forward to our first Alaskan cruise this May. 

And speaking of amazon, is there a pair of binoculars that you like that are less than $150 that would be good?  I like the ones that you can take photos with too but not sure how well they really work.

Thanks!

Leah

Thanks for all the great tips!  We ended up booking balconies.  We are beside friends so can open the door between the balconies and have a nice long one. 😉  Looking forward to May 13th!

3 hours ago, mtnesterz said:

If you want to sightsee in Alaska, then the Sapphire is the best choice IMHO. I think the Coral will be in Alaska this year, maybe not. The Grand would be OK too, but the Royal is so big it takes a different route. 

So you must have a reason for wanting to be high up and choosing the Royal, which isn't clear why. A cabin up a deck to Lido, then aft is the Horizon buffet and aft Terrace. Some sightseeing there with easy access to snacks and hot drinks. You ask for thoughts and that's what I'd do.

Yeah, the reason is it fits our schedules.  We've never done Princess or Alaska.  Thanks!

35 minutes ago, portiemom said:

I've not been to Alaska on Royal Princess, but I do like Deck 15 Marina. The sweet spot for me is a stateroom in the range of the M500's through the M600's. If you book one of these, you will have the overhang above your balcony to protect from weather. Horizon Buffet is one deck up. Two decks up you have open deck for sightseeing. (If at all possible, you'll want to get out and about on the ship to see the gorgeous scenery that is all around you, not stay on your balcony.) And you're close to the laundry, if you need it. Only downside for me is lack of a good wrap-around Promenade deck on Royal. As I say, you'll want to move about the ship. Our first trip to Alaska, we saw a whale breach the first night on board while standing on the Promenade. Of course, I did not have my camera ready, but it was magical! You're sure to enjoy Alaska!

Thanks so much.  The rooms were actually 528 and 530 so that sounds perfect.

We were told there are balconies available on Deck 15 of the Royal Princess but I wondered if that is too high to see the animals, nature, etc. well.  We'll have binoculars, of course.  Thoughts?

Thanks!

Do they have the national park people do a lecture while in Glacier Bay that you can hear from your own room. For example, you can hear it on your tv on Princess cruises so you can stay on your own balcony.

We've never cruised with Norwegian but really want to do an Alaskan cruise in May

Thanks!

Leah

9 hours ago, Oakman58 said:

In my opinion yes, a balcony is well worth the money for an Alaskan cruise.  And you don't have to stay on your balcony, you can always walk around the areas where inside cabin people will be.  Depending on the weather it can be windy, rainy, and very cool so a balcony would be a must in those conditions.

Also, when you first wake up you can open the drapes and see beautiful scenery and perhaps wildlife.  The day we cruised Glacier Bay I would not have gotten this early morning photo if I didn't have a balcony.

What an amazing shot!

3 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

No, we've never not been able to go there. Glacier Bay is big, so I think ships can always manage it no matter what the ice situation is in the water.

That sounds good.  Thanks.

We're thinking about a Princess cruise the second week of May.  It goes to Glacier Bay.  Has anyone ever not been able to get in there?  It's the whole reason we picked this cruise.

Thanks

36 minutes ago, trvlwrld said:

The only time we have ever booked an inside room was on an Alaskan cruise…that was the only cruise we’ve ever not liked because we felt “cheated” on the scenery…we definitely felt we missed out.  With that being said, an inside room on a cruise is better than no cruise at all!

I totally agree - I'd take an inside before I'd stay home 😉  We're sold on the balcony.  Thanks

We've cruised 10 times but never on Princess and never an Alaskan cruise.  Just wondering your thoughts on whether it's worth the extra money to get a balcony instead of an inside cabin.  We are thinking about Royal Princess.  It's an inside passage with Glacier Bay seven-day cruise.

Any tips you have would be wonderful! 

Thanks!
Leah

Just booked our cruise last week after a long break because of ...you know... 

We haven't been on Horizon before or to any of the ABC islands so are looking forward to new adventures!  Has anyone used ABC Tours in Aruba?  We still need to book something there and also La Romana.

This is our 10th cruise and this is the first time that we've never been able to book a dinner seating in the dining room.  They said it was all full so we need to do open seating.  Has that happened to any of you?  I was really hoping for a regular table/waiter since I have Celiac Disease and need a gluten free menu.

Thanks!

We are booked on this same cruise leaving Miami Jan.21, 2023.  Any tips on visiting the islands?  We have a snorkle excursion booked in Bonaire and one through the ship booked for Amber Cove.  Haven't booked anything for Aruba but are chatting with ABC Tours.  Nothing booked for LaRomana yet.  I haven't seen many positive reviews for any tours with the ship or otherwise.  Any tips would be great!

Thanks!

Leah