NengEuis

I would choose the Encore for 2 reasons:

1. Glacier Bay vs. Endicott Arm

2. Encore has the afternoon berth in Juneau (Bliss leaves mid-day and Encore comes in to the same berth)

There may be some differences in the ships but it would come down to whether those things are important to you. 

Just used it yesterday and worked great. Bags go out by 9pm Friday with PV luggage tags. They were shown as "accepted" in my Alaska Airlines app. I have airtags in my bags so I could see they were on the plane with us. Alaska Airlines also shows on the app when a bag is scanned into the aircraft, no matter how you choose to check your bag. I thought the service was great and allowed us to have an awesome luggage-free journey off the ship and all day in Seattle. 

Le Kool Rose was on the bottle list but not available BTG. Not sure how much they charged for it at Duty-Free. The premium champagne BTG used to be Pommery Rose, but now it is Jean Noel Haton Brut Rose. Sells for $29 BTG onboard but included in the P+. (Unless you drink one in Washington waters, where it will cost you $3). 

The earliest check in time is 9:30. You won't board until about 11:30-12. We had a 9:30 check in time and got Boarding Group 2. We were on board at about 11:50, and staterooms were ready at 3:30. 

20 minutes ago, Coral said:

I have one pair. I will wear them multiple times if it rains more than once. Not a big deal.

  Never mind 

I live in Alaska and treat our clothing often Who wants to buy more rain pants? Hell no. We use Nikwax direct spray on. Available in lots of places, got mine at REI. 

4b99daa9-c327-45c0-91ab-1aec73fd413a.avif

The only Link station I think people should avoid if you can is Pioneer Square. I usually get off at University Street Station (if I'm going to the ferry or waterfront) or Westlake if I've got time to kill downtown and just want to walk around. The experience is different every time. I never feel unsafe riding in the daytime, even when by myself. 

On 3/21/2024 at 7:44 AM, no1racefan1 said:

 Looks like we're going to have a 6-ship day in Juneau, phew!

Really a five ship day since the Bliss and Encore do some hot berthing and only one of them is there at a time. But still a verrrryyyyyy busy day at the dock! 

EDITED: Whoops I just realized you're there on the 22nd, not the 21st on the Royal. Still a very busy day! 🙂

28 minutes ago, dmwnc1959 said:

I think it’s that ‘staggered scheduling’ (hot berthing) that keeps the cruise lines complaint with the limit of five ships ‘docked’ (at the same time) per day. 

Yes, the Bliss and Encore often visit Juneau on the same day, but one leaves and the other scoots in an hour later. Busy, busy day for those folks working on land. 

You asked, so here's why I pre-pay for water:

I am admittedly horrible about remembering to drink water. Misery ensues, especially when hot weather, sparkling wine, margaritas, and gin & tonics enter the chat. Yes, I can fill at the tap or the buffet (ignoring the signs that explicitly say not to) and I can and do bring my hydroflask for that purpose. BUT...when I pre-pay water, I "assign" myself a certain number to drink every day. I throw them in my bag when going ashore and save a trip to the buffet or the table as you walk off the ship to get one. I drink half a cold one from the fridge when I get up, and the other half before I go to bed (I can't stand room temp water).  Again this is just me, and how I choose to travel, and it works for me because being dehydrated and hungover on a ship is the worst thing ever. Having the cartons ready to go in my stateroom when I arrive is just my insurance policy. At home I drink 64oz of water a day. On a 7 day cruise I drink 24 liters of water and it's $50 well spent, at least to me. Your mileage may vary. To each their own. Cheers

58 minutes ago, Lush LaRue said:

I feel like a real CC member at this moment. 😛 Thank you! I’m going to miss your updates next week. I’m almost inspired to try a live review for April since it’s an early sailing and people are anxious to see the new Dailies. 

I would tune in for the Dailies! I'll be on the Bliss in late May.

I'd also throw the Homewood Suites on Western into the list. Less than a mile away from 66 and an easy Uber/Lyft. I find ridesharing much easier/quieter/more relaiable/less chaotic than hotel shuttles and worth the small cost.

P.S. The tracks are behind the Marriott

We were in 6002 in the Caribbean and loved it. For a port-heavy itinerary or one with with fjord cruising I would do it again in a second. While the outside area is not ideal with the vessel is underway, any time they open up the bow for any kind of viewing you will thank yourself for booking that stateroom! I am trying to book it again for another cruise. This is when we were approaching San Juan PR. 

15 hours ago, L1211 said:

These people care deeply.  They want to see us delighted.  It was such a warming experience and reminder of how hard they work FOR US.  To make our dinner and vacation special.  just a reminder to call out great service.  They are so appreciative when we do. 

So glad you took the time to pull her aside AND to take time to share this story with us. I fill out hero cards as well. Most of the people who are serving us on these vessels are away from families, very young kids, aging parents, and most of them do it with impeccable professionalism and care. When one stands out to me I make sure everyone knows about it. It's the least I can do. 

21 hours ago, L1211 said:

But the margarita is top shelf!  Maybe a dozen or so and I wont care! 

Honestly, drinking Patron Margaritas all day is on of the best parts of FAS+. (However I do start the day with a Painkiller - the drink not the drug)

I would also recommend just renting the car - May 20 is fairly early in the season and I think people underestimate how spread out Fairbanks is. You'll be able to fit a lot more in and maybe be a little spontaneous if you come across a suggestion you want to chase down. 

AM or PM Riverboat only is a common itinerary for pax that just spend one night in Fairbanks as part of their land tour. 

Where are you staying? Second the Auto Museum and the University. Pioneer Park will be open and you could definitely waste some time there and then eat at the Alaska Salmon Bake. 

I would personally stay Downtown. Check out a B&B called Susitna Place. Amazing views of the inlet, close to downtown (just a few blocks from Captain Cook), perfect for solo traveler. 

Deleted - saw update from OP

Sitting in the Spinnaker with a great jazz quartet right now. Very relaxed, lots of cozy window seats. This space is way better than HALs Crows Nest…just feels more open? The Pearl is still in great shape and I can see why you enjoyed sailing onboard her so much Chief. Beautiful “right sized” ship! 

Update from the Pearl. Onboard with P+ and have only found Prosecco at every bar.  Magnums has “one bottle” of Pommery Rose. Nice bartender Jim says “I have no idea what is going on, we’re the Champagne Bar!”. In Spinnaker, they don’t have Pommery Rose…in fact when I ordered it he says “ok Prosecco?” It’s the only Sparkling Wine/Champagne on the P+ menu. Umm..no. So I ask for La Crema. They have none. I ask for the other P+ Chardonnay (Terrazas) and he has to go searching for it. I don’t really want Chardonnay but I don’t really drink any other whites. Anyway, I drink Hendricks at home so I’ll probably give up grapes this cruise. Eating at LeBistro tomorrow and will have many Veuves, since that’s the only place you can get it…I hope! 🤞🏼 

On board right now. Looking great in all areas. Food so far has been excellent - had dinner in Summer Palace and food and service were excellent. O’Sheehans is hopping. Stateroom is refreshed and has tons of storage, very impressed! 

Most of us that have national carriers have AT&T and Verizon up here. All good. T-Mobile not popular. 

Following along! Taking this cruise in June and am so excited to see Bermuda for the first time. 

I look forward to following along as I'm doing a solo to Bermuda in June. After 20 years as a Mom, the family vacation planner finally takes a VACATION. Ha! Finally, only one person to worry about on the ship. ME!  Hope you have a smooth embarkation and find time to take care of yourself - you deserve it. 

On 1/6/2022 at 1:50 PM, ilv4cruising said:

So I guess I'm really tired or not quite following.  Based on the amounts above here are the 2 options I can figure out.

 

1 - Moving from SBP Prepay ($44.95) to EBP Prepay ($49.95) – Difference is $5

2 - Moving from SBP Prepay ($44.95) to EBP Onboard ($59.95) – Difference is $15

 

 

 

How do we get to $10?

 

 

FYI - I phoned HAL to ask what it would be to upgrade onboard and they said $5.  I hope it is $5/per person/day when we try this 🙂

There is a third scenario - the one where you don't Prepay for the SBP to begin with. That was my situation as the SBP was included in the fare as part of Have it All. (Just like Internet, the Shore Excursion Credit, the Dining Credit.)

We got to $10 because I was sitting at a Bar at a HAL ship 20 minutes after boarding and was told the cost was $10 for Have it All fares. If you prepay the SBP, it will definitely be $5. Although I don't know why you wouldn't just prepay the EBP if that is what you are wanting onboard. If you are going to prepay for a package, then just get the one you want. Seems like the easiest and most logical thing to do. 🤷🏼‍♀️